Ren Yamazaki woke up the next morning drenched in sweat. His body ached from the repetitive motions of jabbing and holding his stance. The stiffness in his muscles was a sharp reminder that his body was still young and weak, untrained and untested. But despite the pain, there was a faint smile on his face.
"This is nothing," Ren thought as he pushed himself out of bed, his feet hitting the cold wooden floor. "I've endured worse in my past life. If this is what it takes to rewrite my story, then so be it."
The System chimed in as soon as he stretched his sore limbs.
"Good morning, Ren Yamazaki. Today's mission is a continuation of your training. Your target is to perfect the jab and enhance your footwork."
[Mission Updated]
Task: Refine Jab Technique & Begin Footwork Drills
Reward: 200 Points, Basic Boxing Footwork Unlocked
Ren smirked. "Footwork, huh? Let's see what you've got."
But before he could begin his training, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway outside his room. The door slid open without warning, and a tall figure loomed in the doorway. It was Daichi Yamazaki, one of Ren's elder half-brothers, with broad shoulders and a sneer that could freeze fire.
"Ren," Daichi spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "What the hell are you doing locked up in here? Scared to show your face at breakfast like the little coward you are?"
Ren stood still, staring at Daichi. In his past life, he would have cowered, stammered, maybe even apologized for existing. But this was a new life, and he was no longer the same Ren.
"I'm busy," Ren said, his tone sharp and clipped.
Daichi's sneer deepened, and he stepped into the room, towering over Ren. "Busy doing what? Dreaming of not being useless? Face it, runt—you'll always be the weakest link in the Yamazaki Clan."
Ren clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. The insult burned, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he stepped back into his stance, his feet steady, his fists raised.
Daichi's laughter boomed. "Oh, so the black sheep thinks he can fight now? This is rich!"
"You'll see," Ren said, his voice low but firm. "I'll show you what I'm capable of soon enough."
"Big talk from someone who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag." Daichi's voice was mocking, but his eyes glinted with amusement. "Fine, let's see what you've got. Throw a punch, little brother."
Ren hesitated. He knew he wasn't ready for a fight yet, but backing down wasn't an option either. He steadied his breathing, focusing on the System's guidance.
"Stay calm. Precision over power," the System whispered in his mind.
Ren lunged forward, throwing a jab aimed at Daichi's face.
Daichi moved faster than Ren expected, sidestepping the punch with ease. His hand shot out, grabbing Ren's wrist in a vice-like grip. With a smirk, he twisted, sending Ren stumbling.
"Pathetic," Daichi muttered, tossing Ren aside like a rag doll. "You'd better stick to hiding in this room if you know what's good for you."
Ren hit the floor hard, the wind knocked out of him. But as he lay there, gasping for breath, a thought burned in his mind.
"This is just the beginning. I'll get stronger, no matter what it takes."
Daichi left the room with a laugh, the sound echoing down the hall. Ren sat up slowly, clutching his wrist. His pride stung more than his body, but he refused to let it break him.
"Mission Progress: 20%," the System chimed.
Ren smirked through the pain. "One day, Daichi," he muttered, "you'll regret underestimating me."
For the rest of the day, Ren threw himself into training. The System guided him through footwork drills, emphasizing balance and precision.
"Step lightly. Shift your weight. Always be ready to move."
Ren followed the instructions with relentless focus, each step more confident than the last. His body screamed in protest, his legs trembling from the effort, but he pushed through.
By the time night fell, his movements were smoother, his punches faster. He wasn't strong yet, but he was improving. And that was enough to keep him going.
As he collapsed onto his futon, drenched in sweat, the System chimed once more.
"Mission Complete. Reward: 200 Points. Basic Boxing Footwork Unlocked."
Ren grinned despite his exhaustion. He was one step closer to his goal.
"This is just the beginning," he thought as sleep claimed him. "I'll rise to the top of this clan, no matter what it takes."
--End of Chapter 2--