Chapter 163: About Regular A

Hearing the commotion, Shi Ji finally looked up.

In the distance, a few creatures’ corpses first caught his attention. Then, there were several men dressed in strange outfits. Judging by their attire, they were likely heroes as well.

As the continuous stream of curses filled the air, Shi Ji’s attention shifted to someone lying on the ground.

Whatever was happening over there, he decided to go take a look.

Indeed, these people were all heroes, including the one sprawled on the ground.

Upon closer inspection, Shi Ji realized that the hero on the ground was none other than the ordinary C-rank hero, Regular A, whom he had encountered the previous day. Regular A’s broadsword lay some distance away, as still as he was.

The three men standing around wore similar outfits. They looked like a group. Their flashy attire was in stark contrast to their ugly expressions.

All three men looked down at Regular A with extreme disdain. One of them kicked Regular A hard, landing a brutal blow to his side.

Regular A, lying there, barely reacted. He only let out a faint groan. It was clear that he was almost unconscious.

“We’ve put up with you long enough. Keep causing trouble for us, and we’re gonna teach you a lesson you won’t forget, you piece of trash,” the man spat as he delivered another kick.

Regular A didn’t have a Star-born physique. His body was only slightly stronger than that of an ordinary person and couldn’t withstand such a beating.

Another one of the men stepped up and delivered a hard stomp.

“A regular guy like you, trying to show off? What the hell’s in your head? Why don’t you just stay home and stop getting in everyone’s way?” 

Shi Ji stood off to the side, observing the scene. From what he heard, he quickly pieced together the situation.

Seeing the third man raise his foot to deliver yet another kick to Regular A, Shi Ji finally spoke up.

“Alright, enough with the nonsense. You guys can clock out and go home now.”

The sudden voice from the side made the three men pause. They slowly turned their heads to see who had spoken.

When they saw a young stranger approaching, one of them cursed.

“Where’d this punk come from? Get lost! Don’t think just because you’re an ordinary guy, I won’t lay a hand on you.”

Shi Ji didn’t mind the insult. He smiled calmly. 

“People like Blade and Divine Hunter are just annoying, but you guys are beyond that. You’re downright disgusting. The fact that scum like you call yourselves heroes is an insult to the word hero. If it weren’t for your special abilities, would you dare to face off against creatures like he does? Don’t bother denying it. I know your type. You wouldn’t dare. And just so we’re clear, I’ll give you back your own words. Don’t think just because you’re an ordinary guy, I won’t lay a hand on you.”

The three men stared at Shi Ji for a moment, then exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

“Haha! This kid’s got some nerve, talking to us like that—the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers!”

“This guy’s a joke!”

“Wait here, I’ll go teach him a lesson.”

Each of them spoke in turn, but before the two men could move, they felt a tap on their shoulders.

The three of them turned around almost simultaneously, only to find that the very guy they had just mocked had somehow appeared behind them.

Before they could react, Shi Ji’s fist came crashing down.

When dealing with people who annoy him, Shi Ji believed in giving a verbal warning. But when it came to those he found extremely detestable, he preferred to take direct action. Nothing could stop him.

One punch each, and down they went.

Shi Ji, all by himself, managed to pin the three of them to the ground and unleash a relentless beating. The three men, unable to fight back, could only squeal like pigs. Their faces were swollen and bruised until they really did look like pigs.

Under Shi Ji’s relentless attacks, the three men were indeed “clocked out” for the day. Even with their Star physiques, boasting high durability, Shi Ji doubted they’d be out of the hospital in less than two weeks.

Shi Ji had no money on him, so after beating them up, he wasn’t going to stick around. Especially since these guys were heroes. 

If they caught him, who knows how much he’d have to pay in damages.

Before leaving, Shi Ji made sure to bring along Regular A and his massive broadsword.

Regular A was already unconscious, but he hadn’t been beaten as badly as those three who looked like swollen pigs. Still, given his lower physical durability, he wouldn’t be recovering anytime soon.

With Regular A badly injured, Shi Ji took him to the hospital.

In fact, upon arriving at the hospital, Shi Ji rummaged through Regular A’s belongings to see if he had any money. After all, hospital bills weren’t cheap. But after searching thoroughly, he found only a few hundred yuan. It seemed like Regular A was even poorer than he was.

Initially, Shi Ji thought about covering the costs himself, but then he recalled what happened when Lin Xinyan was injured. With that thought, he pocketed the money instead.

“This is Regular A, a C-rank hero. No need for payment, right?” 

That was exactly what Shi Ji told the doctor.

Because of Regular A’s C-rank hero status, all his medical expenses were waived.

Shi Ji wasn’t heartless. While Regular A was being examined and treated, he didn’t leave the hospital. He even found time to buy an apple. Yes, just one. No extras.

While waiting outside for the results, Shi Ji held the apple in his hands. More than once, he felt tempted to eat it himself. But in the end, he managed to resist.

When Regular A was finally wheeled out, he had regained consciousness. 

Learning that Shi Ji had brought him to the hospital, he felt deeply grateful.

After they moved to the ward, and the nurse had explained the basic procedures to Regular A, she left them alone.

Shi Ji then placed the now warm apple on the small table beside the bed.

“This is for you. I don’t have much money, so it’s just a small token.”

Regular A had just met Shi Ji yesterday and was impressed by Shi Ji’s calm demeanor. So when he saw Shi Ji again, he recognized him immediately.

“Thanks so much for bringing me to the hospital.”

Shi Ji shook his head and casually said, “It was nothing. By the way, who were those three guys that were kicking you around like that? It really pissed me off watching it.”

Staring at the ceiling, Regular A let out a bitter laugh.

“They’re the B-rank hero trio known as the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Brothers. They’re active in that area. The three of them look down on C-rank heroes, always thinking we’re trash. I’ve had to deal with them a lot, but since I’m not a Starborn hero and my strength is limited, they always see me as a burden. But honestly, I’ve helped out a lot too.”

At this point, Regular A’s tone grew somber.

Shi Ji could tell that Regular A really wanted to be acknowledged by others.

“I noticed the dead monsters. Aside from that thick outer shell, you could have taken them down. That’s where your weakness lies.”

Regular A nodded, acknowledging this point.

“Thanks for the encouragement.”

“No, it’s not just encouragement,” Shi Ji said, his tone suddenly turning serious as he looked directly at Regular A. “Ordinary people can become very strong through their own efforts. You have to remember that the dead Starborn heroes were once ordinary people too.”

Regular A was taken aback for a moment, but then his mood lifted, and a smile slowly spread across his face. He nodded vigorously. 

“Yeah, I understand now. Thank you.”

Shi Ji’s words gave Regular A the affirmation he needed, boosting his confidence.

Just then, Regular A seemed to remember something.

“Oh, by the way, where did the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Brothers go?”

When asked this question, Shi Ji’s previously serious expression vanished, replaced by an awkward look.

“Uh… well… they got seriously injured while fighting those monsters, so they’re probably getting treated too. Yeah, that’s probably it.”