The afternoon sun dipped lazily across Sue City, painting the skyline with streaks of orange and red. Jackim sat at his desk in the small rented room, his mind replaying the chaos of the last twenty-four hours—the reunion, the Phantom, Marvin's fake friendship, and Sandra's humiliation.
He leaned back against the creaking chair, staring at the faint cracks on the wall. A strange calm had taken over him, but beneath it all was an edge of anticipation.
The System hadn't spoken since awarding him the "Loyalty Radar." But Jackim knew it was only a matter of time before it stirred again.
His thoughts were interrupted by the mechanical chime in his head.
[System Notification: Daily Reward – Skill Upgrade Available.]
[Host has unlocked: Martial Arts (Level 1).]
[Skill Description: Basic martial arts techniques—punching, kicking, grappling. Enhanced reflexes, improved balance, increased strength output by 30%.]
Jackim sat up, startled. "Martial arts?"
A flood of knowledge surged through his mind like a tidal wave. Punching stances, footwork, breathing rhythms, the mechanics of force—it was as if he had trained for years under a dozen masters. His body tingled, his muscles flexing with newfound energy.
He stood slowly, balling his fist. The air seemed sharper, clearer, more responsive to his will. He threw a jab into the empty room. Whoosh! The punch cut through the air with terrifying precision. His body moved instinctively, flowing into a follow-up kick that cracked the edge of the bed frame.
The wooden frame splintered.
Jackim stared at his leg, a thrill running through him. "So this… this is the power of the System."
His phone buzzed. A message from Kelvin.
> "Bro, come meet me at the corner shop near campus. Need to talk."
Jackim grabbed his jacket and stepped out. The Phantom glimmered under the fading sunlight as he passed it on the street, but he didn't take it—attention was the last thing he wanted right now.
The corner shop was crowded, students spilling onto the pavement with sodas and snacks. Kelvin waved from outside, holding two sodas in one hand.
"You're late, rich man," he teased.
Jackim grinned, taking the soda. "Had something to test."
They leaned against a lamppost, chatting casually about campus, when a shadow fell across them. A man in a ragged hoodie, face half-hidden, edged closer. His eyes darted nervously, his steps uneven.
Kelvin frowned. "What's this guy—"
In a flash, the man lunged. A knife glinted in his hand as he slashed at Jackim's pocket.
Instinct took over.
Jackim's body moved before his mind caught up. He sidestepped smoothly, grabbed the thief's wrist mid-swing, and twisted sharply. The knife clattered to the ground. With his other hand, he drove a precise strike into the man's ribs.
Thud!
The thief staggered, gasping, before collapsing against the wall, clutching his side.
Kelvin's eyes went wide. "Holy—bro, where the hell did you learn that?"
Jackim's breathing was steady, calm. He hadn't even broken a sweat. Inside, the System's voice echoed.
[Skill in action: Martial Arts Lv.1 successfully applied.]
[Reward: +50 Combat Proficiency.]
Jackim bent down, picking up the knife. He looked at the trembling thief coldly. "Choose your targets more carefully next time."
The man scrambled up and bolted down the street, vanishing into the crowd.
Kelvin stared at Jackim like he was seeing him for the first time. "You didn't just stop him—you dismantled him! Since when can you fight like that?"
Jackim shrugged, slipping the knife into his pocket before tossing it into a nearby trash can. "Guess I've been learning."
Kelvin narrowed his eyes but didn't press. Still, awe lingered in his voice. "Man… you're turning into someone else entirely."
---
Later that evening, Jackim walked alone through the dimly lit streets back to his room. His steps were steady, but his mind was alive with thought.
The System wasn't just about wealth. It was shaping him—body and mind—into something stronger, sharper, untouchable.
As he entered his room, the System chimed again.
[New Task: Brag "I can crush anyone who tries me."]
[Reward: Martial Arts (Level 2).]
Jackim's lips curved. "Crush anyone, huh?"
He closed his eyes, whispering under his breath. "I can crush anyone who tries me."
The upgrade hit him like a surge of electricity. His body trembled, his muscles burning for a moment before settling into new strength. The knowledge flooded deeper: counters to advanced attacks, leverage mechanics, knockout points.
He opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. His body felt alive—predatory.
But the System wasn't finished.
[Warning: Power invites conflict. Host's actions today have drawn attention.]
[Prediction: Within 48 hours, hostile encounter is inevitable.]
Jackim frowned. Hostile encounter?
As if on cue, his phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
> "We saw what you did to our boy. Meet us tomorrow night. Alone. Or else."
No name, no details. Just a threat.
Jackim's jaw tightened. His heart should have pounded with fear—but instead, a strange calmness washed over him. The fear that had defined so much of his past seemed… gone.
He glanced at the cracked wall, then at his clenched fists.
"Let them come."
---
The next night, Jackim found himself walking toward the abandoned lot near the edge of campus. The streetlights flickered weakly, shadows stretching long and jagged. He could hear the distant hum of traffic, but here, it felt like another world.
Five figures stepped out of the darkness, hooded and broad-shouldered. The tallest one cracked his knuckles, sneering. "So you're the hero who humiliated our guy yesterday. Thought you could just walk away?"
Jackim stood still, hands in his pockets, his voice calm. "He tried to rob me. You should be thanking me I didn't break him worse."
Laughter erupted from the group. One pulled a pipe from under his hoodie, swinging it menacingly.
"Big talk, poor boy. Let's see what your fists are worth."
Jackim's eyes narrowed. The Loyalty Radar told him everything—these weren't men looking for fairness. They were here to destroy him.
Perfect.
The first rushed forward with the pipe. Jackim sidestepped, grabbing the weapon mid-swing, twisting it free in one motion, and slamming the butt into the man's stomach. He crumpled with a wheeze.
Two more came at him together. Jackim ducked low, his foot sweeping one off balance before he drove an elbow into the other's jaw. A crack echoed in the night as the man staggered back, teeth gritted.
The leader snarled, charging. Jackim's instincts sharpened—his upgraded martial arts flowing like water. He slipped aside, catching the man's momentum, and slammed him face-first into the gravel.
Thud!
Silence. The remaining two hesitated, eyes wide with fear.
Jackim straightened, his dark gaze cold, his voice steady. "Leave. Or you'll join them."
They didn't wait. They dragged their fallen friends and vanished into the night.
The System's voice resonated with satisfaction.
[Host has completed combat trial.]
[Reward: Martial Arts Lv.2 fully integrated.]
[Additional Bonus: +200 Strength, +200 Reflex.]
Jackim exhaled, the adrenaline fading. He looked down at his hands, flexing them slowly. The once-poor boy mocked for being weak and powerless… was no longer the same.
As the city lights shimmered in the distance, Jackim walked away from the broken men behind him. The System whispered once more:
[Host, remember: every brag reshapes destiny. But beware—greater forces are starting to notice you.]
Jackim's lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Let them notice."
The storm was only beginning.
---