Chaos

The classroom erupted into chaos. The horror of their teacher's gruesome demise still lingered in the air, chilling and fresh, paralyzing the students with fear. Murmurs and screams intermingled, blending into an incoherent symphony of terror. Above each student's head, glowing orbs materialized, pulsing as if they carried the weight of their fates.

Avi's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to make sense of what was happening. The chaos felt surreal, like an apocalyptic scene he'd only seen in nightmares. An emotionless, metallic voice cut through the noise, vibrating the walls and their bones.

[Player overwrite commencing]

[Stats distribution commencing]

Avi's vision blurred at the edges, his mind struggling to keep up with the strange words and the pulse of light that seemed to surge from the orbs. As the voice droned on, a notification flashed in the corner of his sight, cold and impersonal.

Avi Eques

Species: Human

Status: Normal

Job: None

Title: None

Lvl: 1

Stats:

Strength: 14.675

Defense: 9.180

Stamina: 8.987

Agility: 12.991

Intelligence: 8.034

[Notice.]

A second notification appeared, sending a jolt through Avi's system.

[You have acquired a special skill:

|Clairvoyance|

Allows user to see through the truth and the system.]

Confusion mingled with dread as another alert appeared. The words were a mystery, and the unknown sent a chill crawling up his spine.

[You have acquired the skill

|???|

???????. ]

Avi's mind reeled, trying to piece together the disarray. The system seemed to quantify their strengths, to give a strange measure to their humanity, but its true intentions were veiled, hidden behind cold, sterile language. The ominous "???" loomed, echoing with an intangible threat.

He forced himself to focus, eyes scanning the room in a frantic sweep. Above each classmate, stats boxes floated like an intrusive, digital gaze. Was this Clairvoyance at work, or was everyone seeing these details? The fear that others might see the same horrifying sight tightened his chest.

Ken's stats caught his attention, and Avi couldn't suppress a moment of admiration. Ken's numbers stood out among the rest:

Ken Magnum

Species: Human

Status: Normal

Job: None

Title: None

Lvl: 1

Stats:

Strength: 9.429

Defense: 17.353

Stamina: 15.672

Agility: 4.991

Intelligence: 8.839

Skills:

Fortress: Unyielding Bastion – Temporarily summons a barrier around the body of the caster.

True Justice (hidden passive): Embodies righteousness.

The strength of Ken's defense was remarkable, almost reassuring in a time like this. And then there was the mysterious "True Justice"—a skill that made Avi's pulse quicken with curiosity and a touch of envy.

Before he could ponder further, a sudden, sharp laugh cracked through the chaos, slicing through the air with a chilling force. A low, maniacal chuckle that seemed to reverberate from every corner of the room. Turning, Avi's stomach clenched. Ethan Blackwood stood at the back, his frame twisted, his eyes burning with a red glow. The boy who had once been silent and withdrawn now seemed transformed, consumed by something unrecognizable.

"I'm not weak anymore! No one can step over me now!" His voice was distorted, a metallic rasp that made the hair on Avi's arms stand on end.

An aura of madness radiated from him, and then he laughed again, a sound that seemed to infect the air like a disease. The room was frozen in collective terror, the kind that sears itself into memory.

Ethan's eyes swept over his classmates, seeking, hungry. They locked onto a fleeing student, and with a swift motion, he reached out. His hand closed around the student's head like it was a fragile fruit, and with a sickening crunch, life was extinguished.

[Player died.]

The mechanical voice returned, carrying the weight of judgment and a finality that made Avi's legs weaken.

[Demon Lord class has been granted to one of the players. Defeat the Demon Lord and survive. Every action earns experience points, usable for leveling up. Utilize skills granted by 'Player Overwrite.' Death is inevitable.]

[Good luck!]

Avi's vision blurred, and his mind whirled with panic. They were trapped, surrounded by death and terror, and faced with an impossible fight against a demon.

Ryan, ever the stalwart one, was the first to recover. He stood up, fists clenched, eyes bright with determination. "Protect the weak! Let's try and fight him!" His voice was filled with a fierce, newfound resolve. The warm glow of his skill, |Holy Touch|, radiated from him, illuminating the space with a courage that made Avi's heart skip a beat.

[|Holy Touch| – Physical touch slightly damages the physical body of a demon.]

The courage and resolve that defined Ryan shone through even in this moment of darkness. Beside him, Mia's eyes widened, and a green aura sprang to life, enveloping Ryan with a rejuvenating energy. Sophia moved swiftly, forming a shield around them as they charged toward Ethan.

