Martial Artist Combat Assessment

"Sett, be careful, okay? Stay safe." Early on the morning of August 1, Sett's whole family had gotten up to see him off. Today was the day he would take the Martial Artist Combat Assessment.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry. If I can't pass with my skills, then nobody can!" Sett bragged, trying to put his parents at ease.

"Day after day, you never learn anything, but you've learned how to brag to your dad," Jin Wenying said with a smile.

"All right, son. I believe in you. Come back early," Xia Hai said.

Luo Feng had said goodbye to his family as well. The two of them headed to the Extreme Dojo and boarded the train with Yang Wu.

"Quasi-Martial Artists, we are the HR Alliance." A middle-aged man appeared on the screen in the carriage. "The HR Alliance is the most powerful and wealthiest organization in the world..."

Next came a speech from the Military, then from the Thunder Dojo, and finally from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

Four representatives did their best to advertise the benefits of joining their respective organizations to the Quasi-Martial Artists in the carriage. The entire carriage buzzed with discussion.

"Madman, Sett, you're both joining the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. I passed the Quasi-Warrior Assessment there too, so there's no reason not to join. Besides, you can still take on Underground Alliance missions and trade with them while you're with the Extreme Martial Arts Hall," Yang Wu said.

The Military was naturally the most powerful force in the country, while the Underground Alliance controlled nearly the entire world economy. No country dared to offend them lightly.

As for the Thunder Dojo and the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, they might not be as powerful as those two, but one had been founded by the world's strongest man, Hong, and the other by the world's second strongest, Thor.

As the founders of their respective dojos, the two men were beyond anyone's challenge on the planet. Their dojos also stood for freedom, making them the choice of many Quasi-Martial Artists.

The Martial Artist Combat Assessment was held twice a year. More than a thousand Quasi-Martial Artists aboard this train were taking it.

When the train reached its destination, a vast crowd of Quasi-Martial Artists poured into a military camp. Heavy and conventional weapons were deployed around the camp, their dark muzzles aimed outward.

Monsters could be seen everywhere outside the Base City, whether flying in the sky or roaming the ground. The camp's formidable firepower was naturally meant to deal with them.

"Everyone, welcome to the Jiangnan Base City North Military Region. A total of 1,660 Quasi-Martial Artists are taking the combat assessment this time. I hope most of you pass, and even more than that, I hope every one of you makes it through alive!

"I won't say more. Those whose names are called, come up to collect your combat suits and weapons."

Ten officers onstage called out the Quasi-Martial Artists' names. Fortunately, everyone had at least Quasi-Martial Artist-level ability and quick reflexes, so no one missed their name.

One by one, those who were called went up to collect their weapons. Each person had chosen their equipment ahead of time based on their build and preferred weapons.

"Luo Feng!" a loud voice called.

Luo Feng smiled at Sett and Yang Wu, then rushed forward to collect his gear.

"Sett!"

When Sett heard his name, he hurried to the front.

"Here are the gloves you requested, along with your combat suit. This is a Communication Watch. It can track your location, let you communicate, and so on," the officer who had called his name said.

"Thank you." Sett smiled, then took his gear and stepped aside.

Before long, more than a thousand people had collected their equipment. The Quasi-Martial Artists were delighted to see their gear. Ordinary people never got to see such things, and combat suits were far more effective than bulletproof vests. Of course, using firearms was forbidden during the Quasi-Warrior Assessment.

"I hear you two were recruited early by the Extreme Martial Arts Hall?" A man with a purple birthmark on his face came up between Sett and Luo Feng.

"Hmm?" Sett set down his gear and looked at him.

"My name is Wan Dong. The Thunder Dojo recruited me early. I came to find you because I want to see how we compare."

"Not interested," Luo Feng said.

"Oh? What are we comparing?" Sett asked with a grin.

"Let's see who kills the most monsters tonight. The three of us were all recruited early by our dojos, so we're no ordinary fighters. Passing the assessment should be a piece of cake. Do you have the guts?" Wan Dong said.

"I don't mind a little competition, but a simple contest is boring. Let's make it interesting." Sett turned to Luo Feng. "What do you think we should put up?"

