Zane smiled upon reading the cryptic messages from the system."A big reward?" he muttered to himself, intrigued.[Yes, host. But I cannot tell you now, as the reward will be given randomly.][Consider it a surprise, host.]"Could the system possibly grant me additional powers? Like the ability to fly?" Zane wondered silently.[Do you wish to become a successor to Superman, host?][Just wait and see, host. It is a surprise after all.]Zane's smile widened as he read the notifications from the system, his curiosity piqued by the playful banter. Although the idea of gaining superhuman abilities seemed more like a fantasy, it added an element of excitement to his serious mission.***On a typical Sunday morning, Zane followed his routine of jogging in the park. He completed five laps, a regular feat for him, though sweat dripped down his forehead from the effort.Feeling sufficiently exercised, he sat down on a park bench and drank some bottled water. The cool liquid was refreshing, q
Zane was trying to follow the thread of James' conversation and responded with a calm demeanor. James, emphasizing his words, asked pointedly, "Are you still new here? So, you don’t fully understand what an assistant’s duties entail?" He continued, "I get it, Ms. Watson is very friendly and laid-back, but as her assistant, shouldn’t you know your place? Even if she asked you to stay put, you should still keep an eye on her from a distance to make sure she’s safe."Upon hearing James’ assumption, Zane realized he was mistaken for Lily's bodyguard. "Ah, Mr. James, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding," Zane replied gently, "I’m not her assistant; I’m actually her friend."James was visibly taken aback by Zane's clarification. His face registered shock mixed with embarrassment, and a struggle to maintain his pride without showing his discomfort.James scrutinized Zane's appearance. It was indeed true that Lily was a friendly and down-to-earth girl, enjoying socializing with peop
As Lily sped off into the arena, Zane remained at the starting point with James, the trail riding coach assigned by Lily to give him an introductory briefing before his first trail attempt."Alright, Mr. Gardner, let's start with some basics," James began, slightly underestimating Zane's capability as a beginner. "Although this might be challenging for you since it's your first time, don’t worry, just keep trying and you’ll get the hang of it."James stood next to Zane, who was busy adjusting his helmet straps, showing no signs of nervousness despite it being his first time on a trail bike. "Remember to keep your body relaxed and let the bike do most of the work," James instructed confidently. "Stay focused on the trail ahead, and don’t stiffen up when making turns. Use the brakes wisely—avoid braking too abruptly, especially on downhill paths. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the ride. This trail is challenging, tough, but also incredibly rewarding. Mr. Gardner, don't push y
When Zane spotted the sizable rock directly in his path, a pulse of adrenaline shot through him. Despite the sudden challenge, he managed to keep his cool, knowing that panicking would only make the situation worse. Drawing on his instincts and training practice in cultivation, he quickly decided to execute a bunny hop—a maneuver to jump the bike over obstacles by lifting the front wheel first, followed by the rear.With a smooth motion, Zane lifted the front of his bike, timing it perfectly as he approached the rock. Then, by moving his wrists and a push from his legs, he lifted the rear wheel, gracefully clearing the obstacle without breaking his forward momentum.James, who was watching him through the rearview mirror, could hardly believe his eyes. Seeing Zane handle the trail riding technique with such proficiency was unexpected and astonishing. He muttered to himself in disbelief, "A bunny hop? How could he pull that off so effortlessly? That move isn’t easy; it usually req
Zane remained calm, quietly observing and listening to the banter between them.Clark chuckled at James's reaction, well aware of how James tended to take things to heart. "Haha, James, did my comment sting a little?" he teased, knowing exactly how to provoke a response. Both Clark and Lily had known James long enough to understand his sensitivities.James chose to ignore Clark's jab, instead turning his attention to Zane with a challenging tone. "Mr. Gardner, be honest, I'm sure you're not really a beginner, right? I challenge you in the arena," he declared, a smug grin spreading across his face as he felt he had cornered Zane into admitting something more about his skill level.Lily quickly intervened, her voice laced with concern, "James, what do you mean by that?" She stepped in, aiming to shield Zane from what she perceived as an unfair confrontation.Zane responded calmly, maintaining his composure, "Mr. James, this really is my first time playing. But why should I accept you
Zane and James lined up at the starting line, their motorcycles idling and ready to roar into action. Lily positioned herself to give the signal, her hand poised and ready to drop. The anticipation was palpable, the air thick with the scent of fuel and excitement. "Ready... set..." Lily called out, and with a sharp drop of her hand, they were off.Both riders burst forward with a surge of power, tires kicking up dust as they launched from the start. For the first few moments, they were side by side, but James, with his extensive experience on this particular trail, quickly pulled ahead. His familiarity with every twist and turn, every bump and obstacle, allowed him to navigate with apparent ease. He knew exactly where to speed up and when to slow down, which roots to avoid, and how to angle his bike perfectly through the sharp bends.Zane, however, was not far behind. Though this was only his second time facing this trail, he was a quick study. The previous lap had given him a cr
Meanwhile, Zane continued to ride with impeccable focus and smooth execution, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding behind him. He remained unaware of James's predicament, fully concentrated on the challenges before him. Each obstacle was met with precision and confidence, reinforcing his skills and determination with every maneuver.As time passed, the finish line came into view for Zane. A smile spread across his face, fueled by the rush of nearing victory. His excitement was not for the prize itself but for the personal triumph it represented. Winning this challenge was about affirming his ability to adapt and succeed in new and demanding situations.As Zane approached the finish line, Lily spotted him from a distance and couldn't contain her excitement. She waved and jumped up and down, cheering loudly, "Zane, hooray!!" Her voice was filled with enthusiasm as she celebrated his achievement.Zane responded with a broad smile, pulling up to where Lily was standing. He d
Zane sensed the grave possibility that James might have ventured deeper into the hazardous alternate route and met with an accident. Preparing to follow the trail, he turned to Lily with a plan. "Lily, I'm going to go in and track him down," Zane said decisively. "I'll ask the guards to come and pick you up.""No, Zane, I'm coming with you," Lily responded firmly, her voice filled with determination."But, Lily, we don't know how extreme the path inside might be. Wouldn't it be better if you waited here?" Zane expressed his concern.Lily, aware of the alternate route's reputation yet having never traversed it herself, only knew of its challenges through tales from others. Despite this, her resolve was clear. "No, I'm going with you. I won't let you go in there alone," she insisted, her tone resolute.As Zane and Lily were about to enter the risky alternate path, the rumble of approaching motorcycles halted their plans. Five bikes approached; four were ridden by Lily's personal guar