The Countdown Begins

Noah towered over Eric's body, his breathing harsh but his thoughts clearer than ever. His fists clenched and unclenched, sensing the odd new lightness in his arms. The System's message still hovered before him.

[Skill Stolen: Agility Boost (Eric Lawson)]

He had really done it.

For the first time in his life, he had emerged victorious.

And he felt. different.

His heartbeat slowed more quickly than it should have. His movements became quicker, more fluid. It was a slight difference, but he could notice.

He was no longer that same weak loser.

---

Testing His New Power

Eric tried to sit up and groaned. Noah backed up a step, and right away, noticed the difference.

His foot descended smoothly, with ease. As if his body understood how to move more effectively.

Noah's eyes tightened. He crouched slightly, then launched off the ground—

And almost stumbled forward.

His acceleration had doubled.

He was able to steady himself, his heart racing. This was madness. He had borrowed agility. Not brute power, but movement and speed.

Eric gawked at him, eyes wide with bewilderment. "What the.?"

Noah shook his head and turned away. "Just forget this ever happened."

Before Eric could respond, Noah sprinted away—

Faster than he ever had.

---

The System's Next Move

Noah arrived at his tiny apartment in minutes, slamming the door shut behind him. His mind was reeling.

He required answers.

"System," he muttered, looking at the glowing screen still hovering in his vision. "Tell me everything. What is this?"

[The Level-Up System is a special power that enables the User to become stronger by doing missions and stealing skills from others.]

Noah's breath caught. "You mean I can steal any skill?"

[Yes. But there are conditions that must be fulfilled before one can steal a skill.]

Noah scowled. "Like what?"

[There are only three conditions under which one can steal a skill:]

1. You have to beat the target at a challenge.

2. The skill has to be something the target has consciously used.

3. The stronger the skill, the more difficult it is to steal.

Noah's head spun. This was not a basic power—it was regulated.

"But. why me?" he grumbled. "Why did I receive this?"

The System did not respond.

Noah let out a sigh. He'd eventually get answers. For now, he had to concentrate.

And then—

Another notification popped up.

[New System Challenge Unlocked.]

----

The 100-Day Countdown

Noah's stomach knotted as the radiating text moved.

[Main Mission: Be the Strongest in School.]

[Time Limit: 100 Days.]

His blood went cold. "What?"

[Failure Penalty: The System will be disabled permanently. You will revert to your original state.]

Noah's heart skipped a beat.

Back to his normal state? Back to being weak? Back to being nothing?

He couldn't allow that to happen.

He balled up his fists, his recently strengthened speed buzzing underneath his skin.

100 days.

That was all he had.

And then came the next message.

[Final Opponent: Ryan Miller.]

Noah stilled.

Ryan.

The toughest fighter in school. The very same individual who had defeated him so thoroughly that Noah had given up on living once.

The memory of that shameful day seared itself into his mind. The laughing sneer. The bruises. The sheer despair.

But now—

Now he had an opportunity to turn everything around.

Noah breathed deeply. 100 days to beat Ryan.

He wasn't ready yet.

But he would be.

---

The Road to Strength

Noah collapsed onto his bed, gazing at the ceiling. His body hurt, but it was different this time.

Previously, pain had equaled helplessness.

Now? Pain equaled strength.

"I need a plan."

He needed to be stronger. But brute strength would not suffice. Ryan wasn't merely strong—he was seasoned. Noah had never worked out a day in his life.

Taking on Ryan directly was suicide.

Noah's brain whirled with options. Who else was strong at this school? Who could be his next victim?

And then—he recalled Liam Gray.

The second-strongest fighter.

Ryan's second-in-command.

If he was to get to Ryan, he had to fight his way up. And Liam was the next one.

A chill ran down his spine. He didn't know if he was ready for Liam.

But he had no choice.

100 days.

It had already started.

---

Meanwhile… Someone Is Watching

In a dark room, someone scrolled through their mobile phone, watching a grainy video.

The screen displayed Noah's fight with Eric.

A smile creased on the observer's face.

"Ah, the ignoble nerd is no longer so weak."

They reclined, eyes sparkling with mirth.

"This could be worth it after all."

The Next Day: A New Threat

Noah arrived at school feeling different. The corridors, once claustrophobic, now felt… bearable.

His feet were lighter. His heart wasn't pounding with fear.

But as he approached his locker, a voice halted him.

"So, you think you're a tough guy now?"

Noah turned to find Liam Gray standing a few feet away, arms folded, a smirk on his lips.

The second-strongest fighter in school.

Noah didn't flinch. "What do you want?"

Liam smiled. "I heard about what you did to Eric."

Noah's muscles flexed. News traveled fast.

"You must be pretty pleased with yourself," Liam went on. "But let me get something straight." His gaze grew harder. "Ryan doesn't like surprises."

Noah stood firm. He knew Liam could take him down in a fight at the moment. But he wasn't going to fight yet.

Not until he was ready.

Liam looked at him for a moment, then laughed. "You've got guts, Carter. I'll give you that."

He moved closer, speaking in a low tone. "But if you do something stupid, you'll be sorry."

With that, Liam turned and walked away, leaving Noah standing there, heart racing.

Noah took a deep breath.

He had gotten their attention.

Now, he just had to live long enough to bring them down.

---