Philosophy Lord

This technology could also be applied to the gaming field.

Li Chen took the helmet and examined it closely. If it could be integrated into the Hero Training Room, training efficiency would surely improve drastically.

[ Ding, virtual technology detected. Synchronize it with the training room? ] "Confirmed."

Accompanied by a rumble, the entire training room began to undergo subtle changes. In an instant, everyone felt the strange sensation of their bodies becoming data—yet even if they died in the virtual space, their real bodies would remain unaffected.

As the highest authority, Li Chen could simulate any enemy, equipment, or even bloodline within the upgraded training room... Of course, these were merely virtual entities used to accumulate combat experience.

"President, what did you do?"

"I merely integrated your technology into the training room." Tony Stark was instantly rendered speechless.

Please do not say something so horrifying in such a calm tone.

Perhaps Li Chen, a nonprofessional, did not understand how difficult it was to transform this technology, but Tony, a pioneer of virtual technology in the Marvel world, knew its difficulty all too well—even if he were given another decade or two, he likely would not make a breakthrough. "Since everyone is at headquarters, why not hold a fun competition?" "A competition?" Li Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly. Using the Hero Training Room's existing functions, everyone will participate in virtual matches to test their actual combat abilities." Li Chen snapped his fingers lightly and added, "Outstanding performers will receive Energy Points, exclusive armaments, or Legendary Bloodlines as rewards." This declaration immediately stirred the crowd.

The CC Squad members exchanged glances, eagerness gleaming in their eyes. Everyone knew that anything personally awarded by the president would surely be a treasure capable of bringing about a qualitative leap.

Under Li Chen's direction, the entire headquarters swiftly sprang into action. Whether stationed members or field heroes, all received the assembly order. An unprecedented feast of heroes was about to make its shocking debut...

More than ninety percent of the heroes had gathered in the training room. Li Chen, the vice presidents, Doraemon, and the others sat high upon the virtual viewing platform. The system-adjusted venue had transformed into an ancient Roman arena, while the waiting heroes flexed their fists on the circular stands.

"Though this was sudden, the first Hero Showdown Tournament is officially underway!" Li Chen's voice echoed through the space. "Show off your heroic bearing to your hearts' content! The winner will receive generous rewards, including Universal Energy Points, Legendary equipment, and even Fantasy Species bloodlines—these treasures await atop the champion's throne!"

The declaration ignited the enthusiasm of the entire venue. To ordinary heroes, every single reward was irresistible. However, the S-Class Heroes were much more composed. Tatsumaki, who had rushed back especially for this, and Annie, who had just finished her training, were more eager to face powerful opponents.

Of course, there were also pure foodies—such as Yatogami Tohka, who was counting on her fingers how many special Kinako Breads the champion's prize money could buy.

The rules were as follows: each contestant had to choose one of two battle modes—randomly select a hero present for a one-on-one duel, or challenge a virtual enemy provided by the three judges. Winners gained one point, losers lost one point, and the contestant with the highest final score would claim the crown!

After the president's modifications to the Hero Training Room, all contestants entered in data-based body forms. Even if they were injured or killed in battle, their real bodies would not be affected. "Now, please show off your strength to your hearts' content!"

Freshly baked dorayaki sat before Doraemon, one of the judges, their golden, crispy skins giving off an enticing fragrance. As the sponsor of the special prizes, he had taken quite a few rare items from his Fourth-Dimensional Pocket. "Now, let us welcome the first contestant!"

With a snap of Li Chen's fingers, dazzling multicolored spotlights swept across the audience before finally settling on a refined scholar wearing glasses—none other than the [Hulk] while Dr. Banner's personality was in control.

"Is... is it me?" Dr. Banner adjusted his glasses, somewhat surprised that he had become the first contestant to take the stage.

"Please select your battle mode."

"I'll choose... a virtual opponent." After a brief consideration, Dr. Banner still did not wish to fight his companions, even if it was only a data simulation.

Li Chen never interfered with a contestant's choice. Amid a flash of teleportation light, Dr. Banner instantly appeared in the center of the arena.

"Now, we will randomly select the virtual opponent!"

The giant roulette wheel behind the judges' seats began spinning rapidly, engraved with every disaster level from Wolf-level Threat to God-Level. Within this virtual space, even generating thousands of Zenos at once would not be difficult.

[ Ding! Match successful—Dragon-Level Threat ]

With a thunderous boom, the opposite gate slowly rose. A strange roar came from the shadows: "—Screw you!"

A muscular brute emerged, his bronze skin stretched over sharply defined eight-pack abs, wearing only a pair of elastic black briefs. Every hero watching instinctively tensed up. This opponent was absolutely not to be underestimated!

"This feels bad."

Sweat seeped from Banner's forehead as he muttered under his breath.

This virtual opponent's words and actions... carried an eerie air about them... It was probably just an illusion, right?

"Young man, how about a wrestling match?"

Hero/Dragon-Level Threat [Philosophy Lord] Billy has entered the stage

"Cough—!"

Kazuto Kirigaya, who had been drinking water, suddenly choked.

The president had actually added such a dangerous creature to the virtual opponent roster? That was simply vile!

He secretly decided that when it was his turn, he would absolutely not choose the second challenge mode.

If he drew [Philosophy Lord] Billy... he could not even bear to imagine the scene.

"Young man, let us embark upon the path of philosophy together."

Billy patted his firm buttocks and extended an invitation to Banner, whose face had turned green.

