Chapter 8

— The new recruits who were just "hanging around" nearby were also intrigued by the movements of the two. They couldn't hold back and simply observed the proceedings.

Thus, a circle of spectators formed around the two people. Zephyr and Charles stood on a rise and commented:

— Charles, do you think Binz will be able to break through Karl's Iron Block?

Syuzuo shook his head:

— Impossible, absolutely impossible. With those thin little arms and legs... In any case, I think it's impossible. And what do you think, Master?

Although Charles didn't know who was stronger in an actual fight, he believed that in terms of defense, the more muscles, the more bulk! Karl, at least, looks very muscular, while Binz is not on the same level, more like a skinny chicken.

Zepha smiled and patted Charles on the shoulder:

— Ha-ha-ha, no one knows Karl's strength better than I do. The guy won't give up so easily!

A crowd of spectators gathered around, and the pressure on Binz increased. In the eyes of others, he was second only to Karl. What if he couldn't even break through his defense with full force? How embarrassing would that be!

Thinking about this, Binz, who initially just wanted to vent his anger, became fired up. He looked at Karl with fiery eyes and shouted:

— Ninjutsu: Gokukan-te!

Binz spread his thin arms, stomped his left foot on the ground, and leaped. In the air, he clenched his fists and, like a spring compressed to its limit, suddenly launched himself at the stationary Karl.

— Ha!

A twin dragon rose from the sea, coughed, coughed, and clenched its fists. At that moment, he was like the god of war!

Binz's blow undoubtedly struck Karl's chest. A dull thud was heard, followed by the crack of bones, and Karl was thrown back.

He lay on the ground, wheezing, seemingly wanting to say something, but after spitting out blood, he immediately gave a military salute to Binz and rolled his eyes.

Before losing consciousness, the only thing Karl felt was a burning pain in his chest, as if he had been shot. Damn, he thought he would suffer less by using the Iron Body, but he didn't expect to get hurt so badly! What a foolish defensive technique!

— Binz: ???

Binz looked at his hands incredulously. He thought, "Am I really that strong? I defeated Karl with one strike even when he used the Iron Body!"

The recruits who were watching created an uproar. Many felt that the blow was somewhat personal. Binz seemed friendly, but it turned out he was unexpectedly ruthless! In the future, it's better to stay away from him.

— What?!

Zephyr jumped up and quickly approached Karl in a few strides, crouching down and reaching his fingers to Karl's nose to check his breathing.

— Quickly! Take Karl to the infirmary!

Zephyr wasn't in the mood to ask why Binz had been so brutal. His concern was solely about Karl's condition. He was to be the future strength of the Fleet!

A few sturdy recruits quickly fetched a stretcher from the storeroom and carried Karl to the infirmary.

Thirty minutes later.

Zephyr anxiously asked the doctor:

— How is Karl? Is it serious?

The doctor removed his mask and said gravely:

— Instructor Zephyr, Mr. Karl's condition is not looking good. He has three cracked ribs, with fracture ends bent inward. Moreover, soft tissue in the chest has been damaged, internal organs are injured, and there are clear bruises in his chest.

— Doctor, please don't mince words. I just need to know if his life is in danger and if there will be any lasting consequences?

After a pause, the doctor said:

— Don't worry, this injury is not life-threatening. As for long-term consequences, it's unclear for now; we need time to observe.

Hearing that there was no threat to life, Zephyr calmed down and started to wonder. Karl was physically the strongest among this group of recruits. How could he not withstand even a single blow?

— Alright, alright. By the way, can we visit him now?

— Sorry, I recommend waiting until his condition improves so as not to disturb the patient's recovery.

Zephyr sighed helplessly:

— Okay, I'll come back later.

Returning to the training ground, a furious Zephyr dragged Binz into a corner and growled:

— Binz! What happened today? Tell the truth!

Binz scratched his head. He didn't know anything! Instructor Charles didn't believe him either and asked him to repeat the trick.

In the end, Charles easily blocked his attack without even using the Iron Block. He said, "Could Karl have sustained such a severe injury with such a strong defense?"

However, it was impossible to resist the respected instructor Zephyr, so he honestly recounted what happened. Zephyr still didn't understand the situation, so he let Binz go back to the training field.

— This guy is really strange! First, it was Ain, and now it's Binz. Why do I always have the feeling that this little rascal is doing everything intentionally?

But if Zephyr knew what kind of trickery it was, he would definitely get rid of that feeling.

— "Ding! The total time of truancy has reached eight hours, the daily task is completed, rewards: 2 attribute enhancement cards, 1 Iron Block skill card of six-step style, and 1 lucky aquatic food for a fat pet."

Hearing the message in his mind, Karl instantly woke up but immediately winced from the pain. It hurt, a lot!

Looking down, he saw his chest tightly wrapped in bandages, and a drip was nearby. Karl couldn't hold back a sigh. In the end, he was hospitalized! Although he managed to skip lessons, he had to suffer for it!

— Ha ~ I can't take it, it hurts!

With difficulty, Karl raised his right hand, concentrated a ball of holy light, and struck himself in the face. Warm energy began circulating through Karl's body, and the pain instantly reduced.

Relying on the huge reserve of physical strength restored by [Silence like a Virgin], Karl quickly made another shot and immediately felt his injuries heal.

— Ah ~ Much better, this ability is really useful!

Karl assumed that another attack would almost completely heal his injury, but he stopped! If he were to completely heal, wouldn't his injuries have been in vain? He needed to stay in bed for at least ten days or even a month and a half to make up for his sacrifice.

The door to the room creaked open, and in walked a nurse with long, golden, wavy hair. She was dressed in a white medical uniform, wore crystal earrings, and carried an iron tray filled with medications.

She seemed a bit surprised to see Karl awake. She quickly set the tray aside, approached Karl, and asked with concern:

"Mr. Karl, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

A fragrant breeze refreshed Karl, and he was somewhat surprised. There was such a beautiful nurse in the infirmary. Why hadn't he seen her the last time he was here?

"Well, I feel pretty good, but my chest still hurts a bit."

The nurse slightly raised her lips, showing a gentle smile:

"Besides your chest? Are you feeling discomfort anywhere else?"

Karl shook his head. He had indeed felt discomfort recently. But after healing himself, his body had practically recovered. What else could be causing discomfort?

"Alright." I will change your bandage later. It might hurt a little. Don't move!