Quinn asked River for instructions. All she gave was:
"Try not to get crippled." Her voice was firm and cold.
Quinn's mouth fell open. She wants to destroy him just because he bit too loud?
His feet slid back on autopilot.
"What are you thinking about?"
Quinn wished he could somehow get away…
His eyes widened in a moment. He had to stop moving to process what just happened.
Where's the girl? She was right over there just now…
Before he had enough time to react, a shadow closed in by his side. And it was River's voice he heard next,
"Get in line."
Then, she gripped his shoulder. And yanked him backwards.
Quinn sprawled on the soft surface.
How could she have moved so fast? It was definitely magic.
No… it really is!
'I can't win…'
Quinn's mind raced as he jumped to his feet.
Immediately, he raised his fists the way he remembered from films and digital arts.
'... but I can't just get tossed around like this either. I must fight back!'
Quinn held his fists tight.
River tilted her head.
She prompted him,
"Come on then."
There she goes with her short statements again.
Quinn rushed towards her in a moment.
Feel the heat. And fuse it with your attacks.
That's the only tangible advice Silas has given him.
Though the urgency of this spar makes it difficult to adapt with that. But Quinn believes there should be a way.
He rounded River at a moment. And with all his explosive strength, he threw a punch at her shoulder.
But damn it, her movement…!
Quinn didn't even know when she had reached the other end of the ring.
He realized it only after retracting that tiny fist of his and turning around.
He ground his teeth.
And held his breath.
Sweat trickled down his face.
How is this fair at all?
Quinn groaned,
"Just come at me directly if you want to play this fair! That…"
River suddenly started walking towards him. Quinn gasped lightly, taking a step back.
"Yeah. That's my next plan."
Quinn mumbled, eyes a little wide,
"Next plan??"
That somehow makes sense.
But, anyway, he planted his legs and raised his fists. Bring it on!
It was at the last second that he realised what was going on here. A game had been played here just now, somehow.
Quinn's hands trembled. His courage faltered. But he stood straight nonetheless.
Quinn swung hard—not with techniques, but with frustration.
But River? She shifted just enough—a slight lean at the waist, barely an inch. And Quinn's fist brushed past her shoulder.
Having charged with too much force and missing, his body lurched forward. So, he had to stumble a step to keep himself from falling.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
'So, she was messing with my head all along?'
Quinn instantly spun and lunged again. Still the same outcome. The same bloody dodging method!
It's clear enough. Empty attacks like his don't even need muscle-flexing to be pushed aside. What a realization.
How exciting!
It took a couple more trials before Quinn fully understood. He can't beat her.
He pressed down on his knees. And pant hard. He was so tired.
River watched him, with absolutely no emotion in her eyes. Was she even supposed to feel any, considering who her opponent was?
Just another uncultured newbie.
She turned and proceeded to leave.
Quinn's chest tightened as he heard her steps. He was here breathing like a dying animal… and his counter won't even expel a single word? He couldn't have been that worse.
Quinn's voice rang out,
"Just like that, eh?"
River stopped in her tracks. And looked back.
Quinn straightened his back. He clenched his jaw.
"I'm that pointless you don't even feel bothered at all?"
"What else?"
Quinn groaned,
"What?"
River slowly closed her eyes and took a gentle breath. As though she was trying to control herself.
But within seconds, she spoke,
"Here we go playing the victim card again. Let me ask you something. Why do you think you are even worth more than this, anyway?"
Quinn's heart raced.
"Do you think just by being part of the team makes you any different from the high schooler you used to be? Being reborn is supposed to be a golden chance. A chance to fix the damage in your previous life. But you… You're still not ready. Idle, not trying at all to improve. Or to even find out why you died in the first place. Have you even thought about it at all?"
Quinn exhaled sharply.
What does she know about his life?
He clenched his fists while glaring at her.
"Damn you, stupid bitch! Is my business supposed to be any of your concern?! You don't even know anything about me to judge me like that."
River simply said,
"Of course. That's why you will never understand."
The centre of Quinn's chest heated up.
As always.
But this time, it was hotter. It was more scorching.
More painful.
Like someone pressed a searing pot against his skin.
… In a sudden moment, River's shadow swallowed him whole. Before he knew it, she had delivered a blow to his torso.
Quinn spat out blood, some of which splattered on the girl's uniform.
He dropped to his knees. And gasped non-stop.
The taste of metal clung to the sides of his teeth and his tongue. Thick. Bitter.
And then, as if it had never existed, the pain in his chest vanished.
River said,
"Reason. That's all you ever needed. And you already do. Now, what else is stopping you from becoming that new version of yourself?"
And she left.
Now, Quinn was left in the lonely basement. No hand was there to comfort him when his heart ached. No one there to reassure him everything's gonna be okay.
He was alone once again.
Why always me?
The words formed in his throat. But he didn't have the strength to say them. Just like last time.
This… it really was a loop.