Jason’s eyes fluttered open, the dim fluorescent lights of the gymnasium infirmary flickering above him. His entire body ached, muscles stiff, bones sore from the brutal battle against the Titan Fang. His mind was hazy, but he immediately recognized the bandages wrapped around his torso, the dried blood staining the fabric. He shifted slightly, groaning at the sharp pain radiating from his ribs. Before he could fully gather himself, a voice snapped through the silence like a whip.

  "What the hell were you thinking?" Dante's voice was furious, his boots thudding against the floor as he stormed toward Jason’s bed. His expression was pure anger, his hands clenched into fists as he loomed over him. "This is the second time you've run off since joining security. First night, you disappear, and last night? Emma finds you half dead in the ruins? If you can't handle First Class beasts, or even those close to First Class, you shouldn’t be on patrol. Hell, if you can't even escape from them, you're useless. You’re lucky that thing ran off when Emma arrived, or you'd be dead right now."

  His eyes burned into Jason's. "What were you trying to prove? That you're not as weak as everyone thinks? News flash, Jason, you’ve done nothing but make things harder for the rest of us. You want to be security? Then do your job properly. If not, go join the damn cooks or something. At least that way, you won’t be endangering yourself and the people around you."

  Jason said nothing. He let Dante vent, let him spit his frustration into the air. It was easier that way. He wasn't here to explain himself. Dante saw what he wanted to see, and that was fine. Jason wasn't looking for recognition, nor was he interested in proving himself to someone who had no idea what true strength looked like. Dante scoffed at Jason’s silence, shaking his head. "You're lucky Emma found you when she did. Otherwise, we’d be short one more body." With that, he turned and left, muttering under his breath as he disappeared through the doorway.

  As the echo of Dante’s footsteps faded, another voice cut through the stillness. "What were you fighting?" Emma stepped forward, her face a mixture of curiosity and something else, concern maybe. "I followed you," she admitted, folding her arms. "I went to get some water and saw you leaving. I thought maybe you were doing something stupid. Maybe trying to prove yourself because everyone sees you as weak." She hesitated before continuing. "But Jason... I saw that thing. I know that wasn’t a First Class Beast."

  Jason met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I’ve fought First Class Monsters before," Emma went on, her voice quieter now. "They’re strong, but they don’t make me feel like that monster did. The moment I saw it, my entire body was screaming at me to run. Like I was about to die just by looking at it." She took a breath. "First Classes don't do that type of thing."

  "Jason, you fought a Second Class monster... and you killed it."

  Jason didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. The truth was already in her eyes. Emma exhaled sharply, glancing at the door to make sure no one was nearby before lowering her voice. "Why can’t we feel anything from you?" she asked. "Everyone thinks you're weak and useless. First Classes give off an aura, it's how we tell how strong everyone is... Yet when we first saw you, we didn’t feel anything." Jason leaned back against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. "What do you think?"

  Emma bit her lip, eyes narrowing slightly. "I think… you didn’t get weaker after leaving, but became so strong we can't even see your shadow." A beat of silence passed before she continued. "I don't know what you've gone through to get so strong, but don’t shut me out and keep things from me." She stood up, turning to the door, leaving Jason alone in the infirmary. The moment the door shut, Jason opened his ring, claiming the loot from his battle.

  Passive Skill: Beast Slayer

  When fighting an enemy at least 10 levels higher, gain +1% to all stats per level difference, maxing out at +50% against foes 50 levels above him.

  Second Class Skill: Phantom Blitz

  Dash up to five times in rapid succession, leaving behind flickering afterimages to confuse enemies. When dashing towards an enemy the next attack deals +30% more damage.

  Jason’s eyes flickered over the skills. Both of them were perfect for his future plans. Just as he finished processing his rewards, a system wide notification blared across his vision.

  System Announcement: The First Faction Competition Begins Now.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Objective:

  Each faction will earn points based on the number and strength of monsters slain. The faction and individuals with the highest points will receive significant rewards.

  Scoring System:

  Unclassed Beasts: 100 to 1,000 Points (based on level)

  First Class Beasts: 5,000 to 25,000 Points

  Jason’s mind immediately jumped to the leaderboard.

