Quest Failed

"Hang on, so you bailed on Aerion football practise to come here? Be honest with me, has becoming a ghoul made you LOSE YOUR MIND? This might be even worse than Aerion!" Tom whispered angrily, trying to appeal to his best friend as he followed her to the front of the school dojo. The two friends could already hear the sounds of chanting from the outside.

Inside, there were around a dozen students in white robes all in sync performing a set of moves.

Off to the side, there were several students that currently sat down, one of them being Chloe. When the teacher noticed the newcomers he asked: "Oh, are you guys interested in the Karate club?"

Emily clenched her fist, and shook her head. "I'm here, to fight!".

************

During her brief time with the system, Emily had actually gained the most Exp after fighting against others like the Werewolf and Heaven Dune High students. Although she had yet to confirm her suspicion, she strongly believed that it might also be an effective way to gain other stats like Endurance.

Unwilling to go out and look for trouble in the streets, her conjecture had eventually led her to just challenge the martial arts clubs in her own school and she hasn't forgotten about Chloe Invitation to challenge her when she's ready.

The teacher of the Karate club was an aged man, whose arms were folded after hearing Emily's declaration.

"I like your spirit, kid, but things don't work like they do in movies. This is a school club. I can't just let anyone barge in here and allow them to fight my students." The teacher explained in a calm tone.

Willy was very pleased that this teacher seemed reasonable and hadn't just outright accepted his buddy's crazy request. Now he would just have to pull Emily out of the gym. Unfortunately, just when he was about to grab his friend by the arm, Willy saw a strange look in Gary's eyes.

" But I have an invitation." Emily said pointing towards Chloe.

The student started murmuring. Chloe just nodded.

Very well. Omak, please help our enthusiastic friend find a belt in her size!" The teacher instructed.

Immediately, a student with a green belt stepped forward. Omak had short hair and he was a little larger than willy and Emily combined, yet not as big as Aerion football bulwark players.

While Omak and Emily had disappeared into the changing rooms, the other students had quickly laid out mats on the floor, creating an impromptu arena for the two to fight in. Not long after, the two combatants came out.

Emily was now also in the white uniform just like everyone else. She and Omak both had head gear on as well as shin guards to protect their legs and finally a large cover on the front of their stomach. This entire set of protection gear only made it harder for Emily to move in, but even she understood that there was no way the teacher would let them fight without them.

[You have initiated a fight against a karateka (green belt)! 

[Win the Match!]

[Quest reward: 250 exp]

A hands-on demonstration should be the fastest way for you to get a feel for Karate. Don't worry, Omak here should be capable enough to teach you a lesson without hurting you too badly."

"The fight will end when one of you gives up. If either one of you steps off the mats, stop what you're doing and restart at the centre. Most importantly, this is a friendly spar, so neither one of you is to aim at your opponent's face or their groin! Do you both understand?" The teacher asked.

The two of them nodded while the other students sat down around the mats some students decided to film it with their comm, waiting for the match to begin. This was far more interesting than their usual training. As for Willy, he wasn't sure what to do. It seemed far too late to play everything off as a joke.

As soon as the match began, Emily immediately activated her skill.

[Rage]

[-10 Energy]

[ All Stats Doubled ]

All of her stats immediately doubled, her Strength rose to 10, Endurance was now at a 16 and Dexterity 10.

As the two teenagers stepped onto the dojo mat, the air was charged with an electric energy. The martial artist had been practicing for months, refining his skills and challenging himself to be the best. he was confident that he would be able to best his opponent, a seemingly unimposing frail teenage girl.

However, Omak made the mistake of underestimating his opponent. he rushed in, attempting to take the girl out quickly and efficiently. But Emily was ready, her eyes focused and her stance firm.

At first, it seemed like Omak was gaining the upper hand. He utilized his punches and kicks with a speed and precision that was unmatched even with Emily doubled dexterity. His jabs, hooks, and roundhouse kicks left the girl struggling to defend herself.

[ - 3HP ]

[ - 5Hp ]

[ - 10Hp ]

But Emily was not one to give up easily. She dug deep, drawing on her strength and endurance, and began to launch her own attacks. Her punches and kicks were raw and powerful, each one landing with a force that left the Omak reeling.

