Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 44: Game Of Fate (2) Offer.

Zion stood still, gripping the map tightly, his eyes scanning its details. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of their decision pressing down on them. His mind raced through possibilities, but uncertainty lingered.

"Which part of Jeju should we head to?" His voice was steady, but his teammates could hear the hint of hesitation beneath it.

The group exchanged glances, each processing the question differently.

Karina, the first to speak, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Should we scout first and establish a base? It’d give us a safe fallback point if things go south."

Calvin, leaning against a nearby rock, exhaled sharply. "That might not be the best move. We’d be wasting time securing a base without knowing the terrain first. If we get caught off-guard at night, we could be sitting ducks."

Yin, who had been studying the map with a frown, finally spoke. "I get what you’re saying, but what if we stick to the city instead? The civilian zones might keep the other students in check. No one wants to start something in front of the public, right?"

Karina folded her arms, her sharp gaze flickering toward Yin. "You sound way too confident in people."

"You wouldn’t know that just by looking at them." Her voice carried a quiet tension, and for a moment, the group fell into silence.

Yin furrowed his brows. He didn’t like to admit it, but Karina had a point. Some of the students gave off an unsettling energy—especially him.

His grip on the map tightened, his jaw clenching. "Right... especially that bastard Ivan." The very mention of the name sent a flicker of anger through him. He could already imagine Ivan’s smug face, just waiting for a chance to crush someone beneath his boot.

Before the tension could thicken, a hesitant voice broke through.

"What if... we tried forming an alliance?"

Sera’s words were quiet but carried weight. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve as she nervously glanced between them.

The group turned to her, each with their own reaction.

Yin’s face immediately brightened. "That might actually be a great idea!" His enthusiasm was so sudden that he instinctively grabbed Sera’s hands.

She stiffened.

Her face turned crimson as she quickly averted her eyes, struggling to keep her composure. "U-uh..."

Yin blinked, confused. "Huh? What’s wrong?"

Karina, watching the exchange, sighed before cutting in. "It’s a good suggestion, but there’s a problem." Her tone carried a hint of exasperation as she crossed her arms. "We don’t know who we can trust. This isn’t like the academy anymore. Every student here is playing for survival. Some of them will act like heroes, but that doesn’t mean they actually are."

A cold realization settled in. The games weren’t just about skill. They were about deception.

Calvin, deep in thought, tapped his chin. "That’s a fair point... but hey, Zion."

Zion looked up.

"You’ve got a lot of so-called friends, right?" Calvin smirked slightly. "Why not start with them?"

Zion’s eyes widened slightly at the idea before a grin spread across his face. "Wow... that’s actually a great plan!"

Then his smile faltered.

"Though... I have no idea where any of them are."

"We should start moving. Maybe we can catch up to them." Karina said, crossing her arms as she stood with a confident stance. She wore a sleek blue crop top adorned with dark blue lines, accentuating her toned figure. Her lower half was covered by a matching fitted suit, designed for both agility and protection. Strapped to each side of her waist were dual-blade daggers, their hilts gleaming in the same deep blue shade as her attire—a symbol of both her speed and precision.

"Right," Calvin replied in a low, serious tone, adjusting the black cloak draped over his shoulders.

Calvin’s suit was a seamless blend of stealth and intimidation. A form-fitting black jumpsuit hugged his body, woven from a reinforced yet flexible material that allowed him to move effortlessly while providing durable protection. Over it, he wore a flowing black cloak, its fabric lightweight but dense enough to obscure his movements, rippling subtly with each step.

The most striking feature, however, was his all-black visor—a sleek, cyclops-style lens that completely covered his eyes, its opaque surface reflecting no light. The visor gave off a cold, detached aura, hiding any trace of emotion from those who dared to meet his gaze. But it wasn’t just for appearance; the specialized tinted lens shielded his eyes from sudden flashes and provided advanced visual enhancements, allowing him to scan his surroundings with precision.

Against the backdrop of Jeju’s rugged terrain, Calvin moved like a shadow, an enigma wrapped in darkness—unseen yet ever-present.

As the group pressed forward, their pace quickened. The rustling of leaves and the crunch of gravel beneath their boots filled the air.

