Chapter 32: Virtual Combat Space, Simulated Battle

Following the guidance of the chip, Zhang Ran processed and added various materials one by one. With the chip’s assistance, he achieved near perfection in both the quantity and timing of each addition. Half an hour later, a small pile of yellow powder appeared at the center of his pharmaceutical preparation device.

“Not bad, it worked!”

He carefully poured the yellow powder into a glass vial he had prepared in advance. Gazing at the pale yellow powder inside, Zhang Ran couldn’t help but smile.

Though Wolf Repellent Powder couldn’t kill a Carrion Wolf, unless the beast was extremely hungry, its scent would drive most away, making them give up pursuit. This way, even if Zhang Ran encountered a pack, he would avoid being besieged.

After finishing the preparation, Zhang Ran packed away his equipment and the vial, locked the door, set up a simple trap, and finally sat on the bed in his room.

“Chip, attempt to activate the virtual combat space.”

He closed his eyes, silently issuing the command to the chip in his mind.

“Ding! Attempting to activate the virtual combat space...”

“Ding! Virtual combat space successfully activated!”

With the chip’s prompt, a flash of silver light streaked before his eyes. The darkness gave way to brightness, and Zhang Ran perceived himself now standing in a small space, two meters in length, width, and height.

“Amazing, it really worked! The super chip exists within my brain, powered by my mental energy. Previously, my mental strength wasn’t enough to drive the chip and activate the virtual combat space. Now that I’ve advanced to a quasi-evolver, my spirit power has reached perfection and increased, so I can finally use this function.”

Sensing the changes around him, Zhang Ran was overwhelmed with joy. His face broke into a grin, and he even trembled slightly from excitement.

As a super chip from the future, its functions were far beyond simple detection, mapping, or assistance. The virtual combat space was one of its most powerful features.

Virtual combat space was the pinnacle of virtual reality technology. It could send special signals directly to Zhang Ran’s brain, constructing a simulated space within his mind, generating enemies, and allowing him to engage in mock battles.

During his training at Black Hawk Youth Camp, Zhang Ran had tried several times to activate this function but failed each time due to insufficient mental strength. Only after becoming a quasi-evolver did he finally succeed.

“Chip, assess the current simulation capabilities of the virtual combat space.”

While adapting to his surroundings and familiarizing himself with movement in this space, Zhang Ran issued another calm command.

“Ding! Assessing...”

“Ding! Assessment complete. The current virtual combat space can simulate a maximum volume of 300 cubic meters, the strongest enemy available: level 1 evolver, and your current mental strength can sustain the simulation for 67 minutes.”

At Zhang Ran’s inquiry, the chip immediately began its assessment and soon provided the results.

“Three hundred cubic meters, level 1 evolver, sixty-seven minutes—not bad, that’s sufficient for my needs. Chip, simulate a grassland environment and generate a Carrion Wolf with a physical attribute of 2.2 for testing!”

Satisfied with the results, Zhang Ran gave the command.

With his mental directive, his surroundings shifted instantly. The empty room transformed into a patch of grassland reminiscent of the wilderness, though the area was small—only ten meters in length and width. Opposite Zhang Ran stood a ferocious Carrion Wolf.

With another thought, a field uniform identical to what he wore in reality appeared on his body, and in his hand materialized the familiar level-2 alloy military dagger.

“Begin the trial!”

Once his equipment was ready, Zhang Ran issued the order. The distant Carrion Wolf immediately activated, its hind legs kicking off the ground, turning into a gray-green blur as it lunged at him.

“Well come!”

A flash of excitement crossed Zhang Ran’s eyes as he watched the beast pounce. He swung his dagger fiercely at the onrushing wolf.

Clang!

With the sound of metal clashing, Zhang Ran’s stance wavered, and he involuntarily took half a step back. In contrast, the Carrion Wolf was sent flying by his strike; the claws that met his dagger were snapped clean off, taking with them a large strip of skin from its paw. Blood spattered the ground.

“Excellent! This quasi-evolver body truly is powerful!”

Delighting in the outcome of his blow, Zhang Ran’s brows arched with satisfaction.

Just days before, Zhang Ran had fought a Carrion Wolf one-on-one, but back then, his physical strength was inadequate for victory. He’d only managed to kill the beast with his Silver Hawk pistol.

Now, after his recent training and advancement, although the simulated wolf possessed even greater attributes than his earlier foe, Zhang Ran easily held the advantage.

“Again!”

With a cold glint in his eyes, Zhang Ran sprang forward, his feet pounding the earth. He swung his level-2 alloy dagger in a vicious arc at the wolf’s underside.

The Carrion Wolf refused to yield, its claws slashing at Zhang Ran’s weapon in defiance.

This time, the military dagger sliced clean through two of the wolf’s claws and, carrying the momentum, struck its forelimb with force.

Before the keen edge of the alloy blade, the wolf’s pelt parted easily. The dagger cut deep, severing muscle and bone, dismembering the beast’s forelimb in a spray of blood.

A piercing, anguished howl erupted from the Carrion Wolf’s throat. Zhang Ran pressed his attack, striding forward and kicking the beast’s body aside, exposing its vulnerable belly. His dagger slashed mercilessly across the wolf’s abdomen.

With this blow, the wolf’s gut split open in midair; blood, entrails, and viscera poured forth, and its body crashed heavily to the ground. It twitched a few times, then lay still.