[Assessment complete.]

[Candidate No. 4119, your entry examination score breakdown is as follows…]

Inside Thunder Martial Arts Hall’s assessment chamber, a figure drenched in sweat was panting heavily. In the stifling space, rows of combat robots that had surrounded him from all sides simultaneously halted the moment the prompt sounded.

‘The assessment… is finally over.’

Li Chen reached up to wipe the sweat covering his forehead and let out a long breath. His sturdy body swayed and trembled, as if the slightest breeze could knock him over in the next second.

‘No wonder this place is clearly the only location after the game’s level cap unlock where high-grade martial arts can be farmed stably, yet so few people are willing to spend huge sums to join Thunder Martial Arts Hall.’

Perhaps for most civilian martial artists in Hive City, Thunder Martial Arts Hall was their only hope of advancement. But for players with heaven-defying opportunities—various quests and martial proficiency templates—Thunder Martial Arts Hall was little more than a tasteless chicken rib, a pity to discard yet not worth savoring.

‘If I hadn’t promised Xiao Wei not to risk my life anymore, I wouldn’t even bother coming here to suffer.’

Just the entry assessment alone had nearly forced Li Chen to his physical limits. After passing the test, how many more trials would be waiting for him?

Li Chen clenched his teeth, his gaze firm as he muttered to himself, “Forget it. No matter what, even if it’s for Xiao Wei, I have to give it my all.”

Fortunately, with the daily intel provided by the player log, Li Chen could obtain information even more accurate than a consortium’s strategic intelligence department at almost no cost. Although his current intel weight was still low and the rarity of the information limited, as long as he improved his martial artist level…

‘Maybe then, I’ll even be able to help Xiao Wei.’

Click.

With that thought, Li Chen slipped into the nano combat bodysuit he had just bought and hurried out of the assessment chamber, eager to head to the counter to confirm his results.

‘Eighty-seven.’

Glancing at the analysis report of his test results, Li Chen stroked his chin.

‘This score should count as… decent, right?’

However, looking at the dense comments beneath the score and the countless listed flaws in his techniques, Li Chen’s confidence wavered again.

‘On SkyNet, my movement rating already surpasses the vast majority of martial artists. Who would’ve thought the martial hall’s internal intelligent analysis would be so brutal.’

Yet facing this report, Li Chen wasn’t discouraged at all—instead, he felt immense joy.

Before transmigrating, in the game he had already been a ninth-tier powerhouse, even ranking near the top of the entire server as a so-called “top expert.”

But only after truly transmigrating did Li Chen realize that games and reality could never be equated.

Even with vast amounts of “knowledge,” his current body simply couldn’t keep up with his combat awareness. In other words, his software was top-tier, but his hardware was painfully average.

‘Hah. Anyway, I just hope this entry assessment goes smoothly. If it really doesn’t…’

He glanced at the Platinum Member card his fiancée had given him and clenched his jaw.

‘At worst, I’ll start as a registered trainee. I refuse to believe that with a proficiency panel, I can’t pass the assessments.’

According to the information he’d found on SkyNet, registered trainees in the hall, regardless of background, had to endure the harshest treatment, their status even lower than machine servants.

‘But for Xiao Wei, for the power to protect a happy life, what does this little price matter?’

For Li Chen, who had been born in the slums of the Lower Hive and clawed his way out of hell through inhuman perseverance, this hardship was nothing more than a bit of wind and frost.

Beep beep!

Just as Li Chen stepped into the main hall with fearless resolve, a communication interface popped up beside his ear.

‘Huh? It’s Sister Liu Yu?’

Li Chen tapped the screen.

“Good little brother, did you miss your big sister~”

The moment the call connected, the voluptuous, impeccably poised older sister on the other end spoke with an extremely suggestive expression, easily inviting misunderstanding.

“Sigh, just thinking about the wonderful time we spent together in the basement yesterday makes your sister so excited she’s trembling~”

As she spoke, Liu Yu deliberately blinked her alluring peach-blossom eyes, looking as though she were sharing sweet nothings with a lover.

“Yes, Sister Liu Yu, I missed you too.”

Faced with his sister’s “teasing,” Li Chen showed no irritation at all. Having only just met her, yet relying on his familiarity with the game’s plot, Li Chen had already guessed her reason for calling without hesitation.

‘Heh, she must be trying to find out how Xiao Wei handled the chip data.’

However, despite having guessed his “sister’s” intentions early on, Li Chen deliberately pretended not to know, deciding to dangle her curiosity a bit.

‘You made me talk in my sleep and almost got Xiao Wei misunderstanding me last night. Let’s see how I deal with you.’

So before Liu Yu could ask anything, Li Chen rushed in with exaggerated “delight,” saying warmly, “Ah, good sister, I was just thinking of looking for you. I didn’t expect you to call so coincidentally. Looks like we really are of one heart and mind—truly family.”

“Ah?” Liu Yu, who had only intended to casually flirt with Li Chen, whose looks matched her tastes and who lacked the arrogance of other men, never imagined her newly acknowledged little brother would become this “enthusiastic.” She froze on the spot.

“Y-yes, that’s right. Looks like we really do have a lot of fate between us.”

Although she always put on an open, worldly front before Li Chen, in truth Liu Yu had spent her youth training in martial arts and was still a blank slate when it came to romance, merely picking up bits and pieces from companions with “rich experience.”

Thus, when faced with the “advance” of a man who perfectly matched her ideal image, Liu Yu lost her usual composure at once, her face flushing red like a ripe apple.

“Hehe, alright Sister Liu Yu, I know what you’re thinking.”

Seeing his sister utterly routed by a few words, Li Chen leisurely enjoyed her flustered state for a while before speaking slowly, “You want to ask how I handled that chip data, right?”

