We race down the hallway. I'm on the fifth floor. Our dorms are tucked at the farthest end, poorly designed, like an afterthought. This is where they put the worst of the worst, the ones with no future in their eyes. The Outcasts.
Before I get ahead of myself, let me introduce who I am. Alexei Volkov, a new recruit in the bodyguard training program at the Royale Bodyguard Training Institute. It's owned by the Falcon family, one of the most influential in Royal City. Sure, we have a political system, but it's just for show. The real power belongs to the families. And because they need protection, bodyguarding became one of the best-paying jobs in the country.
I know you might think am here for the money, but it's true I need the money since I have no one, am basically an orphan, raised in a children's home, and mostly bullied there. Had no descent grown up, that is was how life was not until I met, Viketor, the man I was inspired to be. He was a bodyguard in the Falcon family and I joined here majorly to become like him.
Before the time traveling, I had managed to meet him, when he was on his way to protect the current heir of the Falcon family, Miss Isabella Falcon, he entrusted me with the mission but I failed.
This time…
Vincent leads the way to a dark field. It was one located in the opposite of our dorms. Next to the Girlands, where the influential family recruits are situated.
Alert!!!
Danger detected.
Everything comes to a standstill as if time itself has frozen. I'm the only one able to move. I turn my head and spot them—two guys closing in from behind, metal bats gripped tightly in their hands.
This night. Of course, I remember it. They had Vincent set us up, leading us right into their trap.
Damian Grey. The son of Humphrey Grey, a minor branch of the Falcon family. During my time here, he was my worst tormentor. He was reckless and untouchable, protected by his older brother—a well-known senior feared for his unmatched close combat skills. Damian could do whatever he wanted, and for him, I, Vincent, and Marcus were nothing more than convenient targets, his favorite punching bags.
Shit!
How could I forget this?
How do you want to proceed?
The system brings me back. Then down the screen are two choices.
Get hit…
Duck…
And then a countdown.
5…4…3…
Duck…
There is no way I will gladly take that, I remember how long I stayed in the infirmary and I developed a limp when they went all out on me.
The countdown completes and my body just quickly step sides, dropping backwards as the bat flies above my head. I then roll away.
"Shit!!!!" Damian cries angrily.
Danger alert!!!
Shit, another!!!
Time freezes again, and above me, I see Vincent leaping towards me with a wooden bat raised high.
How to proceed...
- Get hit...
- Counter...
Wait, no just ducking? Countering too?
Time resumes, and he begins moving.
Shit! Shit!
Counter!
Sorry, Vincent, but I'm not heading to the infirmary tonight.
As soon as I choose "counter," my body moves on its own. I spring to my feet just in time to block his hand, simultaneously grabbing the back of his head and driving it into my rising knee with a force that makes him crumple, clutching his stomach and groaning in pain.
Danger Alert!
What now?
It's Alfred—his eyes are wild, red with fury. His fists clench into knuckles, his teeth bared in a sinister grin like he's ready to kill me. He's infamous for his brutal strength, and, unfortunately, I've had the privilege of being his punching bag before.
How to proceed...
Duck…
Counter...
No ducking this time.
Counter!
Negative. User: Power points too low.
What!?
Duck...
Time resumes just as I barely sidestep his furious charge.
He lunges again, and I duck a second time.
"What the hell, newbie!" he snarls, advancing with his fists raised. "Be a good baby and just stand still!" His smirk is malicious, but my focus isn't on him—it's on the lifelike icon floating above his head. Unlike everyone else, he has one. It's green, and every time I dodge one of his wild swings, it seems to drain a little.
"Hey, ELL..." I call out.
No need to speak aloud. Just think, and I'll hear you... ELL.
Perfect. What the hell is that icon?
That's the enemy's Power Points. Green indicates novice-level status.
So I just have to wear him down until I can counter.
"Alfred! You're wasting time—dawn's about to break!" Damian yells, clearly frustrated.
"I'm trying! He's too damn slippery," Alfred growls, lunging at me again. But I know it's time.
Counter.
My body reacts instantly. I duck low, grab his arm, and with every ounce of strength I can muster, I flip him over, slamming him to the ground with a forceful thud.
Angrrrr!!!
I waste no time. Grabbing Alfred's arm, I quickly wrap my legs around it, locking him in place. With a swift, violent twist, a sickening crack echoes through the air as he screams in pain, struggling to break free.
Alert!!!
Enemy approaching from user's blind spot!
Damn it! He's always been one to fight dirty, but now I've got the system on my side.
How to proceed...
- Duck...
- Counter...
Counter, obviously.
I glance at Daiman's approaching figure—no PowerPoint bar above his head. He's weaker than me, especially since I've already beaten him once, leveling up to the intermediate stage. As he swings his metal bat, I catch it mid-air, the force reverberating through my arms. Before he can regain his footing, I deliver a sharp blow to his gut.
"You..." he gasps in agony, doubling over, but I don't waste time. I move in behind him, swiftly wrapping my right arm around his neck. My left-hand grips his wrist tightly, applying just enough pressure to restrict his airway.
[Skill unlocked: Iron Vise 1/10]
He thrashes wildly in my grip, desperate for air, but I tighten the hold, locking my legs around his torso and increasing the pressure. His muffled cries become faint gasps as he struggles in vain.
Leveled up!
[Iron Vise: 3/10]
"Stop!" A sharp voice commands.
I glance up and see Alfred, his face twisted with fury, holding a bat over Vincent's head.
"Stop right now, or I'll bash his skull in!" Alfred warns, lifting the bat higher as a threat.
I release Damian, my body easing off him as he gasps for air. I rise to my feet, spreading my hands in a gesture of surrender. My heart races, but I keep my voice steady. "Okay, let's all just calm down," I say, trying to diffuse the situation.
But Damian isn't done. He stumbles to his feet, rage flickering in his eyes, snatching up the bat with shaking hands. Without hesitation, he charges at me, his fury palpable.
Alert!!!
Danger from opponent.
Time freezes.
How to proceed...
Get hit…
No escape this time. There's no opening, no way out. The system is telling me what I already know: I have to take this hit if I want to save Vincent. Time resumes and Damian swings the bat with full force, landing it directly against the side of my head. The impact is brutal, and my vision explodes in white-hot pain. My knees buckle as I collapse, a sharp ringing echoing in my skull.
damaged acquired -2
The agony is suffocating, pulsing through my head like a drumbeat. Through the haze of pain, I faintly hear the distant sound of a whistle.
Prrrrrrr!!!
A group of guards is rushing toward us, but I don't get a chance to see them before everything fades to black.