Ryan believed there were no born heroes, only those with the potential to become one.
Therefore, Kevin's growth didn't surprise him. He only worried that the young man might grow too fast. His determination could overcome despair, but too much despair could lead to recklessness.
The vast training ground was empty. Kevin, in tight-fitting combat gear, held a large alloy sword, his face etched with confusion.
"Ryan, I asked you to teach me how to fight Honkai Beasts, why are you making me spar with you?"
Ryan glanced at the surveillance cameras. He spoke in a low voice. "Because the most formidable Honkai Beasts are humanoid."
"You mean the Herrschers? I'd be turned to ash before I got close. Why do I feel like you're using this as an opportunity to beat me up?"
"Nonsense. The form isn't the key." Ryan took a deep breath, slowly raising his fist. "The key is to experience the despair brought by overwhelming power, then adapt to that despair, maintaining your combat effectiveness. No virtual reality can teach that."
It also gives me a chance to see how fast this legendary Kevin grows.
Kevin didn't quite understand, or perhaps this refined-looking man didn't seem capable of instilling despair. As he was about to tell Ryan not to joke around, his words caught in his throat.
Killing intent and Honkai energy roared, his muscles instinctively tensing, as if an invisible hand was squeezing his throat, making breathing difficult.
This feeling…
The aura surpassed any Honkai Beast he'd encountered. At least those monsters lacked this killing intent. The overwhelming power left only one thought in his mind.
I'm going to die!
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion reverberated in his ears. Kevin managed to raise his sword to his chest, but felt like he'd been hit by a truck.
THUD—BOOM!
Two dull sounds followed in quick succession. Kevin felt himself flying, crashing heavily against the wall, his head ringing. He managed to open his eyes, seeing the man standing where he'd been moments ago, his fist raised, smoke curling from his knuckles.
He… he really wanted to kill me?
That thought barely registered before he heard the rushing air. Kevin tried to roll aside but heard a dull BOOM behind him; the shockwave hit his back, sending him tumbling.
His legs buckled, creating a deep crater in the metal floor. Ryan pulled out his right leg, slowly turning. "Kevin, face your fear, but don't show mercy. It will become a fatal weakness. Imagine I become a Herrscher; what would you do?"
Kevin didn't answer, licking his dry lips, looking at the unfamiliar man.
This was a humanoid Honkai Beast; a single kick could crush a tank. His hand trembled slightly as he slowly got up, quietly drawing his weapon.
That's more like it.
Click… click… click…
The gunshots echoed, but Ryan had vanished. Bullets sparked against the ground as a blurry figure charged from the side, stopping with a twist of the waist.
Side kick.
The force of the blow was overwhelming, shattering the gun into pieces. Ryan's eyes followed Kevin's white hair as he shifted his left leg, launching himself upward.
Swish—
The alloy sword sliced across the ground, a powerful blow leaving a deep gash in the alloy floor.
With a sweeping strike, Kevin rolled forward, drawing a pistol from his armpit and firing at the ceiling.
'Physical attributes far exceeding normal humans, marksmanship skills nearing mastery, and extremely strong combat instincts. This guy's only been training for a month?'
Ryan watched the approaching bullets; Honkai energy formed a shield, deflecting the shots. He then gathered energy into a blade, flicking his arm backward.
Whoosh—
A crimson crescent swiftly sliced across the training ground, embedding itself in a distant wall, cleanly severing a steel beam.
Kevin stared at the blade's path, at the severed pistol in his hand, utterly bewildered. He'd mostly used hand-to-hand combat against Honkai Beasts; he'd only heard veterans mention that Honkai Emperors and above used lasers.
"This Ryan guy… is he a monster?!"
The pressure made thought impossible. A brutal attack came from behind, threatening to tear him apart. But Kevin didn't beg for mercy; he didn't panic. He instinctively twisted his waist, using his alloy sword to parry the attack.
Swish.
The blade grazed his chest, slicing through Ryan's concentrated Honkai energy. Kevin abandoned defense, bringing his sword down in a powerful overhead strike.
Such combat instincts were extraordinary.
Ryan didn't analyze the mechanics; his right arm glowed crimson as he met the sword.
Extreme-force. Two-East Elbow.
Clang—
A sharp clang echoed; a dark object spun away, exploding against the wall.
Kevin stood stunned, looking at the half-severed alloy sword in his hand, blankly staring at the man before him. He touched his face, feeling warmth—a cut.
