The cafeteria felt colder today—not physically, but in atmosphere. Word was spreading. Jason Carter, the ghost nobody noticed last week, had suddenly become… noticed.
Paul Kim tapped his tray with a fork, eyes darting around.
"You're trending," he said quietly. "Not on social, but definitely in the hallways."
Jason chewed slowly. "Good. Let them talk."
"You're really leaning into this whole 'I know everything' vibe."
Jason didn't answer.
But HEX64 did.
[感知模块更新.敌意节点增加2.好奇节点+4.]
"Perception module updated. Hostility nodes: +2. Curiosity: +4. Current influence: 12%."
Paul frowned, unaware of the system's prompt. "You know who's not going to like this attention? The ones who already have it."
Jason looked across the cafeteria.
Chase Rourke. Senior. Student council VP. Varsity team captain. Golden boy with perfect teeth and legacy college letters waiting.
Chase hadn't looked Jason's way yet.
But that wouldn't last.
Period 4 – World History
Mr. Keener passed out a classroom debate assignment—one of those pretend-democracy activities. Each group had a topic; Jason's was labor unions. His group groaned.
"Just say workers were exploited, get a C, move on," one teammate muttered.
Jason sat back, reading the prompt.
HEX64 flashed again.
[课题策略生成中:劳动议题——情绪引导型.建议控制发言节奏,引出对立面失误.]
"Topic strategy: Emotion-led argument. Control pacing. Induce missteps from opposition."
Jason leaned in. "We don't go for a C. We go for control."
The debate began. Jason's opponents were louder, faster—typical. But Jason interrupted only once, strategically:
"So your argument is that increased pay ruined productivity?"
The other side fumbled. Their logic cracked. Jason's group gained ground, fast.
Even Mr. Keener nodded slightly.
By the end, they won.
"Debate dominance achieved. Classroom influence +4%. EXP +6."
Paul whispered across the aisle, "You scare me, man."
Jason smiled faintly.
Lunchtime – Courtyard, Later
Paul passed Jason a folded note. Old school, no name.
"Meet me at the outdoor field after class. Let's see what your mind's worth when your body's involved. –C.R."
Jason showed no reaction.
But HEX64 pulsed.
[敌对试探确立.节点标记:Chase Rourke.等级:威胁 1级.建议:以柔制刚,设计团队动态干扰对方节奏.]
"Hostile probe confirmed. Node marked: Chase Rourke. Threat level: 1. Suggestion: subvert directly, manipulate team dynamics to disrupt opponent rhythm."
Jason closed the note. "Guess he noticed."
After School – Athletic Field
Coach Darrel was running a 'team cohesion exercise.' Translation: makeshift basketball scrimmages.
Jason found himself placed on a team with Paul, a tall quiet kid named Elijah, and a wiry sharpshooter called Dev.
The opposing team? Chase Rourke, his lacrosse buddies, and two members of the football squad.
Paul whispered, "We're dead."
Jason cracked his knuckles. "We'll see."
First match: chaos.
Jason got shoved twice. Elijah missed layups. Dev was iced out. Paul panicked and threw a pass to no one.
Score: 12–4. Chase's team.
Chase jogged past, smirking. "Your system offline today?"
Jason didn't respond aloud. But in his mind, HEX64 ignited.
[启动战术预测模块.敌方路径建模完成.目标模式:控制节奏+身体压迫.建议反制:诱敌深入→转点分球→外围射击.]
"Tactical prediction module activated. Opponent path modeled: tempo control + physical pressure. Counter-strategy: bait inside → pivot pass → perimeter shots."
Jason called a timeout—not official, just a huddle.
"Elijah, stop posting under the rim. Dev, take wing. Paul, screen left, not right. Every time. We don't fight them head-on—we reroute them."
Paul blinked. "You got all that from one quarter?"
Jason: "I had it before we started."
Second match.
Jason passed wide, faked cuts, forced defensive switches. Dev sank two threes. Elijah rebounded and kicked out perfectly.
Paul actually smiled during a perfect pick-and-roll.
Chase's smirk faded. He barked at teammates. Fouled once.
Final score: 12–14. Jason's team.
Post-game. Benches.
Chase walked over, eyes unreadable.
"Not bad for someone who doesn't sweat."
Jason tossed a water bottle to Paul. "You played well."
Chase's tone sharpened. "This school doesn't reward ghosts with power. Keep showing off, and someone bigger than me might step in."
Jason met his stare.
"Then let's hope they play fair."
"Influence increased to 15%. Threat level updated: Chase Rourke → Hostile Level 2. EXP: 59 / 100."
And as Chase walked away, Jason already saw it:
The next board.
The next play.
The next break.
He wasn't here to win games.
He was here to rule them.