Avi caught sight of Ethan's stats, an alarming revelation that sent a wave of dread crashing into him:

Ethan Blackwood

Species: Human (Transformed Demonspawn)

Status: Possessed | Enraged | Confused

Job: Demon Lord

Title: None

Lvl: 3

Stats:

Strength: 18.029

Defense: 20.004

Stamina: 13.034

Agility: 3.610

Intelligence: 5.931

Skills:

Demon Lord's Aura: Unholy Dominion – Exudes aura that can instill fear in weaker humans.

???

The sheer force of Ethan's stats made Avi's chest tighten. He couldn't help but feel that their efforts were futile. Ethan struck first, shattering a classmate's shield with a brutal blow that sent shards of energy flying.

Ryan fought with relentless resolve, swinging and dodging, but Ethan's strength was overwhelming.

[Player died.]

[Player died.]

The sudden, brutal deaths weighed on the remaining students, eroding their focus and resolve. Ken's face twisted in anguish as he watched his classmates fall, one by one. His eyes locked on Avi, desperation shining in them.

"Why are we not helping, Avi?" Ken's voice cracked with frustration and grief.

Avi hesitated, torn between a desperate need to act and the gnawing fear that told him it was hopeless. "We can't take him down. We don't know what this 'overwrite' means or how to use it," he muttered, the words heavy and uncertain.

Emily, clutching his arm, her eyes wide with terror, whispered, "Are we going to die?"

Avi's silence was all the answer she needed. His own heart was thundering in his chest, but he forced himself to look at her and Ken, searching for some semblance of courage to offer.

Ken reached out, his voice a low growl. "We'll keep you safe," he said, but the words rang hollow as he watched their classmates fall around them.

Avi's attempt at levity fell flat. "I guess there's no school tomorrow." The quip hung in the air, failing to lift the dark mood. Ken's glare silenced him, the look in his eyes fierce and resolute.

The doors and windows were sealed, offering no hope of escape. The room seemed to close in on them, the walls growing tighter with each passing moment.

A sudden, booming crash shattered the tension as a rock, the size of a head, was flung in their direction. They ducked, but the message was clear.

"You're next!" Ethan taunted, the sound of his laughter ringing out as he resumed his assault on the others.

Ken's fury was palpable as he clenched his fists. "We can't just stand here! Avi, join me!"

Avi hesitated, torn between logic and the relentless pulse of fear that surged through him. But he knew Ken's sense of justice, his unyielding will to protect, would drive him forward even if it meant certain death.

Ethan struck again, and another student fell.

[Player died.]

The room had become a slaughterhouse, bodies sprawled across the floor, the scent of blood mingling with the acrid air. Ryan and a handful of classmates still fought, their faces painted with the terror of their inevitable defeat. Ken's voice roared over the chaos, raw and unyielding.

"Fortress!" He activated the skill, a glowing barrier appearing around him, momentarily pushing Ethan back. The demon's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his arm, Ken was grabbed by the shoulder, sharp nails digging into his flesh.

Ken fought with everything he had, his barrier glowing brighter as he struggled, but Ethan's strength was insurmountable. The barrier shattered under the onslaught, and Ken's body crumpled, blood streaming from his head. His eyes met Avi's, filled with desperation and trust.

"Now, Avi!" Ken's voice was weak, but it carried a lifetime of hope.

Avi stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. Every nerve screamed for him to run, but Ken's plea, the unspoken weight of his friend's trust, shattered through his fear. Beside him, Emily clung to his arm, her face streaked with tears. "Save him, please," she whispered, her voice trembling as she sobbed.

Her words pierced through the haze of panic engulfing Avi's mind. His fear coiled tighter, almost suffocating, but something else stirred—a flicker of defiance, a spark of determination that refused to be extinguished.

With a deep breath, Avi's grip on the chair leg he'd grabbed, tightened. His fingers trembled, but he forced himself to move. His feet felt like lead as he stepped forward, then broke into a run, charging toward Ethan with every ounce of courage he could muster.

"Here goes nothing!" Avi shouted, a nervous smile breaking through his fear.

He surged forward, metal leg raised, intent on striking the classmate tormenting his friend. But before he could land a single blow, a wave of darkness consumed his vision.

The chaos, the screams, even the fear—it all disappeared in an instant.

And then, there was nothing.