Chapter 51: BREAKING THE LIMITS
Humanity has shown an incredible capacity to surpass limits in strength and speed.
In weightlifting, there have been individuals capable of lifting weights that were once believed impossible to handle.
Men and women have pushed the boundaries of strength, lifting bars loaded with hundreds of kilograms and demonstrating that human power can defy the highest expectations.
In extreme strength competitions, astonishing feats have been witnessed, such as lifting gigantic logs, truck pulling, and carrying immense stones, all performed with superhuman determination and endurance.
Regarding speed, runners have constantly challenged time limits. On the track, speeds that break barriers have been achieved, running 100 meters in less than ten seconds, demonstrating an acceleration and technique that leave spectators in awe.
Surpassing these limits is due to a combination of innovations in training and technology.
High-intensity training methods, periodization, and active recovery have enabled athletes to push their bodies beyond what was previously believed possible.
But what Robert was experiencing at that moment was not something humans could achieve through sheer willpower alone!
The strength, speed, and brutality he witnessed were things he had never thought he would see.
Boom!
Whoosh!
"Hahaha, come on! Don't just dodge the attacks! Think fast!"
Boom!
After a loud sound, Robert quickly backed away from his opponent, several meters away.
"Ha... ha... damn... this... damn it"
Robert had faced many enemies in his past life, he had trained and fought against great martial masters, and he had killed many of them. In his past life, he had emerged as one of the greatest assassins in the world.
However, right now, he seemed like a small animal, cornered and trying to escape from the claws of a predator.
As the fight progressed, Robert realized he was reaching the limit of his abilities. His muscles ached, and his mind struggled to stay focused.
Each dodge required a titanic effort, and for every inch he managed to avoid, he felt like he was losing a bit more of his energy.
Park Jincheol, on the other hand, seemed undisturbed. His breathing was steady, his stance firm and each movement flowed with a naturalness that only years of experience could provide.
Park Jincheol's movements were lethally fast and precise!
Despite his notable speed and agility, Robert could barely dodge the blows coming at him with immense force.
Every time he dodged a punch or a kick, he felt the wind whistle past his face, indicative of the power behind each of his opponent's attacks.
Park Jincheol's smile was disturbingly serene as if he were enjoying a simple game. His eyes, however, showed the determination of a warrior who knew no defeat.
Every blow seemed calculated to break not only Robert's defense but also his spirit. Robert breathed heavily, sweat beading on his forehead, and his body began to show signs of fatigue.
And worst of all, Park Jincheol wasn't even using 100% of his capabilities to fight him!
'System, what is the percentage of strength and speed this guy is using?'
Ding, ding, ding
[According to the analysis, Park Jincheol is using 30% of his maximum strength and 40% of his maximum speed]
'Damn... hahaha... this is a cruel joke' - Robert smirked sarcastically after seeing the system's response.
The veteran military man glanced sideways toward the control cabin, seeking General Kim's gaze. Upon locking eyes with his superior, he received a nod of approval.
"At least you managed to survive for a minute. Seems like the general was right, you're something special" - Park Jincheol grinned - "However, he told me you were more special, but I don't see any of that. Maybe you need more pressure? Yes, I think you do"
'Damn... damn old man... you'll pay for this in the future'
Robert watched as the general approved Park Jincheol to escalate the intensity of his attacks. He was frustrated by what was happening at this moment.
He knew he had to find a way to change the course of the battle.
He couldn't afford to remain on the defensive, but every attempt to counterattack had been effortlessly neutralized by Jincheol.
Determination burned within him, but so did the reality of his physical limits. He was at a crossroads where every decision had to be made with surgical precision, as a single mistake could mean his defeat.
"Are you ready, kid? Warm-up's over, time for the real test" - Park Jincheol smiled and took an offensive stance.
"Haa... damn old man... you're strong" - Robert smiled through difficulty, but also assumed an attacking position - "But I never gave up, never."
