First ally

"What monstrous humans are they? I couldn't even check their stats at level 10, well that's only for now. The most bothering part is the fact that I have just five years to find out about the shadows. Typically, I have until 23 to know whether I'm going to live or die with no clue or anything… awful system.

"The shadows, the council, why do I feel like they have a kind of parasitic relationship."

[System alert]

[System Missions]

[Mission 1: The Shadows]

- Objective: Discover the main objective of the Shadows

- Progress: 0.001%

"Hey!" Mark yelled out so loud. "Why in the heck are you so lost in your thoughts?" he said, twisting his head while looking slightly bent head at Joshua.

"Uhm! Sorry, that was just for a while," he replied, wondering why he looked at him in that position.

"Huh, you called that a while? I've noticed you for quite a long time and I'm sure you did not see me wave my hands, or… did you? What got you so lost?"

Joshua unconsciously took a glance at Morgan with a soft smile etched on his face. Mark took notice of this and laughed hectically.

See who's in love here? Oh, you think she might prefer muscular guys, right? Remain relaxed; you'll be there in no time, but avoid getting too thrilled, or you risk waking the dragon from its profound slumber.

Joshua glanced at Sam with a disgusted expression, which was amusing.

"so what are you up to?" Sam inquired.

With a short pause, he mentioned, 'I need to get home. You are familiar with my brother Quinn, aren't you?

Certainly! What is going on with him? He inquired while they walked away after saying goodbye to John and the others from afar.

I feel anxious about something, but I need to go home first.

They discussed their way out of the school until someone drew Sam's attention and it was whom they were discussing a while ago, a handsome young guy with white and black curly hair accompanied with an awesome grey eyes, 'Quinn'. "I suppose you won't have to go home for that to happen? He directed his finger to the other side of the street.

Thump! Thump!!

Joshua's heart raced at the sight of his brother walking away. 'Looks like this is where we say goodbye, have a wonderful day,' Sam smiled and continued on his way.

Joshua clutched his crushes tightly as he rushed toward his brother. A strong gust of wind swept past him, nearly causing him to collide with a young man on a power bike. The biker had a shadow tattoo on his shoulder, clearly visible because he wore a sleeveless shirt. He turned back with a smug grin and shouted, 'Don't walk by the roadside with crutches; next time you might end up dead, and it's your fault.'

Quinn noticed this as he looked back, his eyes lit up when he saw his older brother watching the young guy ride away on his powerful bike. He rushed over to his brother, concern written all over his face; ever since Quinn recognized Joshua as his brother, he felt an insatiable love for him that was hard to ignore.

"Brother! With a concerned look, he inquired, 'Are you alright?' while examining him closely. "yes I'm okay, I'm just as great as you," he replied with a soft smile.

"Fucking retards, all they do is flaunt their wealth, let me have my hands on you all," he clenched his teeth.

I just mentioned that I'm great, Quinn, Quinn stared at him and they both chuckled.

"I've marked him, he has a 'shadow' tattooed on his shoulder," hahaha, then I'd get him for you in my fantasy," they both let out a laugh.

A system notification appeared, but Joshua didn't have the opportunity to look at it because he cherished the moment with his brother.

After a long moment of walking, they could sight their house from a distance.

Quinn let out a sigh. Walking under a blazing sun feels terrible, Aargh. He exclaimed, 'At last, we are home!' while he pushed against the door to enter. "Hey Quinn!," he called looking back, "once you are done, I want to have a discussion with you inside my room".

"Alrighty then!" he exclaimed, dashing to his room for a quick refresh.

....

Quinn pushed the door open, his brother looking straight at him with a serious expression.

"We need to talk," he said, gesturing for him to come sit on the bed.

Quinn got closer but could not fathom what the matter was. He had never seen his brother this serious before but had always known him to be a calm and smiley person.

As he sat close to his brother, questions were running through his head, various questions.

After sitting for a while, Quinn broke the silence as he couldn't endure it.

"Brother, what's the problem?" he asked, looking straight into his eyes.

Instantly, Joshua stood on both his legs and said slowly, "This is what I want to tell you."

Quinn had his mouth wide open in surprise, caught off guard, totally flabbergasted. He stood up tall to his brother, holding both his shoulders.

