Skyler knew Lynn wasn't joking — she never joked.

  The current situation was more or less within his expectations. When Skyler decided to save Kevin, it wasn't purely out of blind compassion — he had other concerns, though he hadn't been entirely clear about them at the time.

  After a full day of thinking, he had mostly sorted it out.

  Now it was time for his performance — he decided to unleash the ultimate move from hot-blooded manga: Talk no Jutsu!

  "Lynn, I know the reason you've survived so long is because of your extreme caution and decisiveness."

  "Flattery won't work," Lynn said coldly.

  "Then let me ask you a question: What is the purpose of your survival?"

  "Does survival need a purpose? Do you want to die?" Lynn asked, puzzled.

  "Of course I don't want to die. But everyone will die, even if you live to a hundred."

  Skyler smiled a little awkwardly, "But living isn't just about eating, drinking, and sleeping, right? There's always something we want to accomplish."

  Lynn stayed silent.

  "Take your time thinking about it — no rush," Skyler said. "Meanwhile, let me give you a reason not to kill Kevin."

  "Go ahead."

  "Although I've only awakened a few days ago, I've already realized that being an Awakened is extremely dangerous."

  "You've survived this long not just because you're strong and cautious."

  "Also because I have a second personality," Lynn admitted.

  "Exactly. Once someone awakens, they instinctively reject, distance themselves from, and stay guarded against all Beasts."

  "Other than Lost Ones, Beasts can sense this. Over time, Awakened people inevitably reveal flaws."

  "But you're different — you have a second personality."

  "Even though your second personality is cold and has androphobia, she can still interact naturally with the Beasts."

  Other Awakened ones aren't so lucky. Take me, or Jason Han, for example. No matter how good our acting is, deep down we remain guarded against the Beasts.

  When we discover other Awakened, we instinctively want to band together.

  It seems safer that way, but actually...

  Lynn stepped out of the shadows.

  "Even more dangerous."

  "Exactly. These Beasts aren't fools. According to Jason's observation, they act like humans 24/7. They won't deliberately probe, seduce, intimidate, or attack unawakened humans.

  But that doesn't mean they're not quietly observing us when interacting."

  "Vivian Li is the perfect example.

  We grew up together, shared everything — but as soon as I Awakened, she immediately showed her true colors and tried to kill me."

  Lynn nodded.

  "If multiple humans maintain close connections, they have every reason to suspect Awakening.

  At a one-in-ten-thousand ratio, that's just statistically abnormal."

  Skyler sighed.

  "Yeah. But if we don't band together, we won't gather enough information, understand the rules, or find the truth...

  Even if we survive to 100, we'd still be—"

  He paused, then emphasized the words quoted from Officer Huang:

  "Orphans abandoned by God."

  Lynn's gaze flickered as she fell deep into thought.

  "Back to the question," Skyler stepped closer.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Lynn, why do you live?

  Don't you want to figure out why this world became like this?

  Don't you want to uncover the truth behind it?

  Or even find a truly safe place, or defeat these Beasts once and for all?

  That's what we must do."

  Lynn remained silent.

  Sensing hope, Skyler's voice grew more passionate.

  "Here's the problem:

  Awakened ones must band together to grow strong and win.

  But once we do, we expose ourselves to more risk —meaning we'll be wiped out before ever gaining a real advantage."

  "What exactly are you trying to say?" Lynn asked.

  "There's a way right now to effectively lower our risk of exposure."

  "Lost Beasts," Lynn realized.

  "Exactly, Lost Beasts are the perfect smoke screen," Skyler reasoned.

  "Beasts constantly pretend to be human, every second of every day.

  They might recognize their own kind, but not necessarily what kind of Beast they are.

  If we keep Kevin around us often, it'll actually make other Beasts less suspicious."

  "Besides, based on my life history, Kevin and I have always been close friends.

  You only got involved with me after Vivian Li died...

  So the three of us hanging out together makes perfect sense.

  But if you kill Kevin now, that would raise way too many questions."

  Lynn nodded.

  "Vivian Li was your childhood friend and my bestie. Kevin is your close buddy.

  If both Beasts suddenly died, yet we two humans stay closely linked,

  it would only make them more suspicious."

  Skyler smiled.

  "Keeping close ties with Beasts is crucial — it's the perfect cover.

  That's probably why Officer Huang never killed Grandpa Liu either."

  Lynn said, "Alright, you've convinced me."

  Skyler let out a sigh of relief.

  Phew, managed to talk his way out... again.

  That night, Skyler returned home, everything seemed normal.

  His parents nagged him again for staying out all night, but otherwise, they noticed nothing unusual.

