A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1461 - 988: The Test Begins

Chapter 1461: Chapter 988: The Test Begins

The new trial, the new world.

For Duanmu Huai, this wasn’t surprising; it’s just that this time’s mission instance... hmm, was a bit of a tough one.

"Why do I have to do such boring stuff?"

Standing on the sports field, watching the students running their laps, Duanmu Huai silently sighed.

After activating the enhancement mission, Duanmu Huai was teleported into a new world instance, but this world left him speechless. He originally thought it would be a war-ridden world filled with smoke and flames, yet to his surprise, he was sent to a peaceful world!

Well, at least it appeared peaceful enough.

In this world, Duanmu Huai’s identity was designated by the system as a P.E. teacher—which made sense. Considering his age, it was impossible for him to be a student, so he could only play the role of a teacher.

Currently, Duanmu Huai was hired as a P.E. teacher at Private Horse King Academy. Naturally, his body frame and appearance, coupled with his habit of always wearing sunglasses, had caused many people to avoid him with respect.

But Duanmu Huai wasn’t concerned about that. What he was focused on now was how to complete this enhancement mission.

Duanmu Huai could confirm that he currently possessed 15 chess pieces in total. Excluding the "King" piece he had already fused with, the remaining chess pieces included the "Queen," "Archbishop," "Knight," "Castle," and "Soldier."

Among them, the enhancement for the lowest-ranking "Soldier" was also the weakest.

The "Castle" had strong Attack and Defense capabilities.

The "Knight" possessed the fastest speed.

The "Archbishop" wielded powerful Magic.

The "Queen" included all of the above enhancements.

Leaving the Soldier aside for now, Duanmu Huai had clear targets to turn into his followers—three individuals to be precise.

First was Mary—her Golden Pupil was the most potent ability, but she herself was just an ordinary person, with minimal enhancements. Even if she learned Magic, there would be no significant change to her physical qualities. Hence, Duanmu Huai planned to give her the "Queen" piece—after all, all-around enhancement would be the most beneficial for Mary.

Next would be Aikute. Her tactical skill as a Commander was top-notch, but she herself was pitifully weak. Duanmu Huai wouldn’t want her to end up like Yang Weili someday, unlucky enough to be assassinated by crazed Cultists. Therefore, giving Aikute a "Castle" piece to boost her Defense was the best option.

Finally, there was Ling’Nu... Duanmu Huai rarely brought her along on trips. Mainly due to her weak abilities, Ling’Nu was prone to drawing trouble in chaotic areas where Demons and Devils ran amok. However, her abilities as a Female Ninja were top-tier. Hmm... in Duanmu Huai’s opinion, assigning her the "Knight" piece to enhance speed and reflexes was the optimal choice.

After all, Ling’Nu was already walking the high-speed, high-damage line of the Assassin’s Court, so she might as well continue down that path.

These chess pieces could, of course, be used on Soul Cards like Ogis and Ann, but Soul Cards could be retrieved from graves, whereas ordinary individuals like Mary would be truly dead if something happened... Therefore, Duanmu Huai decided to prioritize fixing weak points first. If there were any leftover pieces, he’d strengthen others afterward.

Especially things like the "Archbishop" piece, which boosted Magic Power. If given to Ann, it was hard to predict what might happen...

Duanmu Huai was actually itching to find out immediately, but alas... he couldn’t test it yet!

Although after arriving in this world, the system granted Duanmu Huai a special feature that allowed him not only to summon Soul Cards but also to summon members of the Tribunal, this feature and the chess pieces were currently sealed. That meant Duanmu Huai needed to complete the first stage mission to unlock one chess piece and summon one person.

The problem Duanmu Huai faced now was...

Where was the mission?

Surely it wasn’t just to teach classes every day and win some Best Teacher award?

Though technically speaking, he wasn’t holding his breath for that anyway.

"Ugh..."

After finishing a day’s teaching, Duanmu Huai left the school yawning. The job was quite relaxed. Unlike P.E. teachers in China who were often weak and frail, giving their class periods away to core subjects, here in Japan... Well, physical education was just about exercising and doing some calisthenics.

Of course, if Duanmu Huai had to mention the sole benefit, it would be that there were more than enough pretty girls at this school. It was said to have been an all-girls school before transitioning into a co-ed one, so girls greatly outnumbered boys. But that had nothing to do with Duanmu Huai—he wasn’t the kind of guy who was popular with girls anyway.

Forget the girls; even the boys trembled and fled at the sight of Duanmu Huai.

So yeah, men nowadays... really have no spine, a bunch of useless cowards.

"Yaaahhh———!"

Suddenly, as Duanmu Huai wandered the streets, a scream echoed. A black-haired girl dashed out of a nearby alley, running straight toward him. Startled upon seeing Duanmu Huai, she hesitated briefly before ducking behind him.

"Please, sir, help me! I’m being chased..."

