Great, we're doomed now!

But this wasn't an attack; it was a retreat—what a disgrace!

After realizing his cowardice, Hungry Wolf felt a wave of shame... but this was an automatic judgment made by his body when facing an opponent he could not defeat, and he himself could not control it.

'How could this be...? I actually... Even my master wouldn't make me cower like this. Who on earth is this?!'

Then he saw the face clearly.

Cold sweat instantly seeped from the hungry wolf's forehead, sliding down his temples:

KING!

The strongest man on earth!

"hiss!"

Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to calm down, Hungry Wolf's lips curled into a seemingly relaxed but actually incredibly forceful smile.

"I never expected to win such a big prize here... Haha!"

His voice was clearly strained, but that was the result of his best efforts to put on an act.

This is the undisputed strongest person. Even though Garou has the determination to overturn the world order, he still doesn't dare to say that he can escape unscathed from King. This is the deterrent power of an S-class hero!

"Ok?"

KING glanced at him, a subtle look of confusion in his eyes.

No, I don't know them!

This made King a little uncomfortable... You see, he was naturally shy and would instinctively get nervous when he met strangers, not to mention that this person was looking at him strangely, as if he was scrutinizing him or being wary.

So he didn't speak or dare to move, fearing he had encountered some dangerous person, which made his facial expression stiff.

But this silence took on a different meaning in the eyes of the hungry wolf:

Immovable as a mountain!

His aura was fully unleashed yet remained completely concealed; all his killing intent and oppressive aura were contained within his body, only leaking out in the instant his eyes met—enough to send chills down one's spine… What a level of mastery this was!

—The hungry wolf marveled inwardly.

He couldn't even sense the other party's murderous intent!

It's as if the person standing in front of you isn't a living person, but a silent volcano, its surface covered with thick snow. Normally, you wouldn't see anything unusual, but no one knows if it will erupt in the next second.

"Winning the lottery?" King blinked when he heard Hungry Wolf's words, as if he had made a connection to something.

So he coughed twice and said, "This is an office, not a department store... You've come to the wrong place."

He was quite certain that Kuse Agency wouldn't hold a lottery, but to Garou, it sounded more like a threat and a warning.

“Ordinary people shouldn’t come to places like this,” King added, worried that the wolf might misunderstand.

An ordinary person?

The hungry wolf's eyes flickered slightly:

Was he implying that I wasn't worthy to stand here?

Does he think the gap between us is too big, that I'm no different from an ordinary person in his eyes, and that I'm not even qualified to make him take action?

hateful!

A surge of pride welled up from the bottom of his heart, overpowering his instinctive fear.

He is a hungry wolf; he will not back down just because his opponent is strong!

"I really didn't expect things to develop this way."

The hungry wolf took a deep breath and slowly assumed a fighting stance: "But since we've run into each other, we have to give it a try."

"what?"

This momentum feels so familiar...

KING frowned slightly as he watched his movements.

This starting stance feels familiar... but it's definitely different!

But that composure and fluidity that emanates from his very being are so similar to Mr. Bongo!

But this wasn't the Flowing Water Rock-Smashing Fist. It was a half-baked imitation, with every detail seemingly deliberately wrong... He himself had studied some of it, so he was certain that Garou's movements were not standard.

KING searched his mind for a moment and suddenly thought of a possibility:

Is this young man here to become an apprentice?

No wonder he came to the agency! After all, Mr. Bang-gu spends most of his time here, except at the dojo!

That master did indeed have many disciples before. Although most of them left for various reasons, the reputation of the Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist still exists, and people come from time to time wanting to become his disciples.

Banggu had a grudge and hadn't taken on any new disciples for a long time. He usually had Chalanzi deal with visitors.

This person is probably one of them, right?

Because I'm not confident I can pass the assessment, I want to come to the firm to test the waters first.

King felt his reasoning was sound and even considered himself quite understanding. He even decided to help the other party out!

"Your stance is wrong. Is this supposed to be the Water Flow Rock Smash Fist? Bang would laugh if he saw it."

KING said in a deep voice, which sounded like a thunderclap in the ears of the hungry wolf.

