She's got a psychological issue!
As a doctor, Xiang Nan could see at a glance that something was very off about Manman's mental state—like a different personality had seized control. If it were a normal brain disease, then after her soul crossed into this new body, that illness would've vanished on its own. But if it was a psychological-level "soul sickness," it'd be a whole different story.
"Her moves are really sharp."
Xiang Nan wore a serious expression for a few seconds, but then he broke into a smile again.
Apparently, he'd misunderstood the girl. She hadn't been deliberately faking her timid act around him—she really was sick. Once another personality emerged, Manman's "true" power as a player finally manifested. That explained why he'd found her so weak. She basically had another "account" hidden in the same body.
Honestly, Xiang Nan was a bit shocked; that slash she pulled off just now was faster and more powerful than anything he himself could unleash.
"But...it doesn't look like an official 'style' of martial arts. She's just using pure instinct. She can't even think logically in this state—so is it some inborn savagery?" he wondered, studying the girl.
In the field, Manman—still muttering like she was in a trance—zigzagged unsteadily toward the remaining opponent. Her abrupt transformation had left him dumbfounded. Then, just before the man could decide whether to attack, the transformed Manman—her petite frame crouched low—suddenly dashed out in a posture that defied normal biomechanics.
Seeing that, the Kengan player roared, launching a high roundhouse. He was shouting to amp his spirit—and also because he felt an immense threat from the girl. He was clearly using a practiced kicking technique. His long legs kicked out rapid "spring-like" strikes, preventing the knife-wielding Manman from closing in.
Every one of Manman's attacks was an all-out lunge, unbelievably fast. That forced her body into midair repeatedly, retaining huge momentum. Yet each time the man's leg strike was about to connect, she dodged at the last moment. When she landed, she instantly shifted position, finding his blind spot perfectly. It was astounding how she could "break" inertia mid-flight—like she had monstrous core strength.
But Xiang Nan could tell her actual body wasn't that sturdy, so it must've been something else. Some primal, reflex-level control over each muscle fiber?
"She's forcibly halting her momentum in mid-move? That calls for insane muscle power, but her body isn't that strong. Once this other personality takes over, it's like she has 100% control of every inch of flesh," Xiang Nan mused, eyes flashing.
Unless it was some sort of innate animal instinct, he couldn't explain such a phenomenon. A normal fighter trying to replicate that midair shift would need perfect real-time calculations, intimately aware of every aspect of their own body, environment, and target. It was too complicated for rational thought. Yet this girl did it purely on "instinct."
Xiang Nan found it magical indeed. Even if he tried to replicate it—without using Nen—he wouldn't manage such unnatural, physics-defying movements.
"What sort of sin did you commit to end up in Hell with a soul like that?" he mused.
Anyway, the outcome seemed settled. Manman's movement felt effortless, whereas her opponent—after spending so much energy in that frantic, full-power offense—was breathing heavily, slowing down. Each of her feints forced him to respond with everything he had. Such intensity meant he couldn't keep it up forever. Less than two minutes later, his motions grew imprecise and slowed just a hair. But for Manman, in that perfect "bestial" mode, it was all she needed. To her eyes, that subtle opening was magnified infinitely.
Swish!
Lightly, the girl landed again, cat-like. Her knife flashed across the man's neck. Next moment, his severed head dropped to the grass.
"So sorry—looks like I won,"
Xiang Nan remarked calmly from where he'd been observing by the fence. Then he turned to Jer, who stood white-faced at his side. Xiang Nan sounded a bit regretful.
Whoosh!
No reply—Jer abruptly spun, trying to flee with all his strength. He figured he had virtually no chance, but he refused to be taken without a fight. No player would willingly submit to execution.
Xiang Nan simply watched Jer sprint off, covering dozens of meters in seconds, but didn't move. Somehow a Jenny coin had appeared between Xiang Nan's thumb and index finger. With a flick of his finger, the coin—enhanced by Nen—shot forward at terrifying speed, slicing the air like a bullet.
Bang!
Already far away, Jer's skull erupted in a spray of blood from the back of his head, and he toppled forward, tumbling along the ground.
[Ding! Congratulations, players. You have successfully protected this world's resources, eliminating the intruders.]
[The Extinction Game is now grading both players' performances…]
[Player 1 receives 89 points, rating: Excellent.]
[Player 2 receives 62 points, rating: Average.]
The system's voice echoed.
Xiang Nan didn't even open his panel to check it. He stepped into the ranch instead.
By now, with no opponents left, Manman stood alone, knife still dripping blood, like a machine that had lost its signal. As Xiang Nan approached, she seemed to "power on" again, her dull eyes drifting up to him under her bangs.
"Don't kill me…
"Don't kill me…"
Acting as though he sensed no threat from her, Xiang Nan wore a stony expression, making direct eye contact.
"Don't move," he said softly. "If you so much as make any rash move, or piss me off the slightest…"
"I'll kill you."
His tone carried utter indifference and bone-deep menace. He wasn't joking.
At his final word, Xiang Nan's Nen flared, laced with a streak of pure hostility, sweeping over the girl like a tidal wave. Manman's body trembled, as though resisting. She nearly lifted her blade, but in the end, nothing happened. Xiang Nan reached her safely, resting a hand on her head and patting gently.
"Good girl, you're behaving. No one's trying to kill you now."
"Calm down. You…are safe."
~~~
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