Alp

"Wow, you're a lot tougher than you look, redhead." The strident voice of Alp quickly shattered any momentary relaxation that Klay had felt. His large frame stood several steps away from Klay, with his arms crossed across his chest. 

"Shut up asshole, if we're gonna fight let's just get it over with," Klay huffed out while straightening and stretching his back, several pops and cracks accompanying the movement. He gave a quiet groan of pain but managed to shake off the lingering traces of it by focusing on his regeneration.

Alp let out a sharp laugh, tilting his head back. "Like you could even stand a chance before, redhead. Look at yourself," he gestured at Klay with his hands. "You're so beat up I can't tell you apart from that shitty old barn."

Klay frowned, not speaking as he analyzed things in his mind.

I can feel that I'm slowly healing, so I need to continue stalling for time until my body regenerates enough. Observation.

[Activating Level 2 Observation]

Alp Wolfe, large build. Naturally powerful physique, capable of extreme levels of strength and defense. Feels confident, taunting you by leaving himself open. Keeping his eyes on your feet for signs of movement. 

Still frowning, Klay took in a deep breath to calm himself and began speaking. "So, why did you even start targeting me like this? I never did anything to you." 

Alp's chubby face twisted into a frown insanely fast. "Never? What about when you eavesdropped on me and my girlfriend in the parking lot, then tried lying to me about it? Isn't that something?"

"I only walked past you two, I wasn't even close enough to hear what you were-" 

Klay was interrupted as Alp began yelling back, louder and angrier. "You disrespected someone more powerful than you, redhead! I'm better than ya, so you should've acted properly!"

He gave a look of confusion at Alp's delusional words before asking, "Huh? What possibly makes you better than me, asshole? Especially to the point that I have to act like that!" Klay yelled back.

Shit, I got drawn in and pissed him off even more. I've barely even healed enough to run straight!

"Isn't it obvious, redhead? I'm stronger than you. In fact, I'm practically in charge of the entire school!" Alp grinned and spread his arms out expressively. In response, Klay took in another deep breath.

Stay calm, I need to stall. Only when I'm healed more can I do anything risky like angering him.

After a few more breaths and an ignored insult from Alp, Klay fully gathered himself and nodded at Alp. 

"You're right, I should be more respectful if someone is stronger than me. I'm sorry." He told Alp as clearly as he could while biting his tongue to hold back any extra comments he had.

Alp looked at him, confusion evident on his face before looking angry once more. "What are you trying to do, huh?! You think ya can just trick me like this? I'm not stupid just because I'm strong, redhead!"

While shaking his head, Klay held out his hands to try and calm Alp back down. "I'm not tricking you, I promise! We both know you're stronger than me, don't we? It's not like I can just decide that's not true…" He started to trail off as he realized Alp had stopped listening, instead staring intently at his hands. "Is there something wrong with my hands?"

Alp opened his mouth speechlessly as his brow furrowed slowly and deeply.

What's wrong, what could've happened?! Did I piss him off by showing him my hands? Is this some sort of symbol for a duel within bully circles?

"[With you having held your hands up, it's possible he realized the fact that your hands have significantly improved from the start of your conversation.]"

Unexpectedly, the system chimed into Klay's mind with a piece of news that was both dangerous and mortifying. His face blanched as he put his hands down slightly, watching Alp's face for any signs of danger. With worry flooding his mind, he activated Observation to give himself more of a heads up as best he could.

[Activating Level 2 Observation]

Alp Wolfe. Conflicted, thinking hard. Mouth moving, mouthing unknown words silently. Hands and arms continually tensing and relaxing. Mouth closed, stepping forward. Confused, angry. 

"What… what the hell? Your bruises are… going away. What the hell!" The stern and highly confused yell pulled Klay from the momentary trance of Observation.

"How are you healing?!" 

With those words, Klay clenched his hands and looked up at the taller Alp with determination.

Strike!

