Swallowed Star Chapter 5 — Different Choices

Translator: Translation Nation

Editor: Translation Nation

"The more powerful you become, the tougher it gets to advance" Luo Feng mused to himself, "Pushing my speed from 23.8 m/s up to 25 m/s would likely demand about one year. Boosting my strength from 809 kg to 900 kg might require even more time. I'll probably need to wait until after college entry to earn the 'Fighter' title."

"If, just if… I slip into a coma once more, my physical condition could hit the level needed for a 'Fighter'"

Naturally, this isn't the sort of coma from getting knocked out in a fight, but one triggered by an excruciating migraine.

Luo Feng suffers from a migraine condition.

From time to time, intense headaches strike Luo Feng. Most times, he endures the agony until it fades. Sometimes, though, the pain overwhelms him into unconsciousness.

So far, Luo Feng has fallen into coma twice.

At age 8, when a car crushed his brother's legs, grief overwhelmed Luo Feng, sparking a fierce headache. His heart rate surged wildly, blood flow accelerating at a terrifying pace. Moments later, feeling his heart about to burst from his chest, he blacked out.

The other incident came at age 12, with his mother back in the hospital. Terrified of losing her, panic gripped Luo Feng alongside a brutal headache. Once again, his pulse skyrocketed, leading to coma.

Following those two episodes, Luo Feng's family dragged him to hospitals repeatedly for tests. Yet doctors found no clear disease. Even in this era, the brain remains an enigma to medical science.

"Still, those two comas multiplied my bodily strength manyfold" Luo Feng anticipated eagerly, "After waking at 8 and 12 years old, my power, agility, and reflexes all leaped forward noticeably. That let me bypass the 'Intermediate' test straight to the 'Intermediate' title in the dojo. With my superior genes, I claimed 'Elite' status by 17."

"Another coma, and my power should surge even higher!"

In truth, coma serves as the body's self-defense mechanism, not wholly negative.

"My skull throbbing to its breaking point, heart pounding to extremes"

Luo Feng glanced down at the wristwatch featuring a 'Pulse meter'.

"Even after mad sprints, my pulse never tops 120 beats per minute" Luo Feng eyed the display, "Hitting 200 beats would be ideal." Coma warnings include savage headaches and wildly elevated heart rates.

Yet--

Despite brutal workouts, he failed to drive his heartbeat to coma-inducing levels.

※※※※

Inside the dojo hall, scar-faced Yang Wu positioned himself before the 'Fist Strength Tester'. He didn't go all out, merely tossing casual punches left and right. Repeated [PENG!] [PENG!] [PENG!] echoes rang out. Quickly, screen numbers flashed up.

"956kg, 912kg, 936kg, 981kg……"

Yang Wu unleashed dozens of strikes nonstop before halting.

Watching from the side, Luo Feng couldn't hide his awe. His max punch hit just 809 kg, yet Brother Yang rained blows all exceeding that wildly. Even averaging over 700 kg per hit was incredible.

"Brother Yang, if my hardest punch matched one of your casual swings, that'd be awesome" Luo Feng grinned.

"You, " Yang Wu approached Luo Feng, chuckling as he slapped his shoulder, "you're just 19 this year, or maybe 18 now. At your age, I barely held intermediate status. With your rapid gains… you'll hit 'Fighter' fitness standards in two years max. Heh, a fighter at 20—pure envy."

Luo Feng chuckled.

Dojos target recruits aged 16 to 30, prime years for explosive growth. This fast-tracks rank climbs and future power surges. Luo Feng's elite title at 17 drew widespread admiration.

"Oh yeah, Crazy, high school exams coming up, huh? Plans after?" Yang Wu grinned.

"Military academy prep" Luo Feng smiled faintly, "Regular folks join as basic officers. But post-graduation, I should land in Special Forces easy."

"Oh"

Yang Wu nodded, lip curling, "Military academy's solid, but… freedom's chained there. Graduate to Special Forces, and rules bind you tight. I couldn't hack it; free fighter life suits me better."

"Free fighter sounds ideal" Luo Feng agreed, "But parents worry less this way. Academy to army beats solo fighter risks by miles."

Fighters face four main roads.

Path one: Enlist in the military for security. Nations shield fighters from rash dangers, shower families with perks—no regrets there.

Path two: Affiliate with a dojo. Looser rules, vibrant circles. Founded by earth's mightiest 'Hong', the 'Dojo of Limits' offers fighter perks aplenty, plus ample freedom.

Path three: Hire on with corporations, clans, or power blocs as muscle.

Path four: Mercenary squads—constant peril, ultimate liberty.

Note: Free fighters shun all these routes.

"Army's secure, but zero freedom kills it for me" Yang Wu nodded, "This year, I'll ace the 'Prospective Fighter' test. Then straight to 'Fighter Combat' exam, grinding to true fighter status."

Luo Feng's gaze sharpened: "Brother Yang, you feel ready for prospective fighter?"

"Haha" Yang Wu boomed a laugh, "Strength and reflexes cleared ages ago. Speed's my drag. But pushing right, I scrape 25 m/s. Few days' grind, and exam's mine."

"Congrats, Brother Yang." Luo Feng beamed for him—years of toil for this dream. "Brother Yang, fighter achieved, what next?"

"Dojo of Limits, naturally" Brother Yang grinned wide, "Loose setup, global reach. Tons of ex-fighters leveled up there. Plus, monster-hunting breaks whenever—total freedom."

Luo Feng nodded.

"Crazy" Yang Wu eyed him, "Deep down, you're wild. Free fighter path fits you perfect. Dojo life? Max freedom. Dojo of Limits backs us huge."

"I…" Luo Feng wavered.

Yang Wu caught it, shook his head with a chuckle, "Crazy, free fighters dance with death, honing on life's edge. Riskier, sure! But endless battles rocket your power fastest! Look around—top fighters mostly go free."

※※※※

Night fell, streetlamps glowed.

Departing the Dojo of Limits, Luo Feng pondered his chat with Yang Wu while strolling solo.

"Really just two paths for me" Luo Feng reflected inwardly, "Military academy, graduate to Special Forces. Or rise as Dojo of Limits fighter, hunting monsters at will."

"Army route's safest—protects family. Even death brings national care for kin."

"Free fighter life teeters on death's brink for swiftest gains. Monster kills fetch fortunes. Thrilling, skilled-up fast, rich quick, unbound—but danger looms." Luo Feng mulled. He'd wrestled this since senior year start.

"Parents got two sons; brother's crippled. If I die free-fighting, how do they cope?"

Luo Hua relies on care.

Parents age on. My death—what then?

"Military academy it is."

"Special Forces teach 'Militaristic Martial Arts', blending my 'Ultimate Martial Arts' from Dojo of Limits for power boosts. Army hones me too! Die as fighter, parents get monthly pensions." Family first, Luo Feng chose academy.

But……

Military academies demand top grades—June exams decide all.