The arena buzzed like a hornet's nest. Zhang Wei stood firm on the dueling ground, his chest rising and falling steadily, eyes glued to the system interface floating before him.
"Tiger Technique – Basic… hmm, not bad," he muttered, scanning through the newly earned rewards.
But the peace was short-lived.
"Zhang Wei!" one of Wang Jie's cronies shouted from the sidelines. "This ain't over, you piece of dog crap!"
Suddenly, from the left and right, two of Wang Jie's thugs lunged toward Zhang Wei like twin shadows, fists raised. Their aim-revenge for their humiliated boss.
Simultaneously, the third crony ran to Wang Jie's side and slipped something into his hand.... a blood-red pill pulsing ominously with energy.
"The Blood-Bursting Berserk Pill!" a student from the crowd gasped.
Wang Jie popped it into his mouth without hesitation.
BOOM!
His muscles ballooned grotesquely, veins bulging like snakes writhing under the skin. His skin turned crimson. Wang Jie now looked less like a student and more like a berserk demon from a nightmare, towering like a mini-giant.
Before Zhang Wei could react, the mutated Wang Jie vanished from sight.
SMASH!
A monstrous fist collided with Zhang Wei's chest, sending him flying through the air like a broken kite. Blood sprayed from his mouth, forming a crimson arc in the air before he crashed hard on the concrete ground.
"Host has triggered System Alert!" the System buzzed coldly in his mind.
Mission 2: Bully the Bullies – Phase 2 Activated!Enemy has consumed a Blood-Bursting Berserk Pill.Host not strong enough.Suggestion:
Upgrade Tiger Technique to Proficient – 3000 Spendrift Points
Unlock Hidden Bloodline & Body Structure – 5000 Spendrift PointsConfirm Purchase?
Zhang Wei clenched his bloody teeth and whispered, "Redeem."
Golden light exploded from his body like a miniature sun. His clothes vaporized instantly, save for his Monkey King-themed underwear, which proudly clung to his waist like a heroic relic.
His body twisted and screamed under the surge of pain. Muscles reformed, bones cracked, and divine energy coursed through his veins like liquid lightning.
"AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
His scream echoed through the stadium, but Wang Jie's cronies mistook it as weakness. They closed in like hyenas.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Their feet slammed into Zhang Wei's body again and again, mocking laughter echoing in the air.
From the stands, Lin Rouxi watched silently. Her knuckles whitened, and for the first time, her usually calm, goddess-like expression faltered. A storm brewed in her rose-tinted eyes.
Just then....
BOOM!!!
Zhang Wei's aura exploded like a dam breaking.
Wang Jie and his cronies were thrown into the air like rag dolls as a golden shockwave surged from Zhang Wei's body.
Thud!
Smack!
Crack!
He dashed forward, his fists moving like thunderbolts. Bones shattered with each strike, one crony's arm bent backward unnaturally, another spun in the air like a broken top. Blood sprayed like fireworks as Zhang Wei tore through the group with primal fury.
Wang Jie roared and came at him one last time-but Zhang Wei ducked, spun, and slammed a Tiger Palm into his stomach.
CRACK!
The beastly boy flew backward twenty feet, crashing through a metal pole.
Zhang Wei stood in the center of the stage, drenched in blood... his own and his enemies'. His chest heaved. Eyes wild. Unyielding.
Then, darkness crept into his vision.
He smiled faintly. "Monkey King... never retreats…"
Thud!
He collapsed, unconscious...his body overwhelmed by the strain of awakening.
But the legend of the loser was just beginning.