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Chapter 4: The First Fist
Peter stared at the hand Kuroi offered.
The entire bar was frozen in anticipation.
He slowly stepped back.
"…No," Peter said, voice rough but firm.
Kuroi blinked behind his sunglasses.
Silence.
Then he smiled.
"Interesting," Kuroi murmured, lowering his hand. "You've got guts to say no to someone like me. That's rare… and reckless."
He turned away.
"I'll leave you alone tonight. But remember this, Peter—"
He paused by the doorway.
"—Power always demands a price. If you're not paying it, someone else is… for you."
With that, he vanished into the night like a shadow made flesh.
---
The crowd dispersed like dust. Some glanced at Peter with fear. Others with curiosity.
But Peter had no time to care.
He lifted Kordon's limp body onto his back and limped through the streets toward the hospital. Rain fell again — light this time — like the world itself was tired.
---
Later that night…
Peter finally returned to his apartment. He kicked off his wet shoes, collapsed onto his mattress, and stared at the ceiling.
His body felt strange… light. Strong.
He lifted his hoodie, expecting bruises and cracked ribs.
But there was nothing.
"What…?"
A blue screen popped up.
> [Notification]
🔹 Your injuries have been healed.
🔹 Due to system awakening, your physical stats have improved.
💾 Would you like to rewatch your recent battle for analysis?
Peter blinked. "Rewatch… the fight?"
"…Yes?"
The screen expanded into a holographic replay, floating in the air like a sci-fi movie.
He watched himself fight Rico, moment by moment — his moves, the kicks, the counter, the knockback, even Kuroi's entrance. From multiple angles.
"What the hell… This is insane…" Peter whispered.
Then another screen appeared.
> 🎁 Reward Unlocked — Survival Bonus
🧬 New Skill Acquired: [Copy]
You can now copy any opponent's physical fighting techniques by observing or experiencing them.
Note: Superpowers can only be copied after reaching higher levels.
Peter sat up straight.
"Copy?"
He stood, clenched his fists, and looked down.
"…I want to try something."
He closed his eyes and whispered:
"System. I want to copy Kuroi's Aikido move."
> Acknowledged.
Initiating Technique Simulation…
The world twisted.
---
Peter suddenly found himself in a void-like space. Black skies. A single cracked arena floor beneath his feet.
> Welcome to Pocket Training Dimension.
Target: Copy and master "Aikido Throw – Variant 7"
A shadowy training dummy in armor appeared before him. It charged with a wooden blade.
Peter moved on instinct.
The system guided his muscles — slowly at first — then with flow.
Grab the wrist.
Shift the weight.
Turn.
Leverage and release.
The figure flipped through the air and slammed into the ground.
Peter's breathing slowed. He did it again. And again.
> ✅ Technique Mastered: Aikido Throw – Variant 7
🧠 Muscle Memory Installed
The space glowed.
Peter blinked— and he was back in his room.
He looked around, sweating but stronger.
"That… was crazy."
Then—
BOOM.
The walls shook.
His phone buzzed with a breaking news alert.
> 🚨 EMERGENCY: Hospital Seized by Armed Hostile – Suspect Identified as Rico Vane
Civilians and staff held hostage. Government interference blocked by Ecos.
Location: Elvania Central Medical Center
Peter's face went pale.
His family was there.
Kordon was there.
"No. No no no—"
He grabbed his jacket and sprinted out the door.
---
Outside the hospital...
Police stood outside, too scared to breach.
Peter ran through them, past barricades. His eyes locked on the rooftop.
There—
A body fell.
CRACK!!
It slammed into the ground — hard — right in front of Peter.
The body didn't move.
Peter's eyes widened.
"…Kordon?"
He ran. Dropped to his knees.
Blood. Bones twisted. Eyes dull.
Peter's heart cracked.
"No… no… NO!"
His chest heaved.
Tears spilled. His body shoo
k.
"KORDON!!!"
He screamed into the night, fists to the sky, voice echoing across the silent city.
Behind him… the hospital lights flickered.
And Rico waited.
---
Chapter 4 Ends.
---