System Of Infinite Charm

Chapter Six: The Trap

The morning sunlight spilled through the classroom windows, but Adrian’s stomach twisted with unease. 

Every glance, every whisper felt heavier than usual. Jason hadn’t made a move yet, but Adrian could feel it, like thunder building behind the clouds. The system hummed in his mind.

[Quest Active: Survive Jason’s revenge. Progress: 0%]

Adrian tapped his pencil against his desk, eyes drifting toward the back of the room where Jason sat, staring at him. Not mocking. Not smirking. Just staring. That was worse.

When the bell rang for lunch, Adrian braced himself. He carried his tray into the cafeteria, scanning the room. Jason wasn’t at his usual table. Neither were his lackeys.

Emma waved him over from across the room, but Adrian hesitated. His instincts screamed. Something wasn’t right. He set his tray down anyway.

Emma leaned closer, her brow furrowed. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

Adrian nodded. “He’s planning something.”

Emma’s lips pressed thin. “Then don’t eat that.”

Adrian blinked. “What?”

She pointed at his tray. “Half the cafeteria saw Jason’s dogs hanging around the kitchen earlier. You really think he won’t stoop low?”

Adrian stared at the burger on his tray. His stomach growled, but his chest tightened. He shoved the tray aside. The system chimed.

[Caution: Threat detected. Trap avoided. +1 Wisdom]

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “So it begins.”

Later, as Adrian left the cafeteria, two of Jason’s lackeys blocked his path in the hallway. “Boss wants to see you,” one sneered.

Adrian narrowed his eyes. “Not interested.”

The other smirked. “Didn’t sound like a request.”

The hallway buzzed with curious eyes. Students whispered, sensing trouble. Adrian’s ribs still ached, but he lifted his chin.

“You can tell your boss,” Adrian said loudly enough for everyone to hear, “that if he wants another broken nose, he can come himself.”

Gasps erupted. Laughter rippled through the hallway. The lackeys’ faces twisted in anger. One lunged forward, but a sharp voice cut through the noise. “Enough.”

The crowd parted. A tall figure stepped into view, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp as blades. 

Marcus Kane. A senior. Captain of the boxing team. Feared and respected by nearly everyone.

The lackeys froze. Marcus’s gaze swept over them, then landed on Adrian. For a long moment, silence stretched, then Marcus smirked. “Didn’t think you had it in you, bookworm.”

Adrian blinked. “And you are?”

The crowd snickered nervously. Nobody talked to Marcus like that, but Marcus only chuckled. “Relax. I’m not here to break you. Yet.” His gaze sharpened. “Jason’s been whining to anyone who’ll listen. Says you embarrassed him. Truth is… you did. I like that.”

Adrian’s brows furrowed. “You… like that?”

Marcus leaned closer, his voice low enough for only Adrian to hear. “I don’t like Jason. He’s sloppy. Arrogant. You bloodying his nose? Best entertainment I’ve had all week.”

Adrian’s pulse quickened. Marcus was dangerous. Not a friend. Not an enemy. Something in between.

Marcus straightened, his voice loud again. “But be smart, Worm. Jason’s not just mad, he’s humiliated. He’ll come at you harder, dirtier. And when he does, you’d better be ready. Because I won’t save you.”

He turned and walked away, the crowd parting like water around him. The hallway buzzed instantly. Whispers flew. Adrian had just caught the attention of Marcus Kane.

Emma appeared at his side, her eyes wide. “That… was Marcus. Do you have any idea what that means?”

Adrian exhaled slowly. “Yeah. It means Jason’s not the only one watching.”

That night, Adrian lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The system pulsed softly.

[Update: You have gained an observer. Marcus Kane is monitoring your progress]

[Hidden Quest: Prove your worth to Marcus Kane. Reward: Unknown]

[Warning: Jason Reed’s revenge is imminent. Prepare for escalation]

Adrian clenched his fists beneath the blanket. His body still hurt, but his mind burned with determination. “Fine,” he whispered. “Let them come.”

The system’s final chime echoed in his head.

[Stage One of Rising Flame continues tomorrow: Jason Reed will strike. Do not falter]

Adrian closed his eyes, his lips curving into a thin smile. Tomorrow, the real war began.

…

The school day dragged on like a countdown to disaster. Adrian felt it in the way whispers followed him through the halls.

