The Next Challenge

The Second Fight

The next night, Noah stood in Warehouse 9. The atmosphere was different here. More dangerous. The fighters weren't just students looking for a thrill—these were real competitors.

Xander stood beside him, watching the crowd. "Tonight won't be easy."

Noah exhaled slowly. "I figured."

Then his opponent stepped forward.

A girl.

She was shorter than Noah, lean, but something about her made his instincts scream.

Xander cursed under his breath. "That's Mira Kane."

Noah frowned. "And?"

"And she's one of the best counter-fighters in the Underground."

Mira tilted her head, cracking her knuckles. "Heard you beat Greg," she said, her voice calm. "Let's see if that was luck."

The fight started.

Noah charged in, throwing a quick jab—

Mira dodged.

Before he could respond, a quick elbow struck him in the ribs.

Fast!

Noah stumbled backward, clenching his teeth.

She wasn't Greg. She wasn't using brute force.

She was waiting. Observing.

Noah took a deep breath. If he charged in blindly, she'd rip him apart.

---

A Battle of Wits

He readjusted his position, circling her rather than charging.

Mira grinned. "Figured it out, huh?"

Noah said nothing.

He had to be smarter.

He pretended to throw a jab—Mira recoiled, prepared to strike back—

Noah didn't finish.

He turned and kicked her side with a swift kick.

It landed.

Mira's eyes went wide as she retreated.

Noah advanced, sending a flurry of light strikes, making her respond.

Get her to move. Get her to make a mistake.

She attempted to strike back—Noah dodged.

She kicked—Noah blocked and retaliated.

He whittled her down piece by piece.

Then he noticed it.

A small error.

She leaned too far forward—

Noah struck.

A crisp uppercut.

CRACK.

Mira's head jerked back—her body collapsing to the ground.

There was silence in the warehouse.

Then—a chorus of cheers.

Noah breathed hard, his body shaking.

He had done it.

Two fights done. One remaining.

System Notification:

[Victory Accomplished!]

[New Skill: Counterstrike (Triples damage when countering an opponent's attack)]

Noah's fists clenched. He was growing stronger.

But the true fight lay yet to come.

And as he gazed upward, he saw someone observing him.

Not Ryan.

Not Xander.

Someone else.

Someone dangerous.

Noah stood in the dark alley behind Warehouse 13, his breathing still ragged from the battle. His body hurt, but his mind was clear, reliving every moment of the battle with Greg and Mira.

They were quick—lightning quick—but somehow, he had managed to keep pace. No, better than that… he had triumphed.

But something was niggling him.

His fingers spasmed as he accessed his System Interface.

[Verifying Skill Log…]

There was nothing.

No notification.

No skill steal.

Noah scowled. That wasn't right.

I should've stolen something from them… right?

The System had been explicit—he could steal skills from those more powerful than him by defeating them. Greg and Mira were quicker, more skilled, and members of the Underground Tournament. He had risked everything in that battle, anticipating a reward.

So why was there no new skill notification?

"Did something go wrong?" he complained to himself.

---

The System's Response

Just when doubt began to creep in, a familiar blue light flashed in front of his eyes.

[System Notification: Delayed Processing Complete.]

[You have stolen the skill: Agility Boost (Greg).]

[You have stolen the skill: Rapid Steps (Mira).]

Noah's eyes widened.

It worked.

The System had stolen Greg's and Mira's agility-based skills—but why did it take so long to process?

Before he could overthink it, another notification popped up:

[New Passive Ability Unlocked: Enhanced Reflexes.]

(Using Agility Boost and Rapid Steps together has given a new passive ability.)

Noah's body shivered.

This wasn't a small increase.

This was new.

---

Feeling the Change

Noah balled and unballed his fists. His muscles were. different. Lighter. Quicker. More responsive.

His body wasn't merely stronger—it was changing.

He crouched low, checking his speed with a swift step forward.

WHOOSH!

He had traversed the alley in a flash before he even knew it.

His heart was racing.

That was quick.

He spun around quickly, testing it once more.

WHOOSH!

This time, his actions were even quicker, smoother, and totally effortless.

Noah grinned.

"Now we're talking."

---

Xander's Observation

Xander, who had been observing from afar, narrowed his golden eyes.

That speed… it's already getting better?

He had been monitoring Noah's improvement since the fight, and what he just witnessed confirmed it—Noah wasn't normal.

Noah spun to face him, barely holding in his excitement. "You saw that, didn't you?"

Xander folded his arms, his face impassive. "Yeah. And you're getting stronger quicker than you should."

Noah shrugged, experimenting with his new agility. "Guess I'm just put together differently."

Xander was sarcastic. "Sure. Keep on telling yourself that."

But he was curious inside.

Noah had been nothing a few weeks before.

Now?

He was climbing too quickly.

And Xander wasn't the only one who would notice.

---

The Tournament Awaits

"Alright, show's over," Xander said. "Your third Underground Tournament match is coming up. You'll need to be more than just fast to win."

