POV: Zai
It didn't take long for the first challenge to show up.
The system didn't let me rest—not really. The moment I walked outside the next morning, I got a ping in my head.
[SYSTEM QUEST ALERT]Quest: Confront the SituationType: Social ChallengeObjective: Step in and stop the hallway confrontation at schoolReward: +15 EXP, Skill Growth Chance, Social Influence BoostOptional Bonus: Land a successful Parry (Frame-Perfect) — Bonus EXPFailure: Reputation decrease, opportunity missedTime Limit: 20 minutes
I blinked hard, thinking maybe I was still dreaming. But nope. The quest window hovered right in front of me like a heads-up display from a game. Transparent and real.
The weirdest part? I already knew what it was talking about.
Jefferson High always had some drama. This one loud senior named DeShawn always picked on this quiet freshman, Evan. And it always happened in the east hallway, by the vending machines, before first period. I'd seen it a few times but never said anything.
Today... I guess I had to.
My heart beat like a drumline as I walked toward school. I could feel something building in my chest—pressure, maybe. Like the system was watching.
Sure enough, when I got to that hallway, DeShawn was there, towering over Evan. Evan's back was pressed to the vending machine, and DeShawn was pushing his forehead with one hand, laughing loud enough to echo.
It wasn't even about anything. Just dumb bullying. Some people watched. Most ignored.
[QUEST TIMER: 17:29]
I swallowed hard, clenched my fists, and stepped forward.
"Yo, back off."
My voice didn't even sound like mine. It came out firmer. Clearer.
DeShawn turned around slowly, eyebrows raised. "You say somethin', freshman?"
I wasn't sure what to say next. I felt stupid. But the system chimed again.
[SOCIAL AGGRO TRIGGERED][YOU ARE NOW IN COMBAT MODE]
Combat? Wait—what!?
DeShawn threw a fake punch to scare me. I flinched.
[Opportunity Detected: Use DODGE ROLL]
I didn't think—I just moved.
My body dipped low and rolled to the side before I even understood what was happening. It felt clean, fast—like muscle memory. I came up on one knee behind him.
DeShawn spun, surprised. "What was that?!"
My hands shook, but I felt something building—this weird instinct, like a rhythm. He stepped forward to shove me—
And then it happened.
[ACTIVATE: PARRY]
Time slowed.
I raised my left hand and swatted his incoming shove to the side at the exact right moment. A flash of blue light pulsed at the contact point.
[PARRY SUCCESSFUL – FRAME-PERFECT][TARGET STUNNED FOR 3 SECONDS]
He froze, wide-eyed.
My fist moved on instinct.
[ACTIVATE: BASIC PUNCH – SMASH VARIANT]
I stepped in and slammed my right hand into his gut with a solid THUMP. Not anime-level crazy, but enough to knock the wind out of him. He stumbled back, wheezing.
The crowd around us? Silent.
Evan? Mouth open.
Me? Shaking—but standing.
[QUEST COMPLETE]+15 EXP+5 BONUS EXP (PARRY SUCCESSFUL)Skill Upgrade Chance: BASIC PUNCH Lv. 2 (Combo Enabled)Reputation + Minor (School Awareness: +1)
DeShawn didn't even come at me again. Just looked at me like he didn't know what he was seeing, then turned and stormed off down the hall.
Evan nodded at me like I'd saved his life. Maybe I had.
Later, in the bathroom, I locked the door and stared at my reflection.
A new screen popped up:
[PLAYER: Zai – LEVEL UP!]Level: 2Abilities Upgraded:→ BASIC PUNCH (Lv. 2): You can now chain two punches together for a basic combo.→ DODGE ROLL cooldown reduced to 4 seconds.
New Ability Unlocked:→ Edge Recovery (Lv. 1): If pushed off a ledge or fall point, auto-returns to edge once per day.Energy Boost: +5 Stamina
I exhaled slowly.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
And I had a feeling this system… wasn't done testing me.