Kael followed Suhyeon down the corridor, their footsteps steady and deliberate. The noise of students packing up echoed faintly, but Suhyeon's attention stayed fixed on Kael. His eyes glowed with the faint trace of his ability. The stats lined up. Strength, speed, stamina. All average. Intelligence spiked high, higher than most in the school. But where his eyes should have seen a rank for potential, there was nothing.
A blank space.
Suhyeon's expression tightened. He had seen potentials from F all the way up to S, but this was different. This was the first time he could not see anything at all.
They turned a corner and came across a stocky boy waiting by the staircase, adjusting his glasses. His hair was slightly tousled and his expression curious but not hostile.
"There you are," the boy said, brushing chalk dust from his sleeves. His tone carried warmth and an inviting energy. "Who's this?"
"A new friend," Suhyeon replied. His voice was calm, almost flat, but his gaze flickered briefly at Kaelen. Something about the boy's presence, and his unreadable potential drew Suhyeon's attention.
[Mission unlocked. Objective: Join Suhyeon Kim's crew. Reward: 5% mastery gained in Jeet Kune. Mission progress saved.]
Kaelen gave a slight bow. 'Alright, now I can at least defend myself in a fight.'
The stocky boy smiled and extended a hand. "Formal, huh? Relax, we're all classmates here. Just call me Gukja." His grip was firm but welcoming.
"Kaelen Drake," Kaelen replied steadily, meeting his eyes.
"Gukja," the boy said with a nod.
The three of them began walking, the hallway stretching long and quiet as students filed past. They exited the school gate, the sounds of the school muted behind them, and waiting for them were three figures with interesting haircuts, slightly muscular builds, and a sense of quiet authority. One stepped forward, his expression friendly.
"Hyeondong," Suhyeon said, acknowledging him. "Lead the way."
The three of them followed as Hyeondong and his goons led the way beyond the schoolyard. Hyeondong gestured toward a distant building, half-finished, concrete skeleton exposed to the sky. The unfinished building loomed above them, its concrete skeleton exposed to the fading light. The sound of footsteps echoed as they climbed higher.
"This way," Hyeondong said. "The conference is up there."
They entered the building. Stairs led them to a higher floor where four couches were positioned with space between them. One each for the leaders of South, West, North, and East Gangbuk. Only one was occupied, Seok Kang of South Gangbuk. His presence filled the space effortlessly, eyes flicking over Suhyeon and his entourage without comment.
Suhyeon's eyes remained steady. He walked to the couch reserved for the West Gangbuk leader and sat down with precision.
[Mission complete. Objective: Attend conference. Reward: Stat boost +3% agility, +3% reflexes. Mission progress saved.]
Kaelen felt the subtle shift in his reflexes and balance. Each movement now carried a new precision.
As Suhyeon rose to leave, a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Jaeha Han, leader of East Gangbuk, approached swiftly. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Suhyeon by the neck. Suhyeon's expression remained calm, his eyes absent-minded, betraying no fear. Kaelen noted the tension radiating from the other boys. Onlookers whispered, some in awe. To them, Suhyeon looked fearless, almost mocking. Jaeha's expression darkened.
"Hey, shithead" His grip tightened. "You think this is funny?"
Jaeha's grip tightened as he spoke, irritation lacing his tone. A hand rested on Jaeha's shoulder. "That's enough." The boy's voice was firm, steady. Jaeha turned, his grip still locked on Suhyeon's neck.
"You think you can order me around?" Jaeha snapped. His hand shot up, gripping the boy's face.
The boy did not flinch. He tilted his head toward the couches. "Seok Kang is here. Do you really want to start something in front of him?"
For a heartbeat, silence ruled the room.
Jaeha's gaze flicked to Seok Kang, who leaned back in his seat with amusement. His calm demeanor only fueled Jaeha's annoyance. Attempting to diffuse the moment, Seok Kang spoke smoothly, "The North's leader didn't come. A shame." His voice was calm, hiding something sharper beneath. "Let's not waste the effort that went into this meeting. We're done here."
Suhyeon sat silently, his eyes flashing faintly as he tried to read the stats of the other leaders. Nothing appeared. His lips parted slightly, surprise flickering across his expression. Kael caught it.
'He cannot see their stats,' he thought. 'That means they are more dangerous than he expected.'
The conference ended with no further incidents. Suhyeon's system and Kaelen's mission status remained active, each task logged, each reward absorbed.
As they left the building, Kaelen allowed himself a moment to recall his surroundings. The streets, the smells, the city layout, all registered in his memory. The day air had grown colder. He retraced steps that felt familiar yet foreign, letting memory guide him. A small apartment awaited him. The door creaked as he pushed it open. The smell of herbs drifted through the air.
"Back already?" An old woman peeked out from the kitchen; her gray hair tied in a bun. Her eyes softened when she saw him.
Kael inclined his head. "Yes. Thank you for looking after me."
She waved him off. "Nonsense. You're like family."
Kael sat on the small bed in the corner, his mind replaying the events of the day. Suhyeon, Gukja, Hyeondong, the conference, the unreadable leaders. His first mission was complete. His place in Suhyeon Kim's crew was secured. The path ahead was uncertain, but Kaelen had already begun calculating, observing, preparing for every possibility. Sleep claimed him slowly. The second step of his journey had begun.