Lenny was still riding high from his narrow victory in AI Theory earlier that day. The feeling of winning felt good—especially with Emma beside him, smiling and proud. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this alive, this confident. When she invited him to dinner with her friends, he had accepted without hesitation. The evening was sure to be a welcome change from his usual quiet routine.
The restaurant she had picked was one of those sleek, modern places that gave off an air of sophistication but also warmth. The dim lighting, the soft hum of conversation, and the aroma of fine food made it clear this wasn't a typical student hangout. Emma was already there when he arrived, a smile lighting up her face as she waved him over.
"You made it!" she said, standing up to greet him. She was dressed casually yet stylishly, her hair in loose waves. The group of friends she had invited sat around a large table, chatting amongst themselves.
Lenny sat down, his nerves easing as he joined the group. There was laughter, light teasing, and an overall feeling of camaraderie in the air. Emma's friends were friendly, and though Lenny had always felt a bit out of place in groups like this, he found it easy to get along with them.
They ordered a variety of dishes to share, the food arriving in a flurry of plates and bowls filled with different cuisines. It was the kind of dinner where everyone picked at everything, laughed about the food, and shared stories about their college lives. Emma's friends were surprisingly down-to-earth, and Lenny felt himself relaxing more with each passing minute.
But the night would take an unexpected turn.
After they had finished their meal, and everyone was laughing over some shared joke, the night air outside the restaurant felt a bit cooler. Emma led the group toward the exit, chatting with one of her friends when they were suddenly interrupted by a group of men standing by the entrance. They were a rough-looking bunch, their clothes torn, their faces hard with the arrogance of those who had seen too many fights and not enough consequences.
"Hey, pretty lady," one of the men said with a sneer, eyeing Emma. His voice was grating, low. "How about you and your friends come with us for a little fun?"
Lenny felt his stomach churn at the sound of his words. The man's tone wasn't just threatening—it was predatory. Emma's eyes widened, her smile dropping, and the others stopped in their tracks, sensing the shift in the air.
"Just keep walking," one of Emma's friends whispered, taking a step forward.
But the man raised a hand, halting the group with a casual, dangerous gesture. "I don't think you heard me. You're coming with us whether you like it or not."
That was when Lenny's instincts kicked in. His Warrior System had been enhancing his abilities for days now, pushing him to a level he hadn't fully appreciated until moments like this.
Without even thinking about it, Lenny moved into action. He stood a few paces behind Emma and the others, his body tense, his mind clear. The men were too close—too dangerous. The first one who tried to step toward Emma was met with a sharp, quick jab to the ribs. Lenny's fist collided with his target's side with a sickening thud, and the thug stumbled back, gasping for breath.
The others froze for a split second before another man lunged at Lenny. But Lenny was faster. He sidestepped, his foot hooking around the attacker's ankle. With a swift pull, he sent the man crashing to the pavement, the impact echoing in the quiet street.
The rest of the group hesitated, trying to process what had just happened. They hadn't expected anyone to fight back, let alone someone who moved with the precision and speed of someone trained for combat.
The leader—who had been taunting Emma—advanced, thinking Lenny would be an easy target. But Lenny had already assessed the situation, his body fluid with a sense of grace that was almost otherworldly. He spun, throwing a sharp punch to the man's jaw, connecting with a satisfying crack. The thug staggered back, his eyes wide with surprise. Before he could regain his balance, Lenny was on him, kicking out with a roundhouse that caught the man squarely in the chest. He flew backward, hitting the ground with a harsh thud.
Lenny stood over the thugs, chest heaving from the adrenaline. His stance was firm, the confidence that had been building over the past few weeks surging to the surface. The remaining two men looked at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear. They seemed to realize they weren't going to win this fight.
With a growl of frustration, the two men retreated into the shadows, leaving Lenny and Emma's group standing in stunned silence. Emma's friends were wide-eyed, unsure whether to laugh or to be genuinely impressed.
Emma, however, looked at Lenny with a mixture of awe and relief. "That was… amazing," she breathed.
Lenny just nodded, feeling the rush of the encounter fade as quickly as it had come. "Are you all okay?" he asked, his voice steady, though his heart still raced.
"Yeah, we're good. I can't believe you did that," one of Emma's friends exclaimed. "You just took them out like it was nothing."
Lenny shrugged, not wanting to over-explain. "I've been working on getting stronger. Guess it came in handy."
Emma reached up and touched his arm gently, her fingers lingering there for a moment longer than necessary. "You saved us, Lenny. Thank you."
He nodded again, a little sheepish now, the adrenaline from the fight giving way to a quiet sense of pride. "It's nothing."
But Emma smiled again, this time softer, more sincere. "No. You're amazing, really. Thank you."
As they made their way back from the restaurant, Emma's friends whispered excitedly about the incident. It was obvious that Lenny had made a lasting impression, and for once, Lenny didn't mind the attention. He was still processing the experience—what had just happened—and how the Warrior System had played a part in it. But one thing was certain: he was changing, evolving in ways he had never imagined.
After the group dispersed, Lenny made his way home, still deep in thought about the encounter. The night was quiet, the streets of Silversun City bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. He entered his home, the familiar warmth of his house enveloping him as he slipped off his shoes.
His mind was still racing. He had been caught off guard, but he had managed to hold his own. His body felt charged, like the fight had triggered something deeper within him. But there was no time to linger on it—he had tasks to complete.
Lenny dropped down to the floor, the carpet rough against his palms as he settled into position. He had to finish his daily routine. The System would demand it. And just like that, he began doing his 60 push-ups, the rhythm of each rep helping to ground him after the whirlwind of the evening.
By the time he finished, he was dripping with sweat, his muscles sore from both the push-ups and the fight. But there was a sense of accomplishment. And when he checked his Warrior System, the notification was waiting for him.
XP: 135/200.
"65 XP remain to reach level 7," Lenny thought as he prepared to shower before going to bed.