A cold sweat clung to his neck. His heart pounded—not from fear of being caught, but from the war building inside him. He had always thought ghouls were mindless monsters. And now…
What does that make me?
Before he could spiral deeper into his thoughts, a familiar voice snapped him back to reality.
"Well, well. If it isn't the tier D freak."
Alex turned.
The same bulky student who had mocked him earlier stood at the library door, flanked by two cronies. His thick arms were folded, his smirk wide and unpleasant.
"I heard you scored one of the lowest in combat assessment. Makes sense for someone who spends more time with dusty books than real training."
Alex stayed silent. He wasn't in the mood. Not today.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Alex muttered, brushing past.
The bully moved to block him. "Too bad. I am."
A few students nearby took out their phones. The tension was rising.
Before anything could escalate further, the academy instructor from earlier appeared, arms behind his back. "Take this to the Combat Arena. If you insist on settling it, do so properly."
Alex let out a sigh. Just walk away…
Then a familiar chime echoed in his mind:
> [Side Quest Activated!]
Defeat the C-Tier Student, Raegan
Reward: +1 Level, New Skill Unlock
Failure Penalty: -5 Energy and -10 Reputation
> [Quest Time Limit: 15 Minutes]
Alex's fists clenched.
Dammit.
He could've taken the insult. He could've walked away. But the system made it clear—this was more than pride. This was a chance rto grow stronger… and to survive in a world where llll lmight already be hunting him.
In the Combat Arena
Students gathered in a half-circle, buzzing with excitement. Raegan stood shirtless, skin already shifting to a dull gray.
"Looks like he activated his ability—Stone Skin," Kirito muttered, hands in his pockets. He stood beside Miranda and Zane, watching quietly.
Miranda clutched her chest, worry etched across her face. "This is bad… That ability is pure defense. Alex won't be able to hurt him."
Zane crossed his arms and smirked. "Then maybe the nerd should've stayed in the library."
Inside the ring, the instructor raised his hand. "Standard rules. Duel ends on incapacitation or concession. Begin!"
A soft UI appeared before Alex:
> [HP: 25/25]
[Energy: 40%]
[Hunger: 45%]
The moment the battle started, Raegan charged like a tank.
Alex narrowly dodged the first punch, the air splitting with its force. He rolled to the side, keeping low.
The ground cracked where the punch landed.
Alex retaliated with a swift kick—but it bounced off Raegan's stony abdomen. The counter came fast—a shoulder slam that sent Alex flying across the arena.
CRASH!
> [HP: 20/25]
Pain radiated through his side, but he scrambled up, blinking away the haze.
Miranda shouted, "Alex! Get away from him!"
"He's already taken a hit," Kirito observed. "He can't afford many more."
"Bah," Zane scoffed. "This is embarrassing. End it already."
Raegan stomped forward, throwing wild, heavy punches. Alex ducked, dodged, weaved—but the speed and strength were overwhelming. A jab clipped his shoulder.
> [HP: 17/25]
He grit his teeth and went for the ribs—only for his fist to meet solid rock again.
Raegan laughed. "Is that all? Thought you were supposed to be 'special.'"
Another slam came—Alex blocked, but the impact numbed his arm.
> [HP: 13/25]
Alex darted back, chest heaving. His regeneration was trying to keep up, but he could feel it…
> [Energy: 25%]
[Hunger: 48%]
Then came a hammer-fist to the shoulder. Alex screamed.
> [HP: 8/25]
His vision blurred. His knees buckled.
> [Hunger: 50%]
[Warning: Half-Starvation Mode Activated]
Stats +10%
Time slowed.
A rush of heat spread through his veins. Red surged into his eyes. His breathing calmed—but his senses sharpened.
He saw everything.
He moved.
Raegan swung—but Alex ducked, weaving under the blow. A precise palm strike hit Raegan's cracked ribs.
CRACK!
The bully staggered back.
Miranda gasped. "He… he hurt him?"
"Impossible," Zane muttered. "He barely scratched him before…"
Kirito's eyes narrowed. "No. Something changed."
Alex moved like a blur now. He dodged a haymaker, elbowed Raegan in the jaw, and swept his legs.
Raegan hit the ground—but sprang back up, roaring. Spikes of stone erupted across his arms.
He lunged.
Alex caught one arm, redirected it, and used the momentum to knee Raegan in the face.
SMASH!
Blood sprayed. A crack ran down the side of Raegan's stone-like cheek.
> [Energy: 9%]
[HP: 5/25]
Another exchange followed—fist against flesh, skin against stone. Alex was fast, accurate, but every strike cost him.
> [Energy: 4%]
[Hunger: 55%]
Finally, a spinning heel kick connected with Raegan's head.
The bully collapsed.
Silence.
Then—
> [Quest Complete]
[+1 Level Up]
[New Skill Unlocked: crimson claw' (Lv. 1)]
Alex stumbled.
The system faded from view.
> [Energy: 0%]
[Warning: Critical Energy Depletion]
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Alex!" Miranda rushed forward.
Even Zane looked stunned. "What… was that?"
Kirito exhaled slowly. "That… wasn't normal."
As the crowd swarmed the arena, Alex lay still, his eyes closed.