Kai didn't sleep that night.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the Shadow Wolf lunging at him—its burning eyes, those claws—and the moment he drove the knife through its skull. It wasn't just fear. It was adrenaline. The reality had shifted, and his mind was struggling to keep up.
He stared at the System interface floating in front of him.
> [Tier Trial 1: Duel Another System User]
Time Remaining: 2 Days, 23 Hours
Target: Unknown – Attending Oakridge High]
> [Hint: Provoke or Investigate]
Provoke?
Not exactly his style. But if someone else had powers, it could get messy fast.
---
Monday – Oakridge High
The school hallway buzzed like any ordinary day, but to Kai, everything felt sharpened—his senses, his reflexes, his focus.
Every step was calculated.
Every face, a potential threat.
He opened Observe discreetly on anyone that passed by.
> [Target: Julia Mayers]
Status: Normal Human
Mood: Slightly bored. Thinking about coffee.
Power Level: None
> [Target: Devin Brooks]
Status: Normal Human
Mood: Irritated. Hasn't done homework.
Power Level: None
It was slow work, scanning face after face, hoping someone might trigger a different response.
> [Target: ???]
Status: Unknown
Mood: Concealed
Power Level: Hidden
Threat Level: Inconclusive
Note: Observation blocked by foreign skill
Bingo.
It was the tall kid by the lockers. Quiet. Athletic build. Jet-black hair tied back into a short tail. Dark grey eyes that flicked toward Kai for a half-second—just long enough.
Then he smirked.
Like he knew.
> [Observation Jammed – This target has active system interference]
Kai's chest tightened. That was definitely his Tier Trial opponent.
But before he could say a word, the guy vanished around the corner, faster than normal human speed.
Kai blinked.
"Did he just... Shadowstep?"
---
Lunchtime – Rooftop
Kai sat alone, munching a sandwich halfheartedly, thinking through his options.
"You saw me," he murmured aloud, "so you know I'm part of this too. Are you planning to strike first?"
> [System Alert: You are now being watched.]
His head jerked up. A presence behind him.
The rooftop door opened.
It was the same guy. Calm. Confident.
He walked toward Kai with a slight grin, hands in his pockets.
"You're the other one," the stranger said.
Kai stood, gripping his knife in his jacket pocket, ready.
"Name's Kai. You?"
The guy stopped three meters away and smiled wider. "Call me Lucien. Tier Trial challenger. I figured it was you when the System marked someone in my school."
"You gonna fight me here?"
Lucien chuckled. "Nah. I prefer something more dramatic. Sunset, maybe. Less witnesses. Cleaner."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "So you want the fight."
"I don't want it. But I'm not stupid enough to skip out on a Tier Trial. That's the gateway to real power. And I plan on winning."
Kai's grip tightened.
Lucien raised his hand.
> [Skill Activated: Shadow Lash (Lv.2)]
Black tendrils flickered from his palm before vanishing again.
"Your move, Kai. System users don't last long if they hesitate."
With that, Lucien walked away.
> [Warning: Opponent Class – Shadow Duelist | Rank: D+]
Tier Estimated: Higher than Host
Odds of Winning: 36%
"Thirty-six percent?" Kai muttered. "That's not ideal."
> [Tip: Increase win chance by improving skill mastery, equipment, or recruiting assistance]
Assistance?
> [New Side Mission Unlocked]
Title: Form a Bond
Find an ally to help in combat.
Reward: Temporary Buff + Skill Share (Lv.1)
He sighed. "Looks like I'm forming a team."
---
Evening – The Library
Kai wasn't exactly popular, but one person always seemed to tolerate his presence: Lena Rowe.
Smart. Deadpan. Bookworm. Sharp eyes like she saw through everything—and maybe, just maybe, she did.
He found her in her usual corner, buried in a fantasy novel.
"Hey."
She looked up, brow raised. "Kai? You actually reading something for once, or running from a demon?"
"…Second one."
She blinked once. "Come again?"
He sat across from her. "Okay, don't freak out. But I have a system. A real one. RPG style. Quests. Levels. Skills. And there's a trial that wants me to duel a guy named Lucien who could turn me into sidewalk jam."
She stared for a long second.
Then shut her book.
"…You're serious?"
Kai nodded.
Lena slowly reached into her bag and pulled out something wrapped in cloth.
She unwrapped it.
A silver bracelet, glowing faintly with runes.
Kai's jaw dropped.
"You're—?"
"System user," Lena said flatly. "Rank: C. Class: Arcane Weaver. My system awakened two weeks ago. Figured I'd keep it quiet until someone else stumbled into it."
Kai sat back, stunned.
"You too?"
She smirked. "Welcome to the madness, Kai."
---
> [Side Mission Complete: Form a Bond]
Reward: Temporary Buff – Shared Defense (Lv.1)
Skill Share Activated: Arcane Barrier (Lv.1) – Auto-casts minor shield on physical hit
> [System Alert: Party Created – Lena Rowe (Arcane Weaver, Rank C)]
> Win Chance Against Lucien: 52%
Suggested Strategy: 2v1 Coordination – Shadowtrap, Distraction, Finisher
Kai's heart steadied.
He wasn't alone.