As the fight continued, Omak utilized a range of skills to maintain the upper hand. Footwork was key, with Omak always positioning himself for maximum impact. Timing and coordination also played a crucial role, with Omak constantly seeking to gain an advantage by exploiting openings in the other's defenses.

In terms of punches and kicks, Omak used a combination of jabs, hooks, and uppercuts to surprise and overwhelm his opponent. He also utilized a series of quick and powerful kicks, including spinning back kicks and front kicks, to keep Emily on the defensive.

[ -7Hp ]

[ - 11Hp ]

Emily, meanwhile, primarily relied on her brute strength, using powerful straight punches and devastating kicks to wear down Omak. She also made use of her own shitty footwork and coordination, shifting her stance and weaving around the dojo to dodge her opponent's attacks.

In the end, it was the girl's raw strength and endurance that won the day. Despite the martial artist's superior technique and speed, Emily was able to weather his attacks and land powerful blows, one after another, eventually securing the victory.

Omak collapsed, he had a broken ribs and 23 other broken bones, the dojo's medbot started his treatment.

[Quest reward: 250 Exp]

[Emergency healing in progress]

[Energy will be consumed]

[Emergency healing completed - 10 energy ]

[ Health restored 100/100 HP ]

Mr Blade quickly rushed over to Omak, even forgetting to declare the fight to be over, too worried about his pupil's wellbeing. It appeared as if he had misjudged Emily. At first he had believed her to just be a frail and naive kid, but judging from her fighting style, although it was rough, she was someone who had fought before.

His own student had been at a complete disadvantage. Omak was used to fighting competitions, as such he had stayed overly cautious about not losing any points, trying his best to show off his skills, while the only thing on Emily's mind had been winning the fight.

"She beat Omak, and it was by Knock out."

"It looked like he got winded from the first punch, even with all the armour, those punches must have been strong."

"I think Omak was playing it too safe, he should have gone for a kick to the head." The students continued to murmur between themselves.

It was then that another one stood up from the sitting students.

"Mr Blade, I would like to fight her next.. I gave her the invitation" Chloe smirked.

" Maybe if you win...you might just get that date."

[New quest received]

[Win the date!]

[Quest reward: Instant Level Up (+ a date!)]

'What the hell is wrong with this system?' Emily thought.

The atmosphere was charged with electricity as Chloe strode purposefully towards Emily, every step echoing through the dojo. The low hum of conversation intensified as she approached, the murmur of voices rising to a crescendo as she took her stance and issued her challenge. 

Emily's face was burning with embarrassment as she tried to keep her breathing steady.

[Skill activated Rage]

[All stats have temporarily been doubled]

[-10 energy points]

The teacher signalled the start of the match and Chloe lunged forward like a tightly coiled spring. Emily's movements were sluggish in comparison, and she had barely lifted her arms to defend herself before Chloe had landed two rapid punches to her face. 

[ - 15HP ]

[ - 15Hp ]

The spectators gasped as Emily reeled backwards, blood starting to trickle from her nose. It was over before it had even begun. She moved like a predator, fluid and deadly, and it seemed like Chloe had her on the ropes right from the start. 

Emily tried to strike back, but Chloe was too fast, too experienced. It was as if she knew all her moves before she even made them. She felt the wind leave her lungs as Chloe foot connected with her head, sending her hurtling backwards into one of the walls of the dojo with a sickening thud. 

[ - 45HP ]

[Emergency healing in progress]

[Energy will be consumed]

[Emergency healing completed - 60 energy ]

[ Health restored 100/100 HP ]

[ Low energy 20/ 100 ]

The sound of shocked silence rang through the dojo as Emily lay there, dazed and groaning. Slowly, she began to push herself back to her feet, one hand pressed to her ribs and the other clutching the wall for support. 

Most of the people watching had already written her off as a lost cause, and so the sight of her slowly regaining her balance and gritting her teeth as she stumbled back to her corner was like a bolt from the blue. She may have lost the fight, but she was still standing – and that was something that commanded a measure of respect in this world of ruthless combat.

Reset!" Mr Blade said, with a big grin on his face. He knew as a teacher he shouldn't be smiling at something like this, but he just couldn't help himself.

Emily was ready for round 2, to reset the match and fight again. However, she had received a message from the system at that point.

[Quest failed]

[You are no longer able to complete this Quest]

Since becoming a Ghoul and obtaining the system, it was Emily's first loss and first quest failure.