I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

"As expected, training in the virtual dream training ground is more than three times more efficient than training in the real world!"

"In particular, it allows you to adjust gravity and even select your opponent."

"Most importantly, I can manipulate time in the virtual dream training ground at will, slowing down the flow of time in the training ground compared to real time."

"This gives me enough time to train and prepare for the upcoming surprise attack on Clock Tower Town, increasing my chances of survival."

"My body can now withstand training at about four times the gravity, although it's still a bit strenuous."

After 12 hours of training, Zod awoke drenched in sweat from the virtual dream training ground, returning to real time.

Returning to reality from a space with four times the gravity, Zod felt much lighter.

He felt that his speed and strength had increased significantly.

However, he didn't have a mental panel and couldn't quantify his attributes.

Zod wasn't sure exactly how much he had improved, but he was definitely much stronger than he had been in Blackwood.

If it weren't for carrying out such a high-risk mission, Zod probably wouldn't have had the motivation to restrain himself from engaging in high-intensity training.

What's the point of working yourself to the bone?

If he could retire immediately, he wouldn't need any lousy reward.

However, in times of war, he would never have too many skills that could improve his survival rate.

Compared to novel protagonists who aspire to be kings, emperors, or gods, Zod's thoughts were simple and pure: he simply wanted to survive.

A man whose only concern is survival.

Smelling the stench of sweat on his body, Zod went into the bathroom, intending to take a shower and then rest.

According to the plan, tonight is the night of Zod's surprise attack on Clock Tower, and he must be in good spirits.

As Zod stepped into the bathroom, a painful wail erupted: "Aaaaaah! What the hell is this?! Aaaaaah!!!"

Zod's scream startled the soldier on duty nearby, who immediately ran to Zod's door and knocked urgently: "Lieutenant, what happened? Please answer!"

"Was that the lieutenant's cry for help? He sounded like he was in a lot of pain."

"Has no one responded yet?"

"No! The door is locked from the inside, I can't get in!"

"Never mind, it's an emergency, let's break down the door!"

Several soldiers gathered outside Zod's room, unsure of what was happening inside and worried that something might have happened to him. They decided to break down the door first.

Just as one of the soldiers was about to kick the door open.

Zod's voice came from inside the door: "It's okay, no need to come in. Something fell and hit my ingrown toenail. I'll take care of it myself."

"Okay, I understand, Lieutenant. Please contact us as soon as possible if anything happens." The soldier outside the door breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Zod's response.

In the bathroom, Zod looked at his newly increased popularity score.

[The popularity score for this system session has been tallied. Your popularity score for this session is: 17530!]

"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands..."

"No, count again!"

"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands..."

"You didn't miscount!"

"This is toxic! My retirement plan is ruined!!!"

Faced with a sudden fivefold increase in popularity, Zod was already somewhat overwhelmed.

The increased popularity will then translate into driving forces for the plot and more screen time.

Zod is now on the front lines, and this is no longer a small-scale skirmish like in Blackwood.

Every mission could cost Zod his life.

He had already sensed something was wrong with this surprise attack on Clock Tower Town.

The mission is becoming increasingly dangerous and difficult, and he has no way to back out of it.

He won't always be so lucky.

A mediocre person accidentally joined the Imperial Elite Army and retained his rank, becoming a second lieutenant.

This is absurd enough.

"No, we have to find a way to lower the popularity rating no matter what."

Zod paced back and forth in the room, reflecting on his past actions: "What went wrong? I didn't do anything likable, did I?"

He just happened to save two hostages by accident, and didn't really contribute anything to the main storyline.

The fact that its popularity has surged, and suddenly increased fivefold, means something must be wrong.

However, Zod had absolutely no idea what went wrong!

I don't understand!

Congratulations! Your popularity score has reached 6000!

You will receive 3 potential points and your appearance chance in later episodes will increase by 15%!

[Distribution complete, please check your account!]

Congratulations! Your popularity score has reached 10000!

This will unlock the popularity points exchange shop for you and ensure a 20% increase in your appearances in later episodes!

[Distribution complete, please check your account!]

You can now use the popularity points you earn to redeem various items in the Popularity Point Exchange Shop!

Even though these rewards could further enhance Zod's strength, he was not happy at all.

As long as this damn system exists, Zod will be guaranteed a role in later episodes as a reward.

This is practically a Damocles' sword hanging over Zod's head.

Zod's danger cannot be completely eliminated unless he is freed from the bond with this damned system.

"System, unbind! I don't need you anymore, and you can take back the rewards!" Zod shouted into the air.

[Error: Unable to unbind from the host; unbinding conditions not met.]

The host must meet one of the following conditions to deactivate the system:

First, the host dies permanently and cannot participate in subsequent storylines.

[Secondly, if the host fails to break 6000 popularity points in three consecutive popularity calculations, they will be completely removed from the main storyline and forced to 'retire'.]

Thirdly, the host made actions inconsistent with the character's personality, causing their popularity to plummet and resulting in a forced "retirement."

[Unless the above conditions are met, the system cannot unbind itself from the host.]

Damn, I'll really thank you!

Zod didn't even have time to complain.

Unexpectedly, another achievement was made.

[Congratulations! Your popularity has increased fivefold in a very short time, achieving a qualitative leap and earning you the achievement of "Underdog Popularity"!]

The system will issue you an extra reward: guaranteeing you a 50% increase in appearances in subsequent episodes.

Wo Ganlin's mother.

You really think I'm the villain, huh?

"You want me to participate? I won't. I'll hand over all the subsequent tasks to Warrant Officer Hitis. The credit and glory will all go to Hitis or Cassius."

"Let's see how you increase your popularity now."

Zod, hands on his hips, indignantly declared, "If I lend a hand in the next raid on Clock Tower, you win, you stupid system!"

The more Zod saw this infuriating system, the angrier he became.

Is it really that hard to retire and live a quiet life?

[You have now achieved your new player popularity goal, and a new popularity achievement reward has been added for you.]

[When your popularity reaches 30000: You will receive a free chance to draw a blue-quality martial arts technique, and your appearance rate in later episodes will increase by 25%!]

[When your popularity reaches 50000: You will receive a 60-day Virtual Dream Training Ground, and the production team will create a special bonus episode just for you!]

[When your popularity reaches 70000: You will receive 9 Potential Points of any kind. The development team will collaborate with a third party to release merchandise featuring your character. Every piece of merchandise sold will increase your popularity by an additional amount!]

[When your popularity reaches 100000: You will receive a free chance to draw a blue-quality talent and have the opportunity to participate in the main storyline or important side quests of subsequent episodes!]

Wow, that looks so tempting!

But I'm not interested!