Midnight Confrontation

The text on Noah's phone screen glowed in the darkness.

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

His hand around the phone tightened.

Adrian Black.

The transfer student. The Rank 1 fighter of the Underground Tournament. The kid who had marched into school today and taken over like he owned it.

And now, at midnight, he wanted to meet?

Noah's instincts yelled trap.

But he was not going to give up.

He couldn't.

The system had issued him a warning already.

> [Urgent Quest: Survive the Next 24 Hours.]

Noah took his hoodie, slid on his shoes, and headed out of his room.

---

The Rooftop

The rooftop of the school was hauntingly quiet at night.

The sounds of traffic, distant voices, or rustling leaves were gone.

As if the world itself was taking a breath.

Noah took a step forward, his boots echoing off the concrete.

And then—

A shadow shifted.

Adrian Black leaned against the railing, hands in his pockets, as if he had all the time in the world.

He turned his head slightly, acknowledging Noah's presence, before smirking.

That damn smirk.

Like he already knew how this night was going to end.

Noah didn't speak first.

Neither did Adrian.

For a few seconds, the silence was louder than words.

Then, Adrian pushed himself off the railing.

"Ah," he said, his voice smooth, unruffled. "You actually came."

Noah's eyes narrowed. "You phoned me in the dead of night. What do you want?"

Adrian stepped closer.

"I wanted to see you at close range," he said. "The man who defeated Ryan Miller."

Noah didn't budge. "And?"

Adrian angled his head. "I'm not impressed."

Tch.

Noah recognized a challenge when he saw one.

Then why are we speaking?" Noah spat coldly. "You didn't pull me out here to talk."

Adrian grinned. "You're right. I didn't."

Then—

He shifted.

Quickly.

Quicker than any opponent Noah had ever clashed with.

A moment ago, Adrian was about three feet away.

The next—

His punch was inches from Noah's face.

Noah barely avoided.

The wind off the blow swiped against his cheek.

Had that connected—

He'd have been out cold.

Noah sprang back, pounding in his heart.

Adrian smiled.

"Good," he murmured. "At least you're not completely useless."

Noah clenched his fists. "You want a fight?"

Adrian's eyes gleamed.

"No."

He disappeared.

Noah's instincts screamed—

He turned, raising his arm just in time—

BANG!

A brutal kick slammed into his forearm, sending him skidding backward.

He barely stayed on his feet.

Adrian stood a few feet away, still relaxed, as if he hadn't just tried to break Noah's bones.

"I don't want a fight," Adrian said. "I want a hunt."

Noah let out a harsh breath.

This wasn't just any enemy.

Adrian was a monster.

---

A System Warning

> [System Notification: You are in immediate danger.]

[Skill – Devour Activated.]

Noah felt an influx of power.

Ryan's skill—Devour.

It was still new, untested. He hadn't tried it yet.

But if he was going to live—

He had no choice.

Adrian sneered.

"You're hesitating," he said. "Why?"

Noah's gaze turned dark. "I don't fight without a reason."

Adrian sighed.

"Then let me give you one."

His whole aura changed.

Deep, crushing pressure came crashing down onto the rooftop.

Noah's breath hitched.

This wasn't normal.

This wasn't human.

Adrian took another step closer, voice dropping to a whisper.

"Noah Carter," he said. "Did you really think this was just a game?"

Something was off.

Noah had battled tough fighters before.

But this—

This wasn't about being tough.

Adrian felt like something else.

Something more than a mere fighter.

And then—

Adrian disappeared.

---

The Attack

Noah hardly saw the kick.

He blocked—

CRACK!

Pain exploded up his arm.

He was knocked back, his body crashing into the rooftop fence.

Adrian didn't relent.

He closed in, striking at Noah's ribs—

Noah spun at the last moment, grabbing Adrian's wrist—

> [Skill – Devour Activated.]

A rush of power flooded into Noah's veins.

Adrian's attack halted.

For the first time—his face altered.

"What—?"

Noah's eyes blazed with a dark glow.

His body acted on its own.

He pulled Adrian back and jammed his knee into his stomach.

Adrian grunted, falling back.

Noah's fingers curled into a fist.

This was power.

This was Devour.

He had taken Ryan Miller's strength.

Now he could use any skill he borrowed.

Noah took a breath. "Not so cocky now, huh?"

Adrian wiped the blood from his lip.

And then—

He laughed.

Not in anger. Not in frustration.

But in excitement.

"Interesting," Adrian said softly. "So that's your secret."

Noah said nothing.

Adrian smiled.

"I like you even more now."

Tch.

Noah didn't know whether that was good or bad.

But one thing was for sure.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

---

The Warning

Adrian turned around.

"We'll fight again soon," he said.

Noah scowled. "That's it?"

Adrian looked over his shoulder.

"This wasn't a fight."

He smiled.

"This was just me saying hello."

Then, he strode off.

Noah followed him with his eyes as he vanished into the darkness.

His fists were balled.

> [System Notification: Urgent Quest Updated.]

[New Mission: Reveal Adrian Black's Real Identity.]

Noah took a deep breath.

First, he needed to survive.

Then—

He needed to know who Adrian actually was.

And why the devil the system perceived him as a threat.

---