Klay's arm shot forward, his fist making a moderate sound against the soft flesh of Alp's neck. A short cough escaped from Alp, followed by an angry yell as his arm moved faster than Klay could've possibly expected and tightly wrapped around his wrist.

"Damn redhead!" Alp yelled out while practically throwing Klay off to the side, where he crashed on the ground with a yelp.

Without a moment's hesitation, Alp launched out from his spot and landed a powerful kick against Klay's side.

[Multiple broken ribs detected. Activating Level 3 Regen Focus]

Klay was sent farther down the path, groaning in pain as his body rolled to a halt. 

I have to stand up! Move body, move!

Under the watching eye of Alp, Klay managed to push himself off the ground, coming to a standing position as he held his side and breathed ragged breaths. 

I'm screwed if he catches me. Activate Contortion.

[Activating Level 1 Contortion]

I'll heal from this! I just need to move!

With those thoughts in mind, Klay began running as hard as he could down the path, not paying attention to the destination as much as getting away from Alp and his overwhelming strength.

His feet felt heavy as he fought through his exhaustion and injuries with each step. Behind him, Klay heard the distant sound of Alp yelling, followed by a series of loud and powerful steps quickly approaching. In a panic, Klay wrenched his body to the side as he ran, hoping to throw off the bull on his tail.

"You're a damn fish!" Alp yelled at Klay as he moved away, his hands just missing Klay. 

Alp, next to you. Enraged, out of breath. Breeze nearby, soft clunking noise from the barn. Barn door creaking, ahead. Breathing heavily. Pain.

As his mind was nearly overrun by thoughts of the pain he felt, Klay cut off his Observation and raised his arms to catch and stop himself from crashing into the side of the barn.

RATTLE!

Klay moved quickly, sliding into the gap of the door to the barn and grabbing the handle to shut it behind him. In response, the door, rendered immobile from the bent mechanism that allowed the door to slide, screeched without moving much farther along the track.

"Damn it! Close!" He yelled out as his ribs panged from the effort exerted to move the door. "Damn it!"

Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!

In a last ditch effort, Klay stuck the handle of the door several times. Within a few seconds, the door had slid enough that Alp wouldn't be able to fit through the gap, allowing Klay to breathe a sigh of pained relief.

"You punk! Don't hide in there! Face me redhead!" Alp's furious voice seemed to rattle the warehouse. Klay watched as Alp started trying to pry the door open wider, creating a loud creak in the process.

Damn it, leave me alone! Strike! Strike!

Klay used his ability more, letting his bruised fists pound into the hand of Alp. Alp yelled out and stopped wrenching open the door, instead starting to punch and kick against it violently. 

Klay hobbled his broken form away from the door, which threatened to fall down, giving up both the barn and Klay to Alp.

I need to plan here! What should I do? System, show me my stats!

[Name: Klay Wynne (Street Fighter)

Rank: Peasant (Base tier)

Exp: Level 5, 1/10

Stat Points: 3

Stats: 

[Strength: 16 (15.9)

Dexterity: 17 (16.9)

Flexibility: 14 (13.8)

Senses: 13 (13)

Intellect: 20 (20.3)

Stability: 15 (15.4)

Regeneration: 4.2]

Abilities: [Observation Level 2], [Regen Focus (Passive) Level 3], [Strike Level 1], [Contortion Level 1]

Additional Pages: Titles]

3 stat points? How, I thought I only leveled up twice! Damn it, it's not the time for questions! If I put them into Strength, will I be able to match him? It's unlikely, but maybe Strike will become strong enough to damage him. I can't do that right now, it's way too risky.

Add one point to Regeneration, and the rest to Flexibility!

[Adding 1 free stat point to Regeneration stat. 4.2 → 5.2]

[Adding 2 free stat point to Flexibility stat. 14 → 16]

After a short deliberation, Klay decided to split up his stat points, hoping to be able to avoid Alp long enough for an opportunity to appear. Immediately, he felt his body become slightly more limber, and the instinct from Contortion grew a small amount.