For men, this type of special virtual opponent was practically an S-Class Hero/Ultra-Dragon-level Threat.

"Hulk! Take over the body now!"

For the first time in his life, Banner actively called for Hulk.

If that strange opponent latched onto him, he might not escape a "philosophical baptism."

As a heterosexual man, he had no interest whatsoever in philosophical discussion. He even avoided it at all costs.

His skin suddenly turned dark green, his body rapidly expanded, and his clothes tore apart.

Only a pair of exceptionally durable black shorts remained.

"Hulk! Hulk goes wherever Hulk wants!"

The Hulk, now in control of the body, roared at Billy.

Yet with the mind of a child, Hulk had not yet understood the terror of philosophy.

"Entering battle mode?" Billy watched Hulk's explosive transformation, his eyes burning. "Come on, young man. Wrestling is good for both body and mind."

"Hulk smash you!"

The Hulk's veins bulged across his body as his heavy fist shot straight toward Billy's face.

Though it was virtual data, Hulk held nothing back at this moment.

"Your movements are too obvious."

Billy crossed his arms and shook his head as though offering commentary.

Even after his attack had been seen through, the simple-minded Hulk still charged straight ahead with a roar, showing no intention of changing tactics.

It had never occurred to him that if this attack were intercepted and missed, how his enemy might counterattack.

Hulk's heavy punch was enough to split mountains and shatter stone, unleashing destructive power beyond that of the Complete Deep Sea King.

Measured numerically, it contained roughly the impact force of five thousand tons. "Hiss—"

The fist carrying his furious will tore through the air and shot toward Billy's face with a piercing sonic boom.

Even Captain America wielding a Vibranium Shield would struggle to avoid serious injury if he took Hulk's full-force blow head-on.

Yet Billy merely stood there calmly, neither blocking nor dodging.

Relying solely on his formidable physique, he intended to withstand this earth-shattering blow with nothing but flesh and blood. "Boom!"

The emerald giant fist struck the target solidly,

And the virtual diamond floor tiles immediately collapsed by half a meter, spiderweb-like cracks spreading wildly dozens of meters away.

The heroes in the spectator seats collectively held their breath,

Quietly estimating their chances of survival if they themselves took that blow.

"Hulk's combat power has broken ten thousand? Wait... the number is still skyrocketing!" Child Emperor, wearing a comical mask, cried out in shock.

Clearly, anger was the source of his strength.

However, there should theoretically be a limit—otherwise, he would not have been crushed one-handed by normal Thanos.

"And that virtual entity, [King of Philosophers], is the truly terrifying one..." Child Emperor's monitoring display for Billy continued flashing,

For every point Hulk gained, Billy's value rose by twice as much.

The two seemed to be locked in an endless contest, and the critical point remained unknown.

"The aesthetics of battle should not be like this," Billy suddenly said in a deep voice.

"Every punch should carry the will to kill—like this."

His knotted muscles suddenly swelled, and the invisible pressure made every S-Class Hero's hair stand on end.

He seized Hulk's wrist like lightning and viciously slammed him into the ground.

Even more terrifying cracks ripped through the alloy floor,

Then, as though tossing aside a rag doll, he hurled the green giant body toward the arena wall.

Hulk rolled and slid down from the impact, raising a cloud of dust.

His thick body meant he had barely suffered any injury, only a slight pain.

As he kept spinning through the air, he only felt dizzy. "Whoosh—"

Billy lowered his body, and the instant he kicked off, deep footprints were branded into the diamond floor.

In the blink of an eye, his figure became an afterimage, displaying astonishing speed.

A dense barrage of fists poured down upon Hulk like a violent storm, each heavy blow denting and deforming his green skin. "Hulk crush you!"

"Just roaring is useless. With your snail-like speed, you cannot even touch the hem of my clothes." Even as Hulk abandoned defense and swung wildly,

Before Billy, who had perfectly combined power, technique, and speed, all those attacks were futile.

Never mind the matter of accuracy—even the occasional hit did little to Billy.

"The president really created a monster this time..." Li Yun, the Asian branch director, shook his head with a bitter smile. "Though troublesome, this special effect seems to work only on men." Lion King, the European branch director, sharply pointed out.

For men, [King of Philosophers] Billy's danger level was comparable to an S-Class Hero/Ultra-Dragon-level Threat, and this was inseparable from his hidden special ability.

Moreover, that ability clearly seemed to have some connection to men.

"Hmph. I could end such a boring battle whenever I wished."

In the audience, a white-haired, red-eyed girl held a cup of coffee and arrogantly crossed her legs.

Snow-white long hair and skin, crimson eyes, slender limbs, and a body lacking exercise.

She wore a white school uniform with a gray skirt—the South American branch director, [■■ Hero] Accelerator, whose real name was Yuriko Suzuka.

As a Level 5 Vector Manipulation user, she could freely control the direction of all energy, including kinetic energy, thermal energy, and electrical energy, through skin contact.

With only a tiny amount of force, she could cause terrifying destruction; by focusing the force beneath her feet on a single point, she could briefly float; by manipulating air currents, she could unleash a level-eighteen hurricane; she could even break down air atoms to create plasma...

Yuriko Suzuka was practically the embodiment of close-combat ■■. Once she touched an opponent's skin, she could reverse their blood flow and bioelectric currents, instantly causing their heart to burst.

"The outcome has been decided!"