With a sudden burst of determination, Dexter made his choice. “I won’t leave anyone behind!” he yelled, feeling the weight of his decisions press heavily on him. He wouldn’t be like them—he wouldn’t abandon anyone, even those who had tried to harm his sister. “Dexter, no!” Ava screamed, tears brimming in her eyes as the building shook around them, dust and debris falling from the ceiling. But before he could act, Joon, now half-conscious, began to stir, his expression filled with rage and desperation. “You’ll pay for this, Dexter! You’ll regret letting us live!” Dexter shot a glance at Joon, sensing the potential threat. “You’re wrong,” he replied coolly, summoning his energy for one last strike, his daggers glinting in the dim light. “Wait!” Tae shouted, panic clawing at his throat as he realized the stakes. “We don’t have to fight anymore! We can help each other!” Dexter hesitated, torn. The system buzzed in his mind, assessing the situation. But the crumbling warehouse left him
The dim light of the hospital room cast shadows over Ava’s still form, hooked up to various machines that beeped softly, measuring her vitals. Dexter paced anxiously by her side, his heart racing as memories of the night before flooded his mind. He could still hear the chaos—the screams, the battle, the moment he had torn her away from the Deer Twins.“Stay with me, Ava,” he murmured, gripping her hand. “I need you to wake up.”The door swung open, and Henry rushed in, his expression serious. “Dexter, are you okay? What happened out there?”Dexter turned, his face a mix of determination and worry. “I thought I could handle it, Henry. I thought I could save her,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.“You did save her,” Henry replied, stepping closer. “But we need to figure out what’s next. The mage cops are on their way to deal with the twins. They’ll be here soon.”Dexter felt a surge of frustration. “They’re not here yet. What if they come back? What if they hurt her again?”He
The officer’s words barely registered as Dexter rushed past her, his heart racing. He pushed through the emergency door and back into the hospital, his mind consumed with worry for Ava. As he entered her room, he found her still unconscious but stable, the machines beeping steadily beside her.“Thank the stars,” he murmured, relief flooding through him. He pulled up a chair beside her bed, gripping her hand tightly. “I’m here, Ava. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”Minutes turned into hours as he sat by her side, replaying the encounter with the Deer Twins in his mind. The adrenaline rush from the fight was fading, leaving behind an unsettling mix of anxiety and guilt. If only I had been stronger, he thought. If only I could have finished them off.The door creaked open, and Henry slipped into the room, a worried expression on his face. “Dexter, what happened out there?” he asked, taking a seat beside him.“Just what I told you,” Dexter replied, still looking at Ava. “They came after me. T
As dawn broke, casting golden rays through the city’s skyline, Dexter felt the weight of determination heavy on his shoulders. He had returned to the hospital after his meeting with the informant, his mind racing with thoughts of Ava and the Deer Twins. The encounter had only strengthened his resolve to become stronger.When he arrived at Ava’s room, Henry was already there, seated by her bedside, a worried expression etched across his face.“Morning,” Dexter said, forcing a smile as he approached.“Morning,” Henry replied, his eyes darting to Ava. “Any news?”“Just the usual,” Dexter said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll be taking on some missions to level up.”Henry raised an eyebrow, concern deepening his features. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? You’re going to put yourself in danger again?”“Henry, I have to,” Dexter replied, his tone firm. “I can’t let them come after her again. I need to get stronger.”“And what if something goes wrong? What if you ca
The warehouse loomed ominously in the twilight, its peeling paint and shattered windows reflecting the chaos that had unfolded within. Dexter stood in the center of the large, empty space, a grim determination etched on his face. He was no longer the naive Grade E awakener who had stepped into the world of the supernatural. Now, he was a force to be reckoned with, and tonight he intended to prove it.As he prepared himself for the confrontation, the air thickened with tension. The Deer Twins—Tae and Joon—had come to settle a score, sent by the infamous Grade S awakener, Dead Skull, to eliminate him. Dexter had heard whispers of Dead Skull’s power, and the knowledge sent a chill down his spine.“Look who we have here,” Tae taunted, a mocking grin plastered on his face as he stepped into the light. “The little hero thinks he can take us on alone. How quaint.”“Enough games,” Dexter shot back, his voice steady. “You’re here to kill me, and I’m here to end this.”Joon stepped forward, a g
The sun peeked through the curtains as Dexter pulled on his school uniform, a mixture of excitement and apprehension bubbling in his chest. It was his first day back since the incident with Ava and the twins. Despite everything, he had managed to secure his place at the mage academy, but he knew that wouldn’t shield him from the whispers and judgments of his peers.As he made his way to school, the weight of his new abilities pressed down on him. The system had given him powers beyond his imagination, but here, among his classmates, he felt like an imposter.Arriving at the academy, he noticed a group of awakeners gathered near the entrance. They were laughing and pointing, their eyes flicking towards him as he approached. Dexter tried to ignore them, but the energy shifted as he drew closer.“Look who it is,” one of them sneered, a taller boy with spiky hair named Trent. “The grade E wannabe. You really think you can show your face after what happened?”Dexter clenched his fists, try
The school day dragged on after the confrontation. Dexter could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, a mix of awe and wariness. Whispers floated through the hallways about his surprising display of strength. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was gaining respect, but it was a double-edged sword.When he finally made it home, the familiar buzz of his system chimed in his mind.[New Mission Available][Objective: Clear the next dungeon challenge][Reward: Skill enhancement and stats increase]Dexter’s heart raced. This was exactly what he needed. He had barely recovered from the ordeal with the twins, but the urge to grow stronger pushed him forward. He opened his inventory to assess his items, ensuring he was prepared for whatever lay ahead.Before he could dive into the details, his phone buzzed again, pulling his attention. It was a message from Charlotte.Charlotte: Hey, I heard about what happened today. Want to grab a bite after school tomorrow?Dexter frowned,
Dexter moved cautiously through the darkened corridors of the Abyssal Ruins. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if it were alive with the presence of the unknown. Shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, making him feel like he was being watched. He tightened his grip on his daggers, the cool metal a comfort in the eerie atmosphere.[Scanning environment for potential threats...][Threat detected: Shadow Beast]The system’s voice echoed in his mind, a reminder of the danger that lurked around him. Just as he processed the warning, a low growl resonated from the darkness. A hulking figure emerged from the shadows—a Shadow Beast, its eyes glowing a menacing red.Dexter sprang into action, activating his [Lightning Step] skill to gain an advantage. He launched himself forward, closing the distance between him and the beast in an instant.“Let’s see what you’ve got!” he shouted, flipping his daggers as he prepared for the attack.The Shadow Beast lunged at him, its claws swip