CHAPTER 16 — AFTER THE FIGHT
Violence never ended cleanly.
It lingered.
Daniel Park felt it the next morning when he woke up. His body protested every movement. Bruises bloomed across his ribs and arms, dark reminders of the night under the bridge.
But the pain wasn't the worst part.
It was the silence.
No system alerts.
No missions.
No warnings.
Just stillness.
Daniel sat up slowly and stared at his hands. They looked the same. Slim. Ordinary. But they didn't feel weak anymore.
He went to school like nothing had happened.
That was the rule.
J High buzzed the moment he stepped through the gate. Not loudly. Subtly. Conversations dipped. Eyes followed him, then looked away.
Word had spread.
Burn Knuckles didn't lose.
And Daniel Park hadn't broken.
Vasco met him near the lockers.
"You good?" Vasco asked.
Daniel nodded. "Still walking."
Vasco grinned. "That's enough."
Zack leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed. "People are watching you now."
Daniel already knew.
The system flickered faintly.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Arc Transition Detected
Conflict Phase: Post-Escalation
Observation Mode: Active
No rewards.
No boosts.
Just pressure.
Classes felt longer that day.
Daniel couldn't focus on the board. Every sound made his muscles tense. Every movement near him triggered awareness.
This wasn't fear.
It was readiness.
During lunch, a group of second-years whispered openly, eyes flicking toward him.
"He's not Burn Knuckles," one said.
"Doesn't matter," another replied. "He fought with them."
Labels stuck fast at J High.
After school, Daniel walked alone.
No ambush.
No confrontation.
That scared him more than fists ever did.
Halfway home, his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He hesitated, then answered.
"…Hello?"
A calm voice replied. "Daniel Park."
Not a question.
Daniel stopped walking.
"Yes."
"I heard you don't fall easily," the voice said. "That's interesting."
Daniel's grip tightened.
"Who is this?"
A pause.
Then, "Someone who dislikes wasted potential."
The call ended.
The system activated instantly.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
External Interest Detected
Threat Level: Unknown
Recommendation:
• Increase vigilance
• Prepare for skill diversification
Daniel exhaled slowly.
So this was the aftermath.
Not applause.
Not peace.
Attention.
That night, Daniel trained.
Not harder.
Smarter.
He focused on balance, breathing, recovery. Every movement deliberate. Efficient.
The system logged quietly.
[TRAINING LOG]
Efficiency: High
Fatigue Management Improved
Daniel collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He thought of the fight.
The booster.
How clear everything had felt for those few moments.
Power wasn't free.
But it was tempting.
The system pulsed once more before going silent.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
Upcoming Milestones:
• Expanded Skill Access
• Long-Term Growth Acceleration
• Canon Event Alignment Pending
Daniel closed his eyes.
The war was over.
The consequences had just begun.
CHAPTER 17 — EYES FROM THE DARK
Daniel Park started noticing them everywhere.
Not staring.
Watching.
A man leaning against a convenience store wall who didn't buy anything. A parked motorcycle that appeared twice on his walk home. Faces that didn't belong to J High but knew his name anyway.
He kept walking.
Didn't speed up.
Didn't look back.
The system stayed in Observation Mode, quiet but alert.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
External Surveillance: Confirmed
Threat Level: Variable
Engagement: Not Recommended
At school, the atmosphere tightened.
Burn Knuckles had stopped roaming in groups. Not fear. Strategy. Vasco made it clear.
"We don't provoke," Vasco said. "We wait."
Zack glanced at Daniel. "And you don't wander alone."
Daniel nodded, though he already knew he would eventually.
That was how this worked.
During P.E., Daniel was paired with someone new.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Calm expression.
"You're Daniel," the boy said.
"Yes."
The boy studied him for a second. "You move like someone who learned fast."
Daniel didn't answer.
The whistle blew.
They sparred.
Light contact. Rules enforced.
But Daniel felt it immediately.
This guy knew how to fight.
The boy tested Daniel with probing strikes, footwork precise. Daniel blocked, redirected, and maintained distance. No panic. No overcommitment.
The match ended in a draw.
