Reality Quest: Lookism

[Blind Spot Strike: 3%]

The notification flickered in the corner of my vision as I stumbled back, my arms trembling from the force.

'So I'm learning, bit by bit.' I thought, spitting blood onto the ground.

The copy moved again, this time feinting to the left before delivering a sharp kick to my side. Pain exploded in my ribs, and I doubled over, gasping for air.

"Damn it." I muttered, clenching my fists. I had to stop playing its game. It wasn't just about reacting, I had to predict, to feel where the attack would come from.

As it closed in for another strike, I focused on its movements. A faint shift in its weight, the slightest twitch of its shoulder. When it threw a punch aimed at my head, I leaned back, letting the fist whiff past my nose.

I stepped in immediately, delivering a hook to its jaw. The copy stumbled, but recovered quickly, throwing a low kick at my knee. I raised my leg just in time, blocking it, but it followed up with a punch to my gut that sent me skidding backward.

[Blind Spot Strike: 7%]

'This bastard.' I thought, wiping the sweat from my brow. My body was battered and bruised, but I wasn't about to give up.

The fight continued, a brutal exchange of punches, kicks, and slams. Each hit we landed took its toll, both of us showing signs of wear. Blood dripped from my lip, and the copy's form looked slightly unstable, like static flickering across its surface.

[Blind Spot Strike: 84%]

When it lunged again, aiming a cross at my head, I saw my chance. This time, I didn't just dodge, I stepped in, weaving under its arm and closing the distance.

With everything I had, I unleashed an uppercut straight into its chin. The impact reverberated through my arm, and the copy's head snapped back as it staggered.

For a moment, it froze, swaying unsteadily before its body began to dissolve.

Blue dust rose from where it stood, swirling upward like smoke. The glowing particles moved toward me, rotating around my body in a mesmerizing dance before merging into my skin.

A warmth spread through me, dulling the pain and exhaustion. I stood there, catching my breath, as a final notification appeared before me:

[Blind Spot Strike: 100%]

I grinned, wiping the blood from my mouth. 'So this is how it works.'

The arena began to shift, the stone floor and darkness fading away as I was pulled back to reality. But one thing was clear: I'd earned every bit of this skill.

....

The moment I returned to reality, a notification appeared before me.

[Skill Acquired: Blind Spot Strike.]

I let out a slow breath, my body still humming with the phantom aches of the fight. Opening my Skills Panel, I saw it, the skill was listed under Active Skills, fully unlocked.

I smirked, flexing my fingers. The fight had been brutal, but I earned this. Unlike the spoon-fed system Dowan relied on, mine demanded effort, understanding, and determination.

'This system doesn't just hand you power, it makes you earn it.' I thought, my smirk widening as I envisioned using the skill in real combat.

'Let's see how far this system can take me.'

....

The midday sun hung high as I strolled toward the cafeteria. The chatter of students filled the air, but I paid little attention, my mind still replaying the fight in the arena. The power I had earned, the potential it promised, it was intoxicating.

After grabbing a tray of the usual bland school lunch, I found an empty corner to sit in and ate quietly. My body was still sore, every bite reminding me of the bruises Cheolwoo and his goons left behind. But it didn't matter. They'd be dealt with soon enough.

Once lunch was over, I made my way out of the school and onto the streets. The city buzzed with life, cars honking, people chatting, the faint hum of distant construction work. I walked at my own pace, my bag slung over my shoulder, taking in the sights and sounds.

My apartment wasn't far, just a few blocks from the school. As I approached the familiar building, I fished out my key and unlocked the door.

"Jin, you're back." my mother greeted me from the small living room. She was already gathering her things, her nurse uniform slightly wrinkled, her face worn with exhaustion. Despite that, she managed a tired smile and leaned in to give me a kiss on the forehead.

"Dinner's in the fridge." she said, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Don't stay up too late, okay?"

I nodded, watching as she grabbed her things and headed toward the door. Her steps were slow, almost dragging, but she didn't complain. She never did.

As the door closed behind her, I stood there, staring at the spot where she'd been. My chest felt tight, and a lump formed in my throat.

I spoke softly to the empty room, my voice steady with resolve. "Jin, I know you were weak and pathetic, but since I took your body, I'll protect your family… no, my family."

The words hung in the air, and for the first time, I felt the weight of what I'd inherited.

With newfound determination, I headed to my small bedroom, setting my alarm for the next day. Collapsing onto the bed, I stared at the ceiling for a moment before closing my eyes.

....

I woke up not to the blaring sound of my alarm, but to the soft glow of the evening light spilling through my window. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked outside. The sun was setting, casting the city in hues of orange and pink.

I stretched, rolling my neck before glancing at my Stats Panel.

[HP: 1000/1000]

A small smile tugged at my lips. 'Fully healed. Nice.'

Getting up, I headed straight for the kitchen, my stomach growling in anticipation. I heated up the dinner my mom had left in the fridge, a simple dish, but filling nonetheless. Once I'd eaten and cleaned up, I changed into some comfortable workout clothes and stepped out of the apartment.

The air was cool as I jogged through the streets, the city alive with its usual evening energy. Cars passed by, people walked their dogs, and the distant hum of nightlife stirred in the background.

After a while, I found myself in front of a small park. The place was quiet, illuminated by dim streetlights and the soft glow of vending machines nearby.

'Perfect.' I thought, walking over to the pull-up bars.

I started with pull-ups, gripping the cold metal as I hauled myself up repeatedly. My muscles burned, but I welcomed the pain. Moving on, I did push-ups, planks, and other calisthenic exercises, pushing my body to its limit. Sweat dripped from my forehead, soaking my shirt as the hours passed.

Finally, after two hours of relentless training, I collapsed onto the grass, my chest heaving as I gulped down water.

A notification popped up in my vision:

[Stats Increased: +3 to Attack Power, Defense, Agility, and Mentality.]

I grinned, satisfied. 'Hard work pays off.' I thought, feeling the ache in my muscles as a sign of progress.

Getting up, I stretched and began the slow walk back home, the city streets quieter now as the night settled in.

It was on my way back that I spotted two familiar figures under the glow of a streetlight.

Dowan and Jaemin.

"Hm…" I muttered to myself, slowing my pace. My mind clicked as I remembered tonight's events from the story. This was when Dowan would meet Siyeon.

My eyes drifted, and then I saw her, Siyeon.

I froze for a moment, my eyes widening. 'Damn! She looks good as fuck!'

Her beauty was striking, even more so in real life. She stood a little away from Dowan and Jaemin, her posture confident, cold yet graceful.

'No wonder Dowan couldn't keep his head straight around her.' I thought, chuckling to myself. But my grin faded slightly as I turned my gaze back to Dowan.

'But I'm not him.'

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1361 words.