Ma Hongjun was sent flying by a single blow from the huge creature, hurtling away like an arrow loosed from a bow. Oscar nearly broke down. His friend's fate was unknown, and he was just a lousy support-type Soul Master. He had never hated his lack of fighting ability more. If only he had a Stand like Boss Jo's!
"Ma Hongjun! He was knocked away just like that? How is that possible?" Oscar looked back at the creature, trying to make out what it was. Sure enough, it was a massive grizzly bear. Its eyes were red, and foul-smelling drool dripped from its jaws as it turned toward him. It was too strong! This was a grizzly bear!
Oscar felt as helpless as Caesar facing the polar bear in Dragon Raja. The difference was that Caesar's record against the polar bear had been a complete disaster, while Oscar genuinely couldn't beat this grizzly. Caesar's Word Spirit was also support-oriented, but his physique was many times stronger than Oscar's.
The grizzly lunged viciously toward Ma Hongjun, intent on attacking him again. Oscar knew he had to be brave. His method was simple: summon as many sausages as he could and smear them all over himself!
The smell of meat immediately drew the grizzly's attention. Seeing that it worked, Oscar resolutely kept summoning sausages, one after another. He even threw some toward the bear to lure it over. He had made up his mind. For his friend, his brother, he could die. Even buying him a few dozen seconds would be enough.
Dark blue flames flickered in Oscar's eyes. He quietly reached into his clothes, took out his Fruit Knife, and snapped it open, gripping it tightly. Jodio had bought it for him so he could defend himself. If someone ambushed him, he was supposed to slash them at least once, even if he died. He had never expected to need it so soon, but now he had no choice.
Come on, you beast. A little closer. Just a little closer. If you dare bite me, I've got a ten-out-of-ten—no, at least nine-out-of-ten—chance of stabbing out one of your eyes before I lose my strength! Hah! I'll leave a scar on your face just like Teacher Zhao's, Oscar thought fiercely.
"Damn it, little Jo, stop scaring Oscar! Why do you have to take your games so far?"
An even bigger bear—no, Zhao Wuji—emerged from the nearby woods, barely holding back his laughter. Oscar stood there dumbly, and the flames in his eyes went out at once. He stared blankly at Ma Hongjun, beside whom another person now stood: Shao Xin, a teacher at the academy. Ma Hongjun was wolfing down the teacher's sugar beans.
"I was testing their reactions and combat ability, wasn't I?" Jodio said with a laugh as he walked out of the woods. Gold Experience floated behind him, following along in a JoJo pose. The moment Oscar saw this new Stand, he understood. Their older brother had been testing them.
"Oh, come on, Boss Jo, what was that for?" Oscar collapsed onto the ridge between the fields. That had been terrifying. He had been ready to die just to get one stab in. It was all Boss Jo's fault. Couldn't he have tested them another way? It wasn't as though they had never fought him two-on-one before.
"Boss Jo is entirely to blame! You're treating us!" Ma Hongjun protested, punching the air as he chewed his sugar beans.
"I am! I've reached level twenty-one, so of course I'm treating you! The surprise attack was my fault. I apologize, and I'll definitely treat you." Jodio laughed. Gold Experience had worked well. So far, its special ability was exactly what he wanted; it was incredibly useful. He really did owe them a treat now. Besides, the two boys had done well enough to deserve one!
But the look in Oscar's eyes... Jodio considered it for a moment. He hadn't expected a child barely over nine to have that kind of resolve. Oscar really was worth teaching!
"Boss Jo, is that your new ability?" Ma Hongjun asked from where he sat on the ground.
"I call this guy Gold Experience. He can turn other things into animals or plants, and you can control those living things to an extent. It's a pretty good ability. Most importantly, once I master it, I'll eventually be able to clone organs." Jodio proudly planted his hands on his hips, bent forward slightly, and explained with one leg bent and the other straight.
"Hongjun, we need to run a series of experiments next. You'd better prepare yourself," Jodio said, pointing at Ma Hongjun.
"What experiments?" Ma Hongjun froze. His instincts told him nothing good would come of this.
"Heh. You'll find out soon enough," Jodio said with an amused smile. A chill ran down Ma Hongjun's legs. His instincts told him he might be in trouble.
"A seven-year-old Soul Grandmaster?"
The Spirit Hall registrar stared at the seven-year-old before her in disbelief. Seven years old? A Soul Grandmaster? Was he even human? She had only been at level eight Soul Power when she was seven. There was no comparison.
"That's right. I'm a genius. Shouldn't you celebrate with me too, miss?" Jodio said with a grin, his hands on his hips. The registrar's eyes lit up. This child was adorable! The three doughnuts made from his hair atop his head and the green at the ends made him look even cuter.
"Let me see. Jodio Joestar, seven years and four months old. His last reported Soul Power was nineteen, about two months ago? And he reported innate level ten Soul Power the first time. Well, that explains it."
The registrar understood. She knew geniuses born with level ten Soul Power existed, even if she had never met one. But level twenty at seven and a half? This child could surely reach level thirty before he turned twelve.
"Here are your ten Gold Soul Coins. Keep them safe, and don't let anyone trick you out of them. Where are your parents? Did you come alone?" After recording his information, the registrar put ten Gold Soul Coins in a small pouch and handed it to Jodio along with a receipt.
"I came with two classmates." Jodio pointed to the two boys behind him at Spirit Hall's entrance. They had already collected their single Gold Soul Coin each.
"I'm off! Remember my name, miss: Jodio Joestar! One day, you'll be proud you paid me this allowance!" Jodio called as he waved goodbye.
Jodio Joestar? What a strange name. If you shortened it, it would be JoJo, wouldn't it? the registrar thought curiously.
JoJo? Would anyone really go by a name like that?
"Boss, now that you've got the money, are you going to compete at the Great Soul Arena?" Ma Hongjun and Oscar asked excitedly. The Great Soul Arena! Soul Master battles! They had to watch!
"Not tonight. We've got something else to do." Jodio stretched as he answered.
"Want to cosplay as Spider-Man with me tonight and play heroes around the city?"
"Heroes? What do you mean?" Oscar asked, confused.
"We'd just be helping ordinary people. Think of it as an extra nighttime activity. Well, that's not quite right either. Anyway, we've got plans tonight. Come walk around with me," Jodio explained.
"Once I've completely mastered Gold Experience, I'll probably set up a stall as a doctor. Heh, Oscar, Hongjun, our little group is going to be rich!"
← To Be Continued
Information Currently Available:
Level 78 Martial Soul: Cat Eagle Holder: Flender Spirit Rings: Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black Destructive power: B; speed: A; range: C+; stamina: B; precision: C+; growth potential: B Stand ability: Martial Soul Possession greatly increases speed and attack power while significantly improving eyesight (precision). Upon entering Martial Soul Avatar, Flender can transform into a giant Cat Eagle five meters tall, enhancing all attributes and allowing more efficient flight. As an excellent Martial Soul, Flender's Cat Eagle has both a ranged attack (fourth Spirit Skill: Flying Blade) and a close-combat defense (sixth Spirit Skill: Bodyguard Defense). Its burst damage and ambush capabilities are formidable, especially at night, when it gains an additional advantage from the conditions. As the Soul Power support for the three-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Flender unleashes tremendous power once it reaches the Golden Holy Dragon stage. Flender's six attributes during the three-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill are currently unknown.
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