The boy smiled faintly. "Good control."
Daniel returned the nod.
No system notification.
Which meant something else was watching.
That evening, Daniel was stopped outside his apartment building.
A black car idled by the curb.
The window rolled down.
A man in a suit looked out, expression polite and sharp.
"Daniel Park," the man said. "My employer would like to speak with you."
Daniel didn't move.
"About what?"
"About guidance," the man replied. "You're growing without direction. That tends to end badly."
The system activated.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Event Classification: Canon Divergence Risk
Recommendation:
• Decline politely
• Maintain current alignment
Daniel met the man's eyes.
"No," Daniel said.
The man smiled slightly. "Suit yourself."
The window rolled up.
The car drove away.
Daniel stood still for a long moment.
Then the system updated.
[SYSTEM LOG]
Decision Recorded:
• Independence Maintained
Potential Consequence:
• Increased Hostile Interest
Daniel exhaled.
So be it.
That night, the system finally spoke clearly.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
New Skill Pool Unlocked:
• Life Skills
• Mental Conditioning
• Recovery Optimization
Availability:
• Daily Skill Allocation
• Monthly Milestone Rewards
No instant power.
No shortcuts.
Just work.
Daniel lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Fighting had made him visible.
Now he had to survive being seen.
CHAPTER 18 — QUIET UPGRADES
The system didn't wake Daniel with alarms.
It waited.
He noticed it while brushing his teeth.
The mirror didn't show anything different, but his posture was straighter. His breathing slower. Even half-asleep, his balance felt… set.
The notification appeared only after he finished.
[DAILY SKILL ASSIGNMENT]
Skill Granted:
• Body Mechanics Fundamentals (Beginner)
Description:
• Improves movement efficiency
• Reduces wasted energy
• Enhances balance and posture
Duration:
• Permanent (Slow Growth)
Daniel stared at the words.
No strength.
No speed.
Just… fundamentals.
He almost laughed.
School passed quietly.
Too quietly.
Daniel noticed small changes instead. The way he sat without slouching. How his steps landed evenly without thought. When someone brushed past him in the hallway, he didn't stumble.
During P.E., it became obvious.
They were running laps.
Daniel wasn't faster.
He was steadier.
His breathing didn't spike. His steps stayed even. By the end, others were panting.
Daniel wasn't.
The teacher frowned, confused.
No one commented.
That was fine.
After school, Daniel stopped by a convenience store.
A guy bumped into him near the fridge.
"Watch it," the guy snapped.
Daniel adjusted his stance automatically.
Balanced.
Hands relaxed.
The guy hesitated.
Then scoffed and walked away.
Daniel exhaled.
The system stayed silent.
That meant he handled it correctly.
Later, Daniel trained alone in his room.
Slow movements. Controlled motions. Shifts of weight. He paid attention to how his feet connected to the floor, how his hips followed his shoulders.
It wasn't exciting.
It was effective.
The system logged quietly.
[TRAINING FEEDBACK]
Skill Integration: Successful
Fatigue Reduction: Minor
Control: Improved
Daniel collapsed onto his bed afterward, not exhausted, just spent.
That night, another call came.
Unknown number.
Daniel didn't answer.
The system pulsed once.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
Avoidance Registered
Threat Deferred
Daniel stared at the ceiling.
This was different from fighting.
No fists.
No adrenaline.
Just pressure.
And patience.
Somewhere else, someone watched a video on a phone.
Daniel blocking.
Daniel redirecting.
Daniel not falling.
"…He's changing," a voice said.
"Good," another replied. "That means he's ready."
CHAPTER 19 — TWO SHADOWS, ONE NAME
Daniel Park dreamed of standing still.
Not frozen.
Not afraid.
Just… present.
Then he woke up.
The room felt wrong.
Too light.
Too big.
Daniel sat up slowly.
His hands were different.
Larger. Leaner. Stronger.
His breath caught.
He stood and walked to the mirror.
Tall frame. Sharp jawline. Clear eyes. A body built for attention and violence alike.
Big Daniel stared back at him.
Daniel's heart pounded.
"…So this is it."
