Chapter 08: The First Note

"Alright, you two help me with something. As a condition, I will tell you the sequence numbers from the 50th onward," Officer Huang said, using chopsticks with his left hand to pick up a piece of spinach that was just the right softness and firmness. "Not only that, but I will also answer one question for you for free—any question you want, as long as I know the answer."

"What do you want us to do?" Qingling asked.

"You have to agree first," Officer Huang smiled. "It's not difficult, I guarantee there's no life-threatening danger."

Qingling stayed silent.

Gao Yang also didn't speak. In fact, he felt that he didn't have the right to negotiate with Officer Huang, so he decided to play the "keep a low profile" route.

"You already know the ratio of one in ten thousand. You should understand how dire our situation is," Officer Huang sighed deeply. "We are all orphans of the world, long abandoned by the gods."

Qingling remained silent, hesitating.

Gao Yang didn't say a word either.

Officer Huang patiently coaxed, "I believe that in this foggy world, in order to survive, you need not only powerful talents but also as much understanding of the rules as possible."

His eyes were calm, yet his tone was firm. "I guarantee that the information I have is worth its weight in gold. This transaction is definitely worthwhile."

"Deal." Gao Yang blurted out, his reasoning simple: since the other party had already said so much, he would agree first and back out later if needed.

Qingling glared at Gao Yang but didn't object.

"Smart." Officer Huang was pleased, pulling out a notepad and pen from his uniform pocket. "Scratch scratch scratch," he wrote three notes. "Don't think I'm stingy, it's just that I can't fully trust you yet. We were all born into this hell, and we can only do our best to survive."

He folded the notes and handed them to Qingling.

Qingling reached for them, but the officer quickly pulled them back. "Remember, tomorrow after evening class, open the first note. Once you complete something, open the second one. After completing two, you can read the third. Be sure to follow this order."

Qingling took the notes and stuffed them into her school uniform's chest pocket. "After it's done, I want to ask two questions."

"Fine, once it's done, I'll contact you," Officer Huang stood up, pulling out his phone. "Liu Grandpa, check out."

...

At midnight, Gao Yang returned home, and his mindset had drastically changed.

After learning about the one in ten thousand human-to-beast ratio, he could no longer look at his once warm and happy five-person family the same way.

From the experience he had when he was four, Gao Yang was almost certain that his grandfather must be a "Beast," though he wasn't sure which kind.

Grandma, who shared the same room with Grandpa, was probably also a Beast.

As for his dad, mom, and little sister...

Gao Yang didn't want to think about it. Deep down, he desperately hoped his family members were all human, even though the probability was as slim as winning the lottery. Still, he couldn't shake that glimmer of hope—after all, they had been his family for twelve years.

If, on the night of his 18th birthday, Gao Yang hadn't been bumped into by that "mentally ill" person, if he had continued living in ignorance, growing up, getting married, having children, and living a full life, maybe that would have been happiness.

Living in falsehoods and lies wouldn't be sad, as long as one never wakes up.

But there were no "ifs." Gao Yang had awakened, and his once peaceful life was gone.

From now on, he could only tread carefully, like walking on thin ice. One wrong step could lead to an abyss.

At 3 AM, his family was already asleep. Gao Yang would undoubtedly get an earful from his parents the next morning, but at least tonight, he didn't have to face them. He still had time to adjust his mindset and find the best way to face his family.

Exhausted, Gao Yang lay in the bathtub, just wanting to soak in a nice hot bath. He looked up, and the six-pointed star in front of him emitted a faint glow. This time, he didn't touch it with his hand. Instead, he tried closing his eyes and controlling it with his inner voice: Enter system.

[Beep——]

[Entering system]

[You have gained 27 luck points, bringing your total to 30. Would you like to use them?]

—Use.

[Opening attribute panel]

[Stamina: 12 Endurance: 12]

[Strength: 11 Agility: 11]

[Mentality: 10 Charisma: 10]

[Luck: 0]

Gao Yang immediately noticed that some of his base attributes had increased, although only slightly.

—Will attribute values increase automatically?

[Attribute values will fluctuate based on your physical condition and state.]

[Today, you had a fulfilling day, and you're slightly stronger than yesterday.]

—So if I do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and run 10 km every day for three years until my hair falls out, can I become the strongest on Earth?

[Theoretically, your body will become stronger, but you might also face muscle strains, knee damage, and other injuries.]

—So how can I become stronger?

[Use luck points to permanently enhance attribute values.]

