Chapter 5: First Steps Toward Power

Ethan barely moved when the school bell rang. His classmates shuffled out, their conversations blending into a meaningless hum. Some students gave him quick glances before turning away, as if unsure whether to acknowledge what had happened earlier.

He didn't care.

His mind was on something far more important.

The system.

He pulled up the interface, letting his eyes scan over the menus he had barely touched. The first thing he checked was his status.

[User: Ethan Walker]

[Level: 1]

[Strength: 8]

[Agility: 11]

[Endurance: 9]

[Intelligence: 12]

[Skills: Intimidation (Passive)]

[System Store: Locked (Requires Level 5)]

[System Upgrade: Available]

Fifty SP still sat in his balance, waiting to be used. He could already boost one of his stats, but now that he understood the system had a deeper upgrade function, he needed to be more strategic.

He tapped on the upgrade menu.

[System Level: 1] (Current)

Basic Stats & Status Screen

Basic Missions (Daily & Optional)

Simple Attribute Upgrades (Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence)

First Skill Unlock Available

System Store Locked

[Upgrade to System Level 2 – Cost: 200 SP]

[New Features Unlocked:]

System Store Access (Basic Tier Items)

Passive Skill Slot Unlocks

New Mission Types (Chain Missions & Hidden Quests)

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

So the system itself could evolve.

That changed everything.

He had assumed he would only grow stronger by upgrading his stats, but if he could enhance the entire system, it would give him access to new abilities, new resources—new ways to control the game.

His fingers drummed against the desk as he pulled up his available missions.

[Daily Missions]

[Complete a full workout – Reward: 20 SP]

[Go an entire day without avoiding eye contact – Reward: 10 SP]

[Win a confrontation – Reward: 30 SP]

[Optional Missions]

[Humiliate a former tormentor – Reward: 50 SP]

[Defeat a stronger opponent – Reward: 100 SP]

[Break an opponent's will – Reward: ???]

Fifty more SP, and he could unlock his first skill slot or start saving toward upgrading the system itself.

His eyes settled on one mission in particular.

[Humiliate a former tormentor.]

Ethan exhaled slowly, his lips twitching into a smile.

That was going to be easy.

---

The hallway was still buzzing with energy when Ethan stepped outside the classroom. Conversations, laughter, the occasional shove between students who weren't paying attention to their surroundings.

And then there was Tyler.

Leaning against the lockers near the exit, arms crossed. Alone.

Ethan didn't break stride.

His mind was already working through the scenario. If Tyler was here alone, it meant either Logan had sent him, or Tyler had come on his own to prove something.

Neither mattered.

Ethan had already won before the fight even started.

As he passed, Tyler pushed off the lockers, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You really think you're hot shit now, Walker? Just 'cause you got one lucky punch on Logan?"

Ethan stopped walking.

A few students nearby slowed their steps, sensing the tension.

The air felt heavier.

Ethan turned his head slightly, looking at Tyler without fully facing him.

"You followed me here alone."

Tyler's smirk faltered for just a second.

"You trying to intimidate me or something?" he scoffed. "Don't forget your place, Walker. You got one hit in, that's it. Logan's gonna destroy you."

Ethan took a slow step forward. Not aggressive. Not threatening. Just… close enough.

Tyler instinctively shifted back half a step.

The small movement was all Ethan needed.

He let the silence stretch between them.

Seconds ticked by. Tyler's confidence wasn't as solid as it had been when he first spoke. His arms were still crossed, but his grip was tighter. His stance less relaxed.

He was reacting to Ethan without realizing it.

The skill was working.

Intimidation wasn't about shouting. It wasn't about flexing muscle. It was about making the other person feel something before they even understood why.

"You came here thinking you'd scare me back into my place," Ethan said, voice even. "So tell me, Tyler. What's your place?"

Tyler's brows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly, his eyes locked onto Tyler's.

"You followed me here. Alone. Logan isn't with you. Chase isn't with you. No one else is standing by your side."

He saw the flicker of uncertainty in Tyler's face.

"You were either sent here to test me," Ethan continued, "or you came on your own to prove something. And if Logan sent you alone, then that means he doesn't think you're important enough to handle himself. And if you came on your own, that means you're more afraid of what Logan thinks of you than what I could do to you right now."

Tyler's expression twisted. "You think you're so goddamn smart—"

"I don't think," Ethan interrupted. "I know."

The way Tyler's jaw clenched told him everything.

He had hit the exact nerve he was aiming for.

It wasn't about fists. It wasn't about fights.

It was about control.

Ethan took a step back, his smirk never leaving. "You tell Logan whatever you want. Just make sure you ask yourself something before you do."

Tyler scoffed. "Yeah? And what's that?"

Ethan leaned in slightly, just enough that his voice was only for Tyler.

"If Logan's so confident about beating me, why hasn't he done it yet?"

Tyler had no response.

Ethan walked away.

A familiar chime echoed in his mind.

[Mission Complete: Humiliate a Former Tormentor.]

[Reward Earned: 50 SP.]

Ethan didn't smile. He didn't react. He just kept walking.

Because now he had 100 SP.

And he knew exactly what he was going to do with it.

---

Ethan closed the door to his apartment, tossing his backpack onto the floor. His fingers immediately pulled up the system menu, his pulse steady, his expression calm.

His eyes went straight to Upgrades.

The usual attribute boosts were there, but now—

[Skill Unlock – Cost: 100 SP]

Without hesitation, he tapped it.

[New Skill Acquired.]

[Skill: Analyze (Active)]

[Effect: Allows you to scan individuals for basic information, including physical condition, emotional state, and potential weaknesses.]

Ethan's breath slowed as he read the description again.

Potential weaknesses.

A slow smile stretched across his lips.

This wasn't just power.

It was precision.

And it was only going to get better.

He exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

Tomorrow was going to be fun.