Chereads / The System Reborn / Chapter 21 - The Meeting of the Four Leaders

Chapter 21 - The Meeting of the Four Leaders

The days leading up to the meeting passed in a blur for John. The weight of the upcoming encounter was like a heavy fog that clung to him, making every moment at school feel surreal. He kept his nerves under control in front of his group, but it was clear that something was eating at him.

Marcus, on the other hand, was always calm, his usual self-assured smirk never leaving his face. He gave John cryptic advice in preparation for the meeting, acting like the seasoned leader he once was.

"You need to act like you belong," Marcus would say, eyes narrowing as he studied John. "If they think you're weak, they'll crush you before you even get a chance."

John could feel his anxiety rising. "Easier said than done."

"That's why I'm here," Marcus replied with a sly grin. "I'll make sure you don't embarrass yourself too much."

The day of the meeting arrived faster than John would have liked. He stood outside the school gates, waiting for Marcus. His palms were clammy, and his stomach twisted in knots. This was it—the moment that would define everything.

Marcus appeared, as confident as ever, unfolding a map. "Alright," he said, glancing at John. "The meeting's in neutral territory—an abandoned factory at the edge of the South and East borders. It's neutral ground, meaning no one's allowed to bring reinforcements. It'll just be us and the other leaders."

John raised an eyebrow. "Us?"

"Of course," Marcus smirked. "You didn't think I'd let you go alone, did you? I'm your second now."

A small wave of relief washed over John. At least he wouldn't be alone in this. But the anxiety didn't fade. "What are these leaders like?"

Marcus's expression shifted to something more serious. "The North leader, Ryu, doesn't attend these meetings himself. His representative, Vex, comes in his place. Ryu is the strongest by far. He's been in charge for years, and no one's ever been able to challenge him successfully. The East leader, Eli, is a strategist. Cold, calculating, and always ten steps ahead. And then there's Dante, the West leader. He's unpredictable—a wild card."

John's stomach churned. "And me? What do I bring to the table?"

Marcus shrugged, his usual nonchalant demeanor returning. "That's up to you to figure out. But remember, they'll test you. Be ready for anything."

As they approached the abandoned factory, the imposing structure seemed to absorb the light around it. The walls were covered in graffiti, the windows shattered. The whole place felt like it was on the edge of collapse.

John's heart hammered in his chest, his anxiety only growing with each step.

---

[System Notification]

Quest Completed: "Face the Leaders"

Objective: Attend the monthly meeting.

Reward: +5000 Training Points, Unlock New Skill: "Leader's Intuition."

---

John could feel the new skill pulsing inside him. It was as if his mind had sharpened, becoming more attuned to his surroundings. But the sense of unease was still there, gnawing at him as they stepped inside the factory.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the vast, empty space. When they reached the center, John saw them—the other leaders.

Vex, the North representative, stood like a wall, his broad shoulders and intense gaze making him seem like he could crush anyone in his path. Eli, the East leader, leaned against a rusted pillar, arms crossed. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce through everyone, analyzing their every move. Dante, the West leader, was sitting casually on a broken crate, tossing a coin in the air. His relaxed demeanor was unsettling, as if he were waiting for chaos to unfold.

The tension in the air was thick, and John felt every set of eyes on him. Marcus stood by his side, seemingly unfazed. Kyle and Alex, standing further back, remained silent.

"So," Vex's deep voice broke the silence, "you're the new leader of the South?" He glanced at Marcus, then back at John. "Interesting."

John nodded, trying to steady his breathing. "I am."

Eli's lips curled into a small, mocking smile. "You don't look like much." He glanced at Marcus. "I didn't expect that someone like him would lose to a nerd boy."

Dante's laughter rang out across the factory. It was loud and carefree, almost mocking. "This is gonna be fun," he said with a grin, as if eager to watch the chaos unfold.

John clenched his fists, the pressure of their gazes weighing down on him. He was their leader now, but these men were the established powers, and they were testing him. He had no idea what he was walking into, but one thing was clear—he couldn't show weakness.

---

[System Notification]

Quest Update: "Prove Your Leadership During the Meeting"

Objective: Earn the respect of the other leaders. Do not show weakness.

Reward: Unlock New Ability: "Mind's Eye" (Allows you to see opponents' Strength, Speed, Defense, and other vital stats.)

---

The notification flashed in front of John's eyes, adding even more pressure. The weight of the moment hit him harder than ever. He had to earn their respect—or he'd lose everything.

Taking a deep breath, John stepped forward, standing tall in front of the three powerful figures. His heart pounded, but his mind, sharpened by the new skill the system had granted him, focused. His body felt different, stronger—like he had a new sense of awareness. His eyes flickered to each leader in turn, quickly analyzing their positions, their stances.

Vex, the North representative, was the biggest threat. His muscular build and imposing presence marked him as the strongest in the room. Eli was the strategist—calm, calculating—and Dante, unpredictable.

But John wasn't a fool. He could feel his new abilities kicking in, and with them came a surge of confidence.

"I'm here to prove myself," John said, his voice clear and steady, surprising even himself. "And I'll prove that the South is as strong as any other territory here."

The three leaders exchanged looks, clearly unimpressed, but there was something in John's tone—something in the way he stood—that made them hesitate.

Vex spoke first, his voice a low growl. "We'll see about that."

Eli stepped forward, still analyzing John with that calculating gaze. "You've got spirit, at least," he said. "Let's see if you can back it up."

Dante, still tossing his coin, shrugged. "This should be interesting."

John could feel his heart race, but he held his ground. The meeting had begun, and everything depended on him proving that he deserved to be here.

To be continued...