Chapter 473 472: Kill the Protagonist?

The martial arts conference was held once every year.

Its purpose was simple: to absorb newcomers and replenish fresh blood for the Martial Artists' Association.

On one hand, martial artists were not allowed to register on their own. On the other, the government needed a reliable way to recruit talent. The martial arts conference became that solution.

At first glance, the policy looked contradictory. In truth, it was deliberate cunning.

If registration were left open, corruption would be inevitable—bribery, backdoor deals, and unworthy candidates sneaking in.

Becoming a state-recognized warrior meant enjoying a generous salary every year without lifting a finger, along with privileges ordinary citizens could only dream of.

The government couldn't afford to let counterfeit warriors slip through.

Thus, the martial arts conference acted as a sieve. While it couldn't completely eliminate shady dealings, at least those who stood out among thousands nationwide possessed real skill.

It was clear that the higher-ups of the Human Alliance were in desperate need of warriors. The annual martial arts conference made that fact undeniable.

"If this really is the world of that novel," Fenric muttered, "then I know why the government is so frantic to recruit martial artists."

According to the novel's setting, Cthulhu had long since set foot on Earth.

As a high-dimensional entity, the Cthulhu could not descend directly. Instead, it spread corruption, slowly turning the world into a sacrificial ground for its eventual arrival.

The corrupted zones expanded day by day.

Through these polluted areas, Cthulhu's servants—what the government called demons—invaded the human world, accelerating the spread of corruption.

Within such zones, all human electronics and firearms would fail.

Only martial strength remained reliable.

"To fight the invasion, the government has no other choice but to rely on warriors. That's why martial arts are so heavily promoted, and why the conference is held every year," Fenric concluded.

"Wait…"

His eyes suddenly lit up.

It was August, 2020.

According to the novel, the protagonist should be at his lowest point right now—fired by his boss, abandoned by his girlfriend.

But soon after, he would obtain the Heaven-Defying Sky Guard System, and from there, his life of counterattacks would begin.

He would slap faces, rise step by step, and ultimately defeat Cthulhu itself, becoming the sole god on Earth.

A wry smile tugged at Fenric's lips.

"If I kill the protagonist before he gets the system… will this world collapse?"

The thought lingered, dark and tempting.

The next morning.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Someone rapped sharply on his door.

"Coming," Fenric muttered, climbing out of bed.

When he opened the door, he saw a slim young girl swaying to music through her earphones.

Fenric froze for a moment before recognition stirred in his borrowed memories.

Caila. Uncle Gon's daughter. His childhood companion, the same age as him.

When Fenric's father had still been alive, both he and Uncle Gon had entertained the idea of pairing the two children together. But tragedy struck before anything could be decided.

Later, Uncle Gon tried to revive the plan, only for Caila to refuse outright.

She had always seen Fenric as an older brother, nothing more.

The old Fenric had once harbored feelings for her, but after his father's death and the hatred that followed, he quickly buried them. When Caila rejected the idea, he agreed without hesitation.

Uncle Gon, seeing both children opposed, could only abandon the thought.

Now, standing in front of him, Caila's face wasn't strikingly beautiful, but her bright brows, wide eyes, and natural innocence gave her a charming liveliness.

She was pretty by most standards—but compared to Fenric's true girlfriend, Yuhan, she fell far short.

"Caila, why so early? What's the matter?" Fenric asked, mimicking the tone of his predecessor.

Caila tugged out her earphones and scolded with a playful pout.

"Early? It's already past nine, you lazybones! Hurry up, you're going to school with me."

"School?" Fenric frowned. "What for?"

"You forgot?" Caila rolled her eyes. "Today's the physical fitness test! Didn't you apply to the Martial Arts Academy?"

Fenric blinked, then the memory resurfaced.

This body was fresh out of the college entrance exams. Today was indeed the day of the physical fitness test.

Unlike ordinary universities, the Martial Arts Academy valued not written scores, but physical ability.

Passing the test meant acceptance into the Academy—access to famous instructors, a real chance to become a powerful martial artist.

Most importantly, tuition and living expenses were fully covered by the government.

The Academy was the seedbed of the nation's future warriors.