62: Chapter 62 Iron Bear's Challenge

When returning to the Farmhouse, there was an unfamiliar vehicle parked in the yard.

It was an off-road vehicle, modified, with the body covered in mud splatters and bullet holes. A bear-head emblem was painted on the door; it was Iron Bear's people.

Chen Mo parked the pickup truck and pushed the door open to step out.

A man was standing in the yard.

He was over two meters tall, bald, and his muscles stretched his clothes tight.

It was Iron Bear himself.

Seeing Chen Mo, he grinned.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Chen Mo looked at him.

"What is it?"

"I heard you were promoted to A-rank." Iron Bear took a step forward. "I want to test it out."

Chen Mo did not speak.

Iron Bear continued to walk forward.

"Last time at the Trading Post, you were too fast, and I didn't react in time." He clenched his fists. "This time, I want to have a serious fight."

Chen Mo looked at him.

Pupil of the Sequence swept over him—Iron Bear was still E-rank, but the golden lines on his body were much thicker than before, nearing the edge of a Breakthrough.

"Don't use your ability," Iron Bear said. "I won't use mine either. Let's just fight with fists and kicks."

Chen Mo was silent for a few seconds.

Then he nodded.

"Alright."

The two walked to the center of the yard and stood facing each other.

Lin Wei leaned against the pickup truck, watching them.

Iron Bear got into a stance, his fists clenched tight.

"Come on."

Chen Mo did not move.

He just looked at Iron Bear.

In his ten-second Prediction, Iron Bear's next moves were clearly visible—

He would first throw a left jab to test the waters, follow up with a right cross, and finally strike with his knee.

Just like last time.

But this time, Chen Mo did not dodge in advance.

He waited.

Iron Bear charged over.

Left jab.

Chen Mo dodged to the side.

Right punch.

Chen Mo ducked to avoid it.

Knee strike.

Chen Mo stepped back half a step.

All three moves missed.

Exactly the same as last time.

Iron Bear stopped.

He stared at Chen Mo, something unreadable in his eyes.

"You knew what I was going to throw?"

Chen Mo did not speak.

Iron Bear was silent for a few seconds.

Then he smiled.

That smile was complicated—like helplessness, yet also like admiration.

"Fine. I concede."

He dropped his stance and turned to walk toward the off-road vehicle.

Chen Mo looked at his back.

"Wait."

Iron Bear stopped.

Chen Mo walked over.

"Your evolution has a flaw."

Iron Bear was stunned for a moment.

"What?"

Chen Mo pointed at his chest.

"Every time before you throw a punch, your chest tightens first. It's a habitual movement; you might not even know it yourself. But as long as someone sees it, they can make a Prediction of your punch."

Iron Bear looked down at his own chest.

"How come I don't feel it?"

"Because it's subconscious," Chen Mo said. "You've practiced boxing for too long; your body has memorized a fixed way of exerting force."

He paused.

"If you want to achieve a Breakthrough past E-rank, you have to break this habit."

Iron Bear was silent for a long time.

Then he raised his head and looked at Chen Mo.

There was no more hostility in his eyes, only something... complicated.

"Why would you tell me this?"

Chen Mo did not answer.

He turned and walked back to the pickup truck.

Iron Bear stood in place, watching his back.

For a very, very long time.

Then he spoke.

"Chen Mo."

Chen Mo stopped.

"I'll remember this favor."

Chen Mo did not speak.

He sat in the driver's seat and closed the door.

Lin Wei got into the passenger seat.

The pickup truck started up and drove out of the yard.

In the rearview mirror, Iron Bear was still standing there, looking in the direction they had left.

Lin Wei looked at Chen Mo.

"Why did you help him?"

Chen Mo was silent for a few seconds.

"Because he is not an enemy."

Lin Wei was stunned for a moment.

"Just because of that?"

Chen Mo did not answer.

He just looked at the road ahead.

In this world, there are too many enemies and too few friends.

Having one less enemy means one more chance to survive.

The pickup truck drove along the gray road.

The sky was gradually darkening.

Ghost Night was coming again.

But Chen Mo was not afraid.

He had his ability, he had his friends, and he had a reason to go on living.

That was enough.