The Reality of Strength

The tension in the factory room seemed to dissipate, if only slightly, as John spoke with unexpected confidence. The leaders—Vex, Eli, and Dante—were momentarily taken aback. They hadn't expected someone so… bold. John stood there, his posture tall, his words clear, despite the storm of anxiety still churning inside him.

Vex, the North representative, narrowed his eyes, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor—an acknowledgement of John's boldness. "You have courage," he muttered, his deep voice echoing in the large, empty space. "Let's see if that's enough to hold the South together."

Eli's cold, calculating gaze softened just a fraction. "Impressive," he said, though the mocking smile didn't leave his lips. "Let's see how long that confidence lasts."

Dante, still tossing his coin in the air, chuckled. "I think we're in for a fun time with you."

John felt a small surge of relief—he hadn't been crushed by their gazes. In fact, he felt like he'd earned a bit of their respect. His confidence had worked.

[System Notification]

Quest Completed: "Prove Your Leadership During the Meeting"

Objective: Earn the respect of the other leaders. Do not show weakness.

Reward: +5000 Training Points. Unlock New Skill: "Mind's Eye."

John glanced at the notification that appeared before him, his heart pounding in his chest. He'd completed the quest. A wave of pride washed over him—but only for a moment. His mind immediately drifted to the next thing he was curious about: the stats of the leaders. Now that he had the "Mind's Eye" ability, he wondered if he could somehow see them.

He focused on Vex first, wanting to understand the sheer power of the North representative, the leader who represented the biggest territory. His eyes flicked to the towering man—muscle-bound and intimidating.

But the system didn't respond.

[System Notification]

Unable to analyze target's stats. Insufficient Ability Level.

John blinked, confused. Wasn't he supposed to be able to see stats now? He tried again, focusing harder on Vex, but still, nothing happened. That was when it hit him—he wasn't strong enough yet. His abilities were still too weak to analyze someone like Vex.

Feeling a bit frustrated, he turned to Marcus, his loyal second. Marcus had been with him from the beginning, and John had already learned to trust him. He had to know what Marcus's stats were—how strong was Marcus really?

John focused, willing the "Mind's Eye" to work, and this time, it responded. A faint glow appeared around Marcus, revealing his hidden stats.

[Marcus's Stats]

Strength: 60

Speed: 58

Defense: 59

IQ: 60

Potential: A+

John's eyes widened in shock. The numbers weren't what he had expected. Marcus had so much more potential than he had ever imagined. His strength, speed, and defense were below 60—yet his potential was rated A+, the highest grade possible.

"That's why…" John whispered to himself, stunned. "He didn't use his full strength when he fought me."

If Marcus had fought with everything he had, John might not have made it out alive. In fact, he might've been crushed. That thought sent a shiver down his spine, and his stomach churned with unease.

John turned his focus to himself. Could he use the "Mind's Eye" on his own stats? He had no idea how powerful the ability could be. His heart raced with anticipation, and his hands shook slightly as he focused on himself.

[System Notification]

Unable to analyze self. Lack of Ability Level.

John froze. I can't see my own stats?

A pang of frustration hit him. He didn't even have the ability to check his own stats. He had to ask the system about his own stats—if it was possible. But he had never really thought about asking.

With a sigh, John spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "System… show me my stats."

The system's interface shifted, and slowly, his own stats appeared before him.

[John's Stats]

Strength: 45

Speed: 47

Defense: 42

IQ: 88

Potential: S

John's breath caught in his throat. His potential was S, the highest grade possible, but his current stats were all low—far lower than he'd expected. He felt a mixture of shock and sadness as he realized just how far behind he was compared to Marcus and the other leaders.

"I'm so weak," he thought bitterly. "How am I supposed to lead them? How can I stand against them if I can barely keep up?"

Despite the rush of emotions, John couldn't ignore the potential that had been revealed to him. He had an S rating, meaning he could grow. The problem wasn't his starting point—it was the journey ahead of him. But to know he had so much potential and still be so weak felt like a cruel irony.

Marcus, noticing the change in John's expression, stepped closer. He seemed to understand John's silent turmoil, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "Don't worry," Marcus said in a low voice, almost as if he were reading John's thoughts. "You've got the potential to be the strongest. It's just a matter of time and training."

John nodded silently, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't deny that he was scared. The path ahead seemed impossible, but somehow, the thought of the S-level potential comforted him—if he could unlock it.

But Marcus wasn't done. "We'll train. Together. I'll help you grow stronger."

John couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as far behind as he thought.

---

As the leaders finished their discussion and started to disperse, John's mind raced with possibilities. He had a long way to go before he could truly stand at the top—but for the first time in a long while, he felt a surge of determination.

The journey had only just begun.

To be continued…