Chapter 4: First Fight
he air was thick with anticipation. The students of Bloodfang High formed a crude circle around Dikun and Jax, jeering and shouting, their laughter filling the dimly lit hallway. It was the kind of fight they thrived on — a weakling forced to prove himself against a monster.
Dikun's heartbeat pounded in his ears. His body still ached from the brutal training at Red Fang Boxing Gym, but this wasn't the gym. There were no punching bags. No instructors. Only Jax — broad-shouldered and grinning — ready to crush him.
> Skill: Boxing (F-Class) — 15%
The system remained silent. No encouragement. No advice. It wasn't going to fight for him.
"Last chance, Silver," Jax sneered, cracking his knuckles. "You can beg, and I might just let you off easy."
Dikun didn't respond. He wasn't going to run. Not this time.
---
The First Exchange
Jax wasted no time. He lunged forward, his massive frame covering the short distance between them in seconds. His fist swung wide — a predictable, heavy blow meant to end the fight before it started.
But Dikun had seen it before. At the gym, Kane had demonstrated that exact type of punch — a brawler's swing. Strong, but slow.
Dikun's instincts kicked in. His feet shifted slightly, weight balanced.
Dodge.
The punch sailed past his face, missing by mere inches. The crowd gasped, caught off guard by the sudden flash of agility.
But Jax wasn't finished. Snarling, he threw another punch, aiming straight for Dikun's ribs.
> System Notification:
Skill Progression: Boxing (F-Class) — 16%
Dikun's left foot slid back. This time, he saw the angle. The moment Jax's fist came close, Dikun twisted his torso, narrowly avoiding the strike.
"Control the distance. Breathe. Stay calm."
Kane's words echoed in his mind.
Jax stumbled slightly from the force of his missed punch, his confidence momentarily shaken.
"Think you're clever, huh?" he growled, rage flickering in his eyes.
---
Fight or Flight
Dikun's hands trembled. He wasn't used to this — the pressure, the adrenaline. But something stirred beneath the fear.
He remembered the hours at the gym, the sweat-soaked sessions against the heavy bag. Every strike had strengthened him, even if it didn't seem like much. The system had given him the basics, but now it was time to apply them.
Jax lunged again, faster this time. But Dikun saw it. A right hook. The wide swing left his opponent's side exposed.
> Opportunity Detected.
Dikun reacted. His feet planted firmly, twisting his hips as his right fist shot forward. A straight punch — clean, precise.
His knuckles slammed into Jax's ribs. The impact echoed through the hall.
"Urgh!" Jax stumbled back, clutching his side. The crowd roared in disbelief.
> System Notification:
Skill Progression: Boxing (F-Class) — 20%
Dikun's breathing quickened, but he stood his ground. His first real punch. And it hurt — not just for Jax, but for him. His knuckles throbbed, unused to the force.
But the damage was done.
---
The Predator's Rage
Jax's face twisted with fury. "You little…!"
Without thinking, he charged forward. Wild. Reckless. Every trace of composure was gone.
But Dikun didn't panic. He remembered Kane's lessons. Stay calm. Watch the body. The eyes lie, but the body tells the truth.
Jax's shoulder dipped. A telegraphed uppercut. Dikun's body moved on instinct, his legs shifting to the side. Jax's punch hit nothing but air.
> Skill Progression: Boxing (F-Class) — 25%
Dikun countered. This time, he didn't hold back. A left jab snapped into Jax's jaw, followed by a quick right cross. The strikes were far from perfect, but they connected. Jax stumbled again.
"He's actually fighting back!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"No way!"
But it wasn't over. Jax roared in frustration. With no sense of strategy, he swung wildly once more. Dikun saw it. Another opportunity.
> System Notification:
Opportunity for Finishing Blow Detected.
"Now."
Dikun shifted forward, fists clenched. His right hand launched into a swift, powerful straight punch — a textbook finish. It struck Jax's chin cleanly.
The force sent Jax crashing to the floor. Silence filled the air.
---
Aftermath
Jax lay sprawled, groaning in pain. The crowd remained still, their disbelief hanging in the air. Dikun, panting heavily, stared down at his fallen opponent.
> System Notification:
Victory Achieved.
Skill Progression: Boxing (F-Class) — 30%
Whispers broke out. The weakling had won. The rumors about Dikun going to Red Fang Gym weren't just gossip. He had actually fought back — and won.
But Dikun didn't smile. His fists still ached, and exhaustion weighed heavily on his body. He knew this wasn't the end. Bloodfang High was full of fighters far more dangerous than Jax.
"Next time…" Jax growled from the ground, clutching his jaw. "You're dead, Silver."
Dikun didn't reply. He simply turned away, pushing through the murmuring crowd.
He had survived. But the real fight was only beginning.
> Next Objective: Gain Recognition Within Bloodfang High.
Bonus Objective: Recruit First Member (0/10 Members)
And for the first time, the path before him didn't seem impossible.