The group moved through the ruined street in silence.
No one complained.
No one asked questions.
They just followed Adrian.
Step by step.
The city had changed completely.
Stores were destroyed. Cars abandoned. Blood stains marked the pavement like warnings of what had already happened—and what was still happening.
In the distance—
Fighting.
Everywhere.
"…How many people got this system?" the plank guy muttered.
"Enough," Adrian replied without looking back.
That was the only answer needed.
They turned a corner—
And stopped.
A fight was already happening.
Five people.
Three monsters.
But that wasn't what caught Adrian's attention.
It was the way they were fighting.
One guy stood in front, holding what looked like a reinforced pipe—but it was glowing faintly.
Every time a Ravager attacked—
CLANG!
He blocked it.
Without getting pushed back.
"…Enhanced strength," Adrian murmured.
Behind him—
A girl raised her hand.
Fire gathered in her palm.
"Move!"
She released it—
WHOOSH!
A burst of flames slammed into one of the monsters, forcing it back.
"…Ranged ability," Adrian noted.
Then—
A third one moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
He dashed behind a Ravager—
SLASH!
Clean.
Efficient.
"…Speed-type."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"They're organized."
Not panicking.
Not guessing.
They knew what they were doing.
"…Stay back," Adrian said to his group.
They didn't argue.
He stepped forward slightly—
Watching.
Observing.
The fight ended quickly.
The last Ravager dropped.
[ENEMY DEFEATED]
The group relaxed slightly.
But not completely.
They noticed Adrian immediately.
The guy with the glowing weapon stepped forward.
"…You've been watching."
It wasn't a question.
Adrian didn't deny it.
"…You fight well."
A pause.
"…You too," the guy replied.
His eyes scanned Adrian.
The dagger.
The stance.
The calm.
"…You're not normal either."
Adrian didn't answer that.
The fire girl crossed her arms.
"Friend or enemy?"
"…Neither," Adrian said. "Just passing through."
Tension lingered.
The speed-type guy smirked slightly.
"Relax. If he wanted to fight, he would've already moved."
Adrian glanced at him.
"…You're fast," Adrian said.
The guy grinned.
"I know."
Confidence.
Not arrogance.
Interesting.
"…You're wasting energy," Adrian added.
The guy blinked.
"…What?"
"Your movement," Adrian continued calmly. "Too wide. Too flashy. You're fast—but inefficient."
Silence.
The fire girl snorted.
"He just roasted you."
"…No," the guy said, eyes narrowing slightly. "He's right."
That caught Adrian's attention.
"…You noticed?" Adrian asked.
The guy shrugged.
"…I just didn't know how to fix it."
Adrian studied him for a moment.
Then—
"…Stay low. Short bursts. Don't overcommit."
A pause.
"…That simple?"
"…That effective."
The guy smirked again.
"…I like you."
The leader stepped in.
"That's enough."
He looked at Adrian seriously.
"…We're forming a group."
"Good for you."
"Join us."
Straightforward.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"No."
His group behind him stiffened slightly.
The leader frowned.
"…Why?"
Adrian met his gaze.
"You're strong."
A pause.
"But not enough."
Silence.
Not insulting.
Not arrogant.
Just—
Truth.
The fire girl's expression hardened.
"You think you're better than us?"
"…Right now?"
Adrian looked at the ground.
The dead Ravagers.
Then back at them.
"…Yes."
Tension spiked instantly.
The speed-type guy stepped forward slightly.
"Hey now…"
But the leader raised a hand.
Stopping him.
"…Then prove it."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"…This isn't the time."
"Exactly," the leader said. "Which is why I need to know."
Silence.
Then—
Adrian sighed.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward.
"Not a fight to the death," he added. "Just enough."
The speed-type guy grinned.
"Oh this is gonna be fun."
The fire girl smirked.
"Don't cry later."
Adrian ignored them.
The leader stepped forward.
Weapon ready.
"…Begin."
No countdown.
No signal.
They moved at the same time.
The leader swung—
CLANG!
Adrian blocked—
But didn't stay.
He stepped to the side immediately.
"…Predictable."
The leader adjusted quickly.
Faster than expected.
"Not bad," Adrian muttered.
Another exchange—
CLANG! CLANG!
The leader was strong.
Very strong.
But—
Too direct.
Adrian slipped past his guard—
Tap.
The dagger stopped just inches from his neck.
Silence.
The fight ended.
"…You lost," Adrian said calmly.
No arrogance.
Just fact.
The group stood still.
The speed-type guy laughed.
"…Damn."
The fire girl clicked her tongue.
"…He's clean."
The leader lowered his weapon slowly.
"…You're right."
He looked at Adrian.
"…We're not enough."
Adrian stepped back.
"…Not yet."
A pause.
Then—
"…Get stronger," Adrian said. "Then build your group."
He turned.
"Let's go."
His group followed immediately.
As they walked away—
The speed-type guy called out.
"Hey!"
Adrian stopped slightly.
"…What's your name?"
A pause.
"…Adrian."
"…I'm Kade," the guy replied with a grin.
"Let's fight again when we're stronger."
Adrian didn't turn.
"…If you survive."
Then he kept walking.
Behind him—
The group watched.
"…He's different," the fire girl said quietly.
"…Yeah," the leader replied.
"…He's dangerous."
Far above—
The system observed everything.
[NOTICE]
[MULTIPLE HIGH-POTENTIAL USERS DETECTED]
[COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS INITIATED]
And among them—
[ADRIAN VANCE — RANKING: RISING]
The game was changing.
And players—
Were beginning to appear.