Apocalypse Online: Regression of SSS-Class Summoner

Chapter 90: Neuromuscular Combat System

Max had memorized the exercise in his past life. It was called Imperial Foundational Training System.

Its early effects weren’t conspicuous for the next three years as it was only then effective for producing proportional physiological and neurological benefits in the player’s real-world body.

It was only truly effective in four years.

Max speculated it was simply because Apocalypse Online had fully integrated into the Earth, allowing the player in their real-world body to fully condition themselves and prepare.

After the Imperial Foundational Training System was introduced, various martial arts followed.

Max also learned a martial art for free in the internet—aiming to only improve his combat skills inside the game.

That was the same martial art he practiced alongside the exercises in the second week of March.

It was called Neuromuscular Combat System, one of the early martial art in his past life.

It emerged in the second year year Apocalypse Online was launched.

Researchers observed that individuals who consistently performed the five training categories displayed improvements not only in muscular strength and endurance, but also in reaction speed, motor control, balance, sensory processing, and decision-making under stress.

As a result, combat instructors, sports scientists, and former military personnel collaborated to develop a martial discipline specifically designed to exploit these neurological and physiological adaptations.

Before the appearance of superhuman phenomena, the Neuromuscular Combat System was regarded as an experimental performance-oriented martial art used by athletes, military personnel, security professionals, and dedicated practitioners of the Foundational Training System.

Its emphasis on measurable physical and neurological development distinguished it from traditional martial arts, leading many researchers to view it as one of the first combat disciplines built directly upon advances in human performance science rather than historical combat traditions.

Unlike traditional martial arts, NCS does not emphasize forms, traditions, or philosophical teachings. It was structured around measurable human performance.

The training components focused on neural conditioning, structural conditioning, dynamic coordination, reflex development, and respiratory regulation.

Paired with the Imperial Foundational Training System, Max could visibly feel the effects of the changes on his body in a single month of constant training.

If compared to the practitioner progression, Max was still at the foundation level, which focused on physical conditioning, basic striking, basic movement mechanics, and breath regulation.

More than enough to take down the three individual in front of him, who only had intimidation but no combat skills, with a bit effort.

The bald middle-aged man’s lackey finally arrived in front of Max.

Max scrutinized his average face. He has a dark tone skin, snub nose, wide eyes, and had a slicked-back power hair style.

He has a lot of ear-piercing.

What stood out the most was his snub nose, causing him to refer calling him Snub Nose in his head for now.

Max took an orthodox boxing stance and said, "You know what’s a jab, right?

Snub Nose was taken aback.

He hurriedly nodded.

"Let’s test it. Throw a jab on my face."

Snub Nose was utterly surprised.

Max didn’t even raise his arms, so his face was exposed.

He couldn’t understand the reason behind his confidence.

Looking at Max’s body, it was fairly normal, but was not as sturdy as him.

He wouldn’t be surprised that his one punch could knock him out in an instant.

Since Max was asking for it, he grinned inwardly.

He raised his arm and throw a jab out of nowhere while in the middle of his sentence, "Don’t blame me if—"

His words stuck on his throat.

His eyes widened.

Max evaded his fist with a simple tilt of his head.

Snub Nose was in disbelief.

He was certain his fist already had Max’s face, yet for a split-second, his face appeared on the right side, almost causing him to lose balance after failing to make a contact.

"You’re too slow." Max shook his head, visibly disappointed.

"This is how you do it."

As soon as he heard Max’s words in the middle of the sentence, Snub Nose immediately took a defensive stance, covering his face and stomach with both of his arms.

Through a slight gap, he saw Max’s face, but not his arms and chest due to a blind spot.

Max sneered and his face suddenly went close to him.

Fast!

Snub Nose held his breath, waiting for Max’s fist to arrive, expecting it on his wrists since they covered his face.

However, Max punched at his forearms.

A shocking pain coursed through him.

H-Heavy!

That was his last thought before his forearms gave in and broke, forcing him to shout at the top of his lungs from the excruciating pain.

He lost control of his arms, letting them sway downward, causing him to be vulnerable.

Max wasn’t done with him.

He quickly closed in the gap in their distance and threw a palm strike at his chest.

Snub Nose was silent for a second after receiving the palm strike.

But he screamed in agony again after his ribs caved in.

Max was displeased by how loud he was.

He quickly followed up an elbow strike to the side of Snub Nose’ neck, disrupting the nerve signals traveling to his vocal cords and larynx, instantly muting him.

Max still has two more other strikes, but at this point, Snub Nose was already on the critical condition.

He only had an hour or more left to be saved.

Max didn’t desire to kill him, only to leave a psychological trauma.

He glanced at the other two lackeys, who were frozen in fear.

The bald middle-aged man trembled when Max gazed at him.

He couldn’t fathom how Max was able to force his lackey, or better to be addressed as his subordinate, to a pitiful state.

Before their battle, any other person could conclude that Max had no chance of defeating him.

Due to their size and age.

His subordinate also learned how to fight after following their boss.

Max, on the other hand, appeared frail, with a bit of muscle forming on his body.

He was still young and definitely inexperienced.

Yet, the way he battled...

As if he had gone through a lot worse than them.

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