20 Red rooster cries at midnight

Jack wondered what his current power level as compared to ordinary people so when he saw the gym sign he decided to go there. He was not wearing any clothes built for sports, but since it was summer, he wore Bermuda shorts and a T-Shirt plus sneakers so he was sure it would not be a problem.

It was a big three-story building, and he could see through the glass that was all around the first-floor spinning machines. There were a lot of elderly sitting and sweating on them, so his dream of seeing something beautiful to look at was crushed.

Jack went in, and the air conditioning inside proved to be great. He was almost cold at that point since the temperature difference from outside was that big. Walking towards the reception area after which was a staircase and a couple of doors which were labeled Hall 1-4, he noticed that only the spinning machines were downstairs.

He walked to the reception area and asked a buff guy in a tank top if he was at the right place.

The guy explained the gym is upstairs and cardio spinning machines are downstairs since most elderly only use those. Behind him were four halls for practicing yoga, a basketball court, and some martial arts courses.

The guy offered Jack a one-day free membership card if he can provide an ID. Jack complied, and he got inputted into their system.

Jack quickly went upstairs and there he saw a plethora of weights and other gym equipment spread on the whole second floor. He got a locker room key from an attendant, and he asked about a towel, and they made him buy one for 15$, and he also bought a T-Shirt for 20$.

»Great way for saving money. Going without a plan to a gym.« Jack thought to himself.

Anyway, he was here now, and he should make the most of it. Since it was not even 4 pm yet and the gym was basically empty an employee named Joe offered to give him some pointers for free, and Jack was happy to accept.

First, they tried some stretching exercises for, and then the led him to bench press.

There was a blonde not far away from that bench press, and Joe greeted her. Jack looked at her and said his hello also. The woman just glanced at him once and immediately turned away after saying hello.

Jack shrugged his shoulders and followed Joe.

Joe was very enthusiastic, and he started to explain how on your first visit you should find your threshold first, and a bench press was the right way to do it according to him. He said he has a system for every other weight if he knows how much Jack can benchpress.

He demonstrated the process and lifted 80 kilograms on it. He said a good start for an average person should be his body weight, but he was able to lift 50 % more since he is an advanced lifter.

Joe asked Jack about Jack's body weight, and since Jack had no idea, they found a scale and measured his height and weight. Jack was 184cm(6 feet) tall and weighed 52 kilograms (114 pounds).

Joe just looked at him and made a remark:«Do you even eat?«

Jack just smiled at him and thought to himself, »If you only knew...«

They went back to the bench press, and Joe set up 30 kilograms as a starter weight.

Jack got underneath, and Joe spotted him while the girl was not far away from doing some other exercises so Joe was loud as he could be.

Joe lowered the barbell into Jacks' hands and instructed Jack to pull down and then push upwards. Since Joe was also holding the barbell, Jack assumed that was the reason it felt light. As Jack pushed on the bar, it was like there were no weights on it at all and he already knew he used too much power so he gripped them hard or the whole barbell would fly from his hands.

Joe was a bit surprised with the speed the barbell lifted.

He told Jack: "Let's try 40 kilograms. "

Jack repeated two lifts with ease.

»Let's try 50 kilograms,«

Jack repeated two lifts with ease.

»Let's try 60 kilograms,«

Jack repeated two lifts with ease.

Joe was looking at Jack, and he had trouble understanding where this guy's power comes from. He was an enthusiastic guy and was basically bored out of his mind at this time of an hour, so he just added weights.

Soon they were at 100 kg, and Jack repeated two lifts with ease but started to feel a bit of pressure. At 120 kilograms the party was over, and Jack could hardly lift it.

Joe by then was looking at him like he found an alien. Jack had no visible muscle mass. His biceps were barely noticeable when he bench pressed 120 kilograms. Which was a 140 % or 2.4x of his weight which would put him in the elite of bench pressing sport.

Jack and Joe put the weight back on the rack together. Jack was wet from perspiration, and Joe had a dumbfounded expression his face.

»Man, you really must have some kind of special strength genes. Did an ant or spider bite you?«, Joe joked.

Jack knew he overdid it. So he just said:«Yeah, multiple times.«

Then they both laughed.

Jack asked for the time and excused himself after he was told it was 5.30 pm claiming he had an appointment at 6.30pm and he should hurry home.

Joe just asked him to revisit the gym to experience the other equipment they had to offer and offered to be his personal coach.

Jack just said:«Thank you for today and that he will see if he can find the time.«

Jack liked Joe's enthusiasm, but he knew how he was progressing he would be bench pressing 200 kilograms with ease very soon, and that would make him stand out like a torch in the night.

He quickly went to the wardrobe and wiped himself off with the new towel and changed his t-shirt.

As he left, he didn't know he would become a small urban legend in the gym as the guy with no muscles who could bench press almost 2.5x his weight.

He was satisfied with his visit and figured out the strength of 10 points gave him an equivalent power as a top human athlete. Jack was not the most powerful human in strength on Earth, but relative to his weight and size, he was nearing the top.

After he exited the gym he went back to the bar and grill and spend 33$ on another challenge burger, but this one he paid for with one-third of the value of the gift card. Jack enjoyed it this time a lot more since there was no time constraint and he managed to observe the bartender lady and the customers while he ate. He also got himself a beer, and the total came to 40$ plus a 5$ tip from his pocket.

The lady was still friendly towards him even though he paid with the gift certificate and didn't really tip well.

As he was eating Jack heard a couple of customers talking about an underground fight club. He listened attentively or should we say eavesdropped and he got the location and time when they had their fights. He also got a passcode he should use when asked.

He was itching to at least go see it if not participate in them. Next fight happened to be tonight, and he inputted the address into his phone, and the location was half a mile from the bar.

After finishing his meal, he walked in that direction on foot since it was close.

The lovely storefronts soon turned into grey warehouses. By the time Jack reached the address, it was 7.30 pm, and it should start at 8 pm. There were already some cars parked outside, and he went towards the entrance.

As he got near a muscular guy wearing a sleeveless shirt appeared in front the door and asked:«Do you have an invite?«

»Red rooster cries at midnight,« said Jack and awaited the reaction of the guy in front of him.

The guy just smiled and gestured with his arms for Jack to go in.