"Aren't we in trouble now?"
Shaden turned to Leah who was sitting beside him. At the moment, they were inside one of the cubes Shaden had created. The other cubes, which appeared simultaneously, were immediately seized by people who didn't have the coins required to enter the building.
The commotion Shaden caused had clearly startled the gatekeepers. They had been confident that only their clan held unlimited access to the building, while others had to pay a set number of coins to gain entrance—just like Judy and Ely did.
"That's true. Pretty soon, the people inside the building are going to come out and see us. Naturally, they won't take it well that they had to spend so many coins while others could create safe spaces for free. Of course, I'm referring to you and me. The others still had to pay to occupy those cubes."
Leah was surprised. "Pay? To whom?"
"To the system. Because technically, only the person who created the cube can use it freely. If someone else occupies it, their coins will be deducted automatically. Though of course, the amount is nowhere near what those gatekeepers demand."
Leah nodded in understanding. Shaden returned to the sausage in his hand and the open book on his lap. Oddly, Leah only saw it as a typical fairy tale book and didn't connect it to what was happening around them. Shaden didn't know whether this was the work of the system, God, or some divine being.
"I forgot that Ely liked Judy from the start. From what I heard, during the first mission, Judy was the one who saved Ely. So, I just wanted to say, don't hate or blame Ely too much. Even though the world has changed, he still acts based on his feelings."
Shaden went silent. This time, he closed his book.
"I don't know why you suddenly brought that up, but I never expected anything from anyone from the beginning. So I'm not disappointed or angry that Judy and Ely chose their own paths. Including you. If you eventually find a better path than staying with me, then you're free to go and do whatever you want."
Leah gave a bitter smile. "You're so cold."
Looking down, Shaden gave a small smile. "I just don't want to rely on people or on odds with low success rates. Because this time, the stakes are our lives. If I trust someone and get betrayed, I won't just feel disappointed—I might die. That's why I choose to rely on myself and what I know."
The woman beside him looked at him.
"Even the future you know?"
Shaden fell silent. Leah really believed that he could see the future. Honestly, she wasn't entirely wrong since everything happening was written in the book he carried. Still, it felt strange hearing it spoken out loud.
"It's just a little bit of knowledge. Calling it the future sounds too exaggerated," Shaden denied.
Leah laughed and began eating her sausage as well.
Then, up ahead, several people started coming out of the building. One man walked at the front, clearly trying to assert himself as the leader.
"Looks like we really are in trouble," Leah whispered.
Quietly, Shaden pulled out a vial of poison from his pocket and drank it. At the very least, he knew no friendly conversation was about to happen, judging by the looks in those people's eyes.
They stopped a few meters from the cube Shaden and Leah occupied, a sneer forming on the leader's lips.
"Looks like we've got a couple of thieves," the man said.
Leah scoffed. "And what gives a bandit the right to judge someone as a thief?"
The man's expression changed instantly, his eyes narrowing at Leah.
"So, we've got a foul-mouthed bit*h here."
Someone behind him spoke up. "She's the one who commented on our territory rental system earlier, Boss! Turns out she used some magic trick with her friend to create this place."
Shaden remained quiet. He didn't think his input was needed yet. But from what he could tell, the people in front of him were clearly upset that a "shabby tent" was set up in front of their "luxurious house." Even though that house wasn't entirely theirs to begin with.
"I won't say much. Just destroy this useless place and pay the proper price to get into the building. Only the buildings here are recognized as territory, so the rest are not allowed!"
"Recognized by whom?" Leah asked again. "I'm asking you—recognized by who? You used your power to take over this place and turn it into an illegal business, robbing people of their coins indiscriminately." Her eyes darted to where Judy and Ely stood far behind the group.
The clan leader laughed loudly. "Looks like you're among the ones who barely survived the first and second missions—no wonder your brain's so underdeveloped."
Leah growled in anger, ready to charge forward, but Shaden held her back.
"In the central city, three clans hold power, and we've already divided up the buildings here. So in other words, only the buildings here are officially acknowledged as territory by the system," the leader explained.
"In that case, let's say there are four clans now. We're the fourth clan, and you should recognize this cube as our territory," Shaden replied.
His words made the clan leader visibly angry. "You foolish brat! Do you even know what you're saying? You think forming a clan is just about spouting nonsense like that?"
Shaden stood his ground. "Then what do we have to do? Do we fight you and take your clan's name if we win?"
"YOU LITTLE—!" One of them lunged forward, ready to attack.
But the clan leader held him back.
"It's not just us. You'll have to defeat the three clan leaders. Only then will you be recognized as a new clan," he said.
The leader's followers burst into laughter.
"That's the same as sending them to their deaths, right?"
