We're Going to Kill Him
* * *
Jacob, the king of the left corridor, stood in the hallway, his mind swirling with thoughts of the meeting.
The offer from the second floor's king echoed in his head. Surrendering their territories in exchange for power and security—was it really that simple? He wasn't sure if he could trust someone who demanded control so easily.
"Jacob," a voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned to see Aiden, the king of the right corridor, with his unmistakable red hair standing out even in the dim light. Aiden leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a thoughtful look on his face.
"You know," Aiden began, "joining him might not be such a bad idea. His offer of unity is tempting. Imagine the power we could wield together."
Jacob shook his head, his glasses reflecting the overhead lights. "No, Aiden. If we surrender, we'll be under his control. He can make any rules he wants. We'd be at his mercy, and who knows what kind of ruler he truly is?"
Aiden considered this for a moment, nodding slowly. "True, but aligning with him could also mean stability. We won't have to constantly look over our shoulders, fearing another attack."
"But at what cost?" Jacob countered. "Once we're under his rule, we lose our autonomy. We're no longer kings—we're subjects. It's better to maintain our independence than to bow down to someone else."
Aiden sighed, recognizing the validity in Jacob's words. "So, what do we do? We can't just sit back and hope for the best."
Jacob's expression hardened, determination gleaming behind his glasses. "We're going to kill him."
Aiden's eyes widened in surprise. "The king of the second floor?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes. If we take him out, we not only eliminate the threat but also send a message that we won't be subdued. We maintain our control, our freedom."
Aiden's surprise turned into a smile, his own competitive spirit ignited. "I like the sound of that. When do we make our move?"
"Tonight," Jacob said, adjusting his glasses with a confident glint. "We'll catch him off guard, end this before he has a chance to tighten his grip."
Aiden nodded in agreement, both kings now united in their resolve. They knew it was a risky plan, but the prospect of maintaining their freedom outweighed the dangers. They would strike that night, determined to protect their autonomy at any cost.
* * *
The classroom was quiet, the remnants of the summit still lingering in the air. I sat alone, my mind churning over the events and the decision that lay ahead.
"System," I said aloud, my voice breaking the silence.
In response, the familiar system window materialized before me, translucent and glowing softly in the dim light. It displayed my current stats, each number representing the strength I had accumulated through countless battles and strategic decisions.
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[System Window]
Name: Erebus
Age: 18
Strength: 8
Agility: 73
Vitality: 8
Intelligence: 12
Magic: 12
(Stat Points: 0)
------------------
I tsked, not entirely pleased with the circumstances that forced me to pour so much karma into agility.
I had just used 1,000 karma from the 2,433 I had set as a limit when exploiting the system. Coupled with the 500 karma spent on the gun, my total expenditure stood at 1,500.
'It's okay,' I thought. 'I'll earn plenty more in the later rounds.'
I recalled the later rounds from the novel. They were a bloodbath.
Non-stop wars, betrayal, and crimes like slavery painted a grim picture of the chaos that would ensue. Every action I took now was a step toward navigating that treacherous landscape, ensuring my survival and the survival of those under my command.
But as I thought about the later rounds, I could've never imagined.
That the bloodbath would be happening that night.
* * *
The first night since the world had changed descended upon us, bringing an eerie stillness to the transformed school.
I hadn't heard back from the kings of the first floor yet. They probably hadn't made their decision about my proposal. It was unsettling, not knowing their intentions, but I had to stay focused.
I watched as Yunji led the non-combat team, diligently constructing a barricade in front of the right corridor. They worked with determination, using desks, chairs, and anything else they could find to fortify our position. The barricade was meant to protect everyone gathered here and prevent any surprise attacks.
I walked over to Yunji, admiring her focus and leadership. "I see you're working hard," I said with a slight smile.
Yunji looked up, wiping sweat from her forehead. "We have to be prepared for whatever comes. This should hold, at least for a while," she replied, sounding hopeful yet cautious.
"You should rest now. Tomorrow will be even harder than today," I advised, seeing the weariness in her eyes.
She nodded, acknowledging the truth in my words. "Alright. I'll get everyone settled in. Goodnight, Erebus."
"Goodnight," I replied, watching her gather the non-combat team and lead them to classroom 2-4, the safest room, farthest from the middle hallway and the entrance to the corridor.
With Yunji and the others safely tucked away, I made my way to class 2-2, where the combat members were waiting.
We had spent the entire day clearing the area, tossing all the corpses into class 2-8, the farthest room from where we'd be staying, and setting up barricades to shield us.
Classroom functions had been designated: 2-4 and 2-3 were living dorms where everyone could sleep. Class 2-2 was for the combat members, where they could get ready and strategize. Class 2-1 was our headquarters, where all the planning and decision-making happened.
I faced the combat members, each one of them battle-worn but resolute.
"Listen up," I began. "We'll be taking shifts throughout the night to keep watch. Everyone needs rest, but we can't afford any surprises. Stay alert, and make sure to report anything unusual immediately."
They nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of our situation. We had survived the day, but night brought its own dangers.
As I settled in for my shift, I couldn't help but think about the kings on the first floor and what their decision might mean for us. Uncertainty loomed large, but I knew we were as prepared as we could be.
* * *
Jacob stood at the bottom of the stairs, Aiden at his side. The dimly lit corridor stretched behind them, filled with about 180 soldiers.
Each soldier clutched a basic cutting knife which they bought from the store, a simple but effective tool in their determined hands. While they weren't all individually strong, the sheer number was their advantage.
Aiden leaned closer to Jacob, whispering with concern. "Do you think it's okay? I mean, the guy who delivered the letter said that the king had a gun..."
Jacob cut him off, rolling his eyes. "Cut the shit, Aiden. It's probably fake. There's no way he has a gun. We can't let some rumor scare us out of action."
Aiden bit his lip, still unsure, but he stayed silent. Jacob turned to face his assembled army, raising his voice to ensure everyone heard him. "Listen up! Our objective is clear: eliminate the king of the second floor. They think they can control us, but we'll show them the strength of the first floor!"
He paused, letting his words sink in, and continued with rising intensity, "They believe they can intimidate us with their supposed power, but tonight, we prove them wrong. This is our time! Charge!"
With that command, the soldiers surged forward, charging up the stairs toward the second floor. The sound of their feet echoed in the stairwell, a rumbling testament to their shared resolve. Jacob felt a mixture of anticipation and determination as he followed behind them, the night air heavy with the promise of confrontation.