The system activated immediately.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
SECOND BODY: UNLOCKED
Designation: Big Daniel
Synchronization Status:
• Consciousness: Shared
• Skills: Partially Linked
• Fatigue: Separate
• Injuries: Independent
Restrictions:
• System Interface: ORIGINAL BODY ONLY
• Passive Effects: Shared (Reduced Efficiency)
Daniel flexed his fingers.
The movement felt natural.
Too natural.
At school, everything changed.
People stared openly now.
Whispers followed him down the hallway.
"Who's that?"
"He's new, right?"
"No way he's a transfer."
Big Daniel felt their eyes like pressure against his skin.
He walked calmly.
No slouching.
No hesitation.
Burn Knuckles noticed immediately.
Vasco stopped mid-sentence. "Who—"
Zack narrowed his eyes.
Daniel spoke before they could.
"It's me."
Silence.
Vasco blinked. "…Huh?"
Zack stared harder. "You're joking."
Big Daniel shook his head.
Zack stepped closer, studying him. Posture. Eyes. Breathing.
"…It's you," Zack said quietly.
Vasco laughed nervously. "Okay, this is creepy."
The system remained silent.
No guidance.
No explanation.
This was canon.
During lunch, trouble found him.
Three students blocked Big Daniel's path.
Confident. Curious. Testing.
"New guy," one said. "You got a problem?"
Big Daniel felt it immediately.
This body changed expectations.
The system did not activate.
Daniel relied on instinct.
He adjusted his stance.
The movement was clean.
Efficient.
The students hesitated.
One scoffed. "Tch."
They stepped aside.
Big Daniel walked past.
Daniel realized something then.
He didn't need to fight.
This body alone discouraged it.
Later, Daniel switched back.
Original body.
Smaller room. Smaller breath.
The system chimed.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
New Feature Unlocked:
• Dual-Body Management (Basic)
Notes:
• Training in original body improves Big Daniel at reduced rate
• Combat experience in Big Daniel refines instincts in original body
• Booster Effects: ORIGINAL BODY ONLY
Monthly Mission Available:
• Stabilize dual existence
• Maintain behavior consistency
• Avoid exposure risk
Potential Rewards:
• Skill Unlock
• Synchronization Improvement
• Potential Increase
Daniel lay back on his bed.
Two bodies.
One mind.
One system.
And now—
Twice the danger.
CHAPTER 20 — UNEQUAL WEIGHT
Big Daniel learned the truth fast.
This body didn't just draw attention.
It attracted challenges.
The first one came during lunch.
Three upperclassmen blocked the corridor, expressions amused rather than hostile. They weren't angry. They were curious.
"New guy," one said. "You look like you fight."
Big Daniel stopped.
Original Daniel's instincts surfaced immediately. Guard relaxed. Weight centered. No aggression.
"I don't," Big Daniel replied.
They laughed.
The tallest stepped in anyway.
The system stayed silent.
Big Daniel moved.
Not fast.
Precise.
He sidestepped the probing punch and placed his palm against the attacker's chest, pushing just enough to break balance.
The boy stumbled back, surprised.
Big Daniel stepped away.
No follow-up.
The other two exchanged looks.
"…Tch."
They backed off.
Big Daniel walked on.
No fight.
No damage.
But the message spread instantly.
Original Daniel felt it later.
Walking home. Smaller steps. Tighter streets.
Someone shoved him from behind.
"Thought you were tough now."
Daniel barely kept his balance.
Two boys stood behind him. Familiar faces. Ones who wouldn't dare approach Big Daniel.
Different rules.
The system activated instantly.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Threat Level: Moderate
Emergency: NOT AUTHORIZED
Daniel raised his guard.
The punch came fast.
Daniel blocked, pain flashing through his arm. He redirected the second and stepped sideways, keeping space.
They weren't skilled.
Just angry.
Daniel didn't overcommit. He shoved one away and used the opening to retreat.
"Coward!" one shouted.
Daniel didn't turn back.
The system logged quietly.