  Skyler brushed them off, went back to his room, locked the door, lay on his bed, and closed his eyes.

  【Beep——】

  【Entering System】

  【You've gained 71 new Luck Points】

  ——Wait, wasn't it supposed to be 1 Luck Point per hour?

  ——At most, only about 50 hours have passed since the last login, right?

  【Your Luck talent has been upgraded to Level 2】

  【From now on, the danger level of your survival time will affect your Luck Point gains】

  【In the past, you survived 20 minutes of extreme danger, earning 60 times the usual Luck Points】

  ——Is it talking about the fight with "Aunt He"?

  Well, fortune truly favors the bold!

  ——Put it all into Luck.

  【Once allocated, Luck Points cannot be retracted. Confirm?】

  ——Confirm! Hurry up!

  【Congratulations! Your Luck has surpassed 100.

  Permanent random attribute increases: Stamina +9, Endurance +10, Agility +10, Spirit +20, Charm +3】

  【Stamina: 27 | Endurance: 28】

  【Strength: 17 | Agility: 27】

  【Spirit: 37 | Charm: 19】

  【Luck: 101】

  ——Ugh, this time it feels like I barely profited... maybe even lost a little.

  ——What does Spirit even do?

  【Spirit boosts mental-type talents, enhances defense, and improves perception —

  you'll detect danger and hostility more easily】

  ——Got it.

  ——By the way, can I unlock the hidden menu now?

  【Sorry, not enough Luck yet】

  ——How much Luck do I need?

  【You currently do not have permission to know】

  ——Fine, I'll save up slowly.

  【Additional note:

  With Level 2 Luck, you've unlocked the Talent Temple.

  You now have one free opportunity to comprehend a new Talent. Would you like to use it?】

  ——Whoa! This is awesome, I can finally get more talents!

  ——Quick question: Which is more important, Talents or Attributes?

  【Early on, Talents have a higher priority.

  Attributes require accumulation to trigger qualitative changes, and work best when paired with Talents】

  ——Alright, you convinced me. Use the free comprehension!

  【Comprehending...】

  【Comprehension Failed】

  ——Heh, saw that coming.

  【Another attempt will cost 30 Luck Points】

  ——Damn it, you should've said earlier!

  Whatever, I'll try again tomorrow.

  【Session Ended. System Hidden】

  【Beep——】

  The next morning, it rained lightly.

  Skyler held an umbrella, walking through the damp, crowded streets.

  He watched the office workers, looking soulless as they waited at traffic lights, squeezed onto buses and subways, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly —

  These beasts were truly dedicated.

  People always joked about being "wage slaves," but who knew it was literally true?

  Skyler arrived at school.

  During morning study session, the homeroom teacher walked in, saying,

  "Skyler, Lynn, the police are here about Vivian Li's case. They need you in the office."

  Even though Vivian Li had only died a few days ago, the teacher's face already showed no sadness or pity.

  Instead, he looked indifferent, even a little impatient.

  Skyler and Lynn stood up and walked out of the classroom, heading toward the office.

  Officer Huang was sitting inside, smoking a cigarette.

  There were no other teachers present.

  "Did you handle the last situation properly?" Lynn asked.

  "Don't worry, no traces left," Huang replied, flicking his ash.

  "I heard from Jason Han about why you two failed."

  "We can try again," Lynn said confidently.

  "This time, we will definitely succeed."

  Officer Huang neither agreed nor disagreed.

  He put out his cigarette slowly, pressing it into the ashtray.

  "I met my wife back in high school. She was my first love.

  We've been together for years.

  I thought I knew her well— I mean, as her 'human self,' I knew her very well."

  Officer Huang stood up, looking around to double-check the office's security, then lowered his voice and continued:

  "But recently, my wife started acting strange.

  At that time, I suspected she might have discovered something and begun doubting me.

  Even though I never tested her, I always believed she was a Lost Beast.

  But if she started to doubt me, then there was no way she was a Lost Beast."

  "I struggled painfully in fear and unease for a long time, and in the end, I developed the intent to kill her.

  Meeting you two happened just in time, which led to our attempted operation."

  Officer Huang raised his hands and roughly rubbed his face, exhaling deeply:

  "Thank God it didn't succeed.

  Otherwise, my life would've been a living hell from that moment on."

  "Change of plans?" Skyler asked.

  "Yes, the plan has changed," Huang said, standing up.

  "Last night, I realized I misunderstood my wife.

  She was acting weird because she was hiding something important from me.

  She came clean last night.

  Honestly, when I found out what it was, I was completely shocked."

  "What was it?" Lynn asked.

  "My wife," Officer Huang said, his gaze distant as he looked at Skyler and Lynn,

  "is pregnant."