"For someone who looks like a loser, you have a lot of guts."
The prison was one of the place I should have stayed away from. I already had too many problems, and the last thing I wanted was to get involved in illegal matters.
Yet, here I was talking to a criminal about the possibility of selling a new kind of drug.
I don't think it's quite right to call it a drug, either.
During the first [Mission], I found out about this. It was about introducing the [Store] and the items I could 'buy'.
There were many categories, but I could only buy potions because everytime I try to explore it furteher, it always said "Your level isn't high enough."
The various [Missions] I had done also provided compensation. They included things like Gold, Charisma, and EXP Points.
L, I was very happy to see that my Gold balance had reached 100.
I thought it was real money worth a hundred grams of Gold, but it was just a way to trade things within the system.
Except for [Attribute Points] and [Skill], I was starting to think that this miracle I had received was pointless.
Before I saw that Potion.
[Health Potion]
Lv. 1
Price: 10 Gold
Restores 500 Health Points.
(Warning: Giving potions to non-players will cause unexpected effects.)
It seemed like the warning knew what I was going to do.
So, yeah, sure. This was all gambling.
Six of Shane's men were still waiting for me when I came out.
If this transaction didn't go well and the Potion I brought didn't work the way I wanted it to, this will be my end.
Shane asked, "So, where's the stuff?"
I looked at his face and it wasn't that bad.
Even though the pebble-struck eye was bandaged and probably wouldn't get better, Shane was as fit as ever.
I put down the bottle I was holding and put it on the table. Earlier, to avoid suspicion, I had poured the Potion first.
Shane looked unhappy and asked, "What is this?"
I gulped. "The stuff."
Shane looked at me for a second and then started laughing out loud.
Even the guard who was watching us from the doorway watching us from the doorway noticed and everyone was staring at us.
What was that laughter all about?
After that, Shane grabbed my shoulders, pulled me forward, and whispered in a harsh voice. "Hey, you have five seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you right away."
Wh-what? "Wait. I-I think there's a misunderstood here. I meant it. This is the stuff I kept talking."
"So, to sum up, you're the dumb, know-it-all teenager who would say that your rotten chemistry crafts is a drug?"
Crafts? "No, sir. It's ...." It's not worth arguing further. "Listen, sir. You must understand this is my last chance, and I'm not going to mess around."
"Yes, but you might fool me."
I gulped. I needed something to build trust between us. "Just like you, I need money."
"Everyone needs it, kiddo."
I had no more ideas. "All right." I reached for the bottle again, but Shane stopped me.
He asked, "What are you doing?"
I was surprised, to be honest. "I brought a gift and an offer. I already gave you a gift." I pointed to the big fast food meal I'd bought on the way here (it was the last of my money for the month). "But we didn't come to the deal we wanted. I'm sorry, but I'll have to offer this to someone else."
Shane made a chuckling noise. "So you have another bidder?"
"People are always excited to try something new. It has a great opportunity, maybe this 'other bidder' can see it the way I do."
Shane gave an unpleasant look. "You... threatening me? You?"
"N-no, sir. Just summing up what we talked about today."
Shane just looked at me for a very long time. It was a blank look that made me feel scared. Especially when both of his lips suddenly pulled up into a wide grin. "I'll give it a try. If I die, you die too."
*#*
What did he mean by 'give it a try'? Did they let him use it when he still in jail?
No, I didn't have to worry about anything except how to get out of it without getting hurt.
Shane gave me a chance for one more day, but I didn't know if it would work or not.
Even though I have [Skill].
"... I wouldn't even call it a game. I think I could beat them even if I didn't open my eyes."
"Hahaha, look at him getting pretentious. You bastard."
"I mean, since they finished second in the championship, I thought they were that good."
"Prove it then."
"Hm?"
"Now, throw as well as you did on the field."
"Here? Are you crazy? It's inside the class."
"Then what? It's great that they can see a world-class shooter play live. Here, think of it as a ball. Toss it."
