Daily Life and Training

Abigail watched Xiahou standing there laughing, and the little affection she had felt for him vanished without a trace. I must have been blind to take a liking to this idiot!

Hannibal walked over to Xiahou and studied his shorts. "You said you couldn't take your pants off? Is that true?"

"Of course!" Xiahou said proudly. "They're even better than Hulk's pants! Mine can't be damaged, either!"

Hannibal immediately reached over and started tugging at them. But after all that pulling, the shorts stayed firmly in place, looking as if they were attached to Xiahou's flesh.

Hannibal asked curiously, "Then how do you use the bathroom? Or do you just not need to? Do you have a little **?"

"Of course I need to use the bathroom, and it's pretty amazing! Want me to show you? Of course I've got a little brother! It's just the game's protection system." As Xiahou spoke, he put an arm around Hannibal and prepared to take him to see how he used the bathroom.

The two left the basketball court, chatting as they went. The others silently watched them leave.

Blade looked at Abigail, hesitating before he spoke. "You two..."

Abigail covered her face with her hand. "Only those two are like that!"

But as soon as she said it, Little Black and Little Fatty chased after them, shouting, "Wait for us! We want to see too! Slow down."

Only three people were left at the court, and Blade and Abigail grew even more silent. Field thought, I can't see anything! I wanted to see too.

Zoe, the fourth person present, who was beside her mother: So I don't get a part at all, huh.

"Oh! That skill of yours that lets you pee without touching yourself is so cool! By the way, man, have you ever slept with a woman?"

"You know me! I'm always curious about this sort of thing!"

"Why should I tell you?"

"If you don't tell me, I won't be able to sleep! Come on! I'll tell you about the time I ***** with a vampire in exchange, all right?"

"I don't want to know! Why don't you ask Little Fatty and the others? Wait, did you really do it with a vampire?"

"They're different from you! I'm more curious about you! Come on, tell me! We'll trade!"

The sound of their conversation drifted into the hall as Hannibal, Xiahou, and the other two walked in. The three people sitting there all wore dark expressions, and Blade gave Abigail a particularly searching look.

Blade's stare was driving Abigail up the wall, and she finally shouted, "Stop talking about that! And Xiahou, didn't you want me to take you to your room?"

Xiahou had no choice but to reply, "Then let's go."

At the same time, he winked at Hannibal to indicate they could talk again next time.

After taking Xiahou to his room, Abigail couldn't resist asking, "You really can't take your pants all the way off?"

"Of course not. Eighteen-plus games are banned in our country! So there's no way we can!" Xiahou replied, looking at her.

"All right, get some rest. I'll go check on Blade and the others." Abigail walked out looking disappointed and closed the door behind her.

Xiahou lay down on the bed and began to ponder.

Of course he knew Abigail was interested in him, but this was just a game. He didn't want to date a game NPC, and he still wanted to go back. The NPCs in this game were so intelligent that, even knowing it was fake, he didn't want to hurt her.

Besides, she might only have developed feelings for him because her father had just died, and he happened to be there with her and had helped her. It was best to put an end to her hopes now, while it was still early.

Come to think of it, this game was way too hardcore. In his fight with Blade just now, he had been on the back foot the whole time. And whenever he tried to use the techniques in his head, he was always a beat too slow, as though they weren't really his at all.

He finally understood why soldiers and athletes in real life trained every day. Strength really did come from practice. Otherwise, even the best physique wouldn't make someone a champion.

He even had to train himself to play a game. Why couldn't it be like those wish-fulfillment novels, where he could just get sign-in rewards and check-in rewards, then instantly destroy heaven, earth, and even the air? He really wanted to experience what it was like to be so powerful that even an ant passing by would get slapped!

Forget it. He would treat it as learning a new skill. If he mastered it in the game and could still use it after he got out, that would be a huge gain. He would take a nap first, then go practice with his sword. His eyes slowly closed, and Xiahou gradually drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, he piloted the Strike Freedom through the skies above New York, mowing down the Chitauri and killing them until they cried for their parents. He even charged straight into the spatial passage and unleashed full barrages at the warships inside. Just as he was about to destroy their flagship, he suddenly...

Woke up. Rubbing his dizzy head, Xiahou looked around.

Right, an unfamiliar room. His thoughts began to clear. This was his room at the Nightcrawler Squad's base.

He had thought he'd be able to go back after a good sleep! Stupid game!

He opened the door and went to the hall. No one was there.

After looking around, he found Little Black and Little Fatty playing basketball on the court.

Xiahou walked over and asked, "Where is everyone? Why are you two the only ones here?"

Little Fatty said, "Blade, Abigail, and Hannibal went out together to catch some of the people who work for the vampires and question them for information. Field is studying the virus and that serum of yours."

Little Black asked, "Have you rested enough? Want to join us for a game?"

Xiahou said, "I'll pass. I want to do some training. Is there anywhere else I can use?"

Little Fatty pointed to the stairs. "Other than here, there's only the roof and the open space outside. There's nobody nearby, so you can practice wherever you want. If you want the roof, take the stairs."

"Thanks, Little Fatty," Xiahou said with a smile. "You guys keep playing. I'm going to train."

Little Fatty smiled back. "You're welcome. Oh, do you need us to come with you? You'll improve faster if you have someone to spar with." He patted Little Black beside him as he spoke. (Little Black thought, Did you ask me before speaking for me?)

Xiahou waved him off as he headed for the stairs. "Not for now. I want to practice the techniques in my head properly first. I'll ask you guys for help another day!"

"All right, then. Be careful not to hurt yourself!"

"I know, I know! Little Fatty, you're going to make me think there's something off about your orientation if you keep this up!" Xiahou teased.

Little Fatty immediately turned red with anger and roared, "I like women! I definitely don't like men!"

Little Black silently moved a little farther away from Little Fatty. Little Fatty grew even angrier. "Dex! What's that supposed to mean? We've known each other for so long! Are you doubting me too?"

Little Black awkwardly rubbed his nose and changed the subject. "No. Let's get back to the game!"

"No! I don't want to play anymore. Play by yourself! I'm going to work on new weapons some more! See you!" With that, Little Fatty turned and stormed off.

Little Black...

Xiahou decided not to go to the roof, mainly because his weapons were too powerful. It would be bad if he damaged the building. He went straight outside, found a pier by the sea, and took out both weapons, unsure which to choose.

What should I practice first? After thinking for a while, he put the Red Queen away. He still couldn't wield it freely; it was a little too heavy for him. He would practice shooting first.

He then collected lots of bottles and various smaller pieces of scrap nearby and arranged them on the pier's supports. He raised his revolver, aimed casually, and emptied the cylinder.

He checked the targets he had set up. Great! He hadn't hit a single one!

He scratched his head awkwardly and muttered, "That's not how I remember it in the movies. Don't they just raise their guns and shoot however they want? Why is my aim so bad? I could at least hit one!"

He took careful aim and fired again. Bang! The bottle exploded into fragments. He fired again, and another bottle shattered. Shot after shot rang out until all the targets he had set up were destroyed.

Xiahou stroked his chin. "Hmm, looks like my aim is pretty good after all! I just take a little too long to aim. I need more practice."

Time slipped quietly by, and before he knew it, night had fallen.

Blade and the others returned to the base and spotted Xiahou practicing his shooting from a distance.