"If this is what you want to tell me about, why exactly are you looking worried? This is good news, they won't have to worry about the treatment fee, I mean mum and dad, isn't it. Come on, once mum is back we'll let her in on it," he said, tapping his brother's shoulder happily.

"Hold on!"

"What's that?" Quinn asked, the happy expression still etched.

"That's the problem I have with you," he said, making Quinn's expression change.

"What do you mean, brother?"

"I know what you have towards me is pure brotherly love, but that happens to slowly grow into your weakness. I don't know if that is caused because of my illness," he paused.

"What do you mean?"

"Immediately I stood, you began to feel overly happy without asking how it happened. Aren't you curious or merely did not want to probe?"

Quinn let out a soft sigh. "All I believe is brother would never indulge in any atrocious thing but honestly, I want to know what you had to do for someone rich to pay for surgery in secret."

"System, is it alright if I let my brother know about it all?" he thought inwardly.

[Sure, but you have to go through the normal procedure.]

"Then let's do it.

[That response is quick. First, I would determine his trust level, if it falls below fifty percent and you still tell him, I have no other choice but to forcefully take over your body."

"To do what?"

"Isn't that obvious? To eliminate all threats before the user's full growth."

Joshua looked intently at his brother.

"Then let's do it," he repeated.

[Have any form of physical contact with the target."

"Quinn, are you sure you want to know?" Joshua asked while Quinn replied with a nod.

Instantly, he touched his cheek.

"System commence."

[Checking details and body structure…]

[Checking body potential…]

[Checking muscles adaptation…]

[Checking done…]

[Processing information…]

[Name - Quinn]

- Relationship: Blood brother

- Special trait: Full body constitution

- Trust level: 100%

Immediately, Joshua felt an explosive feeling called joy. Who else could he think of with a hundred percent trust level?

"System, what does full body constitution mean?"

[Hey Joshua]

[An option for a new system ally just activated. Would you like to add Quinn?]

"What! I can add allies already?"

Immediately, Joshua's thoughts went straight to…

- Time limit: 5 years

- Failure: Death.

He knew that whatever he had gotten himself involved in regarding the system could lead to death, and one thing was certain. Joshua wasn't willing to risk the death of his brother.

"Don't do it. I won't involve him," he replied.

[Foolish idea. Did you not hear me say he has a full body constitution?]

"What does that mean?" 

[If you have knowledge based on all 180 types of martial arts, then your brother has a body that can undergo training for all 180 martial arts.

[You both are the worst duo any opponent would ever face, especially when you are both in sync.]

Joshua let out a sigh. "Now things are getting complicated. Doesn't that mean you're trying to convince me?"

[Foolish! I was merely extending your time of death. Your decision.]

Joshua thought for a while. "Do it."

Immediately, a notification popped, not just in front of Joshua.

Quinn was quite dazed. He couldn't believe his eyes. He brushed his hands on his face.

"Brother! It's still there."

[My Fighting System - User's Info]

Name: Quinn Stephen Level: 2

[STATS]

Strength: 15/20

Agility: 12/20

Stamina: 17/20

Vitality: 10/20

Martial Arts: None

[System Allies]

- [Ally 1 Quinn]

- Relationship: Blood brother

- Special trait: Full body constitution

[Stats]

Level: 2

Strength: 15/20

Agility: 12/20

Stamina: 17/20

Vitality: 10/20

Martial Arts: None

"That's how I got to heal my leg," he replied.

"But system, why are my brother's beginner stats so much better than mine?"

[I can't believe you forgot how devastating your situation was before.]

Joshua gritted his teeth with frustration.

"System? Woah! Isn't this what they call a system? I don't want to know how you got your hands on this, but it's really cool. I want one too," Quinn said.

"Then why do you think you can see it?" Joshua shrugged.

"Oh, thanks brother. Let's grow stronger together, and I promise not to let anyone know about it," said Quinn with a bright smile.

[Wow, your brother has a very quiet smile. It's unfortunate he just began to share a dead fate with you.]

"What do you mean?"

[Isn't it obvious? The number of allies you have means the number of people that will die with you if you fail to get stronger on time.]

[Explain in detail to Quinn before the progress of the main mission.]