The air in the room felt heavier as the environment shifted. Alex's senses sharpened, his muscles tensing in anticipation. He stood in the center of a new simulation: an abandoned city street, littered with debris, the sky darkened by an ominous storm. The sound of distant thunder echoed, setting the scene for what was about to unfold.
"Multiple targets incoming," Mary announced. "Stay focused, and remember everything you've learned. Precision, speed, and control are your key advantages."
The first two dummies appeared from behind crumbling buildings, moving in sync toward him. They were faster than the ones he'd faced before—this was no longer just a test of his basic skills. The real challenge had arrived.
Alex took a breath, his mind already analyzing their movements, looking for patterns. The dummies were humanoid, but they were programmed to react unpredictably. He knew that if he hesitated, even for a moment, he'd be overwhelmed.
Without thinking, he surged forward. His body reacted instantly, flowing like water. His left foot planted firmly on the ground as he shifted his weight, using the momentum to launch himself at the first dummy. His fist landed precisely in the chest, sending it stumbling back. He spun, pivoting on his heel, and met the second dummy with a quick jab to the abdomen, knocking the wind out of it.
But they weren't done yet. More figures emerged from the shadows—more dummies, now circling him. This was where things were going to get complicated. Alex didn't flinch. Instead, he tapped into everything Mary had taught him. His body moved without hesitation, executing each strike with calculated precision. He ducked, dodged, and countered as the dummies closed in from all directions.
"You're doing well, but now the pressure is increasing," Mary's voice echoed. "Keep moving. Don't let them box you in."
The sound of rapid footsteps approached from behind. Alex spun, his left arm swinging out to block a strike aimed at his side. With one fluid motion, he gripped the attacking dummy's arm, twisting it and throwing it into the one behind it. The two collided with a loud crash.
His heart rate quickened, the battle intensifying as more and more dummies appeared. His legs burned, but he forced himself to keep moving, dodging and striking in perfect synchronization. With every blow, he felt the limits of his strength, but it wasn't enough. He needed more.
"Push harder. Your body can handle more than this," Mary urged. "Trust yourself."
Alex gritted his teeth, his focus unwavering. He wasn't just fighting to win—he was fighting to master his own body, to push the boundaries of what he could do. He could feel the tension in his muscles, the raw power building within him, but he needed to harness it. It wasn't enough to fight mindlessly; he had to be smart about it.
The dummies began to fall, one by one, as Alex grew more relentless. He controlled his speed, his precision, his strikes flowing with a deadly grace. There were no wasted movements, no unnecessary force. His body felt like a finely-tuned instrument, and the city street was his stage.
"Keep going," Mary said, her voice calm but encouraging. "You're almost there."
With one last surge of energy, Alex dashed forward, taking down the remaining dummies in a blur of motion. He stood there, chest heaving, his mind racing. His body was exhausted, but there was a sense of satisfaction in the air. He'd done it. He had completed the simulation. But it wasn't just about surviving; it was about growth, about learning how to fight smarter, faster, and stronger.
"You did well," Mary said, her voice soft. "But this is only the beginning. There's more to unlock, more to learn. Are you ready for the next phase?"
"I have a flight at 8 am," Alex said, his voice tired but determined.
"Thanks to your cyber enhancements, you can rest or sleep while we continue with your training. Mental fatigue will be managed, and you can recover while in flight," Mary responded.
"Okay then, let's do it," Alex replied, taking a deep breath as the next simulation started. He closed his eyes, letting his mind slip into a state of rest as he allowed the system to continue running his training.
The hours passed quickly, his body resting while his mind remained active. The world outside blurred as he processed what he'd learned, adapting to the endless scenarios Mary was providing. Every new challenge brought its own set of obstacles, but Alex felt stronger with each one. The hour was coming to a close, and soon he would need to pack up for the airport.
Alex quickly finished packing his things, ensuring everything was in order. The feeling of exhaustion still lingered, but it was balanced by the knowledge that he was growing, expanding his abilities. As he left his home, he headed toward the airport, the weight of his journey ahead hanging in the air.
Soon, he reached the Airport and boared his plane.
Sitting in his seat, Alex leaned back and let himself slip into a deep sleep. The pressure of the flight and the constant training had worn him out, and soon, the hum of the plane was all he could hear. His eyes closed, and he drifted off, allowing the fatigue to take over.
When he awoke, the soft jolt of air hostess wake him up, as she reminded him they are landing. He nodded as he put on his seat belts and soon the plane touched down and now he is in Europe-Specifically At Czech Republic..
"Ha, time to go vampire hunting," Alex mumbled as he brushed his hair back, ready for whatever came next. He stood up, stretching slightly, before grabbing his bag and making his way to the exit. The airport was bustling with travelers, but his focus was clear.
He had a mission.
After navigating through the crowds and grabbing a quick taxi, Alex headed to the hotel he'd booked earlier. The city around him was a mix of ancient charm and modern life, typical of many European cities, but to him, it was just the backdrop for something much more exciting—and dangerous.
He was ready to see what the night had in store.
***
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