Seeing that his good friend was interested, Luo Feng thought for a moment. "How about this? You must have gotten a hefty start-up fund from being recruited early by the Thunder Dojo. He and I will put up ten million each, for a total of twenty million. You put up another twenty million. Whoever wins gets the other side's money. Deal?"

"Deal. I can afford twenty million," Wan Dong said. "Here's how we'll do it: we'll add up the monsters you two kill and divide the total by two, then compare it to the number I kill. Whoever has the higher number wins. How's that?"

"Great! I like doing business with people who are eager to give me their money," Sett said with a hearty laugh.

"I'm fine with it too. Just make sure you have the money ready," Luo Feng added.

"Heh. Whether you can take my money depends on whether you have the ability. I'm definitely taking yours." After saying this, Wan Dong walked away.

"Sett, you and I will team up tonight and show the Thunder Dojo what we can do," Luo Feng said.

"Heh, the Thunder Dojo sure is a good friend, rushing to give us money. Let's get some rest, or we'll be nodding off while fighting monsters tonight." Sett returned to his resting area with Luo Feng.

"How did it go, Wan Dong?" Wan Dong returned to a quiet spot, where a burly man was waiting on the second floor.

"They agreed. We also have a twenty-million bet. Whoever kills more monsters wins the other's twenty million," Wan Dong replied.

"Hahaha, you've got some nerve. I'm not worried about your skills. Go on, get ready, and don't let the Thunder Dojo down."

In the blink of an eye, evening came. More than a thousand Quasi-Martial Artists marched under the soldiers' guidance to a small town.

A tall iron fence surrounded the entire town, and soldiers patrolled the perimeter in large numbers.

Just then, heavy trucks began rolling toward the town. Roars came from their beds. Sett looked over and saw monsters penned inside. Their roars made quite a few of the more timid people tremble.

"Everyone!" a loud voice rang out. "This combat assessment begins at six thirty tonight and ends at six thirty tomorrow morning. You have twelve hours.

"During that time, you must kill monsters. We've prepared plenty of H-Class Monsters for you. They're unintelligent, bloodthirsty, violent, and aggressive. Of course, they're also the weakest monsters, with the strength of a Beginner Warrior Level fighter.

"The path of a Martial Artist is difficult and full of setbacks. Being strong or fast doesn't mean you can kill monsters. The combat assessment is meant to temper your resolve and prepare you for a fight to the death against monsters.

"Every time you kill a monster, cut off its left ear as proof. Each ear is worth one point. Remember: do not kill each other, and do not avoid fighting monsters by attacking other Quasi-Martial Artists to take their ears. The entire town is under constant surveillance.

"There are 1,660 of you. The top sixty percent by points will earn the right to become Martial Artists! Everyone else will be eliminated and have to wait for the next Quasi-Warrior Assessment."

The Quasi-Martial Artists below began murmuring. None of them had expected the elimination rate to be so high.

"Finally, if you're seriously injured, press the emergency button on your Communication Watch. We'll come rescue you immediately, but that also means you'll be disqualified.

"Everyone, enter Monster Town!"

After finishing his speech, the officer left the area outside the town. Once all the Quasi-Martial Artists had entered, he gave the order: "Close the gates!"

As the gates shut, only the Quasi-Martial Artists taking the assessment and the monsters remained in Monster Town.

The Quasi-Martial Artists scattered through the enclosed town to hunt for prey. Some formed groups of two or three.

"Luo Feng, Sett, I think this combat assessment is mostly about overcoming your fear. Only someone who can face a monster alone deserves to be called a true Martial Artist. I won't be a burden to you, so be careful," Yang Wu said when he saw people teaming up.

"Okay, Brother Yang, be careful. We'll meet outside the town at dawn tomorrow," Luo Feng said. "Sett, you be careful too. I'm heading out. This is the perfect time to practice my blade work." He raised the blade in his hand.

"Sure. You both be careful, and remember, don't let that guy win our money!" Sett called after Luo Feng as he walked away.

"Now I'm on my own. With my Innate Secret Technique, why would I be afraid of these monsters?" Sett thought as he put on his gloves.

In my previous life, I'd been too scared to kill even a chicken. But that was the past; the world had changed. This time, let these monsters become the first stepping stones on my path to strength!