NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Chapter 9: A Month of Growth
The Kamogawa Gym buzzed with its usual energy, but the fighters inside were far from the same as they had been a month ago. The passage of time had sharpened everyone's skills, most notably Alex, Ippo, and Miyata.
For Alex, the journey of mastering the Hitman Style was both rewarding and frustrating. The higher his template proficiency climbed, the slower it progressed. After a grueling month of training, it had finally reached 14%, and the system continued to remind him that only real experience—sparring, fights, and practical application—would push it further.
System Panel
[Template: Hitman Style - Training Progression]
Current Proficiency: 14%
Experience Required for Next Threshold: Real Matches or Competitive Sparring
The reminder didn't bother Alex; if anything, it motivated him. It's supposed to be hard, he thought. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Meanwhile, Ippo's progress was nothing short of meteoric. The timid fisherman had transformed into a determined boxer, his punches carrying increasing weight and precision. Last week's sparring match between Ippo and Miyata had solidified a truth that neither wanted to admit out loud: they were rivals.
The Rivalry UnspokenThat match had everyone in the gym talking. Ippo had pushed Miyata harder than anyone expected. The turning point came when Ippo landed a devastating body shot—a crushing left hook to Miyata's midsection. The impact was enough to drop Miyata to his knees, the air rushing out of him in a gasp.
Miyata, ever the composed fighter, took his standing eight-count before returning with fiery resolve. He countered with a sharp one-two combination that caught Ippo on the nose, leaving it bloodied.
The fight was relentless, both fighters pushing their limits. When the match ended, it left the gym buzzing with speculation.
"Did you see that?" one of the gym regulars had exclaimed afterward. "Ippo dropped Miyata with a body shot! That's insane!"
"Yeah, but Miyata bloodied him up. What a war," another added.
Alex, leaning against the ropes, had smirked through it all. The match didn't surprise him. He'd known for weeks that Ippo had the raw power to knock someone like Miyata down. What intrigued him more was how Ippo would evolve next.
Alex's Secret ExpectationsSitting on the bench after his own training, Alex chuckled to himself as he recalled that match. His thoughts drifted to Ippo's potential and a particular move he was waiting to see.
The Dempsey Roll.
Alex had read about it in the gym's boxing books and even caught glimpses of it in matches on old VHS tapes. He couldn't help but imagine Ippo developing the move, its devastating rhythm and unrelenting pressure.
But what if I schooled him before he mastered it?
The thought made Alex grin. He pictured himself dodging every swing, flicking jabs at Ippo's nose, and maybe even tripping him up mid-spin just for the fun of it. It would be like Ricardo Martinez versus Ippo in their infamous sparring match—a textbook lesson in overwhelming superiority.
He laughed out loud at the thought, drawing a curious glance from Takamura, who was munching on a rice ball nearby.
"Oi, what's so funny?" Takamura asked, crumbs falling from his mouth.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Dream on, old man. I'm talking about schooling Ippo if he ever figures out the kind of move I think he's capable of."
"What kind of move?" Takamura asked, curious despite himself.
Alex smirked, leaning back against the bench. "Let's just call it a hunch. You'll understand when you see it."
Takamura scoffed, waving him off. "Sure, kid. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
The Gym DynamicsOver the month, Alex had settled into the gym's routines and relationships. Takamura's antics kept things light, often dragging Alex into playful banter. Kimura and Aoki, the gym's resident jokers, alternated between teasing Alex and being impressed by his rapid progress.
Despite the camaraderie, Alex remained focused. He trained harder than ever, pushing himself to outpace not just Ippo but anyone who dared to step into the ring with him.
Flashback: Late-Night Shadow BoxingThe night before the sparring match between Ippo and Miyata, Alex had once again found himself in the cramped room he shared with Ippo. The dim light of the moon illuminated the space as he silently worked through his shadow boxing drills.
Each punch was deliberate, each step calculated. The system didn't just track his movements; it guided him, offering subtle corrections to his form.
"Faster jab."
"Pivot sharper."
"Reset your stance after the hook."
By the time he finished, sweat dripped from his brow, and his muscles ached. But the progress was worth it.
As he climbed back into bed, careful not to wake Ippo, Alex stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. Just a little more…
Back to the PresentThe gym was alive with energy as usual, but the spotlight often fell on the trio of rising stars: Alex, Ippo, and Miyata. Each day brought new challenges, new lessons, and new moments that strengthened their bond as competitors.
And while the gym regulars debated who was the strongest, Alex simply smiled to himself.
The best is yet to come.
To Be Continued...