And that's how I almost got hit in the head with an iron eraser.
Raising [Agility] seemed like the right choice. Quick reflexes saved me from another broken nose this time.
When I looked over, everyone was staring this way.
Carl, whom I thought was the culprit, was staring in shock.
"World-class shooter, huh" Jason said with a grunt of amusement.
Phil said, "I think you're just lucky, man."
"Either that, or he's just playing against the reserves."
Being the target of his friend's jokes, Carl came at me with a hardened face.
When I saw his face, I thought of something very important. Oh, I remembered. "Carl, about Jason-"
"Hey, you jerk." Again, Carl's tone was cold. "You did it on purpose just now, didn't you? Are you trying to embarrass me?"
"What do you mean?" It was a natural thing to do. Did he think I would just stay like that and let myself hurt?
"Meet me at the warehouse after school. Let's see if you really have the balls."
He turned around after that. Unexpectedly, something happened while my heart was full of both confusion and anger.
[DEFEND YOURSELF]
Some rude people are trying to scare you and put you down. Prove to them that you deserve to be respected!
Objective(s):
(*) Get Carl on his knees!
(*) (Optional) Use force!
I'm in a tough spot
Even though Carl grew up to be a jerk, he was still a friend who I grew up with.
Indeed, his recent behaviour irritated me, but I didn't hold a grudge.
However, deep down, it makes me content.
Even though I didn't hold a grudge, I always thought Carl's actions toward me were too much, and as a good friend, I sometimes had to tell him to stop.
This mission gave me a reason to do that.
"Well, why don't we do it now?" I yelled as I got out of my chair.
Carl, who heard that immediately replied in displeasure. "What did you say?"
I've learned one thing recently: your chances of winning can be higher if you strike first.
I didn't need [Skill] to face Carl. We grew up together. I know what he likes, what he fears, and the weak points he tries to cover up.
However, I need to cross the boundaries I used to have to do that.
[Add +5 to POWER?]
[Confirm] [Return]
Five points isn't a big boost, but that's not what I'm looking for.
Carl's hands are his best asset as a basketball player. The right hand in particular.
Carl has always been skillful. In sixth grade, he was chosen to be the leader of the basketball club. In junior high, he went out of town to compete in the junior national championship.
So, even though Carl and I were almost the same size, he fit right in with the cool kids at school.
It was his hand that gave him the gift. It was also the hand that made him as arrogant as he is now..
I should have taught him a lesson.
I try to grabbed Carl's right hand, twisting it until he was forced to turn around.
He was surprised by how quickly I moved and how strong I was.
I launched a follow-up attack when he was caught off guard.
This time it was the foot, right into his shin.
Carl opened his mouth wide and tried not to scream.
If I'm not mistaken, he was just bragging about his match from yesterday, right? So, that part must still be fragile.
Carl slumped down while grimacing.
To be honest, the back of my leg hurt as well. I shouldn't underestimate the hardness of athletes' bones.
Carl whimpered, "Bastard..." as he tried to hide his shame.
At that moment, I realized that everyone in the class had turned around and seen us fighting.
Crap!
But since there was no point in defending myself, I just continued a little more. "So, do I look like I've got guts now?"
*#*
[NAME: HARRY MCKANE
AGE: 16
LEVEL: 4
STRENGTH: ANALYSIS AND FAST THINKING
WEAKNESSES: TOO AFRAID TO MAKE DECISIONS
HP: 4000/4000
MP: 4000/4000
POWER: 15
VITALITY: 15
AGILITY: 30
INTELLIGENCE: 21
SPEED: 15]
So much crazy stuff is going on that I can't keep up.
Particularly about System. I did read the terms, but it was a quick read and I only got the big picture.
I just learned that each Mission can make me level up. Or the rewards were not just [Gold] and [EXP Points].
I could feel people's eyes on me as I walked and looked at my current status in the [PROFILE] menu.
Did the news about me defeating Carl in two moves spread that quickly?
