The next morning, Chen Yan woke up. different. It wasn't the satisfaction of having earned a quick 600 yuan or the smug System gloating in the background. No, this was something else.
His body felt alive-his muscles lighter yet stronger, his senses sharper. He sat up and flexed his hands. A faint warmth pulsed in his fists, subtle yet unmistakable.
"Morning, champ," the System greeted, its voice overlying with fake enthusiasm. "How's it feel to wake up as a slightly less pathetic version of yourself?"
Chen Yan huffed, rolling his eyes. "I feel fine. What the hell did you do to me?"
"Nothing much. Just a small enhancement. Your new ability-Iron Fist-unlocks the hidden power of your body, enabling you to utilize strength and precision in combat. Dynamite in the fist-if that makes sense. Not that you have anything to boast about just yet."
Until finally, Chen Yan's curiosity took the better of him and he stood up to have a look around the dorm room. His roommate Wang Qi lay sleeping on the top bunk, snoring away. Perfect.
He strode over to the wall beside the door and made a fist with his right hand. The energy started building up, as he focused his breathing and punched.
The room seemed to fill with the sound of cracking plaster.
Chen Yan stumbled backward, staring in wide-eyed disbelief at the fist-sized indentation he'd just placed in the wall. "Holy shit," he whispered.
"Impressive, huh? Don’t get too excited, though. You’re still squishy. Get cocky in a real fight, and you’ll end up as street pizza."
Chen Yan glared at the glowing blue screen that appeared in his peripheral vision. "You’ve got a real way with words."
The System chuckled. "Thanks for noticing."
---
In the morning, after all the classes, Chen Yan wanted to go to the plaza in campus for a simple meal. A sea of students was present in the campus plaza enjoying their free time. Snacks and cold drinks were sold by vendors, while the air reverberated with bursts of laughter and humming conversations.
Chen Yan took a baozi at a stall and sat on a bench, feeling the warmth of the steamed bun against the coolness of the autumn breeze.
That was when he noticed the dispute.
Opposite over the plaza, beside an alley that was barely wide enough to drive down stood a small woman - small in physical size, but obviously much larger in attitude - corralled by two men. She had very long black hair outlining a sharp, determined face.
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The two were much larger, both in black leather jackets that screamed wannabe gangsters. One jabbed a finger in her direction, his voice loud enough to carry.
"Don’t give me that crap, girl. Your brother owes us, and if he doesn’t pay, we’ll take it out on you."
"I told you," the woman snapped, her voice steady despite the threat. "I don’t have the money. My brother will handle it. Just give him a few more days."
The second thug laughed, a low threatening sound. "We have heard that one before. Now, either cough up the cash or come with us. Boss might enjoy having a chat."
A familiar knot tightened in Chen Yan's chest, the same feeling he had so many times in his first life when he'd been too afraid to act.
"I smell a hero complex brewing," the System chimed, "Better sit tight, champ, no shame in running away."
Chen Yan gritted his teeth. "You're such a prick, you know that?"
"Guilty as charged. But seriously, don't do anything stupid. These guys don't play around."
That's when the screen popped up:
[Task 2: Defend the Innocent.]
Objective: Protect Lin Xia from harm.
Failure: Severe penalties.
Chen Yan's face froze. "Severe penalties? What kind of penalties?"
"You don't want to find out," the System said ominously.
Chen Yan muttered under his breath. "You really like pushing me, don't you?"
"What can I say? You're fun to mess with."
---
Chen Yan stood, stuffing the rest of the baozi into his mouth. He approached the alleyway, his heart racing while trying to show a relaxed composure.
"Hey!" he called out, his voice steadier than he had expected.
The two thugs turned around, their eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you?" the first one asked.
Chen Yan shrugged, forcing a smirk. "Just a guy who doesn't like to watch assholes harass women. Why don't you step back before this gets ugly?"
The second thug laughed. "Oh, we've got a comedian here. You want to play hero, kid? Fine. Let's see how funny you are after we break your face."
Chen Yan's pulse coursed as the first of the thugs leapt for him. There was little time in which to think, and yet somehow his body managed to take on a life of its own. Heat coursed through his fists, up his arms, as, in one swift movement, he dodged under the swing coming for him and socked the thug square into his gut.
The thug doubled over, wheezing.
Chen Yan's eyes widened in surprise. "Holy shit. That actually worked."
"Focus, dumbass!" the System barked.
The second thug charged, swinging a metal pipe he'd pulled from his jacket. Chen Yan barely dodged; the pipe whistled past his ear. Instinct kicked in for him, and he counterattacked with a right hook to the thug's jaw. The impact sent the man sprawling.
Adrenaline coursed through Chen Yan’s veins as the first thug recovered, pulling a knife from his pocket.
"Alright, kid. You’re dead."
For a moment, panic threatened to overwhelm him. Then the System’s voice cut through his thoughts.
"Activate Iron Fist, idiot!"
Chen Yan took a deep breath and felt his fists burn with warmth. The instant that thug pounced on him, Chen Yan dodged and delivered a strong fist onto his wrist. A knife fell on the ground, accompanied by a fistic pound to the side of this thug's head. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The alleyway was quiet again.
Chen Yan stood over the two thugs, his fists still trembling from residual energy. Then he turned to the woman, who had wide eyes fixed on him.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded slowly. "Yeah. I… I don't know how to thank you."
Chen Yan rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly embarrassed. "Don't mention it."
---
As they stepped back into the plaza, the woman introduced herself. "I'm Lin Xia. My brother's in some trouble with those guys. Thanks for stepping in."
Chen Yan nodded. "Chen Yan. And don't worry about it. Just… stay safe, alright?"
Lin Xia hesitated, her sharp gaze studying him. "You're stronger than you look. That wasn't just adrenaline, was it?"
Chen Yan forced a laugh. "What can I say? I've got a mean right hook."
Before she could press further, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, which displayed a notification from the System:
[Task 2 Complete: Reward Unlocked – Minor Agility Boost]
Chen Yan smirked. "I've gotta go. Take care of yourself, Lin Xia."
---
Back in his dorm, Chen Yan fell onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. His body was aching all over from that fight, but a small, warm sense of pride curled up in his chest.
The System's voice returned, devoid of mockery this time. "Not bad, rookie. You might actually survive this game after all."
Chen Yan let out a sigh. "Thanks… I think."
But once the adrenalin wore off, there was this nagging little voice in his head. Who were those guys? And why does the System seem so hell-bent on putting him in harm's way?
One thing was certain, however: this was only the beginning.