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Ren practiced by the day, sharpening his skills and applying the lessons and concepts he had learned to make himself better.

Then, by night, he goes into his VR cabin to participate in arena matches and gain some actual experience. It’s not as good as real combat, but Ren can’t be choosy in his position. Any combat experience is better than none.

After the AI collected enough information about Ren, he had been added to the beginner’s bracket, which basically means that he could now register for matches against fellow beginner martial artists like him.

The strength level was around the Foundation Strength Stage, but if he performs well enough, at some point, he’d be matched against people in the Muscle Forging Stage.

Let it be known that Ren wasn’t interested in earning a winning streak.

Sure, in this channel—[The Challenger’s Rise]—earning a winning streak gains a prize, but that’s not what Ren was here for.

Credits are nice, but Ren had his allowance, and he’s not in dire need of it. The clan provides him with enough resources; even the daily cost of his living and the bills he paid won’t drain him completely.

Ren was here to fight to accumulate combat experience. The more the better. He didn’t care if he ended up sore, injured, bruised, or embarrassed. That is the life of a martial artist.

It’s better for him to learn how to deal with setbacks in a controlled environment like this, instead of learning them the hard way in dungeons where his life could seriously be at risk.

Once Ren had arrived at the arena, he didn’t waste much time. He queued up for a match right away.

And because this channel was crowded, he practically found a match instantly. Once he deemed himself ready, his vision blurred. The next thing he knows, he’s already standing in the middle of the arena, facing another beginner martial artist.

[Anon] vs. [Stick Lord]

The stage name of his first real opponent was a bit thematic. The man held an eight-foot narrow staff and wore a white training gi with a black cloth belt. He also wore a face mask that covered the lower half of his face; his clear bright eyes looked earnest, as if he were excited about this match.

Ren showed some etiquette by performing a martial salute, which is where he clasped his fists before his chest and pushed them slightly forward along with a slight bend of his back forward.

His enemy looked startled but hurriedly did the same. He was clumsy, though, as if he had completely forgotten basic manners in a friendly match.

Ren didn’t say anything. He went into a stance and observed his opponent closely while being mindful of the countdown above them that’s ticking down fast.

’My first fight, and it’s against someone who wields a weapon, a polearm of all things.’

’I’m already at a disadvantage in terms of reach.’

Ren also saw the moment his opponent realized that he was unarmed. Ren didn’t miss the glint in [Stick Lord]’s eyes. He’s probably thinking of abusing the advantage of his reach.

Seeing this, Ren exhaled. He didn’t feel any panic. He just prepared himself to get hurt.

[BEEP!]

That’s the signal of the match starting.

[Stick Lord] initially assumed that his opponent would rush over immediately to prevent him from taking advantage of his reach with his weapon.

This was a safe assumption; if anybody else was in Ren’s shoes, they’d probably do the same. That is why Stick Lord was on guard and immediately retreated with his staff pointing forward.

But Ren didn’t move according to that assumption. Instead of rushing, he advanced slowly. Each step he took was firm and grounded. The moment he began his movements, his body started producing chakra for his needs.

This was within his plans. He knew that the enemy was expecting him to close the distance immediately to negate the weapon’s advantage. And with how Stick Lord reacted, he was indeed correct to assume this.

Stick Lord’s retreat gave Ren more than enough time and distance to start producing chakra. These few seconds of freedom were already enough to prove the difference between their individual thought processes.

Seeing the enemy gathering chakra, Stick Lord’s face fell. He fell for a trick, and he realized it now. It’s already too late to interrupt [Anon]’s momentum, so all he could do was to keep up.

Stick Lord began twirling his staff around; the movement brought him enough momentum to start gathering chakra. But if he thought that Ren would just stand there and allow this to happen, then he’s a little too naive.

Before Stick Lord’s momentum peaked and his chakra flow became smoother, Ren shocked him by suddenly rushing forward.

Stick Lord’s eyes widened; his opponent’s sharp eyes and decisive run chilled his heart enough for him to stifle his own momentum in hopes of intercepting the enemy’s advance.

But, once again, Ren broke his mentality. As it turns out, he faked his rush forward. He looked and acted decisive to bait out a reaction from his enemy, and Stick Lord bit into it.

His momentum was forcibly interrupted, which couldn’t have felt good; his chakra flow was obstructed, which prevents it from being usable for now, while Ren’s chakra flow was smooth and easy.

Stick Lord’s face crumpled in frustration. That’s the second time his opponent played him like a fool.

Seriously? Is this man a beginner like him? Why does he seem like those old and cunning elders back home?

And was there really a need to go this far? Isn’t this just an online match? Is it really that deep for him?

Just as Stick Lord simmered in his frustrations, Ren made a move again.

He went into the same stance and began rousing again. He looked just as sharp and decisive as before.

Seeing this, Stick Lord scoffed, thinking to himself, ’Not going to fall for that again.’

But again, to his shock, he fell for it again.

Stick Lord didn’t stop his actions, thinking that Ren was baiting him again. He continued gathering his momentum to smoothen out the flow of chakra.

But to his surprise, Ren didn’t stop his charge this time. And his speed was a little too fast for Stick Lord’s perception.

By the time he realized that the opponent was actually breaching his space for real, it was already too late; Ren was already there.

And the first thing he did? It’s to aim a punch on Stick Lord’s face.

Stick Lord, definitely panicked now, tried his best to retreat. When that failed, he adjusted his hold on his staff in an attempt to use it for defense.

His vision was filled with Ren’s fist enlarging before his eyes, and he felt so terrified that he nearly dropped his staff.

But instead of feeling the impact on his face, Stick Lord instead felt it on his sides.

Pain. That sensation overwhelmed Stick Lord’s senses. It was so painful that his eyes nearly rolled at the back of his head. He felt all the strength he accumulated leaving him.

He dropped his staff to miserably clutch his sides, his knees wobbled weakly, and he found it hard to breathe.

All thoughts of him winning or even fighting back escaped from his mind; all he wanted to do now was to stop this pain immediately.

Alas, Ren didn’t show him mercy. He didn’t stop just because his opponent was in pain and acting pitiful. He sent another punch, which landed on Stick Lord’s face.

The force was strong enough to dislocate Stick Lord’s jaw; some of his teeth should’ve been removed by the punch too.

Then, with a twist of his body, Ren delivered the final blow; a controlled Three Echoes punch ended it.

Stick Lord fainted before the second echo occurred. The match was over, and he was declared the winner.

He watched as Stick Lord’s avatar disappeared before him, and he also felt himself being kicked out of the arena since the match was over.

When he returned to the hub, Ren didn’t immediately apply for another match. Instead, he sat down and deliberated on the match just now.

It’s disappointing, but Ren wasn’t surprised. He was kind of expecting to be disappointed because he knew that he was fighting against literal beginners.

Most of those who came here held delusions of grandeur, thinking that they could just start queuing for matches and suddenly, they’d earn a win streak, which would not only give them cash prizes but also pave their way to fame.

They think that just because of this VR, they’re free from consequences, that they could escape from reality itself. Even beginners entertain those illusions upon coming here. Their priorities being all over the place.

The only thing that left an impression on Ren in the previous match was his decision to continue striking down his opponent even though he knew that Stick Lord was already in so much pain. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

That’s one of the many things he’d have to get used to at some point. He has to harden his heart because mercy to his enemies was cruelty to himself and his loved ones.

It feels unpleasant for now, but he believed that at some point, he’d get used to it.