I knew it wasn't right to be proud. I should feel bad and sorry, but the excitement of winning was too much to handle.
Let people sometimes look at me as the class president, not just because I look like a nerd, but as a person who can lead.
At least that's what I thought until I saw the front gate.
Because a group of scary-looking men were sitting right behind the fence up ahead. Asking the same student's name as each one walked by. Looking of someone: me.
It's Shane's men! When one of them saw me coming, he waved at me like we were old friends.
This time, there was no warning by the System, so it wasn't a sign of danger.
I went up to them, even though they were looking more and more strange.
This was hopefully good news.
One of them said, "Shane agreed." He's the only one left from yesterday's bathroom siege, he's also the one showed me the way to Shane.
"Excuse me?" I can't believe it.
"He wants to talk it further. I hope you have nothing else to do after this."
Actually, my homeroom teacher told me to talk to the discipline committee about something. But that could wait until the next day.
My safety is the priority now.
Also, the chance of getting money. "I don't have much choice, do I?"
"80-20."I widened my eyes.Not only was I shocked that this jerk was so brave as to talk about illegal deals in prison, but I was also shocked by his unfair offer. "What? So-sorry, sir. I understand what you're trying to do, but don't you think it might make one of us feel unfair"Shane made a grunt. "It's distribution uses one hundred per cent of my resources."I nodded. "Sure. But I'm taking care of 100% of the production. Since our work is the same, how about we divide it more fairly? 50-50?"Shane laughed again and then pounded hard on the table.When I looked at him again, I realized those eyes were ready to kill."I have to remind you that it's because of my kindness that you're still sitting here."I coughed.Even though I had been in many situations where life or death was at stake, this still drive me crazy."70-30. This is as much as I will ever give," Shane said in more dangerous tone.But I didn't let that stop me. Not at this point. "This is great, isn't it?" I said this
Hudson seemed odd from the first time we met. I tried to scan her with while we were talking, but this is what I got: [NAME: EVANGELINE HUDSON AGE: (Unknown) STRENTGH: (Unknown) WEAKNESSES: (Unknown) ... click to see more] What does unknown mean? Even her age? When we talked about System, I thought she was a fantasy novel or comic book fanatic who couldn't tell the difference between a fantasy world and the real world. Until I witnessed something she did to Jason. I'm just guessing, but it seems to me that she also has [Advanced Observation] or something similar. But, unlike me, she needs a physical touch. His process is also more complicated, and the results may be more specific. If that's the case, I can see why System wants her to leave as soon as possible. Her purpose doesn't make sense, either. Why is she hunting people like me anyway? Does that make her stronger? Wait. It could be possible That could be a good foundation. What I'm going through is almost like an R
"Don't pretend to be dead. I won't be fooled by your acting again."I wasn't pretending to be dead in the first place."Well, that's better," Hudson said when I opened my eyes and looked back at him. "I get a bit annoyed when the person I'm talking to doesn't look back at me."While the girl was babbling, I tried to stand up and take the opening to escape. Wait, what is this? My hands ... are tied? Since when? And where did this rope come from?"Ah... you shouldn't try to escape, or struggle. The rope I'm using has a unique technology. The more you try to untie it, the tighter it will get, perhaps to the point where it will rip and mince your flesh slowly."I gulped. If this was a normal situation, I would have laughed right away. However, I think Hudson was joking she said that, and she also has the similiar power as me.She had a system, and definitely had all sorts of strange devices that could be utilised."Good. You still have some common sense. Now, tell me, Class Rep, wait, you
