2 First Class Quest
John considered his predicament and let out a derisive snort. Well, the damage was already done - no use dwelling on it now. Without sparing the group another glance, he pivoted to walk away.
"John, wait!" Dalia's voice rang out behind him.
He paused and turned back slowly, one eyebrow raised. "What is it?" he asked dryly.
Dalia shifted on her feet. "Something really bad is about to happen..." She looked up at him pleadingly. "Can we stay with you?"
John noted the hint of remorse lurking in her tone. How predictable. He crossed his arms. "Well, seeing as we're such close friends and all, I guess you can tag along," he replied, words dripping with sarcasm.
He gestured dismissively at her anxious entourage. "I don't know any of these other jokers though. They're on their own."
The group scoffed at John's blunt remarks. They didn't want to be in that decrepit apartment complex anyway. John left as the group deliberated. With measured steps, he climbed up the creaking stairs and entered his apartment.
He opened an old closet and took out two backpacks. Only he knows how he was able to see in the obscure apartment. He grabbed the backpacks and loaded himself with knives, rations and even a loaded handgun.
He turned on the lights and another holographic screen appeared in front of him.
[Survive the First Wave.]
[Time Limit: 48 hours.]
[Rewards: x1 Random F-tier Skill, Full System Synchronisation]
Despite the absurdity of the situation, John accepted it with stoic calmness. He surveyed the chaotic scene outside the window - vortexes swirling in the sky, alien creatures swarming out, people panicking in the streets. Cars were already being hijacked as anarchy took hold mere hours after it all began.
John stepped out into the apartment hall, scanning for anything useful. His eyes landed on the vending machine - for a moment he considered barricading the stairs with it. But he dismissed the thought just as quickly. Whatever was pouring from those rifts wouldn't be deterred by such meagre obstacles.
He glanced down at the streets and saw Dalia's group still arguing about what to do. Just then, a blue-haired girl met his gaze. Her bright golden eyes glinted with mischief and with a smirk, she elbowed Dalia, who then looked up at him. The group resumed their discussion, but John focused on the horizon, listening intently for any approaching threat.
Soon the panicked group rushed up to join John, though an awkward silence hung between them. How could they face him after their petty taunting mere moments ago?
But the blue-haired girl didn't know the word shame and gently placed her hand on John's arm.
She leaned in with a sultry whisper, "Hey handsome, I'm Stephanie."
John met her playful gaze with calm indifference. "What?" he replied bluntly, brushing off the flirtation. They had more pressing matters than her childish antics.
She pouted and looked at him with puppy eyes, "can we stay with you, please?"
"No." He said, bringing her cute antics to a screeching halt. The group stood stunned, not expecting John's coldness.
"John, please..." Dalia pleaded, "I'm scared."
John was about to deny once again, but a holographic screen interrupted his plans.
[Class Quest]
[Objective: Seduce Stephanie and steal her from her boyfriend.]
[Reward: x1 F-tier Skill]
John read the contents of the screen and a sinister smirk spread across his face. He did not realise how quickly he changed his mind about his class. 'Class Quest? Is this how I get stronger?' he wondered.
He looked at Stephanie once again and noticed she is quite the looker. The blue-haired girl stood out from the fretful group, a sea of playfulness amidst the panic. Short locks the colour of robin's eggs framed a delicate face. Eyes that smouldered like molten gold met John's with a persistent mischief, contrasting his staid indifference.
Full lips curled into a coquettish smirk as she leaned against the wall, appraising John shamelessly. She wore a cropped jacket and jeans that flaunted her svelte figure. Even in the midst of the apocalypse, she radiated an effortless sensuality.
Stephanie toyed with a lock of aquamarine hair, winding it absently around a slender finger. Amusement danced across her golden eyes at John's stoic reaction. She was used to men fawning for her attention, yet this brooding stranger remained stubbornly unfazed.
John surveyed her dispassionately, though he could not deny she was quite the looker. Her young, but elegant face belied a spirited audacity underneath. But he had no patience for her frivolous flirtations - not when ominous threats loomed from otherworldly vortexes. At least that was before this new quest of his.
"You're Stephanie, you said?" He asked the blue-haired girl. A mischievous smile spread on her face and nodded. John glanced back at his apartment door and said, "you and I go, first. I'll tell you the rules."
"Great!" She exclaimed, her cheery voice a stark contrast to the gloomy day.
"Wait!" a blonde-haired man from the group stepped forward.
"Who knows what he'll do? Don't go in with that man," the man said. John looked at him and surmised it must be her boyfriend. He couldn't help the smirk from spreading on his face and looked away. He hadn't realised it, yet, but he was looking forward to putting his new class to good use.
"Ugh," Stephanie groaned with exasperation. "I'll be fine, relax."
"Hey," the man pointed his finger at John, "don't try anything."
"Or what?" John replied. He stepped closer to the man, towering over him. The man began to sweat profusely, but tried to maintain a facade of coolness.
"Stay back. I know Karate, just so you know." The man said, trying and failing to appear threatening. John snorted and almost burst out laughing.
After some back and forth, John guided Stephanie towards his apartment. He crossed his arm and squeezed her shoulder gently. He then turned to look at the boyfriend with a wink. The man was fuming, but he couldn't say anything. John smirked and opened the door to his apartment.
He guided Stephanie in and closed the door behind them. He took a second longer than he should to turn on the lights.
A chill ran down Stephanie's spine and she turned around right as John turned on the lights. She let out a sigh and chuckled inwardly, thinking she was being paranoid.
John looked at her with amusement and thought of how to take her there and then.