“Huh? Y-you, how did you…”

Liu Yu stared wide-eyed.

“No helping it—who told me I’m your good little brother, Xiao Chen?” Li Chen sighed theatrically, putting on an anxious look, “If I make Bai Wei angry and get kicked out someday, I’ll have to rely on you, big sister. You won’t refuse me then, right?”

“What?!” Seeing Li Chen like this, Liu Yu panicked immediately, “D-did you and Bai Wei argue? Xiao Chen, if she bullied you, your sister will definitely stand up for you!”

“Pfft.”

Looking at Liu Yu’s righteous indignation, as if she wanted to appear beside him the next second to protect him, Li Chen felt warmth bloom in his chest.

With that, he put away his teasing expression and explained seriously, “Alright, sister, I didn’t argue with Xiao Wei. It’s just that because of you, she got a little jealous. But after seeing the chip you gave me, she’s also very grateful to you.”

“So… she’s already decided how to handle the chip? Looks like giving it to you was indeed the right choice.”

Liu Yu first relaxed, then realized something and shot Li Chen a resentful glare.

“So, good little brother, were you teasing your sister just now? Hah, you nearly scared me to death.”

As she spoke, Liu Yu patted her chest firmly.

“Hmph. Still, though I hate to admit it, any woman who can be chosen by you, Xiao Chen, surely isn’t some idiot who doesn’t even know how to cherish her own husband.”

‘An idiot who doesn’t cherish? Yes. How ridiculous that I once tangled myself with those foolish heroines for so long.’

“Thank you, sister.” Li Chen praised her sincerely, “You really are the best sister in the world.”

‘The best… sister… Ahhhhh, I’m going to lose my mind!’

Those words sent a wave through Liu Yu’s entire body, nearly melting her on the spot. It took her great effort to regain control.

“Hah… anyway, Xiao Chen, if you ever need your sister’s help, don’t be shy. Even if you want the moon from the sky, I’ll go get it for you!”

‘My sister really is… Straightforward, passionate, unrestrained. A perfect big sister.’

“Haha, then I’ll thank you in advance. But compared to relying on others, I’d rather depend on my own strength.”

Li Chen raised the freshly printed Thunder Martial Arts Hall assessment sheet and shook it proudly.

“Look—this is my entry assessment result. My aptitude may be ordinary, but just watch. One day, I’ll gain the power to protect the ones I love.”

‘Protect the ones he loves? He really is my good little brother. But Thunder Martial Arts Hall’s assessment…’

Even with all the filters she could apply, Liu Yu could only describe her brother’s aptitude as “ordinary.” She was not optimistic about him passing the notoriously strict evaluations.

But isn’t a big sister supposed to fulfill her little brother’s dreams?

What a coincidence—she just happened to know someone.

Dr. Lisa.

‘Heh. Back when that madwoman had just jumped ship to Thunder Martial Arts Hall, she’d caused an enormous mess. If not for my support, would she even be where she is today? It’s time to make her repay that favor.’

“Oh, that’s easy. Leave it all to me!”

Click.

Liu Yu hung up.

‘This sister…’

Watching her disappear in a rush, Li Chen shook his head slightly.

‘Could it be she’s worried I won’t pass the assessment? Idiot.’

But this feeling of being cared for and protected everywhere…

‘Hmph. Compared to a certain ‘good little sister’ I personally taught martial arts to, only to be expelled from the mercenary group in the end—it’s night and day. No, why am I thinking about her again? Whatever. It has nothing to do with me.’

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Uppermost Hive.

At the highest sky-piercing tower in Hive City.

In a space drenched in gold and opulence, a weary figure slowly emerged from the elevator.

“Captain!”

A woman in combat attire, radiating killing intent, stepped forward.

“How did the talks with… them go?”

“…”

The legendary mercenary group Judicators’ captain, the Mercenary Queen Lin Caining, nodded.

“They agreed.”

“Really?!”

The team member jumped in excitement.

“The Foundation really accepted your conditions, boss?”

“Upper Hive honorary citizenship, exclusive development rights to pre-civilization ruins, patent protection quotas…”

Lin Caining flipped through the paper contracts in her hand.

“They agreed to everything.”

“That’s amazing, Captain. That means you’re one step closer to your goal. Once we—”

As the subordinate excitedly laid out grand plans involving reshaping Hive City’s political structure and founding new companies—matters that sounded earth-shaking and tied to humanity’s future—the instigator Lin Caining merely opened a screen, her eyes filled with longing.

“Come to think of it, I could clear that inheritance only thanks to the combat techniques you taught me back then… my dear brother.”

Lin Caining’s peerlessly beautiful face curved into a smile. In that instant, the luxurious, elegant floor was rendered dull by the brilliance of her expression.

“When we first arrived in the Lower City, every organization thought my aptitude was trash, unworthy of cultivation. Only you saw my unique talent, even designing manuals suited specifically for me…”

As if recalling something, the corner of her lips lifted slightly.

“I know you’ve always been troubled by your body’s inability to break through its bottleneck. Wait for me, Brother Chen. Once everything here is settled, I’ll…”

Ding-dong.

[An account you follow closely has posted a new update.]

[Anxiety for my low-aptitude little brother—she really is the best sister in the world.]

Seeing the bold title on the post, Lin Caining’s smile froze stiff.

Scenes from the past replayed one by one.

“Hey, Caining, watch closely. This killing move has to be used like this!”

“Idiot, using force like that will never get you anywhere!”

“Alright, stop crying. Caining, those blind fools don’t understand talent. Just wait—once your brother makes it big, I’ll definitely find a cultivation method suited for you.”

‘The best… sister?’

Drip, drip.

Tears slid down quietly.

“Then… what about me?”

The sister who crawled out of the Lower Hive slums together with him?