Money Power and Super Rationality

Light-based skills are different from physical combat; they cannot be memorized through mere bodily sensation, so progress throughout the entire night was quite slow.

He hadn't even managed to emit a beam of light, let alone begin training on fixed or moving targets.

As dawn was about to break, Jostar proposed that he wanted to spar with Nexus.

Under the instigation of Joneus, Nexus nodded in agreement.

Jostar's combat style mimicked Joneus; every punch was delivered with full force, and his heavy, sharp attacks stirred up vast clouds of light particles with every strike.

Compared to Nexus in his Red Youth form, Jostar held an overwhelming physical advantage.

It wasn't just a matter of superior strength; Jostar was not a form that sacrificed speed for power like a desperate brute, and his speed also surpassed that of Nexus.

However, no matter how powerful the strikes that landed on Nexus's body were, they felt as if they were being hammered into a quagmire.

That figure seemed as though it would never fall, standing firm like a great mountain. The expression in those pure white eyes remained unchanged, and even when knocked down occasionally, he could stand back up in an instant.

Nexus always managed to withstand the attacks and organize wave after wave of counter-offensives.

As the battle wore on, the crimson glow covering Nexus's body seemed to ignite like a raging fire, his fighting spirit never once waning.

After being struck in the face by a punch from Nexus yet again, Jostar had to admit that if it weren't for his own sturdy muscles, he would have been beaten into the dirt long ago.

Although he hadn't been taken down, the Nexus Armament had landed a few heavy blows on him, leaving him in slight pain.

"As expected of Nexus." As these words fell, the morning sun began to rise.

Even though he had lost the battle against Nexus, Zhou Hong was in quite a good mood, even humming the tune of "Hero" while cooking his white rice porridge.

While he couldn't say he had mastered the will of Nexus, the technique of using the weak to overcome the strong had certainly left a deep impression on him.

Hearing him suddenly singing on such a quiet morning, Grandma looked at Zhou Hong in surprise, a smile on her face. "Ah Hong, did you encounter something good yesterday?"

"Did you meet a girl you like?"

Zhou Hong set down his bowl and waved his hands repeatedly. "What are you saying, Grandma? I'm just a bricklayer; who would be blind enough to take a fancy to me?"

"I'm just happy for a friend."

Regarding Zhou Hong and Uncle Li's strange circle of friends, Grandma had long since grown accustomed to it; she was getting on in years and didn't want to know too much.

Grandma glanced at the clear sky, then back at Zhou Hong, who was chewing his food slowly—a stark contrast to his usual habit of wolfing it down before rushing off to work.

Is he not working today?

Grandma's gaze was undisguised, and Zhou Hong naturally noticed the confusion in her eyes.

He scratched his head and explained, "I probably won't be going to that job anymore in the future."

That was a shock to hear.

Grandma immediately set down her chopsticks and began to nag, "How can you do that? It's already hard enough to find a girl; if you don't work and just stay cooped up at home, how will this old woman ever get to hold a grandson?"

The old woman's concern overflowed from her words.

Zhou Hong scratched his head. "I went out with Uncle Li last night and made enough money to last a lifetime."

Grandma tapped the table lightly. "If you don't go out and make friends, even if you're a billionaire, who would know?"

He figured that made sense. It wasn't about picking up girls, but the Justice-seeking Giant of Light wasn't thinking about that.

Laying bricks all day without seeing a single girl wasn't a long-term solution; he wanted a job where he could train while also being around people.

Training with light at night could strengthen his physique, but if he could also train during the day, wouldn't that be double the joy?

As luck would have it, the television was broadcasting a recruitment notice for the TPC.

Very well, it's decided then. The TPC logistics department—all the heavy lifting and moving of supplies shall be left to me.

After saying goodbye to Grandma, Zhou Hong arrived at a TPC recruitment station.

How should one put it? There were very few people there, or rather, there was no one there at all.

The TPC logistics officer in charge of recruitment was boredly lifting weights and didn't show much spirit when he saw Zhou Hong.

"The form is right there; just fill it out."

Zhou Hong found it a bit strange. If they were recruiting, why did the staff look so idle?

"Just look at the form; you'll probably leave anyway, so I won't bother pouring you tea." The guy in the blue uniform looked utterly listless, muttering to himself, "Damn it, they dragged me here to handle recruitment, and I haven't seen a soul in two days."

Zhou Hong picked up the form and looked it over.

There were no issues; most of it was just explaining the reality of the situation.

Things like whether you were afraid of monsters, the need to assist in civilian evacuations when monsters appeared, the possibility of having to help GUTS with monster towing, or whether you were afraid of cleaning up monster carcasses.

It was the kind of job anyone could do, though perhaps only once.

He left what he considered a dashing signature on the form, wrote "wealthy" and "strong" under the strengths section, and handed it back to the staff member.

The staff member suddenly perked up. He looked him over and said, "Everyone is terrified of monsters; a whole group of people even left the TPC Far East Headquarters recently."

"You're the bravest person I've seen lately."

"That goes without saying, I'm super brave." Zhou Hong replied naturally.

For those who dare to face monsters, who among them is not brave?

"You idiot! Courage is necessary, but excessive courage is just stupidity."

Zhou Hong had already rolled up his sleeves, ready to show him exactly what courage looked like, but the regret and unconcealable sorrow in the man's eyes made him decide to postpone the beating.

He glanced at the form in his hand and paused once more at the "strengths" section.

"How is being rich a strength? Take this seriously!"

"I have over a billion."

The staff member looked at the young man with an expression of despair; had he even earned a fraction of this guy's pocket change at his current age?

"Then what about this 'strong'? How much strength are we talking about?"

Zhou Hong looked around, chose the solid wood desk in front of him, and lifted it effortlessly with one hand.

The shadow of the desk blocked the sunlight, and as he watched Zhou Hong holding it up with ease, he realized he had stumbled upon a treasure.

"Very good! Very spirited! You have been accepted into our Recruit Squad."

"Recruit Squad? Isn't this the logistics department recruitment?"

"When did I ever say this was for the logistics department?"

Zhou Hong started to walk away, but his right leg was immediately hugged.

He managed a few steps, dragging the man clinging to him across the floor.

"Let go!"

"I won't!"

"Don't think I won't hit you."

"You are a teammate recognized by me, Hibiki Gousuke! Even if you drag me ten miles or beat me unconscious, I won't let you run away!"

"What did you say your name was?"

"Hibiki Gousuke!"