Part-52

  The ued mission notification hung in the air, a stark blue challenge against the backdrop of the fading light. James' mind raced. Fighting these bullies held the promise of a reward – the Snake Jab teique – a tempting proposition in his quest for self-defense.

  The sight of the girl, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and a flicker of hope, shifted his focus. He couldn't simply abandon her, not after stepping forward.

  The girl spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't have to do this," she said, her words surprising James. "They're not worth it. Just leave."

  Her plea ignited a newfouermination within him. Looking her in the eye, he offered a reassuring smile, a silent promise that he wouldn't let them intimidate her anymore.

  "Looks like I have to e ass. I hope you guys don't g to your seniors and begging for revenge," James told them.

  Before the bullies could react further, James unched into a. His body moved with a newfound fluidity, fueled by the knowledge from the martial arts book and a surge of adrenaline. He apply the "Kangaroo Cut" teique, the powerful uppercut that felt surprisingly natural during his training.

  Fog on the boy who had spped him, James spun on his heel, pnting his feet firmly on the ground. His core ewisting with power as he threw a mighty uppercut. The impact was swift and brutal. The bully's head snapped back, a surprised yelp esg his lips before his entire body ropelled several meters through the air. He nded with a siing thud on the grass, groaning in pain.

  Silence desded upon the clearing, broken only by the gasps of the remaining bullies and the girl's startled cry. They stared at James, their faces a mixture of shock, fear, and a hint ing respebsp; Even the mission notification seemed to flicker momentarily, as if surprised by the swiftness of James' a.

  James stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He wasn't sure what had just happened, how he'd managed such a powerful blow.

  He looked at his fist and muttered, "That owerful and satisfying, no cap."

  The clearing echoed with the stunned silehen the bully leader, the tall, broad-shouldered boy, roared in fury. "What are you looking at? That was just a fluke. Beat that bastard!" he screamed, his voice crag with a mix of anger and shame.

  The remaining bullies, spurred by their leader's and, lu James in a clumsy mess. James, fueled by adrenaline and a newfound fidence, met their attack with surprising grabsp; He sidestepped the first boy's wild swing, the momentum carrying him past before he effortlessly pivoted on one foot. James shed out with a powerful sp, eg with the side of the sed bully's fabsp; The impact echoed through the night, leaving a hand-shaped red mark on the bully's cheek and a stunned look in his eyes.

  Emboldened by his success, James pressed his advantage. He knew a full-blown fight could escate quickly, and the looming threat of the seniors hung heavy in the air. He o disable his attackers swiftly and effitly. While kicks weren't his stro suit yet, the book had offered some basistrus. He chambered his leg with surprising speed, aiming for the retreating bully's calf. The impact wasn't as devastating as his uppercut, but it ected with a satisfying thud, sending the bully stumbling and yelping in pain.