Unlike Ivan, who had his in-game system connected to real life, other Awakened did not have this luxury. They couldn't see their Levels or stats, nor did they possess inventories. In fact, Awakened had to make monthly visits to Oasis Inc headquarters or assessment branches to check their level.
Most Awakened safeguarded the information of their specific level after it was accessed, with only their respective guilds possessing such information. For everyone else, they knew an Awakened only by their rank, which was also the information showcased on an Awakened ID.
This is the reason why when Ivan, who could see players' information, stated their exact level, it wasn't just shocking; it was downright ridiculous.
"What did you just say?" Joseph demanded, the words from Ivan's mouth bothering him more than the iron rod that almost went through his head.
"My bad, I lost my cool a bit there. Why don't we all just calm do-" Ivan's words were cut off by the sound of air leaving his lungs as Mark's punch connected with his gut.
The force of the punch sent Ivan flying backward, hurtling across the floor and even whizzing past Sona as he slammed into the wall.
Sona, looking up from the work she was engrossed in, saw Ivan plastered against the wall. She was well aware that Iris and the Paragon members were not on good terms, but she did not expect them to fight here. Reacting quickly, she called for security from her headset as other workers and Awakened watched the tense situation unfold.
The atmosphere in the room became charged with tension as people watched the unexpected confrontation between Iris and the Paragon guild members.
Ivan gritted his teeth, his stomach still throbbing with pain as he struggled to his feet.
Suddenly, the other six members of Paragon surrounded Iris, taking defensive stances, while Mark stepped forward, his eyes locked on Ivan.
"Hold her off, while I find out how this fucker got that information," Mark commanded to his companions.
"Damn, he hits hard," Ivan muttered to himself, still nursing his sore stomach. He quickly checked Mark's stats to assess his opponent.
[Name: Mark Gunzal
Title: None
Player Level: 51
Class: (ATK) Warrior
Warrior Level: 15
HP: 142
Stats:
- STR: 120
- AGI: 16
- INT: 8
- DEF: 35
- MAN: 95]
"He's a Warrior class, so his strength is quite high, but that also means his other stats aren't too good," Ivan analyzed silently before pulling up his own status window.
[AGI: 49 (+6)]
"So you survived that? You're quite strong then, although I didn't really try," Mark taunted.
Ivan's finger touched what would seem like air to others, but he had swiftly allocated all his stat points to agility, enhancing his speed.
"I'm not strong," Ivan retorted as he vanished from where he stood with a gust of wind, his agility allowing him to move like a phantom.
"You're... just weak," Ivan's voice taunted, and before Mark could even react, Ivan's knee connected with his face in an instant.
Mark, a Warrior class with below-average speed and defense, was left defenseless against Ivan's lightning-fast attack. Ivan planned to exploit this weakness to the fullest, but he also knew the importance of avoiding any counterattacks. Mark's strength was undeniable, and if he used his full power against Ivan, the situation could turn deadly.
Without giving Mark, who now had a bleeding nose, a chance to catch his breath, Ivan landed another punch to his gut. Mark could barely keep up, but before Ivan could strike again, a powerful shockwave pushed him away.
[ Mark's skill: Pressure Wave is active ]
"Enough nonsense. I'll make sure to finish you off," Mark threatened, but Iris' menacing voice cut through the entire floor with a chilling sensation as her magic aura grew.
"You know I've been looking for an excuse to kill you, Mark, and here you are giving me one," Iris declared, the unconscious bodies of other Paragon members lying around her.
"Huh?" Mark turned around, only to find his face covered by Iris' hands as she slammed him into the same wall he had punched Ivan into.
"Sona, what does the Awakened constitution, section 12, paragraph b say?" Iris asked, her hands wrapped around Mark's neck as she held him against the wall.
"An Awakened will be pardoned for the murder of another Awakened if it can be proved that Awakened A initiated a life-threatening attack towards Awakened B first," Sona replied, now exhilarated by the situation happening during her usually boring job, fully supporting her friend's actions.
