Julian withdrew his dagger from the student's neck, letting the tension dissipate.
He then turned his gaze toward the system notification floating before him.
> [Congratulations,
Challengers of Earth.
More than 7% of humanity has survived Stage 1.]
Many students began to cry as the hsrsh truth sank in.
Only 7% of the world's population survived.
Many students couldn't believe it. Many tried desperately to deny it.
The grief was overwhelming. The weight of lost loved ones, classmates, friends—it was too much to bear.
Screams, sobs, and whispered prayers filled the air.
Panic began to spread.
Only few remained calm.
The smarter ones began to quietly simulate plans.
Julian Cross accepted this moment as a checkpoint.
> [Savepoint Saved.]
He observed each student's reaction carefully, calculating who was strong, who was weak, who would bend, and who would break.
His sharp gaze then met Clara Winters'.
The silence between them stretched, for some reason neither of them were willing to look away.
Two long minutes passed.
Finally, Clara shifted her gaze, breaking the stare.
Just then Lucian Rowen gathered everyone's attention.
"Listen," Lucian began, his voice steady and smooth,
"I know this reality is hard to accept. But your parents… your loved ones… they wouldn't want you to give up."
A pause, allowing his words to sink in.
"We need to change our mindset.
We need to survive—cautiously and intelligently."
He continued,
"As you all know, survival is not something we can do alone.
So for now, let's form teams.
Each assigned a role to play."
Julian remained seated, quietly observing how effortlessly Lucian was gaining their trust.
A sick sense of awe mixed with disgust rose in him.
Lucian was playing the perfect leader—honey-wrapped words, calculated smiles, and carefully manufactured authority.
Manipulating them into obedience.
And he was doing it well.
Soon, after a brief but heated debate, the forty students were divided into 10 groups of four.
Each group was assigned a specific role—food collection, scouting, guarding, and so on.
The leading group consisted of:
Emily Carter,
Lucian Rowen,
Marcus Reed,
Olivia Hale.
Lucian had hoped Clara Winters would join their group.
But she rejected them politely and coldly.
"I'll pass," she said, tone emotionless, almost bored.
The leading group's purpose was clear: strategy, organization, and controlling the student body.
Unsurprisingly, protests began to flare.
"Why do you get to lead everything?" one student shouted.
"We should pick our own leaders!"
"Yeah! You're just trying to make us do all the work while you sit around!" another added.
Emily, already irritated by the noise, snapped.
"Then get moving. If you don't agree, leave and let the ugly goblins deal with you."
That shook them.
Before anyone could retort, Lucian stepped in, his voice sweet, carefully measured, honey-wrapped but sharp as a blade:
"Fellow classmates,
Understand this is not about power or control.
It's about survival—collective survival.
We're not your enemy.
We are the only ones who stand between you and total annihilation.
Let us work together… for your safety, for your future."
His words worked like poison and balm at once.
Slowly, the protests died down.
Marcus began assigning each group their roles with efficient precision.
Then Clara Winters approached Julian Cross.
Her sudden movement drew eyes.
Her voice was small, audible, and devoid of emotion.
"Form a group with me."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Can I ask why?"
"Because I know that you're strong."
He smirked sarcastically.
"Wow, such a compelling reason. I'm truly flattered."
"Form a group with me," Clara repeated, her tone cold and commanding.
"Will you betray me?"
"No." she said without hesitation.
"Fine," Julian said, bowing slowly, mockingly.
"Let's form a group, Miss Ice."
Even if she betrays me, I can just rewind time.
He gestured toward the chair opposite him.
Clara accepted, sitting down calmly.
"I am Julian Cross," he formally introduced himself.
"Presenting myself before the Ice Princess."
"I am Clara Winters and please don't call me that," she replied, a faint flicker of annoyance barely noticeable on her emotionless face.
Julian leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a serious whisper.
"I'll be blunt.
Lucian is up to no good."
"I know," Clara replied coldly.
"We cannot survive outside the cafeteria," Julian continued,
"but staying here… means being manipulated into doing his bidding."
"True," Clara agreed.
"Do you have any ideas?" Julian asked.