“I won, decisively!”
The three words from Mike’s mouth left Maxen and the demon gods on the other end of the Magic Conch in stunned silence.
Three words that cost the demon gods 180,000 Lord merits!
The Fifth Demon God’s voice came through again, “All-in.”
Clearly, Thor wasn’t going to provide them with any more information.
They might as well continue playing poker and figure out how to get someone else to kill him sooner!
…
After ending the call with Maxen, Mike looked at the All-American Boy version of Calderon and said, “As per our agreement, you get to set the rules for the next fight.”
In fact, Mike was already prepared to forfeit the second match.
Fighting under the enemy’s rules?
That’s practically suicide!
Mike never did such things!
If Calderon said, “No magic allowed, just hand-to-hand combat for two hours,” then Mike would undoubtedly be at a huge disadvantage.
Calderon seemed prepared and presented his plan, “Next round, we’ll test our close combat abilities. I know you’re a mage, so I won’t bully you. We’ll both suppress our levels to 1, attributes to 10, and have unlimited health. We’ll wear special gear, and points will be awarded for hits. The one with the highest score wins.”
It sounded fair enough.
With levels and attributes suppressed, Mike might not lose too badly.
Just as Mike was about to nod, Calderon added, “No surrendering or forfeiting allowed.”
The loophole was closed.
Mike snorted inwardly, “Do I look like someone who would surrender or forfeit?!”
Calderon, satisfied with Mike’s reaction, continued, “We’ll do it tomorrow afternoon.” “Alright.”
With that, Calderon called Little Nine and was about to leave.
“Wait!”
Mike approached with a smile,
“Since you’re out, why not stay a while? I spent a lot to get you a fake identity. You’re now a member of the training camp. Why not stay and see what the new generation is capable of, maybe even offer some guidance?”
Calderon hesitated.
Little Nine tugged at his sleeve, looking at him with pleading eyes. He seemed afraid of returning to the Tower of Truth.
Calderon patted his head and said softly, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. No one will hurt you.” After comforting Little Nine, Calderon looked at Mike and nodded, “Alright, take Little Nine to get something to eat first.”
“Okay!”
Mike led Little Nine out, chatting casually.
“Little Nine, what do you like to eat?”
“I don’t know.”
“Little Nine, is there anything you want or want to do?”
“Handsome, can you stop fighting my brother?”
Mike: …
Little Nine, please get it straight! It’s your brother who keeps challenging me, not the other way around!
As the two walked away, Shadow Nine and Calderon stayed behind.
Clearly, they had things to discuss.
Outside the training hall, Mike stopped.
Little Nine asked, “Handsome, why did we stop?”
“We’re waiting here.”
Inside the training hall, Shadow Nine coldly asked, “Tell me, where is your true body
hidden?”
“Tower of Truth.”
Calderon didn’t hide it at all, even provocatively saying, “Shadow Nine, if you have the guts, come find me.”
“Heh heh heh-”
Shadow Nine laughed sinisterly,
“I can’t even enter the Tower of Truth, but you, a useless fool, can’t even beat me.”
Then, Shadow Nine looked outside the training hall, his voice changing slightly, “Little Nine… is he what I think he is?”
Talking about Little Nine, Calderon’s attitude softened, becoming less aggressive.
“Yes.”
Shadow Nine fell silent.
Calderon spoke again, “After I die, take care of Little Nine.”
Shadow Nine asked, “Join Guardian Shadow?”
“No, let Little Nine live like a normal person. Guardian Shadow isn’t a place for normal
people.”
Calderon paused, then continued, “Don’t tell Little Nine anything about me. This is
something you shadowy old fools should be good at.”
Shadow Nine snorted, clearly displeased with the remark.
“Alright, that guy outside has probably heard enough. Let’s not talk anymore.”
With that, Shadow Nine turned into a shadow and merged into the ground, returning to
Mike’s shadow.
Mike, acting nonchalant, led Little Nine to the cafeteria.
Eavesdropping?
Thor is upright and honorable, too proud for such things!
I was just openly listening with my head poking out!
…
After breakfast, Mike returned to the training hall.
The morning schedule included combat training.
The instructor introduced a newcomer, surnamed Sunsworn, first name Ace.
Ace, a peculiar name.
Dressed in black combat gear, Ace casually strolled around the training hall, challenging
anyone he fancied.
Then, he knocked them out with one punch.
Ethan, sporting a black eye, came to the rest area.
“Mike, who is this Ace? He’s so strong!”
As they spoke, Calderon punched Jessica’s roc, nearly killing it, then walked away.
The healing element instructor immediately rushed over to heal the roc.
His methods were extremely brutal, like a thug.
“Ace?” Mike looked at the rampant Calderon, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said nonchalantly,
“Him? He’s my defeated opponent.”
===
The members of the SS-grade talent training camp once again gathered outside the training
hall in Area C.
Leading them was still shadow Two.
