Chapter 396: Success and Failure

While Duan Fei was confused about what his Talent actually was, the officer grew excited by his performance.

He watched with his own eyes as Duan Fei went from awkward to proficient. His grip on the gun became more and more practiced, and he projected an increasingly imposing aura.

No matter what, the man could hit the bullseye with perfect accuracy, even when the target was later moved a thousand meters away.

That hexagram was like a seal, a testament to Duan Fei’s terrifying marksmanship.

He excitedly picked up the microphone and said to the instructor, “Test his close-combat abilities.”

“Understood. I’ll ease into it.”

“No. Use your full strength. Go at him with the intent to kill.”

“Understood.”

Ending the call, the instructor looked at Duan Fei and said, “Come on, let’s spar. My standards aren’t high. Just land a punch on my face…”

The words had barely left his mouth when he was sent flying backward. A red fist print was stamped on his face, knocking him out cold.

‘What a generous request. Never heard one like that before.’

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the surroundings. Cadets who had gathered at some point stared at the scene in shock, unable to believe the instructor had been sent flying.

Some who had witnessed the whole thing told the others that Duan Fei was new. After that, the way they looked at Duan Fei was the way one would look at a Monster.

‘This guy from the East… he’s incredible.’

Sensing the shift in the cadets’ emotions, the officer immediately said, “Mr. Duan, you truly are remarkable. It’s quite surprising that you could achieve so much right after arriving.”

When they learned it was Duan Fei’s first day, the way they looked at him changed again.

‘This guy…’

‘He must be eliminated!’

The emotions of xenophobia and discrimination appeared simultaneously, amplified by the officer’s deliberate manipulation, and finally became the foundation for hatred.

Sensing the hostility from the others, Duan Fei narrowed his eyes at the officer, who responded with a harmless-looking smile.

‘This bastard…’

‘Sooner or later, I’ll kill you!’

Knowing he had already made a terrible impression on Duan Fei, the officer decided not to show his face again, simply having someone else lead Duan Fei to his quarters.

As he approached Duan Fei, the junior NCO said nervously, “Mr. Duan, please don’t blame Colonel Triss. He’s doing it for your own good?”

“Including kicking me into a cesspool?”

“No, it’s just… it’s just that he believes appropriate pressure is conducive to your Growth.”

“So I should thank him for it?”

“Um, I think you should.”

With a single slap, Duan Fei sent the junior NCO sprawling to the ground. Looking at the bewildered NCO, he said, “You should be thanking me. I’ve given you enough pressure to make you hate me, and in doing so, I’ve given you the motivation to become stronger. You’re welcome. Now, lead the way.”

That slap made the junior NCO realize the contradiction in his own logic for the first time, plunging him into a state of confusion as his worldview shattered.

Major Triss had assigned him a four-person room. The room’s condition was decent, it was just a bit crowded.

Three cadets had already divided the room among themselves. The only empty bed was piled high with junk.

“Tch, American-style bullying? Couldn’t you be a little more original?”

Drawing his Crowbar, Duan Fei walked forward under the three cadets’ stunned gazes and viciously smashed it down on the items on the bed.

“What are you doing!?”

“My shoes! I just requisitioned them!”

“Hey, my game console… is fixed? And it works even better now.”

“My shoes, too! The hole in them is repaired.”

They held their newly refurbished belongings, and the way they looked at Duan Fei changed once again.

‘How does that old Eastern saying go again? Repaying hatred with kindness?’

Duan Fei was also plunged into confusion.

He had been fully prepared to break their stuff, get his roommates kicked out, and take over the dorm for himself, but he never expected this outcome.

Looking at his Crowbar, he pointed at a cadet and said, “You, come here.”

As the cadet walked over, Duan Fei smacked him on the shoulder with the Crowbar, making him grunt.

Putting away the Crowbar, Duan Fei asked, “How does it feel?”

“Amazing!”

“Anything else?”

The cadet rolled his shoulder and said, “My shoulder feels much looser. More flexible.”

“Got it. Go on.”

Holding his Crowbar, Duan Fei fell into deep thought.

‘The concept of repairing things through violence is a bit bizarre, but I’ve experienced it before, so I’m not too surprised.’

‘From the looks of it, my special ability seems to have two effects. One causes something to inevitably succeed, and the other causes it to inevitably fail.’

‘So, what’s the trigger?’

Just as Duan Fei was pondering this, a roommate mustered his courage and asked, “Um, I’ve had some cavities for a while. Could you use your mysterious Eastern Martial Arts to treat them?”

Casting a Master Level [Rough Healing Technique] on him, Duan Fei watched the man, scrutinizing the changes.

Enveloped by a sinister light, the man suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth and began to spit out teeth.

Three black, decayed teeth and twenty-one normal teeth were spat out. Then, two rows of new teeth began to grow in his mouth.

Finally, two rows of sparkling teeth appeared, so bright they were almost blinding.

Taking out a mirror, the roommate looked at his teeth and exclaimed, “Oh my God!”

“Eastern Martial Arts are amazing!”

“Please, please, do me next!”

Duan Fei didn’t act immediately. Instead, he began to think, based on the variables from before.

Comparing the differences between these past few incidents, Duan Fei suddenly had a realization.

Pointing to a roommate, he said, “I’ll heal your foot for you.”

“But there’s nothing wrong with my foot.”

“I say there is, so there is.”

Without letting the man get another word in, Duan Fei cast a [Rough Healing Technique] on his leg. He watched as the leg began to decay at an incredible speed, until only a pixelated mess remained.

Before the man could scream, Duan Fei grabbed him and said, “Beg me to heal your leg!”

“Bro, I’m begging you! Leave me one leg! Let me keep the middle one!”

“Beg! Me!”

“I’m begging you, heal my leg!”

Casting another Skill, Duan Fei watched as the pixelated leg began to heal, the lost flesh reappearing.

“AHHHH! What is happening?! Are martial arts really this powerful?! Is it too late for me to learn?! Do you test for Spirit Roots?”

“You’ve been reading too many web novels.”

“No, I’m sure I’m not mistaken.”

After silencing the roommate, Duan Fei finally had a rough idea of how his Talent Effect worked.

Looking at his own Attributes panel, Duan Fei said in his mind: ‘My Talent Effect is: when I’m begged to do something, it is guaranteed to succeed, and the effect of the success is greatly enhanced. When I do something of my own volition, it is guaranteed to fail, and the impact of the failure is greatly enhanced.’

He paused for a moment before adding: ‘Some basic actions, like drinking water, are unaffected. When someone makes a request of me, the stronger their emotions, the better the effect.’

Seeing the text light up, Duan Fei knew he had guessed correctly.

‘So, how should I use this Talent Effect from now on?’