Although Bertram was a smart kid, his martial arts talent was lacking, and it seemed he wouldn't live long.
Leaving high school, Bertram hurried to the shop that Mr. Javion had recommended. The shop was relatively secluded, requiring him to navigate several streets and alleys from the school.
Surrounding him were bustling crowds, including adults who had secured residency in the city and children who hadn't yet graduated from high school. Amidst the flowing crowd, Bertram seemed to be the only one heading towards an uncertain future.
Suddenly, from a nearby alley, he heard a muffled cry. Instinctively, Bertram glanced over and saw, in the dim alley, several men in black robes with hoods, kidnapping a richly dressed girl.
One of the hooded men had a faintly visible scar on his face.
Seeing this, Bertram cursed under his breath, quickly lowered his head, and pretended not to see anything, continuing to walk forward.
The kidnapped girl clearly had a significant background. What kind of people would dare to kidnap someone like her?
If Bertram intervened, not only would he fail to change anything, but he might also lose his life.
Although Bertram felt sorry for the girl, he knew he lacked the ability to help and had to prioritize his own safety.
After walking a good distance and confirming no one was following him, Bertram finally breathed a sigh of relief and soon arrived at the shop Mr. Javion had recommended.
The shop, though somewhat secluded, was exceptionally clean and well-kept. The owner was a middle-aged man who looked neat and approachable.
"Sir, Mr. Javion sent me. I'm looking to buy some blood and flesh of extra-dimensional creatures. If you have any affordable blood sources, I'd like to buy one as well," Bertram quickly said.
Martial arts training heavily relied on nutritious blood and flesh. In the past, the human world didn't have this path of cultivation. It was only due to the invasion of extra-dimensional creatures, which brought incredible nutritious flesh, that martial arts training became possible.
Blood sources, on the other hand, were the essence of blood and energy left behind after an extra-dimensional creature died. They were even more precious than the flesh and were extremely beneficial for martial arts training.
"Mr. Javion sent you? I just got a fresh batch of Black Burst Rabbit meat. It's fresh and priced at 100 Dawn Coins per pound. Do you want some?"
The Black Burst Rabbit is a relatively low-threat creature from another dimension. Its entire body is black, but its muscle tissue is incredibly explosive, and its blood is rich. It can be considered a rabbit that has trained in martial arts.
For martial arts cultivation, its flesh and blood are quite valuable.
Bertram was tempted but also hesitant.
Even the best flesh and blood would take a lot of time to absorb, and right now, Bertram didn't have that kind of time. However, absorbing a blood source would take almost no time at all.
For Bertram, who had an F-level realm but lacked the corresponding physical strength, the blood source was actually the best choice.
But the downside of the blood source was its cost!
For a boy like Bertram, who relied on city welfare, how much money could he have?
Just 2000 Limin coins, saved up over many years.
He was ready to spend it all today.
The shopkeeper seemed to notice Bertram's dilemma.
"I have a damaged blood source here. I can sell it to you at a cheaper price. Are you interested?"
The shopkeeper took out a small wooden box from the back and opened it, revealing a blood-colored, misty bead. However, the bead looked quite thin, clearly indicating that it was damaged, as the shopkeeper had said.
"How many Limin coins do you have?"
"2000!"
"Alright, how about this: I'll give you this blood source and three pounds of Black Burst Rabbit meat for 2000 Limin coins," the shopkeeper said after a moment of hesitation.
"Thanks a lot, boss!"
Even Bertram, a novice, knew that 2000 Dawn Coins was a great deal.
Bertram returned to the school's training room, took out the Blood Source, and began to absorb it.
Strands of blood energy flowed from the Blood Source into Bertram's body through his palms, gradually enhancing his physique and inching him closer to F-rank.
"If this continues, absorbing the entire Blood Source might actually boost my martial arts level to F-rank!" Bertram thought as he focused on absorbing the Blood Source.
Reaching F-rank would mean that all his past efforts and savings hadn't been in vain.
Meanwhile, back in Bertram's dorm room, his roommates were packing their things.
"Where's Bertram? Haven't seen him all day," Vernon asked curiously.
"Someone saw him heading to the training room. He's probably making one last effort to see if he can break through," Barton replied.
"We're about to leave this city. If he hasn't broken through all these years, what's the point of a last-minute effort?" Hector said gloomily.
Everyone in the dorm had F-rank potential, so they understood how difficult it was to break through to F-rank.
Besides, even if they did reach F-rank, they would still be weak compared to the otherworldly beings outside.
"Instead of this, it might be better to pray that we get selected by a non-combat department in some region. That would be more useful than training for a hundred years," Hector said with a glimmer of hope.
"Did you all apply for non-combat departments?" Barton suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.
"You guys signed up too?" Barton and Vernon said simultaneously with the others.
"I signed up for the Logistics Department in West Zone 2..."
"Me too, West Zone 2 Logistics Department..."
"Same here!"
"That damn informant said only a few people knew about this!" The three of them looked grim.
Despair filled their hearts.
This was bad!
How were they supposed to survive now?
Training Room.
After absorbing blood essence for an entire day, Bertram opened his eyes in surprise. His body was brimming with power, enough to take down a bull.
So this is what F-level martial arts feels like?
I finally reached F-level!
With this kind of strength, my chances of survival should definitely increase!
"Let's see if it really does," Bertram thought, his eyes lighting up.
It had been a day, and he could now run the Infinite Life Simulation for the second time. He wanted to see how his life would turn out now that he had reached F-level martial arts and had wisely signed up for combat departments in three defense zones.
Surely, it would be better than joining the terrifying Dawn Army without any rank.
The metallic bronze disk began to spin, and the life simulation unfolded.
[June 13, Year Z100: In the school's training room, you successfully absorbed blood essence, reaching F-level in martial arts. Knowing the dangers outside the school, you weren't satisfied with just that. You used your remaining time wisely, finding a martial arts gym where you worked as a sparring partner during the day to earn money and improve your combat skills. At night, you took time to train your special abilities.]