Next Goal

Noah exited the gym, his body still sore from the fight with Liam. His heart pounded—not only from the fight, but from something else.

He had done it. He had won.

The System notification still lingered in his eyes.

[Mission Complete: Defeated Liam Gray.]

[Reward: Speed +2, Strength +1, New Skill Unlocked.]

[Skill Stolen: Rapid Footwork (Liam Gray)]

He clenched his fists as he entered the deserted hallway.

His body was lighter, quicker. The new technique—Rapid Footwork—made him quicker on his feet than ever before.

But something else was nagging at him.

That sensation.

That odd shiver he had experienced after the battle.

Someone was observing him.

And whoever it was… wasn't a normal student.

---

A New Enemy Takes Notice

Noah didn't head home immediately.

Instead, he walked to the rooftop—the one place in school where he could be by himself.

The wind hit his face as he stood at the edge, gazing down at the vacant courtyard.

His thoughts flashed back to the battle with Liam.

Every step. Every error.

Liam was powerful, but he had flaws. Everyone did.

But Ryan Miller—the school's strongest—wasn't like that.

Ryan never lost.

Not ever.

If Noah was going to make it out alive, he needed to become even stronger.

"Impressive."

Noah stiffened.

Someone was standing behind him.

He spun around quickly, his senses on high alert.

A boy lingered outside the entrance to the rooftop.

Lean, tall, with gleaming golden eyes.

His was a different presence.

Deadly.

Noah had never seen him before.

The boy smiled. "You really beat Liam, huh?"

Noah did not reply. His gaze remained fixed on him.

"Take it easy," the boy said, advancing further. "I'm not here to fight. Not yet."

"Then why are you here?" Noah questioned.

The boy's smile spread further. "To warn you."

Noah furrowed his brow.

"You're strong," the boy went on. "Stronger than you used to be. But if you keep pushing. you're going to draw them in."

"Them?"

The boy laughed. "You think Ryan is your biggest problem?"

Noah didn't say anything.

"Ryan's strong, sure," the boy said. "But he's just the face of this school's power. There are others. Stronger ones. The ones who don't show themselves. The ones who make the real rules."

A weird sensation settled in Noah's chest.

"You've got their attention," the boy said. "And when they do come for you… you'd better be ready."

The wind screamed between them.

Noah balled his fists.

This was more than he had imagined.

"Who are you?" he finally demanded.

The boy's golden eyes sparkled.

"Call me Xander."

Then, without another word, he turned and vanished down the stairs.

Noah breathed out.

His heart was still racing.

Who the hell was Xander?

And more importantly.

What did he mean by "the real ones in power"?

---

Step One: Strengthen Himself Again

Noah wasn't going to wait around to see.

If stronger enemies were on the way, he needed to prepare.

[New Daily Mission: Train for 2 Hours.]

[Reward: Strength +1, Endurance +2]

The System was challenging him more.

And he embraced it.

That evening, Noah didn't simply train—he exceeded his limits.

He ran laps until his legs ached.

He did push-ups until his arms almost gave out.

He dodged attacks in training, utilizing his new Rapid Footwork skill to move more quickly than ever.

By the time he fell onto his bed, his whole body ached like fire.

But when the System notice came on, a little smirk crept onto his lips.

[Strength +1, Endurance +2]

He was closing in.

---

A Shocking Revelation

The next morning, Noah anticipated the normal gossip among students.

But instead, he was greeted by something else.

Silence.

As soon as he entered the school corridor, people parted ways.

They didn't glance at him with mockery or disgust anymore.

They glanced at him with fear.

The nerd they had taunted? The weak nobody?

He had defeated Liam Gray.

Noah didn't pay them any mind, walking towards his locker.

But when he opened it, a piece of paper slipped out.

He picked it up, uncreasing it carefully.

One solitary sentence was scribbled in:

"Meet me at the old gym after school. Alone. – Ryan."

Noah looked at the note.

His blood turned cold.

Ryan Miller wanted to see him.

Alone.

---

A Dangerous Decision

The burden of the decision weighed on Noah.

Ryan had never called someone out in person like this before.

Was it a setup?

A warning?

Or.

A challenge?

Noah breathed deep.

It didn't matter.

He wasn't scared anymore.

He had 100 days to defeat Ryan.

And this was another move in that direction.

Noah walked from school towards the old gym.

The place was hardly used any longer, its windows broken, the walls scuffed down.

As he entered, the door groaned shut behind him.

And then—he spotted him.

Ryan Miller stood in the middle of the gym, arms crossed.

His eyes were cold, inscrutable.

But there was something else there.

Something Noah hadn't anticipated.

Amusement.

"So," Ryan replied, his voice steady but authoritative. "You're the one making all the trouble lately."

Noah said nothing.

Ryan moved closer.

"I watched you fight with Liam," he went on. "You were sloppy. Slow. But."

His smile widened.

"You won."

Noah remained silent, waiting.

Ryan's face altered.

Serious. Intense.

"I'm going to tell you something once," Ryan said. "You're tough. But if you keep reaching."

He leaned in slightly.

"Someone's going to break you."

Noah's heart began to beat faster.

Ryan wasn't threatening him.

He was warning him.

Like Xander.

Something larger was going on in this school.

Noah tightened his fists.

"I won't stop," he said. "No matter who gets in my way."

Ryan's smirk grew wider.

"Good."

Then, out of nowhere—

Ryan attacked.

Quickly.

Too quickly.

Noah hardly had time to react before Ryan's fist was inches from his face.

He dodged—barely.

His heart racing.

Ryan wasn't here to chat.

He was here to test him.

The real fight was about to start.

---