Free Web NovelChapter 51: Threshold Has Been Reached!
She’d just swept his legs clean out from under him for what had to be the fourth time that hour, and David hit the mat with a solid, uncomplicated thud.
He stared up at the ceiling for a beat before her face appeared above him, grinning down, hair falling loose at the edges from whatever ponytail she’d started the session with.
"Come on," she said, tone dripping with exaggerated disappointment.
"You’ve gotten way better at this. Don’t tell me that’s the best you’ve got."
"Ugh...and if it was?" David asked, propping himself up on one elbow, chest still heaving from the last exchange.
"Well, I would have to kick your ass now, wouldn’t I?" She stuck her hand out, smile widening at the edges.
"Get up. Show me something....Mr. Body Breathing."
He took it. She hauled him to his feet, and the second his balance settled he used the momentum against her — closing the distance fast, throwing two testing strikes she read and dodged with the same unbothered ease she always carried, like his attacks were weather she’d already checked the forecast for.
She caught his wrist mid-swing, wrapped an arm around him, and swept him again.
This time, though, something in him refused to just absorb the fall the way he had every round before it that week. He rolled with it instead — used her own momentum against her, hooked her down alongside him, caught her wrist on the way.
For one clean half-second he had her pinned at an angle that would’ve locked into a full submission if his body had cooperated just a fraction longer.
She twisted free before it caught, putting distance between them in one smooth motion, chest rising fast now, breath rougher than it had been a minute ago.
She was still smiling, though — wider this time, something genuinely pleased cutting through the usual instructor composure.
"Okay," she said. "Good one."
"Told you I’ve been paying attention," David said, grinning, wiping sweat off his brow with the back of his wrist.
"Alright, alright, don’t get cocky." She laughed, straightening, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Genuinely — good one, David."
Around them, a handful of other gym-goers worked through their own routines, entirely unbothered by the two of them going at it in the corner. Holly’s phone buzzed against the bench where she’d left it, and she jogged over, glancing at the screen before turning back.
"That’s it for today," she said. "Go rest up, big shot. You earned it."
David flashed her a confident grin, doing his best to bury the exhaustion screaming through every muscle in his body.
"I can still keep going."
Holly stared at him. A long moment passed. Then another.
Her brows drew together — not suspicion, exactly. Genuine confusion.
"...You’re serious?"
David shrugged, aiming for casual. "I feel fine."
That only deepened her confusion. She’d been the one throwing him around the mat for nearly an hour straight. Every takedown had been real. Every lock had made him fight for it. She’d expected him spent long before now.
Instead, he stood there — breathing a little heavier, sweat beading along his forehead — looking like he could go another five rounds.
It didn’t add up.
"If anything," she muttered, tilting her head, "you should be the exhausted one."
David let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "What can I say. Good stamina."
She studied him another beat, then laughed outright. "I’ll admit — that’s actually impressive."
She grabbed her water bottle off the bench, unscrewed the cap, and drank deep, tipping her head back with a satisfied exhale before holding it out to him without a word.
"Here."
"Thanks." He took it, and the cold water hit his throat like relief itself, washing away the dryness in one long pull before he handed it back.
Holly recapped it, stretching both arms overhead. Evening light spilled through the tall windows, gold and low, painting long streaks across the polished floor.
"Getting pretty late," she said, lowering her arms. "By the time we both shower and head back out, it’ll basically be night already."
"Yeah."
Something flickered across her expression — a small smile, like she’d just remembered something. "Oh. We’re still on for tonight, right?"
"Netflix?"
"Mhm." She crossed her arms loosely. "You didn’t forget on me, did you?"
"No," David said, shaking his head. "I’ll be there."
"Good." She hesitated, then added, almost too casually, "Actually — my place isn’t that far from here. If you’re okay with it, we could just move the time up. You could come over right after we’re done."
David blinked. "What about your sister?"
"She’s staying at a friend’s tonight." Holly shrugged. "I asked her to. They’ve been wanting more time together anyway."
"...I see," David said, nodding slowly.
He understood exactly what that meant. He chose not to say so.
"Alright," he said instead, smiling. "I’ll head over once we’re done here."
