“Say goodbye.”
Harold grinned. He threw a punch at Ryan’s face. Ryan’s closed his eyes shut. A few seconds later, he opened up. His eyes widen as he sees Myles catching Harold’s punch.
“M-Myles?”
Harold gritted his teeth. He despised him so much.
“What’re you doing here?”
Harold asked with a hint of irritation. Myles stood there, no response at all; he let go of Harold’s clenched fist.
Thwack!
Harold's face jiggled from the impact.
“You—“
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack…
Harold stumbled back. He covered his nose as it was spurring blood. Harold glared at Myles, his veins bulging. Harold looked back at his hand, which was painted in red. Ryan’s mouth agape; all he’s seeing is Harold being pummelling, Myles fist going blurry; he couldn’t see Myles fist.
“H-h-how did…did… I beat him??”
Ryan thought. His thoughts were in a mess. All the things he thought about Myles were wrong. There’s no way for him to win, let alone beat him. The question of how he won danced around his mind. His train of thoughts was interrupted as he heard a loud
Thump!
He looked at Harold, who’s now unconscious, his body marked in bruises, his face disheveled. Ryan slowly glanced back up as he saw Myles simply take out a cigarette and start smoking. Myles looked back at him, his eyes locking with his.
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“W-why did you help me?”
Ryan stuttered out.
“…”
Myles took a long drag of his cigarette; he simply walked away, never looking back.
Beep!
“Quest Complete!
Quest: Beat Harold Kingston (1/1).
Rewarded Silver Card!”
Ryan slowly stood up, his legs shaking. He was panting heavily. He almost lost, he almost lost the system. Ryan touched his bruise; he winced in pain.
“R-reveal…”
Ryan barely stuttered out.
“Silver Card!
Title: Weave!
Description: Dodge some of the opponents attacks. Only works if you’re faster than them!
Mastery: F (0/100)”
Ryan read the description. He can dodge some of the opponents attacks if he’s faster than them.
“This is good, but I’m too slow.”
Ryan mumbled. Although the card is good, he couldn’t really use it since he’s really slow.
“I beat my opponents due to surprising them.”
Ryan thought the only reason he’s winning is because he surprises them with his attacks. Although he has a lot of help from the system.
“Wait—Open System”
A blue translucent bestowed upon his eyes. He tapped the “Cards” button. It displayed all his cards; well, now he has 5 cards. He glanced at his cards; he clicked on the “Jab!” card.
“Bronze Card
Title: Jab!
Description: A boxing move.
Mastery: E (0/100)”
Ryan looked at the mastery; it levelled up, but it doesn’t feel different at all.
“You used Jab!”
Ryan threw a jab, but it felt…the same. Ryan slowly walked back home, still pondering about everything. Especially how the system works. Or why did Myles let himself be defeated by him? Ryan looked at his hands, very skinny and bony.
Beep!
Ryan’s train of thought was suddenly interrupted. He glanced at the notification as the translucent screen appeared again. His eyes widen as he starts to read.
“New Special Quest!
Special Quest: I am going to get stronger!
Description: You now have to choose one of the paths to grow stronger. Please choose. Beware that you won’t be able to change it once you choose!
Pathways: Strength, Endurance, Speed, and intelligence.”
Ryan glanced over the options. He can be really strong like Myles, he can be durable like Harold, he can be fast too, and he can be very intelligent. Ryan focused on the strength pathway. He starts biting his nails, his eyes moving around on each option. He took a long inhale; he closed his eyes for a moment. He exhaled and finally tapped on one of the pathways.
[Few hours later]
Ryan paced around the room. Did he choose the right pathway? This question tormented Ryan’s mind. He sat down at his bed. He should probably get some sleep. He laid back and closed his eyes. He falls into deep slumber.
[Next Day]
Ryan has awakened. He sat up and looked at his phone. It was Saturday; finally, the weekend had come. This whole week was crazy; first he gets a System, then he beats his tormenting bully, and finally he became the Top Dog of West High. Ryan headed to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and brushed his hair. He headed back to his bedroom, rubbing his eyes. He yawned and laid back at his bed. He closed his eyes slowly until he heard the familiar sound of the System. His eyes jolted awake.
Beep!
“Special Quest
Title: Like a Ghost
Special Quest: Run a 5km (0/1)
Deadline: Today.
Reward: 3 Growth Cards
Pathway: Speed”