On the way to Shin territory, Nic chatting casually with Zeta.
"Hm, Zeta, how much longer until I get a new system skill?" Nic asked.
[ Master Nic can actually get a new system skill right now. ]
"Huh? Why didn't you tell me? You usually do."
[ Who knows, maybe Master Nic doesn't need it anymore. ]
"You act like you know everything... anyway, how many more until the next new system skill?"
[ Two more. Do you want to take both at once after that, Master Nic? ]
"Yeah, might as well do it all at once."
---
Nic arrived in Shin territory, but for some reason, there was a huge line leading up to the main entrance.
"Huh, do we actually have to queue?" Nic said, confused.
[ It seems something is happening, Master Nic. ]
Nic activated God of Analyst and checked the situation.
[ Master Nic, this isn't a problem. It seems to be normal here in Shin territory. They are indeed queuing, but not for the entrance—there's another line inside. ]
Curious, Nic tapped the shoulder of the person in front of him. "Uh, excuse me, sir. What is this line for?"
"Oh, we're queuing to get treatment from a famous medical expert."
"Aren't you tired waiting in a line this long? Won't that make you sicker?" Nic asked.
The man shook his head and said that once they got there, they would be healed, so the fatigue would vanish too.
"Oh, I see. If I'm not queuing for treatment, can I just go straight in?" Nic asked.
The man nodded. Nic thanked him and immediately headed for the entrance.
Once inside, it turned out Shin territory was more modern than he expected—like old traditions mixed with new technology.
"Wow, crazy. I thought it would be similar to Kyu territory," Nic said.
However, because Nic didn't say it in his head, everyone immediately glared at him, making the atmosphere tense.
One of the Shin residents approached Nic. "What do you mean our territory is the same as Kyu, huh!?"
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean anything by it," Nic said politely.
But the Shin resident was annoyed and kept snapping at Nic, while Nic just stayed silent and took it while being watched by the crowd.
Coincidentally, the Orchid flower guardian, Chira, was there with Illiya. They saw Nic.
"Chira, isn't that the guy you tested that time!" Illiya exclaimed.
"Heeeh? Why is he here? And why is he getting yelled at like that?" Chira said curiously.
"Let's go help him," Illiya said, feeling pity.
"Ahem, you go ahead. I can't be bothered with him, hmph..." Chira said, pouting.
Chira was still annoyed because back then, he wasn't given the flower; Illiya was the one who got it.
As time passed, Nic was getting surrounded by more Shin residents and others present.
[ Wow, first impressions here don't seem very welcoming, Master Nic. ]
"Well, this is interesting," Nic said to himself.
Due to the commotion, some residents reported it, and a Shin territory official named Han arrived.
Han ordered everyone to step aside. Han was a high-ranking official and also a medical expert.
"There are reports that you insulted our territory," Han said calmly.
"I didn't insult it. I was just amazed because I thought your territory would be the same. I'm a neutral party and a tourist, so there's no need to drag this out," Nic said.
Hearing that, Han laughed. It seemed Shin territory's pride was too high. "You talk too much, yet you are as small as an ant to me... don't play around like that, because you are currently in the largest territory in the Eastern."
Seeing Official Han's behavior, Nic realized Shin territory was big and strong, but their attitude was too predictable. Perhaps that's how Kyu could fight them and keep things balanced.
"Okay, let's keep it short. What are you going to do to me now? O great and powerful official?" Nic said, clearly being sarcastic about Han's title.
Seeing that, Chira and Illiya were curious and a bit panicked because Nic was so bold in challenging a Shin Territory official.
Seeing Nic's bold nature, Official Han became more interested and immediately summoned others.
Han was one of the most senior officials. If he called, usually everyone came. For Han, even the smallest matter would be dealt with down to its roots.
After all the officials arrived, Nic was berated and told he didn't respect Shin territory for bringing up their rival's name here.
This made Nic even more annoyed. "What kind of 'clean rival' are you if you're that sensitive just hearing your own rival's name?"
Han answered firmly, "We are indeed rivals, but do not equate us with them... the difference is vast."
