Rumors spread like wildfire.
Daniel got clapped so hard he pissed himself, someone laughed in the cafeteria.
No, no—he actually shat himself, another chimed in, practically crying with laughter.
They weren't just whispers—they were chaos.
Daniel Crimson, the one who tore through ranks like a storm, had lost to Zeke. Twice. And not just lost—humiliated. To the student body, that was blood in the water. They circled like sharks.
But Daniel didn't flinch.
He walked through the halls, stone-faced, ignoring every mocking laugh, every glance. Let them bark. They didn't matter.
He had a purpose.
That evening, Daniel found Zeke behind the gym, leaning on the wall, flicking a lighter open and closed. His expression sharpened when he saw him.
"What, you here for round three?" Zeke sneered, tossing the lighter up.
Daniel shook his head. "I can't beat you. Not yet."
Zeke blinked, caught off guard.
"But that doesn't mean I won't." Daniel's voice was low, even. "Sooner or later, I'll break you."
Zeke burst out laughing. Hard. So hard, he doubled over, tears streaming down his face.
Daniel just smiled.
Not bitter.
Not angry.
A real smile—like the one a person would have when they are experiencing euphoria.
Then he turned and walked away.
The next day after school, rain threatened the sky but hadn't fallen yet. Daniel took a shortcut near the alley behind the building.
And that's when he saw them.
Zeke was there, cigarette hanging loose between his lips, surrounded by his gang of lackeys.
"Bro, that Daniel kid's a straight-up bitch," one of them said, puffing smoke.
Zeke laughed. "Even his retarded brother's weak as hell. That Valtier family ain't shit."
Another leaned in, grinning. "But the sister though… kinda hot, huh?"
Zeke smirked, "Yeah. Maybe we rough her up a little. See how that messes with Danny-boy."
Daniel's footsteps stopped cold.
He looked down.
Something inside him snapped.
Fifteen seconds later, it was over.
Nine bodies lay groaning or unconscious in the alley. Cracked ribs. Broken noses. Blood and cigarette ash painted across the ground.
Daniel's face was hidden behind motion—blinding speed, spinning kicks, fists like hammers. Every hit came from years of fury, isolation, betrayal.
His movements—Taekwondo at its most brutal—
Left no space, no mercy.
As the last one fell, Daniel finally stood still, chest rising and falling like a beast kept in chains too long.
Then he turned to Zeke.
His grin stretched wide, unnaturally wide.
Eyes bloodshot. Joy and fury dancing side by side.
"You motherfucking piece of hot garbage…!!"
Daniel hissed, stepping forward, "I'm gonna murder you!!"
Zeke didn't laugh this time.
He lunged.
The fight began, chaos swirling around them like a storm ready to devour the weak.
And in the midst of it all, the system flashed:
[Ascendency Progress: 98%]
[Progress locked: True ego not yet discovered.]