Chapter 31 - Ambition

Vernon stayed silent as Oliver whispered that threat into his ear. Even after he left, his body remained frozen.

Although Vernon had already beaten that scumbag before, it didn't eliminate Oliver's chances. He had real potential as a fighter, even though he was still young.

Especially since Vernon's body hadn't fully recovered, making his chances of winning slimmer.

'I have to train harder and master all the martial arts techniques!'

Vernon continued his squats to strengthen his leg muscles.

[Congratulations! You've completed the Special Daily Quest]

Vernon wiped the sweat from his forehead. 'Finally...'

[Congratulations! You've earned 10 MP]

[Skills]

Boxing - LEVEL 3 (55/100 MP)

Muay Thai - LEVEL 1 (30/100 MP) UP!

'It's not enough! I need to unlock a new Muay Thai technique!'

'Give me another special quest daily!' Vernon demanded with fiery enthusiasm.

[Warning! Your stamina has dropped drastically!]

'I don't care! Do what I ask!'

[Alright. But you must accept the consequences, Host.]

Ding!

[New Daily Quest: Do Lunges for ten minutes]

[Difficulty: Special]

[Reward: 20 MP]

Vernon felt intense pain stabbing through his ribs as he stepped forward and slowly lowered his body.

'Damn! This hurts like hell!'

Vernon growled softly as the discomfort surged through him. But he collapsed when he couldn't bear the pain any longer.

'I need to see her.' Limping, Vernon quickly hailed a taxi and headed to the hospital.

He found Ellen in her office.

"Vernon?" Her eyes lit up when she saw him, but her smile faded as soon as she noticed his pain.

"What's wrong with you?" Ellen rushed over and supported him. "Is your injury acting up again?"

"Give me some painkillers," Vernon demanded, wasting no time.

He had no choice but to come to Ellen since she had saved his life twice.

"Alright." Ellen hurried to the pharmacy and gave him some painkillers. "Take them."

Vernon swallowed the pills in desperation. As they went down his throat, they tasted bitter.

"What's really going on with you, Vernon? Why are you hurt again? Are you still fighting in those dangerous matches?"

"That's none of your business."

"It became my business when you became my patient." Ellen protested.

Vernon sighed heavily as he stood up. "I need to go back." He didn't want to engage too much with her.

"Wait!" Ellen grabbed his hand. "Why are you always avoiding me? Aren't we friends?" Her voice sounded disappointed.

"I have nothing to do with the conflict between you and Xander, so please, don't push me away."

Vernon gently removed her hand. "I will hate anyone who's close to that bastard."

He walked away before his feelings got even more tangled. It was hard for him to push away the love in his heart, while Ellen only saw him as a hero from the past.

"Vernon."

He turned around to see Mico, Tony, and Antonio approaching.

"Did you really transfer to Group B?" The three of them had just left Tian's room.

"Yeah." Vernon smiled stiffly.

"Congrats!" Tony and Antonio cheered. "Soon, you'll wipe out all those scumbags and become the Annihilator!"

"Thanks." Vernon looked at Mico, but Mico turned his head away.

"Sorry for making your bestfriend leave, Coach."

"Don't call me Coach anymore. I'm not your trainer." Mico walked away. "Let's go home. We have training to do."

Tony and Antonio followed Mico after saying goodbye to Vernon. As they left, loneliness crept into Vernon's heart. Now, he had no friends left. Colin had already transferred, Mico resented him, and he wouldn't be training with Tony and Antonio as often.

He was frustrated with always falling into this pit of loneliness, but he couldn't escape it.

When he reached the Vagon BootCamp dorm, Marino blocked his path.

Vernon tried to take another route, but Marino stood in his way.

"I want to pass."

"I want to train with you."

Vernon narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He knew Marino hated him, even though he didn't show it openly.

"I want us to spar."

"I'd rather train alone." Vernon walked past him, but Marino suddenly threw a punch at his head, which Vernon easily dodged.

Marino smirked mockingly. "Even injured, your reflexes are still sharp."

"Stop bothering me." Vernon growled, furious. He needed to focus on training because time was running out.

Did Marino try to disrupt his training focus?

"What's the secret to your strength and your skill?" Marino's expression turned serious. "I know you're hiding something."

Vernon tensed at the words.

Marino grinned in satisfaction. "I was right."

"Stop talking nonsense." Vernon responded coldly, trying to hide his nervousness. "If you want to fight me, wait two more days. We'll fight in the Vagon Tournament. I'll beat you just like I did Oliver."

Vernon walked away, leaving Marino fuming in anger, but Marino didn't cause a scene since he also had to prepare for their fight in two days.

'I'll kill you in the Vagon tournament!'

Vernon scoffed, annoyed at the constant harassment from the fighters at Vagon BootCamp.

'I need to keep training because my skills are far behind Marino, Adam, and Oliver. They've probably mastered other martial arts besides boxing.'

Vernon returned to the training field and did lunges for ten minutes. But his mind was in chaos. The fear of losing haunted him ever since he failed to defeat Owen.

Now, he was obsessed with upgrading his system's power.

Time passed quickly, and it was already evening.

Vernon wiped his sweat and smiled in satisfaction after completing multiple daily missions.

'Finally...!'

A transparent screen appeared before him.

[Congratulations! You've upgraded Muay Thai to Level 2]

Vernon closed his eyes as all the knowledge of Muay Thai's kicking techniques flowed into his mind and body.

'This feels incredible!'

Ding!

[You've unlocked a new Muay Thai technique — Elbow]

'I'll finish this today too!'