The Predator and the Prey

The Warning

Noah's eyes fixed on the alert on his screen.

> [Urgent Quest Activated]

"Survive the Next 24 Hours"

His fingers clenched around his phone.

Survive?

He had just become the strongest fighter in school, had just swiped Ryan Miller's skill—why would the system now alert him to survival?

Unless… something stronger was on its way.

A shiver ran down his spine.

And then—

The classroom door swung open.

---

The Transfer Student

A figure entered.

Tall. Lean. Sharper than any opponent Noah had ever met.

His presence alone was like a knife.

His uniform was immaculate, his posture loose—but his eyes.

Noah saw those eyes instantly.

A fighter.

Not an ordinary one. Not like Ryan Miller, who was all about brute force.

This guy?

He was a killer.

The room went silent. Even the students who were trying to talk about how Noah was going to win the tournament were quiet.

There was something about this guy that made you want to shut up.

He strolled over to the teacher's desk, surrendering a file.

The teacher adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat. "Class, we have a new transfer student. Introduce yourself."

The guy smiled blandly. His voice was smooth, almost languid.

"Name's Adrian Black."

That name meant nothing to them.

But to Noah?

It meant everything.

Because in the Underground Tournament brackets, Adrian Black was Number 1.

Was unnerving.

---

The Weight of a King

Noah maintained his expressionless face as Adrian swept the room with his eyes. His eyes finally settled on Noah, and for that second of time, something changed on his face.

Recognition.

Adrian smirked.

Then he strode on, like Noah was not even worth his notice.

Noah slowly breathed out.

His heart wasn't racing because he was afraid—it was because he was thrilled.

He had Devour. He had defeated Ryan. He had become the strongest.

And yet—

The system had still warned him.

Which meant that for the first time since acquiring the system, he was the hunted.

And Adrian was the hunter.

---

A Silent Challenge

Lunch break.

Noah ate alone at his regular table by the back of the cafeteria. He could hear the whispers.

"Did you see that new guy? He doesn't seem normal."

"He doesn't say much, but his presence is crazy…"

"I heard he moved from a school where he got kicked out for fighting."

Noah already knew all this.

He had learned everything about every top-ranked fighter in the Underground Tournament.

And Adrian was no ordinary tough fighter.

He was analytical. Cold. Unpredictable.

That's why the system warned him.

Because even if Noah did have Devour—even if he had beaten Ryan Miller…

Adrian was a whole different level.

And he knew it.

Because the instant their eyes met across the cafeteria—

Adrian smiled.

A knowing, amused smile.

As if he was eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

Noah gritted his fists.

24 hours to survive.

What did that even mean?

Would Adrian move today?

Would it be in school, or out?

Would it be an outright fight—or something else entirely?

One thing was for sure.

Adrian wasn't going to wait long.

---

Xander's Warning

Noah was exiting school when a voice called out.

"Yo, Noah."

Xander.

Noah paused, letting Xander catch up to him.

"You tense," Xander observed.

"Something's happening," Noah said. "You feel it too, don't you?"

Xander jammed his hands into his pockets. "I always feel it. But yeah… this one's different."

Noah looked at him. "You know who he is?"

Xander nodded. "Adrian Black. Number 1 ranked in the Underground Tournament."

"So you knew."

Xander grinned. "Knew someone was going to come for you. Didn't know it'd be him."

Noah let out a sharp breath. "What do you think?"

Xander's grin disappeared.

"He's dangerous, Noah."

"Dangerous like Ryan?"

Xander didn't respond right away. That silence spoke volumes to Noah.

"I don't mean physically," Xander said after a moment. "Adrian doesn't fight. He plays games. He breaks people before he even lays a hand on them."

Noah's thoughts flashed to the system's warning.

Make it through the next 24 hours.

It wasn't merely a battle.

It was a hunt.

And he was the prey.

---

Nightfall

Noah bolted his bedroom door, glancing at his phone.

23 hours remaining.

Adrian had yet to make his move.

He wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

Not with the tension hanging over him.

So he trained. Pushed himself to his breaking point.

Put his new power—Devour—to the test.

The power to steal and take strength.

He could feel Ryan's techniques becoming a part of him. His punches weighted. His footwork precise.

If Adrian came at him—he wouldn't lose.

At least, that's what he kept telling himself.

Because in the back of his mind, a little voice kept saying—

What if Devour isn't enough?

---

The First Move

2 AM.

Noah sat on his bed, awake.

Then—

A gentle knock against his window.

His body sprang into action. He picked up a knife from his desk, rising up.

Slowing, he turned to face the window.

Nothing.

He opened it slightly—no one was there.

Then his phone buzzed.

A text message.

> Unknown Number: You're slower than I expected.

Noah's grip on his phone tightened.

> Unknown Number: Meet me at the rooftop. Now.

Noah inhaled sharply.

He didn't have to guess who it was.

Adrian Black was waiting.

And the 24-hour hunt… had officially begun.

---