"If I remember correctly, they attacked us first with the intent to kill, right, Ivan?" Iris said, still choking Mark.
"Yes, that is correct," Ivan affirmed, offering his support with a mischievous grin.
"Then there will be no issues with sending you to the afterlife," Iris declared, drawing back her hands with her fingers straightened, as if ready to deliver a killing blow.
However, before she could even move her hand, a commanding voice rang through the entire floor, demanding attention and obedience. The sudden interruption halted Iris in her tracks, turning her attention towards the source of the voice.
"That's enough," the man standing in front of the staff elevator—a different one from which Iris and Ivan came, dressed in a full elegant suit, declared as he looked at Iris and Mark.
Iris hesitated for a moment, her anger still simmering, before sighing and releasing Mark, allowing him to drop to the floor.
"I guess this rat scum lives to see another day," Iris said as she turned away.
"Let's go, Ivan," she said, continuing towards the elevator.
Ivan's attention was momentarily fixated on the man in the elegant suit, more specifically the information displayed above the man's head.
[ Ron (Lvl ???) ]
Similar to Malachi, the man's level was too high for Ivan to read, indicating his significant strength and power.
"Ivan!" Iris called out, snapping him back to the present moment.
"Oh, sorry," Ivan replied, following closely behind Iris.
However, their attempt to leave was thwarted when the man in the suit interjected, "Stop! Do you think you can cause such a ruckus and just leave?"
Without even turning to face the man, Iris exclaimed, "Run!" With that, both Ivan and Iris dashed towards the elevator. Despite their superhuman speed, before they could reach the elevator, the man appeared right in front of them, blocking their path.
The man calmly pressed the elevator button, causing the doors to open.
"Iris, it seems you are up to no good again. Why don't we have a talk in my office?" the man suggested, gesturing for Ivan and Iris to enter the elevator.
"Take the rest to the infirmary," he instructed the guards who had accompanied him before stepping into the elevator with Ivan and Iris. The elevator doors closed behind them, leaving the scene of chaos behind.
Inside the elevator, an air of tension filled the confined space as Ivan and Iris exchanged uncertain glances.
After a very quiet and awkward ride in the elevator, they arrived at the man's expansive office, with clear glass panes on the side offering a breathtaking view of Ivory City.
The man walked to his desk, taking a seat, and gestured for both Ivan and Iris to sit before him. As they settled into the chairs, a short silence enveloped the room before the man spoke.
"So, how's your father?" The man asked Iris.
"He's fine," Iris replied curtly.
"He still won't see me, huh?" The man sighed.
"Well, do you even need to ask?" Iris retorted.
"Ugh, how do I make him understand? It wasn't my fault that your mother..." The man's voice trailed off.
"Uncle, I'd rather we don't talk about it," Iris interjected, cutting him off.
"Yeah, sorry. So tell me, why are you picking fights in the Oasis headquarters of all places?" The man asked Iris.
"They started it, and besides, you know how I feel about Paragon," Iris justified her actions.
"And I told you that you're far too weak to do anything about it. Those are just worthless members at the very bottom of the guild. Stop fighting them; it's not worth it," the man advised.
"Well, they should stop pissing me off then," Iris said, folding her arms in defiance.
"So who is this friend of yours?," the man remarked with a slight smirk.
"Ugh, please stop. He just came to get the dungeon permit with me," Iris clarified.
"Oh, so what rank are you, young man?" The man turned his attention to Ivan.
"Actually, I'm not an Awakened," Ivan replied, still attempting to conceal the fact. However, the atmosphere in the room shifted, and he could feel the intensity of the man's aura. A shiver ran down Ivan's spine as he realized the gravity of his mistake.
"Why did you lie to me, kid?" The man's face turned serious, his stern voice sending a wave of apprehension through Ivan.