Chapter 190 Rule Loopholes
Ming felt that, although constrained by the concealed mission rules, rendering himself unable to wield weapons or employ auxiliary damaging apparatus, he possessed an abundance of unique abilities.
The system constraints solely prohibited Ming from utilizing weapons and the like. Before entering the octagonal cage, he had enveloped it with a magician's tent, a tactic that did not infringe upon the hidden mission's rules since it was one of his exclusive abilities.
To his mild relief, the opponent was a professional combatant of a zombie, similarly unarmed and reliant upon their fists.
Moreover, the hidden mission dictated the Prohibition of weapon usage, not wearing them! After all, Ming was an individual who cherished weapons, even embracing them whilst slumbering.
[Ming proceeds to fasten weapons to himself]
[I advise him to exercise restraint, as there is an upper limit to weapon Wearing: one melee weapon, one mid-range, one long-range, and either a shield or a bladed weapon as a secondary choice]
[Ultimately, Ming retains four weapon-like accessories, precisely within the allowable carrying range]
[Ming surprisingly offers his gratitude to me, how curious]
[...]
"Remarkable! Ming is stacking attributes. In this manner, even though the weapons are rendered inoperative, he can equip the highest attribute gear, thus augmenting his capabilities!"
"Quickly note this down in our little book, exploiting rule loopholes +1."
"I now somewhat grasp the reason behind Ming's prowess."
"As do I."
"Don't you all feel that, despite the numerous rules stated, they've effectively served as reminders for Ming? Is the system perhaps foolish?"
...
Within the instance, Ming's successful exploitation of loopholes hardly lifted his spirits, for the octagonal cage's regal zombie adversary was clad solely in undergarments, devoid even of socks. Moreover, the recently slain one-star regal zombie appeared to have been an impoverished, novice brawler.
All Ming obtained was the opponent's undergarments, squandering a precious Prescription in the process.
Ming's sole consolation was the impact of his "Short and Swift" title and the "Koi Necklace," which diminished the overall strength of the battling zombies by 40%. However, the attributes of the zombies encountered today were the pinnacle of their respective star tiers, particularly their constitution, strength, and agility, all astonishingly formidable!
Perhaps this distinguished ordinary zombies from professional fighter zombies.
[Ironfist Nano]
[Two-Star Regal Boss]
[Blood: 30,000/50,000]
[physique: 168/280]
[Strength: 174/290]
[Agility: 138/230]
[Spirit: 60/100]
[Exclusive Skill: Right Hook, upon striking the target, inflicts a 3-second stun and 5 points of armor penetration]
[Exclusive Skill: Chain Whip Left Leg, upon activation, persistently delivers leg kicks to the target at a rate of three kicks per second, causing a 50% reduction in the target's speed]
[Exclusive Talent: While the target is slowed, automatically triggers Chain Heavy Assault, amplifying damage threefold]
[Exclusive Talent: Each attack is accompanied by an Ironfist effect; a head strike incurs a 0.5-second stun]
[Exclusive Talent: Professional Resilience, as a professional fighter, exhibits strong endurance, immune to immobilization and stuns]
[Exclusive Talent: Lethal Kill]
[Weakness: Already weakened to such an extent, do not be dissatisfied]
"Hand over the money!" Ming sidestepped, effortlessly dodging an attack while presenting a Prescription. [Skill activated, collecting 3,000 gold coins from the opponent]
Clink! 1,054 gold coins credited.
[Zombie lacks funds, items offered as payment] Received boxing gloves, boxing undergarments, teddy bear briefs, and a dental guard.
"A dental guard?"
"What a destitute wretch!"
...
[Ming evades the zombie's right hook, calmly retreating a step and sizing up the zombie]
[Ming dodges once more...]
[Ming employs his exclusive skill against the zombie, stripping it of its garments]
[...]
"Good heavens! Is he actually slaying zombies in earnest?"
"I believe there are female fighters in the UFC, right?"
"Indeed, there are!"
"This soda almost claimed my life."
"..."
In Zone 441, Alice, standing at the window and praying, shatters the glass with a single punch. Despite the injuries to her hand, her heart aches even more. She never expected Ming to be this guy, no wonder he harbors no feelings for her.
Pervert!!
Alice contemplates removing her nurse's uniform.
[Rules disrespectfully flouted by Ming; rules prepare to block all targeted speech from him]
[Zombie ceases to swing its fists, opting to lunge and bite Ming]
[Ming's small pet sends the zombie flying...]
[...]
"Ah, this accursed rule, misunderstood ming ~"
Alice dons her nurse's uniform once more, recalling when she employed her divine eye to observe Ming while picking fruit. It displayed "Should be a good person." After all, her divine eye was accurate in perceiving people. Alice glances at the guard, Marta, a devious character.
...
[Ming's pet receives his approving gaze]
[His pet charges again, sending the just-risen zombie flying once more]
[His pet opens its mouth, bites a fish, and proceeds to ram the still-grounded zombie]
[In adherence to principles of fairness and justice, the hidden mission does not restrict pet usage]
[...]
In Zone 381, at the headquarters of the Yamanos Group.
"A pet? Has he raised a mutated creature?" Yamanosuke Jirō puts down his teacup and surveys his surroundings.
Those nearby furrow their brows, seemingly contemplating, "This could perhaps be another term the rules use for a puppet."
"Indeed, he might be a puppeteer."
"That's a possibility."
"Mm, let's tentatively classify him as a puppeteer for now."
Yamanosuke Jirō calmly sips his tea, adding, "If he manages to survive this time, we should still investigate further."
"Yes!" Those surrounding him nod emphatically, with one person interjecting, "Chairman, the difficulty of investigating him is considerable, and it requires a substantial sum."
"Very well, as long as we receive information, money is no issue. How much do you require?"
"20,000 gold coins."
"Ah~ he might not survive, right?"
"…"
[Ming watches as his pet repeatedly sends the zombie flying, not bothering to interfere]
[Ming starts to take steel plates from his warehouse, fusing them into thicker steel plates]
[He continues fusing steel plates, turning them into steel blocks]
[Still fusing...]
[Seeing the zombie throw toward him by his pet, Ming doesn't dodge but instead kicks the zombie back]
[His pet leaps into the air, once again sending the zombie flying toward him]
[Ming kicks it back again]
[His pet seems very happy]
[...]
Silence. Everyone watching the live broadcast is silent. For some reason, it seems as though Ming is not going through a life-or-death situation, but rather playing with his pet.
"I don't want to know about his unique skills right now; I just want to know what his pet is."
"We can make some deductions based on the hints: 'small' and leaping. Currently, it seems like a creature with such characteristics might be a grasshopper."
"Don't be so far-fetched."
"Actually, it makes sense. I initially thought of a kangaroo."
"..." At this point, everyone begins to analyze whether a kangaroo or a grasshopper is more formidable.
"Didn't you guys notice that mutated creatures nowadays are mostly insects and oviparous creatures? I haven't seen any mammals yet."
"I've encountered one, but it wasn't very strong. Maybe we humans are the weakest if without any professional choices."
"Now that you mention it, I recall defeating a mutated dog-like creature before. Its strength was indeed weak."
"No, you guys suddenly became so rational? Don't you notice Ming is fusing steel plates?"
"What's strange about that? He's just exploiting another hidden mission loophole. Let's continue discussing the serious topic."
[Ming is placing steel plates around the octagonal cage]
[No hidden mission settings were violated]
"See, I told you he's exploiting loopholes in the mission settings!"
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