[Additionally, different talents provide permanent bonuses to various attribute values.]

—Is Qingling's God of the Blade talent strong?

[Talent: God of the Blade. Sequence number: 32. Rune type: Damage]

[Max level God of the Blade: Blade weapon specialization, blade weapon damage increased by 3 times, physical defense penetration rate 91.4%.]

[Max level God of the Blade permanent attribute bonuses: Stamina +400, Strength +800, Agility +1000, Charisma +400.]

—What about the God of Guns talent?

[Talent: God of Guns. Sequence number: 41. Rune type: Damage]

[Max level God of Guns: Gun weapon specialization, 97.3% hit rate with firearms, shooting speed of 12 shots per second.]

[Max level God of Guns permanent attribute bonuses: Stamina +300, Strength +700, Agility +800, Charisma +300.]

—Damn.

[Is that a plant?]

—Shitty system!

[Mystic forces can't save fate, spending money won't change destiny.]

[You have also discovered the talent Metal, would you like to learn more?]

—Don't show me, my heart can't take it.

[Would you like to allocate your points?]

—With only 30 luck points, what's there to allocate? Add them all to luck! Let's see just how lucky I can get.

[Once luck points are allocated, they cannot be changed. Are you sure?]

—Yes, hurry up!

[Congratulations! Your luck has broken through to 30, and all your attributes have received a permanent bonus of 6 points.]

[Stamina: 18 Endurance: 18]

[Strength: 17 Agility: 17]

[Mentality: 17 Charisma: 16]

[Luck: 30]

—6 points, could you be any stingier?

—Wait a minute, all 6 attributes increased by 6 points, totaling 36 points. Not bad!

[Additionally, you've unlocked a hidden page. Would you like to unlock it?]

—Unlock! Hurry up!

[Sorry, not enough luck.]

—Then why the hell are you telling me?

[Session ended, system hidden.]

[Beep——]

...

The next morning, Gao Yang got up and, as expected, was scolded by his mother: "The college entrance exam is coming soon, and yet you've been out all night for the past couple of days, not replying to texts, ignoring calls, getting more and more worrying."

Gao Yang lied, saying it was Wang Zikai's birthday, and they went to karaoke until midnight.

When his mother heard this, she got even angrier. "Wang Zikai? Didn't he drop out? Don't hang out with that kid, don't learn bad things from him."

At the breakfast table, his father cheerfully ate a fried dough stick and had a different opinion. "Wang Zikai? His dad's very rich. Son, this is a friend worth keeping."

"Don't listen to your dad, bad company ruins good morals!" His mother glared at his father.

"Honey, times have changed."

"How have they changed?"

"Nowadays, abilities come second; it's all about connections and resources. A friend from a family like Zikai's is definitely someone we'll need in the future." His father argued.

"What twisted values are those?" His mother was furious.

"Honey, I didn't mean anything bad, just that we should have more friends and more options. I believe Yang Yang can make his own judgment, and won't go bad." His father was a little aggrieved, giving Gao Yang a look. "Right, son?"

"Dad, Mom, I'm full."

Gao Yang felt conflicted, not knowing how to face his "family." He ate a few bites haphazardly and then left for school, his backpack on his back.

He knew his family was most likely full of Beasts, but for a brief moment, Gao Yang wavered. His parents had raised him, been with him day and night, loved him dearly—how could they be Beasts? But then, Li Weiwei had once been his childhood sweetheart, such a wonderful girl, yet she turned into a demon in an instant.

What kind of creature were Beasts?

What did they want?

What is this parallel world about?

Gao Yang didn't have the answers, just as he didn't have the answers to why he crossed over at six or why he got stuck with this crappy system.

...

Gao Yang went to school and spent a regular day.

He didn't speak to Qingling the entire day, not even exchanging a glance. After evening class, Gao Yang went to a nearby alley with no cameras.

Soon, Qingling appeared. She pulled two thin black hoodies from her large bag, along with two baseball caps and masks. "Put these on."

"What's this?"

"What else? Want me to set up a changing room for you?" Qingling said, beginning to remove her uniform. She was incredibly quick at undressing, as swift as a snake shedding its skin. In two or three movements, she had taken off her top, revealing her fair neck and sensual collarbones. Gao Yang quickly turned his back, feeling awkward as he started to remove his clothes.

Three minutes later, both of them were in black hoodies, hoods pulled up, baseball caps on, and masks in place.

Before they left, Qingling pulled out the first note from her pocket and opened it.