The days after the fight had turned Isa's life upside down. Everywhere he went, students greeted him with respect, some even admiration. His name was whispered in hallways, and students who once avoided him now sought his advice or simply wanted to be seen with him.
But Isa had his focus locked on one thing—or rather, one person. Stacy.
Isa spotted Stacy sitting in the library, a stack of books spread out before her. She was absorbed in her notes, her pen gliding across the page.
[Flirt King Progress: 30%. Objective: Strengthen your bond with Stacy through shared experiences.]
Isa approached with a confident stride, pulling up a chair beside her.
"Hey, bookworm. Didn't know you were the type to spend afternoons buried in notes," he teased.
Stacy glanced up, surprised but not displeased to see him. "Unlike you, I actually take my studies seriously."
Isa leaned back, smirking. "I could be a scholar if I wanted to. I'm just… saving my energy for bigger things."
Stacy rolled her eyes but smiled. "Sure you are. What do you want, Isa?"
Isa gestured toward the books. "Helping you. Looks like you could use a genius like me on your team."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Alright then, genius. What's the answer to this?"
She slid her notebook toward him, pointing at a particularly tricky math problem. Isa stared at it, his brain scrambling for answers.
[Alert: Host lacks sufficient knowledge in mathematics. Suggest initiating Study Mode to avoid embarrassment.]
"Uh…" Isa stalled, scratching the back of his head.
Stacy laughed, shaking her head. "Exactly what I thought. You're all talk."
Isa grinned sheepishly. "Okay, you caught me. Maybe I'm not a genius in math, but I've got other talents."
"Like what?" she challenged.
Isa leaned in closer, his voice dropping slightly. "Like making you smile."
Stacy blinked, her cheeks turning pink before she quickly turned back to her notes. "You're impossible."
The System chimed in.
[Flirt King Progress: 40%. Host is building rapport effectively. Continue positive interactions.]
Later that day, Isa and Joseph hung out by the school courtyard. Joseph leaned against a tree, watching Isa with a mix of amusement and concern.
"So, you're really going all in with this 'Flirt King' thing, huh?" Joseph asked.
Isa shrugged, tossing a small rock between his hands. "Why not? It's fun, and the System says I'm doing great."
Joseph frowned. "Fun? Dude, you're playing with fire. Stacy isn't just some random girl. She's smart, and she's not gonna fall for your usual tricks."
"Exactly," Isa said, smirking. "That's what makes it interesting."
Joseph sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just don't mess this up, okay? You've got enough on your plate without adding drama to it."
Isa patted Joseph's shoulder. "Relax, bro. I've got this under control."
As Isa walked home that evening, he felt a strange tug from the System.
[Warning: Host is being followed.]
Isa's instincts kicked in, and he turned sharply, his fists ready. But instead of an enemy, he found Azlan leaning casually against a lamppost.
"You've been busy," Azlan said, his tone neutral.
Isa relaxed slightly but stayed cautious. "What's it to you?"
Azlan stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You think one victory makes you untouchable? Zul isn't the only challenge you'll face in this school."
"I can handle whatever comes next," Isa replied confidently.
Azlan chuckled darkly. "We'll see. But a word of advice—don't get distracted. Especially not by Stacy."
Isa frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Azlan didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Isa with more questions than answers.
[Alert: New Mission Unlocked.]
Mission: Uncover Azlan's Secrets.
- Objective: Learn why Azlan is warning you about Stacy and future challenges.
Isa clenched his fists. "Great. Another thing to deal with."
By the weekend, Isa decided it was time to make a bold move. Stacy had mentioned during one of their conversations that she loved picnics, so Isa invited her out to a nearby park. To his surprise, she agreed.
The two of them sat under a large tree, sharing sandwiches and drinks. The atmosphere was light, and for once, Isa felt a genuine connection growing.
"You're different than I thought," Stacy said, breaking the silence.
Isa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what did you think I was like?"
"A troublemaker. A loudmouth. Someone who only cares about fighting."
Isa laughed. "Well, you're not wrong about the fighting part. But I've got layers, you know?"
Stacy smiled, her eyes softening. "Maybe."
[Flirt King Progress: 60%. Host is making excellent progress.]
As the sun began to set, Stacy turned to Isa with a serious expression. "Why are you doing all this?"
"All what?" Isa asked.
"Fighting, trying to get everyone's respect, spending time with me. What's your goal?"
Isa hesitated. He couldn't exactly say, 'Because the System told me to.' Instead, he smiled and said, "Because I want to be someone people can look up to. And because you're worth it."
Stacy blushed but didn't look away.
As Isa walked home that evening, his System chimed in.
[Flirt King Progress: 75%. Host is nearing completion. New challenges ahead.]
Isa sighed, rubbing his temples. "Can't I just enjoy the moment for once?"
But the System wasn't done.
[Alert: Incoming Threat Detected. Prepare for confrontation.]
Isa's heart sank as he saw a group of seniors blocking his path. At the center stood a tall, muscular boy with a cocky grin.
"You must be Isa," the boy said, cracking his knuckles. "I'm Hamid, and I don't like how you're acting like you own the school."
Isa clenched his fists, his body tensing. "What's it to you?"
Hamid smirked. "You think beating Zul makes you tough? You're nothing. And I'm gonna prove it."
The group closed in, and Isa's System chimed again.
[New Mission: Survive the Ambush.]
- Objective: Defeat Hamid and his crew to maintain your reputation.
Isa grinned, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Alright, Hamid. Let's see what you've got."