Winning Streak

"Ah!"

Seeing Sulu's expression, Charlie's eyes went bloodshot.

What was this? A provocation?

It was an absolute humiliation! He wanted to kill Sulu right then and there.

"Charlie! Calm down... This kid's no match for you!"

The other white coach frowned and shouted, "As long as you don't make a mistake, you'll win in the end!"

His shout brought Charlie to his senses. He forced himself to calm down, squared his stance, and fixed his gaze on Sulu.

"Ha!"

But this time, Sulu had no intention of waiting. He shouted and struck first, throwing a punch at Charlie's face.

Charlie immediately raised both hands to guard his face, ready to counterattack.

The next moment, Sulu's foot slid, and he made a bizarre adjustment mid-strike. His fist dropped and landed squarely in Charlie's stomach.

On the sidelines, Angelia and the white coach both changed expression. "Such a fluid transition between the Eight Forms?"

That was right!

When Sulu had been at [Krav Maga Combat Arts LV1], he had only drilled the eight forms until they became instinctive, applying them rigidly whenever a situation arose. But at LV2, he could use them flexibly, changing his moves on the fly with ease.

Thud!

Charlie took the punch squarely, clutched his stomach, and dropped to one knee.

Sulu's Strength attribute had now reached 1.3!

By his own estimate, he was already stronger than many adults. A solid punch to the stomach like that definitely wouldn't feel good.

If I keep raising my combat arts level, could these attribute boosts make me a transcendent?

Sulu clenched his fist, then looked at the Attribute Panel and frowned.

[XP+5]

Only 5 Experience Points? Looks like my dream of grinding the same opponent over and over is dead! I'll try one more time and see!

Sulu wasn't a cruel person, but for the sake of his theory, he looked at Charlie, who was still on one knee, and said coldly, "Charlie, are you even a man? If you are, get up and fight me for a third round!"

"Damn! Coach, I'm rooting for you!"

"Coach, get up!"

"If you're a man, get up!"

"Beat that kid!"

Quite a few onlookers shouted. Some were simply supporting the Combat Club, while others were just joining in for the fun of it.

Even Angelia's expression turned uneasy as she looked at Sulu.

After all, even if Charlie had been in the wrong earlier, he'd already been beaten this badly. Continuing to provoke him seemed out of line.

"Damn it! I'm going to kill you!"

Charlie rubbed his stomach. Once the pain had passed, he got to his feet and charged at Sulu with a roar.

"Whirlwind Kick!"

Sulu sidestepped and leaped high, whipping out a kick that struck Charlie squarely in the neck.

Thud!

Charlie hit the ground in a classic face-first sprawl and passed out.

Sulu frowned and looked at the Attribute Panel.

[XP:5]

No change. That last victory didn't earn me any Experience Points...

He sighed to himself. Looks like my idea of endlessly farming Experience Points is dead...

The first victory against an opponent had earned the most Experience Points, the second had earned half as many, and the third had earned none at all. He couldn't help grumbling inwardly, Why make the cheat so smart? It's hard enough to find a loophole as it is!

If ordinary victories couldn't earn him Experience Points, then the only thing left to try was killing someone.

But this was a society governed by law. If Sulu dared to do that, the police would be at his door in no time.

"Charlie! Charlie!"

The last white coach roused Charlie and checked him over. After letting out a sigh of relief, he turned to Sulu, his face full of anger. "How could you do that?"

"It was just a normal sparring match... If Coach Charlie isn't satisfied, I'm always happy to go another round!"

Sulu shrugged, thoroughly unimpressed.

Did I have to be the one flat on the ground for this to count as a fair outcome?

After saying that, he saw Charlie visibly duck his head, not daring to meet his gaze. A thought occurred to him. Has he finally been taught a lesson?

That was about as far as ordinary friction between students could go.

Having lived through two lifetimes, Sulu knew all too well that some bullies looked big and imposing, but once you beat them and broke their confidence, they'd become more obedient than rabbits.

Coach Charlie's confidence came from his decent fighting ability.

Now that Sulu had beaten him three times, Charlie no longer had the courage to make trouble for him.

After all, not everyone came from a powerful, influential family. Most people were ordinary, with no special connections or background. If you couldn't win a fight, what else could you do but back down?

Oh, there's still one other option: call for backup!

Sulu looked at the last white coach with an amused expression. "Or... are you going to step in too, Coach?"

"Of course!"

The last white coach walked onto the mat. "It may only be a university club, but if word gets out that all three coaches lost to a rookie, the club president won't let us off when he gets back! I'm Baron Benlion!"

"Sulu! Sulu Portley!"

Sulu's expression turned serious.

Baron was clearly different from the two coaches who had fought before him.

Once he stepped onto the mat, his presence settled. He stared at Sulu like a predator stalking its prey, giving off a dangerous aura.

This man... definitely has more real combat experience than I do. He might even have killed someone!

Sulu's high Mental attribute let him sense more than most.

"Begin!"

The Combat Club members fell silent. After Angelia gave the signal, Baron immediately moved.

He let out a roar and hurled a straight punch at Sulu!

Fast!

The punch was blindingly fast. More importantly, Baron didn't hesitate at all. His attack carried the conviction that it would kill.

Does he really want to kill me?

For a moment, Sulu thought he could smell blood. His mind went blank, unable to think.

After all, he was just an ordinary university student with little real combat experience. He had never faced anything like this.

At that critical moment, his body moved on instinct. He jerked his head back and reached for Baron's throat with his right hand.

A blow for a blow!

If you're ruthless, I'll be even more ruthless!

Baron's expression turned grave, and he chose to retreat and defend. He was baffled.

How could an ordinary university student have such a combat response? And, more importantly, he was willing to risk his life. He was insane!

It was just a sparring match. Was that really necessary?

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Sulu surged forward. The Eight Forms flowed together perfectly, a storm of attacks.

Baron held out for a while, then suddenly lost his footing and fell. Sulu pinned him, locking down his vital points.

"I... I actually lost?"

"Yes, you lost!"

Sulu let go and panted.

That last burst had drained a great deal of his energy.

In truth, Baron was slightly stronger than he was. But when faced with Sulu's willingness to trade injury for injury, Baron had chosen to retreat.

That single concession immediately put him at a disadvantage, and he never managed to recover before losing.

This was real combat: victory or defeat could be decided in a matter of seconds, and the stronger fighter didn't always win!

Whatever else, I won again!

Sulu looked at the Attribute Panel and saw the [XP+15] notification. His mood brightened even more.