Chapter Fifteen A Hero Rescues the Beauty

Ding. Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a side mission.

Rescue Li Mida, and successfully win her heart.

Li Mida had barely left when the sound of the system echoed in Ma Wu’s mind. Just as he was about to walk away, he halted abruptly.

What’s going on? She only just left, didn’t she?

Who could it be?

There was no time for Ma Wu to think further. He immediately headed in the direction where Li Mida had just disappeared. But there was no trace of her now; the street was deserted.

Only a flash of red stood out—Li Mida’s phone.

Should he ask the system for Li Mida’s current location?

As Ma Wu hesitated, the phone began to ring.

The shrill ring persisted, but Ma Wu didn’t hurry to pick up. This phone, bought after he came into some money, had a new number. Only Li Mida and Lin Erke knew it.

Given that Li Mida’s phone was lost, the perpetrators shouldn’t have his contact.

Suddenly, a confident smile tugged at Ma Wu’s lips as he realized something.

If it’s him, this will be easy.

“Hello, who is this?” Ma Wu answered.

“Your woman is with me. If you know what’s good for you, prepare five million.”

The man on the other end tried hard to disguise his voice, but Ma Wu immediately recognized Liu Mang.

After all, the only one who could get close to Lin Erke was him.

A trace of ridicule flickered in Ma Wu’s eyes as he silently lamented Lin Erke’s poor judgment.

If Liu Mang’s issue was just about feelings, Ma Wu might have respected him a little. But now, the instant he got his hands on someone, he resorted to extortion.

What more is there to say?

“Money isn’t a problem,” Ma Wu replied calmly. “As long as you let Li Mida go.”

“The factory outside the city, on the outskirts of City A.”

Without waiting for more, Ma Wu hung up, not interested in Liu Mang’s nonsense.

He had never intended to give Liu Mang the money anyway.

System, can I exchange for anything with attack power right now?

Ding. Host’s current stats do not meet the requirements for purchase.

However, since this is the host’s first dangerous mission, you are granted one opportunity.

Clear all success points in exchange for a [Beginner Free Fighting] Gift Box.

Would you like to exchange?

Ma Wu barely hesitated. He chose “Yes.” Money could be earned again, but some things, once lost, were gone forever.

The moment he made his choice, a wave of comfort swept through his body. Every joint felt alive, crackling with energy.

“Nice!” Ma Wu let out a low sigh of satisfaction, feeling his whole body grow light.

Target: the factory. Let’s go.

He didn’t know when it started, but the scenery around him had become desolate and barren. Not a single shrub or bush in sight.

Liu Mang had at least chosen the location well.

“I’m here. Where’s Li Mida?” Ma Wu stood at the factory’s main gate, shouting inside.

A few men emerged from the shadows, each wielding a different weapon, all swagger and bravado.

Why would Liu Mang have people like this helping him?

Ma Wu couldn’t figure it out.

“The money?” one of the thugs asked. “No cash, and you still dare show up?”

Without a word, Ma Wu placed the briefcase he’d prepared on the ground and opened it to reveal stacks of red bills.

The thugs’ eyes gleamed with greed, as if they’d never seen money before.

“Give it here,” one demanded, reaching out.

With a subtle movement, Ma Wu dropped into a seated stance and, in a flash, leapt back to a safe distance.

“I want to see her first. Otherwise, you’re not getting a cent,” Ma Wu said coolly.

The thug shot a questioning look at the apparent leader, who nodded in agreement.

A rattling sound came from above Ma Wu’s head. It was a machine once used for lifting parts, now whirring back to life.

Li Mida hung there, bound tight, like a slab of cured meat.

She seemed to hear Ma Wu’s conversation with the thugs, and began to struggle even more.

“Fine, the money’s yours,” Ma Wu said, stepping forward to place the case in the open before retreating a few paces.

Li Mida thrashed harder.

Surrounded by darkness, only the sound of footsteps echoed around her.

Ma Wu, don’t give them the money.

They’ll never keep their word!

But Li Mida was so tightly bound she couldn’t even speak.

“All right,” the leader grinned. “You can go now.”

Should he make his move now?

Ma Wu hesitated as he walked toward Li Mida. Even if he dealt with these punks, Liu Mang was still missing; the task wouldn’t be complete.

Should he wait a bit longer?

“Hey, didn’t you say you’d tear Ma Wu limb from limb?” Liu Mang, seeing Ma Wu about to be released, couldn’t help blurting out.

The moment he spoke, Ma Wu sprang toward Li Mida, scooping her into his arms as they rolled into a corner.

With a swift motion, Ma Wu ripped away the tape and blindfold.

Dazed, Li Mida’s vision returned, and when she saw Ma Wu, her eyes filled with tears.

“Ma Wu…” Li Mida started to speak, but Ma Wu pressed a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.

“Leave it to me. I’ll handle everything.”

“Damn it, you idiot!” the leader shouted at Liu Mang. “Boys, get in there!”

They had planned to ambush Ma Wu as he took Li Mida out, but Liu Mang had ruined it.

The leader’s face twisted with anger.

In the next instant, the thugs surged toward Ma Wu, weapons brandished.

“Sorry, pal,” one of them said. “Tonight, you die here.”

A faint, serene smile played at Ma Wu’s lips. “It’s all right. I didn’t plan to let any of you leave, either.”

Damn, I was just being polite, but you really want to play tough?

“Take this!”

A baseball bat came swinging straight for Ma Wu’s head. But Ma Wu didn’t flinch; he was calm as ever.

With a crisp “pa,” he caught the bat mid-swing.

“No way?!” the thug exclaimed in disbelief.

With a squeeze of his hand, the bat cracked and splintered.

Just how strong was he…?

The remaining thugs exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to attack.

“What are you waiting for?” the leader roared. “There are so many of us—afraid of one kid?!”

Eyes glowing with malice, the thugs drew every knife and weapon they’d been hiding.

Their furious assault forced Ma Wu to retreat step by step. The cold gleam of blades brushing his skin sent chills down his spine.

Clearly, the system couldn’t provide him with combat experience. If that’s the case…

Ma Wu leaned back, braced his hands, and delivered a whirling sweep that sent the thugs stumbling backward.

Seizing the moment, Ma Wu’s eyes sharpened—time to counterattack.

With a roar, he drove his fist into a thug’s stomach, each blow so fast it left afterimages—a single punch that felt like a flurry, the true number known only to the unfortunate recipient. Bones cracked under the assault.

“Die!” Behind him, another thug raised a machete, swinging it at Ma Wu’s back.

Catching the attack in his peripheral vision, Ma Wu grabbed the nearest thug and used him as a shield.

Blood splattered across the scene.

As the brawl continued, the thugs began to falter. The leader, sensing disaster, scanned the room desperately.

Then he spotted Li Mida, cowering in the corner.

If Ma Wu can’t be taken down, then I’ll make her pay instead.

Li Mida watched Ma Wu anxiously, oblivious to the leader creeping closer.

“Look out!”

Almost in a blink, Ma Wu appeared in front of Li Mida, shielding her from the leader’s blow.

“Aah!” Ma Wu howled in pain as a deep gash split open on his back, blood dripping to the floor.

Seeing Ma Wu wounded, the leader tried to press his advantage—only for Ma Wu to suddenly turn terrifying.

With two guttural screams, Ma Wu crippled both the leader’s hands and feet. The remaining thugs were spent and powerless.

They were no match for Ma Wu now.