"...Technique?" Reina asked, her eyes widening in surprise. "What's happening to him?"
Before anyone could react, Sean closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and focused all his energy on fusing the Black Ape Fist with his Monkey Body Tempering Technique. It was like trying to mix oil and water, but with kung fu. He felt like his brain was being scrambled, his muscles were being stretched, and his very soul was being rebooted.
Sean was brought in a room, in front of him was a tall muscular figure and Nima's father. He felt like he was being interviewed for a job, but the job was "ultimate martial artist." The room was opulent, decorated with expensive furniture and ancient artifacts. It was clear that the Gold Family had a lot of money to burn.
The two of them are arguing about who to get him. It was like he was a prize to be won, a trophy to be displayed. He felt a little objectified, but he also knew that this was a huge opportunity.
The reason for this is what he did moments ago. His sudden surge of power had impressed everyone, but it had also created a bit of a tug-of-war between the Gold Family and the Black Ape Dojo. He was the hottest commodity in town.
...
"Hahaha! I told you that Sean isn't just an ordinary genius," Nima brags to her father. She was practically glowing with pride. "He's a diamond in the rough! A hidden treasure! A… a really good monkey wrestler!"
Her father smiles as he looks at Sean with a appreciative gaze. It seemed that his daughter had finally found someone worthy of her attention. He'd been worried about her, but Sean seemed to be a good influence.
It seems that his daughter's eyes are much better than hers. He had always doubted her judgment, but she had clearly seen something special in Sean. He was starting to think that maybe she wasn't so clueless after all.
"It seems that you father and daughter had already talked to this young man, I won't poach him from you," A figure wearing a black suit that showcases his muscle speaks. It was the dojo master, a man who looked like he'd been carved from granite. He radiated power and authority.
A figure wearing a black suit that showcases his muscle speaks. He looked like he could bench press a small car. It was like looking at a human mountain.
"But father-" Reina was about to complain but her father raises his hand to silence her. She clearly wasn't happy about losing out on Sean. She had a competitive streak that ran deep.
"I know that you want to recruit a genius for our dojo but he's only compatible with our entry martial art, training him is acceptable but we had received a lot of favor from my cousin, besides we are one family, why should we fight for one person," Her father's words sounds reasonable, especially for the fact that they received too much favor. He was trying to smooth things over, to avoid any unnecessary conflict. He was a peacemaker, a diplomat.
Her father's words sounds reasonable, especially for the fact that they received too much favor. He was trying to be diplomatic, to maintain good relations with the Gold Family. He knew that their dojo depended on their support.
If not for the Gold Family, her father wouldn't have reached Gold Rank in his lifetime. He owed them a great debt of gratitude. He wouldn't do anything to jeopardize their relationship.
"Why don't you perform the Black Ape Fist again? I will correct some of your form," The dojo master generously said. He was willing to share his knowledge, to help Sean improve.
The dojo master generously said. He was a generous and kind man, despite his imposing appearance.
Sean's eyes lights up, a tip from a Gold Ranker, especially one that trains the same martial art as you is priceless. He couldn't believe his luck.
With total focus, he starts performing. He channeled all his energy into the Black Ape Fist, trying to execute each movement perfectly.
Suddenly, his and Wuk's spirit came in sync and the two starts performing at the same time. It was like they were two halves of the same whole, moving in perfect harmony.
Not knowing how much time has passed, he snaps out of his daze and sees everyone was looking at him with a dazed expression. He felt like he'd just woken up from a dream.
"A resonance! You actually achieved such state!?" The dojo master exclaimed. He was clearly impressed. "This is unheard of!"
'Resonance?' This is the first time he heard such terms. He had no idea what it meant, but it sounded important.
Unknowingly, his stomach starts to grumble as he falls to the floor, extremely pale. He was completely drained, both physically and mentally.
"Quick! Get someone to bring a medicinal soup here!" The dojo master shouted. He was clearly concerned for Sean's well-being.
