round 1...

The right elbow swung into the guy's lower jaw.With the third sprawled across the floor, there're only 7 men left standing, including himself. It was less than a minute ago that those three had their noses up high. Now, this kid, with sleeves torn, hair dripping sweat, looks more menacing than any schooler they've approached before...

The air is stale and humid, and the perspiration makes me it worse. They must have snapped due to the bad weather. To attack me just metres away from the school, geez…

It's a year since I’ve had any proper training, guess the exercise from the past few days helped. Which reminds me, I don’t see any familiar faces in this group…

…

… A little feint first…

…

They flinched!

I leapt two steps to the tallest guy, too bad the ones beside you flinched!

I reduced my stride as I saw his arm curl up. The extra step gave me control to dodge his left straight. Momentum from threw me forward and covered the distance of his arm. In such close quarters, I striked freely with my left knee at his body.

But that round was not over.

A guy had gotten out a stick as I entered hostile grounds, and has closed in as I slammed my knee. I need to counter fast! But what about the tall guy? I’ll have to choose one! Shifting my weight onto the left leg, I swung my body. The roundhouse caught the head just before he ploughed the stick. To my relief, the tall guy dropped limply onto the ground as I continued to punch the backstabber’s solar plexus. I gave another left hook to his cheek to play safe, and turned to face the rest of them, skipping back to my original position three metres away.

…

… This is too much excitement…

…

… I should plan…

Three guys taken out in a frenzy while they underestimated me, then another two taken out before they’ve calmed down. The other five remaining did not bother to get me while I was near. This could either mean they’re afraid, or they’re planning something. None had bothered to speak up to calm the group though.

On the other hand, I’m panting already. I’ll have to act fast. Sheesh, one year’s really’s the limit. These simple techniques won’t last long. Nothing beats physical conditioning. I’ll take them out before they regroup.

First step, hide my weaknesses and present condition.

Second step, take out the ones who’re afraid.

Third…

…

… Yeah, not now…

…

Let’s go!

Round 1...

The right elbow swung into the guy's lower jaw.With the third sprawled across the floor, there're only 7 men left standing, including himself. It was less than a minute ago that those three had their noses up high. Now, this kid, with sleeves torn, hair dripping sweat, looks more menacing than any schooler they've approached before...

The pair of broken spectacles lie in the corner of the alley behind the boy. Three of the group’s members had witnessed first-hand the tenacity and toughness hidden behind the thick glasses. They seemed to have chosen to wrong job to take on.

A sudden movement of feet!

*flinch*

The boy shot forward to the centre of the group.

Left straight!

He dodged cleanly and closed up on the tallest guy in the group.

*Oof!*

Hard strikes with the knee followed.

*Ooa!*

The guy whited out due to the momentarily lack of air to the brain.

*Hah!*

A roundhouse kick caught the backstabber’s head.

The boy turned back to face the group while swinging his left into the cheek of the attacker, and backpedalled into the alley once more. The group stood waiting for the next chance to attack…

Sheesh, one year’s really’s the limit. These simple techniques won’t last long. Nothing beats physical conditioning.

Analysing the situation, he could see that it is hard to take them by surprise despite the numbers being halved. After his feint, two flinched, another two tried to attack, while the last had remained still throughout. It will either be him being the leader, or he was too scared to move. In both cases, it is ideal to have him taken out first.

While contemplating his next move, the boy slowly turned his body, placing his right leg directly in front of left. Slowly shifting to get his back nearer to the wall, his fists are clenched, and the grin on his face getting wider by the minute. He is showing no intention of giving up in face of five equipped thugs.

He fixed his stare on the first target.

Let’s see if it’s really fear.

“You’re going DOWN!”

Everyone’s eyes were on the guy.

The frantic victim suddenly flung his stick forward, and turned to run.

*Snatch*

The stick was caught midway and, in another few quick steps, ploughed the back of the victim’s neck.

The boy is now in a great position to escape, being nearer to the exit of the alley.

…

“Yeah, not now.”

…

Let’s go!