MAXIMUS: System Of The Underdog

Chapter Eighteen – Weapon Mastery Unleashed

The streetlights flickered weakly above, casting long shadows across the deserted road. Max stood rigid, his fists clenched, glaring at the mountain of muscle in front of him. The man was built like a tank, veins bulging along his arms as if they might burst any second. His cruel smirk only deepened when he saw Max’s stance.

“Look at you,” the bodybuilder sneered, his laughter booming like thunder. “Are you seriously planning on fighting me? Don’t make me laugh, kid.”

Max didn’t respond. His blood was boiling, his heart pounding against his ribs so loudly it almost drowned out the man’s words. He took the first step forward, then another, and with a sharp breath, he launched a barrage of punches at the man’s chest and jaw.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

It was like punching a brick wall. The bodybuilder didn’t even flinch. Instead, his grin widened.

“My turn.”

The man’s massive fist swung with terrifying speed. Max barely had time to react before the blow connected with his side. Pain exploded through him, forcing him to stumble backward, clutching his ribs. He gasped for air, nearly doubling over.

“When I heard my boys were beaten so easily, I thought maybe they’d run into someone strong.” The man cracked his neck, his voice dripping with disdain. “But looking at you now… guess they were just weaklings.”

Max’s teeth ground together. He wanted to use Critical Hit, but that skill was unreliable—it had only a one percent chance of landing. He didn’t have the luxury of gambling now. He thought of his other skills, but his MP reserves were pitifully low. Maybe enough for a few attempts, but nowhere near enough for a drawn-out fight like this.

Still, none of that mattered. He wasn’t about to let this bastard even think about Lisa.

The bodybuilder suddenly reached into his jacket and pulled something out. A set of golden knuckles, gleaming under the flickering streetlights.

Max’s eyes widened. “Wait—aren’t those a little dangerous for a street fight?”

The man grinned viciously. “I don’t play games, kid.”

He lunged at Max, his golden knuckles raised for a devastating strike. Just as Max braced for impact, a sharp force cracked against the man’s chin.

“—What the—?!” the bodybuilder staggered backward, blinking in shock.

Before he could recover, several more blows rained down on him. He stumbled, dazed, as though being struck by a steel pipe. Then his eyes darted down.

In Max’s hands was the same toy hammer he’d used earlier on Lisa at the amusement park.

“What… what the hell?!” the bodybuilder spat blood, his expression twisting in confusion.

Max smirked, sweat dripping down his bruised face. “What? Surprised? Thanks to the skill I got earlier… Weapon Mastery.”

A system message hovered in Max’s vision:

[Weapon Mastery: Active]

Condition: Skill can only activate if the opponent wields a weapon.

And since the bodybuilder was wielding golden knuckles, the condition was satisfied. In Max’s hands, even a toy hammer felt like a deadly iron club.

Max raised the hammer high, lightning dancing across his body. “Between your teeth or your skull… let’s see which cracks first!”

The bodybuilder’s eyes widened. He couldn’t comprehend how something so harmless was hitting like steel. Roaring in rage, he charged forward again.

But Max was ready. Thanks to Weapon Mastery, the hammer flowed through his hands like an extension of his body. Each strike was fluid, precise, merciless. He smashed the man’s ribs, his shoulders, his jaw. The giant of a man dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his lips.

Max lifted the toy hammer for the finishing blow—

Crack!

The cheap plastic shattered in his grip.

[Alert: Damaged weapons cannot activate Weapon Mastery.]

“What?!” Max’s eyes widened in horror.

That moment of confusion was all it took.

BAM!

The golden knuckles slammed into his face. His vision spun, and agony shot through his skull.

“Arghhh!” Max screamed, falling to the ground. Another punch followed, and another. Each blow felt like a truck crashing into him. Blood poured from his mouth, and one of his eyes swelled shut.

“Why—” Max gasped, spitting blood onto the pavement. “Why are all these villains… always so damn strong?!”

The bodybuilder loomed over him, grinning wickedly. “Because, kid… this is the real world. And you’re just a weak little fly.” He raised his fist for the final blow—

THUNK!

The man froze, his eyes going wide. Blood trickled down his forehead. He reached up, stunned, to touch the fresh wound. Slowly, he turned his head.

Max was standing again, his body trembling, barely able to keep upright. In his hand was his belt—the metal buckle exposed.

[Weapon Mastery: Active.]

Max’s glare could have pierced steel. “I don’t care how strong you are… I’m not letting you touch her.”

He swung the belt, the buckle slamming into the bodybuilder’s face again and again. Each strike echoed through the street, leaving the man reeling. Finally, the brute roared in desperation, grabbing the belt mid-swing.

“Got you now, kid!” he snarled.

Before the bodybuilder could react, the max hoisted him into the air and slammed him into the concrete with a bone-crunching impact. The world blurred as Man back screamed in pain.

[Quest Complete!]

Reward: Dungeon Map.

The bodybuilder collapsed, unconscious.

Max lay there for a long moment, staring at the glowing system screen through his one good eye. He had done it. Barely.

Across the street, Lisa and her father emerged from their shop, locking up for the night. They walked away together, Lisa laughing at something her father said. Max forced a weak smile. At least she was safe.

Back home, Max sat on his bed with a bag of ice pressed to his swollen face. His body ached, but his mind was sharp. He opened the reward.

A map appeared before him, glowing faintly.

[Dungeon Map Acquired]

Dungeon must be cleared within 3 days. Party required.

Max’s brow furrowed. “Party? I’m not dragging anyone into this mess.”

He tossed the map onto his desk. “Forget it. I’m not going anywhere.”

[Warning: Failure to complete quest will result in penalty.]

Max froze, sweat dripping down his temple. “Penalty… right. Damn it.” He snatched the map back up with a groan.

“Guess I don’t have a choice.”

His stomach growled loudly. Grim, perched lazily on the windowsill, chuckled.

“Don’t you still have that check? Use it to buy some food.”

Max blinked, then bolted upright. “The check!” He frantically patted his pockets. Nothing. He tore through his drawers, flipped his mattress, even searched under the bed. Nothing.

Grim stared at him, unimpressed. “…Don’t tell me.”

Max froze, pale as a ghost. “…I lost the check.”

The silence was deafening.

“You what?” Grim shouted.

Max collapsed onto the floor, holding his head. “I lost the check!”

The room echoed with Grim’s groan of despair as Max buried his face in his hands, wondering how his life had become such a mess.