— I'm late!!! he yelled, running through the street.
Even though he was shouting it loud and clear for the passersby to hear, Si-woo had still taken the time to wash himself. When he woke up, the smell of Jeunk's cigarette, his drool, and the leftover soup from the night before clung to his hair. He had to be at least somewhat presentable. He'd also managed to grab a clean uniform on the way out—the only one he had left.
In the meantime, he'd seen that Il-seong had completed his quest. After two hours. You could say he really took his time, the guy.
Si-woo passed through the deserted school gate. First period must already be well underway. He had never been a shining example of punctuality, but since he had skipped the previous day, he would have preferred to avoid drawing attention to himself this morning. He dashed into the service staircase to avoid the hall monitors.
As he pushed open the heavy metal door, two things came to his mind:
He had forgotten the money Jeunk asked from him.
Jeunk's gang usually smoked in the service stairwell during first period.
— So eager to see me, freak? Jeunk greeted him, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth.
Si-woo tried to back away—forget the monitors—but two of Jeunk's lackeys shut the door behind him.
He was trapped!
Jeunk extended a hand toward him without even getting up. Si-woo squirmed, looking for an escape route.
— Listen, he began, his throat dry. I… I forgot…
— What ?
Jeunk raised his eyebrows while the others snickered.
— I forgot the money you asked me for.
Si-woo braced himself for a beating, but they all just stood there, waiting for him to go on.
They… they're listening ? he thought, stunned by the scene.
Something came back to him:
20% chance others will listen when you speak
10% chance they'll obey if you give a command
Full of hope, Si-woo continued:
— I forgot to set my alarm. I was in a rush and it slipped my mind. I'll give you the money tomorrow.
To make sure the 10% kicked in, he repeated:
— I'm asking you to wait until tomorrow for the money.
— You're asking me? Jeunk laughed.
A shiver ran down Si-woo's spine as the brute stepped toward him.
— Are we're buddies now ?
— Listen, I— Argh!
Jeunk grabbed Si-woo by the throat and slammed him against the wall. His nails dug into the skin of Si-woo's neck so hard that blood beaded along his collar.
Oh no, another ruined uniform! Si-woo winced.
Jeunk must've noticed his annoyed expression, because he stubbed his still-burning cigarette out on Si-woo's jacket—right on the school crest.
— I think you and that other chicken are getting cocky lately. I've been too easy on you, and now you've forgotten your place. Hey, Do-Yun!
One of his cronies—a thug with spiked hair drenched in gel—stepped forward, his mouth twitching with a tic.
— Stand guard at the top of the stairs. Me and my buddie rat here are gonna have a little alone time.
Si-woo pleaded with his eyes for him to say no. The last person who'd had "alone time" with Jeunk had spent two months in the hospital. Do-Yun hesitated, but under Jeunk's piercing gaze, he folded and slumped away.
I'm dead ! Si-woo wanted to scream.
He probably would've if Jeunk's grip hadn't crushed his windpipe. He was going to destroy him, disfigure him—his mother wouldn't even recognize him. The only upside would be that she'd finally have an excuse to pay attention to him. But between getting attention and being half-dead, Si-woo quickly made his choice. He thrashed, kicking the air, unable to reach Jeunk, who stood too far. He grabbed at Jeunk's arm with both hands, but that only added to his torturer's amusement. The rest of the gang stayed in the background, knowing full well he was about to get beaten senseless, but refusing to draw Jeunk's attention to themselves. Si-woo let his arms drop.
There's nothing I can do.
That thought burned itself into his mind in bright red letters. He'd imagined so many things the night before: the end of Jeunk's reign, the end of the bullying, a proper meal from the cafeteria. But in the end, only Il-seong had the power to make those dreams come true. And today, he still wasn't ready. Until then, Si-woo had to grit his teeth.
As if to contradict that, a small blue flame flickered around his index finger. He thrust his hand into it just as Jeunk raised his fist. His vision blurred when it smashed into his temple. Si-woo tried to breathe and reach the screen. Jeunk struck the same spot again with unnerving accuracy—and more force. Si-woo felt like the world around him was shaking. Still, he managed to read the screen.
The interface was offering him the creation of an "emergency" quest. Si-woo easily guessed its intentions.
It wants me to use Il-seong to get out of this?
The idea gave him chills. Also, Jeunk was still hitting him while he was thinking. But Si-woo's mind was elsewhere. He hardly felt the pain anymore. The shock—and the weight of his decision—were overwhelming.
It wants me to manipulate my friend?
Of course, a new quest would let him progress faster. That was the whole point. But he wasn't ready to face Jeunk. Not in his current state. Then again… he had received rewards the day before. Il-seong could make use of them…
Jeunk punched him in the nose. Si-woo heard a crack and felt blood dribble onto his lips. A sharp pain shot across his face. That sealed the decision.
