The crowd murmured with excitement as Isa and Zul faced each other in the middle of the courtyard. The air was thick with tension, and every eye in the school was on them. Zul crossed his arms, his smirk as sharp as ever.
"So, what's this about, Isa? Trying to embarrass yourself again?"
Isa stepped forward, his voice steady. "This time, it's different."
Zul raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Different how?"
Isa looked him straight in the eye, ignoring the snickers and whispers around him. "If I win, Stacy becomes my girl."
The crowd erupted in gasps and laughter. Stacy, standing nearby, froze in shock. Her face flushed red, and she opened her mouth to say something but stopped when Zul turned to her with a mocking grin.
"You hear that, babe?" Zul said, his voice dripping with condescension. "This loser thinks he's got a shot at you."
Isa didn't flinch, his gaze unwavering.
Zul's grin widened as he turned back to Isa. "Fine. But if I win…" He paused for dramatic effect, leaning in closer. "I get to beat your sister."
The crowd went silent. Even the usual chatter of students halted as Isa's jaw clenched. Zul's words were like a slap, but Isa didn't back down.
"Deal," Isa said, his voice low but firm.
"Are you both crazy?" Azlan's voice boomed from behind the crowd. The students parted to let him through, his imposing figure radiating authority. "You're settling this over a fight? And dragging innocent people into your mess?"
Zul chuckled. "Stay out of it, Azlan. This is between me and Isa."
Azlan ignored him, looking directly at Isa. "Do you even realize what you're doing? This isn't just some playground brawl. You're playing with people's lives here."
Isa took a deep breath. "I know. But this is the only way."
Azlan's eyes narrowed, then he sighed. "Fine. If you two are so eager to bash each other's heads in, then do it properly."
"What do you mean?" Zul asked, crossing his arms.
Azlan pointed toward the sports hall. "The boxing ring. You both fight there—rules, referee, everything. None of this street brawl nonsense."
The crowd murmured in agreement. Some even nodded, their excitement growing at the prospect of a real fight.
Isa nodded. "Agreed."
Zul hesitated for a moment but then shrugged. "Sure, why not? I'll beat you no matter where it is."
Azlan crossed his arms. "Good. The fight will be this Saturday. I'll oversee it myself. Until then, no cheap shots or dirty tricks. Got it?"
"Whatever," Zul said, already walking away. "Just don't cry when I'm done with you."
Isa stood his ground as the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only Joseph, Azlan, and Stacy nearby.
"You're an idiot," Joseph muttered, shaking his head. "Do you even have a plan?"
Isa smirked. "I've got more than a plan. I've got the System."
Isa spent every waking moment preparing for the fight. The System provided him with a new set of missions, each designed to sharpen his skills and push him to his limits.
[New Missions Assigned: Prepare for the Showdown.]
1. Complete 500 push-ups and sit-ups in a single day.
2. Spar with Azlan for 3 consecutive days.
3. Perfect your advanced combat skill.]
Isa wasted no time.
The first day, he hit the park at dawn, his muscles burning as he powered through the grueling routine.
Joseph sat nearby, watching with a mix of awe and concern. "I don't get you, man. You're going all out like your life depends on this."
"It does," Isa replied between breaths.
"You're going to get yourself killed," Joseph said, shaking his head. "Zul's no joke. He's bigger, stronger, and meaner."
Isa paused, wiping sweat from his forehead. "That's why I have to win. Not just for me, but for everyone he's hurt."
Joseph didn't argue. He could see the determination in Isa's eyes.
By midweek, Isa was sparring with Azlan in the school gym.
"Alright," Azlan said, wrapping his hands. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't win you this fight."
Isa nodded, raising his fists. "Then teach me."
Azlan didn't hold back, throwing quick jabs and sharp hooks. Isa struggled to keep up at first, but with each round, he improved.
[Advanced Combat Skill Progress: 50%]
"Not bad," Azlan said, stepping back after their third session. "You've got speed, but you're still telegraphing your moves. Zul will see those punches coming a mile away."
Isa nodded, already running scenarios in his head. The System chimed in.
[Host's combat efficiency increased by 10%.]
"Again," Isa said, determination burning in his eyes.
Saturday arrived, and the boxing ring in the sports hall was packed with students. Word had spread, and almost the entire school had shown up to watch Isa and Zul settle their score.
Stacy sat in the front row, her expression a mix of worry and disbelief. She hadn't spoken to Isa all week, but now she couldn't tear her eyes away from him as he climbed into the ring.
Zul was already there, rolling his shoulders and grinning. "Ready to get humiliated?"
Isa didn't respond. He focused on Azlan, who stood in the center of the ring as the referee.
"Alright, listen up," Azlan said, his voice booming over the murmurs of the crowd. "This is a clean fight. No cheap shots, no dirty moves. You fight until one of you is knocked out or can't continue. Got it?"
Both fighters nodded.
Azlan stepped back, raising his hand. "Let's get it on!"
The bell rang, and the crowd erupted.
Zul came out swinging, his fists flying with brutal speed and power. Isa ducked and weaved, his newfound agility keeping him just out of reach.
"You can run, but you can't hide!" Zul roared, throwing a wide hook.
Isa saw the opening and countered, his fist slamming into Zul's ribs. The crowd gasped as Zul staggered slightly, but he quickly recovered, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Not bad," Zul growled. "But it's not enough."
He charged forward, forcing Isa to backpedal. Zul's strength was overwhelming, and Isa struggled to find openings.
[Host's stamina critically low.]
Isa's breathing grew heavier as Zul's punches grazed him, each one coming closer than the last.
"Come on, Isa!" Joseph shouted from the sidelines. "You've got this!"
Isa gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't overpower Zul, but he could outthink him.
As Zul swung wide again, Isa ducked low and delivered a sharp uppercut to his jaw. Zul stumbled back, momentarily stunned.
[Advanced Combat Skill Activated.]
Isa pressed the advantage, landing a flurry of quick jabs to Zul's midsection. The crowd roared as Zul fell to one knee, gasping for air.
But it wasn't over yet.
Zul roared, pushing himself to his feet. "You're dead!"
He lunged at Isa with everything he had, throwing wild, powerful punches. Isa dodged most of them, but one caught him square in the chest, sending him sprawling.
The room went silent as Isa struggled to get up, his vision swimming.
"Stay down," Zul said, standing over him.
Isa's mind raced, the System's voice cutting through the haze.
[Warning: Host's endurance is critically low.]
[Suggestion: Use tactical evasion and counter.]
Isa clenched his fists, forcing himself to his feet. "Not… yet," he muttered.
[Webnovel System: (Reader's name)
Proceed to a new chapter { Y/N ?}]