Chapter 41: The Bullet That Breaks the Rules

Faced with the formidable Coral Knight, Kalolin—who had been holding back all along—finally unleashed her true power.

Even Tian Dao, who believed he knew Kalolin inside and out, was momentarily stunned.

Because in the original storyline, Kalolin had already sensed something off about the Coral Knight long before this moment. She had even deduced that the eerie mist filling the entire parking lot was orchestrated by their instructor, Yun Meng.

In that version, she had displayed impressive combat prowess—certainly not weak—but nowhere near the overwhelming force she was now demonstrating.

It was clear: if Tian Dao hadn’t faked his death and driven Kalolin into a state of utter despair, the cool, calculating Kalolin would have quickly pieced together what was happening here—and once again, chosen to retreat, to play it safe.

Thinking this through, Tian Dao found himself oddly curious.

Curious about just how far Kalolin’s true strength had risen.

After all, judging from current events, her status as the nominal Stellar Prodigy NO.4 seemed to surpass even Chen Xing, the official Stellar Prodigy NO.2.

Meanwhile, sensing the extraordinary power radiating from both Kalolin and Chen Xing, the Coral Knight began to take the fight seriously.

As he finally committed fully, the previously balanced battle quickly turned against the two girls.

Kalolin’s “Overload” and Chen Xing’s “Astral Flame”—though far above average for their rank—still couldn’t make a dent in the Coral Knight, a Second-Rank Stellar Envoy.

Their attacks, powerful as they were, were ultimately limited by their relatively low “Stellar Energy Value.”

This became especially evident after the Coral Knight had once already been bested by Tian Dao.

Now, he no longer underestimated any First-Rank Stellar Envoy.

More precisely, he no longer treated any Stellar Prodigy as just another ordinary First-Rank Envoy.

With stability now his dominant trait, the Coral Knight’s advantage in star energy, combat experience, and Stellar Source development was simply too vast for Chen Xing and Kalolin to overcome.

Unless… some unforeseen variable entered the equation.

Like, perhaps, an overlooked underdog.

Reality World, 13th Station.

Watching the screen as Kalolin and Chen Xing, despite giving their all, were being utterly crushed by the Coral Knight, the audience instantly grasped the chasm between them—and the even wider gap between them and Tian Dao.

After all, this very same Coral Knight had once been defeated by Tian Dao in a near-total annihilation.

> “Encountered a Second-Rank Stellar Envoy — fought with everything, still lost.”

> “Tian Dao: Huh. This guy really tough? Feels like I could’ve kicked him to death with one foot.”

> “Kalolin: Oh no… this is high-tier mode.”

Just as Kalolin and Chen Xing seemed on the verge of defeat…

The screen abruptly cut to Chen Kong.

The sudden shift signaled that it was time for the protagonist’s moment to shine.

The viewers sat up straight, breathless with anticipation.

There, Chen Kong crouched behind a rusted-out car at the edge of the battlefield, eyes narrowed, carefully observing the ongoing clash.

Having activated his “First Stellar Core · Void Pattern,” he had become invisible to the Coral Knight’s senses—completely ignored, unnoticed.

“One chance,” he whispered, voice tight with tension. “Just one chance.”

Cold sweat poured down his forehead. His right hand trembled violently.

The audience, however, didn’t judge him harshly.

They knew full well Chen Kong’s limits.

Tian Dao—the born winner—was expected to win, and win gloriously. His victory had to be spectacular, dazzling.

But Chen Kong? The audience had no such expectations.

They didn’t demand a win.

They only asked that he lose with dignity.

Because weakness wasn’t shameful.

Self-abandonment was.

So regardless of whether Chen Kong succeeded or failed, the mere fact that he dared to act, that he had the courage to step forward despite knowing the odds—was enough to earn him the title of “protagonist” in their hearts.

After all, not everyone was Tian Dao Siming.

And not everyone had the courage to face the impossible.

