peng_li

Gao Yang was an orphan. At the age of six, he was transported to a parallel world, where he became part of a warm and loving family of five.

For twelve years, he lived a peaceful and happy life. But on his eighteenth birthday, he accidentally uncovered the truth: this was not a parallel world at all—it was a mysterious realm, and the family and friends he had grown up with were not human, but terrifying beasts!

The moment he realized the truth, he was nearly killed. But at the critical moment, he awakened a system—[Luck]—that granted him a simple yet powerful ability: The longer he survived, the stronger he became.

Thus began a deadly game of survival, a battle between a lamb and a pack of wolves…

Elysium Nexus: Realm of Chimera

Let's cut to the chase: Gao Yang might be losing his "permanent single" status.

It started two days ago. Wang Zikai, his moronic best friend, stole his phone and sent Li Weiwei a 300-word "love confession" as a prank. By the time Gao Yang noticed, the message was unsendable. His frantic explanations were met with radio silence—Weiwei avoided him at school, left texts on read.

Childhood neighbors since diapers, Weiwei and Gao Yang were "destined sweethearts" in the original host's kindergarten fantasy (before Gao Yang's soul "ported" into this body at age 6). Now? Gao Yang appreciated her beauty but felt zero romantic sparks—a fact that annoyed Wang Zikai into "helping" before graduation.

Two days of silence ended with Weiwei's text: "I accept."

Gao Yang panicked. Didn't she read my clarification?!

Before he could respond: "Meet today?"

2 PM, Shanqing District – Dawan Plaza

Weiwei waited in a mint-green sweater, hair cascading loose. Wind tousled her skirt as she waved—a scene straight from a shōjo anime. For a split second, Gao Yang understood why half the class were her simps.

"No problem! Qingling and I shopped. Got you study guides."

Gao Yang noticed Qingling—the 5'6" track star leaning against a wall, annihilating Candy Crush. School legend: porcelain skin, legs that could stop traffic, a glare that weaponized misandry. Rumored lesbian; Gao Yang suspected she just hated male respiration.

Qingling smiled sweetly: "You two have fun." Double standards much?

The "date" unfolded suspiciously smoothly—boba tea, rom-com movie, Korean BBQ.

Walking her home at midnight, Weiwei spun abruptly: "Regretting your confession?"

"I thought you'd be happier." She pouted. "Do boys lose interest once they 'win'?"

"You've been distracted all day." Her eyes narrowed. "Hiding something?"

Gao Yang cracked. "Question: When your grandma died of a stroke in 9th grade… did you see her body?"

Weiwei froze. "No. They cremated her before I got home."

Bingo. In this parallel world, bodies vanished pre-funeral—like someone was scrubbing evidence.

"Our world is dangerous," Gao Yang blurted.

"That 'lunatic' who grabbed me yesterday? He wasn't attacking—he warned me. About… things."

Weiwei clung to his arm as he described the childhood memory: a scaly arm, thick as a tree trunk, writhing with insect-like plates.

Agony erupted in Gao Yang's wrist. Weiwei's delicate arm split open, disgorging gray scales that burrowed into his flesh like vampire leeches.

"Thanks, Gao Yang." Her voice stayed saccharine as tentacles slithered into his nostrils. "You're my first Awakened."

The Awakened