NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66: Chapter 66
The sun was already low in the sky by the time Alex finished making the arrangements for his next phase of training. Firearms. It was something he had always been curious about but never thought he'd need. But after spending weeks honing his body and mind in martial arts, the realization hit him: versatility was key. In real-world situations, knowing how to defend oneself with fists alone wasn't enough. A gun was a powerful equalizer, and in the back of his mind, Alex knew that mastering it was the next logical step.
As he walked to the training club for what would likely be the last time, his mood was calm, almost reflective. The faces of the people he trained with flashed in his mind—some were beginners, others more seasoned, but all of them had become a regular part of his routine. The thought of leaving the group felt strange, but Alex couldn't deny the truth: he had surpassed them.
When he stepped into the gym, the familiar smell of sweat and leather filled the air. The sound of fists hitting pads and muffled grunts from sparring sessions greeted him. A small part of him would miss this—the camaraderie, the shared effort, and the simple grind of training alongside others.
"Yo, Alex! You're late, man," shouted Jared, one of the regulars who was always quick with a jab, both verbal and physical.
"Yeah, I know," Alex grinned as he walked up to the group. "Got caught up with something."
As they chatted and threw around light banter, Alex knew it was time to make his announcement. He waited until there was a lull in the conversation, then said casually, "Actually, I came by today to let you guys know that I won't be coming back."
The words hung in the air for a moment before anyone reacted. Jared frowned, his brow furrowing. "Wait, what? You quitting on us?"
A few of the others gathered around, looking equally confused. A couple of them, like Nate and Sam, exchanged looks, clearly unsure how to take the news.
Alex smiled, shaking his head. "Not quitting. Just… moving on. I've learned a lot here, but it's time for me to focus on something else."
The room buzzed with murmurs. His announcement had caught them off guard.
"You sure, man?" Jared asked, crossing his arms. "You've been killing it lately. Got that whole 'silent warrior' thing going on."
Sam, a quieter guy with more experience, stepped forward. "I knew you were different, man. The way you picked up those techniques so fast… Honestly, you're probably better than me now, and I've been at this for years."
The group chuckled, but it was clear that Sam wasn't just making a joke—he meant it. Alex's rapid growth hadn't gone unnoticed. He wasn't one to brag, but deep down, he knew that the months of intense mental training had put him on a completely different level.
"Yeah, Alex," Nate chimed in, "you've become like a grandmaster in here. You sure you're not heading off to some secret underground fight club or something?"
The joke earned a few laughs, but there was a note of genuine curiosity in his voice.
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Nothing like that. Just some personal stuff I need to focus on. But I'll still be around, just not here."
"Well, whatever it is, man," Jared said, clapping Alex on the back, "you better come by and drink with us. You know, a proper send-off."
Alex couldn't say no to that. The group eventually made their way to a local bar after training, drinks in hand as the night rolled on with jokes and stories. They talked about the bruises they'd given each other, the matches they'd won or lost, and all the little moments that had made their time in the gym worthwhile. It was strange to Alex, sitting there, knowing that while they were still in that stage of growth, he had already moved beyond it.
Still, he felt a sense of kinship with them. They had shared the same space, the same struggles, and in some way, Alex felt connected to their journey. As the laughter continued and the night wore on, Alex felt at peace with his decision.
By the time he got home, the city was quiet, the streets almost empty. He undressed and fell into bed, his body relaxing into the mattress. The familiar sounds of the night—distant cars, the hum of the city—lulled him to sleep.