Suddenly, just as John lay on the floor helplessly, a voice of the system echoed in his mind as many system prompts formed in front of him. Was the system coming to help John?

[Ding! The Host has been awarded martial arts technique depending on his current situation and strength form boost.]

[The Host’s first healing from unconscious protocol initiated successfully.]

[The Host is currently merging with the martial arts techniques...30...70...89...100% ✅. Strength form boosted successfully.]

John felt normal, feeling a warm current flowing through his body. He sensed a strong surge of vitality and energy coursing through his veins. He closed his eyes and stretched out his muscles, bones popping as if they were adjusting to become more compact and strong.

Just as he opened his eyes, two gangsters stood with axes in their hands. Clasping his fists, John felt the growing strength, making him believe he could punch through the concrete wall. John shouted, "You made a very big mistake..."

The gangsters exchanged a glance, their confidence wavering. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, took a step forward, brandishing his axe menacingly. "What did you say?" he sneered, trying to mask his uncertainty with bravado.

John smiled, feeling the newfound power thrumming through his body. "I said," he repeated, his voice calm yet powerful, "you made a very big mistake."

Before the gangster could react, John moved with blinding speed, his body a blur as he closed the distance between them. The gangster swung his axe, but John sidestepped effortlessly, his movements precise and fluid.

With a swift motion, John delivered a punch to the gangster’s gut, the force of the blow lifting the man off his feet and sending him crashing into the wall. The impact left a dent in the concrete, and the gangster slumped to the floor, unconscious.

The second gangster, a wiry man with a wild look in his eyes, hesitated, glancing between his fallen comrade and John. "You... you can’t do this!" he stammered, backing away.

John stepped forward, his presence imposing. "I can, and I will. You picked the wrong person to mess with."

The wiry gangster swung his axe in a desperate attempt to ward John off, but John’s reflexes were honed to perfection. He ducked under the swinging blade and landed a powerful kick to the man’s chest. The gangster flew backward, skidding across the floor and colliding with a pile of crates, which toppled over him.

John stood over the two incapacitated gangsters, his breathing steady and his mind focused. He felt the power coursing through him, a testament to the system’s intervention. It was as if he had been reborn, stronger and more capable than ever.

He turned his attention to Grace, who was still bound and watching him with wide, astonished eyes. "John," she breathed, relief and awe mingling in her voice. "How...?"

John approached her, his expression softening. "Let’s just say I’ve had some help," he said, kneeling to untie her bonds. "Are you okay?"

Grace nodded, though her voice trembled slightly. "I am now. I knew you’d come for me."

As soon as she was free, Grace threw her arms around John, hugging him tightly. He returned the embrace, feeling a warmth spread through his chest that was different from the power the system had given him—this was the warmth of love and relief.

"We need to get out of here," John said, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. "There might be more of them."

Grace nodded, her determination returning. "Let’s go. I don’t want to spend another minute in this place."

They made their way toward the exit, John leading the way with Grace close behind. As they navigated the dimly lit corridors, the weight of the situation settled in. John was acutely aware of the dangers they still faced, but he felt ready to confront anything that came their way.

"John," Grace whispered as they approached a door leading to the outside. "How did you do all that? You are a deadly fighter— You are a monster in your techniques."

John glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I’ll explain everything once we’re safe. Right now, let’s focus on getting out of here."

They pushed through the door and headed toward the entrance. John’s car was still parked at the roadside, a beacon of safety and escape.

Just as they reached the car, a deep voice called out from behind. "Not so fast."

John and Grace turned to see, as John pushed Grace into the car, a smirk on his face and a gun in his hand. It was the leader of the gang, the man who had orchestrated Grace’s abduction.

"Thought you could just walk away, did you?" the leader sneered, levelling the gun at John. "I’m not done with you yet."

John’s mind raced, calculating his options. He couldn’t let this man take Grace again, not after everything they had been through.

"What do you want?" John asked, his voice steady despite the threat.

The leader chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You have something I want, all the money in your account, transact to me now!"

John’s jaw clenched. "It’s not something you can just hand over," he said, keeping his body between Grace in the car and the gun. "And even if it were, I’d never give it to you."

The leader’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing. "Then I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way."

Before the leader could react, John surged forward, his movements fueled by the system’s power. He knocked the gun from the leader’s hand and delivered a series of swift blows that left the man reeling.

The leader staggered back, shock etched on his face. "What the hell are you?" he gasped, struggling to stay on his feet.

John didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed the leader by the collar, his eyes cold and determined. "I’m the guy who’s going to end this."

With a final, decisive punch, John sent the leader crashing to the ground, unconscious, blood oozing from his mouth.

John turned to Grace, who was watching with a mixture of awe and relief. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softening.

Grace nodded, her eyes shining with admiration. "I’m more than okay, thanks to you. Grace got out of the car and ran to pick up the gun."

John took her hand, the warmth of her touch grounding him. "Let’s get out of here," he said, leading her to the car.

They climbed into the Rolls-Royce, the engine purring to life as John pulled away from the old building. The night stretched out before them, a promise of safety and a fresh start.

As they drove through the city streets, Grace leaned her head against John’s shoulder, her eyes drifting shut. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude.

Suddenly, headlights appeared on the horizon. Another car was speeding towards them, and John realised with a jolt that it wasn’t just passing by. The car veered in front of John’s Rolls-Royce, blocking their path. John slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching as they came to an abrupt halt.

A tall man in a pristine white suit stepped out of the opposing car. He moved with a calm, deliberate grace, flicking away a cigarette as he adjusted the dark sunglasses perched on his nose. He exuded an air of confidence, almost arrogance, as he approached John’s car.

John’s pulse quickened. This man was different from the thugs he had just dealt with. There was an air of professionalism, of danger, surrounding him.

The man paused a few feet from John’s window, taking a leisurely drag from a fresh cigarette before exhaling a plume of smoke. "You must be John," he said, his voice smooth and low, carrying a hint of amusement.

John stepped out of the car, meeting the man’s gaze head-on. "Who are you?" he demanded, keeping his voice steady.

The man smiled, a predatory grin that revealed perfect white teeth. "You can call me Mr. Black. I’m here for what you owe us."

John’s eyes narrowed, the system’s power simmering beneath his skin. "I don’t owe you anything," he replied, his voice hard. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Mr. Black chuckled softly, taking another drag from his cigarette before flicking it aside. "Oh, but you do. You’ve caused quite a mess, and now it’s time to settle accounts."

John shifted his stance, readying himself for a fight. "Then let’s settle it," he said, his voice low and filled with determination.

Mr. Black moved first, lunging at John with a speed that was almost supernatural. But John’s enhanced reflexes were quicker. He sidestepped, delivering a sharp elbow to Mr. Black’s ribs. The impact was solid, but Mr. Black barely flinched, retaliating with a swift roundhouse kick aimed at John’s head.

John ducked, countering with an uppercut that sent Mr. Black staggering back a few steps. The man adjusted his glasses, his expression unfazed, and launched a flurry of strikes that tested John’s newfound martial arts prowess.

The two exchanged blows in a deadly dance, each movement precise and calculated. John’s fists flew in rapid succession, delivering powerful punches that would have incapacitated a lesser opponent. But Mr. Black absorbed the hits with an unnerving resilience, his own strikes landing with bone-crushing force.

John felt a sharp kick to his abdomen, the breath driven from his lungs as he stumbled backward. But the system’s power surged within him, revitalising him, pushing him beyond his limits.Grace shouted, "Handsome..."