Officer Huang fired three rounds so fast Skyler heard only one report.
Sparks flared two metres out as all three throwing knives aimed at him clanged away.
But the daggers were a feint.
Huang's eyes widened—a black silhouette had dived in from his blind left.
Shraa— a white arc of steel flashed.
He barely raised his pistol to parry. Blade met metal— the weapon sliced clean, two fingers with it.
Half a second more and his head would roll.
But the strike halted.
The long Tang blade rested against his Adam's apple; air?pressure alone nicked skin, drawing pinpoints of blood.
Lynn withdrew, two steps back. "You're not a Wrath?Beast."
Cradling his bleeding hand, pale yet calm, Huang asked, "How did you tell?"
"A Wrath?Beast would block with its arms, certain of its body. Humans rely on tools." The sword folded away.
"Correct—I'm Awakened too," Huang smiled. "Thanks for sparing me."
2?a.m., Hospital ER, Shanqing District.
Huang's fingers were reattached and bandaged; Skyler and Lynn waited in the lobby.
He emerged smiling. "Tomorrow's report: you two were mugged, I intervened, got injured."
Skyler and Lynn exchanged looks, silent.
"Hungry? Let's grab food."
The trio headed to a late?night mala?tang cart near the hospital.
A blue tarp covered a pushcart kettle and gas bottle, yellow bulb casting warmth—an oasis in the cold city.
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The owner, a spry man in his sixties, greeted them with booming voice.
"Officer Huang! What happened to your hand?"
"Work injury."
"Tough job—no booze tonight then."
"Yeah, everything else as usual."
"Got it." He turned to the teens. "What'll you have?"
Lynn scanned the menu, monotone: "Mushroom, winter melon, potato, cabbage, fish ball, crab stick, fried gluten, one skewer each; tomato and sweet?potato noodles—extra spicy."
Skyler blinked—no restraint there.
"Same for me."
They sat side?by?side devouring the fragrant stew. Huang sighed with pleasure. "Nothing like food after cheating death."
Lynn munched potatoes in silence.
Cautious, Skyler said, "Maybe not discuss… things in public?"
Huang glanced at the owner. "No worries—Old Liu is a Lost?Beast. Anything he dislikes he filters out. Right, sir?"
Liu looked up. "Eh?"
"Saying the pig lung's crisp—gimme another serving."
"Coming up," Liu chuckled.
Skyler relaxed. "You were testing us today, weren't you?"
Huang gave a helpless grin. "I knew you were Awakened—didn't expect your girlfriend was too."
"Not girlfriend." Lynn switched to fish balls.
Huang recounted the "lunatic" he'd shot—Awakened No.?175, Scent talent.
"He smelled your humanity; I shot him to spare you."
"…Thank you," Skyler croaked.
On talents Huang revealed his own: No.?41 Gun God—mastery of firearms.
"Then what's mine?" Skyler feigned ignorance.
"You hide it well; I'm no sensor."
He eyed Lynn: "Yours look like No.?20 Metal plus No.?32 Blade God."
"Not girlfriend," she repeated, chomping mushroom.
They discussed the list—199 slots, lower means stronger.
Skyler's heart sank: No.?199 Luck—bottom tier.
Lynn demanded, "Give me the list."
"Stored up here," Huang tapped his temple.
"Recite it then."
"Could be arranged," Huang smiled, "but there's no free lunch."
"Except this bowl of mala?tang."
Skyler raised an eyebrow. "What's the price?"
Huang set down his chopsticks, holding up two bandaged fingers. "Two conditions."
"One: keep tonight under wraps. I'd rather skip the paperwork."
Skyler nodded. "Easy."
"Two: join me—form a 'Human Task?Force'." Huang's eyes burned. "Maintain the ratio; rescue our kind."
Lynn lowered her mushroom. "Sounds like unpaid labor."
"Payment is the list, intel, gear—and my life on the line." He thumped his chest. "You need backing; I need firepower. Fair trade."
Skyler pondered—his system hid the list; Huang's memory might be a key.
He looked to Lynn. "Your call?"
"Details first," Lynn said coldly. "Objectives, timeline, boundaries—spell them out."
Huang smiled, slid his bowl into the broth. "Tomorrow, 8?p.m., station archive room. I show Serial?1?50 data; you give me your answer."
"And if we decline?"
Huang's eyes narrowed, pleasant smile intact. "Then I neutralize potential threats—ratio maintenance, you know."
【System: Side Quest
Skyler's fingers twitched; he eyed the blinking choice, then glanced at Lynn.
Lynn pressed her lips, a tiny nod. "Survive first."
Skyler inhaled; the UI locked onto .
"Deal." He lifted a slotted spoonful of pig lung, clinked Huang's bowl.
The three disposable bowls touched; steam curled upward like fate's bell toll.