Noah's smirk didn't fade. "Don't worry. I'm just getting started."

He had stolen from Greg and Mira.

Who else would be next?

And how strong would he become?

One thing was certain—Noah Carter was no longer the wimp people had believed him to be.

And the Underground Tournament?

---

The Storm Before the Fight

Noah stood outside Warehouse 13, his breath fogging in the chill of the night air. The fights underground had stretched him to the breaking point, but he'd learned—quickly, strongly, cleverly.

One last fight.

Xander leaned on the wall next to him, arms folded. "This last one's not like the others," he said. "If you win, you won't just gain praise. You'll gain enemies."

Noah smiled. "Good. I'm sick of being overlooked."

Xander's face grew serious. "You're not hearing me. This battle isn't about you. Someone doesn't want you to win."

Noah didn't have time to react before a voice he knew well sneered behind him.

"Well, well. Looks like the loser reached the finals."

Noah turned to see Ryan walking towards him, arms folded, his typical arrogant grin plastered on his face.

"You should give up now, nerd. Jace is not someone you can defeat."

Noah clenched his jaw. "I guess we'll see.

Ryan snorted. "Suit yourself. Don't cry when he breaks you."

That, he strode off into the sea of people.

Noah breathed slowly. He won't break me.

---

Entering the Arena

Warehouse 13 was not like the others. The crowd was larger, the air thick with tension. As soon as Noah entered, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

They weren't here for the fight. They were here for someone to lose.

Then he spotted him.

Jace Calloway stood in the middle of the ring. Tall, muscular, but utterly calm. He had on a sleeveless hoodie, hands taped in black.

His gaze met Noah's. Cold. Calculating.

Noah advanced, rolling his shoulders.

"Another one?" Jace grumbled, voice low. "They're really sending me weaklings now."

Noah smiled. "Ha. I was thinking the same thing."

The crowd cheered in expectation.

A buzzer went off.

The last match started.

---

Jace's Strength

Noah moved first, testing his new speed. He darted forward—

Jace barely moved.

Noah swung—Jace dodged effortlessly.

A sharp impact—Noah's ribs exploded in pain.

He was airborne before he realized what happened.

CRASH!

Noah hit the ground hard. The world spun. His body screamed.

Jace hadn't even looked like he tried.

The crowd erupted.

"You're fast," Jace mused, shaking out his fist. "But speed means nothing when you're weak."

Noah gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. No. I'm not weak.

---

Counterattack

He activated Enhanced Reflexes—the world slowed down.

Jace moved in for another strike.

This time, Noah saw it.

He dodged by an inch—then countered with a precise elbow to Jace's ribs.

Jace's body jerked slightly.

His eyes flickered with interest. "Oh?"

Noah pressed forward.

Left hook—Jace blocked.

Knee strike—Jace parried.

But now Noah was keeping up.

For the first time, Jace had to take him seriously.

The battle degenerated into a violent game of speed and brute force. Noah's quickness kept him on his feet, dodging every crushing blow while striking back.

But Jace was relentless. Powerful. Accurate. His experience was too much.

Noah knew—if he continued like this, he'd lose.

He required a new tactic.

---

Breaking the Pattern

Jace was too good at straightforward combat. But Noah observed something—Jace never backed off.

He was arrogant.

Which made Noah able to utilize that.

He faked a stumble, dropping his guard just so.

Jace noticed the opening and came in for the kill.

Noah was ready.

At the last moment, Noah dodged and delivered a crushing spinning kick—

SMASH!

Jace stumbled.

The warehouse was silent.

Noah didn't hesitate. He threw a final, full-force punch directly to Jace's jaw—

CRACK!

Jace went down.

The referee counted—

One… two… three…

Noah held his breath.

Four… five… six…

Jace wasn't getting up.

Seven… eight… nine…

"…TEN!"

The crowd went wild.

Noah had won.

---

Ryan's Challenge

[System Notification: Victory Accomplished!]

[New Skill Stolen: Endurance Mastery (Jace Calloway)]

[System Upgrade Detected… Processing…]

Noah barely had time to process before a slow clap echoed through the warehouse.

Ryan stood near the ring, smirking.

"Well, look at that. The loser actually won something."

Noah exhaled, still catching his breath. "If you're here to talk trash, save it."

Ryan stepped closer. "Oh, I'm not here to talk."

He cracked his knuckles. "I'm here to challenge you."

Noah's eyes narrowed.

Ryan smiled. "One month from today. Me and you. No excuses."

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

Noah had anticipated this. Ryan had never given him a moment's peace in school—why should the Underground be any different?

Noah smirked. "Fine. One month."

Ryan's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Don't get too used to that victory, nerd. I'll beat you soon enough."

With that, he turned and strode away.

Xander let out a sigh. "Great. Like you didn't already have enough issues."

Noah balled his fists.

One month.

That was all he had.

He had beaten Greg.

He had beaten Mira.

He had beaten Jace.

Now he would beat Ryan.

And when he did?

He wouldn't just be the geek they used to torment.

He would be someone they feared.

---