The rain had just finished falling, leaving trails of dirty water in the streets. Hobin took a walk to the pharmacy to get some pills for his sustained wounds from the training. He wore his navy blue track down and stepped into the cold streets.
After the pharmacy, he entered a local store to buy painkillers. As he wandered across the aisle, his gaze drifted over each shelf without focus. He heard whispering. Hobin strolled down to the end of the shelf and discovered two girls who were being hassled by a store worker.
"Come on. Don't be shy… Show me your panties." The perverted man urged them. Holding up his hands to force them to it.
Hobin took a slow glance around the store. The store owner didn't even seem to be looking. A shelf blocked his view, and his eyes drowned in the list of naked magazines. The creepy man kept hassling and urging the girls to make him feel like a man again. The girls shivered, huddled like cornered animals against the store walls. Meanwhile, Hobin stood by the last shelf, watching. His eyes twitched and his brain thought. He didn't want to get involved. He didn't feel like fighting; even if he did, he felt drained from all the training.
"DAILY QUEST: RESCUE THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FROM THE STORE PERVERT."
"REWARD: +8 STRENGTH, +9 AGILITY, +7 STAMINA, +10 SKILL, +6 COURAGE." The robot chimed.
"What?! I can't fight this old man. Plus, I am very exhausted. I almost broke my back," Hobin complained like a little baby.
"ALL I HEAR IS BLAH. BLAH. BLAH FROM A GOAT WHO'S TOO WEAK TO RULE."
"Don't you dare insult me," Hobin grumped. "Besides, I have school tomorrow. I got to be ready to face Pa Kong and his men. Oh gosh, I completed only a few of his assignments."
"YOU COMPLAIN LIKE A BABY. GROW UP, HOBIN. YOU'RE NO LONGER WEAK."
Hobin let out a smirk and rubbed his face.
"You're right. This event will prove that I have gained significant knowledge."
"TRUE. "Those high school girls might kiss you or share contacts, which is a significant point.""
"Huh?! Not possible to remove the adverb. Hobin screamed and made a rack on the shelf. The man turned, noticing him, but didn't feel the need to worry."
Because he was small, most people saw him as weak and easy to dominate. But that was for Hobin to use to his advantage.
"Hey kid, beat it," the man snapped, attempting to scare him. The girls glued themselves to him, begging him with their eyes not to leave.
"Sure. As long as you quit bothering those girls. What are you anyway… a store worker or a pedophile?" Hobin asked, assuming a dominant stance.
"Huh? Did you accuse me of something?" he snapped back, pulling away from the girls and closer to Hobin. "I said, beat it." He snapped again. This time, Hobin could sense the intensity building up. He wrapped both fists and pushed back to assume a fighting stance.
"How about you fight me for it? Hobin muttered in a low yet confident voice. "If you win, I will walk away and let you abuse those girls. But if I beat you… then you will walk away and never disturb another female soul ever again. Deal?"
The man grimaced after a short glare. He stepped closer to the brave Hobin and snapped.
"Like I would want to fight with a loser like you". The man said and wished to ignore him. "Look, kid, beat it". He continued and turned to the girls.
Not possible to remove the adverb. Or are you scared I'd beat you in front of those girls you admire?" Hobin replied, staying calm. "You're a coward, old man." His heart raced as he awaited a reply.
"Shut up, you dimwit. I said beat it! He snapped, and Hobin chuckled.
"And if I don't? What would you do...? Hobin asked with an eyebrow raised."
"YOU'RE RAGE BAITING HIM? XL asked
"Yeah. I'm using my wisdom to compel him to do what I want. If I can get to the right spot in his mind, then he will lose it and fight me," Hobin replied.
"IMPRESSIVE FOR A BOY WHO'S TERRIBLE AT EVERYTHING. YOU ARE QUITE GOOD AT THIS ONE."
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: "RAGE BAITING," XL chimed.
Hobin chuckled and looked up at the man. He picked a gray bean pack out of his cart and threw it at the store worker. "So are you up… old man? You beat me, and you take the girls. I walk away, and I tell the police. What will it be?"
"Damn it. This kid". The store worker thought. "I should consider accepting his offer." I can't go to jail again." He gnashed his teeth. "He doesn't look strong. I can likely defeat him. Easy peasy." He grinned. "Fine, I will crush you! He snapped and stepped forward.
"NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: FORCED DECISION," XL chimed. Hobin smiled, and at that very moment, he adjusted his stance to land a blow; the glasses chimed a message to Hobin.
"OBSERVE HIS LEG. HE ADJUSTED IT TO THE RIGHT. HE WOULD STRIKE FROM THERE, LEAVING AN OPENING ON THE LEFT."
Hobin smirked and adjusted his glare. As predicted, the man struck with his right. Hobin dodged it with swift agility. Hobin smiled as this was getting too easy. From the message XL gave to him, it was clear that humans often expose their next move, even with their hands. A person needs to glance at where their legs point. That's where they will strike or go.
With this knowledge, Hobin kept evading the man's attack until he wore down and gave even more openings.
"Watch as a constant evasion makes your opponent fall apart and tire out." IT'S LIKE A DOG CHASING BUT BARELY GETTING NEAR ITS TARGET. This process annoys your opponent and disorganizes their thinking. This gives you chances to strike back. The glasses chimed, and Hobin smirked.
"Right indeed." He muttered, before delivering a strong right hook at the store worker.
The man fell to the floor. Making a trash over the shelf. Hobin stood panting a little. He pulled up his fist. For the first time in his life, Hobin had won a fight.