Nightmare Despair

Chapter 5, No. 777, Soraka Town

This week, not a single member could withstand ten moves from Du Feng.

Zhou Kai also went up and tried it.

Du Feng's power was heavy and his moves were precise. This newcomer, who had never received a day of proper training, was defeated before he could even parry a single move. Lu Yan was in the same boat.

Chen Ping's face darkened further. He stood in front of the group and reprimanded them a few more times, urging the members to practice more diligently, but to little avail.

Most members seemed indifferent, some even whispering and sneering among themselves.

"What's the use of having a muscular physique? Can it stop a bullet?"

"After teaching for so long, hardly anyone has even grasped the basics. Who knows, it's probably just some kind of money-making scam..."

Zhou Kai ignored these comments.

I don't encounter bullets, but I see fists and claws every day.

He was already interested in combat, and now that he had heard about the reputation of two secret martial arts techniques, that interest had been transformed into an obsession with getting his hands on them.

He's different from these guys who live in peace and quiet.

A deadly crisis loomed overhead, forcing him to become stronger.

We couldn't get our hands on guns and cannons, but practicing martial arts was the only path we could take.

The trainee assessment day lasted less than half an hour; it came abruptly and ended hastily.

No one passed.

But Zhou Kai gave himself a death order: He must pass!

……

Under the guidance of Coach Chen Ping and several students, the day's learning session quickly came to an end.

Perhaps because there were many people trying out the class today, Chen Ping stopped using basic skills to fool people and, for the first time ever, taught a few practical moves.

The members were so enthusiastic and excited that their faces were flushed.

I've finally learned something real!

The money was well spent!

Lu Yan's neck glistened with a fine sheen of sweat mixed with foundation. She nudged Zhou Kai with her elbow: "Isn't my talent alright? As long as I can learn something useful every day, next week... no, the week after next, I'll definitely become a full-fledged student!"

"How about Sister Yanzi gives you special tutoring then?"

Zhou Kai twitched the corner of his mouth: "Thanks in advance."

He seemed uninterested and didn't believe it at all, but Lu Yan obviously didn't notice.

Stimulated by dopamine released during exercise, there's no time to read between the lines.

"Good luck! If you don't understand something later, I'll teach you!"

Lu Yan looked at Zhou Kai's heavy long hoodie, stood on tiptoe and patted him on the shoulder twice, then swung her ponytail and went over to the regular students.

Zhou Kai didn't follow. He went to the rest area, got a glass of electrolyte water, and, enduring the dizziness from exercising to his limit, looked at his control panel.

His physical condition was too poor, and high-intensity training was still too much for him.

On one side of the panel, a line of text had not yet faded.

You have memorized the key movements through imitation.

You have learned the skill: Mixed Martial Arts

"Finally here!"

The level zero mixed martial arts skill appears on the panel, a certificate that is permanent.

He could use his general experience points to level up to level one whenever he wanted, making him the most dazzling member in the group.

But Zhou Kai didn't do that.

Valuable general experience points should be used wisely.

Now, at least he can still gain exclusive experience through practice.

He calmed down and rested for a while, then found an open space to practice alone.

Techniques for generating power, subtle adjustments to footwork—any one of these variables can lead to drastically different results.

Now, his memory and muscle memory seem to have solidified, and he will no longer forget or regress.

Even after Coach Chen Ping had taught him for three hours, Zhou Kai could still imitate the movements about 70-80% accurately, and even became more fluid due to repeated practice...

[You have completed a skill training session, Mixed Martial Arts Experience Points +1]

[Mixed Martial Arts lv0→lv1]

Perhaps due to the complexity of the skills and physical condition, MMA experience gains nearly ten times slower than Light Footwork.

However, it can still be acquired through practice.

Whew… Zhou Kai let out a long breath, his spirits lifted.

Even a small increase in experience points brought about noticeable changes.

Whoosh!Whoosh!
Zhou Kai leaned slightly forward, his right fist flashing like lightning as he punched the air in front of him twice.

The stiff popping sound in my joints and muscles has disappeared.

He delivered those two punches with a steady yet ruthless force.

In terms of power generation technique alone, his body has already begun to adapt.

……

"Not a single one that can be acquired this week?" A thin man with a goatee stood next to Chen Ping with his arms crossed.

Chen Ping shook his head: "Not many of the last batch were serious, and they were all too old... Let's see what the new recruits are like."

"Summer vacation is coming soon, so some students should come."

Suddenly, the man with the goatee raised his chin, gesturing for Chen Ping to look in the corner: "I haven't seen that guy before, is he new? His punches are pretty good."

When Chen Ping recognized Zhou Kai, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

How come this kid is improving so fast?
Did you make a mistake?

Chen Ping frowned, intending to question first: "I just finished teaching you step by step, you might not have forgotten the movements yet..."

"His physical condition is too weak, and he's already an adult. Let's see if he can keep it up. If he trains like this, he might have a chance in two months."

The man with the goatee nodded and said, "He is indeed getting on in years."

"Besides, it will be autumn in two months, and if we miss it... it's pointless."

The two glanced at Zhou Kai a few times, then paid him no further attention.

……

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Late at night, Zhou Kai checked his control panel.

[Character: Zhou Kai]

[Status: Erosion]

【技能：综合格斗lv1（7/15），轻盈步伐lv2（2/25），神秘学lv0】

[Items: Residence permit, bloodstained axe, rusted chef's knife, Morning Star Journal]

[General Experience Points: 8]

[Erosion Progress: 4/9] (Please avoid death!)

After three days, the weakness in my body finally disappeared.

They have made considerable progress in both combat and footwork without neglecting either.

My mixed martial arts experience increased by seven points, and my light footwork leveled up by one.

Of course, experience gain also slows down after leveling up.

"Compared to three days ago, I'm much stronger now." Zhou Kai clenched his fist, feeling the power surging in his arm muscles, and his unease subsided somewhat.

Four days later, he would be forcibly dragged into the nightmare.

But he didn't intend to passively wait for death.

He decided to take the initiative!

Once you have the ability to cope with risks, danger can also be an opportunity.

Zhou Kai took a deep breath and waited for time to pass.

hide?
Can't hide.

Why not take the initiative and go to sea? The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish.

The moment when the hands of the clock are about to overlap.

Zhou Kai staked all 8 general experience points on mixed martial arts, and muttered to himself, "Loading!"

In an indescribable sensation, the soul and consciousness were suddenly pulled away, plummeted, and sank into a cold, deep pool.

When Zhou Kai opened his eyes again in the corrupt atmosphere, the oil lamp was still flickering.

The surrounding environment was gloomy and dilapidated, filled with a despair that chilled the soul.

Welcome back, respondent.

777 Soraka Town will always be your safest haven.

On the fireplace, a line of text slowly appeared, glowing like dying embers, before silently fading away into silence.

(End of this chapter)