Chapter 4: Some Testing

"Sure enough, there is a reward for leaving the cell. This time 500 points"

Seeing the free points turned out to be 500, Luo Ning confirmed his guess.

"Free" actions sometimes require special circumstances for rewards.

"Let's try walking by the sword tree. Maybe there are rewards"

Luo Ning divided the 500 free points to improve his physical fitness and Reiatsu. He felt stronger afterward.

His Reiatsu especially increased by almost 60% compared to when he first got it. He couldn't measure his physical improvement precisely, but he could sense the Reiatsu boost.

"Hey guys, where's the Blade Forest?"

Luo Ning's question stunned the prisoners.

"Kid, why are you asking about the Blade Forest? You want to go to the second floor? We can work together to escape this awful place!"

The prisoners couldn't understand why Luo Ning wanted to go there. They all wanted to stay far away from that place.

"Just answer my question!"

Luo Ning released his Reiatsu. It wasn't as powerful as monsters like Aizen, but it was enough to shock the prisoners.

A wave of pressure hit them, and some even fainted.

"This makes me dizzy? So, my Reiatsu isn't that weak"

Without a reference point, Luo Ning couldn't judge his exact strength, but seeing many affected by his Reiatsu, he knew it wasn't weak.

"Now tell me where the Blade Forest is"

Looking at the prisoners kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath, Luo Ning asked again. This time, they spilled the information about getting to the Blade Forest like a burst dam.

"What the hell was that just now? Why is it so scary?"

"You guys are too ignorant. Although I haven't really seen it, I've heard of it. This should be Conqueror's Haki. It is rumored that only one person in a million will awaken Conqueror's Haki!"

A prisoner said profusely, Haki is no secret in the sea.

Luo Ning was already on his way to the sword forest.

"Was that any kind of freedom back there?"

Looking at the 200 free points back in his account, Luo Ning pondered. The next step was the Blade Forest, a test.

If he was right, using his abilities in fights or special places should earn him freedom points. How much depended on him.

It wasn't a conscious feeling of freedom, more subconscious.

He hadn't meant to scare the prisoners, but he still got a point. The judgement seemed subconscious.

"Hoo ho ho ho ho..."

Just as Luo Ning approached the Blade Forest, a strange sound echoed. Then, Brugley appeared with a giant axe, charging at him with a strange cry.

"Since deterring those prisoners has some freedom, what about you? Is there any way to take you down?"

Luo Ning's eyes suddenly flared. Hadn't the test subject just arrived?

"Fantasy: Man of Steel"

Luo Ning completed the Fantasy in a heartbeat, picturing himself with an impenetrable body and terrifying, outlandish powers. Of course, this "Man of Steel" wouldn't hold a candle to Superman's, it was just a name.

The moment the Fantasy solidified, Luo Ning felt his power surge to an unbelievable level.

Simultaneously, Brugley had already charged before Luo Ning, the massive axe in his hand swinging down with lethal intent.

Unlike a jailer who might try to capture him alive, Brugley wasn't burdened by such niceties.

CLANG!

However, when the enormous double-edged axe slammed into Luo Ning, only a deafening clang echoed.

The axe couldn't even scratch Luo Ning.

"I don't feel a thing"

Luo Ning felt no pain whatsoever, while Brugley reeled back with a surprised yelp from the force of the impact.

"Then taste my freak power!"

Luo Ning didn't forget the additional blessing of extraordinary power.

BOOM!

No fancy footwork. Just a brutal, direct punch connected with Brugley's body, sending the hulking figure flying back with no resistance.

(Original Author's Note:

To explain the conditions for the protagonist to gain freedom, there are two main factors.

First, the protagonist must achieve internal freedom, which can be subconscious or based on subjective consciousness.

Second, there must be external factors that grant physical freedom. These can include concrete actions such as unlocking shackles, escaping a cell, defeating an enemy, or reaching specific locations. However, simply reaching any location is not sufficient.

I apologize for the need to explain these restrictions within the context of my setting.)