MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat
Chapter 47: Chapter 47: New Move and Proficiency feature

The morning light hit the motel, casting a warm glow over the parking lot and rooms.

Aoife could be seen walking towards a room, carrying a cart filled with cleaning materials.

Her bright yellow uniform stood out against the muted colors of the motel. She moved with a quiet efficiency, her dark hair tied back in a neat ponytail.

In the parking lot, a young man could be seen practicing martial arts. He was shirtless, his muscular torso glistening with sweat.

His movements were fluid and precise, his kicks flying through the air with a soft whooshing sound.

His feet bare, he stood on the rough asphalt, his eyes fixed intently on some point in front of him.

The sound of birds chirping, the gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, causing the motel's neon sign to creak softly.

Aoife inserted her key card into the door lock and pushed the cart inside. She began to tidy up the room, her movements quick and efficient.

Damon's focus was intense as he practiced the striking move he had won from the quest. Last night's massage had piqued his interest, and he was determined to master the technique.

[Striking Move: Question Mark kick]

It is a complex maneuver that requires precision and power.

[A question mark kick is a deceptive martial arts technique that starts like a roundhouse kick, leading the opponent to expect a body or leg strike.

Midway through the motion, the kicker subtly pulls the leg back and then quickly redirects it upward in a sweeping arc, resembling the shape of a question mark.

This sudden change in direction targets the opponent's head or face, making the kick difficult to anticipate or block, and is often used to catch opponents off guard.]

Damon's legs trembled slightly as he attempted the Question Mark kick. He started with a roundhouse motion, his foot swinging in a wide arc.

But midway through, he struggled to pull his leg back and redirect it upward. His movements were jerky and awkward, lacking the fluidity and precision required for the technique.

His foot wobbled as he tried to sweep it upward, the motion more like a sloppy hook kick than a smooth, arcing question mark.

Damon's eyes narrowed in concentration, his face scrunched up in effort. He could feel the muscles in his leg straining, his balance wavering.

The sound of his foot swooshing through the air was more like a dull thud than a sharp whoosh.

Damon's body leaned forward, his arms flailing slightly as he tried to compensate for his loss of balance. He stumbled, his foot thudding against the asphalt with a loud smack.

Damon winced, his face flushing with frustration. He knew he was far from mastering the move.

The proficiency display in front of him seemed to mock him, the 10% progress a harsh reminder of how much work lay ahead.

He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed intently on the display. He would get this move down, no matter how long it took.

Damon's chest heaved with exertion, his muscles trembling with fatigue. But he refused to give up, his determination burning brighter with each failed attempt.

His eyes scanned the proficiency display. It wasn't just the Question Mark kick; every move he had learned was listed, from basic punches to basic kicks.

The exchanged move had a percentage next to it, tracking his progress. It was exactly what he needed to take his training to the next level.

He stopped practicing and took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He picked up his shirt and used it to dry his chest and back.

Then, he grabbed the 5-liter water bottle and took a long swig, feeling the cool liquid refresh his parched throat.

Last night, he noticed a new quest had appeared.

[WIN YOUR THREE UPCOMING MATCHES]

[REWARD: SYRUM/POTION SHOP ACCESS]

There was no punishment listed, but Damon knew that losing wasn't an option. He had to win those matches.

The sun beat down on him, warming his skin. The sound of birds chirping and traffic humming in the distance filled the air. Damon's muscles ached, but he felt invigorated.

Damon pushed open the creaky door and stepped into the room, the familiar scent of worn furniture and stale air enveloping him.

His mom, Aoife, sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on him as he entered.

She wore her usual attire - a faded yellow blouse with tiny white flowers and a pair of worn jeans, her dark hair tied back in a neat ponytail.

"Damon, are you done with your training, didn't you say we should leave early for the shops?" she asked, her voice gentle but laced with a hint of excitement.

Damon nodded, dropping his martial arts gear on the floor with a soft thud. "Yes, I'm done, I'll be quick and join you."

He grabbed the fresh clothes he had laid out earlier - the Battle Xtreme merchandise he had won - and headed to the bathroom. The cool tiles felt refreshing under his feet as he stepped inside.

Inside, he began to undress further, pulling off his sweat-drenched pants and shorts, revealing his naked body.

He winced slightly as he moved, his muscles aching from the physical toll of his martial arts journey.

As he stood under the shower, Damon gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

His face was a map of bruises, the purple and blue marks a proof to the intense training and matches he had endured.

But he was recovering slowly, his body repairing the damage.

His mind, however, was elsewhere. Today, he and his mom were going to buy new clothes. They had been living in their old clothes for too long, reminders of their homeless days.

Damon had a few new shirts and pants, gifts from Joey and BE, but his mom deserved some new things too.

The warm water continued to cascade down his skin, refreshing him, as he thought about the day ahead.