1 Rank 0

"Duck!" Rank charged up behind his friend, throwing a punch that perfectly connected with the leaping lizard. "Watch your back!"

Gryf shot him a confident smile before shifting his focus back to the reptiles in front of him. Hora stepped in beside him, throwing one of the lizards like a shot put ball, causing a pile up in unending onslaught of pests.

"Thanks man! You can go cover the left. We're fine over here." Gryf yelled, drop kicking the nuisance nearest to him.

Rank quickly weaved his way past the few fighting fit kids. He thanked his lucky stars, and good health habits that he'd recently gotten into a decent fitness routine. He positioned himself beside a few of his cowering classmates, readying his stance to deflect any attack attempts towards them. He counted six kids, seven including himself. Out of the thirty nine that were brought to the new world, only seven seemed to be brave enough to keep a calm mind and take action. The other thirty two crouched and huddled together in a thankfully easy to protect circle. The other seven surrounded them, fending off as many of the approaching monsters as they can. They were doing well, but Rank knew he was quickly getting exhausted. The others would soon follow suit.

"If we can just catch a breather. Clear a few really fast.." Rank heard a girl say behind him. One of the seven no doubt. From what he could hear it souded like Fae. She was a fairly popular girl back in their world. She had proven herself a strong contender on the sports field, and held incredible acedemic abilities. He wasn't at all surprised she was able to keep a level head and help protect the others.

"It would be a lot easier if we had weapons. Or if we didn't have to protect everyone in the middle." It was Dirk, a member of the student council, sports star, and all around perfect guy. His massive arms were covered in blood. It wasn't clear whether or not it belonged to him. "We could easily make a break for it if things turn too sour." Dirk shot Gryf a questioning look. Almost seeking validation for his idea.

" And just leave everyone out to dry, fat chance." Rank declared, equally exhausted and wholeheartedly stubborn. "We'll just have to tough it out. At some point these things have to realize we're not foo- Ahhh!" A lizard clamped down on Rank's leg. A gush of blood poured out of his calf and sunk into the dry dirt.

Dirk and Gryf shot into action. Dirk curb-stomped the lizard, crushing it in a single step. Gryf leaped in front of Rank, fending off the hoard of lizards that came charging after the scent of blood.

"Take a breather. You're slacking." Dirk's voice soumded harsh, but his eyes showed a real compassion and genuine concern.

Rank steadied himself. His leg burned from the pain. He raised his arm in a figher's stance. "No chance, if we're going out, we'll go out swinging." Rank gave Dirk a tired smirk before leaping back in beside Gryf.

Rank slammed his fist down on a lizard's head, putting every ounce of his might behind the blow. A sense of euphoria overtook his body, filling him with a new burst of vigor and melting his pain away. The area was overtook in a bright, glowing green flash of light .

An image appeared in his head, almost overlapping with his real vision:

[You have leveled up]