Chapter 58: Chapter 54: Blood Code Training

Su Mo and KK admired the dreamlike beauty of the sky, drinking and chatting about life until the majestic Sky City disappeared into the clouds.

After breakfast, Su Mo brought KK back to the border, spending 150,000 Moon Coins to have Haywood arrange for KK to have border citizen status, allowing him access to the Inner City.

The next day, Su Mo searched for a few apartment listings located in the “Rust Wall District” using a local rental app, then took KK to the city to check out the places.

When Su Mo used to be alone, he moved easily, able to sleep in hotels, or if money was tight, spend the night on a park bench.

Now with KK around, and a little cash of his own, wandering around wasn’t a good long-term plan; they needed a place to settle.

The Rust Wall District is a “slum” within New Moon City’s Inner City, far from the city center, with inconvenient transportation and a messy environment, inhabited by low-level workers and societal outcasts.

But compared to the chaotic Border District, at least there’s some law and order here.

It’s not particularly stable, but at least there’s no worry about stray bullets from gang fights outside suddenly breaking in while you’re sleeping soundly at home.

Su Mo visited several places and finally chose a detached house with a garage and basement, four rooms, for 15,000 a month, available for short-term monthly rental.

Although such a big house seemed spacious for just the two of them, considering future additions to the team, Su Mo reserved two extra rooms.

In a megacity like New Moon City, with its huge population, everything is expensive, and rental properties are both costly and poor in quality.

The apartment Su Mo rented had only a cupboard and a bed, and utilities were not included; the decor was simple, with not even an air conditioner.

However, KK was overjoyed.

He previously lived under bridge holes with a sleeping bag, exposed to the elements, waking from the heat in summer and the cold in winter, never imagining having a small shelter from the elements.

On moving-in day, KK, having been scared by poverty, felt uneasy about having a place to stay, and offered to handle all the household chores in the future.

Su Mo naturally agreed.

Part of bringing KK into the team was to make amends.

The theft had an unexpected twist, forcing KK to kill Reuben in self-defense, utterly disrupting his previous life; Su Mo needed to take responsibility for that.

Moreover, Su Mo had played the related side quest in the game, understanding KK’s good nature; whether he could take on bigger roles was uncertain, but at least KK was meticulous and skillful, capable of being a small assistant to handle daily chores.

Like cleaning, laundry, cooking, bookkeeping, and shopping.

Don’t underestimate these tasks; they can silently consume a lot of time.

Time is wealth, and with KK taking care of logistics, Su Mo could save at least an hour a day for serious business, which was extremely valuable.

Su Mo settled his luggage in the room and found KK next door: “I transferred several thousand Moon Coins to you; go find someone to renovate a bit, and furnish with necessary items like sofas, TV, and air conditioning.”

KK cautiously asked, “Boss, this is a rented place, spending thousands to renovate and buy furniture—won’t it be too wasteful? Isn’t this just benefiting the landlord?”

Su Mo waved his hand: “Money can be earned again; first make your life comfortable.”

That was a principle Su Mo adhered to even before he crossed over.

It’s not about being extravagant.

But in one’s lifetime, where money can be saved, save it; where spending is needed, don’t hesitate.

After all, one can’t achieve class transcendence by saving money; living a frugal life is pointless—comfort is what matters.

While KK tidied the new home, Su Mo didn’t idle.

Since Audiana hadn’t yet contacted him for commission work, and the odd jobs at the Public Commission Center were pointless, Su Mo finally had time to train his Blood Code.

In a wicked place like New Moon City, the fist was the true principle; he needed enough strength first to acquire what he wanted.

Previously, he obtained the “Crimson Rose” and “Mad Corpse” Blood Codes from Nuobai and Alote, respectively.

Nuobai’s Blood Code was “Promoted High Tier,” and Alote’s was “Mid-tier Ascension,” whereas Su Mo’s two Blood Codes were just at the “Initial Tier of Awakening.”

Just as said before, Blood Codes are like a martial arts manual, and Blood Code carriers are akin to martial artists.

Obtaining a Blood Code is just “beginner’s entry”; advancing Blood Code Ability can only rely on battle and training, there’s no shortcut.

The final level to which a Blood Code can be trained is determined by both talent and diligence.

The top experts have extraordinary talent matched with unimaginable effort.

And the best way to train Blood Code is through actual combat.

To accomplish this, Su Mo specifically returned to the Border District to find Haywood.

…

Haywood fiddled with a tea pet on the coffee table, raising an eyebrow after hearing Su Mo’s request: “What? You want Tank to spar with you?”

Su Mo chuckled: “Don’t say it so crudely, it’s a spar! You know what that means?”

Haywood nodded: “I get your point; you want actual combat to train your Blood Code, right? It’s good that young folks are motivated. But why not use ’Ultra Dream’?”

Su Mo: “You mean the fully immersive virtual reality device that seamlessly integrates with human neural and brainwave signals?”

Haywood: “Yes, plenty of stores sell it. ’Ultra Dream’ can perfectly simulate real sensory experiences and replicate the user’s physical capabilities; many single people use it to solve certain needs… Ahem, even the military uses it to train soldiers.”

Su Mo: “Firstly, I can’t afford it. Secondly, I can’t afford it. Lastly, I can’t afford it.”

Haywood acknowledged: “True, it isn’t cheap… If you want to fight Tank, I have no objections. But let me be clear, medical expenses are on you.”

Su Mo thought: With the healing ability of the Crimson Rose Blood Code, medical expenses are saved.

Of course, though the thought might have crossed his mind, the dual Blood Code is his trump card and won’t be casually revealed.

He would only assume the role of a “Mad Corpse Blood Code carrier” publicly.

As for the Crimson Rose Blood Code, he’d only use it covertly.

Su Mo: “Rest assured, no complaints if something goes wrong during the fight.”

Haywood stood up and headed out: “Then let’s go; I’ll find you an open space… Tank, come, it’s time to fight!”

Hearing that Tank was going to brawl, Haywood’s team gathered to watch the spectacle, with occasional jeers and whistles:

“Go, Tank, flatten this guy!”

“Don’t get it; why would anyone challenge Tank? One swing from Tank could kill a bull.”

“Don’t underestimate the lad; I saw him use the Mad Corpse Blood Code ability last time, he’s surely a formidable opponent.”

Tank and Su Mo stood in an open space, sizing each other up.

Haywood approached Tank and advised: “Just a spar, don’t be too harsh.”

Su Mo raised his hand to stop Haywood, earnestly saying: “No, Tank, fight as you would normally; consider this a real battle, no need to hold back, you can go all out.”

Haywood exasperatedly added: “Just a warning—Tank is rather straightforward minded; if you tell him to go all out, he’ll really try to knock you out.”

Su Mo: “That’s okay; I’ll call it quits if I can’t take it.”

Haywood said no more and retreated to the sidelines.

Su Mo faced his opponent.

Tank stood nearly 3 meters tall, with explosive muscles that almost tore through his enormous vest, like a mountain blocking his way.

Upon meeting Tank for the first time, Su Mo instantly recognized him as a Prosthetic Implanter.

Not like Park Yong-joon, who had only a few parts altered.

Tank’s extraordinary height and physique indicated he was a heavy-duty implanter, having completed “Full Body Prosthetic Replacement.”

This guy’s skin, muscles, blood vessels, bones, organs… they’re probably all prosthetics; he’s practically a machine built for combat!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep