Reign Of Loner

The fist bump with Jack still seemed to echo in the dusty air of the old classroom. The weight of our new pact, the formation of our inner circle, settled on my shoulders—not as a burden, but as a mantle of purpose. We were going to do this. We were going to hunt the 'Animals' and tear their little kingdom down.

"We should probably get to class," Jack said, breaking the silence. "Don't want to be late."

He was right. We grabbed our bags and headed out, leaving the empty room to its ghosts. We were already late, though. By the time we reached the history classroom, the lecture was well underway. Through the small window in the door, I could see Miss Lily Harrison at the front, her voice sharp and clear even through the wood.

From the outside, Miss Lily was a work of art. Her golden blonde hair was always perfectly styled, her turquoise eyes were captivating, and she had the kind of figure that made most of the guys in class lose their ability to form coherent sentences. If you didn't know any better, you'd mistake her for a model or an actress.

But we knew better. Internally, she was a drill sergeant with a Ph.D. in making students miserable. She was harsh, had the patience of a lit firecracker, and seemed to genuinely enjoy the fear she inspired.

This was going to be troublesome.

We knocked softly. The lecture stopped. Every head in the class turned. The door swung open with a force that made it rattle, revealing Miss Lily standing there, her arms crossed, her turquoise eyes narrowed into icy slits.

"Well, well. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Mullar," she said, her voice dripping with sarcastic sweetness. "So glad you could finally join us."

Before we could even apologize, her fury erupted.

"You are both late for my class!" she snapped, her voice no longer sweet. "So here's what's going to happen. You will each write, 'I am apologetic for my misbehavior,' one thousand times. Now, get inside."

She stepped aside, and we scurried past her into the classroom, the collective stare of our classmates feeling like a physical weight. Getting a lecture from Miss Lily was irritating enough, but the punishment was just salt in the wound.

I glanced over at Jack as we took our seats. He caught my eye and gave me a tiny, almost imperceptible smile.

"Thank God it's only a thousand times," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Last I heard, she dragged the last kid who was late straight to the principal's office."

"Yeah, you're right," I whispered back. We got off easy, all things considered.

I pulled out my notebook, pretending to get ready to take notes, but my mind was elsewhere. The moment I settled in, my internal vision lit up with a cascade of notifications from the System. It seemed my earlier success had finally been processed.

[Side Mission: Recruitment has been completed!] [Reward: Skill: Taekwondo Proficiency has been acquired.] [+60 Prayer Coins received for the devotion of your new followers.] [+100 Fear Coins received for the intimidating aura of your speech.]

A slow grin spread across my face. I quickly opened my status screen to see the changes.

Status

Name: Adam Wilson

Strength: 80

Agility: 74

Endurance: 70

Mentality: 92

Intelligence: 90

Mana: 50

Potential: Undetectable

Skills: [Normal Close Combat], [Boxing Proficiency], [Weapon Expertise], [Expert Massager], [Experienced Strategist], [Taekwondo Proficiency]

Passive Skills: [Great Leader], [Self-healing]

Coins: [Prayer Coin: 400], [Fear Coin: 250]

A new combat skill and a healthy boost to my coins. Perfect. Now that I had a proper guild, my first priority was to make it strong. I couldn't do everything myself. My mind immediately went to the System Shop.

I navigated to the item section, scrolling past healing potions and enchanted trinkets until I found something that made my breath catch.

[Item: Grow Up]

[Description: A concentrated burst of potential. When used on an individual, this item grants two random skills and a significant, permanent increase to all base stats. Can be used on subordinates.]

[Cost: 100 Prayer Coins or 100 Fear Coins]

That was it. That was exactly what I needed.

The Hunter's Guild was in its infancy. We had passion, we had rage, but we were weak. My inner circle was full of potential—Anna the genius, Jack the courageous warrior, Ken the loyal enforcer, and the strange duo of Qasim and Padro—but potential doesn't win wars. We needed power, and we needed it now. The clock was ticking. I only had three months to dismantle the 'Ruthless Animals' or face execution from the System. We didn't have time for a slow grind.

The price was steep. One hundred coins per item. It was a huge investment. But it was necessary. I had to forge my elites into weapons.

'System, purchase five of the Grow Up item.'

[Confirm purchase of 5 x Grow Up for 400 Prayer Coins and 100 Fear Coins?]

I felt a pang of sadness. It had taken so much fighting, so much risk, to accumulate that many coins. Watching them drain away hurt. But I quickly pushed the feeling aside. This wasn't a loss; it was an investment in our victory.

'Confirm.'

The coins vanished from my total.

[Purchase complete. Please designate the five recipients.]

'Jack Mullar, Ken Pots, Anna Brown, Qasim Khan, and Padro Escobar.'

[Designations confirmed. The Grow Up items will be administered to the recipients upon their next period of rest.]

Good. I didn't buy one for myself. As I scrolled through the shop, my eyes got stuck on the high-tier skills and superpowers, things that cost thousands, even millions of coins. Things like [Teleportation], [Gravity Manipulation], [Mind Control]. That was my endgame. I needed to save for the truly game-changing abilities. For now, I would rely on my own growth.

With my remaining 150 Fear Coins, I scrolled through the passive skills, looking for something affordable that would give me an edge. My eyes landed on two that seemed tailor-made for my current problems.

[Passive Skill: Casanova] [Cost: 70 Fear or Prayer Coins]

[Passive Skill: Napoleon] [Cost: 80 Fear or Prayer Coins]

I was in doubt. What did they even mean?

'System, explain these skills.'

[Casanova was a historical figure renowned as one of history's greatest seducers. Acquiring this passive skill will grant the Host an intuitive mastery over the arts of flirtation, seduction, and charm. Your rizz will become legendary. This skill is highly recommended for the completion of your active Love Missions.]

The System's bluntness was almost funny. It was right. With missions involving my mom, my sister, my aunt, and Stacy, I needed every advantage I could get.

[Napoleon Bonaparte was a master strategist and manipulator of men. Acquiring this passive skill will grant the Host an innate understanding of human psychology, making you an excellent manipulator and a more effective leader.]

A master seducer and an excellent manipulator. These weren't skills for a hero. They were tools for a king who was willing to do whatever it took to win. After a few seconds of thought, I knew I had to have them. They were necessary evils on the path I had chosen.

'Purchase [Casanova] and [Napoleon].'

[Purchase confirmed. 150 Fear Coins have been deducted.]

My coin balance dropped to zero. I was broke again, but I was more powerful than ever.

Status

Name: Adam Wilson

Strength: 80

Agility: 74

Endurance: 70

Mentality: 92

Intelligence: 90

Mana: 50

Potential: Undetectable

Skills: [Normal Close Combat], [Boxing Proficiency], [Weapon Expertise], [Expert Massager], [Experienced Strategist], [Taekwondo Proficiency]

Passive Skills: [Great Leader], [Self-healing], [Napoleon], [Casanova]

Coins: [Prayer Coin: 0], [Fear Coin: 0]

A quiet satisfaction settled over me. The price of power was high, but I was willing to pay it. I finally turned my attention back to the class, feeling like a predator who had just sharpened his claws.

(Christine's Perspective)

The morning's incident… it was a mistake. An accident.

So why couldn't I get the image out of my head?

I was lying in my room, staring at the ceiling, but all I could see was Adam's dick. My nephew's dick. Ugh! God! I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. I'd been a professional model for years, surrounded by beautiful people, but I'd never felt anything like the jolt that went through me this morning.

I know, I thought, a desperate idea forming in my mind. I'll just watch some porn. Get it out of my system. Relieve myself. Then I'll be able to forget about this whole stupid thing.

It seemed logical. A simple, mechanical solution to a biological problem. I pulled out my phone and, with trembling fingers, started scrolling through a naughty website. The screen was a blur of bodies and provocative titles, but one, in particular, caught my eye, making my breath hitch.

'Aunt Seduces Her Nephew to Sleep With Her.'

My thumb hovered over the link. This was a bad idea. A very, very bad idea. But my curiosity, that treacherous part of me, won out. I clicked it.

Subconsciously, I started watching. The video was cheesy, the acting terrible, but that wasn't what my brain focused on. All I could see, all I could imagine, was Adam.

Why? Why is Adam the only person who comes to mind?

My face grew hot as my imagination ran wild. I pictured myself in the video, but instead of the actor, it was Adam. His hands on my body, his lips on mine… what would that even feel like? The thought was so vivid, so erotic, that a wave of shame and excitement washed over me at the same time.

This wasn't working. This was making it worse. Instead of forgetting, I was now actively fantasizing about the most ridiculous, taboo things.

HUH! God, how will I ever be able to face him now?

