Episode 031: Fierce Battle? In Truth, Mere Play

Rumble—
A series of dull, thunderous sounds tore through the deathly silence of the night sky.
Wang Wu stood frozen where he was, his entire being emanating a faint, indescribable ripple.
“So this is her ability?”
Not far away, Xue Feng had witnessed every move between the two.
“That woman must have used her power just now to conjure up some food.”
“The man ate it, and then became like this.”
Xue Feng watched the man before him with composed interest.
At that moment, Wang Wu remained rooted to the spot, his arms hanging naturally at his sides, his head drooping low so that his expression was obscured.
But as time passed, Xue Feng seemed to hear the heavy thud of a heartbeat.
In addition, there was the sound of increasingly labored breathing.
Rip—
Suddenly, the sharp sound of cloth tearing sliced through the air.
Wang Wu’s once-normal right arm abruptly swelled, his sleeve unable to withstand the pressure, splitting apart at the seam.
Then his right arm, left leg, right leg...
One after another, the sound of tearing fabric followed.
Xue Feng could see clearly that Wang Wu’s entire body seemed to have expanded, every muscle bulging with a latent, formidable energy.
And just then, Wang Wu finally raised his head.
His face had transformed into a contorted mask, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot.
Bang!
Wang Wu suddenly raised his hand and punched the air, unleashing a fierce wind.
“So this is power…”
He stared at his hands, feeling as though he had been born anew.
He then turned and knelt on one knee before Zhao Weisu, saying respectfully,
“Thank you, my Queen!”
He could feel explosive strength surging within him, strength that far surpassed the limits of any ordinary person.
Even if an ox stood before him, Wang Wu believed he could kill it with a single punch.
Let alone a mere human…
“That’s enough.”
Watching Wang Wu grovel before her, Zhao Weisu’s expression remained cold as she spoke slowly:
“Go deal with the enemy. Show me your strength.”
“Try to… leave one alive.”
She was not in the least surprised by Wang Wu’s transformation.
After all, it was entirely the result of her own power.
Zhao Weisu even knew precisely how long this strength she’d bestowed would last.

Though she admired the strong,
She had no interest in “the strong” who had been forcibly elevated, like Wang Wu.
She loved true gifted ones—those whose power, by their own merit, could surpass even hers!
“Gifted ones…”
At that thought, Zhao Weisu’s gaze shifted to the handsome youth not far off,
And a glimmer flickered in her otherwise indifferent eyes.
She was eager to see,
If this man joined her and consumed the food her power created, just how strong he might become.
…
“Yes, my Queen!”
At Zhao Weisu’s command, Wang Wu answered at once,
Rose to his feet, and set his sights on the handsome youth in the distance.
The youth was staring at him, dazed and bewildered.
Wang Wu let out a laugh at the sight.
“Frightened, little one?”
“This is the power the Queen has given me—strength far beyond the norm!”
“Speed, strength, reflexes—
Now, in every respect, I surpass you by leagues!”
“To me, you are as insignificant as an ant.”
“But since the Queen wishes you spared, I won’t kill you. Still, you’ll have to suffer a little…”
After a moment’s thought, Wang Wu’s face twisted into a savage grin.
“Here’s what I propose: break both your own arms and kneel before me to beg for mercy, or if I must do it myself, the pain will be many times worse!”
…
Meanwhile,
Xue Feng ignored Wang Wu’s bluster.
Because before his eyes,
A newly refreshed panel had just appeared.
[Successfully verified intelligence accuracy. The following rewards are granted:]
[All abilities of the host +1]
…
“Hey, boy, I’m talking to you! Didn’t you hear me?”
Seeing Xue Feng’s continued silence, Wang Wu frowned and growled.
“I heard you.”
Having finished his verification, Xue Feng looked up with a gentle smile:
“Thank you for the opportunity, but… I don’t need it.”
“Courting death!”
Enraged by Xue Feng’s reply, Wang Wu’s power erupted in an instant!
His fist, the size of a cooking pot, swung up and crashed down toward Xue Feng’s head!
Yet Xue Feng neither dodged nor flinched, standing calmly in place.
Just as the massive fist was about to land,
Xue Feng shifted his foot ever so slightly,
Evading the blow by a hair’s breadth.

“He dodged?”
Wang Wu was a little surprised, but immediately threw another punch.
…
As she watched the battle,
Zhao Weisu’s gaze never left the young intruder,
Her eyes reflecting a trace of intrigue.
The youth did not attack, only “clumsily” dodged Wang Wu’s storm of blows.
“Is it because he lacks the strength to face him head-on?”
Zhao Weisu wondered.
But to her, this wasn’t a flaw.
To clearly recognize one’s limitations and play to one’s strengths in combat—
Such a man, at least, was clever.
“If possible, I should bring him under my banner,”
“And use my power to enhance him, filling in his weaknesses…”
At the thought, excitement sparkled in her eyes.
If she had to choose between the two,
Compared to Wang Wu, Xue Feng was obviously the better candidate for a partner.
…
At the same time,
Facing Wang Wu’s attacks, Xue Feng never countered, simply stepping aside time and again, dodging with ease.
Moreover,
From his opponent’s movements, Xue Feng had already deduced his stats.
“Strength should be around 20, agility at most 18, spirit… probably less than 10.”
He pondered, somewhat surprised.
He had underestimated that woman’s power.
Before the fight, Wang Wu was an ordinary man,
His attributes all below 10.
But under her ability’s influence,
She had forcefully transformed an average man into a combat machine rivaling a true gifted one!
Had Xue Feng not just verified the intelligence and gained many attributes,
He might not have been Wang Wu’s match.
“Die!”
Suddenly, Wang Wu roared,
His raised right fist crashing down with unstoppable force!
Boom!
A muffled thud rang out.
Feeling the impact through his right fist, Wang Wu’s face lit with excitement:
“I hit him… huh?”
But before he could celebrate,
Xue Feng felt a tremendous force surge through his right fist.
“Your aim is off, and your strength… even worse.”
A calm voice sounded in his ear.
Then Wang Wu felt searing pain in his abdomen,
As if struck by a car, he was sent flying backward.