Part-38

  Two days of releraining followed. James, fueled by a newfouermination and a dash of recklessness, threw himself into mastering his thundercp. He meticulously followed the blue window's instrus, fog on proper form and eling his aggression. The makeshift pung bag, now a sorry colle of ripped fabrid dispced stuffing, bore the brunt of his efforts. His arms ached, his knuckles stung, but with each successful thundercp, the blue window ticked upwards, dispying his progress.

  Finally, after a particurly grueling session, the familiar chime echoed in the room. James, panting heavily, focused his blurry vision on the blue window. A wave of relief washed over him as the message flickered ience:

  "Thundercp Sp Skill Upgraded to Rank E. Rank E (0/500). Description: It deal 35% of your pyer attack power with each successful hit."

  He had do! A small smile pyed on his lips. Rank E wasn't world-beating, but it was a signifit improvement. But before he could bask in his aplishment, another message materialized on the window, bringing a jolt of surprise.

  "gratutions! You receive a new skill: Kangaroo Cut. It's an uppercut teique."

  "Kangaroo Cut. Rank D (0/1000). Description: You deliver 80% of your total strength when you successfully eeoh an uppercut."

  Rank D? And 80% of his total strength? This was a whole new level of power. Excitement bubbled within him, tinged with a healthy dose of caution. This new skill sounded devastating, but also potentially dangerous. He imagined himself unleashing a mighty uppercut, sending someone flying across the room – the image both thrilling and terrifying.

  Hesitantly, James raised his hand, picturing the uppercut motion described in the blue window. He visualized eling the same energy he used for the thundercp, but directed upwards in a powerful hook. A tingliion spread through his arm, a surge of pathering in his fist. He smmed his fist upwards into the air, stopping just short of making tact with the ceiling(exaggerate). The air crackled with unseen energy, a sileament to the raw power at his fiips.

  A jolt of surprise coursed through James as a new notification flickered on the blue window, pulling his attention away from his newfound uppercut teique. This one wasn't the familiar progress update for his skills. It was a simple stat update, devoid of expnation:

  **Name: James Khan**

  **STR - 8.1 (UP +1)**

  ** - 14 (UP +1)**

  **DEX - 7 (UP +1)**

  **INT - 6 (UP +1)**

  **WIS - 4 (UP +1)**

  **CHA - 13 (UP +1)**

  He blinked, rereading the information. Every single one of his stats had increased by one point. Uhe skill upgrades that came with targeted training, this felt… random. He flexed his arm experimentally, a subtle surge of strength c through his muscles. His mind raced, searg for an expnation. Was it a reward for his ret progress? Or was the Bully System subtly enhang him in preparation for something bigger?

  A shiver ran down his spihe ck of expnation was uling. The System seemed to operate on its own whims, doling out rewards and punishments with an impersonal effibsp; He yearo uand its purpose, its ultimate goal. But for now, all he could do t this ued boost and tiraining.

  As James closed his eyes, fog on his breath, he felt a distinct ge within him. It wasn't just the physical increase in strength. There was a sharper crity in his thoughts, a newfound sense of focus. Could this be the effect of the increased stats, or was it something more?

  He wasn't sure, but ohing was certain – the Bully System was more than just a way to gain bat skills. It was ging him, both physically aally.