"How did the near-death experience feel?" Ryan looked at the young man, his hair now disheveled. He hadn't used his full strength, but he felt no pride.
He'd spent ten years on the Path to reach this point. If he couldn't beat Kevin, he might as well die. This spar had yielded valuable data.
The young man's adaptation to Honkai energy was exceptional. No wonder he'd faced a Herrscher before becoming a Warrior Fusion; he just couldn't grasp the underlying principles.
"Yeah, I guess I got the point." Kevin sat heavily on the ground, his face bitter. "But you're too strong. I can't fight you."
"It'll come with time. You've only been with Fire Moth for a short time. Excluding advanced equipment, few within the organization are stronger than me." Ryan extended his hand, pulling him up.
Kevin felt much better. Remembering his enigmatic friend, he assumed he was some kind of veteran special forces operative. His approval felt good. Relaxing, he remembered something else.
"Ryan, I heard from Mei that you're looking for a girlfriend? That Dr. Mobius is pretty; you have good taste. Hey, are you even listening?"
Kevin stood there, watching Ryan walk away as if he hadn't heard. Confused, he then saw the man turn back.
Ryan returned with another alloy sword, tossing it to the stunned Kevin, offering a gentle smile.
"Come on, we have time. Let's continue."
"What… what did I do wrong?"
The man stood ten meters away, hands clasped in front of him, his smile unwavering.
"Guess."
The training ground trembled. Through the surveillance monitors, several high-ranking Far East Branch officials exchanged glances. They saw Kevin sent flying by a palm strike, then grabbed by the ankle and thrown like a shot put.
"They're supposed to be friends, why are they fighting to the death?" Himiko winced, watching Kevin create small craters in the walls. He was sprawled on the ground, unable to stand, but the life support readings seemed fine.
It looked frightening, but the blows were controlled, avoiding vital areas.
"Broken bones are inevitable. Get the medical team ready; prepare the bio-regenerative treatment." The grim-faced director raised his hand, silencing his subordinates. "Ryan's authority is high. We need him to take action. Let's give him some face."
Silence fell, then they looked at Kevin's gritted-teeth counterattack, agreeing that increasing investment in such talented trainees was worthwhile.
High-speed cameras recorded each powerful blow. Several people swallowed nervously; even Rose, who'd met Ryan several times, couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Just how strong is this Ryan?"
"I don't know. No one's seen his limits, but he's likely below Elysia." Edwin said grimly, his face showing a hint of longing. "If everyone possessed that strength, Honkai would no longer be a threat!"
"It depends on Dr. Mobius's research. You've all heard the rumors, haven't you? I suspect this Ryan is one of her test subjects."
"Then why hasn't he been deployed?"
Himiko stroked her chin, lightly shrugging. "Perhaps the cost is too high. Or perhaps higher-ups don't want such power to be uncontrolled. Even to display that power would require at least several dozen Special Response soldiers equipped with MKII exosuits."
Silence fell again. Humanoid Honkai Beasts were more terrifying than Emperor-Class ones because they could hide amongst humans and learn constantly.
During their conversation, the training ground spar finally ended. Kevin was embedded in the steel wall, his head down, motionless. Ryan glanced at his torn shirt and gave a thumbs-up to the camera.
Whoosh—
The large doors instantly opened, medical personnel rushing in to carry Kevin away on a stretcher.
"Though the process was brutal, the results are excellent. If you encounter an Emperor-Class Honkai Beast, the monster won't give you any mercy." Himiko understood. The hardest part of fighting High-Rank Honkai Beasts was mental fortitude; many couldn't unleash their full potential when facing such overwhelming power.
Seeing that the monster had been subdued without fleeing was a remarkable feat.
"I want Dr. Ryan to help; let all the recruits experience that crushing feeling."
She looked at Rose, whose face was pale; she shook her head repeatedly before revealing a cruel smile.
"That new recruit is good. Assign him to the A-rank Honkai Beast extermination team." Edwin immediately said, then turned. "I'll find Dr. Ryan; hopefully, he'll grant us this favor."
"Commander, what about this training ground? It's practically destroyed."
Edwin turned back, seeing the ravaged training ground—dented steel plates, broken wires sparking. The wrinkles on his face deepened.
The repair costs were around ten million euros; the Far East Branch didn't have that kind of extra budget.
"Right, who's currently paying him?"
"We can't find any records, but he's currently under assignment to protect Dr. Mobius."
Edwin breathed a sigh of relief, waving his hand dismissively.
"Then deduct it from Dr. Mobius's research budget."