82: Chapter 82 Iron Bear's Challenge 2

The off-road vehicle parked in the courtyard, and Iron Bear jumped down from the car.

It was still that same modified off-road vehicle, and still that two-meter-tall bald giant. But Chen Mo noticed that Iron Bear's aura was different from last time—those golden lines flowed more smoothly within his body, and that faint sense of pressure had grown stronger.

“You’re back?” Chen Mo stood in the courtyard, looking at him.

Iron Bear grinned.

“Last time didn't feel satisfying enough. This time, I want to give it a real try.”

Chen Mo didn't say anything.

In his twenty-second Prediction, Iron Bear's next moves were clearly visible—he would exchange a few pleasantries first, and then strike directly. Just like last time, but faster and more precise.

Iron Bear took a step forward.

“I got rid of that habitual movement,” he said. “Just as you suggested, I've practiced for a long time.”

He clenched his fists.

“Now I want to see if I can trade a few blows with you after making that change.”

Chen Mo looked at him.

The Pupil of the Sequence swept over him—Iron Bear was still E-rank, but the way those golden lines flowed had indeed changed. There was no longer a fixed point of exertion; instead, they were evenly distributed throughout his entire body.

A great deal of progress.

“Come on,” Chen Mo said.

Iron Bear smiled.

He charged forward.

His speed was twice as fast as last time.

A probing left punch.

Chen Mo sidestepped to avoid it.

A heavy right hook.

Chen Mo ducked and avoided it.

A sweeping kick.

Chen Mo jumped up and evaded it.

All three moves missed completely.

But Iron Bear didn't stop.

As soon as he landed, he turned and threw an elbow strike.

Chen Mo took half a step back.

Iron Bear followed up with a knee strike.

Chen Mo shifted his body.

Iron Bear's knee brushed past his clothes.

Seven consecutive moves, all dodged.

Iron Bear stopped, panting heavily.

He looked at Chen Mo with something unidentifiable in his eyes.

“You... how did you do it?”

Chen Mo didn't speak.

He just looked at Iron Bear.

In his twenty-second Prediction, every one of Iron Bear's movements was clear to him. It wasn't that Chen Mo was too fast, but that Iron Bear was too slow.

The gap between A-rank and E-rank couldn't be bridged simply by fixing a habitual movement.

Iron Bear was silent for a few seconds.

Then he laughed.

The smile was very bitter.

“Fine. I understand.”

He turned and walked toward the off-road vehicle.

Chen Mo watched his retreating back.

“Wait.”

Iron Bear stopped in his tracks.

Chen Mo walked over.

“You've made a lot of progress,” he said, “but it's not enough.”

Iron Bear turned around.

“I know.”

Chen Mo looked at him.

“Are you ready for the Memory Corridor?”

Iron Bear was silent for a few seconds.

“No.”

“The things inside are your deepest fears,” Chen Mo said. “If you aren't ready, you will die.”

Iron Bear looked at him.

“Are you ready?”

Chen Mo didn't speak.

He thought of the things he had seen in the Memory Corridor—the Director, Teacher Li, and that 'self'.

Every one of them had nearly made him stop.

But he hadn't.

Because he was Chen Mo.

Iron Bear looked at his expression and understood something.

He nodded.

“I see.”

He got into the car and started the engine.

Chen Mo stood where he was, watching the car.

Just as the off-road vehicle was about to drive out of the courtyard, it suddenly stopped.

Iron Bear pushed open the car door and jumped down.

He ran back to Chen Mo and pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a Metal Badge, about the size of a palm, with a bear's head engraved on it.

It was exactly the same as the logo on Iron Bear's car.

“Take this.” He shoved the badge into Chen Mo's hand.

Chen Mo looked down at the badge.

“What is this?”

“A token,” Iron Bear said. “In the future, if you ever need it, take this and find my people on Highway 17. No matter what it is, they will help you.”

Chen Mo was silent for a few seconds.

“Why give it to me?”

Iron Bear looked at him with a serious gaze.

“Because you saved me. Because you helped me fix that problem. Because...” He paused. “Because you are the strongest person I have ever seen.”

He turned and ran back to the car.

The off-road vehicle roared to life and sped out of the courtyard.

Chen Mo stood there, watching the car disappear from his sight.

The badge in his hand felt heavy.

Lin Wei walked out of the Basement and stood beside him.

“Why did he give you this?”

Chen Mo thought for a moment.

“A favor.”

He put the badge away and turned to walk back into the Basement.

The information on the Betrayers was still spread out on the workbench.

He began to look through it again.

Searching for any possible clues.

About the weaknesses of the will of the ghost realm.

About the method to defeat it.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually darkening.

Ghost Night was coming again.

But Chen Mo wasn't afraid.

Because he was still alive.

Because there were still people willing to help him.

Because he was Chen Mo.

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End of Chapter 82