No one noticed the slight shift in Kim's eyes.
Above his head...
The number remained zero.
But inside his mind...
The hidden quest was still laid out before him.
["The Player"]
Obtain one million points within one year.
Reward: Unlocking the second seal of the Void Devourer.
One million points.
If any other student had heard this number...
They would have thought it a joke.
But Kim didn't feel despair.
Instead, he felt something else.
Excitement.
Because ever since he had entered this world...
Everything had been going far too easily.
But now...
He had found a game.
A real game.
Meanwhile...
The students erupted into chatter.
Alliances.
Groups.
Betrayal.
Everything was setting into motion.
As for the nobles...
They gathered around Ralph.
While the commoners...
Began clinging to one another out of fear.
Suddenly...
A new announcement materialized.
[Current Point Rankings]
1. Leonhart — 100 points
2. Iris Valen — 95 points
3. Ralph Crowen — 83 points
...
...
764. Kim — 0 points
A few people laughed.
As for Kim...
He was looking at something else.
The people.
Not the numbers.
Because numbers change.
But humans...
They are the real resources.
At that moment...
Three commoners approached him.
A scrawny young man.
A short girl.
And a heavily built individual.
They looked noticeably tense.
The young man spoke:
> "You're Kim, right?"
>
Kim nodded.
Then, the young man said timidly:
> "We want to form a team."
>
> "Everyone else refuses to cooperate with us."
>
As for the large one...
He said angrily:
> "The nobles treat us like trash."
>
The girl, however...
Smiled nervously.
> "But we don't want any trouble."
>
Kim looked at them.
Then, he asked:
> "Why me?"
>
Silence fell.
Then, the girl said:
> "Because you're the only one who..."
>
She hesitated.
> "Didn't look down on us."
>
Kim paused.
Then...
He remembered something.
From his old world.
How many times...
Had he been the person nobody chose?
How many times...
Had he stood alone?
But...
The memory vanished.
And his eyes returned to their usual coldness.
> "Alright."
>
The three were stunned.
As for Kim...
He continued.
> "But I don't accept the weak."
>
They grew flustered.
Then, he said calmly:
> "If you want to stand by my side..."
>
> "Do not expect me to protect you."
>
> "Instead, make yourselves useful."
>
> "I am not looking for friends."
>
> "I am looking for people worth investing in."
>
Silence fell.
Then...
The three bowed together.
> "We will prove it!"
>
In a far-off spot...
Leon was observing the scene.
Then, he laughed.
> "So it begins."
>
As for Iris...
She smiled.
> "Liar."
>
> "You act as if you're exploiting people..."
>
Then, she looked toward Kim.
> "But I feel like you just don't want anyone left alone."
>
Kim, however...
Didn't hear her.
Or perhaps...
He chose not to hear.
But on the other side...
Ralph's eyes were filled with malice.
Then, he smiled.
A wicked smile.
> "Beautiful."
>
> "A commoner with zero points..."
>
> "Has gathered three more pieces of trash around him."
>
He looked at his subordinate.
> "Gather the men."
>
> "Tonight..."
>
His smile vanished.
> "We take everything from them."
>
And at the highest peak of the Tower of Knowledge...
The woman with the silver eyes was looking at the sky.
Then, she closed an old book.
On its cover...
There was only one name.
[The Void Devourer]
Then, she whispered sadly.
> "Will you be like him..."
>
> "Or will you repeat the tragedy?"
>