CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 16: TIER TWO PHASE?

The completely dark space, a platform with a radius of over two hundred meters, quietly suspended in the darkness. On the platform, everywhere you look is void, only the surrounding lights on the platform provide some comfort.

"What’s going on?"

"Why am I here?"

"Wasn’t I supposed to undergo a game test assessment?"

Zhao Hu stood up, looking bewilderedly at this empty space, completely unaware of what had happened.

One second he was lying in the virtual game pod, the next, it was like a space-time transition, with a cold feeling transmitted from his limbs, and every breath carrying a chill, as if every breath sent a gust of cold straight into his lungs, causing his whole body to shiver uncontrollably.

Before Zhao Hu could even come to his senses, he saw a resolute one-eyed man appearing in the center of the platform.

No!

In Zhao Hu’s eyes, the figure in the center of the platform did not look human at all.

A giant figure standing at two meters and four, even though Zhao Hu was two meters tall, he felt like a child in front of this resolute one-eyed man.

System: Please sustain for 20 seconds.

"Is this a game?"

Upon hearing the system prompt, Zhao Hu was stunned, completely unable to believe this was real.

Although many virtual games focus on feedback for the player’s five senses, such real sensations, especially the cold in his lungs with every breath, were something Zhao Hu had never experienced before.

It felt like he was in the depths of winter, with nothing on, as someone kept pouring cold water into his mouth with a kettle, increasingly addictively, occasionally asking how it tasted.

However, just as Zhao Hu was about to gather himself to face the opponent ahead and show what "Iron Fist Invincibility" means, Qin Mu in the center of the platform moved.

With one step, the marble slab beneath him instantly cracked, and Qin Mu swept over like a gust of wind, bridging the fifty-meter distance in less than two seconds to stand before Zhao Hu.

"So fast!"

"So strong!"

Looking at the tower-like Qin Mu in front of him, Zhao Hu, with years of combat experience in Pilgrimage, knew how terrifying Qin Mu was; he was not someone Zhao Hu could easily engage with.

As he saw Qin Mu’s fist smashing down, Zhao Hu instinctively retreated rapidly, narrowly avoiding Qin Mu’s punch. Due to his hasty retreat, Zhao Hu tumbled across the ground several times before stabilizing his body.

"That was close. His speed and strength far surpass mine. To hold on for 20 seconds, I must keep a distance."

Watching Qin Mu who didn’t pursue, Zhao Hu kept analyzing the situation.

The test only required him to sustain for 20 seconds, not to defeat Qin Mu, significantly lowering the difficulty. However, sustaining for 20 seconds in front of someone whose strength and speed far exceeded his was still no easy task.

As Zhao Hu rolled three times, executed a carp stance, and got up, he suddenly froze.

Unknowingly, Qin Mu was already in front of him, and a fist filled his entire view.

Boom!

"Am I dead just like that?"

Staring at the screen of the virtual game pod, Zhao Hu was dumbfounded.

Fast!

It was extremely fast!

Zhao Hu considered himself a top close-quarter combatant who few could seriously challenge. Even if the opponent’s strength and speed were surprising, he could usually rely on his agility to some extent. But in the recent combat, despite being highly focused, Zhao Hu did not react in time and was directly hit by the punch.

"Again!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Hu paid another 198 credits to revive and battle again.

No matter what, he bore the title of Iron Fist Invincibility in Pilgrimage. If he couldn’t even last 20 seconds against an unarmed NPC, it would be a joke if word got out.

Moreover, with such realistic sensations from the game, the combat experience was unprecedentedly intense. How could he not go again?

With a change of perspective, Zhao Hu appeared on the platform once more. This time, Zhao Hu was no longer confused or panicked, and he immediately focused intently on the center of the platform, waiting for Qin Mu’s appearance.

"I refuse to believe I can’t beat you, and I won’t lose to you again!"

As Qin Mu charged at him once more, Zhao Hu’s focus was unprecedentedly intense, watching Qin Mu’s every move closely. The instant Qin Mu threw a punch, Zhao Hu retreated to dodge, maintaining a distance so Qin Mu couldn’t attack.

One punch!

Two punches!

Three punches!

Zhao Hu mechanically and precisely dodged Qin Mu’s punches with perfect timing, continuing successfully for three full seconds.

Boom!

Due to a split-second misjudgment, Zhao Hu was once again blasted in the head by Qin Mu.

"I caught onto his attack rhythm; let’s go again!"

Zhao Hu paid another 198 credits.

Five seconds later.

"Again!"

"Again!"

...

After dying over a hundred times, as he prepared for another challenge, a communication alert rang in his ear.

"What is it? Speak quickly!"

Zhao Hu impatiently answered, his tone questioning.

"Brother Zhao, we’ve already gathered the necessary manpower in the Celestial Dragon Dynasty; we’re just waiting for you now."

"Alright! I’ll finish the battle here and head over immediately! You guys finalize the plan, I’ll be there soon!"

Upon hanging up, Zhao Hu got up, walked to the large fridge in the room, took out a chilled drink, drank it in one gulp, and paid another 198 credits to challenge Qin Mu again.

"This NPC is truly a monster, but now I’ve familiarized myself completely with his attack rhythm and patterns—this time, there should be no issue lasting 20 seconds." Zhao Hu looked at Qin Mu who appeared once more in the center of the platform, filled with confidence.

After a hundred deaths, Zhao Hu had fully understood Qin Mu’s movements. Previously, he nearly lasted ten seconds, but a slight lapse in focus made him miss the rhythm and get hit directly.

But now, having drunk a custom drink that stimulated his brain immensely, short-term focus issues would not reoccur.

One second...

Three seconds...

Nine seconds...

"Alright! The tenth second passed!"

Zhao Hu dodged another punch, his face filled with excitement.

Qin Mu’s attacks were deadly; a single misjudgment meant death, even a slight graze meant death.

Now fully familiar with Qin Mu’s attacks, even with a vast difference in strength and speed, precise timing allowed him to dodge narrowly.

As the eleventh second commenced, Zhao Hu prepared for another cycle, Qin Mu suddenly stepped back, increasing their distance.

"Tier Two, is it?" Zhao Hu was not surprised at this.

When fighting a boss, it’s common to expect a second phase; it’s gaming common sense. In fact, if such a good boss as Qin Mu had no second phase, he’d certainly leave a bad review in the comment section.

Qin Mu suddenly wielded a three-meter-long Silver Spear. With just a simple swing, the wind nearly knocked Zhao Hu over.

"Come on then! Let me see how formidable your Tier Two is." Zhao Hu, understanding the stance of Qin Mu, knew the true battle was beginning now.

However, before Zhao Hu could prepare to widen the distance, the Silver Spear in Qin Mu’s hand surged forward like a dragon.

Seven spear shadows appeared suddenly!

"Shit!"

Facing the simultaneous attack of seven spear shadows, Zhao Hu’s eyes widened in shock.

Previously, Qin Mu’s attacks were just simple punches, requiring focus on just one. But now, seven spear shadows demanded simultaneous attention—could this game still be played?

Then Zhao Hu’s vision went black, and as he opened his eyes again, his perspective was back in the game pod, accompanied by the incessant communication alert.

"Brother Zhao, Mythical Paradise attacked suddenly without you. What should we do now?"