Max stood frozen at the school courtyard, heart racing as the System interface flickered in front of him:[INVENTORY REWARD] You have: 1 Gold Key 3 Bronze Keys Max, gulping, inserted the Gold Key into the system. [UNLOCKED SKILL: Blind Spot Strike] MP Cost: 50 Description: A precision strike targeting an opponent's blind spot, causing disorientation and stagger. Damage varies based on body part used and timing. "Blind Spot, huh?" Max whispered. "Alright... I can work with that." Without wasting time, Max inserted all three Bronze Keys. His MP stat rose — not drastically, but just enough. He took a deep breath. Suddenly, a girl sprinted past, accidentally bumping Chris as she rushed for the bus. But before she could make it— Chuck Allen was already approaching her from behind, eyes narrow. “No one… is faster than me,” he muttered, lifting his hand to strike. Max moved on instinct, grabbing Chuck’s hoodie and yanking him backward, causing the girl to escape. [QUEST COM

Max stepped out of the sleek black car, his right wrist wrapped in white bandages that still stung every time he moved it. His eyes widened at the sheer size of the Conor estate — a fortress-like mansion surrounded by tall iron gates and more bodyguards than he’d ever seen in one place. Grimm’s dry voice echoed in his mind. “If a robber tried to sneak in here, they’d be dead before they even decided what to steal.” Max smirked slightly. “Comforting.” Two bodyguards approached, their expressions cold and unreadable, and escorted him inside. The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier light. He spotted Lois standing in the main hall, her brows furrowed with worry the moment she noticed his wrist. “What happened to you?” she asked. Max grinned. “Oh, you know… thought I’d try arm-wrestling a truck.” Lois rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. Before she could reply, a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into the room — Mr. Hank Conor, the man who practically

Max’s eyes gleamed at the system notification.A date with Lisa? he thought, excitement rushing through him. This is the best reward I’ve ever seen!But his joy was short-lived. The boy he’d smacked with the chair earlier groaned and stood up, rubbing his head. His friends glared at Max like sharks smelling blood.Max’s smile faltered. “Uh oh… sudden retreat!”He spun around and bolted out of the café, pushing past confused customers. The five thieves roared in anger, chasing after him down the narrow street.Max skidded around a corner, his broken wrist still aching, his heart pounding. When the boys rounded the corner—He was gone.“Where the hell did he go?” one muttered.Just above them, Max crouched at the edge of a wall, a grin on his face.“Surprise.”He leapt.Falcon Drop!His heel slammed onto the head of the nearest boy, sending him crumpling to the ground.[One of five defeated.]The other four shouted in shock.“Get him!”Grimm’s voice echoed in Max’s head. “Max, use Soul

The streetlights flickered weakly above, casting long shadows across the deserted road. Max stood rigid, his fists clenched, glaring at the mountain of muscle in front of him. The man was built like a tank, veins bulging along his arms as if they might burst any second. His cruel smirk only deepened when he saw Max’s stance.“Look at you,” the bodybuilder sneered, his laughter booming like thunder. “Are you seriously planning on fighting me? Don’t make me laugh, kid.”Max didn’t respond. His blood was boiling, his heart pounding against his ribs so loudly it almost drowned out the man’s words. He took the first step forward, then another, and with a sharp breath, he launched a barrage of punches at the man’s chest and jaw.Thud. Thud. Thud.It was like punching a brick wall. The bodybuilder didn’t even flinch. Instead, his grin widened.“My turn.”The man’s massive fist swung with terrifying speed. Max barely had time to react before the blow connected with his side. Pain exploded thr

Max sat on his bed with one hand pressed gently against his swollen eye while the other held the dungeon map. The glowing parchment pulsed faintly with red lines that shifted like veins, as if alive, mocking him with the quest requirements.[Quest Requirement: Minimum of Two Party Members]“Of course… figures I can’t just go solo,” Max muttered, dropping the map on his lap. “Why can’t this system let me breathe for once?”Grimm appeared in his spectral form, arms crossed and expression sly. “Because, partner, it wouldn’t be fun otherwise. Besides… you’re strong, but even you need backup.”“Backup, huh…” Max thought about his classmates. The first name that came to mind was Chris. At least Chris was loyal. Maybe he’d be willing to tag along.The next morning, Max approached Chris near the lockers. “Hey Chris, you free this weekend? I’ve got… something big. Might need your help.”Chris laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Max, you know I’m no fighter. I’d probably faint the