As Jake swung, Dexter ducked low and activated Raging Thunder, channeling energy through his body as he launched forward.[Raging Thunder Skill Activated!][Charging energy! Prepare to unleash a powerful electrical blast.]With a surge of energy coursing through him, Dexter sprang into action. He launched himself forward, gathering all the electricity around him. Just as Jake lunged for another punch, Dexter unleashed the pent-up energy in a bright arc of lightning that shot straight toward him.“Here’s a taste of what I can do!” Dexter shouted, releasing the lightning like a whip that cracked through the air.The arc struck Jake square in the chest, sending him flying backward and crashing into the ground. The impact created a small shockwave that made the crowd recoil slightly, some gasping in disbelief at the sight.[You have dealt 40 damage to your opponent.][Opponent is stunned for 3 seconds.]The crowd erupted into cheers, but Dexter didn’t let the excitement distract him. He c

The next few days passed in a blur for Dexter. With the newfound connection to Chaos Weaver, his training intensified. He spent hours honing his skills, pushing his limits, and exploring the depths of his system. He could feel himself evolving, but with each step forward, the pressure mounted. He was acutely aware that greater challenges were on the horizon.As he walked into school on Monday morning, he felt the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. The hallways buzzed with the usual chatter, but today, there was a palpable tension in the air. Whispers and sideways glances followed him as he made his way to his locker.“Hey, Dexter!” Henry called out, jogging to catch up with him. “You ready for the big test in Mage Theory today?”“Yeah, I’ve got it covered,” Dexter replied, though his mind was elsewhere. The memory of the chaotic battle against the deer twins replayed in his mind, the rush of adrenaline still fresh.As they approached their classroom, a familiar voice

Dexter continued deeper into the Core, his daggers sheathed but his senses alert. The sprawling, interconnected pathways glowed dimly, casting eerie shadows across the space. He knew he wasn’t alone, and the system wasn’t going to make this mission any easier.[Warning: Stealth Protocol Activated. Hostile Agents are Patrolling the Area.]“Great,” Dexter muttered, gripping the hilts of his daggers as he crouched low. He could feel the weight of Dead Skull’s presence, even if it was far off. It was like a predator’s gaze looming just beyond the horizon.A few players nearby gave him curious glances, but no one made a move. That was the thing about the Core—trust was in short supply. For all he knew, any of them could be under Dead Skull’s influence.[New Mission Objective Unlocked: Locate the Saboteur.]Dexter opened his system map. A small red marker appeared, indicating his next target: a terminal deep within the heart of the Core, guarded by players working under Dead Skull’s orders.

The portal spat Dexter back into the familiar streets of Earth, but peace was the last thing on his mind. As the rush of energy faded, his system chimed again:[New Mission: Survive the Next Encounter. Threat: Dead Skull’s Enforcers.][Time Limit: 72 Hours.]Dexter scowled at the cryptic message. “Could’ve been more specific,” he muttered. His hand instinctively checked his daggers, already itching for the next fight. Dead Skull was coming—and this was just the beginning.---The following day, Dexter returned to school, trying to blend into the routine, though the lingering tension of the Core mission followed him like a shadow. But blending in was harder than it seemed, especially when people noticed the slight change in him—an edge sharper than before, as if he’d walked through fire and survived.Henry and Charlotte met him in the hallway, their usual camaraderie hanging by a thread. They didn’t trust Dexter fully, not since his actions during the previous raid, where he’d single-h

The streets were still, but Dexter knew better than to let his guard down. Dead Skull was coming—this was just the warning shot. Every fiber of his being screamed to stay alert. The enforcers had failed, but their deaths only bought Dexter time, not safety.The system hummed within him, tracking his every heartbeat, his every movement. With each mission completed, his skills sharpened, and the stakes grew higher. He wasn’t just leveling up anymore—he was preparing for war.---The Morning AfterThe next morning, Dexter woke with an uneasy feeling. His muscles ached from the fight with the enforcers, but what gnawed at him most was the knowledge that Dead Skull now had him in his crosshairs. The system might have given him an edge, but Dexter knew that facing a grade S awakener was an entirely different level of danger.He got dressed quickly, slinging his school bag over his shoulder, though he knew classes were becoming more of a distraction. The real battlefield wasn’t in textbooks;