MAXIMUS: System Of The Underdog

Chapter thirteen– The Soul-Seer’s Request

The classroom buzzed as the teacher introduced the new transfer student.

Max froze.

Lois Conor.

She stood confidently at the front of the class, her presence commanding attention without even trying. Max glanced at his system prompt:

[NEW QUEST: Respond to Her Request]

This isn’t going to be good.

Grimm sighed in Max’s head. “Told you. You two were bound to meet again.”

Class ended before Max could process what was happening. As he stepped out of his seat, Lois approached him like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Hello again, Max,” she said with a soft smile.

Max squinted suspiciously. “Something tells me you didn’t just transfer here for academic excellence.”

“You’re right,” Lois said. “I came to meet you. My father wants to speak with you.”

Max blinked. “Is that… a request?”

“Yes.”

Max stared at the system as it pulsed in the corner of his vision.

[QUEST ACCEPTED: Meet Lois's Father]

He sighed. “I really don’t have a choice, do I?”

Lois giggled. “Not really.”

She led Max outside where a sleek black car awaited them. As they got in, Max noticed something.

“Where are your bodyguards?”

“I told them to stay behind,” she said, eyes focused outside the window. “I want to prove something. My father agreed.”

As the car drove, Lois turned to Max. “I’ve been meaning to ask... why did you have two souls before—but now only one?”

Max’s heart skipped. Grimm stiffened.

“How can you see souls?” Max asked cautiously.

“I’ve always seen them,” she said. “Even the dead. Since I was a child.”

“SO THAT’S WHY!” Grimm shouted in Max’s head.

Max flinched. “What do you mean, Grimm?”

Lois tilted her head. “What?”

“Ah—not you. Sorry!” Max said quickly, then whispered to Grimm, “Explain.”

Grimm's voice lowered, “I’m not sure how to say this yet, but if she can see souls like that… staying close to her might help us uncover who’s been tampering with the souls.”

Before Max could ask more, the system suddenly flashed red:

[NEW QUEST: PROTECT LOIS CONOR]

Prevent harm from befalling the target.

Max sat up straight. “What now?”

Suddenly, a large metal container crashed onto the road ahead, blocking their path. The driver slammed the brakes.

Max leapt out. “Take the long route and get her out of here.”

“What are you doing?” Lois called out from the window.

Max smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Buying time.”

The enemy stepped from the shadows. A tall, muscular man with cold eyes and a large snake tattoo that curled down his neck. His presence alone made the air thick.

“This isn’t a playground, kid,” the man growled.

Grimm whispered, “Max. No time. Do it now.”

“Soul Link—Yo Sung-Sun. South Korea Street Knight.”

Max’s body shifted. His stance changed. His aura sharpened.

He charged with swift, precise leg strikes, snapping through the air and hitting the man square in the face. The attacker staggered back, but smiled.

“Not bad.”

He raised both arms—and ripped the chains off them with brute strength. Steel clattered as two long iron chains unfurled, each tipped with heavy padlocks.

The man swung.

Max dodged. The chains whipped back like serpents, guided with deadly precision.

He barely avoided a full strike—but the padlock grazed his side, sparking pain.

Max ran, but was quickly cornered in a dead end.

“You wanna know why I love killing?” the man asked darkly.

Max snarled. “Because you’re sick.”

“No,” he smiled. “Because of the look in their eyes… right before I do it.”

The chain lashed out—snapping onto Max’s wrist.

Max screamed, feeling the bone nearly give way.

“You’re done, kid.”

But Max gritted his teeth—and pulled.

With every ounce of strength, he yanked the man forward—right into his fist.

[Skill Activated: Consecutive Punches]

Max's fists blurred, launching rapid strikes. Blue lightning cracked from his knuckles as his face darkened—emotionless, unreadable.

The man grunted, blood spraying from his mouth. Then, silence.

[QUEST COMPLETE – +5 Bronze Keys.

But the man stood up slowly, bruised and bleeding. He looked at Max… and smiled.

“You don’t fear death,” he said. “Interesting.”

He turned and walked away, laughing quietly.

Max collapsed to his knees, gripping his fractured wrist, panting hard.

Lois’s bodyguards arrived moments later, rushing to his side.

“You’re coming with us,” one said firmly.

Max didn’t argue.

Back at her estate, Lois waited anxiously. Max entered with a bandaged wrist, escorted by guards.

Their eyes met.

“You came back,” she said quietly.

Max smirked through the pain. “Guess I respond to all your requests now.”

And deep in the shadows of the estate, someone watched Max closely… impressed.