Winner's Fist

第2話 Be gentle with me tonight

The old jeep sped up noticeably as they hit the road again. Chen Mo checked the map once more and found that there was only one route to the state capital, so there was no worry about getting lost.

"Kid, what would you do if you encountered a beast just now?" the old man asked.

"What else can I do? Run if I can't beat it," Chen Mo replied nonchalantly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. In truth, he secretly hoped for such an encounter, for this kind of battle could only happen in another world.

"Remember, if you encounter a beast, run immediately. You're not their match right now," the old man said seriously, his tone more of a command than a suggestion. Chen Mo paused, seeing the seriousness in his grandfather's eyes, and nodded.

"I know, don’t worry. You've seen my skills in running away," Chen Mo said, thinking of the numerous times he’d been chased by his grandfather around the camp. Initially, he couldn't avoid a beating, but over time, he got better at escaping.

"Hmm, just remember that. This trip to the city, stick close to me and don't wander off. Sometimes the city can be more dangerous than the wild," the old man warned.

Human nature is treacherous, no matter the world, thought Chen Mo.

As time passed, the old jeep finally hit the main road and reached the state capital before sunset. Camping out in the wild without enough strength was extremely dangerous, and many vehicles were waiting to be inspected before entering the city. Chen Mo observed the surroundings, noting that most people on the other vehicles were chatting amongst themselves, their muscular physiques on display, some with scars that looked quite alarming.

"Are all these people wanderers?" he asked.

"Mostly, along with some low-level hunting and bounty groups," the old man replied, not paying much attention to the others as he slowly drove to the checkpoint. The guards checked their luggage and scanned it with some device. After a brief inquiry, they were allowed to pass.

The old jeep parked in a corner of the street. Chen Mo unbuckled the luggage, slung his pack over his back, and followed the old man, ready to find a place to eat.

The sky was completely dark by now, and the streetlights cast a dim glow. There weren't many pedestrians. Near an alley, a provocatively dressed woman leaned against the wall, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other holding a cigarette. As they got closer, Chen Mo could see her heavy makeup and indifferent expression, blowing smoke rings. Noticing Chen Mo's gaze, she smiled seductively and threw him a wink. Chen Mo quickly lowered his head and hurried after his grandfather, passing the woman swiftly.

The old man led Chen Mo to a noodle shop where they ordered two bowls of the cheapest soup noodles. Chen Mo thought they’d look for a cheap inn afterward, but to his surprise, they returned to the car. The old man expertly reclined the seat, took out a piece of clothing to cover himself, and prepared to rest. Chen Mo was stunned. He knew conditions at the camp were tough, but not this tough. It seemed he had to make do with sleeping in the car for the night as well.

Mimicking the old man, Chen Mo reclined his seat and covered himself with his clothes. Fortunately, it was May, so the temperature was comfortable enough. Despite the discomfort, exhaustion from the day's journey and the anticipation of the next day's tasks quickly lulled him to sleep.

At the alley, the heavily made-up woman tossed her cigarette and was about to leave when three men walked in. One, a gaunt man with a lecherous look, pointed her out to the other two.

"Boss, this is the place. What do you think of this woman?" he said, licking his lips and rubbing his hands together, his eyes filled with lust.

"Finally something you did right. Hey, after I have my fun, you'll get your reward," said the muscular, dark-skinned man beside him, eagerly reaching out to grab the woman’s waist. She responded by caressing his chest, unfazed by the trio’s lustful stares.

"Be gentle with me tonight," she purred.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of you," the man said, chuckling, as they led her deeper into the alley.

By morning, the old man was already packing up. Chen Mo stretched and got up, despite the uncomfortable sleep, his excitement left him feeling refreshed. After a quick clean-up, they were ready to set off again.

"You slept too soundly last night. Remember, always stay alert in unfamiliar environments. Danger can strike anytime," the old man warned. Chen Mo felt a shiver, realizing his mistake in relaxing too much in the city, assuming safety with his grandfather around.

He nodded earnestly, acknowledging the lesson.

They grabbed breakfast at a nearby bun shop. Chen Mo noticed several cars speeding out of the city.

"Looks like there’s been another beast attack somewhere. Even the state guards and the academy are mobilized," the old man commented.