Skyler slowed his pace. He made a snap decision and headed toward a busier part of the street.

  In theory, fighting where there were crowds would only draw more Wrath-Beasts, which meant a higher chance of him getting killed.

  But thinking deeper: if his stalker was a Wrath-Beast, it had already discovered—or at least suspected—his Awakened identity.

  Yet it hadn't attacked; it was tailing him. That meant it wanted to"eat" him alone—and would avoid striking where witnesses were plentiful.

  Soon Skyler passed a 24-hour convenience store. He drew a long breath and turned inside.

  Moments later a short-haired girl in a school uniform appeared at the corner, trotted to the store, smoothed the bangs across her forehead, and stepped in after him.

  The door had barely swung shut when she bumped squarely into Skyler.

  Startled, she yelped,"Ah!"

  Skyler had needed all his nerve for that sudden about-face; seeing who it was, surprise flashed across his face, followed by relief.

  "Mindy?"

  The girl was Mindy Wan, Skyler's timid, soft-spoken classmate.?Everyone called her Mindy.

  Flustered, Mindy clutched the strap of her sling bag and stammered through a stiff excuse."H-hi… what a coincidence! You're here too? I—um—missed my stop on the bus and got hungry, so I thought I'd grab a snack…"

  "You're tailing me, aren't you?" Skyler said bluntly.

  Color flooded Mindy's neck and ears."I—I, uh…"

  Skyler glanced around; the cashier and a few shoppers were staring curiously.

  Blocking the entrance looked weird. He took Mindy's hand, led her to a window-side corner, sat her down, then bought drinks and snacks.

  A minute later Mindy was sipping instant coffee, her tension easing—maybe even a little giddy.

  She lowered her head and murmured, He held my hand… and bought me coffee…

  "What was that?"

  "N-nothing!" Mindy jerked upright."Thanks… for the coffee."

  Skyler bit into a hot dog."Okay—why were you following me?"

  Mindy dropped her gaze again, voice shrinking."Skyler… about Vivian Li… you must be really upset."

  Skyler blinked, saying nothing.

  "You seem like a different person lately," she said with genuine concern."You hardly talk to anyone and stare off into space all the time."

  "Do I?"

  Skyler was grateful—note to self: keep up normal social habits, or he'd blow his cover.

  "The dead can't come back, nobody wanted this to happen…" Mindy peeked at him."Please don't bottle it up. You can talk to me."

  Skyler paused mid-bite and studied her: short bob, blunt bangs, an oval face and clear skin; petite frame, big eyes that fluttered shyly like a skittish fawn.

  She always spoke softly, a little self-conscious, avoiding direct eye contact—the kind of gentle girl everyone teased but also protected.

  Plenty of boys liked her; she simply hadn't noticed.

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  Normally Skyler and Mindy got along; she was the class English rep, and he'd ask her grammar questions now and then.

  Since Vivian's death he'd barely spoken to her—it made sense she was worried.

  Under his steady gaze, Mindy blushed again and averted her eyes."Sorry… forget what I said…"

  "Thanks," Skyler said with a grateful smile."Didn't know you cared."

  "N-no! I don't care—well, we're classmates, that's all!" Her face betrayed her denial.

  "Don't worry. I'm not spiraling. Give me a few days."

  They chatted about random stuff—life, college applications—until the cups were empty and the snacks gone.

  Mindy got up to throw away the trash; when no one looked, she slipped her used coffee cup into her pocket, cheeks glowing with joy.

  None of that escaped Skyler's notice.

  Is Mindy… crushing on me?

  Then he flashed back to his birthday—Vivian nearly killing him. Mindy could be the same: loving words one moment, a ravenous Wrath-Beast the next.

  A swirl of emotions churned inside him.

  They parted outside the store. Only after Mindy's cheerful figure vanished around the corner did Skyler open his system panel again.

  Luck points weren't multiplying—evidently Mindy posed no danger.

  After that detour, Skyler moved on. Barely two minutes later he halted again.

  Something was off—someone was still tailing him.

  Come to think of it, his senses had sharpened—probably the boost in Spirit. Attribute upgrades really worked.

  Skyler suddenly sped up, rounded the next corner, flung down his backpack, and slipped behind a vending machine, holding his breath.

  Seven or eight seconds later, a figure jogged into view. Spotting the bag, he bent to pick it up when Skyler leapt out—"Kevin?!"

  Kevin yelped,"Aaah—"

  "Are you stalking me?"

  Kevin chuckled."Bro, you're good! I was so stealthy, yet you still caught me!"

  "Didn't I tell you to stay home and train?" Skyler's temples throbbed—if Kevin kept acting reckless, even Skyler couldn't save him.

  "Kevin pulled a long face."Meditation's boring as hell, man! I can't take it anymore!"

  "How'll you get stronger if you don't practice?"

  "Can't we go monster-hunting or something? Sitting cross-legged every day—does that really work? Feels useless!"

  Of course not.

  But staying put kept him alive.

  Skyler sighed."Your constitution's unique—growth is slower, but once complete you'll outclass us all. You need patience. As the saying goes: Heaven burdens the chosen with trials—"

  "I know the proverb," Kevin whined,"but it's so dull!"

  Skyler fell silent.

  Seeing Skyler's darkened expression, Kevin grinned nervously."Okay, okay—I'll go back and meditate, alright?"

  "Quiet."

  "What's up?" Kevin whispered, craning his neck—excited, unbelievably.

  "We're… being followed."

  Skyler was ready to scream.

  Will this ever end?!