How did he know I was a traitor to the Flowing Water Rock-Shattering Fist?!

"It's far inferior to the authentic one."

KING's tone was serious, without any hint of sarcasm; he was simply stating a fact, but to Hungry Wolf, it had a different meaning.

"If this is all you're capable of, you'd better give up as soon as possible."

The hungry wolf's pupils contracted slightly...

KING continued, "You could have done better, right?"

He paused, his gaze falling on the hungry wolf for two seconds.

Is this all you have?

"!!!"

The hungry wolf felt as if something suddenly exploded in his head!

Flowing Water Shattering Rock Fist... This is clearly a move he sealed away and never used, an instinct he deliberately suppressed, and a trump card he didn't want anyone to see through.

But King only glanced at his starting stance and understood everything!

What keen insight, what a level of understanding... Is there really such a world of difference?

Hungry Wolf unconsciously recalled a phrase his master would occasionally mention when he was studying at Bangu Dojo:

True masters have returned to simplicity and authenticity, appearing as if they know nothing about martial arts. You can even tell a person's style and skill level just by observing how they walk and the intervals between their breaths.

He used to think it was an exaggeration, a charade, a cliché used by old men to maintain an air of mystery... Now he believes it!

King stood there doing nothing, without deliberately releasing any aura, simply looking at him with his calm eyes, yet he had already seen right through him.

His style, his strength, what he deliberately concealed—everything was laid bare before this man… This feeling of being completely seen through was more despairing than any attack!

Hungry Wolf's legs began to weaken. He considered himself a rare martial arts genius, and even if there were those stronger than him, he would eventually surpass them. But today... he finally saw the "end of martial arts"!

Is its focus really on despair...?

"I!"

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but his throat felt like it was blocked by something, and he couldn't make a sound.

He tried to maintain that starting stance, but his fingertips were trembling slightly, and the muscles in his arms were too tense, losing their proper flexibility.

He hasn't even made a move yet, but his moves already seem "outdated," which would practically be considered a loss in an official match.

He suddenly realized that his understanding of King had already begun to crumble even before the fight had started... There was no way he could win like this.

He considered himself a hunter, whose chances of winning against the strong were slim, but he believed he had the courage to fight anyone he faced.

But King only needed three sentences to break his fighting spirit!

boom!

Hungry Wolf collapsed in an almost humiliating manner, his hands braced on the ground as he angrily swung his fists repeatedly, leaving cracks all over the concrete floor.

Ugh? !

King was startled when he saw the stranger suddenly kneeling down in front of him, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.

Is this because... I went too far, and I gave up as a result?

No, actually I meant to say that your posture is not quite right, and I can help you correct it, and then demonstrate it to Mr. Bang... Oh dear!

"Indeed, as a traitor... I don't want to use the secret techniques I've learned anymore!"

However, even so, I will see my principles through to the end!

The hungry wolf's fists were clenched tightly, his fingertips digging deep into his palms. The hesitation and fear in his eyes were gone, replaced by a resolute determination to burn his bridges.

King felt a pang of panic as he looked at him... He realized that his words had been too hurtful, pushing the man to this point.

A young man comes to learn martial arts with great enthusiasm, only to be told that he is "far from good enough" and "only at this level"—anyone would be discouraged in that situation, right?

This guy probably thinks that since there's no hope of becoming an apprentice, he's just given up and wants to force his way to Master Banggu. The success rate is very low, and he's more likely to get beaten up... Oh well, let's help him out. He's such a good young man!

"Um, please don't do this." KING quickly waved his hand, his tone filled with obvious guilt.

"It's okay if you don't have much talent; you can still succeed as long as you work hard. I'm not saying you can't do it, I'm just saying your current posture is wrong. I know a little about martial arts, so I can help you check it out..."

"Don't try to comfort me!"

The hungry wolf raised its head, and the flames in its eyes burned even brighter.

"I know I will lose! But if I don't even have the courage to stand in front of you, I will never forgive myself in this lifetime!"

Even if I die, I will do it willingly... Please advise!

When he said "Please advise me," his tone was exceptionally serious, and he looked directly at KING.

The otaku's mind went blank!

"Advice?" What do you mean? Why are you coming at me?