Was the opponent stronger? Robert wouldn't let that scare him.
During his early years in Ruska Roma, he was beaten, lynched, tortured, and nearly killed in hellish training, but he never gave up. He always aimed to become the best.
Now, though he had been very confident upon entering what seemed like a peaceful world, he realized he needed to forge a steel mindset again, to feel that nothing and no one would make him feel inferior.
It was time to be the Robert Jovanovich of old again!
Rumble
Determination surged within Robert, a spark igniting deep within his soul!
Ding, ding, ding
["Limit Breaker" ability unlocked due to host's determination!]
[With this passive ability, he can express the potential strength and speed of his body as a result of his new nature.]
With a swift motion, Robert felt an explosion of unknown energy course through his entire body, increasing his strength and speed to levels he had never experienced.
It was as if a new source of power had unlocked within him, fueling each of his muscles and sharpening his senses!
Park Jincheol grinned widely - "Hahaha, that's right, kid" - he muttered to himself - "This is what I've been looking for!"
Satisfaction reflected in his gaze; he knew Robert had broken his limits, something few achieve amid combat.
Whoosh
Robert, revitalized by this new energy, assumed a firmer stance. His movements, once desperate and exhausted, were now fluid and powerful.
"Let's go, old man, it's time for round two!"
With a battle cry, Robert launched a direct attack on Park Jincheol!
[HP: 250 ➔ 400]
[MP: 440 ➔ 700]
[STR: 150 ➔ 500]
[AGI: 140 ➔ 300]
[VIT: 750 ➔ 1000]
[INT: 65 ➔ 90]
[PER: 75 ➔ 100]
[FAT: 0 ➔ 20]
His fist sliced through the air with impressive speed, and this time, the veteran military man didn't evade it as easily. The force of the impact resonated across the battlefield, echoing through the surroundings.
Boom!
"System, activate all skills!"
Feeling the power now flowing through his veins, Robert didn't hold back!
[All skills raised to 100% efficiency!]
[Sprint lvl 2 - Activated! - 5 MP/min]
[Agility: 300 ➔ 600]
Robert's speed, boosted by activating "Limit Breaker," doubled upon activating the "Sprint" skill, reaching a velocity that caught Park Jincheol by surprise.
[Blood thirst lvl 2 - Activated! - 50 MP/min]
"!"
The moment the "Blood thirst" skill was activated, Park Jincheol felt as if his body was bound by an invisible force, slowing him down and drastically reducing his strength.
This was something he had only experienced when fighting against General Kim's forces, something that could only be produced by the item that the old military man possessed.
And no wonder, because when this skill is activated, the target loses 50% of all attributes for 60 seconds. Cost for 60 seconds: 50 MP!
Ding, ding, ding
[Park Jincheol's strength decreased from 1550 ➔ 775; speed decreased from 750 ➔ 375]
Robert paid no attention to what the system showed him, as his mind was now determined to defeat his opponent. He advanced with a series of punches and kicks, each faster and stronger than the last.
Park Jincheol was severely limited, as Robert's speed had nearly doubled his own!
It was as if the roles had reversed!
The veteran military man blocked and dodged, but this time with more effort. The battle had shifted pace, and Robert was no longer just dodging; now he was an unstoppable force.
At this moment, Park Jincheol relied on his greater strength, so unrestricted, he began striking his opponent.
Whoosh
Boom!
The surroundings seemed to blur as the two fighters exchanged blows at a dizzying speed.
Each move by Robert was a manifestation of his newly discovered determination, a testament to breaking the barriers of his own body and mind!
However, the newfound awakened energy began to create great tension in his body.
[FAT: 20 ➔ 40 ➔ 60 ➔ 80]
[HP: 400 ➔ 390 ➔ 380]
[VIT: 1000 ➔ 990 ➔ 980]
Park Jincheol, though still smiling, was now completely focused. Each of Robert's attacks required his utmost attention and skill to neutralize.