I slammed my phone shut and threw it onto the bed. I buried my face deep into the pillow, letting out a frustrated scream that was muffled by the feathers. I just wanted to abandon this desire, to lock it away and throw away the key.

God, help me!

(End of Christine's Perspective)

(Isabel's Perspective)

What the hell is wrong with me?

The question had been on a loop in my head all day. I had let Adam stare at my half-naked body. Not only that, I had loved it. I had teased him about it.

I needed help. Professional help. Or at least, the next best thing.

I found Chloe and Maya sitting on our usual park bench after school.

"Hey, guys," I said, walking up to them.

Chloe looked up, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Well, look who it is, Maya. The blushing virgin has returned."

"Aww, don't tease her so much," Maya cooed, though she was smiling too. "She'll run away again."

"Come on, guys! I need your help," I pleaded, sitting down between them.

Maya's expression softened. "Okay, okay, we'll stop. But you have to tell us honestly. Did you see your stepbrother's dick?"

Chloe leaned in, her eyes wide with excitement. "Come on, tell us! We're dying of suspense!"

I sighed. There was no getting out of this. I told them everything. I told them how I saw his morning wood, how I didn't see it directly but could tell from the erection that it was huge—definitely more than seven inches.

Maya's jaw dropped. "Holy fuck! Hey, Izzy, please, you have to help me become your brother's girlfriend."

"Hey! You sassy girl, do you think you have what it takes?" Chloe shot back. "Izzy, forget Maya, help me ship with your brother!"

They started bickering, fighting over my brother's hypothetical dick.

"Hey!" I shouted, finally getting furious. "You guys, come on! I came to you for help!"

They both stopped and looked at me. "Okay, okay, don't shout," Maya said. "Tell us what happened."

So I did. I told them about the whole mess. The morning wood incident, the awkward breakfast, running away from him, him asking me on a date for the weekend, and finally, the incident this morning where I had teased him.

After I finished my story, they were both quiet for a minute, thinking. Then, they looked at each other and seemed to come to a silent agreement.

"You have a brother complex," Maya said, her tone suddenly serious.

"What the hell are you saying?" I shot back.

"That's 100% true," Chloe added. "Do you love him? Like, romantically?"

"No!" I denied it instantly, my face flushing. "How could that be possible? We're just normal siblings."

"You have to believe it, Izzy. This is true," Maya insisted gently.

"But… but that's wrong!"

"Don't worry, Izzy," Chloe said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You're step-siblings. You're not related by blood. I think… I think this is okay."

"No, this is ridiculous!" I shouted, standing up.

Maya unlocked her phone and held it out to me. "Read this," she said. It was an article on the school's online news handle. The headline made my stomach drop.

'New King of Northwood High? Adam Wilson Kisses Stacy Brooklyn After Brutal Takedown of Boxing Champ Charles Patrick.'

As I read the details, a hot, burning sensation spread through my chest. It was a painful, acidic feeling. I was angry, and I was sad, all at the same time.

Maya watched my face closely. "You feel that? That's jealousy. Are you feeling sad or angry?"

Is this jealousy? I thought, confused. But why? I've never felt this way about Adam before.

"Listen," Chloe said, her voice soft. "I think it's best if you try to understand your feelings. Before it's too late."

"Do I… do I really love Adam?" I whispered, mostly to myself. "Why do I feel so envious when he kisses someone else? I don't understand."

"I know you're struggling," Maya said. "It's okay. Take your time, Izzy. But don't take too much time."

"Is the article even true?" I asked, a desperate hope in my voice.

"We don't know for sure," Chloe admitted. "But there are a lot of rumors going around. That Adam beat up Charles and Joey, that he told someone to give Charles a green hat because he kissed Stacy… everyone is saying it's 100 percent true."

I didn't know Adam had changed this much. What the hell was he doing? I was worried about him.

"Listen," Chloe said, pulling me back to the present. "None of that is important right now. You told us he asked you on a date."

"Yeah, he did," I confirmed.

"This is the perfect opportunity," Maya said, her eyes lighting up. "A chance to understand your feelings and his motivations. You can get the answers to your questions."

"Yeah!" Chloe agreed. "Don't be upset about some stupid news article. Your focus should be on the date."

"But…" I started.

"Listen, Izzy," they both said, grabbing my hands. "We will help you as much as we can so that your date is a success."

Looking at my two best friends, their faces full of genuine support, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. Maybe they were right. Maybe this date was exactly what I needed.

(End of Isabel's Perspective)