Part-105

  "Look," James sighed, trying a different approabsp; "I don't know Alex, and frankly, I don't appreciate your attitude. But f someoo meet someone else isn't the way to go about it." He paused, gauging Roman's rea.

  The boy, perhaps sensing the shift in James' demeanor, seemed less frontational. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, the bravado fading slightly.

  "Alex just wants to talk," Roman finally decred, puffing out his chest in a show of false bravado. "He saw you fight Sourov and… well, let's say he was impressed. He thinks you could both learn a thing or two from each other."

  James eyed Romaically. The mention of Sourov, bined with the offer to exge martial arts knowledge, jogged his memory pletely. However, the lingering annoya Roman's earlier behavior kept him cautious.

  Just as James sidered asking for Alex to meet him somewhere less publian's demeanor shifted. A cruel glint appeared in his eyes, and a chilling ugh escaped his lips. Before James could react, Roman's leg shot out in a clumsy, ill-executed kick aimed at James' midse.

  The surprise attack, though poorly delivered, jolted James back to reality. Adrenaline surged through him, his senses sharpening. Reag with practiced fluidity, James shot out his hand, grabbing Romaended leg just below the knee. With a swift movement honed from hours of Judo practice, James swept Roman's leg out from under him, using the momentum to send the boy sprawling to the ground.

  A satisfying thump echoed as Roman nded on his back, the air knocked out of him. James, nding gracefully on his feet, pinned Roman's shoulders with one knee, effectively immobilizing him.

  The situation unfolded in a blur, a testament to James' ingrained reflexes. It wasn't the first time he'd used Judo in a real-life sario, but the stakes felt higher this time. He khis was the fight the System had designated as Mission 17.

  As James held Roman down, a notification fshed in his mind, a stark trast to the previous monotonous annous:

  **Mission 17 plete. Success!**

  A wave of relief washed over James, quickly followed by a surge of pride. He'd pleted the mission without res to the System's enharength or "Crazy Mode." He'd relied on his own training, his skill, and his instincts.

  James, still kneeling over Roman, released his grip on the subdued bully. The initial adrenaline rush had subsided, repced by a calm sense of satisfa. The mission was plete, and he'd do without res to the System's enhanced abilities. A wave of aplishment washed over him.

  Roman, still sprawled on the ground, blinked in surprise. He'd expected a drawn-out fight, maybe even a few bruises. Instead, he found himself pinned down with surprising ease. The realization of his defeat, coupled with the public humiliation, painted a flush of shame on his face.

  The boy, still sprawled on the ground, gred up at him with a mixture of shod anger.

  "You won't get away with this," Roman threatened, his voice barely a whisper. "Alex won't let this slide."