The massive oak doors of the library swung shut behind Kai, cutting off the scent of old paper and Yun Xi's milky perfume. He stepped out onto the wide marble steps, blinking against the harsh glare of the midday sun.
He felt good. His Charisma was working overtime, his Strength was maxed for his level, and he had a shy girl thinking about his fingers on her breast.
He took the steps two at a time, his mind drifting to the "Weeping Ghost" quest.
Thump.
At the bottom of the stairs, distracted by his thoughts, Kai collided hard with a figure turning the corner sharply.
It wasn't a hard impact for him—his body was like iron—but the other person stumbled back with a sharp gasp, dropping a jade scroll they were carrying.
"Watch where you're going, you blind peasant!"
The voice was sharp, imperious, and dripping with disdain.
Kai stopped, his eyes narrowing. He looked at the girl who had bumped into him.
She was stunning, in a sharp, dangerous way. She wore the customized robes of an elite student, embroidered with gold thread that shimmered in the sunlight. Her skirt was short, showing off long, toned legs wrapped in sheer silk stockings, and her waist was cinched tight, emphasizing a figure that was athletic and tight.
But it was her face that made Kai's blood turn cold.
She had high cheekbones, piercing almond-shaped eyes, and a mouth curled into a permanent sneer. She looked exactly like him.
Ye Feng.
"You..." The girl straightened her robes, brushing off imaginary dust. She glared at Kai, her eyes scanning his plain uniform. "I know that face. You're the trash from the branch family. The one who barked at my brother."
[Ding!][Target Identified: Ye Qing][Relation: Sister of Ye Feng (Rank 1)][Status: Arrogant / Elite / Hostile][Affection: -50 (Disgust)]
"Ye Qing," Kai said, his voice flat.
"So you know your betters," Ye Qing scoffed, crossing her arms under her chest, pushing up her modest but perky bust. "I heard about your little tantrum at the opening ceremony. Challenging my brother? You?"
She let out a cruel, tinkling laugh that sounded like breaking glass.
"Do you know what my brother said when he heard?" She took a step closer, mocking him. "Nothing. He didn't say anything. Because lions don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep."
Kai stood his ground, towering over her. "He'll have plenty to say when I break his teeth in the arena."
Ye Qing's eyes flashed with anger. "You insolent cur. You think you'll even make it to the arena?"
She poked a manicured finger into Kai's chest. It was meant to be painful, but against his Strength 9 constitution, she might as well have poked a wall. She frowned, pulling her finger back.
"The tournament is for the Top 8 Groups," Ye Qing spat. "Do you really think a team made of a reject, a cripple, a coward, and a novice teacher is going to get enough points?"
She leaned in, her expensive perfume—smelling of cold orchids and money—filling Kai's nose.
"My group has already accepted three B-Rank quests. We will clear them before you even figure out how to read the map. We will take the highest score. We will be Number One."
She looked him up and down, her lip curling in disgust.
"You won't even pass the qualifiers. You'll be expelled, and then the Ye family will finally be rid of your stain."
She bent down gracefully, keeping her legs straight to pick up her jade scroll, giving Kai a deliberate view of her backside before snapping upright.
"Stay out of the occult section, trash," she sneered. "Ghosts eat fear. You reek of it."
She spun on her heel, her long ponytail whipping the air, and marched away toward the elite dorms, her hips swaying with an arrogant rhythm.
Kai watched her go.
The playful smirk was gone from his face. In its place was a mask of cold fury.
It wasn't just the insults. It was the threat.
They are speed-running the quests, Kai realized. If Ye Qing's group hoards the points, Group 9 gets cut. I don't just need to complete the quest. I need to dominate it.
He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white.
"You think I reek of fear?" Kai whispered to her retreating back. "Wait until I catch you, Ye Qing. I'm going to make you reek of me."
He needed to level up. Now.
He needed to hit Level 4 before entering that dormitory. He needed every advantage to clear the quest perfectly and secure the bonus points.
He checked his XP bar. 150/200.
He needed 50 more.
He looked toward the residential district. Toward the house with the red lantern.
"Mrs. Lin," Kai growled. "I'm coming over."