Aaryan ran toward the classroom, his breath steady but his mind sharp. As he rounded the corner, he saw a familiar sight: a group of boys were surrounding and bullying Vicky. Aaryan paused for a second, watching from the shadows. He thought to himself that this was all just Vicky's karma catching up to him. After how Vicky had treated him, Aaryan felt no pity.
However, the world was no longer normal. A blue translucent screen flickered in front of his eyes.
[NEW QUEST: SAVE VICKY FROM THE BULLIES.]
Aaryan's expression didn't change. "Damn... I don't want to save him," he muttered under his breath. He was perfectly happy letting Vicky face the consequences of his own actions. But the System wasn't done yet.
[REWARD: 10 SC COINS]
Aaryan paused. He began to calculate the value of those coins. In his mind, he realized the potential: If I save him, I get enough coins to fully unlock Ayanokōji's abilities. Those abilities are the most effective tools for my survival. Fine... I am ready to save him.
Before stepping out, Aaryan needed more power. He addressed the System silently. "System, how much does Strength cost? And how much can I get?"
[SYSTEM: 1 SC COIN = 100+ STRENGTH.] [SYSTEM: 5 SC COINS = 500+ STRENGTH, MY LORD AARYAN.]
"I have 4 SC Coins left from my previous tasks," Aaryan thought. "Buy the strength now. I am ready to pay."
[NOTIFICATION: PURCHASE SUCCESSFUL. YOU HAVE GAINED 400+ STRENGTH.]
Aaryan felt a surge of raw power flowing through his muscles. He felt lighter, faster, and much more dangerous. He stepped into the light and looked at the bullies.
"Hey guys, stop beating Vicky," Aaryan said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
The leader of the bullies turned around, laughing. "Who are you? And why do you want to save this loser?"
"I am his friend," Aaryan lied, his face like a mask.
"Ok guys, beat him up too!" the leader shouted.
Aaryan didn't flinch. "Come on. You can't beat me."
Everyone in the hallway was shocked. They looked at Aaryan, wondering where this sudden confidence had come from. "Let's fight," Aaryan challenged.
In a blur of movement, Aaryan dismantled the group. With his 400+ strength, every punch he threw was perfect. He beat everyone single-handedly and finally saved Vicky.
Vicky looked up from the floor, bruised and trembling. "Thank you... and Aaryan, I am so sorry for how I behaved yesterday."
"It's okay," Aaryan replied simply. "I have to go now. Bye, dude."
"Wait! Aaryan, bye... and... can I become your friend? Please?" Vicky asked, his voice filled with genuine respect.
Aaryan turned back slightly. "Why do you want to be my friend?"
"Because you are so powerful," Vicky admitted.
Aaryan thought about it. Having a "puppet" like Vicky could be useful for gathering information in the school. "Hmm... okay. Now we are friends."
"Okay! Thank you, Aaryan! Bye!"
"Bye, Vicky."
AT HOME
Once he reached the safety of his room, Aaryan opened the System interface. He used his newly earned coins to finally buy the Ayanokōji Abilities. As the knowledge of martial arts, psychology, and advanced tactics flooded his brain, he felt himself changing.
"Now it is time to change everything," Aaryan whispered. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes becoming sharper and more piercing. "I can do anything to upgrade, win, and become the best."
Later that evening, he went for a walk through the streets of Bhilai. While passing a secluded area, he used his enhanced hearing to listen in on a conversation. His heart stopped. A group of terrorists was planning a strike on AKPS—his own school.
The System reacted immediately.
[NEW QUEST: STOP THE TERRORIST STRIKE.] [OBJECTIVE: GAIN MORE SC COINS TO PURCHASE INVISIBILITY AND ENHANCED SPEED.] [TIMER STARTED: 12 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE QUEST.]
[ALERT: HURRY UP! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!]
Aaryan stood in the dark, the neon lights of the city reflecting in his eyes. He realized the stakes were higher than he ever imagined.
"I have to move now," he thought.