Chapter 34: Chapter 34: What is Strength?
Editor: Noodletown Translations
The floor beneath his feet changed to a special composite material. Again, a bright light enveloped the ten-meter radius around Mu Fan, and it was still all black beyond. Mu Fan’s eyes flashed red, employing his neuron-assisted night vision. The dense darkness was endless!
His heart shuddered, for this world always inspired awe.
“You’re early.” A deep voice came from behind.
Mu Fan was startled. Even with prior vigilance, he hadn’t sensed his presence.
The fighter in the shadows seemed to know what Mu Fan was thinking and spoke again, “No need to be nervous; yesterday was just an introduction. Today the training officially begins.”
Only then did Mu Fan turn around. He stared hard at the darkness in front of him.
There was just a shadow, not stepping into the center of the light.
“An interesting little guy, do you want to see me clearly?” The person sounded amused by the teenager’s actions.
“I can’t see clearly,” Mu Fan replied honestly.
Two dark green glimmers suddenly appeared in the darkness; they were eyes! Now quietly watching Mu Fan’s direction.
The fighter’s silhouette gradually appeared while gazing intently. Although it was the same black mist, this time Mu Fan could use his ability to clearly see the fighter’s entire body… outline except for the face! The face hidden under the cloak still only showed two faint green spots.
The broad, somewhat tattered cloak covered his entire body, completely contrasting with the character design Mu Fan had seen in PO Battle Net. At this distance, he noticed the rough fabric was somewhat thick with faint scars from knives and swords, tiny uneven tears.
His hands hung by his sides, covered with metallic hand armor, and the right hand held a metal short stick. At this moment, it seemed the fighter instructor deliberately revealed himself; Mu Fan could clearly see the unusually heavy ends of the short stick, wrapped in complex metallic patterns of pale green glow. No, the color was more subdued on the back of the hands, with the rest hidden beneath the worn-out cloak.
The fighter simply stood there naturally, yet a sense of history and blood-ridden vicissitude struck Mu Fan. It was as if he was facing a martial path master who traversed time and space.
Shocking! The first to exert such immense pressure on Mu Fan, and it was still a virtual character from PO Battle Net!
Incredibly real, was this really arranged by Black? Whether in tone or dialogue, he was being led by him everywhere.
“Greetings, Fighter Instructor.” Mu Fan didn’t dwell on other thoughts and respectfully lowered his head in greeting.
“Very good.” The person in front spoke, his voice low and hoarse, yet penetrating like a knife cutting straight into one’s heart.
“You are very weak,” the person in front opened with a set tone, disregarding Mu Fan’s defiant look, “I could kill you a thousand times with just one stick, whether you believe it or not.”
Mu Fan, who wanted to rebut, found himself speechless. He believed it! But he was still not convinced.
Seeing the expression on Mu Fan’s face, those two spots of green flickered, and the deep voice spoke again, “Having ambition is a good thing.”
The shadow walked around with his hands behind his back, yet his words accurately reached his own ears, “The gap between you and me, you will gradually understand from today. But,” his tone emphasized slightly, “from today, as long as you persist, I will make you stronger and stronger, until you surpass me…”
“Any more questions?” The shadow turned again, its green eyes scrutinizing Mu Fan.
“No.” Mu Fan wasn’t one for idle talk.
“Very good, then let’s begin today’s first training. I will instruct you 2 hours a day from now on; this is a virtual world, and all I can teach you is technique, all sorts of techniques… but if you can’t keep up with muscle training intensity in reality, then everything is empty talk.” The short stick the fighter held in his right hand suddenly spun vertically in his palm. His speed was not fast but incredibly steady. Mu Fan noticed the almost static fingers beneath the metallic covering.
“However, your current state is wrong.” The fighter’s right hand suddenly shot out lightning-fast, at least ten times faster than rubber bullets in the gravity room. Without even a trace of afterimage, Mu Fan’s vision was replaced by the heavy short stick, its metallic tip reaching between his eyebrows, just shy of touching further.
Forcibly suppressing the twitching flesh and discomfort between his brows, Mu Fan didn’t see the person in front as a mere virtual character. He respectfully dropped his gaze, “Since yesterday, I’ve had a perplexity in my heart.”
“Speak.” Just one word.
“I’m thinking about something, seeking the instructor’s guidance.”
“Hm.” The fighter remained noncommittal.
“I’m a sparring partner.” Mu Fan’s bright eyes looked at the instructor before him, “But I want to stand up for a friend.”
“Heh.” As if hearing something amusing, the fighter’s deep voice seeped through the black veils, “Then just do it. With power, then do it; without power, don’t overestimate your ability. What is there to hesitate over such a simple problem?”
“So you ask me because you’re anxious, concerned about what will happen after taking action?” Like a wise elder, the fighter had already seen through the truth.
“Let me ask you, what is a strong person?”
Mu Fan, after all, was just a seventeen-year-old boy. He didn’t quite understand the fighter’s words and shook his head.
“You definitely know Black; I’m clear about your relationship. Thus Black entrusted me to teach you.”
Finally, Mu Fan’s words, which had been pent up in his heart, found someone to confide in, “I want to become stronger. I’ve never been more motivated than I am now. Please guide me, Instructor!”
“Do you think you can win?” The fighter gently threw out a question.
“I can!” Mu Fan said decisively! He had a general judgment of the other’s strength.
“Can… then go. If a man dares not to do even his bit, what kind of man is he? I’m just reminding you to use your brain. A truly strong person has both a strong mind and fist; of course, it’s just a suggestion. Black has already considered the worst outcome for you.” The fighter’s voice was utterly indifferent, especially the last remark full of deep meaning.
“Then go!”
Mu Fan’s heart was instantly clear.
Then go!! All previous irritations were shed completely.
Suddenly Mu Fan’s wristband beeped, indicating a call from reality.
Mu Fan’s heart steadied, it was coming! He looked up at the fighter instructor, “I have to log off now, Instructor.”
The green eyes watched Mu Fan for a moment before the fighter turned his back and disappeared into the black mist.
After Mu Fan’s figure disappeared too, a faint voice resonated in the dark mist, “Naive little guy, but… I like it.”
…
Just as Mu Fan removed his helmet, he heard the communicator in the room buzzing incessantly, repeatedly prompting, “Sparring partner Mu Fan, please respond immediately.”
“This is Mu Fan; please go ahead.”
“Come up to the fourth floor.”
“Okay!”
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PS: Thanks to reader Ren Xiaowei for the generous reward!
(This chapter’s small question: Who is the fighter instructor’s prototype?
The first reader to answer correctly in the comments section can get a custom cameo character; this is a one-time opportunity. Guess away, and the correct answer post will be deleted. Then a themed recruiting post for extras will formally open. Whether “The Extras Building” opens depends on you all.)