Tap, tap, tap.
"Stop," Damon muttered breathlessly, and the Chemasov simulation halted instantly, fading away into nothingness.
He sighed, glancing up at the simulated ceiling of Madison Square Garden, the lights casting an almost haunting glow.
Ten rounds.
He'd gone through ten intense matches against the simulated Chemasov, and for the tenth time, he'd been submitted.
Even though he hadn't turned on the physical connection mode, where any strain in the simulation would carry over to his real body, he felt the weight of every defeat.
Chemasov was a monster, simulated or not, and every fight had shown him the sheer gap in skill and power.
Damon clenched his fists, a mix of frustration and respect brewing within him.
He'd wanted a challenge, and the simulation had given him exactly that.
He stood up, catching his breath. This simulation had been more intense and fun than he'd anticipated, but he had to stay focused on his real goal, reaching rank A for now.
The system's version of Chemasov was insane, almost relentless.
While the real Chemasov had his own stamina limitations, the simulation could be adjusted to bypass that entirely, creating an opponent who felt endless, impossible to wear down.
Damon could feel the strain even here, his body telling him it was time to step back.
He took a deep breath to calm down and get ready to leave this virtual world.
'Enough for now'
Time to wake up.
Damon closed his eyes, and the world around him began to shatter, fragments of the simulated arena collapsing into a swirl of light and shadow.
[Are you sure you want to leave the Simulation?]
[Y/N]
Without hesitation, he pressed "Y."
A flash of light, and he blinked against the sudden brightness as the real world came back into focus.
But that was all easier said than done.
Reaching the counter, he went to the coffee machine.
He pulled out a fresh filter, spooned in the coffee grounds, and filled the water tank, watching as the machine sputtered to life with its familiar hum.
As a delicious smell began filling the kitchen, he heard footsteps behind him.
Without turning around, he called over his shoulder, "Morning... want coffee, Lana?"
A soft, sleepy voice replied, "Yeah, please."
He poured himself a cup, letting the warmth seep through his hands, then poured another for Svetlana.
Turning, he walked toward her, finding her standing there with her hair tousled and her eyes half-closed.
In the soft morning light, with her relaxed expression and slight smile, she looked effortlessly beautiful.
He handed her the cup, and she took it with a grateful nod. "How'd you know it was me?" She asked with a smile on her face.
"I'm him," he said, attempting a confident grin. But the words hung awkwardly in the air, and he instantly felt the cringe settle in.
Svetlana raised an eyebrow, giving him a half-amused, half-baffled look.
Damon cleared his throat, quickly recovering. "Ahem... anyway, got any plans for today?" he asked, steering the conversation to safer ground.
Svetlana chuckled softly, her eyes lingering on him with a relaxed warmth.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trailing slightly as she let her hand fall, brushing her arm.
Her posture was casual but open, her gaze unwavering as she spoke.
"Not much," she replied, her voice light. "I was thinking of going for a run and stretching."
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes bright as they met his. "Wanna join?"
Damon watched her, a small grin forming. "Sure, need a stretch after that tough night."
She laughed, her shoulders lifting with the easy rhythm of it. "Tough night? You dominated the whole match." She took a slow sip of her coffee, her smile lingering as her gaze held his a moment longer than usual.