I just had a weird dream. I caught a windfall, dealing with some scary-looking guys, hit and hummiliate Carl, then almost... kissed a girl (?).Duh. That's an embarrassing fantasy for a wet dream.I checked my bottom, it didn't feel damp, let alone sticky. So it was just a silly sleeping flower.Am I that desperate, huh? Yes ... I was indeed in that phase, and last night's dream indicates that my puberty is in its prime, but still...But what if it wasn't a dream? At least the part where I got a wad of money.I picked up my mobile phone, intending to check Mum's m-banking, but immediately decided against it.What the hell was I doing? Hadn't I stopped expecting those delusions?What I needed to do now was work harder and more effectively to pay Mum's operation.That's when the mobile phone notification came, a text message from my colleague Fletcher. It wasn't just one.William FletcherHey, dickhead, did you rat me out to Liz? I'll forgive you this time, but there will be no free d
It was a vague vision of something that never existed, or at least I tried to pretend it did.I saw my father wearing a white robe approaching me bound. I was only four years old and felt so scared. Father's eyes were like a hungry wolf ready to pounce on me at any moment.In his hand was a syringe. It was shiny, sharp, and looked painful.I struggled, screamed, and begged for mercy; but Father didn't stop. He buried the needle deep into my skin.I even remember the pain and the instant goose bumps ran down my body. My hands ached again, I felt so much pain in the back of my head. My tongue was even accidentally bitten off in the painful process, but I felt no pain. It seemed like these overlapping sensations were making me half-numb.Another vision came, this time I saw the current me. Each time it came, it was like a dagger lodged in the brain. But each time, I finally understood more. I finally knew what was going on.I got my memories back.*#*"See? You hit him too hard! What if
As expected, right after school, one of the two would come.And now it was a group of burly men, again.As I approached them, I heard whispers from behind. Huft... just when I had a good reputation at school, now I'm bound to get dragged into bad rumours again.I gulped, and nodded obediently when ordered to enter. This time they even brought up to three cars and more guards. As soon as I got into one of the biggest cars, I was soon joined by a strapping man in a suit with a sharp gaze and a woman in a white coat looking at me enthusiastically."Are you the guy?" the man said.I gaped upwards. This can't be! They... they...[PROFILE]NAME: (Unknown)AGE : (Unknown)LEVEL : (Unknown)[PROFILE]NAME : (Unknown)AGE : (Unknown)LEVEL : (Unknown)Perhaps they are just like Hudson. Or maybe they work for her?Damn. I should have anticipated this too."I said, are you the guy?" the man said again, this time in a snapping tone.I gulped. Okay, calm down. Maybe this was all unrelated. Maybe
"Yes, yes. I'll transfer it tomorrow during my holiday." I chuckled and checked my watch for who knows how many times. How long does it take for people to want to call?"But ..., really, are you okay?"It's okay? Seriously.I'm also struggling here, you know.Every month I get a mediocre salary, sleep irregularly, work overtime, my apartment rent is exorbitant, and that ugly boss is always looking at me with a look that makes me uncomfortable.However, I just sighed uneasily. "Yeah, it's okay."A moment later, the call was paused by a long silence. Was it already closed? However, just as I was about to check, Mum spoke up again."Nad, I'm sorry. Mum and Dad were supposed to be happy for you, to help you, but instead we're the ones who are bothered. Mum and Dad never gave you what you wanted, but now you're struggling because of us." Mum's voice hung for a moment, when it finally came out, her voice trembling. "But I don't know who else to ask for help. I promise, I promise this is the
Okay.Before we continue, I'll discuss the essence of a novel's existence.What is it that makes people love works of fiction?The characters? Conflict? The setting? Themes?Nerds who take themselves too seriously.What? Mandate? Better go to a motivational seminar instead.What matters is a 'bias'.The boundary between the real world and the imaginary world.No one wants to read about acceleration equations in fantasy stories or chemical compound formulas in romance stories - I swear, who started this stupid trend? You think this is the periodic table?Great writers are those who manage to create a fun world that everyone can enjoy.Those who assume the element of realism in the world of novels are idealistic morons.And damn it, I'm one of those morons-at least I used to be.Even in a world where power and bloodlines are everything, we still have to go to school.And so, here I am. Stuck in the company of elite women. Doing the mundane agenda that seems to be a written obligation e