Hatred burned through Vincent's veins. His blood vessels pulsed, his body shook, his mind screamed. It felt like his anger was going to burst out of him.
And yet—
Fear was still there.
He was scared.
Scared of making a fool of himself.
Scared of failing.
Scared that no matter what he did—nothing would change.
But—
He wasn't going to give in.
Not this time.
He had trust in Blue.
And he wasn't the same anymore.
Something could change.
But feeling it wasn't enough.
If he didn't act—if he didn't take a bold step—
Then it would all be for nothing.
Vincent clenched his fists.
'I'm going to do this…'
Failure? Success?
It didn't matter.
As long as he fought—as long as he tried—
He wouldn't live his entire life in fear.
He wouldn't be a coward anymore.
Slowly—
Vincent stood up, a stone-hard expression settling onto his face.
The air shifted.
The room fell into silence.
Tension wrapped around everything, squeezing the atmosphere into something dense—
Something suffocating.
And then—
A familiar voice rang.
Vincent's eyes widened.
---
[Main Quest Updated.]
[You have received your first MAIN QUEST.]
'A quest?'
His brows furrowed.
'What now—'
And then, the words appeared.
---
[MAIN QUEST: RISE OF A GANGSTER]
Sub-Title: Freedom Fighter
Description:
No! No!! No!!! You are a force that is supposed to rain down judgment on the world!
You didn't get taller just to get on your knees!
You have what it takes to take people's fate into your hands and shove it up their asses!
And yes, baby, that's exactly what we're going to do.
Defeat these three bullies—or at least defeat their leader—and show them you are not the same anymore.
Quest Rewards:
+2 Common Cards
+1 Rare Card
Quest Failure:
Reduction in height (-2 ft).
---
'…What the hell?!'
Vincent's jaw dropped.
TWO FEET?!
He wanted to scream.
But—given the situation—
He didn't dare.
Instead, he just stood there.
Frozen.
His expression—blank.
'Crazy. This Blu is crazy.'
There was no way in hell he was going to fail this.
He couldn't afford to lose.
He couldn't afford to become even shorter than he was before.
If this was going to kill him—
Then he was going to drag these guys down with him.
His gaze lifted.
The leader of the bullies was watching him with an annoying smirk.
That arrogant tilt of his lips—
It boiled Vincent's blood.
His fists clenched.
Slowly—
He raised his hands.
A boxing stance.
Or at least—
Something that was supposed to be one.
His fists were awkwardly positioned—his posture off-balance—
It looked more like a kid trying to hold in their pee.
The bully leader raised his head—then suddenly—
Laughed.
Loudly.
His lackeys followed suit, their laughter ringing through the classroom.
"What? What the hell are you doing, you dimwit?!"
The leader howled, his voice shaking from amusement.
Some students watched curiously.
Others ignored it completely.
But Vincent?
He didn't care.
His determination didn't waver one bit.
His face was solid. Unshakable.
And then—
The bully's laughter stopped.
His expression darkened.
His voice grew cold.
"If you don't drop that nasty look on your face, I'll make sure I teach you a les—"
His hand was already raised.
He was going to punch Vincent.
But—
He never got the chance.
Because before he could throw the punch—
[You have used Swift Serpent Strike.]
Vincent moved.
His fist flew—
A perfect strike.
Fast. Sharp. Unseen.
And it collided directly with the guy's face.
BAM!
The bully stumbled back—his head snapping backward—
A glistening trail of blood rolled down his nose.
The two lackeys blinked.
Then, they turned to look at their leader.
Then at Vincent.
Then back at their leader.
The classroom fell into dead silence.
The fatty—Vincent's only 'friend'—
His jaw dropped.
His eyes bulged.
"Vincent… threw a punch?"
The bully leader lowered his head.
He wiped the blood off his nose.
Then—
He looked up.
"Damn… you must've learned a jab or two."
He grinned.
"Is that why you're acting all cocky? You think you can beat me?"
Vincent didn't say anything.
He just stood there.
His fists raised.
And he thought—
'...More.'
'I just need to use the skill more times, fast, quickly'
But the bully charged.
Faster. Meaner. Angrier.
And—
Vincent moved again.
[You have used Swift Serpent Strike.]
---
His hand shot forward.
Another hit.
Another shockwave of impact.
Then—another.
And another.
One. Two. Three. Four.
A flurry of blows—blurring through the air like a storm of fists.
The bully's head snapped back again—his body jerked violently—
He couldn't react.
Before he could even process the first hit—
More were coming.
In three seconds—
Vincent had already landed multiple strikes.
And then—
The bully stood still.
Silent.
Eyes rolling back.
His hand still raised—the punch he wanted to throw.
But instead of moving forward—
He collapsed backward.
Flat.
Unconscious.
Silence.
Then—
A wave of cheers exploded through the classroom.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"HE KNOCKED HIM OUT!"
"NO WAY! DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
Vincent's knuckles ached.
But—
He barely felt the pain.
Because—
There were still two left.
He turned—
His eyes were cold. Merciless.
The two lackeys were frozen in place.
Staring.
Vincent grinned.
"Well? What are you waiting for?"
His voice was sharp and dangerous.
"Come at me, you bastards."
And just like that—
The two of them ran.
Dragging their unconscious leader with them.
Vincent exhaled.
Then—
A slow realization hit him.
He won.
He actually won.
A smile curled onto his lips.
He turned—
Facing the cheering class.
And for the first time in his life—
People were looking at him not as a nobody.
But as someone.