Meeting Eve.

Chapter 4 - Going to Club

"I challenge you."

Mike's grin widened as he tightened his gloves, ready to accept without a second thought—until a sharp chime echoed through his mind.

[Ding!]

Quest: Win the bout.

Probability of Success: 0.3%

Reward: 1000 Karma points, Jab(mastery), Magic Touch.

Failure: No penalty.

Mike's eyes widened. A 0.3% chance?

He knew Sam was good, but seeing the odds laid out so brutally was still hard to accept.

Mike had trained relentlessly for the past year, but Sam had done the same—and at a much higher level. An Olympic contender wasn't someone you surpassed overnight.

Darren stepped between Sam and Mike before either of them could move.

"So," he said, looking at Sam, "you want to test Mike?"

Sam lifted his chin. "If he's really that good, then—"

"Do you take me for a liar?" Darren's voice cut him off like a whip.

Sam froze.

"C-Coach, I didn't mean—"

"Enough."

Darren's gaze swept across the gym.

"You're an Olympic contender, yet you're acting like a spoiled child. Instead of congratulating your teammate, you challenge him the moment he earns recognition. Where's your sportsmanship?"

Sam lowered his head, unable to answer.

Darren clapped his hands once.

"No sparring today. Everyone, outside. I want laps until your legs give out."

The entire gym groaned. No one wanted to run until they collapsed, but no one was stupid enough to argue with Coach Darren either.

Everyone was looking at Sam with sharp looks as they had to run because of him.

Darren turned to a young woman standing near the ring.

"Mia."

"Yes, Coach?"

"You're training with Mike today."

Mike turned.

A redhead stood a few steps away with a pair of focus mitts in her hands. Her high ponytail swayed as she moved. Years of training had shaped her into a lean athlete with toned arms, a strong core, and long legs.

Small faded cuts, old sparring marks scarred her knuckles and the skin near her eyebrows — the kind only real discipline leaves. Her sports top clung tight to her frame, hugging the firm shape of her chest and cutting sharp lines across her shoulders.

She looked like someone who belonged in a national camp.

She slipped on a pair of focus mitts and raised them. "Let's see what you've got."

Mike nodded and followed her to an open space near the mirrors.

They started with the basics.

"Jab. Cross."

Pop. Pop.

Mia caught each punch with steady hands, moving the focus mitts slightly to test his accuracy. Mike threw quick jabs and strong crosses, landing each punch cleanly. Every hit made a sharp pop that echoed through the gym, making a few people look their way.

After a few rounds, Mia spoke without lowering the pads.

"Your timing is better than most people here. I barely have to move the mitts."

Mike stepped in again, landing a clean hook on the pad. "I had a year to fix that."

She gave a short nod, almost approving. The ponytail swung behind her as she adjusted her stance. Mike found himself watching the way she moved— like a snake, left. right. He liked that about her.

"Again," Mia said. "Faster this time."

Mike threw another hook.

Mia adjusted the mitt a fraction too late.

Thump.

Time seemed to stop.

Mike blinked.

Mia looked down at the glove pressed against her breast.

Then back at Mike.

Her eye twitched.

"...You..."

Mike slowly pulled his hand back.

"I can expl—"

WHAM!

Her fist slammed into his shoulder.

"Pervert!"

Before Mike could explain, Mia took a few slow steps back, still glaring at him. She gripped the focus mitts so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Unbelievable..."

She spun on her heel and stormed away, her ponytail whipping behind her.

The sharp shout drew the attention of the women still training nearby. A few paused in the middle of their drills, exchanging puzzled looks before turning back to Mia.

Mike stood there, still holding his gloves up, feeling the awkward heat crawl up his neck. He hadn't done it on purpose, but explaining that now would only make it worse.

He exhaled slowly and lowered his hands.

A blue screen flickered in front of his eyes.

[Ding!]

[New Target Registered: Mia]

[Current Interest: 5%]

[Note: Host may switch active targets between Mia and Eve for the current quest.]

Mike read the message once, then shook his head.

"Five percent is better than zero... I guess."

But…This was going to be complicated.

With no sign of Mia, Mike finished the rest of his training alone. The awkward encounter lingered in the back of his mind, but he refused to let it ruin his session.

After a shower, he grabbed a quick meal from the canteen and headed back to his hostel room.

He took a nap quickly.

***

Purple and blue lights bathed the club's entrance, where the deep thump of bass spilled onto the street. Mike stood to one side with his hands in his pockets, watching people stream inside as he waited, having arrived five minutes early.

Then he saw her.

Eve stepped out of a black car with three other girls. The moment she turned toward him, the noise of the street seemed to fade a little.

She looked stunning.

Her dark hair fell in loose waves over one shoulder as she walked. She wore a tight black top with a deep neckline that framed the full, heavy curve of her breasts, and the soft inner slopes flashed with every step. The fabric clung to her narrow waist before the short skirt stopped high on her thighs, putting her long smooth legs on full display—thin heel straps wrapped around her ankles, stretching those legs even longer with every step.

As she came closer, more details sharpened. The way her breasts shifted lightly with each step. The confident roll of her hips. The small, knowing smile on her glossed lips when her eyes finally locked onto his. She knew exactly how she looked, and she didn't mind his stares.

Mike's gaze stayed on her until she stopped right in front of him.

"You're early," Eve said, her voice warm and playful.

"Didn't want to keep you waiting."

She turned slightly and gestured to the three girls behind her. "These are my friends. You saw them in the park that day."

Mike recognized their faces immediately.

The tall one with the sharp eyes spoke first. "I'm Lara."

The shorter girl with the soft smile gave a small wave. "Sasha."

The last one, who had been the most talkative back then, smirked. "Nina. So you're the guy Eve wouldn't shut up about."

Eve shot her a quick look but didn't deny it.

Mike gave a short nod. "Mike."

The introductions were brief. Eve slipped her arm lightly through his, fingers brushing against his sleeve.

"Let's go in," she said.

As the group moved toward the entrance, Mike walked beside her. The scent of her perfume was stronger up close. His eyes dropped once more to the deep line of her cleavage before he forced them forward again.

The mission timer kept counting down in the back of his mind. With today marking the final day, failure wasn't an option.

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