"Perfect." She clapped her hands together once. "Let’s go get cleaned up, then."
"Sounds good."
They walked toward the changing rooms together, splitting off at the hallway.
"I’ll be quick," Holly said, already halfway through the women’s locker room door.
"Same."
She vanished inside. David lingered a second longer than he meant to, eyes stuck on the doorway — and, unbidden, a memory surfaced. The locker room. The warmth. Mrs. Walbury.
He shook his head hard, forcing it down. "...Focus."
A helpless laugh escaped him anyway as he turned into the men’s changing room.
It was nearly empty, just the low hum of fluorescent lights overhead. His bag sat untouched where he’d left it that morning. He crossed to the sinks along the far wall, twisted the faucet, and let cold water pool in his cupped hands before splashing it across his face.
The chill cut through the heat still clinging to his skin. He stood there a moment, palms braced against the porcelain, water dripping steadily off his chin.
"...I’ve improved."
The words came out almost without his permission. His fighting had changed — not slightly. A lot. Days ago, Holly had tossed him around the mat without any real resistance. Now he’d forced her onto the defensive, if only for a second.
His eyes drifted down — forearms, shoulders, the faint new definition along his chest. Not bodybuilder territory. But lean muscle had started filling in where there’d been nothing at all.
That wasn’t normal. Nobody’s body changed this fast. Not over a single weekend.
"...Whatever this thing is," he murmured, clenching one fist slowly, watching his reflection clench back at him, "it’s not just giving me abilities."
"It’s changing my body."
"...Maybe my mind, too."
Before the thought could settle—
Ding.
A pale blue window bloomed into existence in front of him.
[Congratulations, Player. Required Threshold Reached.]
[Player Stats Updated:
Name: David Myers
Strength: 51.
Agility 32-> 40.
Endurance: 40-> 48.
Stamina 46-> 54.
Penile Strength: 44
Total Exchange points: 50
LvL: 3/??? ]
David froze. "...Threshold?"
A second notification stacked beneath the first.
[Player statistics have reached the minimum requirement. Main Quest now available.]
His eyes widened. "...Already?"
[Player must now enter the Main Quest.]
"...Now? C’mon no, I already made plans with Holly. Now of all times? Can’t you postpone it to after our Netflix and chill?"
[Entry may be delayed. However, delaying entry will result in acceptance of the designated penalty.]
David’s face fell. "...Seriously?"
[Quest Portal opening in—]
[3...]
[2...]
[1...]
The air in front of him warped. Tiny sparks of violet light flickered into existence, scattered at first, then multiplying — dozens, then hundreds, gathering as if pulled by some unseen current, spinning faster until the whole locker room glowed faint purple. The air rippled. Space folded inward on itself with a low, humming groan, and the light tore open into a crack the size of a man, hovering in midair.
Beyond it: nothing. Only dark.
David stepped back on instinct. "...A portal." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
[Warning: Target approaching. Female signature detected. Estimated arrival: 7 seconds. Portal will close upon target arrival. Please make your decision.]
A countdown began.
[7...]
His heart lurched. "...Holly."
She was coming. Probably wondering what was taking him so long.
[6...]
"Damn it." He clenched his fists. "System. Can’t this wait?"
[Negative. Prioterize Disciple collection over mere meet ups.]
[5...]
"I have plans."
[Entry timing cannot be altered.]
[4...]
He clicked his tongue. "...Of all the times."
[3...]
His eyes flicked between the glowing portal and the locker room door.
[2...]
"...You’ve got to be kidding me."
[1...]
"...Fine." One last frustrated breath. "Ten minutes."
He muttered the promise not knowing if he could keep it, and stepped into the portal without another second of hesitation.
The violet light collapsed inward the instant he vanished. The portal folded shut, gone as if it had never existed.
Silence settled back over the empty room.
A moment later—
Knock.
"David?" Holly’s voice, muffled through the door. "You in there?"
Nothing answered.
She knocked again. "David?" frёewebηovel.cѳm
Only silence.
The locker room was empty.
David — and the portal that had swallowed him — had vanished without a trace.