"Well done, Robert!" - he murmured - "You've found the strength you needed, but it's time to end this"
Observing his opponent, Park Jincheol knew he had to act swiftly to prevent Robert's newly awakened strength from causing harm to his own body.
Ding, ding, ding
[Park Jincheol is using a combat skill!]
[CQC usage detected!]
Without hesitation, Jincheol gathered all his strength and moved with impressive speed. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Robert and, with pinpoint accuracy, delivered a direct blow to his opponent's neck.
Boom
"Haargh!"
The impact was devastating. The force of the blow was enough to lift Robert off the ground and slam him violently against the floor.
The concrete trembled under the intensity of the impact, and a cloud of dust rose around them. Robert lay embedded in the ground, stunned by the sudden loss of control.
"D-Damn... this... damn it"
Park Jincheol's strike was so precise and powerful that Robert lost consciousness instantly.
His body, still vibrating with the newly awakened energy, lay motionless on the ground. The dust cloud settled slowly, revealing Robert's fallen figure.
The momentary silence was broken by the arrival of General Kim and several assistants.
"Quick, take him to the medical station" - ordered General Kim authoritatively.
The assistants wasted no time, carefully lifting Robert's body and swiftly transporting him away, leaving Kim and Park Jincheol alone on the battlefield.
"Ha... hahaha... General, you've hit the jackpot this time... this kid is a true monster"
Jincheol remained there, breathing heavily, his hand still extended in the air. His gaze, though firm, showed a hint of pride.
"Indeed, that's why I asked you to train him" - General Kim responded calmly - "Could you tell me what you thought of this first combat?"
"You know, at first I thought this kid would be like the rest of the squadron members you've asked me to train. However, after he broke his limits, he showed a strange ability. If I hadn't reacted in time, maybe I would have been the one ending up on the floor. That makes him an extremely dangerous fighter"
"What do you mean by strange ability?" - General Kim asked with great curiosity.
At the beginning of the fight, Jincheol had been practically playing with Robert, making the boy feel cornered and trying to escape from the veteran military man's powerful attacks.
However, the moment Robert managed to break his limits of strength and speed, he rose to a level that even surprised the old soldier!
General Kim had seen how Park Jincheol gradually slowed down, and his punches no longer had the previous power. Robert, on the other hand, was accelerating rapidly, making it difficult to keep track of him.
The old general had seen a similar limitation of strength and speed before, similar to what Park Jincheol had experienced. However, he did not expect to see it in this fight.
"I felt my strength leaving my body, and my speed decreasing drastically... almost similar to what your medallion can achieve" - Park Jincheol responded with a sigh.
"!"
General Kim instinctively touched his pocket, where he kept the mentioned medallion.
"That ability you're talking about... are you sure it generates a similar effect to what the medallion does, right?" - the general spoke with strangeness, trying to regain composure.
"Yes... although not as potent, I felt like my strength was bound, and I could only use half of it for combat. If I hadn't knocked him out using CQC, it would have turned out worse"
Park Jincheol said seriously, for the first time stopping his smile and looking carefully at his superior.
"General, did you conduct any experiments with this kid and that medallion?"
"You offend me, Jincheol, don't mistake me for old Lee" - General Kim smiled ironically - "What I told you about this kid is all I know. If he has such an ability, it's because of his nature. From day one, that kid wasn't affected by not just my medallion, but also Director Lee's. He even managed to show great superhuman strength"
"He endured the effects of those two medallions!" - Park Jincheol raised an eyebrow, surprised by what he was hearing - "So... this kid is more than a monster... he's too important."
"That's right, Jincheol... he's very important. That's why you must train him to the best of your ability. I'll start the plan to purge the army. It's time to end 'Gold Door' and set everything in order. Your mission is to take this kid to the facilities of your A.R.E.S. group and train him. He must be ready in a couple of weeks"
The general turned around and began walking toward an exit.
"Yes, sir, as you command!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone