MAXIMUS: System Of The Underdog

Chapter fifteenth– A Sudden Quest

The classroom grew tense as the boys of Swisscom High surrounded Max. Their uniforms were neat but their eyes burned with hostility, like wolves circling their prey.

One of them, tall and smug, stepped forward. Clearly the leader. “Max of Bloomfield High… our representative has summoned you. You’ll come with us.”

Before Max could answer, a voice rang out from the doorway.

“This isn’t your school.”

Peter Hans, the representative of Winter High, walked in calmly, his presence instantly shifting the atmosphere.

One of the Swisscom boys snarled, “Back off, Hans!” and lunged at him. But before his fist could connect, there was a sickening crack.

The boy screamed as he collapsed, clutching his twisted leg.

Max’s eyes widened. Grimm’s voice echoed in shock. “Wait… what the hell was that? He didn’t even touch him properly—his leg just—broke.”

Hans adjusted his collar casually, one hand resting at his neck. His eyes were cold. “Come at me. All of you.”

With a furious shout, they rushed him.

But Hans moved like a storm. Every strike was one hit, one knockout. A fist to the gut, an elbow to the chest, a kick that sent one crashing into a desk.

One of the Swisscom boys grabbed a table, swinging it like a weapon.

Hans didn’t even flinch. His fist shot straight through the wooden surface, splintering it, before smashing into the boy’s chest.

The room fell silent except for groans of pain.

Grimm whispered to Max, “Even with Soul Link… you’d lose to him. He’s on another level.”

Hans stepped over the wreckage, his eyes locked on the Swisscom leader. “Max isn’t going anywhere. Tell your representative that.”

The leader, trembling, backed down. Hans turned away and left.

Max caught up to him. “Thanks… for that.”

Hans looked at him briefly. “That’s what representatives are for.” And then he walked away.

School ended, and Max stretched as he left the building. “Grimm, you know… there’s something I’ve been wanting to do. Haven’t done it in a long time.”

Grimm yawned. “What?”

Max’s grin widened as he pushed open the doors of a PC game café. “Play games!” he shouted with childlike joy.

Sliding into a seat, Max was already lost in the glow of the monitor. The nostalgia was real. For once, there were no quests, no threats — just fun.

Until a drink appeared beside him.

“Uh, I didn’t order this,” Max muttered.

A familiar voice answered, smooth and teasing. “It’s on the house.”

Max spun around. “Lisa?!”

She smirked, wiping her hands with a cloth. “What, surprised? My father owns this place. I help out sometimes… and I happened to see you.”

Before Max could reply, a voice cried from the other side of the café. “Help! Please!”

Lisa dropped the tray and hurried over. Max sighed but kept gaming.

When he finally glanced up, he saw Lisa comforting a young boy who was sobbing.

“What happened?” Max asked.

Lisa’s eyes burned with frustration. “Those punks stole his game character. Everything he worked for, gone.”

The little boy looked up at Max, eyes big and watery.

Max groaned. “Don’t give me the dog eyes, kid…”

But before he could argue further, a blue screen flickered in front of his eyes.

[Sudden Quest Activated!]

Defeat the Five Thieves.

Reward: A Date with Lisa.

Max froze. “Wait… WHAT?!”

Meanwhile, in the back of the café, the five high schoolers who stole the boy’s account were laughing.

“Let’s sell this stuff. Easy cash.”

Their laughter was cut short when a chair smacked into one of their heads.

Max stood there, eyes blazing with mock fury, excitement bubbling through his veins. “Shame on you! Stealing from a kid? Really?”

The five thieves gawked at him.

The system chimed again in his ear:

Quest Objective: Defeat All Five Thieves.

Max cracked his knuckles, Grimm chuckling darkly inside his head.

“Looks like playtime just got interesting.”