Chapter 56: Cleared the Level in Less Than a Minute?!

This device resembled the display stands used in shopping malls to showcase mannequins. However, instead of being made of metal, this apparatus was constructed from an unknown white material.

“Please step onto the platform to calibrate your movements,” a mechanical, synthesized voice suddenly intoned. Wang Chen guessed this was the pod’s internal voice guidance system—the one Fatty had mentioned—leading users into the virtual realm.

He stepped onto the instrument’s footboard; as soon as both feet were in place, supple straps descended to secure his feet. Mechanical clicks sounded behind his ears, and a white support frame rose to cradle him, fastening straps around each joint of his body.

“Please attempt walking, running, and other movements,” the voice instructed.

Wang Chen complied, performing each action as requested.

“Calibration complete. Preparing to enter the virtual realm.”

He attempted to move once more, but this time, unlike during calibration, there was no resistance at his joints. He moved freely, entirely unaware of the straps and supports binding his body.

The lights within the circular pod dimmed, plunging his vision into darkness. When sight returned, he found himself standing in a woodland clearing, the apparatus gone from his body.

“Virtual realm preloading complete. Proceeding to information verification.”

A point of light flashed at the edge of his vision. Glancing over, he saw a summary—age, gender, height, weight, and other personal details.

“Information confirmed. Would you like to broadcast your combat footage publicly?”

Without hesitation, Wang Chen selected “No.” Broadcasting his own combat footage would only give opponents the chance to observe him and devise counter-strategies.

“Your class is ‘Life Shaman’—a support-type profession. Comprehensive rating: F. A matching battle simulation will now be loaded for you.”

A massive countdown appeared midair. As the timer reached zero, three fierce beasts materialized before Wang Chen.

They were all of the same species, covered in thick, earthy-brown fur, their forms reminiscent of cattle, with a pair of sturdy, arched horns protruding from their heads.

Upon seeing Wang Chen, their huge bovine eyes turned bloodshot. With a bellow, they charged at him.

“Horned Yak, Level 10.”

Wang Chen couldn’t help but laugh. Clearly, they were underestimating him—assigning him three bronze-tier beasts.

He flicked his fingers. With a flash, the Forest Gale staff appeared in his grasp. He gave it a gentle wave, and dark energy gathered at the tip.

“Ode to Life!”

Chains of death, black and red, shot forth and plunged into the herd of yaks, leaping and rebounding wildly. The three horned yaks were swiftly bound by the chains, which bristled with barbs, lashing and piercing their hides. Their brown fur was quickly soaked in blood; the beasts, barely clinging to life.

“Successfully slain three Horned Yaks.”
“Time taken: 57 seconds.”

…

Meanwhile, in the virtual realm’s backend system, a red light began to flash, alerting the supervisor busy at a neighboring station.

“Data anomaly! Data anomaly!”

The supervisor hurried over to the screen, inspecting the system where the red light blinked. Another staff member pushed open the door and entered.

“Old Li, I got the system alert. What’s going on?”

Old Li was hammering away at the keyboard, not even looking up. “Looks like there’s an issue with one of the pods’ combat data. I’m pulling up the logs now.”

Soon, Wang Chen’s pod data appeared on the display.

Old Li glanced at the screen and exclaimed, “Old Zhang, come and take a look at this user’s data—it’s bizarre.”

Old Zhang leaned in. “Second advancement, fifty-seven seconds to kill three peak bronze beasts—that seems pretty normal, doesn’t it?”

“Normal? Not at all,” Old Li pointed out. “Look at the class—it’s a support-type Life Shaman!”

“Huh?” Old Zhang was taken aback and quickly checked the user info. “You’re right! How is that possible? A support class taking down three peak bronze-tier beasts solo, and in such a short time!”

“I’m puzzled too. Maybe the kid happened to pick up some decent offensive skills?”

“That’s possible,” Old Zhang mused, moving his mouse. “Let’s assign a few stronger, silver-tier beasts and see how he handles them.”

…

“Second wave of beasts incoming. Do you accept the challenge?”

A virtual panel appeared before Wang Chen, offering “Yes” and “No” options. He clicked the latter.

Again, a massive countdown appeared midair.

When the timer ran out, a heavy, rasping breath sounded. Before Wang Chen appeared a jet-black leopard, its eyes fixed intently on him. Its mouth brimmed with razor-sharp fangs, glinting with a cold light, saliva dripping from its jaws.

“Shadowflash Panther, Level 15.”
“Skill: Flash Kill—unleashes full-body muscle power to strike at lightning speed.”

“Now that’s more like it,” Wang Chen chuckled, “but still, nothing special.”

The Shadowflash Panther, like the horned yaks before, wasted no time in posturing. With an enraged snarl, it lunged at him. It seemed all the beasts in the virtual realm were programmed for immediate aggression.

Wang Chen spun the Forest Gale staff. A wave of radiant brilliance swept outward.

“Divine Speed!”

The Shadowflash Panther moved so swiftly it left afterimages, but as the wave of brilliance brushed over it, the beast’s momentum faltered, its speed plummeting.

“Too slow! If you want real speed, look at the Bone Python next door—that’s true swiftness!”

He swung the Forest Gale staff, arcs of electricity dancing at its tip.

“Lightning Barrier!”

Three crackling spheres of lightning, linked by a chain of electricity, shot forth and struck the Shadowflash Panther.

At the merest touch, the beast let out a shriek of pain. Its black fur hid the damage, but the scorched scent in the air made the effectiveness of the attack clear.

The lightning orbs spun, their currents wrapping around the panther’s body, binding its forelegs tightly against its sides. Unable to remain upright, the beast collapsed.

The orbs continued to surge with violent electricity, sending current coursing through the panther’s form. In agony, it kicked its unbound hind legs, gouging twin furrows in the earth.

At last, the current pierced its heart. With a final, anguished roar, the panther fell still.

“Successfully slain Shadowflash Panther.”
“Total time: 49 seconds.”

…

“What? He did it even faster this time?” Old Zhang bellowed at the screen.

When Wang Chen fought the three horned yaks, their numbers meant the death chains took longer to finish them off. Against the panther—just one beast, and its only skill was perfectly countered by Forest Gale—it was as if its claws had been blunted, making it an easy target. Moreover, the power of the lightning orbs had grown slightly after his second advancement, making the kill even easier.

Of course, the supervisors, unable to view the combat footage, had no way of knowing this. To them, the situation appeared increasingly suspicious.

“He won’t even let us see his video. Fine, think you’re impressive? Let’s see how you handle this!”

Old Zhang quickly scrolled through the beast data, readying a new challenge.

Seeing what he was doing, Old Li grew anxious. “That’s a full silver-tier peak-level scenario! He’s just a support class—aren’t you afraid the team leader will come down on us for this?”

“I don’t care anymore!” Old Zhang slammed the final key.