Nic asked Zeta to hold back his emotions.
[ Sorry Master Nic, I can't hold you back, so just do as you please. ]
But suddenly, there was the sound of someone screaming, and a person was flung in front of Han. It turned out the figure of Shin Meilin had appeared, and she was the one who hit that person for blocking her way.
"What is this... you are all so noisy and blocking my path!" Meilin said firmly, making everyone panic.
Han explained that someone had insulted them, pointing at Nic.
Meilin glanced at Nic. "Explain the chronology."
"Even if I explain it, you might not believe me," Nic said casually.
Hearing that, Meilin smiled widely and cracked her knuckles while approaching Nic.
"Follow me," Meilin said with a sharp gaze.
Meilin then ordered everyone to disperse or else they'd all get beaten up. The area cleared out immediately.
Nic followed Meilin, wondering where she was taking him.
It turned out Meilin was heading toward Mount Shin, which was very tall, and ordered Nic to follow her up.
There were other climbers who were shocked to see Shin Meilin; they panicked and stopped climbing until she passed them.
When they reached the peak, a female climber was already there resting. She was extremely exhausted.
Meilin saw her and immediately ordered her to leave. "I want to use this place. Get down now."
The girl's name was Summira and she panicked. She wanted to refuse because she was so tired, but refusing meant getting beaten up for sure.
Just as Summira was about to speak, Nic cut in.
"Let her stay there. She's tired and needs to rest... besides, what do you want to do with me anyway?" Nic said.
Summira got even more scared because the atmosphere felt like a storm was brewing. She just looked at Nic and realized he didn't know Meilin.
"I-I'm fine, seriously! I'll just go down, hehehe. See ya!" said Summira, packing up and ready to leave.
But Nic quickly stopped her. "No need to be that scared. If you're tired, just rest."
Summira was even more confused internally. "Good lord, who is this guy? He's so weird. If I don't go down, Meilin will kill me later! I'm terrified of her raging."
"Hey, don't act like a hero. I clearly brought you here to fight me. The opponent is declared the loser only if they pass out. If not, keep beating them," Meilin said sharply.
Summira got goosebumps and wanted to go down, but Nic was holding onto her bag.
"Looks like I have to drop my polite act for now..." Nic said.
[ Master Nic, are you going to keep provoking her? ]
"Yeah, I'll keep provoking her until she falls."
[ How cruel. ]
"She's the one who brought me here first."
Meilin, furious at Nic's behavior, immediately equipped her iron gauntlets and got ready.
Nic activated the Fusion Combat skill.
Nic let go of Summira's bag. "Hey, don't run. Sit there. I'll make sure you're safe."
"Eh... O-okay... jeez, who is he? Why do I feel like a baby being babysitted?" Summira said, confused.
Then, Meilin immediately dashed forward with a punch. Nic threw a punch too. Their fists collided with immense force, and the sound of Nic's hand bones shattering could be heard.
Summira was shocked to hear that very clear sound because Meilin's iron fist was no joke.
Meanwhile, Nic just stood silently enduring it; his skill's effect kept him from feeling pain.
Meilin stepped back. Nic saw his hand was red and his fingers couldn't move—it was truly like punching concrete.
"Jingzi really is amazing," Nic said.
Hearing her nickname mentioned, Meilin immediately went to attack Nic again. This time she didn't hold back; she wanted to crush Nic's head with her iron fist.
But Nic blocked it with the same hand. Again, the sound of breaking bones was heard. Now his arm was broken—Nic's right arm was paralyzed.
Nic muttered in his heart, "She's terrifying... she really wants to kill me if I don't dodge."
[ Correct, Master Nic. You should dodge quickly rather than blocking, as it is fatal. ]
"Is my defense not strong enough?"
[ For a normal person, it's very strong. But against a phenomenon of strength like Meilin, it seems insufficient, especially since she is using iron gauntlets. ]
Nic smiled. "Alright, I'll get serious now."
Meanwhile, Summira was terrified seeing Nic's paralyzed arm. She panicked even more because it seemed she made a mistake listening to Nic telling her to stay, when she should have just gone down earlier.
To be continued...