Chapter 27: Aftermath

"Good evening, Brother Fujibu."

"Good evening, Coach Rei. What are you planning to practice today?" Fujio stood in the gym's hall, water bottle in hand, sweat streaming down his body, indicating he had just finished training.

Rei considered it. Bench presses weren't necessary anymore. This skill had been maxed out, thanks to the system's generous rewards. While regular training might only lead to slight attribute gains over a year, maxing out proficiency with the system yielded a significant boost in attribute points.

The choice was clear.

"Let's focus on weighted push-ups today. Brother Fujio, could you assist me?" Rei decided. After the bench press, Rei realized exercises like this, where one bears weight, significantly improved proficiency.

Set small goals, one skill at a time!

"Absolutely," Fujio agreed with enthusiasm. For him, the stronger the muscles, the more admirable. Rei, without a doubt, was someone to look up to. If not for the age gap being a bit large, as Rei's age is closer to his daughter's. He'd have no qualms calling Rei 'big brother'.

Entering the gym, Rei saw the burly Machio teaching Sakura and Akemi.

~ Machio's Muscle Lecture ~

"I'm Machio~. Today, let's learn the proper push-up technique."

Sakura couldn't help but complain, "Why does it feel like an educational program again!?"

Machio began explaining the correct push-up form. Akemi on the ground, was demonstrating the correct posture, allowing Machio to instruct Sakura: "Bend over and support the ground with your hands, which should be about shoulder-width apart or slightly wider."

"Ensure shoulders, elbows, and wrists form a straight line."

"Tighten your abdomen, straighten your back, legs, hips, back, and head in a straight line. Avoid arching your back or hips."

"The upper arm should be at about a 45-degree angle to the body. Keep your body straight and flat throughout the movement."

As Machio finished explaining, Akemi performed a very precise set of twenty. She then got up, wiping the light sweat from her forehead. As she looked up, she spotted Rei in the distance, shirtless, revealing his well-defined upper body.

Instantly, Akemi's eyes took on a rosy hue.

"Naruzo, I'm sorry, but can you help me first?" Fujio carefully placed a 25-kilogram barbell on Rei's back, confirming the balance before picking up another.

Seeing this, Machio trotted to Rei's side.

In yesterday's competition, he had felt Rei's overwhelming power in the final moments. He accepted defeat and couldn't muster the motivation to challenge again so soon.

"No problem."

Rei's back, though not as broad as a professional bodybuilder's or those martial artists with robust torsos, was twice the width of an average person's. Five 25-kilogram barbells were laid on Rei's back, yet they remained stationary.

This was akin to carrying a 240-pound person. Compared to people, the barbell's point of contact was smaller, putting greater strain on Rei's back.

"Rei, do you want to add more weight?" Fujio asked Rei while holding two more 25-kilogram barbell pieces. "How are you feeling now? Is it constricting in your chest?"

Rei, still supporting himself, shook his head and said without moving, "It's not too heavy. Let's add more later. Let's see how effective this is."

Fujio nodded, placing the two barbell pieces by his feet. Machio and Akemi stood on either side of Rei, ready to stabilize the barbells in case they tilted. Even if they fell, there were two safeguards to prevent any harm to Rei's other parts.

"What robust back muscles! Just looking at those lines, I feel like I'm being transported to another world!"

Sakura quickly covered Akemi's mouth to stop her from making any more inappropriate remarks.

This girl was an extreme muscle enthusiast who couldn't contain herself when she saw strong muscles!

[[Push-ups] proficiency 14%] [[Push-ups] proficiency 10%] [[Push-ups] proficiency 11%] [[Push-ups] proficiency 8%] [Skill [Push-ups] reaches LV1] [[Push-ups] proficiency 10%] [[Push-ups] proficiency 13%]

While the proficiency gains weren't as significant as with bench presses, they were still rapid. As long as Rei maintained the correct posture, each rise added to his proficiency.

"Brother Fujio, let's keep adding weight."

...

Meanwhile, Baki awoke in a daze at the police station, still puzzled. Before he could grasp the situation, Mitsunari arrived to take him away. As they sat in the black limousine, Baki finally inquired, "So, what happened? Why am I covered in so much blood?"

Mitsunari shifted his gaze from the window to Baki's bloody body and explained, "The blood on you is from Spec, one of the five death row prisoners. He's dead."

Baki considered who Spec might be. Soon, the image of a tall, strong man in his sixties came to mind—the man he had met just last night, now deceased. Life was truly unpredictable.

"But why is it my concern that he's dead? And why am I covered in blood?" Baki pointed out the oddity.

"This is what I want to ask you. There were no surveillance cameras around the park, but I learned from those police officers that there was another person in a school uniform like you, and it was he who... finished Spec."  Mitsunari's eyes trembled.

Even after living for eighty or ninety years, it was the first time he had seen such a brutal way to die. Spec's body had been blown apart. Even if he summoned the top forensic expert in all of Tokyo, they couldn't piece it back together. This wasn't done with heavy weapons—it was done with fists!

"Spec was someone who could shatter a statue across the sea with his bare hands. And now he's been blown up? If you don't mind me asking, is that the schoolboy you mentioned Baki?" Tokugawa Mitsunari inquired.

Baki, with his clenched teeth, affirmed, "He's my classmate." Baki didn't conceal it. He knew that, given Mitsunari's strength, it would be easy to discover Rei's identity. But he hadn't done so, instead coming to ask him directly. This already showed considerable respect.

"Can you take me to see him?" Mitsunari's old eyes gleamed with intensity. He asked Baki earnestly.

"Yes, but before we go, come with me to buy something."

"What?"

"The collector's edition of New World Online's latest game." Mitsunari blinked in surprise.

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