Gary knew that the smart thing would be to keep on watching, waiting for both sides to weaken each other further, so he could snoop in and finish off the losing side. This way he wouldn’t use a lot of Energy, while still being able to get some Exp.
However, he had decided to take some risks. Given the content of the Quest, it seemed wiser to get involved in the fight before any surprising backup could arrive. He didn’t know how long this gang war would last since it was just a matter of time that the Underdogs would send out their muscle.
If he waited too long the gang war might escalate to the point it would be too dangerous for him to get involved. At the moment, Gary was dressed in all black, so the only colour gang he could help out and pretend to be a part of was the black colour gang.
‘It’s two gangs against one, so I have to join in while the black colour gang still has some members standing.’ Gary thought. He ran across the top of the bridge, and waited for a few moments. Looking below, the group were fighting at an underpass, and the black colour gang members were slowly being pushed back, making their way out from the tunnel.
He could see three members still standing. They were hunched up together, obviously hurt but still fighting. It was clear that at this point they were basically running on fumes. Unfortunately, running away wasn’t an option. Turning their back on the other colour gangs would just seal their fate. They wouldn’t get far before the other members caught up to them.
‘Damn, I was hoping they would be in a better fighting condition so they could help me grab some last hits. I know my skills have improved but without the boost from the moon I’m not too sure I can handle all of the others on my own.’
In his hesitation, he thought back to his fight with Billy, at least what he could remember of it. Fighting a bunch of ‘humans’ seemed a lot easier. Just then, he could see multiple people run from under the bridge.
‘1…2…3…4…5. they just keep coming and there could be more.’ Gary counted.
It wouldn’t stop him, he saw the black colour gang members had engaged with the others, and this was his chance. Two more people ran from the bridge, and with no fear, Gary leaped from above.
He was on the path to land directly onto them and that’s exactly what he did, stretching out his legs he made sure his foot hit the back of their heads, causing them to fall over and their heads to slam in the concrete ground.
[Your opponents (2) have been knocked out]
[100 Exp gained]
[Exp 205/628]
Such a move would knock anyone out, yet the high schooler was also a little afraid that he might have hurt them too much. Just as he considered checking their condition, someone swung a bike chain from behind and struck him across the face. Fortunately, it only cut his cheek, around his mouth.
[- 4 HP]
“There’s another one of those black colour f*ckers over here!” A young man dressed in red called, who had hit him. “That bastard knocked out Stan and Kenny, get him!”
Behind him, Gary could see seven more people, but on top of that he noticed something else that his nose was able to catch on. There were colour gang members that had been left on the side of the road, some of them bleeding, while others looked to be in much more critical condition.
If this really was a gang war, then ambulances would be hard to come by today. The police must have already been told about what was happening right now, and they would tell ambulances not to enter the area until things had calmed down. It was very possible that a lot of people would die tonight…
‘I almost felt sorry for the two that I hurt…but you’re all just the same.’ Gary thought to himself, as the red colour gang member swung the bike chain again.
[Skill activated Charging Heart]
[All stats have temporarily been doubled]
[-10 Energy]
At the right moment, Gary used his bare hands to grab onto the chain, then the next second he pulled on it. The one holding it hadn’t even recovered from the shock that someone had managed to grab his makeshift weapon, yet the next moment, his face connected with the ‘black colour gang member’s’ elbow.
As his head flung back, he let go of the chain. Gary knew he wasn’t done yet, because the system had yet to notify him. Lifting his leg, the high schooler quickly spun and hit the red colour gang member right on the neck, sending him to the ground.
[Your opponent has been knocked out]
[50 Exp gained]
[Exp 255/628]
‘Hey. Who is that guy?” One of the black coloured gang members asked his companion. They were still in the middle of their fight, but had noticed what had happened.
“No idea. I can only see the back of his hood, but with him here, maybe we can get out of this thing.” Another answered, as he barely avoided the strike of the grey colour gang member in front of him.
After taking on that one member, and seeing the others back off, Gary noticed something. He had been around gangs long enough but the one he had dealt with appeared to have had some authority amongst them, most likely one of the better fighters out of their group. Since Gary had dealt with him so effortlessly, as well as his imposing entrance, they were afraid of him.
Noticing this, he quickly changed his plans.
“I’m sorry.” Gary said, having overheard the earlier conversation. “I’m on no one’s side, I’ll be taking everyone out!”
Gary had been forced to use another Charging Heart later on, but with his power boost, he had managed to defeat them all. Innu’s lesson had proven quite effective, allowing him to have an easier time defeating them. It had been easy to tell which one had trained or not and thankfully all of them had already been tired after fighting beforehand.
It had become clear to Gary that they all were mostly relying on their makeshift weapon, making them lack actual skills. After the first three, he had knocked out all remaining ten, granting him an additional 500 Exp, enough to Level Up.
‘I’ve finally gained another stat point! Argh, but still no new skill. I don’t get it, do I need to fulfill some special conditions or something? Or are you just a miser, system? I know that you at least have that Hardened Will skill saved up!
‘Oh well, I will just have to keep grinding today. It’s not everyday that I get to beat the sh*t out of gang members without having to fear any consequences, so I should make the best out of it.’ Gary thought, as he checked his Status.
[Name: Gary Dem]
[Level 6]
[Exp 127/765]
[Health: 68/100]
[Energy: 92/120]
‘I got hit way more in that last fight than I needed to, I guess some of my Energy will be used up to heal my wounds while I’m not fighting. Shoot, I should have grabbed something to replenish it. If only I had more money… looks like I might have to grab a bite on the way.’
Gary’s enhanced hearing allowed him to hear the sounds of fighting in other areas. With how faint it was, he would probably have to run over to get there in time to actually have anyone left to fight though. However, before he could even decide between searching for some food and heading towards the sounds, he felt his phone vibrate.
He instinctively grabbed his secret phone. At this time, it should be either Kai or Innu who might want something from him, but to his confusion the screen only showed him what time it was. There was no new message or missed call.
It took the high schooler a moment to put it back into his pocket and grab his regular one. Just as Gary had suspected, he had received a message, but the most surprising thing was the sender. It was from his sister of all people.
[Me and Stacy are at the main high street at the Kobo Karaoke club. I got dragged along to meet up with her internet boyfriend and he brought two friends along. If you get this message, then we’re in trouble. Please bring help!]