CHAPTER 55: DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

Chapter 54

"You ready?" Ben asked, and Max casually rolled his sleeves up before nodding.

"Go!"

’Now I’m stuck. How should I go about this? I need to get a high enough score for this, and I really don’t even know what the max score one can get is. If I want to stand out, I need to use everything I have... all my strength, including this ability.’

{Strength Surge activated}

{Description: Increases user’s strength by 15 percent for 10 minutes. Cool down timer: 1 hr, 30 mins.}

{STR: 56 64}

BANG!

Max’s fist shot forward with a roaring crack that echoed through the entire hall. In the blink of an eye, it slammed into the bag’s center with such force that the bag swung a full metre away before violently swaying back again. The impact reverberated in the air, like thunder rolling in a confined space.

Everyone froze. Their mouths dropped wide open, words stuck in their throats. But the real shock hadn’t even begun. Off to the side, the small screen blinked and shuffled through numbers before stopping at a double digit.

64

Silence crashed down like a heavy wave.

Every single pair of eyes bulged in disbelief. Even Hunter Ben, blindfold still covering his face, couldn’t stop his mouth from falling open. His hands twitched at his sides as he gawked at the glowing screen.

’What... What the hell is this strength? They said he wasn’t a hybrid, so how in the world can a human possess this kind of monstrous power? No, something isn’t right. This isn’t normal.’ Ben’s thoughts spun out of control, his jaw refusing to close.

Zach’s smug expression shattered. The arrogant smile plastered across his face only moments ago was completely erased, replaced by wide, trembling eyes.

’Ho...how is this possible? Wh...who exactly is he? Is he a hybrid too? No, if he really is one, then he’s unlike any hybrid I’ve ever heard of.

Dammit! I must have provoked the wrong person this time.’ Zach’s throat tightened, and he gulped loudly as Max turned his head. That small smirk curling on Max’s lips was enough to send a chill crawling down Zach’s spine.

’Sheesh. So the system’s scoreboard and this bag use the same numbers.’ Max glanced at his hand, his expression shifting to disappointment.

’I didn’t want to hide my strength, but I honestly wish it was much higher. I’ve read too many webnovels where the MCs always thought it was fun to hide their power. I hated it.

No. I refuse to be like that. I want to be different. I want the world to know how strong I am. They should tremble beneath the gaze of the First Mythical Dragon.’ His grin widened, sharp and unyielding.

"Next assessment," Ben announced at last, snapping himself out of the daze. He quickly gestured for Max to follow him toward the treadmill, though his hands still shook slightly.

{Adrenaline Rush activated}

{AGI: 52 54}

The moment Max’s feet touched the treadmill’s belt, his body exploded forward. His legs blurred, moving with such speed it looked almost unnatural.

He ran like a man being chased by a savage demon, his footfalls pounding against the machine so hard that the treadmill creaked and rattled as though it might collapse under the strain.

His breathing was steady, his grin never leaving his face. If anything, the challenge seemed to excite him further.

Everyone watched in awe, the hall filled with gasps and murmurs. They couldn’t believe this so-called "human" was performing at such a terrifying level.

Beep, Beep, Beep!

The signal finally rang. Max stepped off the treadmill without hesitation, not even winded. Not a single bead of sweat marked his forehead. His grin remained firmly in place, like he hadn’t even pushed himself.

Ben walked over slowly, his steps heavy as though weighed down by disbelief. His mouth hung open again, and he couldn’t stop staring. His mind scrambled, refusing to make sense of what he was witnessing.

"Speed... 54." Ben announced aloud, causing everybody to gasp in shock, and Max’s grin just widened.

’Guess I was right. The system and these tools do record the same thing.’

"You can move to the side now." Ben gestured, and Max nodded as he walked away. He was about to pass Zach, but he leaned in and whispered.

"Do not judge a book by its cover, otherwise the book might end up hurting you and you won’t be able to save your fingers... or in this case, your head." Max whispered, his eyes glowing yellow, causing every single hair on Zach’s body to rise in horror.

’Ye...yellow eyes?! He really is a hybrid. Bu...but what type?’ Zach thought in fear as he gulped loudly. His throat felt dry as Max casually patted his shoulders and walked off to stand in a corner, looking as if nothing had just happened.

"Next applicant; Jasmine." Ben called out, and a beautifully stunning female in a tight-fitting orange attire, with her long brown hair tied into a perfect ponytail, walked forward with confidence.

"Go." Ben ordered, and Jasmine didn’t waste any time.

She leapt off the ground and spun in the air for a few seconds before unleashing a powerful roundhouse kick. With a loud bang, her foot struck the punching bag dead in the center.

She landed gracefully, a small smile tugging at her lips as the numbers shuffled for a few seconds before settling.

40

"Woah!" Several guys exclaimed in amazement, their eyes lighting up as Jasmine walked elegantly toward the speed assessment machine.

She jogged and paced on the treadmill for a few minutes. When time was up, she hopped down lightly, barely out of breath, and her score was announced.

38

"That’s actually a nice score, and it says you are human. Not a hybrid. Beautiful." Ben announced as he gestured for her to move to the side. His tone carried a trace of admiration.

’Two humans who aren’t hybrids displaying such crazy stats. Are humans evolving daily?’ Ben thought, frowning slightly as he glanced in the direction of Max and Jasmine. His eyes narrowed before he shook his head and focused back on the applicants.

"Next applicant; Jake."

The moment the name was called, the entire crowd reacted at once. As though they all knew exactly who it was, everyone turned and parted to reveal a single figure stepping out from the group.

His blonde hair was perfectly swept back, his blemish-free face shone with a small radiant smile, and the confidence in his steps was enough to draw eyes. He carried himself like someone who already knew his worth.

His beautiful brown eyes scanned the room slowly until they landed on Max. His grin widened immediately, and with a stride full of self-assurance, he approached the punching bag. The air around him seemed to hum faintly with anticipation.

"Are you ready?" Ben asked, but Jake didn’t reply. His gaze remained locked on Max, sharp and unyielding. Max, of course, noticed instantly.

’Now how should I go about this? Use my full strength or half of it so I won’t embarrass my new friend. Kek!’ Jake chuckled inwardly.

"Are you ready?" Ben asked again, his tone a bit sharper. This time Jake finally nodded, still without taking his eyes off Max.

"Go!"