Chapter 311: Natural Spring [1] People commit crimes for various reasons, he reflected as he stared out at the peaceful resort landscape. These criminals might have families of their own who depended on them, children who needed their parents to come home, or circumstances that had driven them to desperate measures. Killing them over something like insurance fraud, while emotionally satisfying, wasn’t exactly proportional justice in his mind. The rational part of his mind recognised that eliminating threats was sometimes necessary for protection, but his moral compass still demanded careful consideration of each situation’s specific circumstances. Of course, Noah didn’t adopt the naive narrative that ’all criminals deserve a second chance’ either. His experiences had taught him that the world contained genuinely evil people who would never change regardless of consequences or opportunities for redemption. Some crimes were so heinous, some threats so dangerous to innocent people, that they needed to be stopped permanently by any means necessary. If these criminals had been targeting children, trafficking humans, or committing acts of violence that destroyed lives irreparably, Noah wouldn’t have hesitated to use lethal force. But insurance fraud, while harmful and predatory, didn’t cross that threshold in his moral framework. The key was finding a solution that protected his family while teaching these criminals that their actions had serious consequences, without resorting to permanent violence. Noah’s resources and abilities provided options that ordinary victims didn’t possess, and he intended to use those advantages strategically. I need to approach this intelligently, Noah thought as he began planning his response. Scare them enough that they never dare to do that again, recover Uncle Smith’s money, and ensure that the consequences are strong enough to deter them. Noah then considered multiple approaches simultaneously, weighing the potential outcomes and risks of each strategy. The criminals had made their fundamental mistake by assuming their victim was powerless. They were about to discover that Noah Carter was anything but helpless, and that threatening his family would result in consequences they had never imagined possible. After dealing with the family crisis, Noah stood up and decided to go to the natural spring to relax. A peaceful soak in the therapeutic waters would help him organise his thoughts more effectively. Noah made his way through the resort grounds toward the natural spring area. The contestants were still training around the facility, their dedication evident in the sounds of practice echoing from various training areas. They still hadn’t left the resort, as most had decided to stay and watch the finals rather than return home immediately after their own elimination. The atmosphere remained competitive but friendly, with eliminated fighters often helping each other improve their techniques while waiting for the tournament’s conclusion. The camaraderie that had developed among the participants was one of the more positive aspects of the entire experience. The notable exception was Ichigo, who was currently in the hospital being treated for his injuries from their brutal quartar-final match. Inside the natural spring facility, Noah went through the proper preparation routine. He changed out of his clothes, washed thoroughly, and then slowly entered the mineral-rich waters that maintained their perfect temperature through natural geothermal activity. The warmth immediately began working on his muscles, providing relief mentally and physically. Noah settled into a comfortable position and closed his eyes, allowing the therapeutic properties of the spring to work their magic. Thirty minutes later, he heard the sounds of someone approaching. Noah opened his eyes reluctantly to identify the newcomer. He had come here seeking solitude, but it seemed like that was no longer possible. His expression soured immediately when he recognised the approaching figure. Kenzo’s errie smile was still plastered on his face as he entered the natural spring area, apparently unconcerned about intruding on Noah’s peaceful relaxation time. Noah closed his eyes again, not wanting to look at the arrogant fighter whose presence automatically ruined any peaceful atmosphere. Every interaction with Kenzo left him feeling irritated and uncomfortable, and he had no interest in prolonging the encounter through acknowledgement or conversation. Kenzo silently entered the spring waters without any greeting or attempt at communication. For ten long minutes, only Noah and Kenzo occupied the natural spring, the silence between them thick with mutual dislike and tension. The peaceful meditation Noah had been enjoying was completely ruined by Kenzo’s mere presence. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the other fighter’s energy disrupting the tranquil atmosphere he had been cultivating. Splash! The sounds of Kenzo leaving the natural spring echoed through the facility, followed by the wet footsteps indicating his departure from the area entirely. Noah remained still until he was certain the unwelcome visitor had truly gone. It’s good that he left, Noah thought with obvious relief. I was going to leave if he wasn’t willing to. His presence irks me more than I can adequately express. The peaceful atmosphere slowly returned as Noah settled back into his relaxation routine, though it took several minutes to recapture the meditative state that Kenzo’s arrival had completely disrupted. Some people simply possessed an energy that clashed fundamentally with his own, and Kenzo was definitely one of them. Minutes passed by, and Noah started feeling stomach aches, which made him frown deeply. The discomfort was unlike anything he had experienced since acquiring his enhanced physical capabilities through the system. His body was incredibly strong now, with vitality at 140 points that should have made him virtually immune to common illnesses or minor toxins. The fact that he was experiencing such pronounced symptoms meant something was seriously wrong. Noah’s constitution didn’t just get sick from normal causes, and his magical training had further strengthened his resistance to various forms of harm. His eyes drifted to the spot where Kenzo had been sitting before a cold expression appeared on his face. The timing was too convenient to be coincidental. Kenzo had arrived, spent exactly ten minutes in the spring, and left without a word. Now, Noah was experiencing symptoms that his enhanced body should have easily resisted.