Chapter 7 – Hunting for Masters

Ethan woke up early, his mind still buzzing from last night's revelations. His body felt rested, but his thoughts were racing. The System was powerful, but it had limits—and limits could be broken.

He had a plan.

If he wanted to push himself further, he had to find the best—people who had spent years mastering their craft. If he copied from them, he'd gain not just basic abilities but high-level skills.

And there was no better place to start than a gym.

The Iron Fist Boxing Club wasn't far from Ethan's apartment. It was a well-worn place, with faded banners of old champions hanging on the walls. The scent of sweat and leather filled the air. The rhythmic sounds of gloves hitting bags and trainers shouting instructions created an atmosphere of discipline and skill.

Ethan lingered by the entrance, watching.

A young fighter was in the ring, ducking and weaving under his coach's punches. His movements were precise, practiced. Every dodge was calculated, every counterpunch sharp.

Ethan's fingers twitched.

This was what he needed.

[NEW SKILL DETECTED: BOXING (INTERMEDIATE). COPY?]

A rush of excitement hit him.

"Yes."

[SKILL COPIED. INTEGRATING… COMPLETE.]

The moment it finished, his body felt different. His muscles tensed slightly, his stance shifted naturally. He understood balance, footwork, the way to throw a punch without even trying.

This was real combat knowledge.

His heart pounded.

But he wanted more.

Ethan's eyes moved across the gym, searching for someone better—someone who wasn't just good, but elite.

Then, he saw him.

An older man, lean and muscular, wrapping his hands in the corner. His movements were slow, deliberate. There was no wasted motion, no hesitation. Even as he tied the wraps, there was efficiency in every movement.

A trainer whispered something to a young fighter nearby.

"That's Logan 'Steel' Carter. Former pro. Retired now, but still one of the best boxers in the city."

Ethan's breath hitched.

This was it.

If he could copy from Logan, he wouldn't just have an intermediate skill—he'd have something far more powerful.

But there was a problem.

Unlike before, Ethan couldn't just stand and watch. If he stared too long, he'd look suspicious.

He needed a way to observe without being obvious.

And then, an idea struck him.

Ethan approached the front desk, putting on his best casual smile. "Hey, I was thinking of signing up for some classes. Any trial sessions?"

The woman at the desk nodded. "Yeah, we do a beginner's intro class. You ever boxed before?"

Ethan hesitated for half a second. Technically, no. But the System had just given him intermediate-level boxing knowledge.

"I've done a little," he said with a shrug.

"Great. Coach Logan's running today's session. You'll be learning from one of the best."

Perfect.

Fifteen minutes later, Ethan stood in front of Logan Carter.

The man had an aura of quiet confidence. His sharp eyes swept across the group of newcomers before he spoke.

"Boxing isn't just about throwing punches," Logan said, his voice calm but firm. "It's about control. Control of your body, control of the fight, and most importantly—control of yourself."

Ethan was hanging onto every word.

Logan moved with fluid grace, demonstrating proper stance, footwork, how to pivot, how to guard. His movements were perfect.

Then, the notification came.

[NEW SKILL DETECTED: BOXING (ADVANCED). COPY?]

Ethan's breath hitched.

This was the highest-tier skill he had ever copied.

His mind screamed at him to do it, to take this now.

"Yes."

[SKILL COPIED. INTEGRATING… COMPLETE.]

A rush of fire shot through his veins.

This time, it wasn't just knowledge. It was power. His balance shifted, his breathing adjusted, his muscles twitched in ways they never had before.

He wasn't just copying a skill.

He was becoming a fighter.

Logan walked through the class, correcting stances, adjusting posture. Then he stopped in front of Ethan.

"You," Logan said, eyeing him carefully.

Ethan tensed. "Yeah?"

"You said you've boxed before?"

Ethan hesitated, then nodded. "A little."

Logan narrowed his eyes. "Show me a jab."

Ethan's body reacted instantly.

His foot shifted slightly, his fist snapped forward in a textbook-perfect jab. The movement was sharp, controlled, fast.

Too fast for a beginner.

Logan's gaze darkened.

"Again."

Ethan threw another. Perfect again.

The other students had stopped, watching the interaction. Logan studied Ethan for a long moment before speaking.

"Who trained you?"

Ethan's mind raced.

"I… uh, picked up a few things watching fights."

Logan exhaled through his nose. "Watching fights doesn't make you move like that."

Ethan swallowed. Shit.

Logan stepped back. "Alright. If you're that good, let's see you spar."

Ethan's stomach twisted.

This wasn't part of the plan.

"Coach, I'm just here for the beginner's class," he said quickly.

Logan folded his arms. "You move like an amateur trying to act like a pro. I wanna see what you've actually got."

A few guys in the gym chuckled. Someone muttered, "Dead man walking."

Ethan's heart pounded.

He had the skill. He had Logan's skill.

But was it enough?

He swallowed hard and nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."

The gym fell quiet as Logan gestured toward the ring.

Ethan climbed in, his breath steady.

This was it.

His first real fight.

End of Chapter 7