The System's First Mission

Noah Carter stood immobilized on the roof, his eyes fixed on the blue glowing screen hovering before him. His chest heaved.

[Welcome to the Level-Up System.]

[User: Noah Carter]

[Status: Weakling]

[Initiating First Quest: Survive.]

The text blinked, glimmering in the fading light of day.

Noah opened his eyes. He woke up four months before he jumped off the roof. His body continued to hurt from Ryan's blow, but things were different now. The agony was no longer excruciating. His bruises didn't ache as much. His breathing stabilized.

It felt like the System had done something to him.

He tightened his fists. Was this a hallucination? A dream? He had been set to. conclude everything.

But now—

He was awake.

---

A Second Chance

A chill wind caressed his flesh. The roof was still, the world below oblivious to the bizarre phenomenon occurring to him.

Noah breathed in. "What… is this?"

The system answered immediately.

[This is the Level-Up System. You have been chosen.]

[Complete missions to grow stronger. Fail, and you lose everything.]

His fingers cramped. "Lose everything?"

No answer.

Noah breathed slowly. His mind ran wild. A system? Missions? Leveling up? It was something from a video game. But this wasn't a game.

It was real.

And if this was real…

Then perhaps—just perhaps—he had a chance to alter his destiny.

He wasn't going to give it away.

---

The First Mission

The screen flashed again.

[First Mission: Defeat someone stronger than you.]

[Reward: Skill Steal Ability Unlocked.]

Noah's catch of breath. Skill Steal?

The words pulsed in front of him, waiting for him to accept.

He stared at them. "You want me to fight?"

No response, but the meaning was clear.

His stomach twisted. Ryan Miller was the strongest in school. Beating him was impossible. Even Liam Gray, the second strongest, was far out of reach.

But the mission didn't say defeat Ryan. It just said to beat someone stronger than him.

Noah gulped. "That means I have to begin small."

He remembered the bullies who had harassed him all these years. Not Ryan. Not Liam. But the followers.

And he knew exactly whom to attack.

---

The Target: Eric Lawson

Eric Lawson was one of Ryan's sidekicks. He wasn't as powerful as Ryan or Liam, but still more powerful than Noah.

And more importantly, he was isolated at the moment.

Noah saw him by the school gym, scrolling through his phone.

This was it.

Noah tightened his fists. His hands were trembling. He had never fought before.

But he wasn't that same weak loser anymore.

He took a deep breath and walked forward.

"Eric."

Eric looked up, scowling. "What do you want, nerd?"

Noah didn't reply. He punched him.

It was sloppy, slow—but it landed.

Eric stumbled back, appalled. Then, his face contorted in rage. "You little—"

Noah managed to avoid the punch that headed his way. He wasn't a fighter. His movements were awkward.

But he wasn't quitting.

Eric swung again. This time, it connected.

Pain exploded in Noah's ribs, but he clenched his teeth and continued.

He charged, charging his shoulder into Eric's chest, sending him off balance. Eric cursed, attempting to regain his footing—

But Noah didn't relent.

He punched again—again. He wasn't faster than Eric. He wasn't stronger. But he had something Eric lacked.

Desperation.

With one final push, Eric collapsed to the ground.

A message flashed.

[Mission Accomplished: Beat someone stronger than you.]

[Reward Unlocked: Skill Steal Ability.]

Noah panted as a peculiar heat coursed through his body.

His vision wavered—then stabilized.

His arms were lighter. His movements crisper.

And then—

[Skill Stolen: Agility Boost (Eric Lawson).]

Noah's eyes widened.

He had taken Eric's quickness.

He stretched out his fingers. He could sense it—the manner in which his body became quicker, the manner in which his reflexes seemed more acute.

This… this was actual.

Noah smiled.

For the first time in his life, he had authority.

And this was just the start.

--