  Current Rankings:

  1st Place - University Faction: 68,000 Points

  2nd Place - Crimson Fang: 20,000 Points

  3rd Place - Iron Fortress: 17,500 Points

  Jason’s eyes narrowed. The only people who knew where those points came from were him and Emma. Not even Kaitlin or Luke knew. As the competition announcement spread, tensions at the university grew. Survivors from other factions started arriving, demanding answers. They wanted to know how the university faction had so many points. Some were curious. Others were hostile.

  Jason stood in the background, arms crossed, watching as Dante and the faction leaders gathered in the main courtyard. Among them was the leader of the second-place faction, Crimson Fang, a man named Valen. A Level 30 warrior with piercing gray eyes and a jagged scar running down his jaw. His presence was suffocating, his gaze sharp as he studied Dante.

  "You expect me to believe," Valen said, his voice calm but layered with menace, "that you managed to kill enough monsters to nearly triple our score in one week?" Dante met his stare evenly, a vein pulsing in his forehead. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. "We don’t have to explain anything to you," Dante shot back, his voice cold. Valen smirked, almost amused. "No, you don’t. But if your numbers are fake, the system will prove it soon enough." His gaze flicked to the group of survivors gathered behind Dante, sizing them up. "And if they aren’t, then maybe we’ll take a closer look at what kind of resources you’ve been hoarding."

  There was a heavy pause. Dante clenched his jaw, his knuckles turning white. He knew exactly what Valen was implying. Valen took a step forward, his voice lowering to a threatening whisper. "I remember when you were just a small fry, Dante. Back when we both first started out. You were eager, but weak. I had to leave you behind when I moved up. I’ve fought beasts five levels higher than me, killed them with my own hands, and ascended to First Class. But you… you’ve only learned to prey on the weak. You can only defeat the monsters that are below you. Taking kills from others, attacking the stragglers, and leaving your comrades in the dust. You've learned nothing. This isn't leadership, Dante. It's cowardice."

  A murmur ran through the crowd, and some of the faction members exchanged uneasy glances. Kaitlin’s eyes narrowed, her hand instinctively moving to her staff. Luke, standing by her side, tensed. The atmosphere was thick with hostility. Dante’s face flushed with fury. "You know nothing about me, Valen. You’re just pissed because I didn’t follow you like a puppy. I’ve fought my own battles, and I’ve earned my place here. You might be First Class, but you’re not the only one capable of fighting strong monsters."

  Valen sneered, his expression a mix of disdain and amusement. "You’re right. You’ve fought. But if you’re truly as strong as you claim, then show me. Prove it. Don’t just stand there and spout words." Kaitlin stepped forward, her icy gaze locking on Valen. "Enough," she said, her voice sharp. "You’ve said your piece. We’re here to survive. And if you want to keep proving yourself, you’ll have to earn it. But this? This isn’t the time for petty rivalry. We’re not in the middle of a monster hunt. We’re trying to build something."

  Valen turned to her, eyes flashing. "I don’t care what you’ve built. When this competition ends, I’ll be the one standing on top, and you’ll be crawling back to the scraps." Emma moved to stand beside Kaitlin, her voice low but cutting. "You may have your title, Valen, but don't mistake power for wisdom. You can take the points if you think you’re worthy, but it won't matter when you're alone at the top with nothing left to fight for."

  The tension in the courtyard reached its peak. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the explosion to come. A moment later, it happened. The air seemed to crackle with energy as Dante and Valen lunged at each other in unison, their blades clashing with a resounding crack. Dante’s flames surged forward, his sword wrapped in fire as he slashed toward Valen with ferocious speed. Valen blocked the strike with his own sword, which gleamed under the light, its edge as sharp as his resolve.

  Jason remained in the shadows, watching carefully. His eyes flicked over every move, calculating, analyzing. The power of the fight wasn’t just about strength, it was about control, precision, and how each fighter used their abilities. Dante’s fire was impressive, but Valen’s strikes were crisp, every move a calculated step, countering and responding in an almost instinctual dance. Dante roared, unleashing a massive inferno that swept across the battlefield. Valen, with a swift motion, activated his own skill, his sword cutting through the flames as if they were nothing but paper. The fire and ice of Kaitlin’s magic collided with Valen’s strikes, sparks flying in every direction.

  As the battle escalated, Jason’s mind raced. This wasn’t just a fight for leadership it was a clash of ideologies. Valen believed in domination through strength, while Dante relied on power through numbers. Each one’s flaws were laid bare in this brutal exchange.