As Chase removed his hand from his eyes, he noticed he was standing on a concrete floor similar to a battleground in Chinese folklore. It was designed in a colorful, circular pattern and a flowery design.
'What's going on ' He thought.
The system popped up, in his face, ready to answer.
[First task: You have been rewarded with karate as your first martial arts. Create a clone that you can practice on and increase your proficiency in the martial arts and defeat it.]
Chase stared at the screen, reading the task before dismissing it. He understood what to do, but before he did that, he checked his stats.
[Status Screen]
Name: Chase Stunnner
Age: 18
Strength: E
Stamina: E+
Agility: E+
Dexterity: E
Weapon handling: E
Martial Arts prowess: E
'So my agility and stamina have both upgraded to E+. That's good.' He thought. Still hated thinking of being chased by a dog. Never doing that again.'
He turned back, his eyes on the center of the battleground.
'Anyway, I guess it's time to do what I was supposed to do.' He decided, stretching his fingers. 'But how do I do it '
He thought for a moment.
"OK," he muttered. "I create myself but entirely in darkness. Something like a shadow clone."
He began to work on imagining a clone just like himself. Immediately, it began to take shape. Chase watched as the shadow formed into his own shape and size, resembling all his characteristics but looked like a shadow.
It was motionless, standing still, and didn't move an inch.
The system popped up again, showing another text.
[Showing karate beginner tutorial.]
The screen disappeared, showing another one. Chase watched the entire footage of the lesson. After the screen disappeared, Chase stared at the shadow before him. He knew what he was supposed to do.
Chase positioned him, transitioning into a stance. He lunged forward with a sharp strike. The clone's arm snapped up blocking with flawless timing. Chase froze, stumbling back a step. "What? Aren't you supposed not to fight back?"
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[The clone is programmed to attack. The goal is to defeat it.]
Chase's jaw tightened. "So you're really going to fight me....fine let's see who's stronger."
He launched into a flurry of punches and kicks, his movements crisp and precise. Each strike was met with a perfect counter.
The clone mirrored him like a reflection, blocking, dodging, striking back with uncanny precision. Chase gritted his teeth. "It's like fighting myself.... every move I make, it already knows."
The clone suddenly pivoted, its body twisting with fluid grace. A spinning heel kick arced through the air, faster than he had expected. He barely had to raise his guard before a blow connected with his temple. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, his vision swimming.
Groaning Chase whispered to himself. "Damn, I'm about to lose to a shadow."
Minutes passed. Slowly, Chase pushed himself upright, his muscles aching. He clenched his fist. "Alright," he said, aloud. "Round two."
The clone waited, silently, its stance unbroken. Chase exhaled sharply, then he surged forward. He chained together a karate sequence, his moves flowing like water. The clone countered, but Chase anticipated the defense this time. He pivoted, driving his elbow into its ribs. The shadow staggered, its form flickering.
Chase smirked. "Got you.".
The clone recovered quickly, launching a barrage of punches. Chase blocked, his arm trembling under the force. He countered with a sweeping kick, knocking the clone off balance.
Gathering his strength, he spun, momentum building like a storm, his body rotating with perfect balance. With a grunt, he unleashed a tornado kick. The strike crashed into the clone's chest. The impact echoes through the battleground.
The shadow clone staggered, its body dissolving into shards of light.
Chase breathed in relief as he watched the fragments dissolve into the air.
[Task completed.]
[Commencing rewards.....]
Chase watched as another screen candle up detailing the rewards.
[Rewards]
[Handgun: this handgun has been designed to hold unlimited bullets and can be used in case of immediate danger. It has already been licensed.]
[Nike Air Force shoes: This is no ordinary cool sneaker. This sneaker allows you to perform parlour moves, increases your agility, and allows you to perform stealth moves.]
[Burner phone: this phone can make calls without being traced and has a little surprise inside.]
[Please check the inventory to remove the rewards.]
"I got shoes," Chase muttered, clearly not expecting that. "But the description makes it look impressive. But the handgun is awesome."
He had always wanted one, and this was unlimited, which was impressive. He hadn't expected that and now he was loving the system more and more.
He didn't think he was going to use the burner phone so he was just going to leave it there. Ye decided to check his Inventory.
A screen showed up.
[Inventory]
[Muscle Physique pill]
[Burner phone]
[Handgun]
[Nike Air Force]
He pressed the shoes and stretched out his hand, bringing out a cool, fiery, black and red combo shoe with the distinct logo etched on the side.
He whistled in appreciation and then wore it on. It looked snug and comfortable and it felt the same.
He opened his stats.
Status Screen]
Name: Chase Stunnner
Age: 18
Strength: E+
Stamina: E+
Agility: E+
Dexterity: E
Weapon handling: E
Martial Arts prowess: E+
"Alright," he announced. "It's time for the next task."
[Affirmative.]
[Transporting to the next task....]
As the system disappeared, Chase felt himself vanish into the darkness ready for the next challenge.