Chapter Two: Level Up
---
I collapsed onto my bed, every muscle screaming. The clock read 2:47 AM.
[LEVEL UP SEQUENCE INITIATING...]
Blue light filled my vision. The HUD expanded, taking up my whole view. My stats floated in front of me like a character screen:
[PLAYER STATUS]
- Level: 2 → 3
- Health: 100 → 125
- Strength: 5 → 7
- Agility: 4 → 6
- Defense: 3 → 5
- Endurance: 4 → 6
[NEW SKILLS UNLOCKED]
- Combat Analysis (Passive)
* Automatically identifies enemy weak points
* Predicts attack patterns
* Success rate: 35%
- Grapple Resistance (Active)
* Reduces enemy grab damage by 25%
* Increases escape chance by 40%
* Stamina cost: 15 points
[COMBAT ACHIEVEMENTS]
- First Blood: Landed critical hit on higher-level opponent
- Underdog Victory: Survived encounter with 20+ level difference
- Quick Learner: Gained 3 skill points in single combat
[BONUS REWARDS]
- Skill Points Available: 3
- New Training Modes Unlocked
- City Map Access Granted
My head spun as I tried to process it all. Three skill points to spend. But on what?
The HUD provided suggestions:
[RECOMMENDED UPGRADES]
1. Enhanced Vision: See enemy movements before they happen
2. Quick Recovery: Reduce healing time between fights
3. Power Strike: Channel energy into devastating blows
I closed my eyes, thinking it over. The fight in the alley had taught me a lot. I was too slow, too weak. But most importantly, I couldn't see attacks coming until it was almost too late.
"Enhanced Vision," I whispered.
[SKILL POINT SPENT // ENHANCED VISION ACQUIRED]
The world suddenly shifted. Colors became sharper. Movement left trails in the air, like motion blur in a video game. I could track the path of a fly buzzing across my room.
Two points left.
"Quick Recovery."
[SKILL POINT SPENT // QUICK RECOVERY ACQUIRED]
[Passive Healing Rate +40%]
The bruises on my arms were already fading, turning from purple to yellow.
One point left.
"Power Strike."
[SKILL POINT SPENT // POWER STRIKE ACQUIRED]
[New Combat Option Available]
I felt energy surge through my arms, like electricity waiting to be released.
[TUTORIAL: Power Strike]
- Channel energy for up to 3 seconds
- Release to deal 2x damage
- Warning: Leaves user vulnerable while charging
- Stamina cost: 30 points
[
The HUD flashed with new notifications:
[NEW QUESTS AVAILABLE]
- Deal with school territory dispute
- Investigate local gang activity
- Master your unique abilities
- Build reputation: Currently "Unknown"
[DAILY OBJECTIVES]
- Train Power Strike skill
- Practice Enhanced Vision
- Heal completely before next combat
[AREA ANALYSIS]
- School Zone: Level 1-5 Threats
- Downtown: Level 5-10 Threats
- Red Light District: Level 10-15 Threats
- Industrial Zone: Level 15-20 Threats
I sat up, testing my new abilities. The room looked different through Enhanced Vision. I could see the structural weak points in my desk, the stress points in my backpack straps. Even the worn spots on my baseball bat glowed faintly, showing me the perfect grip position.
A message appeared in the corner of my vision:
[LOCAL THREAT ASSESSMENT]
- School Bullies: Level 2-4
- Street Gangs: Level 5-8
- Local Thugs: Level 7-10
- Professional Criminals: Level 15+
I needed to be smart about this. Unlike a game, I couldn't just reload if I made a mistake. These were real people - dangerous people. They might not have HUDs or power-ups, but they had experience. Numbers. Real fighting skills earned the hard way.
[COMBAT TIP: Real-world experience can override level advantages]
The HUD was teaching me something important. Just because I could see stats and level up didn't mean I was invincible. That guy in the alley nearly destroyed me with pure skill and experience.
Tomorrow would be interesting.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
******
[ Testing Grounds ]
---
5:30 AM. Perfect time to test these new abilities.
I snuck out to the abandoned parking lot behind the old factory. My usual training spot, except now everything looked different through Enhanced Vision.
[TRAINING GROUND ANALYZED]
- Concrete Pillars: Suitable for strike practice
- Rusty Chain-link Fence: Agility course potential
- Empty Oil Drums: Moving targets
- Guard Rail: Balance training
I started with Power Strike. Facing a concrete pillar, I channeled energy into my fist. Blue light swirled around my arm.
[Power Strike Charging...]
- 1 second: 1.3x damage
- 2 seconds: 1.7x damage
- 3 seconds: 2.0x damage
The energy built up, making my arm vibrate. At three seconds, I released.
BOOM!
My fist hit the pillar. Cracks spider-webbed across the concrete. Pain shot through my knuckles, but it was different now. More like feedback than injury.
[Power Strike Experience: 10%]
[Structural Analysis: Impact force would break human ribs]
"Holy..." I whispered, staring at the damaged pillar.
[WARNING: Power Strike creates notable noise]
[Recommended: Train stealth skills to avoid detection]
Right. Better be more careful. I didn't want to attract attention.
I moved to the chain-link fence. With Enhanced Vision, I could see the strongest paths for climbing, the weak spots to avoid. My hands and feet found perfect holds without even thinking about it.
[Agility Training Active]
[Movement Efficiency: 40% → 45%]
Then I heard voices. Three guys walking through the lot. They wore red bandanas - North Side street rats. Level 3 threats, according to my HUD.
