That afternoon, Alex sat in the small garden behind the house. The air was quiet, almost too quiet after the chaos at school. His mom stepped outside and sat beside him, noticing the faint bruise on his cheek.
"What happened to your face?" she asked softly.
Alex looked away for a moment, then forced a small smile.
"It's nothing, Mom. I just slipped during P.E.," he lied, hoping she wouldn't ask further.
Before she could say anything else, a voice called from the front gate.
"Alex!" Nancy shouted.
Alex stood up, and when he reached the front yard, he saw Jared and Leo waiting beside Nancy.
He frowned. "How did they even know where I live?"
Nancy raised her hand sheepishly.
"I… told them," she admitted. "Sorry. They said it was important."
Alex sighed, not angry, just confused — and a little worried what "important" meant this time.
Jared and Leo stepped inside with worried faces, both still catching their breath like they had run the whole way. Alex's mom stood up immediately, surprised to see two boys she didn't recognize.
"Are you two Alex's school friends?" she asked politely, though her eyes were sharp with concern.
Jared nodded quickly.
"Ma'am… we just needed to make sure Alex is safe. After what happened today… the school atmosphere is getting weird."
Alex glanced at Nancy with a "why did you give them my address?" look.
Nancy just shrugged as if saying, "I panicked… and they're your friends."
They all walked into the living room. Shoes off. Door closed softly behind them.
And once it clicked shut, Leo leaned forward and whispered:
"Bro… Ryder isn't messing around. He's seriously hunting you."
Alex sat down slowly, careful because his side still hurt from earlier. He tried to keep his voice steady.
"I don't get it… why is he after me over a ranking? It's just the school's point system, not life and death."
Jared shook his head.
"To us, it's just numbers. But to the Tech kids? Ranking means power. If they get the top spot, they control everything."
Nancy added quietly:
"And with the FBI showing up… that can't be a coincidence. They're after something bigger than school rankings."
The room fell silent.
Alex's mom looked at each of them carefully.
"If you all feel unsafe, you can stay here for now… but I need you to explain what's really going on."
Alex swallowed, unsure where to even start.
Because for the first time, it felt like this wasn't just about school fights or rivalry…
But something bigger, something old, something that really might be repeating again—just like the sudden announcement hinted.
Inside the old warehouse, the flickering lights cast long shadows across the concrete floor.
The atmosphere was tight, almost choking.
Ryder Knox stood with his head slightly lowered, breathing hard.
Malik Torres—one of the hidden leaders behind the Tech School crew—struck him across the face, not brutally, but firmly enough to make his anger clear.
"Why did you act so recklessly, Ryder?" Malik's voice was low but sharp.
"You almost triggered the operation before its time."
Ryder rubbed his reddening cheek, frustration simmering in his eyes.
"Alex Carter climbed the rankings. If I let that slide, he could pass me. You know what that means."
Kaito Ren, who had been leaning on a wooden crate with arms crossed, stepped forward.
"Didn't you notice the FBI earlier?"
His tone was calm, but serious.
"They weren't there randomly. They're looking for something… or someone."
Malik's gaze hardened as he looked at both of them.
"Listen carefully. If Damon finds out you moved without his approval—you're done. Not because he's cruel, but because you could destroy the entire plan."
The name Damon sent a cold tension through the room.
Even Ryder, usually headstrong, went quiet.
Kaito approached Malik and spoke lower:
"We have to make sure Alex doesn't realize anything… not until Damon decides how to use him."
Malik nodded slowly, his expression dark.
"We wait for orders. No one touches Alex Carter until Damon speaks."
Ryder clenched his fists, jaw tightening—furious, but forced to obey.
Outside the warehouse, the sound of a motorbike echoed past.
Kaito glanced toward the door.
"And if the FBI is already watching… history might really repeat itself."
In the small living room, the air felt heavier than usual.
Alex's mom stood with her arms crossed, looking at the kids one by one.
"What does that even mean… The Cooperation ranking?"
Her voice trembled—part fear, part anger.
Jared, Leo, Nancy, even Alex—none of them spoke.
Alex's mom took a deep breath.
"Alright… this sounds serious. If your school is involved in something dangerous like this… I think I should transfer both of you. Before it's too late."
Nancy quickly turned to her, startled.
"Transfer? Mom, that's… that's really extreme…"
Alex's mom looked at Nancy gently.
"You two are siblings. I'm responsible for your safety. I won't let either of you get dragged into trouble."
Alex clenched his fists.
He finally stood up.
"No, Mom. It's… already too late."
His mom froze.
"What do you mean—too late how?"
Alex looked down for a moment, then met her eyes.
"The Cooperation isn't just a ranking system. They've already dragged me in. Those seniors… their system… I can't just run away. They won't stop."
His mom looked terrified.
"Alex, you don't have to join their game. I can report this—"
"No!" Alex's voice rose—not out of anger, but fear of what reporting might cause.
"If we report them without evidence, we'll be the ones hunted."
The room fell silent.
Nancy stepped forward, her voice soft but shaking.
"Alex… I don't want us to split up or run away. But I'm scared something will happen to you."
Alex gave her a small, weak smile.
"I'm fine."
But his eyes said otherwise.
Jared finally spoke, trying to pull everyone together.
"Then… how about we start investigating slowly? Find the mastermind? Break their system from the inside?"
Leo nodded, though he looked nervous.
"Yeah. We can start with the ranking data, who controls the app, who links each school…"
Alex's mom still looked unsure.
"Kids… this isn't a game."
Alex looked at his friends, then back at his mother.
"It won't be easy. The Cooperation is big. They have influence in every school."
He took a deep breath.
"But… I know how to do it."
Everyone stared at him.
"I have to climb the ranking. Get inside the heart of their system. From there, we can find out who's really in control."