Alex stopped suddenly, his senses jolted. He turned towards the alley to witness an unexpected scene:Tom, the bully who had symbolized arrogance and cruelty in his eyes, was standing with two others, relishing in torturing Simon. Simon was lying on the ground, his arms wrapped around his thin body in a desperate attempt to shield himself from the relentless kicks.
At that moment, Alex's look shifted from exhaustion to deep darkness. His eyes widened slowly, and a grim glint began to appear in them. His facial expressions changed dramatically; the signs of fatigue and resignation faded, replaced by a furious countenance brimming with anger. His lips were tightly pressed together, strained in a way that suggested he was stifling the rage within him, and his jaw muscles were tense, his teeth clenched tightly as he struggled to control the explosive emotions.
His body trembled with repressed fury, his hands gripping his bag so tightly that the knuckles were white, almost as if they might burst from the pressure. This was no fleeting anger; it was a seething rage, burning with all the pain he had endured over the years, when he himself had been a victim of bullying and assault.
His heart was pounding unusually fast, as if it might leap from his chest. He could feel the blood boiling in his veins, pushing him towards an explosion. This was not just a momentary burst of anger but a revival of old wounds, all the emotions he had suppressed over the years.
"Oh my God, what kind of monsters are these?" Alex muttered quietly, his face full of disgust and fury. His eyes were fixed on Tom, tracking every movement as if his sharp gaze could pierce through him.
In his mind, Tom was not just a bully; he represented all those who had hurt him in the past, every moment of weakness he had experienced, every time he had felt powerless. Every kick Tom directed at Simon reminded Alex of similar moments he had lived through, as if they were being inflicted on him all over again.
Alex's breaths grew heavier and deeper. His eyes never left Simon's pained face. He saw himself in him, the child unable to defend himself. His heartbeat quickened, and he felt his hand rise slightly by his side, as if preparing to strike. All it would take is a tiny spark, and his anger would erupt like an unrelenting volcano.
Alex's features were tightly drawn, his eyes burning with an unquenchable fire. He knew deep down that he would not let this injustice continue any longer. But at the same time, he tried with all his strength to control himself, waiting for the right moment to intervene, unsure how he would endure this internal explosion of conflicting emotions.
Alex watched the scene with his angry eyes, maintaining a suspicious calm, as if a volcano was about to erupt inside him. He took a deep breath and began to move slowly towards the bullies.
He approached them with steady steps, standing at a short distance, his voice deep and calm as he said, "Stop now." His words were simple, but their impact was like the calm before a storm.
Tom and the other bullies turned towards Alex, looking at him with mockery and disdain. Tom, who had his hand on Simon's shoulder as if he owned the world, raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "Oh, look who decided to play the hero. What are you going to do, Alex?"
Another bully, a large young man, laughed loudly and added, "You really think you're brave, don't you? Let me tell you something... if you don't shut up and get out of here now, you'll be next!"
Tom approached Alex slowly, his eyes filled with contempt. "Don't you know how things work around here?" he said in a low, menacing tone. "We decide who gets beaten and who doesn't. And if you stay here, I'll make you replace that filthy rat on the ground." He pointed at Simon, who was still lying there, laughing derisively.
Alex did not move, not even a blink. His gaze was sharp, almost piercing through Tom and his companions. He felt his anger intensify, but he kept it under tight control. His jaw was clenched, but he kept his voice calm. "I warn you... stop now."
The other bully, who was standing behind Tom, laughed mockingly and said, "You're really serious, aren't you? What do you think you are, Superman?"
Tom came even closer, his face just inches from Alex's. "I won't repeat this, kid. Leave before I shove your head into that damn wall." But Alex stood firm in front of the bullies, his eyes blazing with repressed anger, though he kept his voice calm and his words sharp as a sword: "Stop now…."
Tom looked at him with scorn, but instead of backing down, he raised his hand and slapped Alex hard across the face. The slap was surprising, its sound echoing through the air, but Alex did not move. His head turned slightly from the impact, but his eyes remained locked on Tom, burning with an anger that could not be extinguished.
"You don't understand, do you?" Tom said with a smug smile, then the other bully spat on Alex. The saliva hit his face, but he didn't wipe it away. Alex could feel the insult piling up inside him, layers upon layers of anger increasing with every moment.
The third bully, who had been watching with mockery, stepped forward and pushed Alex hard in the chest. "Do you feel like a hero now, Alex?" he said, pushing him again, trying to shake his stance.
Alex staggered slightly from the shove, but his feet remained planted firmly on the ground. He was not seeking a fight, but the bullies' actions were pushing him to the edge of his patience.
Tom came even closer, his face full of contempt, and said mockingly, "You really don't understand what you've gotten into, do you? You're just a nobody. A worthless person, like this scum on the ground." He pointed at Simon, who was still lying there, watching the scene with eyes full of fear and weakness.
Alex's eyes blazed even more with anger, every cell in his body yearning to explode. He knew his tolerance for these insults had reached its limit. Every slap, every shove, every spit pushed him further towards an explosion he could no longer delay.
Alex took a deep breath, raised his head slowly, and met Tom's eyes directly. "I warned you..." His words were simple, but behind them was a storm of anger ready to ignite.
As the atmosphere crackled with anger and insults, Alex felt a sudden sting in his forearm where the tattoo was. A digital notification glowed in red before his eyes:
"Bullies identified as enemies. All stats will temporarily increase by two points."
