Let’s Try 100% First

Setting aside currently useless abilities, Yuu now had Extreme Anger (Status) [One-Time], Muscle Mastery (Status), Learning (Proficient Level), and Instant Recovery (Minor Injuries) [One-Time], which he could use for the upcoming punching strength test.

Of course, the most crucial was Muscle Mastery, which allowed him to exert 100% of his strength, even surpassing his limits.

Yuu had never trained specifically, so despite several physical enhancements, he estimated his strength was only in the range of an average adult male, at best comparable to someone who regularly went to the gym.

But that was clearly not enough—Kouichirou's first two punches were extremely powerful, with physical qualities visibly superior to his own. Not to mention, Kouichirou had professional punching technique, channeling force from the soles of his feet, waist, shoulders, elbows, to wrists, all connected to generate power, resulting in each punch exceeding 900 points.

If compared normally, Yuu would definitely lose.

That's why he needed a cheat.

If nothing went wrong, the Muscle Mastery status would allow him to exert strength beyond his maximum limit.

According to research, without adrenaline's influence, an average person's maximum strength is about 20-30% of their muscle capacity. Athletes reach 40-60%, while world-class powerlifters exceed 80%.

The brain limits neurons to muscle fibers, controlling the release of muscle strength. When the body exerts excessive force, the brain triggers a pain alarm, and muscle soreness makes a person consciously stop, reaching their limit. Going beyond this limit, while gaining greater strength, risks dangerous outcomes like torn muscle tissue, sprained ligaments, ruptured tendons, or broken bones.

For the first issue, Yuu could overcome it by enduring the pain and forcing his muscles to keep increasing strength. For the second, that's where another ability came into play.

"Instant Recovery (Minor Injuries) [One-Time]."

Based on his intuitive sense when acquiring the ability, Yuu knew that "minor injuries" covered skin wounds, muscle strains, dislocations, bone cracks, and the like. As long as it didn't exceed this threshold, everything could be healed instantly without side effects.

As for broken bones or internal bleeding… perhaps those could be downgraded to minor injuries?

This was his assurance to dare try this time. Otherwise, injuring his body for a small victory would be far too unworthy.

As for Learning (Proficient Level), its function was simple: to learn Kouichirou's punching posture faster and in greater detail.

Combined with the dynamic vision he'd unconsciously gained after using his shooting ability, the two skills were almost like a single-Tomoe Sharingan—of course, that was just a metaphor.

He could only perfectly recall Kouichirou's punching movements in his mind. How his opponent generated and applied force was still beyond his current understanding, let alone mastering and making it his own.

That might only be possible with Expert-Level Learning, and Perfect-Level… well, it was unimaginable how powerful that would be.

In any case, he'd gain technical improvement, a breakthrough in strength, and recovery assurance afterward—a formula had formed in Yuu's mind, allowing him to defeat Kouichirou in the punching strength test and end it perfectly without side effects.

Though he couldn't achieve "perfection" like the Watchful Hero, at least he'd considered every aspect he could think of.

If even this couldn't win, he'd have to resort to his final trump card—

Legend has it, in that state, a human could kill Godzilla with a single kick.

Forget a punching bag; the entire punching machine might fly with one hit.

Of course, such thoughts were too unrealistic, and Yuu didn't want to overdo it.

When the system granted this ability, he only knew that in Extreme Anger, everything would improve comprehensively.

So, it could only be a last-resort trump card, as the variables in the plan were too great.

"Huhhh…"

After mentally reviewing his plan once more, Yuu exhaled softly, clenching his fists at his sides.

Muscle Mastery began at one percent, slowly acclimating to the sensation of exerting force.

In front, Kouichirou, standing before the punching machine, prepared for over ten seconds before finally throwing his last, most serious punch.

His entire body was like a taut bowstring, left hand upright at his side, right fist pulled back to his waist, and toes firmly planted on the ground.

"Dora!"

Accompanied by a strange shout no one but Yuu understood, Kouichirou tightened his refined, handsome face and threw a hard punch at the bag.

*THWACK!*

The punch wasn't fast, but the bag's fall was too quick to see clearly.

After a heavier sound, the third score appeared on the screen.

—960!

"Ah—sure enough, the higher the score, the harder it is to get," Kouichirou smiled regretfully, removing his gloves and shaking his wrist. "Pushed too hard; it kinda hurts."

Daisuke clutched his head, roaring: "You jerk, don't say that on purpose—you're a monster, every punch over 900 points?"

The two girls also praised him admiringly. Kouichirou just scratched his head, giving a faint laugh with a complex expression.

"What can I say? I used to think training muscles could awaken a Stand, so I kept at it until now…"

"Hm? What'd you say?"

"N-Nothing, nothing."

Kouichirou hurriedly changed the subject, then handed the gloves to Yuu.

Whether out of sympathy or encouragement, he lightly patted Yuu's shoulder twice, looking at him with a confident smile.

"Go for it! You have to beat me. I'll hand over that virtual reality helmet with both hands, I promise!"

"…" Yuu gave him an odd look, said nothing, took the gloves, and walked to the punching machine.

Ponytail Girl cheered loudly for him, while the others watched curiously, as if guessing Yuu's maximum score.

600? 700? 800?

"Feeling confident?"

Haruno followed him, blinking her big eyes with a sweet smile.

Mimicking Kouichirou's movements, Yuu hopped lightly twice in place, shaking his gloved right fist.

"Well, decently."

"I thought you were truly all-capable."

"I'm not all-capable; I just do what I need to," Yuu replied flatly. "Besides, of everyone here, you're the one who believes most that I can beat him. Why say it like that on purpose?"

"Whoops, caught me?"

Haruno gave a faint smile, then unhesitatingly inserted a coin to start the machine before stepping aside.

"Then, for the final 'trial' match, good luck, Tenkuji-kun."

"It's not for the trial… Whatever."

Yuu sighed, rolled up his sleeves, and stared straight at the punching bag slowly rising in front of him.

(…First, let's try 100%.)

He took a deep breath, activated Muscle Mastery, and began exerting force.