“Yoo, isn’t this our Sleep God? Running in your school uniform? Are you here for a casual stroll?”
“Hahahaha, Young Master Zhang, don’t say that. Maybe he’s just cold and feeling weak!”
At the starting line, Zhang Yang and his lackeys immediately began their usual mocking routine.
The other runners around them were wearing short-sleeved shirts or proper athletic gear, with spiked running shoes on their feet, warming up properly.
Only Lu Yushan was wearing a loose school uniform jacket and a pair of old, no-name shoes.
“Such a poser. He even made Amber Flowing Light call his name several times before bothering to show up. Does he really think he’s a big shot?”
On the stands, whispered gossip buzzed around like flies.
He had deliberately avoided preparing anything to stay low-key, but it had only pushed him further into the spotlight.
Surrounded on all sides… This must be what that feels like.
Being stared at by countless pairs of eyes reminded him of the nightmare when he was forced to wear that backless dress at Qiong Ling’s club.
“Everyone! The first event is about to begin. Give it your all!”
Beside the track, Amber Flowing Light’s energetic voice rang out through the speakers.
Her gaze swept across the starting line. When it passed over Lu Yushan, it paused noticeably for a moment.
A flicker of doubt flashed in her eyes, as if she had sensed something, but she quickly looked away.
However, that subtle pause was accurately captured by Zhang Yang, who had been watching the idol closely.
He immediately puffed out his chest, flicked his bangs dramatically, and raised his chin at Lu Yushan with a smug expression.
“See that, loser? This is the difference between you and me! Even the new magical girl idol is paying attention to this young master’s dashing figure!”
Lu Yushan didn’t even lift his eyelids.
He had zero interest in entertaining this trash-talking guy.
What concerned him more right now was why Snowball was so certain a monster would appear. Was there some kind of pattern to it?
He couldn’t figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it and shook his head.
In any case, Amber Flowing Light was here. He probably wouldn’t need to step in.
“On your marks… Get set!”
Amber Flowing Light raised her magic staff. An orange orb of light gathered at its tip.
“GO!”
Bang—!
A brilliant magical firework exploded in the sky, serving as the starting signal.
All the runners shot forward like arrows released from a bow.
Zhang Yang did have some skill.
His reaction time was excellent, and he instantly surged into the leading pack, seizing the inside lane.
Lu Yushan, however, stayed relaxed in the middle of the pack—roughly second or third position.
His goal was simply to secure that 1000 yuan prize.
The wind whistled past his ears.
After two laps, most of the runners had slowed down significantly, but Zhang Yang was still pushing himself desperately.
His lungs felt like they were about to explode, but he couldn’t resist turning his head to see how far behind that loser had fallen so he could mock him.
However, when he looked back, he nearly had a heart attack.
Lu Yushan was running right beside him, only half a body length away.
The loose school uniform jacket flapped wildly in the wind.
His arms swung naturally, and his breathing was completely steady.
He didn’t look tired at all.
“You… you loser…”
Zhang Yang was gasping for air but still tried to throw insults.
“Shut up.”
Lu Yushan kept his eyes forward, his voice cold.
“You—!”
“Also, you’re really noisy. Shia, boui.”
Lu Yushan left the remark casually and put a little more power into his steps.
Zhang Yang was about to curse back.
Whoosh—
Lu Yushan shot past him like a gust of wind.
Watching the figure pull away rapidly, Zhang Yang’s mentality completely collapsed.
Shame, rage, and oxygen deprivation mixed together.
He tried desperately to speed up and catch up, but his form broke down.
The more he tried, the slower he became, eventually stumbling forward pathetically.
The wind on the spectator stands instantly changed direction.
“Is that Zhang Yang? He usually brags so much, but he can’t even beat someone running in a school uniform?”
“Hilarious. All talk and no skill. What an embarrassment.”
Hearing the comments around him, Zhang Yang’s face turned red then green.
His vision went black, and he nearly fainted from anger.
Damn it! Lu Yushan! Just you wait!
Meanwhile, Lu Yushan had already locked onto second place and was maintaining his pace, making sure not to overtake the leader.
There was still half a lap left.
Suddenly, a heart-palpitating tremor ran through the air, followed by an oppressive pressure from the sky.
“W-what is that?!”
Shocked cries rose from the stands.
Lu Yushan looked up.
Above the sports field, the once clear blue sky was violently torn open by an invisible giant hand.
A massive, distorted rift stretched across the sky. The edges of the tear looked like shattered mirror fragments.
Inside the rift was not pure darkness, but a chaotic swirl and recombination of countless colors, completely indescribable.
Just one glance made Lu Yushan feel physically nauseous.
Woo— Woo—!!
A piercing air raid siren instantly blared across the campus.
“Everyone, stay calm! Evacuate in an orderly manner! I’m here!”
Amber Flowing Light reacted extremely quickly. She transformed into a streak of orange light and flew straight toward the rift.
“Aaahhh! It’s a monster!”
“Run!”
The crowd instantly erupted into chaos.
Students screamed as teachers directed them to evacuate toward the school buildings and underground shelters.
Lu Yushan stopped running and watched the panicked crowd without joining them.
The race was definitely canceled.
That one thousand yuan was probably gone too.
Tch. What rotten luck.
Since he couldn’t get the prize money, he could only try to recoup his losses elsewhere.
A rift that huge couldn’t possibly spit out just one or two monsters, right?
If he could pick up one or two, this trip wouldn’t be a complete loss.
Instead of evacuating with the crowd, he slipped into the sports equipment storage room beside the field while everyone was in chaos.
This place was usually deserted. It was a perfect spot to transform or wait for an opportunity.
But when he pushed open the door of the equipment room, he was stunned.
The dimly lit room was not empty.
A familiar figure stood with her back to him beside the basketball storage rack. She had clearly been waiting for a while.
“Master!”
Bai Ning turned around, gracefully lifting the hem of her school uniform skirt and performing an extremely proper yet extremely embarrassing maid curtsy.
“I knew you would choose this place as your transformation spot.”
“Your loyal subordinate Bai Ning has been waiting here for you! Please give your orders!”
Bai Ning’s voice trembled with barely contained excitement.
Bang—
Lu Yushan immediately closed the door.
His headache intensified, especially the moment he heard the words “Master.” He genuinely wanted to die.
Wait, since when did her lines get an update?
He wanted to tell Bai Ning to leave, but the outside was now in complete pandemonium.
Sending her out to run around blindly would actually be more dangerous.
He might as well keep her here where he could keep an eye on her and prevent her from causing trouble.
Silence. Wait for the right moment.
“Si… Just wait for now.”
Lu Yushan had wanted to try acting a bit chuuni to maintain the image in Bai Ning’s mind, but the sheer embarrassment of those lines stuck in his throat and refused to come out.
“Yes, Master! I shall obey your divine command!”
Lu Yushan wanted to cry but had no tears.
Please… stop updating your script.