Before the black-haired girl could finish speaking, several men dressed like thugs emerged from the alley. Spotting Duanmu Huai standing beside the girl, they froze momentarily, then instinctively stopped in their tracks.

"You..."

"Scram!"

Not bothering with the idiots, Duanmu Huai shot them a cold glare and roared. His shout scared the thugs so much that their faces turned pale. Without even daring to utter a threatening word, they fled like rats.

"Phew..."

Only then did the black-haired girl breathe a sigh of relief. She bowed respectfully to Duanmu Huai.

"Thank you for stepping up to help..."

"Don’t mention it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

Duanmu Huai waved casually, intending to leave. But the black-haired girl hurriedly ran forward, blocking his path.

"Um... that... please allow me to repay you!"

"Repay?"

"Yes, if not for you, I might have faced something terrible. So... please let me invite you to my home as a guest!"

"Hmm..."

Staring at the girl in front of him, Duanmu Huai was silent for a moment.

"Lead the way."

"Alright, please follow me."

At Duanmu Huai’s response, the black-haired girl revealed a bright smile before turning around and leading the way for him.

Guided by the black-haired girl, the two walked out of the city to a rundown church nearby.

"This is your home?"

Duanmu Huai asked while looking at the church before him. The black-haired girl bashfully nodded.

"I’m staying here temporarily. Please, come in."

As she spoke, the black-haired girl pushed open the church doors, leading Duanmu Huai inside.

The entire church was deserted; it appeared to be just an ordinary structure. Hands in pockets, Duanmu Huai lazily examined his surroundings as he followed her to the altar. The black-haired girl then halted.

"I apologize, sir. There’s one more thing I’d like to request of you."

"What is it?"

"It’s simple."

While speaking, the black-haired girl turned her head—her expression transforming into something sinisterly seductive.

"I need you to die!"

The instant her words fell, a pair of jet-black wings suddenly unfolded from her back. Simultaneously, her right hand extended, summoning a spear of condensed light that shot straight toward Duanmu Huai’s heart!

Despite the ambush, Duanmu Huai remained unfazed. With a furious shout, he clenched his fist and struck forward!

"Boom!"

His punch collided with the girl’s light spear, generating a violent shockwave. With a screech, the spear shattered, and the girl was blasted away like a projectile, slamming heavily into the altar.

"You... How is this possible..."

Having shed her innocent facade entirely, the black-haired girl now looked terrified, glaring at Duanmu Huai with wide eyes. Seeing her reaction, Duanmu Huai sneered coldly.

"What? Surprised? Did you really think I wouldn’t see through your ploy?"

He sighed inwardly—come on, he was perfectly aware of his own qualities. Let’s face it: under normal circumstances, any sane girl choosing between him and thugs would obviously opt for the thugs. Even if on the off chance she sought his help, once saved, the first move should be expressing gratitude and then leaving. Who’d immediately invite him to their home?

Especially when Duanmu Huai wasn’t some devastatingly handsome guy but rather resembled a Yakuza boss.

This black-haired girl’s antics were pure theatrics—something was definitely off!

So he’d played along to see if it triggered any missions. Well, judging by results... It seemed he’d hit the mark?

"I didn’t expect you to possess such immense Strength. Looks like I underestimated the Divine Artifact residing within you..."

The black-haired girl, having abandoned any pretense, stood up once more, glaring coldly at Duanmu Huai. She snapped her fingers, and within moments, dozens of figures clad in black robes resembling Cultists swarmed forward, encircling Duanmu Huai.

"Oh ho..."

Duanmu Huai clenched his fists, narrowing his eyes.

"I don’t know who you people are, but if you’re looking to pick a fight, you definitely messed with the wrong guy!"

"Kill him!"

At the woman’s command, the Cultists drew shining Lightsabers and stormed toward Duanmu Huai.

"What’s this? Jedi cosplay?"

Unperturbed by the glowing blades converging from all directions, Duanmu Huai tightened his fists, letting out a thunderous roar.

"Then die!"

"—————Boom!!"

As his shout echoed, a tempestuous shockwave exploded from Duanmu Huai’s body, sending the advancing Cultists flying. A massive quake followed, shattering the dilapidated church’s floor. The earth trembled as the structure swayed perilously on the brink of collapse.

"Ugh... What kind of Strength is this?"

The black-haired girl flapped her wings to retreat, staring at the dust and raging winds with apprehension. Moments later, Duanmu Huai emerged from the chaos, his figure now clad entirely in Power Armor. Gripping a War Hammer, crimson light flared from his helmet, locking onto the girl.

"What... That’s your Divine Artifact? How could such a thing exist..."

Her expression shifted dramatically upon seeing the Power Armor. Frantically, she flapped her wings, attempting to escape. But before she could take flight, Duanmu Huai lunged forward, swinging his War Hammer mercilessly at her!