The time goes back to ten minutes ago.
One-Punch Man World, Bang's dojo.
Crisp sounds of impact echoed in the dojo as two figures exchanged punches and palms in an offensive and defensive battle.
But soon, the orange-haired youth revealed a flaw in the fight and was knocked to the ground by a punch.
"I'm done, I'm done."
Charanko lay on the floor: "Let's stop today's training here, I need to rest."
"We only just started a little while ago."
Cain stopped his movements: "Charanko, you won't get stronger by being lazy like this."
"Cain is right."
Not far away, Bang sat leisurely on the dojo floor, holding a teacup.
"Charanko, you should put in more effort too, otherwise the gap will only keep widening."
"Master, I am trying, but I just can't win."
Charanko sat up and scratched his head: "I think my talent is about the same as Cain's, there's just a certain gap in training time."
"That's why I'm telling you to practice more."
Bang took a sip of tea: "Diligence can make up for lack of talent, not to mention your senior brother persists in training every day. He works much harder than you."
Charanko: "..."
There was no refuting that.
In Charanko's memory, from the first day he joined the Bang's dojo, Cain had been a 'King of Grinding.'
When the dojo members exercised, Cain was exercising.
When the dojo members slept, Cain was exercising.
When the dojo members took holidays, Cain was exercising.
Although his talent wasn't very high, Cain relied on high-intensity training to gain his strength and became the eldest senior brother of the Bang's dojo.
Even Garou, who joined the dojo later, was so out-grinded by him that he lost his temper, privately complaining that Cain was a lunatic who had become obsessed just to get stronger.
"Cain, don't you find it boring to train like this every day?"
"It's boring, but I value my life more."
Cain replied with a calm expression.
Eighteen years had passed since he transmigrated.
After discovering he had transmigrated to the One-Punch Man World, he begged his parents in this life to send him to learn martial arts.
Actually, he initially wanted to apprentice under Atomic Samurai, since having a sword in hand seemed more powerful.
But Atomic Samurai was too aloof, and his requirements for disciples were very strict; he didn't take in ordinary people with poor talent.
Failing to apprentice under Atomic Samurai, he came to the Bang's dojo to follow Bang and learn the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
To possess the power of self-preservation, Cain adopted the 'grinding' attitude of a student doing practice problems in his previous life, practicing for thirteen years without stopping through wind and rain.
Looking only at his martial arts attainment, his Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist had already reached the level where he could graduate and take on disciples.
But compared to Bang, he could only be an A-Class Hero in the Hero Association, and that was even with the boost from his martial arts.
There was no helping it, his physical fitness was too far behind.
Even if he practiced his techniques to the limit of an ordinary person, it would be in vain if his stats couldn't keep up.
"Master, I'm going for weight training."
"Go ahead, remember to balance work and rest."
Bang urged him as usual.
In truth, he didn't understand why Cain worked so hard, the other's effort even made him feel a bit ashamed.
After watching Cain leave, he looked at his second disciple who was still slacking off and shook his head slightly.
"Charanko, your training volume is doubled today."
"Eh?!!"
...
On the other side.
After leaving the Bang's dojo, Cain was preparing to go to the backyard for weight training.
But just then, an inexplicable throb rose in his mind.
By the time he reacted, the surrounding scenery had changed, and he appeared on a plaza surrounded by clouds and the mist.
A Monster attack?
To be able to bypass Bang and attack him, this must be at least a Dragon-level Monster.
Sweeping his gaze around, One-Punch Cain suddenly noticed the the mist not far away parting to both sides, and a black-haired youth who looked exactly like him walked out.
"Oh? A newcomer?"
Amidst the surprised voice, the youth's figure blurred and appeared to his right, raising a hand to pat his shoulder.
No malice or killing intent... a prank?
Not understanding what the youth wanted to do, One-Punch Cain subconsciously pulled away and grabbed the other's wrist.
In an instant, a vast amount of memories flooded into his mind.
The Mist Space, Cains from different worlds...
"Holy crap! A cheat!"
"Holy crap! A grinding king!"
Two cries of shock rang out simultaneously; both One-Punch Cain and DanMachi Cain were stunned.
Except the former was shocked by the arrival of his own cheat, while the latter was shocked by the former's training intensity.
"No, brother."
"Aside from going out to clear Monsters to gain combat experience, you persist in training for 20 hours every day. How have you not dropped dead?"
"Master Bang prepared secret medicines for me that can soothe physical fatigue and repair damage, and I only started with 12 hours of training, the intensity was increased bit by bit."
"Impressive."
DanMachi Cain gave a thumbs up.
He had to give it to him; One-Punch Cain was truly a grinding king.
Even among the many Cains, he was the one with the highest training intensity.
However, DanMachi Cain could also understand his thoughts; after all, the One-Punch Man World was too dangerous, with Dragon-level Monsters blowing up cities at the drop of a hat.
Even without a Dragon-level Monster, a lower Demon-level Monster could easily take an ordinary person's life.
If you didn't want to die for no reason, you could only do everything in your power to get stronger.
"I really want to swap with you guys."
One-Punch Cain had finished digesting the memories and couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Although the Cains from other worlds had also encountered many dangers, they were at least stronger than him.
The One-Punch World? Not even a dog would go there.
"Don't give up, One-Punch me."
DanMachi Cain patted the other's shoulder to comfort him. "Hard work pays off. You see, you've successfully held out until awakening in the Mist Plaza."
"By the way, weren't you worried before that your physical fitness wasn't strong enough? You don't have to worry now. With the Spirit Devouring Barrier in hand, you can keep getting stronger just by finding more Monsters to farm."
"I'll do that even without you telling me."
One-Punch Cain contemplated his next plan.
The One-Punch World was least lacking in Monsters, especially powerful ones.
If he could use the Spirit Devouring Barrier to devour the souls of these Monsters to strengthen himself, his physical fitness could definitely increase.
Combined with the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, he could even hold his own for a few moves against a Dragon-level Monster.
"No rush to set out just yet."
Seeing through One-Punch Cain's thoughts, DanMachi Cain pointed toward the edge of the plaza.
"Wait for me to find Hestia to update my Falna. With the experiences shared from your side, my deed should already be full, it's more than enough to break through to Level 4."
"Alright, then I'll wait for you."
One-Punch Cain nodded.
Day after day of training had given him a steady mindset.
Despite coming to the Mist Plaza and obtaining a cheat, One-Punch Cain didn't become arrogant and haughty.
Stay humble, stay steady, and go far.
After watching DanMachi Cain leave, One-Punch Cain focused his attention on the new power within his body.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.