The Attack

The woods.

Sulu looked up at the sky. Stars began to appear, one by one, surrounding a bright moon.

Unlike the moon back in his hometown, the one in the sky was unusually large—almost two or three times the size of the moon in his previous life.

That alone was enough to tell him that this was an entirely different world from the one he had known.

"But... the moonlight is just as beautiful!"

Sulu exclaimed in admiration, then turned his head and saw Donald approaching, looking like a sunny young man. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did!" Sulu nodded. "I think... there's been a misunderstanding between us. We don't have to take it as far as a duel tomorrow. How about we settle things now?"

"You want to settle this privately?" Donald smiled. "Sure... as long as you join the Combat Club and become a coach!"

That way, he could also restore his reputation among the club members.

"A coach, huh? What's the weekly pay?"

Sulu asked at once.

"..." Donald looked a little awkward. Perhaps he hadn't expected Sulu to seriously consider his offer—or to back down so quickly. "We're a university interest club. We might get some donations and school funding, but coaches generally aren't paid. You can charge for private lessons, though..."

"I see. Then I'll pass!"

Sulu was busy right now and didn't have time to deal with anything else.

If the Combat Club offered good benefits, that would be one thing. But this was hardly worth it.

"Then there's nothing I can do..." Donald spread his hands. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow's fight!"

He was full of confidence. After their previous sparring session, he was certain that although Sulu was formidable, he still wasn't a match for him.

"Donald, I think you've misunderstood something!"

Sulu took a deep breath. "I wanted to settle things privately because I didn't want the Combat Club to embarrass itself tomorrow!"

"Embarrass itself? You think I'll lose to you?" Donald raised an eyebrow.

"Win or lose, why not find out?" Sulu took a deep breath.

"Fine!"

Dressed in a loose white martial arts uniform, Donald immediately assumed a stance, ready for anything.

"Why did he agree so readily?"

Seeing this, Sulu found it rather strange.

"Because... the fact that you dared to come means you must have something to back yourself up. And in the world of combat, a gap in strength doesn't decide everything!"

Donald answered with a serious expression.

"Then here I come...!"

Sulu gave a light laugh, stamped his foot, and suddenly appeared in front of Donald, bringing one hand down in a strike. "Tiger Style!"

Whoosh!

A gale roared as his hand cleaved through the air, carrying such ferocity that he seemed to have become a tiger.

Thud!

Donald raised an arm to block and felt an enormous force slam into him. He couldn't help but stumble back several steps, his expression turning astonished. "You... you've changed!"

He had fought Sulu before. There was no way the other man's strength had been this great!

And it had only been a few days!

Could Angelia have been right? Could a genius like this really exist? If it's him... perhaps he can reach that other world?

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Donald's mind.

The Combat Club's coach had already told him about Sulu.

Donald had been skeptical of the claim that Sulu had only been learning combat for two days.

But now, he believed it! Some geniuses made progress at a rate that simply couldn't be judged by ordinary standards!

Whoosh!

As Donald retreated, Sulu's hands darted back and forth, as if he were building up speed for a charge. He moved swiftly around Donald, launching a fierce assault. "Crane Style!"

Thud! Thud!

Donald guarded his face and other vital areas with both hands. His muscles swelled again as he used the same Iron Body skill as last time.

The onslaught crashed against him like a raging flood slamming into an iron wall.

Whoosh... smack!

The two figures met and sprang apart in an instant. Then Sulu launched a flying kick in midair.

Such a move was extremely dangerous in a fight. It was hard to control one's balance in the air, making it easy for an opponent to seize the opportunity and defeat the attacker.

But Sulu was different!

His Spirit stat of 1.6 let him calculate everything clearly and move with ease.

His leg slammed into Donald, and the immense force sent him staggering backward again and again.

"I lost..."

A few minutes later, Donald was panting heavily. He stared at the black footprint on his chest, his expression difficult to read. "You... are you already a supernatural Soldier?"

"What do you mean, a supernatural Soldier?"

Sulu stopped and immediately asked him.

"That kick of yours just now was beyond the limits of an ordinary person's strength. But thinking back on it, it was still a little weak..." Donald brushed off his clothes. He showed no sign of discouragement at having lost. Instead, he stared at Sulu with shining eyes. "I believe it now. There really are geniuses in this world!"

Whether intentionally or not, he had avoided the earlier topic of the supernatural.

"A genius? Heh..."

If he hadn't had the Attribute Panel, Sulu thought Donald would have beaten him to death. "So... are we still fighting tomorrow?"

"No, we're not! Definitely not!"

Donald hurriedly waved his hands.

What was the point of stepping into the ring and humiliating himself after finding out he wasn't a match?

"Don't be so quick to refuse..."

Sulu maintained his deadpan expression. "If you're willing to pay a little extra, I wouldn't be opposed to losing to you tomorrow!"

Donald choked. His sunny smile vanished. "Do you really think it's a good idea for two fighters to stand around discussing match-fixing at night?"

"I think it's perfectly normal..."

Sulu mourned the Gold Dragon he'd lost, then squeezed out a smile. "Since you're not willing, I won't show up for the match tomorrow!"

Besides settling their grudge, he had come tonight for the experience points.

Now, seeing [XP+20] on his Attribute Panel, he was pleasantly surprised.

As expected of the Combat Club president—Donald gave him far more experience than Baron had.

But now that they'd turned from enemies into friends, he could only hope to get more experience another time.

Alas...

Sulu sighed inwardly and was about to leave.

Whoosh!

The wind rose.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling sensation spread through his entire body!

"This feeling... this feeling! There's no mistaking it. It's that Murderous Shadow!"

Sulu's expression turned grave as he looked around.

Rustle!

A mass of black shadow flowed out of the woods like liquid, quickly winding around the shadows of Sulu and Donald.

The two fighters exchanged a glance, then froze in place, turning into motionless statues.

It's the mastermind... It's finally appeared!

Though Sulu couldn't move, his mind raced. Was it because I exposed myself at Molly's place today, or because I challenged Donald?

Although he had experience dealing with this once before, Sulu was still powerless.

A desire suddenly surged within him, blazing like a wildfire.

Not enough! Still not enough!

What does beating a mere Combat Club amount to? Is that something to take pride in?

In the face of supernatural power, I'm still nothing!

Strength! I need even greater strength!!!