Hobin stood in his well-arranged living room. He had completed his daily quest and was panting as he caught his breath. The glasses chimed.
"ARE YOU READY FOR COMBAT TRAINING?
"You bet". Hobin said with enthusiasm. He clinched his fist up to his face as the room transformed into a simulation ground. A robot simulator appeared before him.
"Even if your opponent is stronger and faster, being smart helps. Use your environment to gain the edge.""
"Got it". Hobin muttered.
A floating screen appeared displaying 'EASY' '3. 2. 1. START'. Immediately, the human simulator rushed to him. He dodged its punches. Weaving around and blocking it's attack with elbow. The robot kept going, but Hobin was equal to the task, grabbing its wrist and emulating a quick counter.
Legs to the ankle, body to its body. With sheer force and skill, he bent its body over his back and slammed it hard on the ground. Targeting a vital spot, by slamming his fist onto its throat. The impact knocked the robot out cold, and the simulation ended.
"CONGRATULATIONS. BUT YOU ARE NOT DONE YET. NEXT LEVEL; MEDIUM".
Engineers formed the simulation ground again, and another robot emerged. Running at full throttle at him. He weaved, dodge and immediately countered with a quick jab by the face. In a spilt second, Hobin grabbed the wrist of the robot. Using the same technique as the first and brought it down.
"NICE. BUT THE SAME TECHNIQUE CAN'T SAVE YOU TWICE. ESPECIALLY FROM THE NEXT ONE".
"I know that". Hobin grumped as the third level came
'HARD'.
The robot looked cold and kept its distance. Pulling out a knife and gunning for his throat. In a bit of panic, Hobin pushed back avoiding any direct hit. He countered but the robot dodged as well.
"It's fast". He muttered. Taking a deep breath and immediately launching a fury of attack. He kept his gaze locked on the knife. Tackling it off the robot and delivering a quick kick to the stomach.
He used a pile of books and tossed it over to the robot. The robot deflected the attack, but the impact caused a distortion in its vision. Allowing a quick jab at its face. Hobin smirked in excitement as he had defeated three robots in a row.
"FEELING CONFIDENT? The glass chimed.
"Humph. It's not confidence. It's called assurance". Hobin replied and chuckled.
"OR A FOOL CLOTHED WITH DIGNITY". The glass chimed. "THE NEXT LEVEL IS EVEN HARDER"
"Bring it on". Hobin muttered, rising his fits and taking a fight stance.
'IMPOSSIBLE'
They formed another simulation ground. An even stronger simulator appeared. Its aura filled with the room. The air felt thick and dry. Hobin gave out a cold exhale, as he knew this one was going to be hard to beat.
Hobin lunched himself at the simulator, throwing a quick jab at it. The simulator charged ahead and countered his attack. It landed a quick right hook. The next thing Hobin knew he found himself, receiving a series of hits to his chest. The robot grabs his wrist and flipped him over. He lay on the floor, groaning with great effort.
The simulation ended and he heard the glass chime;
"I KNEW THIS WONT END WELL".
Hobin groaned and let out a stubborn mumble;
"I'm not done yet".
"WHAT! YOU STILL WANNA CONTINUE? The glasses chimed, expressing its disbelief and surprise.
"Bring it out again". Hobin commanded.
For a moment everything went quiet and then, the simulation ground returned to the room. The robot appeared, cracking its neck and fist.
"I got this". Hobin let out a cold sigh and took a step closer.
Both lashed at each other with their fists crashing against one another. Weaving with speed and countering at every opportunity that arose. The robot was faster than Hobin and kept slamming more hits into him that he did to it. Hobin lost his form and crashed against the wall.
The simulation ended immediately. Hobin fell over, panting and groaning. He let out a dry hanging cough and held his aching chest. The glasses chimed, exposing floating screen that displayed his stats against the robot. From there, Hobin could see that the robot had more speed than him and possessed more stamina and skill.
"I have to win. Else I have wasted the last two weeks doing nothing". Hobin cried out.
"TRUE. YOU MIGHT GO BACK TO BEEN A MISERABLE PIECE OF SHIT WHO BELONGS IN THE LOCKER OR THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM".
Hobin cracked a laugh and paused immediately. "Wait…How did you know that? He asked with a wary expression.
"OH! YOUR BRAIN DATA IS SYNCED TO MY DATA FILE. SO YOUR PAST AND PRESENT IS LOGGED INTO IT. I REMEMBER THAT INCIDENT VERY WELL".
"Indeed. I hated myself that day. Got about five detentions and a creepy nick name". Hobin replied with a low voice.
"THE PEEPING FATTY". The glasses chimed and Hobin grumped. "BUT YOU CAN CHANGE ALL THAT. YOU CAN BECOME SOMETHING STRONGER. WITH ME BY YOUR SIDE. YOU WILL BE…".
The glasses message got interrupted by a loud snooze coming from Hobin. He hasn't got much sleep in the past few days. So, when a moment like this presented itself, he was fast asleep.
"AWWWWNN, YOU SLEEP LIKE A BABY". The glasses chimed and immediately blasted a loud alarm in his head "BUT THIS IS A FIGHT OR FLIGHT. YOU EITHER GO HARD OR YOU GO HOME, YOU SKINNY SKIN OF DUMPLING! The glasses blasted and Hobin woke up.
He let out a loud groan and scratched his head. "I got the solution".
"WHAT SOLUTION?
"On how to beat the robot. I calculated its intakes before releasing a punch. I calculated its stamina level, force behind every punch and how it moves when defending. So calm, precise and calculating". Hobin muttered. "Is that what you want me to be? Calculating, Precise and fast". He asked and heard the robot chime.
"CORRECT. EXCEPT I WANT YOU TO BE FASTER. QUICKER. STRONGER. YOU'RE A WEAK HERO. USE YOUR WISDOM TO OUTSMART YOUR OPPONENT. UNDERSTAND THE FLOW OF THE GAME AND WIN".
Hobin chuckled and let out a confident smug. "I like my odds. I'll win this time".
The simulation ground appeared one last time, and the robot with it. Hobin inhaled and exhaled with a gentle breath before opening his eyes.
"4.5seconds". He muttered to himself and pushed forward. The robot offered a block, but Hobin saw through it. Pushed back his fist and served it somewhere else. The robot reacted and countered.
"BAIT". The glasses chimed and Hobin drove his fits into the robot face. He used himself as a diversion, by launching a fake punch when he was serving with his right instead of his left.
The robot staggered backward. He launched another attack, but it failed. The robot read his move and launched a swift counter. He pushed back.
"Less than 0.8 seconds". He muttered. Calculating every strike by the seconds of its speed. He weaved further and dealt another damage. Soon there found themselves playing a game of strength and stamina as both took on each other's fist. But unlike the robot, Hobin had a plan and dealt his attacks on the robot's weak points. Causing a break down and a burn out. Hobin won with a decisive strike.