Bully Lord

Part-116

As they (James and Zia) caught their breath, James felt a deep sense of accomplishment. He had come a long way since his first day at the Judo club.

The primary reason James had the upper hand against the experienced Zia wasn't just because of his basic Judo skill set, but also due to his superior stats.

Currently, James boasted a combined stat total of 132 points, whereas Zia had only 93 points. The difference was apparent and played a significant role in their match.

Zia, catching his breath, smiled wryly. "Looks like I need to practice more. I didn't expect to lose to you in terms of pure Judo technique."

James smiled back. "You’re still superior when it comes to Judo technique."

Zia chuckled and said, "You’re really something else. You're a natural in combat. You should consider joining the defense forces or the police. You’d excel there."

"You think so? I wish I could be one," James replied thoughtfully. "But I want to be a detective, like my third uncle."

Zia looked surprised. "Oh, your uncle is a detective? That’s cool!"

James grinned. "I know, right? Detectives are cool."

Their conversation continued as they cooled down, both reflecting on the intense sparring session. Zia couldn’t help but admire James’ rapid progress and raw talent. Despite his superior Judo techniques, he realized that James' enhanced physical attributes made him a formidable opponent.

James, on the other hand, felt a renewed sense of purpose. He appreciated Zia’s encouragement and was motivated by the idea of one day following in his uncle's footsteps. The journey to becoming a detective seemed more attainable with each passing day.

As they wrapped up their training session, James couldn't shake off the excitement of his recent victory. He knew he had a long way to go, but the taste of progress was sweet. The combination of his stats and growing skills gave him confidence, and he was eager to see where this path would lead him.

As James packed his gear, preparing to leave the Judo club, he noticed an unusual scene unfolding on the far side of the mat. Ryan and Sourov, usually engaged in their own intense training sessions, were huddled together, their faces illuminated by the screen of a smartphone. There was a palpable tension in their body language, a stark contrast to their usual camaraderie.

Curiosity piqued, James approached the duo, his voice cutting through the silent tension. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked, his tone casual.

Ryan, visibly startled, quickly lowered the phone, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "Oh, it's nothing," he stammered, a forced laugh escaping his lips.

Sourov, however, seemed less concerned about hiding the situation. "Sourov ordered a camera," he explained, his voice laced with frustration. "A really good one, but cheap."

James raised an eyebrow. "And?" he prompted, his interest piqued.

"And," Sourov continued, his voice filled with exasperation, "the seller isn't responding. He already paid an advance, and now he is worried he scammed us."

James nodded in understanding. Scams involving online purchases were becoming increasingly common. He felt a pang of sympathy for Sourov. Losing money was always unpleasant, but losing money on something you've been looking forward to was even worse.