[Special Mission Unlocked]
Objective: Kill Dave
Reward: +10,000 Points
Additional Mission: Cause immense pain.
Bonus: +100 Points per scream.
Time Limit: 7 Days
He froze.
Then slowly, a smile crept across his face—a cold, sadistic smile. One that even made Lucy shudder from deep within his mind.
If Dave had seen it, he might've dropped dead from fear.
"You're becoming more of a true demon," Lucy said quietly.
Johan snapped out of his daze. "What do you mean by that?"
Lucy floated before him, crossing her legs in mid-air. "What kind of normal person sees that mission and smiles?"
Johan didn't answer. He simply closed the interface and walked to his bed.
Tomorrow could wait.
Tonight…
He would sleep like a demon dreaming of screams.
The next day came in the blink of an eye, and with it, the class placements were released.
Claire, to no one's surprise, was among the few students accepted into the prestigious Phoenix Section—a mark of excellence. Dave, with his arrogance intact, had been placed in the Tiger Section, while Lann and Brave ended up in the Snakes Section.
Johan, however, had been placed in the lowest tier: the Ant Section.
According to the official record, his performance during the test showed little to no combat participation. The system considered him weak. Just another unnoticed ant.
The class hierarchy from top to bottom for each academic year went as follows:
Dragons – Reserved for prodigies and elites.
Phoenix – The exceptional few.
Tigers – Strong and reliable students.
Snakes – The average majority.
Ants – Those deemed weakest or least involved.
Despite the placement, Johan didn't feel discouraged. He had long stopped caring about how others saw him. After all, rankings didn't account for secrets, systems, or shadowy evolutions.
He made his way to his new classroom.
The campus itself was circular, divided into three major divisions for each year group, each housing its five ranked sections. As he stepped into the Ant Section classroom, a strange silence lingered. Everyone there carried an aura of quiet resignation. Their honor stats were abysmally low—many looked like they had barely passed the entrance exam.
Johan sat down, observing in silence. Five minutes passed. Then ten.
Eventually, the teacher walked in.
She was tall, composed, and exuded a subtle authority. Her name was Ms. Pearl.
Without delay, she began her lesson, diving into the History of the Epics. She spoke of how their abilities had evolved over time and the centuries-long war against the dark forces of Hades, who once sought to collapse the balance of power. Her voice was calm but filled with conviction.
Johan listened quietly, but his mind wandered.
After class, with nothing planned for the rest of the day, he headed back toward his dorm—until a familiar voice called out.
"Johan!"
He turned. Claire was sprinting toward him, waving with a wide smile on her face. Her Phoenix emblem gleamed proudly on her shoulder.
"I thought I might not see you again," she said, catching her breath. "I was worried since we got split into different sections."
"I was just heading back to my room," Johan replied in his usual emotionless tone.
"Oh? Perfect timing then." Her smile brightened. "Come with me—I want to show you something."
Without warning, she grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Johan didn't resist, but inside he was curious.
They walked toward the school gates.
Johan's expression shifted ever so slightly. Wait—students aren't allowed to leave the campus.
But Claire walked confidently past the guards. Just behind the gate stood something that genuinely shocked him.
It was a car—but not just any car. Sleek, angular, and radiating technological elegance, it was one of the most expensive, high-speed, and heavily fortified vehicles he had ever seen. Its very presence screamed wealth and danger.
Next to the car stood a man in black, arms behind his back.
As Claire approached the gate, she flashed a special card at the security personnel. Without a word, the guard stepped aside and opened the gates.
Johan eyed the man by the car. He looked young, no older than thirty, with a clean suit and striking gray hair—a strange contrast to his youthful face. The man opened the door for them without saying a word.
As Johan stepped inside, he immediately noticed something odd.
The man had no aura.
Not low.
None.
And that terrified Johan more than anything else.
Even the teachers, despite suppressing their energy, gave off hints of their strength. But this man? It was as if he didn't exist. His presence was a void. An abyss that seemed to mock Johan's instincts.
Something deep within him screamed:
Run. Run far away. Don't make him your enemy.
And that was new. That had never happened before.
Johan activated Discerning Eyes, hoping to make sense of this anomaly.
[Discerning Eyes Activated]
Name: Unknown
Race: Undisclosed
Realm: ???
Form: Human
Evaluation: Extremely dangerous ???
Johan's heart skipped a beat.
What kind of monster have I just encountered?
Claire, oblivious to the tension, leaned in excitedly. "Cool, right? This is our ride. I wanted to show you something beyond the academy walls. Don't worry, it's permitted… if you're with me."
Johan didn't respond immediately. His thoughts were still on the man who now stood silently by the car, as if guarding royalty.
He forced himself to calm down. Whatever this was, it wasn't a trap. Claire meant no harm.
But now he knew—there were forces in this world far above what he imagined. And some of them… walked around unnoticed.
And this man… was one of them.