Reina quickly left. She was always quick to act, decisive and efficient.
Nima looks at him with worry, she carries him to one of the seat. She felt guilty for putting him in this situation.
"To think that I would find someone so suited for our dojo's martial art," The dojo master said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's like fate brought you here."
"What do you mean by that!? He's a prospect of our Gold Family! Don't you dare have any thoughts about him!" Nima said, glaring at her cousin. She was fiercely protective of Sean.
The dojo master snaps out of his reverie and glares at his cousin. He was starting to get annoyed by her possessiveness.
.....
This is now the result of his performance. He was exhausted, but he had gained the respect of two powerful families.
Reina came back with a bowl of soup, instinctively he sought after that bowl. He was so hungry that he could eat a horse.
When she gave it to him, he gulps it down in one go stunning the two girls. He didn't even bother to chew.
Steams comes out of his body. It was like he was a human pressure cooker.
[Reaching fourth stage of Skin Tempering Realm. Obtained (Leather Skin).]
[Leather Skin: Skin is as tough as leather armor.]
He was shocked, he didn't expect to jump to four levels. He felt like he'd just leveled up in a video game.
He hurriedly checked his status. He was eager to see what new abilities he had acquired.
Name: Sean
Realm: Skin Tempering 4th stage
Vital Force: 1
Spirit: Bronze Rank
Contracts: 1/3
Innate Abilities: Vajra Body, Leather Skin
Technique: Monkey Body Tempering Technique (Early Stage)
Two more contracts! Two more skills! He was starting to feel like a superhero.
He didn't expect that he would gain so much in such a little time. He was making progress faster than he could have ever imagined.
He wishes to continue training. He was eager to push himself further, to see what else he could achieve.
"I think that you should rest right now, you need to recover your vitality," Reina can see the flames of passion in his eyes and adviced him. She was concerned that he was pushing himself too hard.
He doesn't feel that tired, it seems that his natural recovery has increased after obtaining (Vajra Body) but he can't just ignore Reina's adviced. He knew that she was looking out for him.
He decided to train once again on his own. He needed to find a way to balance his training with his other responsibilities.
Unfortunately, he won't receive a medicine soup back home if he becomes too tired. He needed to be careful not to overdo it.
"Sean, what do you think?" Just as he was deep in thought, Nima's father suddenly asks. He was clearly waiting for his decision.
He looks at Reina and her father, he can only sigh in their hopeful expression. He knew that he was about to disappoint one of them.
"I am sorry but I have principles to follow and one of them is that I won't betray the trust of those that I consider friends, I will be working under the Gold Family as per our agreement," Sean said, his voice firm and resolute. He had made his decision, and he wasn't going to back down.
Hearing this, Reina's father can only sigh, he was disappointed but not that much, his words resonates deeply to him. He respected Sean's loyalty and integrity.
"That is okay, I hope that you continue to train in the Black Ape Fist and help Reina by sparring with her from time to time," He, of course agrees with such a simple request, besides, he would be going here for his subsequent training, offending the two wouldn't look good. He wanted to maintain good relations with everyone.
Nima was feeling guilty, she was the one who introduced him to Reina, they nearly lost their genius because of her prank. She felt responsible for the conflict that had arisen.
Looking at her cousin with vigilance, she brings him to a different location. She wanted to get him away from Reina, to protect him from her influence.
This time, it was filled with men bulging with muscles. The room was like a meat market, filled with testosterone and sweat.
"He is Sean, one of our prospect guardian, take care of him," She commanded with authority before leaving. She was clearly in charge.
The group of martial arts stands straight, they seem to fear and respect her. They were clearly intimidated by her power.
She nods her head and leaves. She had done her part, now it was up to them to train him.
"Junior brother, it seems that miss Nima is actually giving you extra care," One of men laughs as he pats him in the back. He was clearly teasing him.
He can only smile weakly. He wasn't sure how to respond to their teasing.
