Kryptonians: Man of Steel

Chapter 1530 Scamming Funds

The scene was cold and monotonous, with only heavy breathing clearly transmitted through a hidden microphone.

“No abnormal energy readings. The psionic detector is silent, and the demonic energy fluctuation detector shows no reaction. Although his physiological indicators are at their limits, they fluctuate within the normal range of high-intensity physical training for humans.”

"Ha! Here we go again!"

A slightly hoarse voice, tinged with a strong sense of mockery, rang out.

Observer Kimura, holding an almost empty coffee cup, strolled to the screen. His sparse hair was greasy and stuck to his scalp, and his eyes were puffy.

He scoffed, pointing at Hachiman's almost convulsing body on the screen, "Look, look! This kid, he's either insane or a complete masochist! Push-ups? Pull-ups? And this many? Does he think he's making some kind of hot-blooded sports manga?"

He gulped down a large mouthful of cold coffee, his tone full of disdain. "Deal with those monstrosities? Ha! Training until you die won't help! No matter how tough your muscles are, in the face of a real 'abnormality,' they're just a slightly chewier steak."

Team Leader Kanda scratched his head in frustration, glancing at a report beside him.

That was the conclusion reached a few days ago by two "advisors" he had invited using his special privileges.

One is a highly respected psychic from the Kyoto region, and the other is an experienced psychic from the Kansai region.

Under close surveillance, the two observed Hachiman Hikigaya at close range for two whole days.

The report's conclusion was brief and consistent: "No identifiable psychic or demonic energy was detected in the target individual. There were no signs of any supernatural power manifesting. The individual's physical condition was superior to that of their peers, but still within the limits of ordinary human capabilities."

"What did the psychological assessment say?"

Kanda turned to a calm-looking psychology expert with gray hair standing next to him.

The senior expert adjusted his glasses and pulled up another document: "Based on the target's past school records, community visits, and his parents' statements after the incident (although they clearly concealed some information), our psychological model shows that the target is withdrawn, negative, has extremely low social willingness, and has a strong tendency towards self-denial and avoidance. He has a deep fear of being the center of attention or taking responsibility."

He pointed to the figure struggling on the horizontal bar on the screen: "However, his current behavioral patterns—almost self-destructive, regular, high-intensity training, extremely strong goal-orientation and execution, and unusual calmness when facing surveillance... deviate significantly from the original model. This level of initiative and willpower exceeds the prediction range of the original model."

"Major traumatic stress response?"

Kanda frowned.

“It’s very likely.” The old expert nodded. “Severe trauma to family members, near-death experiences, witnessing the horror of supernatural forces… these can all be powerful catalysts that completely change a person’s behavior patterns and core drive. Shifting from extreme passivity to an extreme craving for ‘power’ (even purely physical power) is a compensatory mechanism for seeking security.”

"For example, 'extreme compensatory behavior in response to one's own sense of powerlessness'."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, he chose the 'safest' way to become stronger—pure physical strength. This not only aligns with the reality that he lacks supernatural talents, a fact confirmed by our advisors, but also subtly reflects his subconscious fear of re-exposure to 'that power.' He is arming himself in a way that he can understand and control."

A brief silence fell over the room. On the screen, Hachiman was doing his 427th push-up, his body trembling violently, sweat pooling on the floor.

"So, what's the conclusion?"

Kanda's voice carried a weary tone, as if the dust had settled. "Based on all the data, the target's behavior can be explained as follows: After suffering a major trauma, a drastic psychological change occurred. Driven by extreme anxiety about their own and their family's safety, and a strong aversion to their own 'powerlessness,' they turned to extreme physical training in an attempt to enhance their survival ability in 'abnormal events.' There is no evidence that they possess or use supernatural powers. Although their training methods and intensity are extreme, they are within the realm of human comprehension."

The female analyst continued, her tone indifferent and routine: "The surveillance team recommends that the target's threat level remain at the lowest level (observation level). Given the lack of substantial anomalies and the reasonable psychological motivation behind its behavioral patterns, it is recommended that, as originally planned, real-time monitoring be discontinued after the one-month insurance surveillance period, and transitioned to routine record-keeping and periodic community observation. Resources should be allocated to higher priority targets."

Kanda's gaze finally swept over the screen, landing on the image of the boy who had exhausted his last bit of strength and collapsed on the cold, muddy ground.

That young face showed only the emptiness of exhaustion and the mud stains washed away by sweat; there was no resentment, no anger, only a numb weariness.

He recalled the sunken eyes of the boy's mother and the father's immobile arm from the report.

"agree."

Kanda finally let out a sigh of relief, sinking deeper into his chair, and waved his hand to indicate, "Proceed according to procedure. Finish at the end of the month. Report... just write it like this."

He closed his eyes wearily, as if trying to shut out the heavy breathing of the boy on the screen and the equally suffocating, unsolvable confusion in this secret room.

The funds have been almost exhausted, and the insurance period is almost over. It's not worth wasting any more precious resources on a poor kid who works so hard to get in shape.

In a corner of the abandoned stadium, the cold mud greedily sucked away the last bit of warmth from his body. Hachiman Hikigaya lay there like a lump of mud, his chest heaving violently, each breath accompanied by a burning pain.

Sweat soaked through his body, leaving a dark, damp patch beneath him, clinging to the cold ground, the chill biting to his bones.

A heavy, aching pain shot through my limbs and bones, as if my muscle fibers were being pierced repeatedly by countless tiny needles, and every slight movement was accompanied by excruciating pain.

His arms trembled like withered leaves in the wind, and he had exhausted even the strength to clench his fists.

At the edge of my vision, those few lines of cold system text reappeared faintly:
[Task 1: Standard push-ups, 1000 repetitions (Completion: 1000/1000)]

[Task 2: Standard pull-ups, 1000 repetitions (Completion: 1000/1000)]

[Task 3: Standard long-distance run, 30 kilometers (Completion rate: 30/30km)]

[Basic tasks completed for today. Settlement in progress...]

Physical potential slightly improved (0.05%). Basic strength and resilience slightly improved (0.03%). Endurance threshold slightly improved (0.04%).

[Reward: 100,000 yen]

……

The numbers are so small they're almost ironic, and the process of accumulation is as long as eternity. There are no cheers, no special effects, only a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of "solidity" emanating from deep within the body, and an even clearer, heavier weariness.

(End of this chapter)