Side Story: Kinetic Conversion

  Mike Hale had always been good at handling weights. It was his thing—picking up heavy stuff, pushing his limits, testing his body’s strength. His days at the gym had been filled with routines: squats, deadlifts, bench presses—classic, simple exercises. They weren’t just about muscle, though. They were about control. Mike had always been someone who understood the balance between exertion and recovery. He knew his limits and had pushed past them more times than he could count.

  But this? This wasn’t normal.

  The moment Adrian had explained the concept of kinetic energy conversion, Mike had thought it sounded like a load of nonsense. Turning absorbed hits into power? Sure, maybe it worked in some fantasy world, but not in real life. The whole idea felt too much like a superpower—something that didn’t fit into the harsh reality of the world he had been thrust into.

  Still, there was something in Adrian’s eyes—something calm and unwavering—that made Mike consider it. He wasn’t just saying it for the sake of hope. He believed it.

  Adrian had led him to the middle of a ruined street, broken pieces of concrete scattered everywhere like the remnants of a lost civilization. In the distance, the roar of the Typhon-Aswang Hive’s advancing swarm echoed like the growl of a predator closing in on its prey. Mike could feel the pressure rising, the weight of impending battle already settling into his bones. But for now, they were going to focus on something simpler.

  "Show me how you fight," Adrian had said. "And I’ll show you how to turn that fight into something more."

  Mike wasn’t sure what Adrian meant by that. He’d already been fighting for his life. Fighting with his fists, his feet, whatever weapon he could grab from the wreckage. But this... this was different.

  The first few moments felt strange. Adrian stood in front of him, calm as ever, while Mike cracked his knuckles and prepared himself. He threw a few light jabs in the air to loosen up his arms. But the truth was, Mike didn’t know where to begin. He had no idea how to “convert” anything. All he knew was how to hit.

  Adrian studied him for a moment, then stepped back. "Now, hit me."

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  Mike blinked in confusion. "What?"

  "You heard me," Adrian said with a slight smile. "Hit me."

  Mike hesitated for only a split second before deciding to go along with it. If anyone could handle a punch from him, it was Adrian, right? Mike stepped forward and threw a straight punch aimed at Adrian’s chest. But Adrian didn’t dodge. He didn’t even flinch. Instead, he allowed Mike’s punch to land.

  The impact should have knocked Adrian back. But nothing happened. Adrian barely moved, and Mike’s knuckles were immediately met with a sharp pain, as if they had punched a wall made of steel. Mike stumbled back a little, shaking his hand to relieve the sting.

  Adrian’s expression was unreadable. "Do you feel that?"

  Mike nodded. "Yeah, it’s like hitting concrete."

  "Good. Now focus. Don’t just throw a punch and expect it to work. Feel the energy of your body moving when you strike. The energy from your hit is yours to absorb. When you punch, let the energy from the impact flow back into you."

  Mike looked skeptical but tried again. This time, he threw a jab, then a hook. It wasn’t as hard as the first punch, but Adrian still let it land, his body remaining unmoved, but his eyes never leaving Mike’s.

  Mike paused. This time, he felt it—a small tingle, a ripple of something that connected his body to Adrian’s. Not much. But it was there.

  "Again," Adrian urged. "Focus on the impact."

  Mike exhaled deeply, pushing the doubt out of his mind. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel, but he knew Adrian wouldn’t let him fail. He threw a punch, harder this time, then another. The tingle returned, stronger this time, like a current of energy running through his arm.

  Adrian’s voice broke through his concentration. "Good. Now, take it one step further. Absorb the energy from your hits and channel it into your body."

  Mike gritted his teeth. Absorb? Channel? He didn’t know if he could do it, but he had to try. He swung again, this time not thinking too hard about the punch itself but focusing on the sensation that followed it. As his fist connected with Adrian’s chest, Mike forced his mind to receive the energy. He didn’t just want to hit. He wanted the energy to be his.

  For a second, nothing happened. And then, he felt it—a surge of power rush through his muscles. His legs tightened, his chest swelled, and his arms felt... stronger. It was like the punch didn’t just hit Adrian; it had become part of him, coursing through his body, fueling him.

  Adrian’s smile appeared, brief but knowing. "There it is. Now you’re getting it."

  Mike was stunned. The pain in his arm had vanished, replaced by something else—something powerful. He flexed his fists, feeling the new energy flow through him. It was as if every punch he threw was a new opportunity to become stronger. The more he fought, the more energy he could absorb, and the more powerful he would become.

  "Now, don’t just fight the Aswangs or the Hive for the sake of it," Adrian said, stepping back. "Fight because every blow you land brings you closer to mastering this. Absorb their strength, their energy, and turn it into yours. This is the new way to fight. The System's way."

  Mike took a deep breath, letting the power settle into his bones. It wasn’t just about punching anymore. It was about harnessing the world around him, about making every hit count.

  As the sound of distant roars reached his ears, Mike knew that the fight for survival was only beginning. But this time, he wasn’t just a man with fists—he was a man with power. And that made all the difference.

  "Let’s go," Adrian said, his eyes gleaming with purpose.

  Mike nodded, a determined grin spreading across his face. "I’m ready."

  And together, they walked into the heart of the chaos.

  Next Chapter Coming Soon...