Chapter 2
660 Words
The world around Ethan felt sharper, the neon lights brighter, the sounds crisper. The rain that trickled down his face no longer registered as cold—it was simply there. His exhaustion, his hunger, the weight of despair that had been pressing down on him just minutes ago… all of it faded into the background as his focus narrowed on the man in front of him.
Scarface.
The leader of the small gang of thugs, grinning like a wolf sizing up its prey. His gold teeth glinted in the dim light of the convenience store behind him. The two men flanking him smirked, clearly amused at the thought of watching their boss beat down a half-starved beggar.
Ethan clenched his fists, his heartbeat a drum in his ears.
> [Mission Updated: Defeat Scarface in combat to claim food.]
[Failure Consequence: Humiliation and continued starvation.]
Failure wasn’t an option.
Scarface cracked his knuckles. “Alright, beggar boy. Let’s see if you’ve got any fight in you.”
The system’s countdown still ticked in the corner of Ethan’s vision. 23:58… 23:57…
He had to act fast.
The First Strike
Scarface lunged first, swinging a heavy right hook.
Ethan barely managed to dodge, his sluggish body responding a fraction too late. The fist grazed his shoulder, sending a sharp jolt of pain through him. Damn. He’s strong.
Scarface sneered. “That all you got?”
Ethan didn’t answer. He couldn't afford to waste energy on words. Instead, he pushed forward, aiming a punch at Scarface’s gut.
> [Warning: Host’s Strength is significantly lower than opponent’s.]
Too late.
Scarface caught his wrist mid-swing and drove a knee into Ethan’s stomach.
The impact stole the air from his lungs. His body folded in on itself as pain exploded through his torso. He hit the pavement hard, gasping for breath.
Laughter erupted from the other two thugs.
Scarface loomed over him. “I expected at least a little fight.” He raised his boot. “Pathetic.”
The kick was coming straight for Ethan’s ribs.
> [Adrenaline Surge Activated: +5% Reflex Speed for 10 Seconds]
Suddenly, everything slowed.
Ethan twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the stomp. The concrete cracked where Scarface’s boot landed. He rolled away, sucking in ragged breaths.
> [New Status Effect: Pain Suppression (Active for 60 Seconds)]
The system was helping him. It wasn’t just giving him missions—it was enhancing him.
If he could push through, if he could land just one good hit—
Ethan surged forward, this time aiming lower. Scarface barely had time to react as Ethan drove his shoulder into his opponent’s knee, knocking the thug off balance.
Scarface cursed, stumbling back. Ethan seized the opening and threw a wild punch at his face.
> [Basic Combat (Lv.1) Activated: +10% Attack Accuracy]
The punch connected.
Scarface’s head snapped to the side. A deep growl rumbled in his throat as he touched his jaw, his expression shifting from amusement to rage.
“You little—”
He didn’t finish. Ethan didn’t give him the chance.
He followed up with another strike, this time aiming for Scarface’s throat. The thug barely managed to tilt his head, the punch glancing off his jaw instead of landing cleanly.
> [Basic Combat EXP Gained: 5%]
Scarface spat blood onto the pavement, his smirk completely gone. "Alright, you bastard. No more games."
He lunged.
This time, Ethan was ready. The system’s enhancements made him just a bit faster, his reflexes just a bit sharper. He sidestepped, barely avoiding Scarface’s swing, and retaliated with a kick to the back of the thug’s knee.
> [Strike Successful: -5 HP to Opponent]
Scarface staggered, but he was too experienced to go down that easily. Instead, he twisted mid-fall, lashing out with a sweeping punch that caught Ethan’s ribs.
Pain flared, but the system’s suppression dulled it enough for Ethan to stay standing.
> [HP: 18/25]
One of the thugs watching let out a low whistle.
- Writer
