Chapter Three: Trial by Combat
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Monday morning. Westbrook High looked different through Enhanced Vision.
[LOCATION ANALYZED: Westbrook High School]
- Threat Level: Low to Medium
- Hostile Forces: Level 2-5
- Civilians Present: Exercise Caution
- Quest Active: Stop Protection Racket
I could see stress points in the hallway crowd - which kids were scared, which were looking for trouble. The boxing team's "collectors" had most of the freshmen terrified.
[Social Analysis Active]
- Student Fear Level: High
- Protection Money Collection: Tuesdays
- Main Enforcer: Derek Chen, Boxing Team Captain
- Known Associates: 6 team members
My HUD highlighted Derek before I even saw him. He was by the lockers, all six feet of lean muscle earned from years of training. Level 5 - the highest I'd seen at school.
[Target Analysis: Derek Chen]
- Level: 5
- Class: Amateur Boxer
- Strength: High
- Technique: Advanced
- Weakness: Overconfidence
- Note: Real boxing experience may exceed level rating
"Hey, new kid!"
I turned. One of Derek's collectors - Tommy Wu, according to my HUD. Level 3.
[Combat Warning]
- Opponent: Tommy Wu
- Intent: Intimidation
- Backup: 2 teammates approaching
- Witnesses: 12 students, 0 teachers
"Heard you missed payment last week," Tommy said, cracking his knuckles. "Derek wants to talk."
I could feel my new abilities itching to be used. But this wasn't some dark alley. This was school.
[Tactical Options]
1. Comply: Avoid conflict, lose resources
2. Resist: High risk, potential reputation gain
3. Negotiate: 35% success chance
4. Delay: Wait for better conditions
"Now's not a good time," I said, choosing Option 4.
Tommy grabbed my collar. "Wasn't asking."
[Grapple Defense Available]
[Warning: School Rules - Limited Combat Options]
I could break his grip easily with my new skills. But that would raise too many questions. I needed to be smart about this.
"Fine," I said. "Let's talk to Derek."
Tommy smirked, shoving me toward the gym. His two buddies fell in behind us.
[Squad Analysis]
- Tommy Wu: Level 3, Aggressive
- Mike Santos: Level 3, Cautious
- Jay Park: Level 2, Inexperienced
The gym was empty except for Derek, hitting a heavy bag. Each punch was perfect - years of training visible in every movement.
[Combat Analysis]
- Boxing Experience: 3+ years
- Tournament Record: 15-2
- Fighting Style: Technical boxer
- Power Level: Exceeds visible stats
My Enhanced Vision caught every detail of his technique. The way he shifted his weight, the rotation of his shoulders, the snap of his punches. The HUD was learning, analyzing.
[New Combat Data Acquired]
- Boxing combinations logged
- Counter strategies updating
- Threat assessment: Higher than expected
Derek stopped punching, turned to face me. "Heard you've been causing trouble."
"Just trying to get by," I said.
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He smiled. Not a nice smile. "Everyone pays. That's the rule."
[Dialogue Options]
1. Pay up (Safe option)
2. Refuse (Triggers combat)
3. Challenge system (Risk/Reward)
4. Gather intel (Delay tactics)
I chose Option 3. "What if we changed the rules?"
The gym went quiet. Tommy and his friends stopped smirking.
Derek raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Fight me," I said, the words coming out before I could stop them. "I win, you stop shaking down freshmen. You win, I pay double."
[WARNING: High-Risk Challenge]
- Victory Chance: 31%
- Reward: Reputation boost, quest completion
- Risk: Severe injury, increased harassment
Derek laughed. "You serious?"
I nodded, heart pounding. The HUD was already mapping out strategies, analyzing angles, preparing combat assists.
"After school," Derek said. "Behind the gym. No witnesses."
[Quest Updated: Stop Protection Racket]
- New Objective: Defeat Derek Chen
- Time Limit: 6 hours
- Preparation Required
- Reward: School Territory Control
Tommy shoved me toward the door. "Hope you've got good health insurance, kid."
I walked to class, my mind racing. Six hours to prepare. Six hours to figure out how to beat someone with real boxing experience.
The HUD flashed:
[Training Options Available]
- Study boxing techniques
- Practice counter strategies
- Upgrade defensive skills
- Map combat area
[Current Status]
- Health: 100%
- Energy: 95%
- Combat Readiness: 67%
This wasn't just about levels and stats anymore. This was about changing things. Making a difference.
First step: Survive until after school.