The fully recovered and lively ‘Thor’ was well-prepared this time.
“Listen up, everyone!”
‘Thor’s’ stunning appearance was marred by a rough voice, shattering every man’s fantasy
about her looks.
Such a beautiful woman, but a shame she can speak.
‘Thor’ snarled, “We’re going to crash the place. No one is allowed to go to the restroom! After
I beat up that Mike, we’ll head straight to Area B to crash their place. Got it, everyone?”
The group responded weakly, “Got it!”
“With that attitude, what do you expect to achieve in the future?”
‘Thor’ spat at them, striding forward and kicking open the doors to the Area C training hall.
Bad Woman’s grand entrance immediately drew everyone’s attention.
The students in Area C recognized her, and whispers filled the room,
“It’s Thor!”
“The one who mysteriously passes out in the restroom?”
“Better call a doctor; she might faint again!”
“I heard the demon race specifically ambushes Thor in the restroom to prevent her from using
it peacefully, so she’ll never become a Supreme Being…”
||||
Hearing the rumors, Bad Woman’s face darkened, her mood worsening.
She had been incredibly unlucky these past few days, and she didn’t know why.
Bad Woman scanned the crowd, thinking, “The real Thor is among them! How likely is it that
Mike is Thor?”
She pondered this question.
Bad Man’s voice echoed in her ear, “Almost zero.”
Bad Woman was unconvinced, “Why?”
Bad Man sneered, “If Thor were that obvious, Shadow Nine would have slashed us by now.”
Bad Man added, “By the way, I spent 5000 Lord merits to ask Amari. He said Thor is extremely cautious, so it’s even less likely to be Mike.”
Bad Woman was slightly surprised, “Oh? It’s rare for you to do something useful and spend
money!”
Bad Man generously replied, “You’re welcome, I used your card.”
Bad Woman’s vision darkened, nearly fainting again.
She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and shouted, “Who’s Mike? I’ve got a lot of pent-up
anger, come out and let me beat you up!”
All eyes turned to a handsome figure in the rest area, clearing a path.
‘Thor’ strode up,
“Well, you’re quite good-looking. Are you Mike?”
Mike looked at ‘Thor’ and said seriously, “Hello, beautiful Miss Thor!”
“Sweet talker, I’ll go easy on you.”
With that, Shadow Two began rolling up her sleeves.
“Hold on a moment.”
Mike, looking harmless, asked, “Are you challenging me?”
Bad Woman nodded, “Yes.”
Mike said seriously, “According to the rules, you have to defeat my former defeated
opponents first to earn the right to challenge me.”
Bad Woman was taken aback. Conditions? Fighting a few more people wasn’t a big deal.
‘Thor’ seemed particularly brave today, not even fearing Calderon!
Bad Woman nodded, scanning the crowd, and asked loudly, “Alright, who are Mike’s former
defeated opponents?”
In the crowd, Ethan was excited, ready to step forward.
Such an opportunity to fight ‘Thor’ was rare and precious!
He was genuinely grateful to Mike for giving him this chance. In Area C, only two people had truly lost to Mike-Kaelum and Ethan!
Before Ethan could step forward, Kaelum shouted, “Me, me, me!”
Ethan wasn’t the only one who recognized the value of this opportunity.
Anderson whispered to Ethan, “Kaelum is offering 200,000 gold coins for this chance.”
Ethan, face red, whispered back, “I’ll offer 500,000!”
Anderson shook his head, “Mike said the minimum is 1 million.”
Ethan raised his offer, “I’ll give 2 million!”
“Deal.”
While they were negotiating, Kaelum had already been knocked down by Shadow Two.
He didn’t even have time to use his Sea of Truth before Shadow Two kicked him away.
Bad Woman was exhilarated, full of excitement,
“Awesome! This is the joy of crushing weaklings!” Bad Woman looked around, full of confidence, “Who’s next?”
Ethan stepped forward, introducing himself.
“Area C, Ethan.”
Boom-
Ethan was punched away.
2 million gold coins for less than a second of fighting.
Ethan didn’t feel it was a waste at all!
Bad Woman wanted to shout, “You weaklings, I can kill you all with one move!”
But she couldn’t say that.
If she dared to kill, Shadow Nine would be the first to kill her.
For others, Guardian Shadow might be a warm, family-like place.
For Shadow Two… it was more like a cage, a prison.
Shadow Nine was the warden.
Anyone who broke Shadow Nine’s rules would see him in the next life.
Maybe in the next life, they could be a real human.
“Who’s next? Mike’s defeated opponents are nothing!”
Bad Woman shouted, wanting to release all her pent-up pressure.
Until a black-clad youth appeared before her.
‘Thor’ looked at him blankly, “Bro, have we met before?”
“Yes, in the restroom.”
Ace raised his fist and swung it down.
The unstoppable ‘Thor’ was as helpless as a sandbag under that fist.