John hurried down the empty hallway, his thoughts racing faster than his feet. The encounter with Jason had left him both exhilarated and terrified. He couldn't believe what had just happened—or how easily the system had made him stronger. But now, as the initial adrenaline faded, doubt began to creep in.
What if it's just a fluke? John wondered. What if they come back stronger next time?
As he reached his locker, the system chimed again.
---
[New Training Available]
Training Module Updated: Available Quests and Stats Boosts.
---
John quickly opened the notification and saw a list of training options available. His previous experience had left him with just 900 Training Points after his upgrade. He stared at the screen, trying to decide how best to spend them.
---
[Training Options]
1. Strength Training – 100 points
+5 Strength
2. Agility Training – 100 points
+5 Agility
3. Endurance Training – 100 points
+5 Endurance
4. Intelligence Boost – 200 points
+3 Intelligence
5. Charisma Enhancement – 200 points
+3 Charisma
---
John chewed his lip, trying to decide what to prioritize. His physical stats still felt weak compared to Jason and the others, but his intelligence had always been his strongest asset. It had helped him survive in school by staying under the radar, but that wasn't going to cut it anymore.
Suddenly, he remembered the system's guidance:
Strength and Endurance first, then focus on Intelligence and Charisma.
He decided to split his remaining points—spending 100 on Strength and 100 on Endurance, hoping it would give him an edge in physical confrontations.
---
[Training Complete]
Strength: 6
Endurance: 6
---
The moment the points were spent, John could feel the difference. His muscles tingled slightly, and he felt stronger—more capable. He closed his locker and walked toward his next class, a renewed sense of purpose guiding him.
But as he walked through the hallways, Jason's gang wasn't far behind. Tyler nudged his friend, pointing toward John.
"There he is," Tyler said with a mocking tone. "Let's see if his little system really works."
Jason laughed along with them, his face twisted in amusement. He started walking toward John with a swagger, flanked by his usual two goons. John's pulse quickened, but this time, he wasn't paralyzed by fear. The system wasn't just some fantasy anymore—it was real.
John held his ground.
---
"You again?" Jason said, sneering as they stopped a few feet away from him. "What's with you? You think you can actually stand up to me?"
John clenched his fists slightly, feeling the renewed strength coursing through his body. He looked Jason in the eye, a flicker of confidence flashing