Bully Lord

Part-83

The tide began to shift, albeit slightly. James, fueled by the System and sheer willpower, started countering Ryan's throws with throws of his own. Auto Combat, a relentless student, identified patterns in Ryan's movements, allowing James to anticipate and block his attacks. The initial awe from the crowd morphed into excited whispers. The underdog, the skinny newcomer, was holding his own against the Judo prodigy.

Sweat dripped down both their faces, slicking their judogi. They grappled, they threw, they countered each other in a frenetic display of athleticism. James, despite his unorthodox style, displayed surprising agility and strength. Ryan, frustrated by his opponent's unexpected resilience, started resorting to more aggressive throws.

Just then, a particularly forceful throw from Ryan sent James flying. He landed hard on his back, the air knocked out of his lungs. Stars danced in his vision, and a wave of pain washed over him. Auto Combat, however, remained eerily calm, analyzing the situation even as James gasped for breath.

A gasp ripped through the crowd. James had taken a brutal fall, the impact echoing through the training area. Everyone, including Ryan, braced for the referee's call, expecting the match to be over. Yet, a flicker of movement caught their eye. James, defying logic and the limitations of his human form, slowly pushed himself to his feet. It was as if the System, recognizing the importance of the fight, had temporarily dialed down his pain receptors. James could feel the throbbing in his back, the sting in his shoulder, but his body moved on autopilot, guided by the relentless efficiency of Auto Combat.

Ryan, initially stunned by James' sudden recovery, narrowed his eyes.  This wasn't the same opponent he'd faced a few days ago. This new James fought with a controlled ferocity, his movements fueled by a blend of System-enhanced reflexes and raw determination.

Ryan then said to James, "You're behaving like a machine right now. Not a single sound of pain from you. But I'm sure you're in pain, aren't you?"

Seeing James remain silent, Ryan continued, "So, you're keeping quiet, huh?"

After receiving no response, Ryan gave up and refocused on the battle.

Auto Combat, having analyzed the limitations of brute force against Ryan's Judo expertise, shifted tactics. It delved into a secondary database within the System, a forgotten archive labeled "Pressure Point Techniques."

James, unaware of the internal workings of the System, simply felt a shift in his focus. His strikes became more precise, targeting specific points on Ryan's body. A lightning-fast jab to the inside of Ryan's wrist sent a jolt of pain through his arm, momentarily weakening his grip. Another well-placed strike to his knee sent a wave of numbness, forcing him to stumble back slightly.

Ryan, a seasoned Judo fighter, had never encountered such an unorthodox style.  He was used to grappling, throws, and takedowns.  James' strikes, though lacking in traditional martial arts grace, were surprisingly effective.  The numbness in his wrist hampered his throws, and the slight instability in his knee made him wary of lunges and sweeps.  Frustration began to cloud his judgment.