"Do not treat me as an experimental subject." Hearing Red Queen's voice, Chen Mo felt a chill down his spine and a strange sense of unease, then responded coldly.
Though Red Queen's projection had disappeared, she could still hear him through the wireless earpiece and surrounding devices.
"Aww, what a pity," came Red Queen's regretful voice through the earpiece.
Chen Mo stood still, eyes fixed ahead, quietly waiting for Zhao Qiang's arrival. The wind blew around him, brushing against his face, lifting his bangs. With his hands behind his back, he looked like an enlightened sage.
His eyes and ears were incredibly sensitive—he could even detect the particles in the air.
About ten seconds later—
Zhao Qiang appeared in the distance, wearing a green military uniform. He was tall and brawny, a faint gleam in his eyes. Looking closely, there was a subtle yet powerful aura around him.
The pressure of his presence was overwhelming.
This kind of aura couldn't be developed without extensive battlefield experience or long-term, high-intensity training.
Maybe this was what novels described as "killing intent."
Without his "Overclock Mode" on, Chen Mo wouldn't have been able to sense this aura at all. But now, though he could feel it clearly, it didn't feel intimidating.
"Boss, I was just patrolling nearby and saw you zoning out. Anything you need?" Zhao Qiang smiled clumsily. His expression was blank, giving off an air of hidden wisdom. But anyone who underestimated him would be making a serious mistake. A retired member of an elite special forces unit, he was skilled in hand-to-hand combat and had once single-handedly taken down a group several times his size. His individual combat abilities were terrifying—on par with or even surpassing some legendary soldiers.
"I do," Chen Mo replied with a faint smile. After taking the NZT drug, he felt overwhelmingly powerful and was eager to test his abilities.
"What do you need?" Zhao Qiang asked softly.
"Let's spar," Chen Mo said, clenching his fists. His joints crackled as his fighting spirit surged.
"Spar with you?" Zhao Qiang blinked, visibly confused.
"That's right."
"Boss, you're not joking, are you?" Zhao Qiang looked skeptically at Chen Mo's frame. While not skinny, it definitely didn't match his own imposing build. Plus, Chen Mo was just a civilian—how could he be a match?
"I'm not joking," Chen Mo said, beckoning with a finger.
"So... you want me to show you a few moves?" Zhao Qiang asked.
"If that's how you want to interpret it, go ahead. But if you come at this half-heartedly, you might be in for a rude awakening."
"Seriously? I'm a trained soldier—it'd be too easy."
"Let's see about that. Enough talk—bring it on."
Chen Mo charged first, fists clenched. With Overclock Mode on, his senses and reflexes were superhuman. Thanks to dynamic vision, Zhao Qiang's movements appeared slow, almost like a snail.
Combine that with enhanced speed and reflexes—
Chen Mo was confident he could dodge any attack. His only weakness was a lack of combat experience. But with the NZT boost, even that could be overcome quickly.
"Boss..." Zhao Qiang began, but Chen Mo's fist was already in his face.
The punch came lightning fast, striking from an odd angle and aiming at a weak spot. Zhao Qiang's pupils contracted as he raised his arms to block.
Smack!
A sharp sound rang out, but Zhao Qiang didn't budge.
Though the angle was tricky, the punch lacked power and technique. It was easy to block.
Chen Mo followed up with a kick—straightforward and unrefined, like a complete novice.
Zhao Qiang leaped back and used the momentum to execute a grappling move, hands swooping in like eagle talons.
Since Chen Mo was his boss, Zhao Qiang held back, aiming to subdue rather than hurt him. He thought his grip would end the match.
But to his shock, Chen Mo evaded effortlessly.
Zhao Qiang's expression shifted.
Chen Mo clearly had no formal training, no real technique, yet his reaction speed was off the charts—even faster than seasoned fighters.
It was... bizarre.
After a few exchanges, Zhao Qiang began to feel the pressure.
Despite his polished combat training and powerful offense, he couldn't even touch Chen Mo. Time and again, it looked like Chen Mo was on the verge of losing—only to recover and keep fighting like an unkillable cockroach.
And then…
Chen Mo started learning.
He was copying Zhao Qiang's grappling techniques. At first clumsy, but quickly improving—adapting and innovating.
Before long, Chen Mo had mastered power generation, military-style punches, and attack patterns.
They were now fighting as equals.
Zhao Qiang was stunned.
"Boss, you really never trained in martial arts?" he asked, rubbing his sore hand after dodging a punch.
"Of course not," Chen Mo said with a smile.
"Then how are you this good?" Zhao Qiang asked, bewildered.
"Didn't I just learn it all from you?"
Chen Mo assumed a combat stance, right foot forward, arms in a military pose brimming with deadly intent, and lunged again.
"..."
"You learned it all from me? Boss, you're a real genius." Zhao Qiang couldn't help but give him a thumbs up. But then, his pride as a warrior reignited. There was no way he'd let a newbie beat him.
"Boss," Zhao Qiang said gravely, "I'm going to get serious now. I've got decades of combat experience. Talent alone can't make up that gap. You'll lose in the end."
"Alright," Chen Mo nodded. "Give me your best."
"I want to find out what my real limits are," he added with a smile. With NZT in his system, he still felt like he was holding back—and had no fear of Zhao Qiang at all.