I pressed against the wall, activating Enhanced Vision. I could see:
- One had brass knuckles in his pocket
- Another was favoring his right leg
- The leader's jacket was restricting his arm movement
[STEALTH OPPORTUNITY]
- Avoid combat: 70% chance
- Surprise attack available: 90% damage bonus
- Multiple opponents: Extreme caution advised
They were getting closer. My heart pounded, but the HUD remained calm, analyzing everything:
[Combat Analysis]
- Enemy Formation: Triangle
- Weapon Threat: Low
- Experience Level: Street Fighting
- Victory Chance: 43%
I had options:
1. Run: Easy escape route to the left
2. Hide: Stay still, 80% chance they pass by
3. Fight: Risk vs Reward analysis available
But something made me pause. This was perfect practice. Real opponents, but low-level ones. A chance to test my new abilities against multiple targets.
I stepped out of the shadows.
"Hey!" The leader spotted me. "This is our turf, kid."
[BATTLE START]
[Multiple Opponent Combat Tutorial Initiated]
Time to see what I could really do.
The HUD lit up with combat predictions, movement paths, and weak points. This wasn't just about power anymore. It was about using everything I'd learned.
I smiled as they surrounded me. Every fight was experience. Every hit was progress.
And I had a lot of leveling up to do.
***
The three street rats spread out, trying to circle me. My HUD lit up like a Christmas tree.
[COMBAT ANALYSIS ACTIVE]
Target 1 (Leader):
- Level: 3
- Threat: Medium
- Weakness: Restricted arm movement
- Fighting Style: Boxing background
Target 2 (Brass Knuckles):
- Level: 3
- Threat: Medium-High
- Weakness: Telegraphs punches
- Fighting Style: Brawler
Target 3 (Limping):
- Level: 2
- Threat: Low
- Weakness: Injured right leg
- Fighting Style: Untrained
[TACTICAL OPTIONS]
- Focus Leader: Disrupt command
- Target Weakness: Injured opponent first
- Defensive Formation: Back to wall
"Last chance to walk away," the leader said, cracking his knuckles.
I chose Option 2. The guy with the limp was my best first target.
[Enhanced Vision Active]
Time seemed to slow. I could see their muscle tensions, predicting who would move first. The leader was waiting for Brass Knuckles to make the first move.
Right on cue, Brass Knuckles lunged.
[Counter Attack Available]
[Suggested Combo: Dodge → Trip → Power Strike]
I moved without thinking, letting the HUD guide me. I sidestepped his punch, my foot shooting out to hook his ankle. As he stumbled, I channeled energy into my fist.
[Power Strike Charging... 40%]
Not full power, but enough.
BAM!
My fist connected with his shoulder. He spun, crashing into the limping guy.
[COMBO x2!]
[Damage Dealt: 45 + 25]
[Experience Gained: 50]
"What the hell?" The leader's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.
[New Combat Tactic Unlocked: Opponent Collision Damage]
Two down, momentarily. But the leader was different. His stance changed, hands up like a proper boxer.
[WARNING: Opponent Skill Level - Amateur Boxer]
[Standard Attacks Less Effective]
He threw a jab-cross combo. Fast. Clean. Even with Enhanced Vision, I barely dodged the second punch.
[Agility Check Failed]
[Damage Taken: 15]
Pain exploded in my ribs. This guy knew how to punch.
[Quick Recovery Activated]
[Pain Reduction: 40%]
I needed to change tactics. Boxing relied on rhythm, on staying in the sweet spot. So I broke the rhythm.
Instead of backing up, I stepped in closer, too close for his punches to have full power. The HUD highlighted his jacket's restriction. His elbows couldn't turn in properly.
[Grapple Opportunity Detected]
I grabbed his jacket, yanked down, and brought my knee up.
[Critical Hit!]
[Damage Dealt: 75]
He doubled over, wheezing.
But I'd forgotten about Brass Knuckles. Pain exploded in my kidney as his metal-clad fist found its mark.
[Critical Damage Taken!]
[Health: 85%]
[Endurance Test Active]
I staggered, but something was different. The pain... it felt like data. Like numbers I could push through.
[Adrenaline Rush Activated]
[All Stats +10% for 30 seconds]
Time to end this.
I spun, channeling everything into a Power Strike. Three full seconds of charge.
[Power Strike: MAXIMUM CHARGE]
[Warning: High Stamina Cost]
My fist lit up with blue energy. Brass Knuckles didn't even have time to blink.
WHAM!
The punch caught him square in the chest. He flew back three feet, landing hard.
[Super Effective Hit!]
[Opponent Status: Disabled]
[Experience Gained: 150]
The leader and limping guy scrambled up, dragging their friend away.
"Freak!" one of them shouted back.
I leaned against the wall, catching my breath.
[BATTLE RESULTS]
- Enemies Defeated: 3
- Experience Gained: 200
- New Skills Practiced: 3
- Combat Rating: B+
- Areas for Improvement:
* Watch your six
* Manage stamina better
* Utilize environment more
[LEVEL PROGRESS: 15%]
My hands were shaking, but not from fear. From excitement. The HUD wasn't just giving me powers - it was teaching me how to fight smart. How to read opponents, spot weaknesses, adapt tactics.
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: Clean Up North Side]
[Reward: Reputation Increase, Experience Boost]
I checked my phone. 6:15 AM. School started in two hours.
Time to head home and ice these bruises. Tomorrow, I'd have to deal with a different kind of enemy - the school's boxing team captain who'd been shaking down freshmen for "protection money."
But now? Now I had a system. A way to grow stronger.