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The afternoon sun cast long shadows behind the school gym. I arrived early, using Enhanced Vision to scan the area. My HUD highlighted potential hazards and escape routes with faint blue outlines.
Location Analysis:
- Threat Level: Medium
- Witnesses: 0
- Escape Routes: 3
- Combat Space: Limited
Derek was already there, wrapping his hands with the precision of someone who'd done it thousands of times. My HUD analyzed his movements, updating his profile:
Target Analysis - Derek Chen:
- Level: 5
- Class: Boxing Team Captain
- Threat Rating: High
- Combat Style: Orthodox Boxing
- Known Advantages:
- 3 years boxing experience
- Superior reach
- High endurance
- Weakness Detected: Overconfidence
"Thought you might chicken out," Derek said, rolling his shoulders. My HUD marked the motion as a preparatory combat stance, estimating an 87% chance he'd open with a jab.
Combat Options:
1. Defensive Stance (75% success rate)
2. Pre-emptive Strike (32% success rate)
3. Attempt Negotiation (12% success rate)
I chose the defensive stance, activating Quick Recovery as my passive buff. The familiar blue glow of my HUD interface intensified, highlighting Derek's movements in slow motion.
The first punch came exactly as predicted – a quick jab that my Enhanced Vision helped me slip past. But Derek wasn't some thug in an alley. His follow-up hook caught me in the ribs despite my Block attempt.
Damage Received: 15 HP
Current Health: 110/125
New Data: Target's striking speed exceeds initial estimates
The pain was sharp and real, reminding me that this wasn't just a game. I activated Combat Analysis, watching as the HUD mapped Derek's attack patterns. Three quick exchanges taught me more about boxing than I'd learned in my entire life.
Combat Analysis Results:
- Pattern Recognition: 45% complete
- Opponent's Stamina: 92%
- Recommended Action: Maintain distance, avoid corners
Derek pressed his advantage, backing me toward the gym wall. But with each punch, my Combat Analysis improved, marking his telegraphed movements with red indicators before they happened.
Critical Opportunity Detected
When his next combination came, I was ready. I slipped his jab, blocked the cross, and activated Power Strike. The HUD highlighted his exposed ribs in bright red. My counter-punch landed clean, enhanced by the stored energy.
Critical Hit Confirmed!
Damage Dealt: 45
New Skill Unlocked: Counter Punch Mastery I
Derek stumbled back, genuine surprise replacing his confident smirk. "What the hell was that?" he muttered, more to himself than me. His health bar had dropped significantly, but I knew better than to get cocky.
The fight continued, becoming a dance of analysis and adaptation. My HUD tracked every movement, suggesting counters and highlighting openings. But Derek's experience kept him in the game – he adapted too, switching up his patterns just as my system started recognizing them.
Ten minutes in, we were both breathing hard. My stamina bar flashed warning yellow, and Derek's movements had slowed. The next exchange would decide it.
Status Update:
- Health: 75/125
- Stamina: 35%
- Combat Analysis: 78% complete
- Power Strike: Ready
- Enhanced Vision: Active (2 minutes remaining)
Derek launched his signature combination – the one my HUD had finally mapped completely. Time seemed to slow as Enhanced Vision kicked in at full power. Jab, cross, hook... but this time, I saw the uppercut coming before he even shifted his weight.
I sidestepped, letting his punch graze my shoulder instead of my chin. In that moment of overextension, my HUD lit up with the perfect counter opportunity. I didn't hesitate.
Power Strike activated, channeling everything I had left into one perfectly placed liver shot. The HUD's targeting reticle turned from yellow to green just before impact.
Critical Hit Confirmed!
Combo Bonus: Counter + Power Strike
Experience Gained: 450
New Level Available!
Derek dropped to one knee, his health bar critically low. He tried to stand but couldn't quite manage it.
"We're done here," I said, my own legs shaky but holding. "The protection racket ends today."
"Who... what are you?" Derek asked between heavy breaths.
I looked at him through my HUD display, watching as his threat level decreased and a new notification popped up:
Quest Complete: School Territory Dispute
Reputation Increased: Westbrook High
New Quest Available: Rising Champion
Territory Status: Neutral Zone Established
"Just a guy who doesn't like bullies," I replied, turning to leave. My HUD flashed one final notification:
Warning: Target's Known Associates May Seek Retaliation
Recommended Action: Prepare for Increased School Territory Conflicts
As I walked home, my mind was already on the level-up screen waiting to be accessed. Something told me I'd need every skill point I could get.
XP Gained: 450
Current Level: 3 → 4
New Skills Available
Territory Status Updated
Quest Log Updated