Chapter 96: A Mirage of Power

Within the Military squad, Wang Yangping frowned, clearly not expecting Yenir to be this inept.

Everyone had finished their fight—except for Yenir, who still hadn’t sealed his own deal.

Even though there were two slackers in his team, as a Third-Stage, shouldn’t he at least be able to hold his own?

His strength and speed were, by all appearances, no better than those of the Second-Stage fighters in his own group.

“Captain Wang, the more I watch him, the more I think he’s just faking it…”

Behind Wang Yangping, a sword-wielding Third-Stage Awakened stared in exasperation at Yenir’s constant dodging. Growing impatient, he was ready to strike.

His eyes flickered as he listened to his comrade’s doubts, and even Wang Yangping began to question his earlier judgment.

“His combat skills are actually pretty decent—solid even by Third-Stage standards.”

“And his timing is spot on. This is exactly the kind of strategy you’d use against higher-stage foes.”

“His reflexes are incredible, something even Second-Stage fighters rarely manage…”

After these matter-of-fact remarks, Wang Yangping carefully observed and fairly described what he’d seen.

“But…”

“What about his skills?”

His eyes deepened in thought.

Although he doubted Yenir’s abilities, he couldn’t understand why anyone would risk their life faking a Third-Stage. Battling Second-Stage enemies might be manageable, but on the 14th Floor, one must face true Third-Stage combat. Even if Yenir could bluff for a while, sooner or later his disguise would crumble—and cost him dearly!

After a brief hesitation, Colonel Wang Yangping wasn’t willing to reverse his conclusion.

“With such low strength and speed… could he be forcing a boost with a B-level talent to double his attributes?”

“And withholding his skills because his willpower is too weak, saving his critical moves for last?”

Intriguing. If Yenir were truly Third-Stage, he’d be the worst case in that class. Who knows how someone with such talent slipped through?

Listening to his explanation, the others found a strange logic in it.

Unlike the patient Military members, a shield-wielding burly fighter—already suspicious of Yenir—erupted in curses:

“If you’re not Third-Stage, stop pretending! I knew something was off with you from the start!”

“If you can’t beat them, hand it over to us! Damn, you’re so useless yet stubborn—it’s like you’re begging for death!”

As he spoke, Huang Kai shifted restlessly, ready to lead his squad in a charge.

In a world ruled by strength, not only did he look down on Yenir, but he also noted that the prolonged struggle had nearly drained the Blood Corpse’s life. Snatching the finishing blow would be effortless—and the credit would be his. How could that not be tempting?

No one stepped in to stop him.

Many recognized Huang Kai’s plan, but it wasn’t their concern.

Instead, several bystanders watched with keen interest, curious about how Yenir would handle the situation.

If this kid really wasn’t Third-Stage, then they were in for a real show.

“Tsk!”

After thrusting his sword into the chest of the Blood Corpse, Yenir felt a sudden surge of murderous intent. He had noticed the stocky Third-Stage doubting him while trying to grab an easy kill.

He’d indeed wasted too much time. Any further delay might let his opponent interfere—and spark an exchange of sword skills.

A thought flashed in his mind.

Seeing that the Blood Corpse could barely defend its two heads, Yenir decided not to expend any more energy.

Every muscle tensed.

After mentally anticipating the Blood Corpse’s next move, Yenir’s eyes hardened. Without a moment’s hesitation, he charged straight ahead.

“Bang!”

A crimson shield flashed into existence, deflecting one blow as his skills burst forth in dazzling light.

“Thrust!”

“Leg Strike!”

“Thunder Dash!”

In one flurry, all his equipped skills erupted. Under the instant acceleration of Thunder Dash and accompanied by roaring thunder, Yenir surged like a phantom straight for the Blood Corpse’s head.

A flash of red light appeared. Empowered by the Blood-Breaking Leg Armor, a swift Leg Strike shattered the outer head of the Blood Corpse before crashing into its second head with brutal force.

“Bang! Bang!”

With the skull exploding and recoil propelling him, Yenir leaped like a ghost onto the creature’s back.

Sword shadows flared; a lightning-quick sword thrust coupled with a fiery strike viciously decimated the last head.

At the same time, a short dagger—perfectly aimed and controlled by his mental force—sliced out at a cunning angle, pinching the monster from both sides and piercing straight through its brain.

“Tsk! Boom!”

Like a burst tomato, the already weakened Blood Corpse was instantly finished. As shattered skull fragments and spattered, tainted blood filled the air, Yenir ended the fight, drifting slowly to the ground.

“Plop.”

The corpse collapsed.

Not far off, Huang Kai, who had been poised for an easy kill, stared in shock at the slain Blood Corpse, his face contorting in dismay.

“So now you’re willing to use your skills?”

“Isn’t that just slapping your own face?”

Recalling Yenir’s relentless assault, the stocky fighter’s cheeks twitched before he said nothing more.

His earlier disdain softened, if only slightly.

That combo attack certainly suggested a hint of Third-Stage prowess. Though its power was a bit underwhelming, it did slay the creature.

“Hmph.”

Eyeing the blood-soaked Yenir and knowing an easy kill was out of the question, Huang Kai snorted coldly and declared:

“Kid, you sure let off a lot of skills just now.”

“Using so many now—how do you expect to handle the 14th Floor later?”

After that, he turned to the two people standing behind Yenir:

“Hey, you two rookies.”

“You’ve seen his power. Even if he’s Third-Stage, he’s at the bottom of that class. If you don’t want to end up dead, there’s still time to join me.”

“I’ll take 70% of the loot—think it over.”

Feeling that he had lost face, Huang Kai was eager to redeem himself. Although more members meant a smaller share, he still coveted the rewards from the 7th Floor.

Joining him wouldn’t be a loss.

Behind Yenir, Li Ke and the Middle-Aged Man exchanged hesitant glances.

They realized that Yenir’s power was indeed subpar, but 70%…

If they switched to Huang Kai now, it would be a slap in Yenir’s face. After a brief internal struggle, both decided to stay put.

Unnoticed by the others, as Yenir watched Huang Kai storm off in anger, his eyes grew even colder.

People doubting his Third-Stage prowess was normal, but Yenir didn’t mind—after all, he was just faking it.

Yet repeated provocations to sabotage his dungeon run were too much.

A quiet laugh escaped him as he considered his foe a dead man. Besides, fretting over his lack of Credit Points, he welcomed any challenge.

….

Within the Military squad, after seeing Yenir finally dispatch the Blood Corpse, Wang Yangping said nothing more—simply waving calmly:

“Alright, that’s enough. Once finished, move on to the next floor.”

“We’ll regroup after the 14th Floor.”

After his words, he gave Yenir a measured glance, a trace of doubt flickering in his eyes.

Hidden by his gear, he couldn’t tell if Yenir had relied on equipment or his own skills. Although Yenir barely qualified as Third-Stage, something felt off. At true Third-Stage, spiritual power transforms and skills grow exponentially stronger.

In his view, the technique Yenir used against the Blood Corpse seemed more like an effect of his equipment…

Could it be? A kid who isn’t even Third-Stage carrying top-tier gear…? Relying on equipment to prop up his strength?

Shaking his head, Wang Yangping dismissed the absurd notion, chalking it up to Yenir’s low spiritual reserves—he just couldn’t afford to use much.

“But the range of skills he’s learned is all over the place…”