Their group resumes their training, not telling him that he nearly fainted earlier, he starts practicing with them. He wanted to prove himself, to show that he was worthy of their respect.
It seems that the martial art they are practicing is different from his. It was a more defensive style, focused on protecting others.
He continues practicing, ignoring everything around him. He was completely focused on his training.
He only stops when a hand pats his shoulder. "It is lunch time, you can rest now," The man was the person that teases him earlier. He was surprisingly kind.
The man was the person that teases him earlier. He had a friendly smile and a warm demeanor.
He didn't notice this, the only thought he now have is to eat. He was starving.
His body is screaming in hunger. He needed to refuel his energy.
He follows the group of men in a canteen, he can see that there are a hundred or so people walking with plates. It was a bustling and crowded place.
He didn't expect that the number of disciples recruited by the Black Ape Dojo would increase in just one day. The dojo was clearly growing in popularity.
"Our meal is free, provided by the Gold Family and this dojo, it's perfect for us martial artist," One of the men said, gesturing to the buffet-style spread. "Eat as much as you want!"
He nods his head, after getting his meal of consisting large amount of meat, he wolf it down like a hungry beast. He didn't even bother to use a fork.
Just like the time when he drank the medicinal soup, steam starts coming out of his body. He was like a human furnace.
Cracking sounds can be heard but he ignores them, there's only one thing in his mind and that is to eat. He was completely consumed by his hunger.
The redness in his body receded after devouring three portion of meal. He finally started to feel full.
Those near him keeps looking at him like he is some sort of animal. He was clearly making a spectacle of himself.
After finishing his meal, he went to Reina's training room. He wanted to apologize for causing so much trouble.
"Huh? Is it just me or did you just get bigger," Seeing it was him, Nima quickly went to the door but stops all of a sudden as she looks at him up and down. She was clearly checking him out.
"Stop joking, it would take at least a week for any changes to occur, I am going to the pet shop I am working in, don't worry, I won't stop training even after going out," Sean said, waving goodbye. He had a job to do.
They had agreed to let him continue working at the pet shop. He needed the money to support his family.
Nima looks at him with hesitation, yesterday, she agreed to this but now seeing his talent, she can't help but feel reluctant. She didn't want him to waste his time on a menial job.
Not caring about what's in her mind, he left the dojo and had to jog back to the pet shop. He didn't want to be late.
"Great! You're here! That mischievous monkey has been acting weird after the boss gave it to you yesterday," Upon seeing him, Dorothy immediately reported what they're seeing. She was clearly concerned.
"Hmm, I know, I am the reason for it's changes, by the way, if you and Priscel are free later, care to join me in a feast?" Sean asked, smiling confidently. He wanted to celebrate his progress with his friends.
Upon seeing him, Dorothy immediately reported what they're seeing. It was like Wuk was going through puberty, but with more kung fu.
"Hmm, I know, I am the reason for it's changes, by the way, if you and Priscel are free later, care to join me in a feast?" Sean asked, smiling confidently. He felt like he was finally coming into his own.
Dorothy was startled, this is the first time she saw him being so confident. She was impressed by his newfound self-assurance.
She wasn't wrong, thrown in a violent world, he doesn't know what to do but try to work hard to survive. He was just trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Even though he have a system, he doesn't know how to operate it. He was still learning the ropes.
That is until he created the Monkey Body Tempering Technique, he now has the confidence to grow in this world. He finally had a direction, a goal to strive for.
"Oh? Are you that happy? Is it because you become a true martial artist!" She teases. She was clearly impressed by his transformation.
She didn't expect that he would smile at her. He was usually so shy and reserved.
"No way, really!? Just yesterday the two of us are talking as usual," Dorothy exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. She couldn't believe that he had made so much progress in such a short time.
She was too shocked to calm down, that means that she's the only worker in this shop that hasn't reached Vital Realm. She felt a pang of envy.