Chapter 3: Winning with Skill

Facing the remaining four wolves, Liam no longer feels pressured. He has understood the patterns and limitations of the wolves. His stance remains firm as he decides to test the class abilities he read about earlier.

As the wolves advance, Liam opts to use the efficient blocking ability to minimize the damage received. He moves gracefully, evading an attack from the level 15 wolf while maintaining a defensive posture against another level 10 wolf about to strike. Activating the "efficient blocking" ability, Liam feels a surge of internal energy enveloping his body.

Momentarily stunned, Liam dodges another wolf attack. He murmurs to himself, "What the heck was that? Internal energy? Outside my body? This doesn't make sense... Does this game simulate real-world techniques?"

The wolf lands a blow, but Liam feels no pain—just an impact pushing him slightly forward and a sensation of losing a bit of internal energy, surprising him. Despite being a martial arts genius in the real world and hailing from a family of combat experts, he has never heard of a technique that allows the use of internal energy to this extent, interacting beyond one's body.

As Liam senses the internal energy and the "efficient blocking" ability, confusion creases his forehead. His eyes blink rapidly as he processes the experience, and his lips curve in an expression of perplexity.

The momentary confusion doesn't shake his concentration; instead, it increases Liam's determination to explore the game's possibilities. He realizes the "efficient blocking" ability is on cooldown and has utilized some of his internal energy.

With this new understanding, Liam adapts his strategy. He contemplates using his swift kicks to target a level 10 wolf in front of him.

The wolf hesitates, visibly uncertain about the almost imperceptible glow around Liam's legs. Due to the wolf's keen perception, Let's be Friends directs the wolves to retreat, leaving Liam momentarily stunned. His body hasn't moved, despite using the ability.

He only felt internal energy enveloping his legs and murmurs, "What ability is this? Aren't game skills supposed to be automatic? Internal energy in the legs, but no physical movement? Is this what the three-second duration of the skill meant?"

Liam's confusion deepens as he tries to comprehend the nuances of this virtual battle. Meanwhile, the crowd at Nexus Corp watches with fascination and intrigue, witnessing a duel that deviates from the predictable norms of the game. A spectator comments, "This guy named Viper has great moves, but why does it seem like he doesn't know how to use his abilities?"

Another spectator who has witnessed everything since the confusion began responds, "He's a newbie who probably has some real-life fighting experience. From what I gathered, he has never played Beyond Realms before."

Let's be Friends, realizing Liam's momentary bewilderment, smiles confidently. He understands that, despite the Martial Artist's surprising resilience, there are unknown elements in the game that Liam is unaware of. The wolves, under the Beast Shaman's control, begin to reorganize for a new assault.

Liam, on the other hand, feels the gathered energy in his leg dissipating. Recognizing that he is still in a vulnerable position, he decides to focus on defense and movement while awaiting the Beast Shaman's next move.

At this crucial moment, Let's be Friends' strategy reveals itself as more complex. The Beast Shaman chants another incantation, this time focusing on strengthening the remaining wolves and giving them increased speed. The wolves advance with impressive agility, swiftly and relentlessly surrounding Liam.

Confident in his agility and reflexes, Liam manages to dodge some attacks, but the heightened speed of the wolves makes the task increasingly challenging. He realizes he needs to find an opening in the Beast Shaman's strategy to turn the tide.

After a quick exchange of wolf attacks and Liam's excellent sequence of evasions, the wolves gradually slow down, allowing Liam to return to the offensive.

"Since I have internal energy, I can try that." Liam thinks as he prepares to use one of his characteristic moves developed over years with Elder Marcus in the Mercer family.

Liam concentrates his internal energy at his fingertips, letting it flow like a swift and controlled stream. Maintaining a focused posture, prepared to release the energy instantaneously, Liam quickly advances toward the stronger level 15 wolf when the right moment presents itself. Striking with the tips of his fingers in a swift and precise action, imitating a viper's strike.

"HAHAHA, this is really possible. Never thought I'd use this even after leaving the village."

Liam's strike is swift and precise. The impact hits the level 15 wolf with impressive effectiveness, neutralizing it instantly. A small rippling shockwave is seen traversing the wolf's fur. Taking advantage of the brief incapacitation, Liam kicks the wolf's neck region and applies a quick twist to its head with his hands, eliminating it entirely from the arena.

Let's be Friends, upon realizing Liam's unique ability, briefly widens his eyes. His lips part in surprise, and he raises his eyebrows, a faint smile of disbelief appearing on his face, demonstrating his incredulity as the strategy he believed to be impenetrable in Beyond Realms' demo duel arena is dismantled by Liam's unique skill. The remaining wolves, now without the level 15's leadership, show hesitation.

Liam, maintaining his focused stance, seizes the opportunity to attack. He moves with incredible dexterity, evading the remaining wolves' attacks and retaliating with precise strikes.

The battle reaches its climax as Liam, with a series of acrobatic moves, neutralizes the remaining wolves. The virtual battlefield is filled with an aura of victory as Liam stands triumphant in the center of the arena.

The crowd at Nexus Corp erupts in applause, impressed by Liam's exceptional skill. Oliver, outside, smiles with satisfaction, witnessing the potential he saw from the beginning.

The receptionist, who had been watching the duel, expresses a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Did this guy trick me?"

Let's be Friends, the Beast Shaman, although initially shocked, regains his composure and applauds, acknowledging Liam's skill. "Impressive, you must be a specialist. I admit defeat."

The system soon announces "Viper's Victory." The game world freezes and turns gray, disconnecting both players from the demo.

The gaming booth opens, revealing a cheerful Liam. The receptionist approaches Liam with a forced smile and says, "Congratulations, Viper! An incredible debut. If you keep this up, you might become a well-known name around here."

"Thanks. I think I'm starting to figure out how things work around here." Liam replies, feeling the same sense of accomplishment he had when he won his first duel against his cousin in the family training ground.

Oliver approaches, patting Liam's back enthusiastically. "Looks like I lost my bet! Hahaha. You proved me wrong by showcasing your amazing skills that thoroughly entertained the audience."

Liam smiles at Oliver, appreciating the friendly gesture. "Hehe, that's what you get for betting against me." As soon as Liam finishes speaking, a "grrr" sound is heard by everyone nearby, and Liam, embarrassed, speaks with a mischievous smile. "So... how did you say you'd treat me if I won the bet? I recall something about a bar..."

Meanwhile, the receptionist maintains her forced smile and mutters something inaudible before walking away. Oliver notices the tension and comments, "Looks like someone wasn't too happy with the outcome. Come on, I'll take you to Harmony Haven."

Oliver raises his arm, and a holographic screen appears where he can be seen calling a driver to take them to the bar. Soon, they are leaving Nexus Corp's building, and Liam hears people commenting on his fight. A spectator remarks to a friend, "That technique he used to immobilize the level 15 wolf... never seen anything like it! And I've played many Beyond Realms demos. Is there, like, an update or something?"

The friend replies, "Don't know, man. Could have been a lucky strike hitting a critical point. I admit this Viper has skill, but I don't think he did anything extraordinary. There are people in my Rank who do that all the time."

Meanwhile, the car ordered by Oliver arrives, and Oliver and Liam get in, heading towards Harmony Haven. The atmosphere in the car is relaxed, with Oliver making some jokes about the surprise Liam brought, and Liam pondering on how someone can really execute the "snake strike" developed by him and Elder Marcus together.

Upon reaching Harmony Haven, a bustling bar in the heart of Brook City, the night's excitement is just beginning. Oliver is recognized again at the entrance and guides Liam to a private room on the bar's top floor.