[COMBAT AVOIDANCE SUCCESSFUL]
Mental Stability Increased
That night, the system updated.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Dual-Body Strain Detected
Adjustment:
• Mental Load Increased
• Recovery Time Extended
Recommendation:
• Schedule training separately
• Avoid overlapping high-risk activity
Daniel sat on his bed, rubbing his temples.
Big Daniel solved problems by existing.
Original Daniel still had to earn everything.
At school the next day, Zack pulled him aside.
"You're being tested from both sides," Zack said. "Don't let the big body fool you."
Daniel nodded. "I know."
Zack studied him. "You're still you."
The system pulsed faintly.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
Identity Stability: Maintained
Daniel exhaled.
Good.
Because losing that would cost more than any fight.
CHAPTER 21 — ONE MIND, TWO BATTLES
The system didn't wait for Daniel to be ready.
It never did.
The notification appeared the moment he woke up in his original body, eyes still half-closed, muscles sore from yesterday's tension.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
MONTHLY MISSION: INITIATED
Objective:
• Maintain dual identity stability for 30 days
• Resolve at least ONE high-risk conflict using each body
• Prevent public exposure of dual existence
Conditions:
• No external assistance
• No system override during combat
Rewards:
• New Skill Unlock (Choice-Based)
• Synchronization Rate Increased
• Potential Increase (High)
Failure:
• Synchronization instability
• Severe mental backlash
Daniel stared at the ceiling.
"So… you want me to suffer efficiently," he muttered.
The system did not disagree.
The first conflict came early.
Big Daniel felt it during second period.
The classroom door slid open and silence followed. A tall man walked in. Not a student. No uniform. Calm eyes. Scar along his knuckle.
The teacher stiffened.
"This student is transferring in," the man said smoothly. "Temporary."
Big Daniel locked eyes with him.
Predator.
The system stayed silent.
That meant danger beyond metrics.
After school, Big Daniel was stopped near the back gate.
The scarred man leaned against the fence.
"You're interesting," the man said. "Strong body. Weak habits."
Big Daniel didn't respond.
The man stepped closer.
"Let's test what you rely on."
The punch came fast.
Big Daniel reacted on instinct.
He blocked, redirected, stepped inside.
But the man smiled.
He adjusted instantly and countered, landing a clean hit on Big Daniel's ribs.
Pain bloomed.
Big Daniel backed up.
This wasn't schoolyard fighting.
This was experience.
The system did not activate.
Big Daniel had to learn in real time.
He slowed down.
Stopped reacting.
Started reading.
When the next punch came, Big Daniel didn't block.
He slipped.
Stepped to the outside.
Used his weight.
The shove sent the man back two steps.
The man laughed. "Good."
He stopped.
"That's enough for today."
And walked away.
Big Daniel stood there, breathing hard.
The system logged.
[MONTHLY MISSION — PROGRESS]
Big Daniel:
• High-Risk Conflict: PARTIAL
• Adaptation Triggered
At the same time—
Original Daniel wasn't so lucky.
Walking home, two familiar figures blocked the alley.
Not fighters.
Bullies.
The kind that preyed on hesitation.
The system activated instantly.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Threat Level: Moderate
Emergency: LOCKED (Monthly Condition)
Daniel swallowed.
No help.
He raised his guard anyway.
The first shove knocked him back.
Daniel planted his foot and didn't fall.
The second swung.
Daniel blocked and redirected, pushing the attacker into the wall.
The third hesitated.
Daniel stepped forward.
Just once.
That was enough.
They ran.
Daniel leaned against the wall, chest heaving.
The system updated.
[MONTHLY MISSION — PROGRESS]
Original Body:
• Conflict Resolved Independently
• Mental Resistance Increased
Daniel laughed quietly.
Both bodies hurt.
Both were learning.
And neither could rely on shortcuts.
That night, Daniel lay in bed, switching awareness slowly between bodies.
Big Daniel felt heavy. Bruised. Alive.
Original Daniel felt exhausted. Small. Unbroken.
The system pulsed one last time.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
Synchronization Stress: ACCEPTABLE
Growth Rate: ACCELERATING
Daniel closed his eyes.
"One mind," he whispered.
"Two battles."
"And no room to fail."