"W-Wait!" A soft, breathless voice called out.

The group halted as Sera struggled to keep up, her small frame lagging behind against their fast pace. She was dressed in a sleek blue bodysuit, its design similar to her sister’s but with a slightly lighter shade. Her blue gloves stood out, each fingertip adorned with a small circular symbol, representing the unique ability she wielded.

Yin glanced back, noticing her struggle. Without hesitation, he walked over. "I can carry you," he offered casually.

Sera hesitated for a moment before nodding, her face slightly flustered as she climbed onto his back.

As Yin adjusted her weight effortlessly, she stammered, "A-Am I not heavy?" Her tone was soft, almost timid.

Yin grinned. "Nah, you’re pretty light!" He reassured her with a bright smile.

Sera’s face turned red, her grip tightening just slightly around his shoulders.

The group continued forward, disappearing deeper into the vast terrain of Jeju Island, their mission only just beginning.

he group continued walking, their pace steady but cautious. However, it didn’t take long for them to encounter the aftermath of the challenge—a group of students already sprawled across the forest floor, completely knocked out.

Zion’s eyes widened as he took in the scene, but what truly made his heart pound was the familiar figure standing among the fallen.

A man, wearing a cropped red jacket that left his toned stomach exposed, paired with fitted grey leather pants. Around his neck dangled a skull necklace, swinging slightly as he shifted his weight.

"Oh~?" His tone was playful, dripping with amusement.

The rest of his group was busy looting the unconscious students, snatching whatever materials they had gathered for their survival.

Zion’s fists clenched. "It’s you guys again..." he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.

K’s smirk deepened, his sharp eyes locking onto Zion’s group. "Seems like you all worked hard collecting materials for those fancy suits of yours~" he teased, taking a step forward.

But then—something was wrong.

Zion’s breath hitched. His entire body froze. He couldn’t move.

"What the hell...?!" Zion’s mind raced. His eyeballs were the only things that could shift slightly, and through his limited vision, he spotted Calvin standing completely still as well.

"Shit... What is this? Did that bastard copy someone’s power?!" Calvin thought, his teeth gritting under the visor.

K tilted his head slightly, observing them with mock curiosity. "Hmm... seems like you guys really can’t move."

Slowly, he turned his gaze toward a lone figure standing in the background—a student wrapped in a dark, flowing cloak, its fabric shifting with the gentle breeze. His black scarf covered the lower half of his face, and messy dark hair partially concealed his sharp, calculating eyes.

K chuckled. "You’re more useful than I thought~" His tone was teasing, but there was a glint of something sinister in his expression.

Calvin’s mind worked rapidly. "So it’s that guy’s ability... He’s the one keeping us still."

K exhaled slowly, inhaling as if savoring the moment. Then, he looked back at Zion with a lazy smirk.

"Well, Zion, since I like you~ I have an offer for your group." His eyes gleamed with mischief.

Then, he grinned.

"Join us." K’s voice dropped its usual playful tone, turning serious. "I mean, after all, you guys don’t really have a choice."

Zion’s breath was steady, but his mind was in turmoil.

Then, suddenly—a familiar face appeared right in front of him.

"Master...!" Zion thought, his heart skipping a beat as Zero’s phantom-like figure materialized before him.

"I’d suggest accepting that offer." Zero’s voice was eerily calm. "Or, you could always betray them first. It’s better than being the one who gets betrayed, right?"

Zion’s eyes narrowed. "Really?" he asked, his tone uncertain.

Zero smirked. "I don’t really know. But that kid... he looks like someone from the Moreden Clan. If he is, then that clan values loyalty more than anything."

"Loyalty, huh...?" Zion’s mind churned, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.

Meanwhile, K tapped his foot impatiently, watching the unmoving group. "Why aren’t they answering...?" He squinted slightly, then realization struck.

"Oh, for fuck’s sake REMOVE THAT STUN, DUMBASS! I’ve been waiting for their answer this whole time!" K barked, turning to the cloaked student in his group.

With a small nod, the silent figure finally lifted his ability, and in an instant—Zion and his group could move again.