2025-10-26 23:27:12The bruises on Adrian’s arms throbbed with every step as he shuffled home that evening. He carried his bag close, clutching the damp books like precious treasure.
His reflection in a shop window showed the same pathetic boy, thin, hunched, weak. But beneath the soreness, something else stirred.
His arms tingled, his chest felt lighter, and his steps carried a weight they hadn’t before.
[Strength increased by +2]
[Your body is beginning to change]Adrian flexed his fingers slowly. They didn’t look different. But inside, there was… heat. A pulse. Like fire waiting to burn.
At school the next morning, whispers trailed him the moment he walked through the hall. “There’s the worm.”
“Did you hear? He mouthed off to Jason yesterday.”
“No way, he’s dead meat.”
Adrian kept his head down, but the voices crawled under his skin. He slipped into the classroom quietly, only to feel the heavy shadow of Jason’s glare from the back row.
Jason leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, smirking. “Don’t think yesterday saved you, Worm. You just bought yourself a bigger beating.”
Chloe giggled. “Honestly, Adrian, you should know better. You don’t belong in Jason’s world. Or mine.”
Her words stung like ice water down his spine. Emma Lin’s voice cut through softly. “Just… leave him alone.”
The room fell quiet for a heartbeat. All eyes flicked to Emma, the quiet girl with dark hair tucked behind her ear. She rarely spoke, and never against Jason.
Jason’s grin widened. “What was that, Emma? You standing up for the worm?”
Emma looked away quickly, cheeks coloring. “I’m just saying… he hasn’t done anything.”
Jason laughed. “Oh, he’s done something. He stared me down. And worms that forget their place need to be crushed.”
Adrian clenched his fists under the desk. The fire in his chest pulsed again. The system’s voice chimed.
[New Task Assigned: Respond to Chloe’s insult with confidence. Reward: +1 Charm. Penalty: -5 Reputation]
Adrian’s heart leapt. Now? In front of everyone? His mouth went dry. Chloe’s expectant eyes glittered like knives, daring him to crumble.
His throat tightened, but the fire in his chest whispered: “Do it.”
Adrian lifted his head, his voice soft but steady. “You’re right, Chloe. I don’t belong in your world.”
The class chuckled, expecting him to bow down. Chloe smirked, but Adrian’s next words cut through the air. “Because my world doesn’t need fakes who only shine by standing in someone else’s shadow.”
The classroom fell silent. Chloe’s smile froze. “What did you just say?”
Jason barked a laugh. “Damn, Worm’s got teeth now. You calling Chloe fake?”
Adrian’s chest heaved, his pulse pounding, but he didn’t look away. “If the crown fits.”
Gasps erupted. Ryan nearly choked on his gum. Even Emma’s eyes widened, lips parting in shock.
Chloe’s face darkened, fury twisting her perfect features. She stood abruptly, her chair screeching back. “You are worthless little…”
But the bell rang, saving Adrian again. The teacher walked in, oblivious to the storm brewing in the air. [Task Complete. Reward: +1 Charm. Current Reputation: 25]
Warmth surged through Adrian’s chest. His posture straightened almost on its own. He felt… taller.
The whispers returned, but now they were laced with disbelief. “Did you hear that?”
“He talked back to Chloe.”
“No way he survives this.”
Adrian sat still, breathing hard. He had done it. Again. At lunch, the tension followed him like a curse. Adrian slipped into a corner table, hoping to disappear. But Jason wasn’t about to let him.
The jock strode over, his goons at his side, tray in hand. He slammed it down on Adrian’s table, spilling soda across the surface.
“Let’s make something clear, Worm,” Jason growled. “You think you’re funny? You think you can embarrass me and Chloe in front of everyone?”
Adrian’s heart pounded, but he met Jason’s eyes. “I didn’t embarrass you. You did that yourself.”
Gasps again. Students turned, whispers rippling through the cafeteria. Jason’s face twisted. He leaned close, voice low and dangerous. “I’m done with words.”
His hand shot forward, shoving Adrian’s shoulder hard. Adrian stumbled back, except this time, he didn’t fall.
His feet planted firmly, strength surging through his legs. His balance held. Jason blinked. “Huh?”
Adrian’s body buzzed with heat. For the first time, he didn’t feel weak. His fists curled tightly at his sides. The system’s voice whispered.
[Hidden Task Unlocked: Withstand Jason’s shove without falling. Reward: +1 Strength]
[Task Complete. Strength +1]Adrian’s chest swelled. His shoulders straightened. Jason’s eyes narrowed. “You think you’re tough now, Worm?” Jason sneered.
Adrian’s voice shook, but the words spilled out. “Tougher than you expected.”
More whispers. Laughter, nervous, uncertain. Jason’s jaw clenched. “After school. Behind the gym. No teachers. No excuses. I’m breaking you.”
He stormed off, fury radiating from every step. Chloe followed, her glare stabbing Adrian like daggers.
Adrian sank back into his chair, his heart still hammering. He had survived again, but this time, Jason wasn’t bluffing. The system’s chime echoed ominously.
[Major Task Assigned: Face Jason Reed in combat after school]
[Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Confidence. Penalty for failure: -20 Reputation, physical humiliation]Adrian’s blood ran cold. Combat? Against Jason? He wasn’t ready. He had only scraps of strength, a flicker of confidence, but there was no escape.
As the cafeteria buzzed with gossip, Emma slipped into the seat across from him. Her voice was soft, almost trembling. “You shouldn’t fight him,” she whispered.
Adrian looked up, surprised. “What choice do I have?”
Emma’s eyes darted nervously. “Just… please. Don’t get hurt.”
Adrian swallowed. Her concern was a tiny spark of warmth in the cold storm of fear, but deep inside, another spark burned brighter. For once, he didn’t want to run.
The final bell rang. The crowd gathered behind the gym, buzzing with excitement. “Worm’s dead.” “Jason’s gonna crush him.” “This is gonna be fun.”
Jason stood in the center, arms crossed, muscles flexing. His grin was sharp, hungry.
Adrian walked into the circle, heart pounding, legs heavy, but fire smoldered in his chest. The system whispered.
[This is your first battle. The world watches. Show them who you are]
Adrian raised his chin. For the first time, he didn’t look away. Jason cracked his knuckles. “Ready to die, Worm?”
Adrian’s lips trembled, but the words came anyway. “Let’s see who crawls away.”
Gasps. Whispers. The fight was about to begin.
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Chapter Nine: Target on the Heart
The bruises from the street fight hadn’t healed yet. Adrian sat at his desk the next morning, jaw stiff, ribs aching. But what weighed on him more wasn’t pain, it was the silence. Jason hadn’t shown up. The system pulsed faintly.[Threat Level: Elevated. Enemy plotting indirect retaliation]Emma slid into the seat beside him, her voice low. “You’re pushing too far, Adrian. He’s going to do something worse.”Adrian forced a smirk. “He already has. Lies. Fists. What’s left?”Emma’s eyes flickered with unease. “People like him… they always find something.”It happened during lunch. Adrian was halfway through his sandwich when a scream echoed from the courtyard. Students surged toward the windows. Emma. She was surrounded by Jason and two of his lackeys. One yanked her backpack away, spilling her books across the pavement. Jason leaned close, smirking cruelly, one hand gripping her arm. The crowd cheered and jeered, phones already out to record.Adrian’s chair screeched back as he stoo
Chapter Eight: The Expulsion Trap
The whispers didn’t stop after the cafeteria incident. If anything, they grew sharper, carrying venom in Jason’s absence. He hadn’t been seen all morning. Adrian sat in class with Emma two rows behind him, unease coiling in his gut. The system’s warning echoed in his mind:[Quest Alert: Jason Reed is preparing a major retaliation. Anticipate sabotage]When the lunch bell rang, Adrian felt the weight of eyes on him. Students parted as he walked into the hallway.That’s when Principal Hargrove appeared, face stern. “Adrian Cole,” the principal’s voice was like a gavel. “My office. Now.”Gasps followed him. Emma’s worried glance burned into his back. The principal’s office was silent except for the ticking clock. Jason was already there, standing tall with mock innocence plastered on his face.Principal Hargrove’s jaw tightened. “Adrian, do you deny placing this in my mailbox this morning?”He slammed a clear evidence bag onto the desk. Inside was a small plastic pouch filled with whit
Chapter Seven: The Public Trial
Morning sunlight streamed into the classroom, but the atmosphere was heavy. Adrian could feel it the moment he walked in, every pair of eyes was on him. Whispers bounced off the walls like bullets. “Jason’s got something planned today.” “He’s gonna bury the worm for good.”“I heard Adrian jumped him last night.”Adrian clenched his jaw. The system hummed quietly in the back of his mind.[Quest Active: Survive Jason’s retaliation. Stage Two begins]Jason arrived late, swaggering into the classroom with a bandage across his nose. He ignored the teacher’s scolding and walked straight past Adrian’s desk, slamming a folded piece of paper onto it.Adrian unfolded it slowly. “Auditorium. Lunch. Don’t chicken out.”Jason’s smirk said it all: it was a setup.By lunchtime, the auditorium was packed. Students filled the seats, buzzing with anticipation. Rumors had spread like wildfire: Jason was going to expose Adrian.Adrian stepped onto the stage cautiously, every step heavy. Jason stood at
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
Chapter Five: Whispers of Revenge
The lunch bell rang, and the cafeteria erupted in its usual chaos. Students poured in, laughing, shouting, carrying trays of food that reeked of grease and salt. Adrian sat in the far corner, clutching his tray. His ribs still ached, his knuckles were raw, but beneath the pain was something new, a spark he hadn’t felt before. Victory.For once, he wasn’t invisible. Whispers rippled across the cafeteria as eyes turned toward him. He heard fragments of their murmurs. “Did you see him? He actually made Jason bleed.”“No way. Adrian? The worm?”“Lucky punch, maybe.”“Still… Jason’s nose was busted.”Adrian kept his eyes on his food, pretending not to hear, but inside his chest swelled. The humiliation of yesterday was still fresh, yet now people talked about him. Not as trash. Not as nothing. But as someone who fought back. The system hummed in his mind.[Update: Reputation increased to 50. New threshold unlocked: You are no longer entirely ignored. Peers will begin noticing you]Adria
Chapter Four: First Blood
The crowd tightened around the back of the gym, a circle of eager faces hungry for blood. Phones were already out, recording. Whispers and laughter filled the air, but Adrian barely heard them. His heart thudded in his ears like war drums.Jason cracked his knuckles, his grin sharp and cruel. “I’ve been waiting for this, Worm. Time to show you what happens when trash forgets its place.”Adrian clenched his fists, heat burning through his arms. The system’s voice hummed in his head.[Major Task Active: Defeat Jason Reed in combat. Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Confidence][Penalty for failure: -20 Reputation, public humiliation]His mouth was dry. His knees shook. “I can’t beat him… but I can’t run, either.”Jason stepped forward, towering over him. “Any last words?”Adrian swallowed. His voice trembled, but the words came. “Yeah… try not to cry when this ends.”Gasps erupted from the crowd. Jason’s grin faltered. “You’ve got guts, Worm. Too bad guts won’t save you.”He lunged. The first pu
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