Chapter 42 : Kindness?

In total, there were three volumes; one volume had more than 30 pages, and there were already two volumes with illustrations completed, totaling almost more than 160 pages.

The girl held the thick comic book, its edges sewn with needles and thread, and the cover folded with cardboard. Her delighted expression nearly froze with laughter.

Observing her, Carl couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out and pinched her cheek. "Alright, enough laughing. After you finish reading this, I'll draw you some more."

"Get some sleep early."

"Okay, good night."

However, just as Clarice reached the door, the girl turned around, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Carl, why are you being so kind to me?"

For a girl who had wandered with her adoptive father since childhood and witnessed the dark side of society, she understood well that good things seldom came without strings attached.

Even if they did, they often ended up like Deadman's discus—shattered.

Thus, she remained anxious, afraid that Carl's kindness toward her was insincere, harboring another motive, especially since the two had no blood ties or apparent reasons to bond.

Confronted with the sudden inquiry, Carl regarded her with a peculiar expression. "Do you need a reason to be kind to someone?"

Clarice was taken aback. "Don't you?"

"Hmm... Well, if you insist on a reason, Clarice, it's because you're cute," Carl pondered for a moment, concocting a rationale before chuckling.

"So, if you're troubled by my kindness, just consider it an appreciation of your cuteness and beauty, with plans to take you as a wife when you grow up."

"Does that suffice?"

"In that case, what I'm doing now can be seen as an early investment and the nurturing of affection. When you're older, others won't be able to snatch you away from me, right?"

Clarice's abrupt remark caught Carl off guard.

However, he vaguely sensed her concerns and proceeded to disclose his initial intentions for approaching her.

But sometimes, the truth falls on deaf ears.

For instance, Clarice, at that moment, clearly didn't take Carl's words seriously. As she left, she kept replaying his response in her mind.

"Do you need a reason to be kind to someone?"

At that moment, the girl found herself feeling a bit bewildered.

It was a stark departure from her long-held belief that human nature was inherently selfish, greedy, and indifferent.

After Clarice departed, Carl shook his head and sighed softly, "Being too sensitive at such a young age isn't good; it robs you of much childhood happiness."

With that, he closed the door.

Initially, Carl had entertained the thought of taking Clarice as a child bride and gradually grooming her. But as time passed and they interacted more, he found himself touched by her tenderness, sensibility, and sensitivity. He simply wished to treat her kindly and bring a little more joy into her life.

It felt akin to looking after a younger sister.

Certainly, whether this sisterly bond might evolve into something romantic was a matter for the future; only time would tell.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Carl switched off the light and settled into bed.

Then, with a mental command, he entered the virtual battlefield.

The sky was dim, the surroundings pitch black, with only the faint outlines of a desolate landscape visible. Carl materialized out of thin air.

Opting for the simple mode, with pain set to 100%, Carl prepared himself.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man in black attire who had bested him thrice before materialized before him, wearing a blank expression.

Observing the middle-aged man's demeanor, Carl's expression grew serious. Instead of immediately initiating combat, he took a moment to breathe deeply and center himself.

Skipping his classes after the morning encounter, he returned to his dormitory and scoured the internet for information on Oriental Boxing.

Unfortunately, the resources on Eastern Martial Arts he found were overly simplistic, lacking the core essence he sought.

But then again, he reasoned, it was to be expected.

Such closely guarded secrets of martial arts factions wouldn't be casually shared online. Disappointed, Carl abandoned his search.

However, just because he couldn't access the core secrets of boxing didn't mean he couldn't reach a stage where he could harness his entire body's strength.

With an understanding of his own strength - the method to concentrate, comprehend, and guide one's strength through mental will - Carl was only a step away from success.

And this is where the battle commences.

Suddenly, Carl's eyes widened as he initiated the attack.

In that moment of initiation, the middle-aged man standing opposite him, previously motionless, transformed his stance instantly, akin to a dormant beast suddenly awakened.

The ground beneath him ruptured.

Boom!

Simultaneously, the earth beneath Carl's feet trembled, propelling him forward like a shadow, emitting a piercing roar as he accelerated, covering a distance of two hundred meters in a mere second.

Bang!

The collision of their fists resonated with a thunderous boom, each strike wielding the force of hundreds of tons.

Ferocious.

As their fists met, a powerful shockwave swept the surrounding air, assaulting Carl with an overwhelming, cohesive energy.

He staggered back, emitting a muffled groan, feeling the impact reverberate through his entire being.

Though possessing similar physical attributes, Carl found himself at a disadvantage in this raw display of strength.

However, with a deep breath, Carl steadied himself, crouched slightly, and bellowed, "Bring it on!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Like ancient beasts, they stood locked in a furious exchange, trading blow after blow.

The space between them distorted, generating transparent shockwaves that encircled them in a mesmerizing display of force.

After exchanging nineteen punches, Carl's vision dimmed, and he withdrew from the virtual arena.

Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!

Carl, lying on his bed, snapped his eyes open, panting heavily, his face pallid.

Yet, a grin adorned his lips as he closed his eyes once more, plunging back into the fray...

That night, Carl experienced death seven times over, each time leaving him drained and exhausted.

From the initial nineteen punches to the final tally of fifty-seven, each blow nearly bursting with the force of his upper body, back, and legs.

He was on the cusp of mastering the full-body force.

Indeed, true combat proved to be the ultimate teacher.

And death, the most poignant lesson of all.

****

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