From Loser to Mighty

Time to Act

Three years passed. Under Master Elder's guidance, Dave mastered all the knowledge passed down to him. Not just deadly fighting techniques, but also incredible medicinal knowledge. His muscular body now moved with deadly precision. His punches could break rock, his speed surpassed the wind, and his senses were as sharp as a wild beast's.

Dave had learned the weak points of the human body, how to incapacitate an enemy without killing them, and how to heal the most severe wounds. He had become an expert in using daggers, stalking without a trace, and surviving in the most extreme environments. Dave had become extremely powerful, exactly as Master Elder had promised.

Besides knowledge and power, before parting ways and returning to his seclusion, Master Elder also bequeathed something unexpected to Dave: wealth. That wealth was the result of Master Elder's sixty years of service to important people who needed his medical expertise and knowledge. Dave didn't know the exact amount, but Master Elder guaranteed it was enough for him to survive, even luxuriously, for at least the next ten years.

However, Master Elder sternly reminded Dave. The wealth must remain a secret. Dave must not show off his wealth. He had to remain looking simple, like an ordinary person. The reason was simple: so Dave could see the world clearly, distinguishing who would be a genuine friend from those who would only approach because of money.

By pretending to be simple, Dave could more easily discern true friends and enemies on his journey ahead. Dave understood.

After three years, when Master Elder felt Dave was ready, it was time for Dave to leave the forest and face the real world. His main goal was to go to the city, find his seven sisters, and protect them.

Based on the information he had managed to gather, Dave knew where some of his sisters were living. One of them was Karina, who lived in Green City, a bustling metropolitan city.

Dave arrived in Green City and quickly blended in with the crowd. As per Master Elder's instructions, Dave dressed simply, like a young man from a village. He rented a small room on the outskirts of the city, far from luxury. Despite having considerable wealth, Dave lived like an ordinary person.

Secretly, Dave began to watch over Karina from a distance. He studied her life. Karina Winter had apparently become a successful woman, a renowned interior designer, and had an established life. She was always escorted, living in a secure environment. However, Dave could sense there was tension, something was off around her.

Whenever there were signs of danger or vague threats directed at Karina, Dave would intervene. Always silently. He thwarted kidnapping attempts, stopped robberies, or incapacitated thugs. Dave moved like a shadow, resolving issues without being noticed, then disappearing. He became an invisible protector for Karina and others who needed it.

However, Dave's presence as a mysterious figure who always appeared near Karina was eventually noticed. Maybe because he acted too often, or perhaps Karina possessed keen senses.

One afternoon, while Karina was sitting at a luxurious cafe in the city center, enjoying coffee and reading a book, Dave was across the street, pretending to sit in a public park while watching her as usual.

Suddenly, Karina stood up from her seat. Her face looked annoyed, even angry. She walked quickly across the street, heading straight for Dave. Dave was surprised, not expecting Karina to approach him.

Without hesitation, Karina grabbed a glass of iced water from a nearby cafe table, then... SPLASH! She poured the water right onto Dave's head.

The cold water streamed down, soaking Dave's hair and clothes. Everyone in the cafe and pedestrians nearby turned their heads, watching the drama unfold.

Karina's face was red with anger. She pointed at Dave with her finger. "You pervert! Stalker! What do you want?! I told you to stay away from me!" The insults spilled from her lips, sharp and cold.

As if that wasn't enough, Karina aimed a kick at Dave. Dave could have easily dodged the kick, but he chose not to fight back. He relented.

In front of everyone, amidst the dousing of iced water, Dave simply knelt down, raising both his hands in surrender. He let his clothes get soaked and his dignity be trampled. "I'm not like that, Miss Karina. I just wanted to introduce myself."

Karina got even angrier seeing Dave kneel. She pointed at him furiously. "Don't mess with me! I'm calling the police! You people from Black Crow are truly relentless!"

Just as Karina was about to call the police, two bodyguards ran up to her with panicked faces.

"Miss Karina!" said one of the bodyguards, his voice breathless. "It's urgent! Your grandmother is dying!"

The news shocked Karina. Grandma Maura Winter. That was the name of the leader of the Eager Group, a large conglomerate, and also the woman who had saved Karina from the burning orphanage and raised her. Grandma Maura was Karina's lifesaver.

"What?! Dying?!" Karina exclaimed, her anger at Dave instantly forgotten.

"Yes, Miss. Her condition is very critical. The doctors say it won't be long," the bodyguard explained sadly. "All family members have been asked to gather at Winter Mansion to wait..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Karina understood. Waiting for Grandma Maura's death.

Karina felt her world collapsing. Grandma Maura was the only family she had left. She didn't want to lose her grandmother.

In her confusion and sadness, Dave stood up from his knees. His clothes were soaked, but he ignored it. He knew this was his moment.

Karina turned towards Dave with a sneer. In her eyes, there was still hatred and suspicion. "What do you want now?!"

Dave met Karina's gaze calmly. He knew Karina didn't recognize him as Dave and wouldn't force his confession at this moment.

"Miss Karina," Dave said, using a formal address for the first time. "I know you don't recognize me and you don't trust me. But, I promise, I can help."

Karina snorted in disgust. "Help? What other excuse is this? Trying to get close by taking advantage of the situation?! I'm sure this is just your disgusting trick!"

Dave remained calm. "No, Miss. I really can help. I can heal your grandmother."

Karina scoffed. "Heal? Who do you think you are? The best doctors in this city have given up! Don't be ridiculous!"

"I know it sounds unbelievable," Dave replied. "But I have a way. I have medicinal knowledge that they don't."

Karina felt nauseous. The situation with her grandmother was already bad enough, and now this strange man kept bothering her. "Enough! Get out of here while I'm still willing to let you go this time! Don't make me change my mind and actually call the police!"

Dave didn't move. He knew this was his chance. A chance to get close to Karina, a chance to enter her family's circle, and a chance to find out more about Black Crow from the inside.

"I understand you don't believe me," Dave said. "How about we make a deal, Miss Karina?"

Karina looked at him suspiciously. "What deal?"

"Here's the thing," Dave said. "Let me try to heal Grandma Winter. If I succeed, if your grandmother recovers, then you have to let me get closer to you, and you have to listen to my explanation."

Karina's face darkened further. "And if you fail?!"

"If I fail," Dave replied calmly. "I will accept any punishment you give me. You want me to surrender to the police? You want to beat me to death? I will accept it."

Challenging her like this? Karina felt her anger boiling up again. She didn't like being challenged, especially by a man she considered so low-class.

One of the bodyguards accompanying Karina whispered softly in Karina's ear. "Miss, perhaps it's better if you just agree. We'll bring him to Winter Mansion. If he's truly a fraud, it will be easy to incapacitate him there. We can keep a close eye on him. If there's even a slight possibility he can help, then it's a miracle for Grandma."

Karina thought for a moment. The bodyguard had a point. Winter Mansion was the safest place. Bringing this man there actually gave her an advantage; she could control him completely. And if there was even a small chance he could save her grandmother, Karina would take that risk.

Karina looked at Dave with a sharp, calculating gaze. "Alright. I agree."

Dave nodded, feeling relieved internally. His plan had worked.

"But listen carefully, you strange man," Karina threatened, her voice cold and sharp. "If you fail to save my Grandmother... if she doesn't recover, or something happens to her because of you, then myself will make sure you pay. You will have to drink the deadliest poison I can find. Understand?!"

The threat didn't faze Dave at all. He only saw determination in his sister's eyes.

"Understood, Miss Karina," Dave replied firmly. "Take me to Grandma Winter."