Bully Lord

Part-87

Curled up in his bed, James drifted off to sleep, exhaustion finally claiming him. Dinner had been a blur, the food barely registering on his taste buds. Every muscle in his body ached, a testament to the grueling fight he'd just finished. 

The culprit? Not just the physical exertion, but the hidden cost of "Crazy Mode," as he now realized the System's enhanced performance mode could be called. It had pushed him to his absolute limit, granting him superhuman strength and reflexes at the expense of his stamina. 

Despite the bone-deep weariness, a flicker of satisfaction warmed his chest. He'd won. Against all odds, he'd defeated a seasoned Judo athlete, albeit with the help of the System. Yet, there was a fundamental difference between this victory and the one against Sourov. This time, he'd used more than just brute force. Auto Combat, with its ever-calculating mind, had guided him, exploiting Ryan's weaknesses and adapting to his strategies. It was a strategic win, a glimpse into the true potential of the System.

"Stronger," James murmured into the darkness, the word echoing in the quiet room. He longed to be stronger, not just for himself, but to live up to the legacy of his father, a figure shrouded in mystery yet radiating an aura of power. Tonight, however, dreams of cryptic messages and hidden abilities would have to wait. Sleep, the most powerful and necessary tool in any warrior's arsenal, claimed him completely.

The next morning, James woke to the gentle caress of sunlight filtering through the window. Though his body still ached, a newfound sense of purpose coursed through him. The System, once an enigma, was slowly revealing its secrets. He understood its limitations – the dependence on stamina, the lack of emotional control in Auto Combat mode – but he also glimpsed its immense potential. With training, with a deeper understanding of his own body and the System's workings, he could become more than just a fighter. He could become a force to be reckoned with.

Rising from his bed, James stretched, the familiar twinges in his muscles a welcome reminder of yesterday's victory.

He, a complete novice, had triumphed against a seasoned Judo fighter, and it was all thanks to the System. However, since the system was ultimately his own power, he didn't feel any guilt about using it.

The power it offered, the ability to push his body beyond its perceived limits, filled him with a thrilling sense of potential. He envisioned himself, honed and sharpened by the System, one day reaching the level of his father – a legendary figure in this hidden world. Images of himself, strong and capable, protecting those he cared about, flickered in his mind's eye.

A notification materialized in the air before James' eyes, jolting him out of his morning reverie. It pulsed with a faint blue light, the same shade as the ones he'd encountered before.  This one, however, held a new message:

Mission 14: Join the Judo Club at school. Reward: All stats will increase by +3. Penalty for failure: Food Poisoning.