A tense silence swept across the crowd. Many people looked at each other in hesitation, their expressions complicated. Yet, Lucas's calm voice rang clear in their minds, and his words slowly began to make sense.
What Lucas said was not just persuasive—it was the truth.
The championship was already in his hands. Even if they ganged up on him and forced him out of the Secret Realm, his victory would still stand. His points were already at the top of the leaderboard, nearly impossible to surpass. Eliminating him now wouldn't erase the fact that he had already won.
With that in mind, what was the point of attacking him?
It wasn't worth it.
Some of the smarter students quickly realized this. They noticed that while they were wasting time planning revenge, other participants had started climbing the rankings at an alarming rate. The longer they stood around, the further they fell behind.
If they kept fighting Lucas, not only would they waste time, they might also lose their chance to compete for second or third place—which still offered epic-level equipment as rewards!
Several people started backing away, whispering among themselves. Lucas's logic was flawless. The points on the ranking list were proof—some names were climbing fast. If they didn't act quickly, they'd lose more than their pride.
And Lucas wasn't standing alone. Around him were other strong students who supported him—including the famous SS-level freshman, Amelia Su, whose talent was well-known. No one wanted to cross someone who was destined to become a Rank 4 powerhouse one day.
If a battle broke out, and they offended her too, they'd be digging their own graves.
So, quietly, people began to retreat. They each found excuses, convincing themselves that this was the smarter choice. Lucas had given them an easy way out, a graceful exit. Why waste time fighting him, when the real goal—ranking high—was still within reach?
Some shuddered at the thought of the shadow assassin with terrifying explosive power. Who knew whom he'd take down with him in a final attack?
What if it was me? That thought alone was enough to chill the blood.
They swallowed their pride. Lucas had won. Whether they liked it or not, that was the reality. So they pushed aside their frustration and focused on the next best thing—second or third place. That gear was still worth fighting for.
Just like that, the angry mob began to fall apart. What had once been a united group of vengeful players now scattered into smaller teams. They lost their cohesion, and with it, their momentum.
Lucas watched them disperse and let out a deep breath of relief. His gamble had worked.
He smiled to himself. If I can stay in the Secret Realm longer, I can still farm monsters and gain even more experience.
No need to leave early if there's no threat.
"Lucas is so cool!" Amelia Su gasped, eyes sparkling with admiration.
She couldn't hide her excitement. He had managed to talk down a raging crowd, ending a potential war before it began.
To her, this was the same Lucas who once stood boldly on stage at the welcome party, defending her from ridicule. He had always been brave, clever, and strong.
And now, here he was again—calm under pressure, wise beyond his years, and brave enough to stand alone against dozens of enemies.
How could she not admire him?
Amelia's heart was filled with respect and longing. She hoped that one day, she could become like him—fearless in the face of danger, confident, and full of wisdom.
Meanwhile, Alexis Lane watched from the sidelines. She too let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her gaze lingered on Lucas, full of complicated emotions.
His presence, his charisma, the way he handled pressure—it was all too familiar. He reminded her of her father, the respected City Lord.
And yet... this wasn't the same Lucas she used to know.
Before the transfer ceremony, he was just another average guy. He used to chase after her, trying to win her affection like so many others. He was a little more handsome than the rest, but honestly, his grades were terrible, and his charm was lacking.
Back then, Alexis had no interest in him.
But now? Now he stood like a hero. Someone who was smarter, braver, and even more composed than she had imagined. It shook her. Made her question the judgment she once felt so confident in.
She had to admit it: she was starting to feel something for him.
But the bitter part was—Lucas had given up on her. He no longer flirted, no longer tried to impress her. He treated her like any other classmate. In fact, he was more distant than ever.
This left her confused, uncomfortable, and slightly ashamed. How had she misjudged him so badly?
Maybe, just maybe… if she could beat him in the rankings, prove she was still better, he might see her differently again.
But that dream shattered quickly.
Even after teaming up with others, fighting fiercely, racking up points, she still lost to him—again. And this time, the gap was wider than ever.
Seeing Lucas gently pat Amelia Su on the head, smiling at her kindly, filled Alexis with a strange, bitter frustration.
You used to look at me like that. Why are you treating her this way now?
She turned away, pretending not to care. But her eyes kept drifting back, stealing glances from the corner of her vision. She hated herself for it.
---
"Boss Lucas is awesome! Unstoppable! He's invincible!"
From the crowd, Zach Darnell, Mason, and Leon Graves ran over, grinning from ear to ear. They were practically dancing in celebration.
"Congratulations, Boss! You challenged the Secret Realm BOSS alone, scored over 10,000 points, and took first place!"
They were beyond impressed. No one else could've done what Lucas just did. That BOSS was Level 40 and classified as a Leader—a monster with high attributes and insane attack power.
Even if a dozen five-person teams worked together, they'd likely suffer heavy casualties, if not outright fail. But Lucas? He defeated the BOSS alone.
That was insane.
Everyone in Tianhai First Academy and even students from the top class of the Output Department started coming over to congratulate him. They were proud of their schoolmate.
This wasn't just Lucas's victory—it was their victory, too.
Whether it was his championship win, or the courage they all showed standing beside him when it counted, everyone felt united, proud, and honored.
"Thank you, everyone! Thank you for your support!" Lucas said humbly, bowing his head slightly.
He meant it. In his moment of crisis, they had stepped forward, risking themselves to back him up.
Just when things seemed to be settling down…
"Hmph! Lucas, don't celebrate too soon!" a cold voice cut through the excitement like a knife.
Everyone turned their heads as a group of five students marched toward Lucas, their eyes full of challenge.
"You might've scared off the others, and sure, that takes skill… but we're not like them. We don't care about second or third place."
Their leader stepped forward with a mocking grin. "That epic gear doesn't mean anything to us. What we want… is to fight you."
Gasps came from all around. Those who had started walking away stopped in their tracks. Who were these people who dared to challenge Lucas now?
The tension rose again—another storm was brewing.
Would Lucas face them too?
Or was this fight unavoidable?
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