Systematic Survival

53 - Fist Fight

Matt saw a metal bat swinging straight at his face. It had really caught him off guard since that's the last thing you expect when you walk out your front door. As fast as he saw it, he quickly ducked, making the bat miss his head by an inch.

'Wtf?'

He looked around to see what was going on and saw several people gathered around his apartment door. There had to be at least 6 of them. Some of them laughed and looked at him with cruel expressions, while others remained passive and blank-faced.

He wasn't sure why they were there and after he dodged the bat, they seemed to stop attacking him. Matt looked up toward the person who had swung the bat and saw a familiar face.

"How have you been, kid? It took me way too long to find you."

Matt let out a sigh of relief. He thought he was being attacked by beta testers, but it was just a man he had defeated before. Ned.

He seemed to be the leader of this group of criminals, at least as far as Matt could tell. He had a big smirk on his face like he had won life.

Matt stood up and brushed some dirt off his shirt that had fallen off the bat earlier. He looked around the group and noticed how some had knives, machetes, and other melee weapons. The ones he was concerned about though were the ones holding guns. He counted 3.

Now that he got a good look at them, he realized there were 9 people in total, including Ned.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Ned?"

Ned's face froze. He looked like he had been delivered a bad sandwich.

"How do you know my name!?"

Matt had read his name in the quest when he fought him before, but obviously, Ned didn't know systems existed, so it really startled him. Matt didn't answer him but just gave a warning.

"If you all go now, I won't hurt you," Matt sighed.

Ned and the others just looked at each other and then back to Matt. They all started laughing.

"Are you trying to be intimidating or something?!"

Ned had a good belly laugh and then his face slowly switched back to a confident grin. He and the others closed in. He spoke as he played with the bat in his hands.

"Here's how it's gonna work. We beat the shit out of you, and our reputation stays solid. Now, we aren't killers, so we'll only leave you in a coma."

He said this with a tone that made it sound like they were giving him a gift. Ned didn't mention the fact that he had almost tried to kill Matt a few days ago.

'Well, I guess there's only one way to go then.'

Surprisingly Matt didn't really like fighting. In games, it was fun, sure, but in real life, hitting someone felt... offputting. He didn't like hurting people, but he knew that they would hurt him instead.

It was probably also due to the years of him getting bullied that he developed this sort of preference. He knew how bad it hurt to be beaten to a pulp. He never wanted anyone else to feel that pain. So, Matt sighed.

"Let's get it over with."

He put his arms out in a 'come at me' pose, waiting for Ned's move. He felt like it was a bit overdramatic, but he was having fun while he could.

The faces of the thugs changed to annoyance as they saw his confidence and how he was basically challenging them. Ned didn't look too happy either, he had already gotten a scolding from his leader and Matt had caused him a lot of trouble.