Ark suddenly snapped his fingers. "Kuya— I remembered. I have something to ask you."
Before James could respond, a system window appeared in front of Ark.
[Player James is recruiting you to his clan]
Ark blinked. "Clan? What does that mean?"
James scratched his head. "It means we can help each other. There are benefits—achievement bonuses from the leader apply to members. And… we won't be able to attack each other."
Ark listened carefully, nodding. "So it's like… a permanent team?"
"Yeah," James replied. "But better."
Ark hesitated. "Should I accept?"
"Yes."
The answer didn't come from James.
Both of them turned to Martis.
The white-haired boy stood there, arms crossed, red pupils calm and unreadable. "You should join the clan."
Ark looked slightly startled. Martis didn't seem like the type to speak unnecessarily, so the weight of his words felt heavier than normal.
"…Okay," Ark said, and pressed Accept.
A new system window appeared in front of James.
[Please input a name for your clan]
James froze. "…A name?"
He looked at Ark. "Any idea?"
Ark rubbed his chin. "Uh…"
They stood there for a long time, thinking, silence stretching awkwardly between them.
Then Martis spoke again.
"How about… Ashura Clan."
James and Ark slowly turned to him.
There was something incredibly awkward about hearing such a dramatic name from a boy who looked like a high school student.
"…Ashura?" Ark repeated.
James sighed. "Well… we can't think of anything."
He typed it in.
Ashura.
The system chimed.
[Congratulations. Clan 'Ashura' has been successfully created.]
[All current achievements of the leader will now take effect on the members.]
Suddenly, some weird purple symbol appear on the back of their palms appear—appearance with a skull and two blades cross against it neck.
But then—
Another window appeared immediately after.
---
[Unique Achievement Unlocked]
[Achievement: First One to Create a Clan]
[Title: Founder of Ashura]
[Description: The first player to ever create a clan.]
[Effect: Can read the minds of clan members.]
[Additional Effect: Skill — Mind's Eye]
---
James' eyes widened. "Read… minds?"
He immediately tried it.
He looked at Martis.
For a brief moment, a faint whisper echoed in his head.
> Why is he staring at me like that? This is awkward.
James instantly stopped.
"…Okay. That's creepy," he muttered.
Ark tilted his head. "What?"
"Nothing."
James then checked the second part.
---
[Skill: Mind's Eye]
[Description: Can see the stats, levels, skills, and class of other players.]
---
James' heart jumped.
"That's insanely useful…"
He turned to Martis again and activated the skill.
A window appeared.
---
Name: Martis
Level: Unknown
Stats: Unknown
Skills: First Authority: Command
Class: Unknown
---
James frowned. "Almost everything is… unknown?"
Only one thing was visible.
He focused on it.
---
First Authority: Command
Description: Can command any being lower than the user's existence value.
Limit: 5 uses
---
James' eyes widened slowly.
"…This is broken."
He slowly lifted his gaze toward Martis. His expression shifted from confusion… to hope… to excitement.
Without warning—
James stepped forward and hugged Martis tightly.
"YOU'RE AMAZING!"
Martis' eyes widened slightly for the first time.
"…Release me."
James held on tighter. "You're overpowered!"
Martis tried pushing him away, struggling slightly. "This physical contact is unnecessary."
Ark watched the scene, blinking in disbelief.
"…Kuya?"
Martis finally managed to pry James off him, straightening his clothes with visible annoyance.
James stepped back, grinning like a child who had just discovered treasure.
For the first time since the chaos began…
He felt like they actually had a chance to survive this world.