Quest Type: Emergency – Rescue
— Look, guys! I'm hitting him so hard he's twitching!"
Proud of himself, Jeunk tightened his grip on Si-woo's throat and switched targets. He drove a knee into his stomach. Si-woo threw up the previous night's dinner. Bits of noodles dripped from his chin. He tried to ignore the pain and the acidic taste in his mouth. He focused on the screen.
Title: Zero to Hero
Condition(s): Save Si-woo from Jeunk in the service stairwell
Si-woo paused to endure a headbutt. Jeunk threw him to the ground and started kicking him.
Reward(s):
Badge of the Bold Sidekick:
+5% Physical Strength
+5% Charisma
Penalty: System deactivation
Time Limit:
— Come on, guys! Don't let me have all the fun! You'll see, he's as soft as an old worn-out punching bag.
His cronies shuffled forward and started hitting Si-woo without much enthusiasm. Oblivious to their lack of effort, Jeunk planted his foot on Si-woo's chest and pressed down with all his weight. Si-woo was surprised not to hear any cracking and focused what little attention he had left on the screen.
How much time on the limit…
Il-seong was always late. He lived 40 minutes away. He must be on his way.
How long could Si-woo hold on like this—30 minutes, 20?
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Si-woo wanted to add hidden conditions and extra rewards, but he didn't have the strength. Besides, one of Jeunk's thugs stomped on his fingers.
— I'm sick of seeing him move them, he growled, jumping on Si-woo's hand.
Si-woo curled into a ball, trying to breathe, but the blows came too fast, too often.
Were the rewards enough?
The thought surprised Si-woo. Why was he even asking that? Il-seong was his best friend. He had saved him yesterday without any system. He didn't need rewards to help.
Right?
He glanced at the screen who became a small blue flame again.
Then came shouts from upstairs.
— Get out of my way! Do-Yun screamed.
He ran down the stairs. Jeunk and the others turned to look at him.
— Do you want to get on my nerves?
— No, it's him! He shoved me!
He pointed to a radiant young man. His black bowl-cut hair gleamed with golden streaks. A golden aura emanated from him. He wore a determined look as he descended toward the group. His physique didn't impress anyone—except Si-woo.
— Hey! Do-Yun got beat by the chicken! laughed the guy who'd stomped Si-woo's fingers.
— Shut the hell up, idiot!
You might've thought it was Do-Yun talking back, but in fact, the voice came from an enraged Il-seong.
— Leave my friend alone.
— And what are you gonna do about it ? Jeunk threatened.
— Wait, Do-Yun interrupted, he has a—
Too late.
Il-seong didn't let him finish.
He pulled an extinguisher from behind his back. It was obvious now that he'd used it to shove Do-Yun earlier. Il-seong pulled the pin.
— You crazy bastard! Jeunk yelled, just before a blast of white foam hit him in the face.
Il-seong flooded the stairwell with foam, blinding their attackers.
Clever ! Si-woo thought, amazed.
Il-seong grabbed his friend's hand, threw open the door with his shoulder, and ran outside. His aura seemed to intensify in the sunlight.
— Now that was a real hero, Si-woo whispered, following him.
The two boys took refuge in the garbage cage—an awful place where trash rotted until the end of the week. The stench of spoiled food, biology class leftovers, and other unnameable horrors burned their nostrils. But at least they were safe. No one dared come here—not even to smoke.
Il-seong and Si-woo caught their breath, breathing as little of the foul air as possible. A difficult exercise they had grown used to.
— Thanks…
— What the hell were you doing in there? You know it's dangerous, Il-seong scolded. Especially after yesterday!
— I was late. I forgot he would be there.
Il-seong scratched the back of his head, looking annoyed.
— Avoid Jeunk for a while. Don't get involved if something comes up.
— You're saying that after breaking our rule for the second time ? Si-woo teased.
— Things are different now. I can handle it! Or… I'll be able to, very soon.
Si-woo waited for more, barely able to contain his excitement.
He hadn't ticked the "secret" box—Il-seong could tell him everything.
He had so many questions: How did he react? What did it feel like? Did it burn him too? It hurts, doesn't it…
Yes, Il-seong was going to tell him everything.
He was going to do it, wasn't he?
Any minute now…
— We should go to class. You skipped yesterday afternoon and missed the first period. You're going to get noticed.
Il-seong tugged on his friend's arm roughly. Si-woo looked around in panic.
No one.
There was no one around them.
No one ever came here but them.
It was the perfect moment, and Il-seong hadn't said a word.
— Believe me, things are going to change, Il-seong murmured firmly.
They already had. Now, they had secrets from each other.