________________________
Alex's Mental and Physical Status:
∆ Strength: 2 (+²)
∆ Speed: 1 (+²)
∆ Agility: 0 (+²)
∆ Stamina: 2 (+²)
∆ Intelligence: 6 (+²)
___________
The words danced before him, like a proclamation of the power he was about to unleash. Warmth radiated from the tattoo, as if an invisible energy began to flow through his body, enhancing his strength, speed, and endurance.
Without hesitation, Alex's response was swift and decisive. He charged at the first bully who had spat on him and shoved him, delivering quick, precise punches, as if a whirlwind of blows had been unleashed. The first punch struck the bully's nose with a sharp crack and a horrifying sound, followed immediately by another blow to his jaw, sending him reeling and collapsing to the ground unconscious.
The second bully attempted to attack, but Alex spun with agility and landed a powerful side kick. Fueled by the tattoo's energy, his foot connected with the bully's stomach with such force that the bully was propelled backward, crashing into the wall with a loud thud before falling motionless.
But Tom was no easy target. He possessed body-enhancing abilities, making Alex realize he had to be cautious. Tom glanced at his fallen friends and then fixed his gaze on Alex with a predatory grin. "You think you can keep up with me now, huh? Let me show you how the big leagues play."
In an instant, green energy erupted around Tom, visibly enhancing his muscles and hardening his skin. He advanced toward Alex with unexpected speed, delivering a powerful punch to his face. But Alex, bolstered by the newfound strength from the tattoo, dodged the blow at the last moment, feeling Tom's fist rush past his head, creating a strong gust of air.
Alex retaliated with a punch of his own, but Tom's enhanced body barely flinched. Alex staggered back a step, realizing this fight would not be easy. Tom moved in again, aiming a strong strike at Alex's chest. Alex pushed himself back, but the hit landed partially, causing him to take a few steps back, breathing heavily.
Alex knew the power gained from the tattoo would not last long and had to make every moment count. He attacked Tom again, targeting his weak points. He delivered a series of rapid blows to Tom's chest and abdomen, looking for that moment when he could break through Tom's defenses.
Tom felt the pressure mounting and tried to regain control with a powerful blow from his enhanced fist. But Alex, using his newfound speed, ducked at the right moment and narrowly avoided the punch. Seizing the opportunity, Alex delivered a forceful kick to Tom's knee, followed by a direct strike to his throat.
The blows were not devastating on their own but were enough to destabilize Tom. Realizing he could no longer enhance his abilities, Tom began to tire, while Alex continued to fight with unyielding determination.
In the end, Alex executed a swift, surprising move, using his full body's momentum to deliver a powerful punch to Tom's chest, causing Tom to drop to his knees. Blood trickled from Tom's mouth, and his eyes began to glaze. Tom tried to stand, but Alex did not give him another chance. He closed in and delivered a final blow to Tom's head, knocking him to the ground, unconscious.
Alex stood there, breathing heavily, watching Tom's body lying on the ground. Exhaustion began to creep into his muscles, but he knew he had won. The tattoo on his forearm began to settle, with one last glow before returning to its normal state.
Alex felt weakness seeping into his body. His legs could barely support him, and the world around him started to narrow. The powerful strikes he had delivered to Tom and his accomplices were losing their momentum, as if all his energy had been drained in those few moments. He began to feel dizzy, his vision blurring.
Suddenly, a faint sound cut through the tense silence. It was Simon's voice, mingled with fear and concern, calling from nearby: "Alex! Hang on! Are you okay?!"
But the world around him grew darker and darker, and all that remained was Simon's voice drawing closer, then he felt a hand grasping him, Simon's voice pleading, "Alex, please stay conscious!" These were the last words he heard before plunging into complete darkness.
As Alex slowly regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a bed in a bright white room illuminated by soft sunset light. He felt a heaviness in his body, but the pain wasn't severe; it was more of a deep exhaustion from the battle.
He looked around and saw Simon sitting beside him in a chair, his head tilted slightly as he slept deeply, as if fatigue had overtaken him. Simon's face bore a youthful expression, far removed from the worry Alex had seen earlier.
Alex smiled faintly and reached out slowly to touch Simon's arm. Simon immediately woke at the sensation of movement. His eyes flew open, and he seemed to take a moment to understand the situation before speaking in a calm, reassuring tone: "You're awake... Thank God."
"Don't worry, Simon," Alex said weakly but comfortingly, "I'm fine, just... a bit tired."
Simon sighed with noticeable relief but tried to mask his concern. "You passed out suddenly; I didn't know what to do. But they said it was just severe exhaustion."
"Yes, it was a bit draining," Alex said with a faint smile, "but don't worry, Simon. Thank you for staying by my side."
Simon looked at Alex with a hint of embarrassment before replying, "I wouldn't have left you there after everything you did. It was the least I could do."
Alex felt a warm comfort in his heart. Despite the lingering fatigue, he said with a light-hearted tone, "I guess we made it through together this time, didn't we?"
Simon chuckled softly and said, "I hope so."
Alex closed his eyes again, feeling a sense of calm envelop him. "Simon... I feel like I've gained a new friend."
Simon smiled and said quietly, "And I feel the same."
Silence fell over the room once more, but this time it was a comforting silence, like the end of a long, hard day. As Alex relaxed on his pillow, he knew this was a new beginning, and perhaps... the end of one chapter of his life and the start of another, brighter one.
Or so he hoped...
to be continued…