crossing realm

"Riko, have you studied for today's exam?"

A boy with black hair and black eyes turned around. His features were sharp—his jawline and nose straight and smooth. Dressed in a black uniform with a red tie, he had a clean, disciplined appearance, and his well-trained physique was evident even through his clothes.

Augh, augh, augh," heavy breaths filled the dimly lit bathroom, tucked away in an abandoned section of the school where no one roamed.

Sweat dripped from their bodies as their "study session" came to an end.

"Alright, let's head back to class," Riko said, fixing his uniform.

"The exam starts in three hours! Why should we head back now?" she snapped, irritation creeping into her voice. She had wanted to continue, but it was clear—Riko had no interest anymore.

Annoyed, she turned and stormed off.

"Maybe that excuse was too obvious.. well it doesent matter" he though.

"It's time to head back"

After 3 hours of going around the school and checking up with some comrades he headed for class and turned to look out the window.

The sun bathed the school's central garden in golden light, illuminating the students below who were chatting and walking along the paths. Through the glass corridors, he could see other students on the opposite side of the school, though they were a little blurry due to the distance. The entire building was circular, with the garden at its core. The halls were lively with conversation as students moved between classes.

Riko continued toward his classroom, stopping outside a door marked A-13, a sign that he was in his third year and nearing graduation. Stepping inside, he took his usual seat at the back right corner near the window. A teacher soon walked in, and the exam began.

The school had three levels, divided by academic year: C for first-years, B for second-years, and A for third-years. A single staircase led down to the B section, and another below that reached the C section.

After about 10 minutes he handed over his exam paper blank. The teacher didnt bother to question him about it and let him go.

Riko made his decision—he wasn't staying for the rest of the day. Walking out of Ron Clark Academy, he left campus entirely and made his way into one of Atlanta's rundown slums. He entered an abandoned house and reached for a wooden stick, lifting it to reveal a hidden box beneath the floorboards.

Inside the box lay a set of black clothes, a gun, a knife, an old phone, and a single $100 bill. "Looks like my last mission's payout is almost gone," Riko muttered to himself.

He grabbed the phone and dialed the only number saved in its contacts.

"Ring... ring..."

Taking deep breath. The call connected.

"Same place at midnight."

Click. The call ended.

Riko pocketed the last of his money, carefully hid the box again, and left to find something to eat.

After buying groceries, he returned to a small, nondescript apartment—room 26. The place was modest, with just three rooms: a kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom. He set the groceries down and began cooking a simple meal—eggs, tomatoes, and a few other ingredients.

By the time he finished eating, it was already 8 PM. He left the apartment, heading back toward the slums. There, he changed into the black clothes, tucking the gun and knife under his shirt.

Now blending in with the late-night crowd, he moved toward the heart of Georgia's main city. His destination: a nightclub. The line outside was long, but when he reached the bouncer, he flashed his ID. Without hesitation, they let him in.

The club was packed—music pounded through the air as people danced and drank. Ignoring the chaos, Riko headed toward the far-right corner, where two imposing security guards stood watch. They wore black suits and had the muscular build of professionals.

Approaching them, Riko spoke in a low voice.

"12 Moonlight Snow."

The guards exchanged a glance, then nodded, stepping aside.

Beyond the doorway, the world faded into complete darkness. A voice emerged from the shadows.

"Your target this time is an easy one. But someone placed a big bounty on his head. You're lucky." There was a pause before the voice continued.

"Age: 20. Name: Yuk Lauro. Address: Apartment, Shark Street 20, Door 6."

Silence.

Then, the voice disappeared. Riko turned and retraced his steps, exiting the club and heading toward Shark Street.

He walked at a steady pace, taking in his surroundings. It was a quiet neighborhood, poorly maintained, with only a few dimly lit streetlights.

"Few cameras around. None near the target's place," Riko noted. "No wonder he said I was lucky."

He pulled out a separate, brand-new phone and searched for Yuk Lauro online. Within minutes, he found everything he needed—recent pictures, social media posts, even a brief criminal record.

Then, he saw him.

A young man matching the photos walked toward the apartment complex. Riko tailed him from a distance, studying his movements. Yuk was slightly on guard—but not enough.

When Yuk reached his door and placed a hand on the handle—

POP!

A gunshot rang out. But just before Riko pulled the trigger, Yuk sidestepped, barely avoiding the bullet. His left shoulder took the hit, and he spun around, holding his left shoulder and locking eyes onto a masked figure behind him holding a gun at him.

"Wh-" before Yuk could finnish his word

"Tch." Riko clicked his tongue, raising his gun again imidietly.

"Pop" another gunshot Riko aimed at the middle of the chest.

But before he shot again yuk dodged to the side hitting the fence, the bullet grazed his left rib and continued forward. Gritting his teeth yuk jumped down the fence hitting the ground witch made the pain he felt double. And more blood came out his wounds.

"How the fuck is he dodging like that" Riko thought in his mind "well it doesen't matter i need to kill him or i will be the one in trouble"

Watching yuk jump down Riko did the same his feet hurt a little but it was alright. The street was empty and people have probably called the cops by now.

Riko saw yuk watching his hand with the Gun closely.

"Is that how he does it" Riko thought of an idea that seemed weird but seeing this Guy dodge twise he did not care.

Riko fake pooped the trigger to the right and before he could see normaly he turned his Gun left immediately and shoot.

"Pop"

Riko was angry when he saw that Yuk dodged to the right instead of left.

Yuk who took advantage of this ran with a burst of speed towards Riko and kicked his stomac.

"AUGh" strong was the only throught in Rikos mind.

As he got hit in the stoamc, Riko spit out saliv but he still had the gun on his hand not daring to throw it no matter the pain and shot.

He emptyed this all his bullets. The bullets landed on Yuk's stomac but Riko was not done.

But Yuk wasn't done either. Despite his wounds with a kick of pure adrenalin he spun around and kicked Riko's right arm with full force.

A sickening crack rang out. Pain exploded through Riko's arm as his gun clattered to the ground.

Gritting his teeth, he yanked out his knife with his left hand and lunged forward.

Yuk tried to dodge—but his body failed him. The pain, the blood loss—it was too much. His legs wobbled, his vision blurred.

Riko grabbed his legs, throwing him off balance

"FUCKING BASTARD!" Yuk roared, his face twisting in pain.

"please" even with blood coming out of his mouth, Yuk relised he will truly die and in a desperate attemt begged for mercy.

He hit the ground hard. And in that moment of vulnerability—

Riko stabbed him. Again. And again. And again. Until silence filled the street.

Then—

[DING!]

[Player 1130840 Eliminated]

[New Player Found]

[Riko]

[Teleportation Beginning…]

[Welcome to Crossing Realm.]