MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon stood in front of the mirror, his eyes scanning the reflection that stared back at him.

His face was a mess of bruises, a testament to the intense fight he had just endured.

Although he had said he was going to shower, he found himself drawn to the mirror, his impatience getting the better of him.

He wanted to test the health elixir, to see if it would really work as promised.

As he looked at his reflection, Damon's gaze drifted to the scars that covered his body.

He slowly pulled off his shirt, the fabric sliding down his arms like a gentle caress.

He turned his back against the mirror, his eyes fixed on the scar that ran from his shoulder to his lower back.

It was a reminder of a painful past, a past that he tried to keep hidden.

Damon's mind began to wander as he stared at the scar. He remembered the day he got it, the day his father's anger had boiled over.

He was just a kid, no more than 8 years old, and he had made the mistake of making noise while his father was watching a fight.

The memory still made him tremble with fear.

He was a damn kid, no one deserved to be treated that way. His father's words still echoed in his mind, the sound of his voice like a slap in the face.

'YOU LITTLE SHIT, CAN'T YOU SEE IM BUSY, IF **** LOSES AND I LOSE MY BET I WILL KILL YOU!!'

Damon clenched his fist, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.

As he stood there, frozen in the past, Damon's thoughts turned to the health elixir.

He had been skeptical at first, but something about it drew him in.

Maybe it was the promise of healing, of erasing the scars that covered his body. Maybe it was the hope of finding a way to escape the pain of his past.

Whatever it was, Damon knew he had to try it. He couldn't shake the feeling that the health elixir was the key to unlocking a new chapter in his life.

He took a deep breath, his eyes still fixed on the scar. He knew it wouldn't erase the memories, but maybe, just maybe, it could help him heal.

Damon sighed, releasing his fist and noticing that his hand was red, with tiny nail marks on his palm.

He had clenched his fist so tightly, lost in the memories of his past. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, and opened the system interface shop.

His eyes scanned the various items listed, but his gaze quickly settled on the Healing elixir.

He glared at the description, his eyes scanning the words: "Heals bruises, 3-day process."

Damon didn't care about the time frame; he had carried his emotional bruises for years, what were a few days?

He thought about it, weighing the possibilities. If it worked, if it really helped, he could finally find some peace.

He looked at the door, thinking about his mother. He would help her, of course. He wouldn't give her the elixir directly, but maybe disguise it as water, since it seemed to resemble it.

Damon's eyes drifted back to the price: 20 coins. It wasn't a heavy price to pay, not for the promise of healing.

He didn't waste any more time, his mind made up. He clicked the "Buy" button, and the system prompted him:

[DING! ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BUY THE HEALING ELIXIR?]

[Y/N?]

Damon quickly clicked "Yes". The system responded:

[YOU HAVE PURCHASED THE HEALING ELIXIR, YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO USE IT BEFORE IT EXPIRES AND TURNS INTO WATER]

Damon took the elixir out of his inventory, holding it in his hand.

He looked at it, the clear liquid sparkling in the dim light of the motel room.

He didn't drink it, not yet. He was hesitant, unsure if he was ready to let go of his past.

But as he stood there, the elixir clutched in his hand, he felt a glimmer of hope.

Damon didn't hesitate any longer, he gulped down the Healing elixir in one swift motion.

His face instantly contorted, turning bright red as the liquid hit his tongue.

He wanted to spit it out, the taste was unbearable, like someone had poured a mixture of bitter herbs and sour milk down his throat.

His face shriveled up, his eyes watering from the intense aftertaste.

He felt a tingling sensation spreading through his body, like a thousand tiny needles poking at his skin.

Damon's eyes scanned his reflection in the mirror, but everything looked the same. His bruises were still there, his skin still marred by the marks of his recent fight.

He turned around, checking his back, and his scar was still visible, trailing from his shoulder to his lower back.

Damon took a deep breath, making a promise to himself.

He wouldn't check his reflection again until three days had passed.

He wouldn't look in the mirror, wouldn't obsess over the progress of the Healing elixir.

He wanted to be surprised, to wake up one morning and find that his bruises had vanished, his scar had faded.

He wanted to feel the thrill of discovery, to experience the joy of healing without constantly monitoring his progress.

With that, Damon turned off the shower he had turned on to convince his mother he was showering.

He had only wet his hair a bit, just enough to make it look like he had taken a shower.

He came out of the bathroom, the warm air of the motel room enveloping him like a gentle hug.

His mother had outdone herself, as always.

Aoife looked at Damon and smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, that was fast. Usually, you take longer. Can I assume that my cooking made you cheat on your shower?" she joked, her voice light and playful.

Damon chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Yep, it looks and smells amazing," he said, his stomach growling triggered by the smell.

The aroma of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables filled the air, making his mouth water.

Aoife laughed, pleased with herself. "I'm glad I could tempt you away from your shower," she said, serving Damon a generous portion of chicken and vegetables.