Inside the parking lot.

Kalolin was sent flying by a single punch, crashing to the ground—unconscious, possibly dead.

Chen Xing, ensnared by the Coral Knight’s flexible gun-arm, dropped her demonic blade, her body now utterly defenseless.

Chen Kong knew he couldn’t wait any longer.

This was it—his moment.

“Cough… cough… cough…”

Trapped in the three-meter-long coral spear, Chen Xing coughed violently, clawing at the weapon’s end around her neck, desperate for air.

But against such overwhelming strength, her efforts were futile.

Her thoughts blurred. Her body grew numb.

She could do nothing.

And as she began to fade, the Coral Knight’s masked eyes flickered—just for a moment—with hesitation.

Because, by his own standards, the test had already reached its conclusion.

But according to Tian Dao and Yun Meng’s instructions, he should let Chen Xing fall completely unconscious.

Only then would she truly feel how small she was in his presence.

Yet… something felt off.

A nagging emptiness in his mind.

A memory just out of reach.

As if some invisible force were suppressing his thoughts, clouding his perception.

It unsettled him.

Then—suddenly—movement behind him.

He spun around.

Chen Kong stood three meters behind him, weapon raised.

The Black Rifle in his hands was aimed straight at his face.

The Coral Knight’s pupils contracted.

When…?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

No time to think.

Three sharp shots echoed through the air.

Three specially modified bullets—spiraling with energy—flew toward the Coral Knight’s face at blinding speed.

Reacting on pure instinct, the Coral Knight raised his right arm.

The armored gauntlet instantly reshaped itself into a compact shield, ready to block the attack.

Crack!

To his shock, the shield—normally capable of withstanding attacks from other Second-Rank Stellar Envoys—failed to stop the onslaught.

The first bullet struck the shield’s core.

Instantly, the shield’s star energy destabilized.

A jagged crack split across its surface.

The second bullet struck the same spot—penetrating through the weakened shield—then slammed into the Coral Knight’s helmet.

It left a noticeable dent.

And a strange, irregular fracture spread across the faceplate.

The third bullet followed the exact path of the first two.

Perfectly aimed.

It struck the Coral Knight’s face just as the last of the energy waves faded.

Though the Coral Knight had already turned his head at the first sign of danger, the bullet still grazed his cheek.

A thin line of dark red blood welled up.

Three bullets.

One wound.

Chen Kong stared, stunned.

He hadn’t expected this.

After all the preparation, all the tension, all the risk…

He’d only managed to draw blood.

He looked up at the towering Coral Knight—two meters tall, his body bristling with jagged coral spines.

His face went pale.

His eyes, lifeless.

He knew—he was finished.

Tap… tap… tap…

The Coral Knight released the unconscious Chen Xing.

Slowly, deliberately, he stepped forward.

Silent. Unhurried.

He stopped in front of Chen Kong.

Looking down at him.

Then slowly raised his hand.

Chen Kong flinched.

He felt the cold dread crawl up his spine.

His mind went blank.

He closed his eyes, bracing for the pain.

But the blow never came.

Instead, a gentle, almost approving pat landed on his shoulder.

And a voice—calm, even curious—spoke from behind the mask.

“Not bad. I didn’t think you’d actually manage to wound me. You Stellar Prodigies really aren’t as simple as they seem.”

He paused.

“I can feel it—those three bullets weren’t ordinary. There’s something… unusual in their Stellar Source. Something I’ve never sensed before.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Otherwise, I don’t believe any regular bullet could have pierced my ‘Coral Armor’—and even more so, damaged me.”

He looked down at Chen Kong, his tone almost friendly.

“Care to tell me where you got those bullets? I’m genuinely curious.”

Chen Kong opened his eyes.

Staring up at the Coral Knight—smiling, calm, his face still bleeding, yet somehow… pleased.

After a long silence, he finally managed to whisper:

“…Huh?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end