"They won't even survive a fight against us. Boss is just trying to get this over with quickly by giving them a ridiculous condition."
Leah looked fired up. She cracked her knuckles with a wicked grin.
"For a warm-up, can we at least beat up your lackeys first?"
Her words enraged everyone, but both Shaden and the clan leader held off any immediate fight.
"Get ready! In two hours, you'll learn that it wasn't monsters that killed you, but your defiance against us."
*
"Did you plan to fight them from the beginning?" Leah asked as she fixed her clothes.
She was grateful to be someone who wore pants daily for work. That habit now proved helpful in this new, twisted world—and especially useful as they prepared to fight those idiots.
"Because there's no other way to deal with them. They're the kind who exploit their power for gain. So the only way to beat them is through strength—physically and mentally. Their minds will shatter if they lose to a kid like me."
Leah looked him over from head to toe.
"You've got a point. I always thought you were dependable, so I never really paid attention to your... body proportions. Are you sure you can beat all of them? Or do you have another backup plan?"
"No. There's no other way out. Like I said, this is the only way to truly defeat them."
"Then? How are you going to beat them? Is your sponsor someone powerful?"
Sponsor? Shaden hadn't even picked one yet. But he could already see that his strength, endurance, and agility stats were at max levels—even though that had cost him a lot of coins.
"We'll find out once we try. And no, my sponsor isn't someone powerful."
"Wow! Are you going to say 'Oh well!' when we lose and are about to die?" Leah laughed.
Shaden laughed too, turning to look at her. "Oh well, right? Besides, if we agree to remove the cube, we'll die anyway from the monsters roaming at night."
Leah was shocked. "There are monsters at night?!"
This time, it was Shaden who looked surprised. He didn't expect someone as sharp as Leah not to know that.
"Why else do you think the system forces us to find territory? And why do you think it allows three clans to form? The system wants an entertaining conflict—powerful people oppressing the weak."
Unconsciously, Shaden's hands clenched into fists. This was exactly like the life he had lived for years. Turns out, the whole world delighted in the suffering of the powerless.
"This system is trash," Leah muttered.
Then, people began emerging from the building again, prompting Shaden and Leah to rise to their feet.
"Looks like it's time. Are we really going to start beating them up now?"
Shaden nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on the clan leader walking toward him with a mocking smile.
"Kid, got anything you want to do before you die?" he asked with disdain.
Shaden smiled. "I feel honored just having the chance—others don't even get the time to think before they die."
The leader scoffed. "Keep acting cocky. It'll make you look even better once you're bleeding and begging for your life."
They walked to the building at the far end. According to the Jarish clan, that was the base of one of the clans, and the fight would take place inside.
When Shaden and Leah entered, they were shocked to see the interior transformed into something like a boxing ring. Was this all created with items? No doubt—these people had drained plenty of coins from others.
"Where's the one who dared break our rules?"
A tall man stood at the center, clearly one of the top leaders. And here, Shaden would have to defeat them to gain recognition.
"Those two idiots!"
Laughter erupted throughout the room. Everyone mocked the bravery—no, the foolishness—of Shaden and Leah.
Leah whispered, "Even if I die, I'll be satisfied after punching these jerks."
Shaden didn't answer. His focus was on the three men in front of him.
"Let's get this started. I need to get enough rest before the third mission begins," Shaden said.
His words enraged the three leaders. The tallest one gripped Shaden's shoulder hard.
But Shaden casually brushed the hand off, completely unfazed.
"Not with me. My friend will go first!"
Though Leah was momentarily shocked at being used as bait, she didn't argue.
Leah stepped forward. "Alright then! Who should I punch first?" she asked confidently.
"I will!" declared the Jarish clan leader. "I've been wanting to smash that arrogant face of yours since earlier."
The crowd roared with excitement like they were in an arena.
"Use the transparent boxing glove item I sent to your pocket. You'll beat him easily. Strike the moment the match starts—go in when he's off guard," Shaden whispered as he turned.
Leah understood and quietly equipped the item Shaden mentioned.
Shaden stepped to the side of the room, calmly watching as Leah faced off against the Jarish leader.
"When I count to three, attack! One... two... three... DING!"
Not even five seconds passed before Leah launched a solid punch at the Jarish leader's face. Without a single counter, he dropped to the ground instantly.
The room fell silent. Leah hadn't expected her punch to be that strong so quickly. She looked back at Shaden, who stood watching quietly.
Her lips mouthed a word that made Shaden laugh.
"You're insane," was what she said silently.
After the shock wore off, the Jarish leader was dragged to the corner, replaced by another who stared daggers at Shaden.
"Looks like you're the one who won't survive," Leah said as she joined Shaden.
Shaden smiled. "I told you—we won't know until we try. Now, it's my turn!"
**