In the way Jason’s lackeys kept disappearing around corners with sly grins. The system pulsed in his mind like a drumbeat.

[Quest Active: Survive Jason Reed’s revenge. Progress: Pending]

By the time the final bell rang, Adrian’s nerves were frayed. He walked quickly toward the exit, backpack slung over his shoulder, scanning every shadow. 

His ribs still throbbed from the fight, and his knuckles were scabbed over. He pushed through the back door into the empty alley behind the gym. Bad move. “Going somewhere, Worm?”

Jason stepped from the shadows, his nose still swollen and purple, hatred burning in his eyes. Behind him, three lackeys blocked the exit. Adrian’s pulse spiked.

Jason smirked. “Thought you could humiliate me and walk away? Nah. Tonight, you pay.”

The lackeys closed in, circling like wolves. Adrian’s fists clenched. “You really need backup to deal with one guy?”

Jason’s grin widened. “I don’t need them. But I like watching you squirm.”

The first punch came fast. Adrian ducked, but the second slammed into his side. Pain flared white-hot. 

He staggered back, gasping. Laughter erupted. Jason cracked his knuckles. “Still weak, Worm.”

The system’s chime cut through the haze of pain.

[New Skill Unlocked: Counter. Passive. Allows you to exploit openings during enemy attacks]

[Temporary Buff: Endurance +2]

Adrian’s vision sharpened. He saw Jason’s movements clearer now, the way his arm twitched before he swung, the way his weight shifted.

Jason lunged again, fist raised. Adrian sidestepped, and his counterpunch landed squarely in Jason’s ribs. Jason grunted, stumbling back. The lackeys gasped. “He hit him again!”

Jason’s face twisted. “Hold him!”

Two lackeys grabbed Adrian’s arms. He struggled, muscles burning, but they held him fast. 

Jason’s grin returned as he raised his fist. Emma’s voice suddenly cut through the night. “Stop!”

All heads turned. She stood at the edge of the alley, her eyes wide, her voice trembling. “Leave him alone, Jason!”

Jason sneered. “Or what? You’ll run to the teachers? This is between me and the Worm.”

Adrian struggled harder, but the grip on his arms tightened. He looked at Emma, chest heaving. “Don’t… don’t get involved.”

Emma shook her head. “I can’t just watch.”

Jason’s laughter cut her off. “Perfect. You can watch him break.”

He stepped closer, fist cocked back. The system pulsed urgently.

[Emergency Task: Land one decisive strike on Jason while restrained. Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Reputation. Failure: Severe penalty]

Adrian’s teeth clenched. His captors held his arms, but Jason’s arrogance had brought him too close. Too careless. Jason sneered. “Say goodnight, Worm, ”

Adrian snapped his knee upward with all his strength. It connected with Jason’s gut.

Jason’s eyes bulged as the air whooshed from his lungs. He staggered forward, clutching his stomach, gasping like a fish out of water.

The lackeys froze in shock. Adrian twisted violently, wrenching one arm free, then drove his elbow into the other captor’s face. Blood sprayed as the boy crumpled.

The crowd of two broke instantly. Adrian staggered forward, chest heaving, his eyes locked on Jason.

Jason straightened slowly, hatred etched in every line of his face. “You’re dead. I swear, Worm, I’ll kill you.” 

The system chimed. 

[Emergency Task Complete. Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Reputation]

[Reputation: 65]

Jason’s last lackey grabbed his arm. “Jason, let’s go! Teachers’ll be here any second!”

Jason snarled, but let himself be pulled back. His eyes never left Adrian. “This isn’t over. Tomorrow, Worm. Tomorrow you’ll crawl.”

They vanished into the shadows, leaving Adrian panting in the alley. Emma rushed forward, her hands trembling. “You’re hurt!” she whispered.

Adrian managed a pained grin. “I’ve been worse.”

Her eyes glistened with something between fear and admiration. “You… you really won’t back down, will you?”

Adrian shook his head. “Not anymore.”

The system’s final chime rang in his mind.

[Quest Update: Survive Jason’s revenge. Stage One Complete. Stage Two unlocked: Gain the admiration of five peers. Current: 1 (Emma)]

Adrian exhaled, the weight of the fight pressing down on him. His ribs screamed, his knuckles ached, but his spirit burned brighter than ever.

For the first time, he saw it clearly: he wasn’t just surviving anymore. He was climbing.