Challenge

Chapter 22: Challenge

"Trouble..."

Stepping out of the library, Sulu's expression darkened abruptly.

He had been spotted by Molly while searching for Gulam Language texts.

Although this woman was not a primary suspect, she remained a variable; there was a chance she had ties to the mastermind behind the scenes.

What if she had a history with the corpse in the sewer? Wouldn't he have walked straight into a trap?

"And that police officer—Marilyn! Does she not even know how to protect a witness?"

After several days of observation, Sulu was certain that the authorities had not sent anyone to protect him.

Unless, of course, the person sent was so skilled that they exceeded his own perception, which seemed highly unlikely.

"Should I... secretly write a letter to Marilyn, or perhaps put up a public notice?"

As a transmigrator, certain habits had become instinctual.

Sulu considered himself a law-abiding, upstanding citizen, so naturally, his first thought when facing a problem was to seek out the police—here, he selectively ignored his previous act of desecrating a corpse.

Unexpectedly, he had not walked far before he found himself blocked by a group of people.

"Charlie? Baron? And... Angelia?"

Sulu scanned the circle, realizing they were all members of the Combat Club, and couldn't help but smile: "Hello, everyone!"

"We aren't good, not good at all!"

Charlie didn't speak, but Baron replied coldly: "The President has decided to challenge you to a public match. Do you have the guts to show up?"

Previously, the Combat Club had nearly been dismantled by a single student, causing significant damage to their reputation.

As the President, Donald naturally had to find a way to make amends.

However, Sulu was a mysterious individual, which made him somewhat wary, so he had leveraged his connections to conduct an investigation.

Back and forth, it had taken this long for them to finally issue a challenge.

"Donald... he really is a cautious man!"

Sulu's eyes darted as he guessed the other party's motives, then he glanced at his attribute panel: "Time? Place?"

"Tomorrow at noon, at the Combat Club!"

Angelia looked at Sulu deeply: "There will be others watching as witnesses! What do you think?"

Are there any stakes?

Sulu desperately wanted to blurt out this question and bet every Gold Dragon he had on himself.

After all, he had already witnessed Donald's strength. Perhaps his LV3 Krav Maga Combat Arts wouldn't be enough, but after promoting to LV4, the boost from Tiger Power had already pushed him near the limits of the superhuman.

However...

He had learned his combat arts from the Combat Club, after all; if he turned around and humiliated them, what would that make him?

It was one thing to defeat a few instructors... but if I defeat Donald as well, the Combat Club won't be able to stay in business.

Sulu sighed and looked at Angelia and the others: "I... accept!"

He couldn't refuse; these people wouldn't let it go otherwise.

However, there was still a chance to remedy this in private.

"We'll be waiting for you!"

Baron glared at Sulu fiercely before leaving with his lackeys.

The scene looked like a gang vendetta, causing ordinary students to steer clear.

Of course, there were also many students watching with glowing eyes, the word "cool" practically on the tip of their tongues.

I can't actually go to tomorrow's fight... it would be too much of a slap in the face to defeat Donald in front of an audience. But I can't refuse either... I'll just have to sneak in tonight and let Donald realize the gap in our strength...

Sulu watched the backs of the Combat Club members and rubbed his chin. If Donald cancels the match, that would be the best outcome... Of course, if he offers enough money, I'd be willing to throw the fight!

When it came to thick-skinned behavior, a deadpan expression was always a great advantage.

He felt this was a decent money-making opportunity, and even thought of Sean.

If there were betting odds for tomorrow's match, he could collaborate with him—he could win or lose exactly as he pleased, and if the tip was good enough, he could even pose for the crowd... Ahem... thinking too much.

With his mind wandering, Sulu arrived at the school cafeteria.

He had been flush with cash lately, so he ordered a steak, a side of fries, and the standard bread and vegetable soup.

Sigh... I miss the old days...

Sulu ate and drank quickly. Although he now possessed a foreign stomach, he still missed the cuisine of his homeland.

After all, Western food was fine for an occasional change of pace, but eating it every day was truly hard to bear.

Returning to his dormitory, he continued to ponder the parchment and the diamond-shaped iron shard.

During this time, Sean returned once to settle the payment for the follow-up work, totaling 3 Silver Dollars.

According to him, that profiteer was very satisfied with him and even wanted to introduce a few more jobs, but he refused without the slightest hesitation.

In Sean's own words—only someone kicked in the head by a donkey would continue to cooperate with that profiteer!

But Sulu always felt that, given this guy's personality, he would eventually say "it's actually pretty good" one day.

The summer evening breeze blew, bringing a refreshing atmosphere.

As night fell, Sulu strolled along the riverbank and, without realizing it, arrived near the Combat Club.

He came here to "enlighten" Donald and tell him not to continue doing things that were just embarrassing himself.

Of course, he was also very much looking forward to the experience points the other party might provide.

Not to mention before, at this moment, the other party definitely harbored hostility toward him.

If he's a red-named monster, the experience from defeating him for the first time will definitely be higher than Baron's!

Sulu arrived at the gate of the Combat Club, and several students vigilantly surrounded him: "What are you doing here?"

"Hey! Guys, relax!"

Seeing that they were about to make a move, Sulu immediately said: "I'm here to find Donald; we need to talk!"

"You guys step aside first!"

Just then, Angelia walked over and said to the students.

After dismissing them, she looked at Sulu with a rather complex expression: "Why did you come back?"

"I feel that this whole thing was a misunderstanding from the start, and we can't let the mistake continue!"

Sulu looked sincerely into Angelia's eyes: "Listen to me, Coach... I want to have a good talk with President Donald, just the two of us! In the small woods by the lake! Please help me pass this on to him!"

Donald might still be full of confidence right now; he had to face failure once before his brain would turn the corner.

However, he couldn't make a move in front of so many people.

It had to be a private fight, without any third-party witnesses.

Sulu felt that he was truly going to great lengths.

He just didn't know if the other party would appreciate it.

"..."

Angelia was speechless.

As a student who had defeated three major coaches, wasn't it a bit too late to talk about a misunderstanding now?—She took this as Sulu backing down.

However, a touch of kindness still made her say: "I will pass it on to the President. As for whether he goes or not, that is his own business."

"Thank you!"

Sulu thanked her solemnly, turned around, and walked out of the Combat Club gate.