Chapter 41: Is It Fake?

The combat simulation chamber aboard the Taurus-class transport ship was built to be exceptionally sturdy. In all six directions—front, back, left, right, above, and below—energy shields could be generated to withstand any energy fluctuations at Class C or below, ensuring that even the fiercest battles wouldn’t harm innocents.

Each simulation chamber was equipped with a space expansion device, creating an independent space inside: two hundred meters in length and width, yet occupying only the volume of an ordinary room within the ship itself.

Inside the chamber, the two teams stood at opposite ends. On one side were the members of the Berserker Bear Hunters: Captain Mitchel Fran and Vice-Captain Yordan Piris, a Class D martial artist and a Class D magus, respectively.

On the other side stood Han Feng and Tifa.

Anyone with a keen eye could see this was a contest between two hunter groups—or more precisely, Mitchel Fran of the Berserker Bears was using this as an excuse to deliberately provoke trouble, hoping to lord it over Han Feng’s team for the sake of pride.

Having spent years navigating interstellar society, Mitchel Fran was no fool driven by base instincts. There was a matter of interest at stake here as well.

Han Feng’s Blazing Sword Hunters had only just been founded. There were just two members, but both were Class D superhumans. Their rank was not high, but they were among the standard fighting forces of superhumans. Even a mid-sized group like the Berserker Bear Hunters only had their captain at Class B, several vice-captains at Class C, with Class D superhumans forming the backbone, followed by some Class E fighters and elite ordinary soldiers.

Except for particularly important missions, the captain and vice-captains were rarely involved in day-to-day operations. For regular escort tasks, it was always a Class D superhuman leading the team. In this sense, the newly-formed Blazing Sword Hunters were natural competitors—after all, high-value escort assignments were rare, and most business revolved around regular cargo.

With this mission under their belt, if Han Feng and Tifa could prove their strength and recruit a few more capable members, they would quickly become the Berserker Bear Hunters’ most direct rivals. Their team was new and in need of clients, and if they managed a successful, pleasant collaboration with Shuntu Logistics, they’d likely start drawing business away from the Berserker Bears.

The Berserker Bear Hunters might be partners of Shuntu Logistics, but like any proper hunter group or business, they faced pressure and competition from all sides.

Their operations covered a broad market, and naturally, their service sometimes slipped, and their prices were not cheap. In contrast, the newly-established Blazing Sword Hunters would undoubtedly offer more competitive rates and more dedicated service, which meant they could easily carve out a share of the market in routine cargo escort.

This was not an outcome the Berserker Bear Hunters wanted. Their enterprise was vast, and every stream of steady revenue was important. It was only natural, then, that they saw the Blazing Sword Hunters as potential competition, and wanted to assert their superiority so that Shuntu Logistics would know who was truly dependable.

Of course, with Mitchel Fran’s arrogant and petty personality, he was hardly one to put collective interests first—he cared mainly for himself. Having risen in rank after the loss of several capable members, he now enjoyed greater benefits; if the group’s overall earnings shrank, it would be his own pocket that suffered, and he was determined not to let that happen.

Vice-Captain Yordan Piris, on the other hand, was a shrewd man who did consider the bigger picture, and it was under his instigation that they undertook this action.

Their reasoning was sound, but clearly, they were overthinking it—Han Feng had never intended to build his career on escort jobs. His only concern was completing his main quest with the highest possible rating.

“Hey, blondie, I’ve got a contract here for you to sign—about our wager today.” Han Feng stood there at ease, sending an electronic contract to Mitchel Fran’s personal comm device. He’d drafted it on the way and had already had it notarized by the Bounty Hunter Guild.

“There’s no need for that. The Berserker Bear Hunters always keep their word,” Mitchel Fran replied, chin raised. “When you lose, you’re ours to deal with as we see fit.”

“That’s fine, but sign it anyway—what if you try to back out? Or are you afraid you’ll lose to us?” Han Feng retorted with disdain.

“Impossible. We will never lose,” Mitchel Fran declared proudly.

“Then sign it.” Han Feng grinned, his smile radiant—he could already see the glittering credits.

“Fine, I’ll sign.” Mitchel Fran scrawled his name on the contract and added his iris imprint.

“Hey, Fran, our team doesn’t have that much money,” Yordan whispered to Mitchel Fran.

“Doesn’t matter. We won’t lose. And if, by some chance, we do, I’ll cover it myself.” Mitchel Fran was supremely confident. His family was affluent; twenty million credits was nothing to him.

Seeing the contract signed, Han Feng was overjoyed—this money was as good as his, and he’d soon have enough for another round of premium draws! With a wager notarized by the Bounty Hunter Guild, no hunter would dare renege; those who did never met a good end.

“Captain, who should I take on?” Tifa asked, itching for action—she was eager to test her new gear.

“No need. Just watch—I’ll handle this.” Han Feng motioned for Tifa to stay behind him, shielding her with his body.

“All right, since you’re so eager for a beating, let’s get started. No need to waste time; you two can come at me together.” Han Feng beckoned with a taunting gesture.

No sooner had Han Feng spoken than jeers erupted outside the simulation chamber.

“What arrogance!”

“Does he even know his place? Captain Fran, show them what’s what!”

“Go, Captain Fran! Twist that brat’s head off and use it for a ball!”

Even Sun Fei shook her head, murmuring to Xing Jun, “Ha, didn’t expect someone even more arrogant than Fran. Fran’s still a D+ martial artist—not someone you deal with easily. Maybe I misjudged that guy.”

Xing Jun merely smiled, remaining silent.

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Let me take care of you.” Yordan, a Class D magus specializing in summoning magic, stepped forward.

Yordan gestured in the air, murmuring arcane incantations. His magic tome floated up before him, pages fluttering rapidly. A blue hexagram appeared beneath his feet, and by his side, a dimensional gate materialized—a portal to the summoning plane.

From the gateway came a chorus of snarls, and a majestic giant wolf appeared in full view. The creature stood two and a half meters tall, its three eyes gleaming with savage intelligence as it fixed its gaze on Han Feng, like a predator eyeing its prey.

“It’s the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf! The vice-captain summoned a Class D beast!”

“Ha, now it’s three against two. They’re finished.”

The onlookers had barely finished speaking when the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf let out a piercing howl and bounded forward at full speed. It was a hunter by nature, adept at striking swiftly, intent on tearing its prey to pieces.

Han Feng darted forward as well, a blur of shadow.

A Class D Three-Eyed Demon Wolf was already a minor lord in its own realm, a creature with territory and vassals—a majesty not to be challenged. Suddenly, it spat out a blade of wind aimed at Han Feng as he ran.

Han Feng shifted his weight and easily dodged the wind blade. He launched a kick at the oncoming wolf’s paw, then reached out and seized the beast’s throat, squeezing hard and slamming it down with brutal force.

With overwhelming strength, the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf could do nothing as Han Feng pounded it into the floor. Then, with a heavy punch to the skull, the wolf whimpered once and moved no more.

The crowd that had been shouting moments before fell into stunned silence.

“This has to be a joke…”