Saying those words, Gary simply turned away, though not before seeing Sty’s face turn completely beet red. Before the top ranker had a chance to say anything, the Werewolf had run off.
Not because he was scared or anything like that, but because he knew this would be far more annoying to someone high and mighty. In the end, Gary arrived in his room to think about what he had heard just now.
The reason he had insulted Sty was because those had been his real feelings towards the guy. Just listening to him talk for a bit, he was convinced that the top ranker was someone who abused his power and position. It reminded him a lot of how the Underdogs used to participate and how Damion used to act.
In a place like this, there were lots of little Damions all over the place, it was taking a mental toll out of the Werewolf to avoid following his gut instincts to outright punch them in the face during his time observing them.
Still, he understood that he had to bide his time, so he kept his feeling buried inside. Just from watching how others acted and used their position to abuse others, Gary was actually learning a lot.
He might not like it, but he knew that what he was seeing inside this place was the unfortunate reality of how these types of people truly acted. It was something that Kai had a lot of knowledge about, but for Gary, whose social standing had been at the bottom before obtaining his system, he knew nothing about it.
Perhaps there would be a day when Gary’s input would benefit the group and be a better suggestion than what Kai could come up with.
“Who was that?!” Sty questioned, barely holding himself together, his cheeks still a bit red and filled with anger.
“We’re not really sure. The guy’s rank suggests he is one of the newcomers, so it might be for the best to just ignore him for now. It’s not really worth our time fighting someone like that. Remember, we all agreed to try to avoid fighting for this week.” The rank 8 reminded him.
Hearing this, Sty took a deep breath. Before he had reached the top 10, he had often been linked to stirring up trouble through fighting in this place. He couldn’t help it, as he found it exhilarating to see how hopeless the other Altered looked once he defeated them.
Still, he had agreed with the other top rankers that he would lie low for one week until they were allowed to advance. Since Appolo had been the one to suggest the idea, it was a given that he would be the one to enforce it. Sty knew he was strong, but he knew better that the top three were more powerful than he was.
As such, even someone of his position could be kicked out of the top ten, replaced with someone else. In the end, he made up his mind to let it go… at least in here. If he saw Gary in the AFA, that would be another story…
——
Two more days passed, and Gary had still not challenged anyone. According to the rules, an assessment would take place soon, which was another opportunity for people to change their rank. However, the green haired teenager didn't care too much about the assessment.
From what Izzy had told him during yesterday’s lunch, most of those inside shared his sentiment. The main way to rise in the ranks was through fighting.
Ian had participated in two fights just this morning, winning both of them and obtaining rank 77. The Altered had stopped there, claiming it was a lucky number for him. It was quite impressive considering how he was unable to transform into his Altered form.
However, he hadn’t been the only one who had fought. For the first time, Izzy had shown off her skills. Granted, the teenage girl had only fought against the student with the next higher ranking, but that fight had looked like a carefully prepared choreography.
Without suffering a single injury, she had continued to fight two more times, eventually reaching rank 101. After doing so much research into what other peoples' Altered forms were, and their fighting styles, she had set her goal to to reach the double digits.
Unfortunately, against rank 99, she had also suffered her first loss. Izzy’s head had ended up swollen, her ribs bruised, all of that due to one single mistake. Whether she had overestimated herself after consecutive wins or underestimated her opponent, she didn’t know.
However, the loss had been a devastating one, the difference in skill had been obvious.
Fortunately, the medical care in this place was top notch, so Izzy was back on her feet for lunch. Ian had earned the privilege to sit at yet another new table, but he had decided to come over to where Gary was, probably because Izzy had done the same.
Although the newcomers had been told on the first day that they should sit according to the numbers on the table, nobody was actually enforcing that rule.
“Guys, you have got to get out of the hundreds as soon as possible!!” Ian said. “They have meat! I admit, those are merely pieces of meat, but it's way better than that soup, I tell you. ”
By now, Izzy had gotten used to eating the soup, but after her loss she had shown no appetite, playing with her food before handing it over to Gary.
“Don't worry too much, you did well. You had four fights in a row, and we have plenty of time to help you rank up.” Ian tried to cheer up his childhood friend.
“My problem is, I don't see how.” Izzy eventually mumbled listlessly. “I know my body better than anyone, and I just don’t see a way for me to beat rank 99. Not with my current skill set even if I had been at 100%.
“My only chance might be to unlock my Altered form, but who knows how long that will take!”
Gary didn’t say anything, focusing on gulping down the soup. Sadly, there was no input he could give her. After all, he wasn’t an Altered in the first place. His system was what allowed him to get stronger, and he wasn’t the best when it came to techniques either. One of his good points was his ability to analyse, but Izzy didn’t seem to have a problem in that department.
Just then, though, they saw Numba enter the canteen. The group didn't really have many friends in the place, so they had silently agreed to sit together and talk to each other most of the time.
“I guess he's doing it again huh…” Ian said.
That's when they saw Numba head to the table with the top rankers, stopping next to Sty. After a while, the Goal Altered left, before he came back with a meal meant for the rank 4 student. Not only that, but while Sty was enjoying his steak and soda, Numba was giving him a back massage.
Essentially, the lower ranked teenager fulfilled all whims of the top ranker, starting with the evening after their talk. The trio of newcomers found it an odd sight to behold, because although they hadn’t known Numba for long, his current attitude was a clear contrast to his initial prideful self.
“They might be from the same city or they’re blackmailing him in some other wy.” Izzy guessed. “There’s not much we can do about it. I know it's sad, but it's unfortunate that one of the top rankers has picked Numba to be his lackey. Anyway, without any incidents, he will only have to endure that for a few more days, and then he will be able to do what he wants again, I imagine that's why he is putting up with it for now.”
At that moment, a bit of food dropped on Numba's shirt, and the others began to laugh. It was then that Gary stood up from his seat and began to walk over to where the others were.
“Damn it, why does he always move so fast? I don't even have time to grab that stupid moss head!” Izzy cursed, slapping her forehead.
Walking across the canteen, Gary eventually reached the top rankers’ table. The Werewolf stood by the side of the table, looking at the Goal Altered and his handler. Sty, who had already forgotten their encounter, just looked at him. He looked familiar, but he just couldn’t put a finger on who it was.
‘Oh, isn't this the same person from the other day?’ Apollo thought as he recognised who it was.
The rest of the top three, including Snow who continued to munch on his small pile of prepared carrots also instantly recognised the person, though none of them stopped enjoying their meal.
“Numba, I don't know how you can do this? I don't know if you're scared or what, but I just can't watch you act like this. Is it really worth it? Can't your family make a deal with another company or something?
“Anyway, if you're that scared, remember I still owe you a favour, so I will happily beat this person up for you if you want?”
*****
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