Bertram smiled slightly, feeling a sense of anticipation for his future.
After all, his strength had improved significantly. Even in battles against some weaker beings from other dimensions, he now had a chance of survival.
The scarred men in black had also been captured.
He should be able to survive the high-risk first year after high school graduation, right?
With these thoughts, Bertram started his third simulation.
[Year Z100, June 20th: You passed the mysterious girl's test and returned to school with excitement. You decided to sleep to relieve your recent stress.
Upon waking up, just as you were about to head to the training room, your homeroom teacher, Mr. Javion, informed you that someone from higher up wanted to see you.]
Someone from higher up? With a sense of curiosity, you went to the office and met a girl with the aura and appearance of a star.
However, her face was cold as ice, and her eyes were like snowflakes.
Being stared at by her felt like being on a frozen lake a thousand miles wide.
From the icy girl, you learned that last night, Officer Nelson's precinct was suddenly attacked by an unknown force.
The scarred men in black and their accomplices were all killed. Officer Nelson was severely injured and was in the hospital for emergency treatment.
Before entering the emergency room, he told the icy girl that you were the only person with information about the case.
You felt fortunate that you had kept yourself hidden, and all the disasters had been borne by Officer Nelson.
The icy girl wanted more information from you, but unfortunately, you only knew about the now-dead scarred men in black and couldn't provide further help.
Disappointed, the icy girl left.
The attack on the precinct made you deeply aware of the seriousness of the situation. To survive, you needed to stay as far away from the incident as possible.
With the scarred men in black dead, you shouldn't be exposed to those who kidnapped the Olson Family's daughter.
The icy girl left, and the Olson Family began a city-wide manhunt for those who attacked the precinct.
[Year Z100, June 21st: Ignoring the Olson Family's daughter's matter, you went to the martial arts hall as agreed to face the mysterious girl again.
This time, her goal was to defeat you within 40 moves. You were eager to last longer against her, but reality was harsh. The mysterious girl's strength had grown terrifyingly since the previous day, and you could only withstand 35 moves.
With a heavy heart, you returned to school and relentlessly trained to improve your combat skills, using blood essence and white essence to enhance your martial arts and abilities.
You didn't want your sparring sessions with the mysterious girl to end so easily.
On your way back to the dorm after training, you overheard some dorm mates talking.
Apparently, at the city's Wanxing Auction House's scrap section, someone had bought a dead cocoon for 500 Dawn Coins.
Astonishingly, the cocoon revived last night, and out emerged a juvenile Seven-Star Phantom Death Butterfly, an S-class extradimensional creature in its infancy.
The Seven-Star Phantom Death Butterfly bonds with the first scent it encounters upon emerging. Your dorm mates were green with envy and resentment.
Who was the lucky person who scored such a treasure?
Though you were envious, you knew that time couldn't be turned back. This opportunity wasn't meant for you.
June 22, Year Z100: You prepared yourself for another battle at the dojo with the mysterious girl. She was still improving rapidly, but so were you. This time, you managed to hold out until the 29th move, surprising her.
Before leaving, she mentioned she had some matters to attend to and that your next sparring session would be in five days.
As you watched her leave, you asked the dojo master about her identity, but he remained tight-lipped, unwilling to divulge any information.
June 24, Year Z100: You persisted in your training, successfully advancing your martial arts to F+ level. Your psychic ability, Silver Thread, also extended to 8 feet. Your strength had significantly improved, and you eagerly anticipated your next battle with the mysterious girl.
June 25, Year Z100: Despite extensive searching, the Olson Family still couldn't find any clues. It was as if the person they were looking for had vanished from the city.
Meanwhile, the Olson Family received a letter demanding an extradimensional artifact in exchange for their daughter's safe return.
June 26, Year Z100: No one knew what the artifact was, but the Olson Family, having no other leads, reluctantly agreed to the exchange, scheduling it for that afternoon.
That afternoon, in the West Zone 2 outside Doomsday City, only one person showed up to take the artifact. They promised to send the location of the Olson Family's daughter via text message once they had the item.
The Olson Family had no choice but to let the person leave. Shortly after, they received a message indicating that Vanessa was being held in an underground coal mine in East Zone 9.
Though the ordeal had been complicated and the Olson Family had lost a valuable artifact, the matter was finally resolved, allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief.
Year Z100, June 27th: Today is the day you arranged to meet the mysterious girl. Excited, you head out, captivated by her strength and eager to challenge her.
However, you fail to notice the growing number of shadows trailing behind you.
As you pass through a deserted alley, the
shadows suddenly attack. In a hurry, you start to run.
They intentionally drive you out of the city, leaving you no choice but to flee.
You end up at an abandoned coal plant outside the city, where a young man dressed in luxurious clothes is waiting for you.
He looks down at you, his eyes cold and piercing.
"Is this the idiot who ratted us out, forcing us to risk attacking the police station and nearly ruining everything?" The young man's voice is icy. A sycophantic police officer steps forward.
"Yes, Mr. Shawn, he's the one who snitched!"
You recognize the officer—it's the same one who took your statement at the police station.
The young man before you, referred to as Mr. Shawn, could only be the son of the Jackson Family.
You sigh deeply. Despite all your calculations, you forgot that people are inherently selfish.
You were willing to give up credit to Officer Nelson for 30,000 Dawn Coins, and this minor officer, eager to curry favor with the Jackson Family, naturally betrayed you.
The Jackson Family is a powerful post-apocalyptic force, on par with the Olson Family, like a towering mountain you cannot afford to offend.
"Let's play a game," Mr. Shawn says with a cold smile, looking at you. "From here, you start running. I'll use a bow and arrow. If you can make it back to the city before I shoot you, you live, and I'll let bygones be bygones."
This is blatant humiliation, and you fall silent.
Yes, you have no choice but to comply.