The small city of Yu City. The end of August still held a touch of oppressive heat. Pedestrians on the street were few and far between, all hurrying along with their heads down, seeking refuge from the blazing sun.
Gadelia was slumped over the counter of the milk tea shop, taking small sips through a straw. She squinted slightly as she watched the people on the street, silently anticipating the appearance of the male lead, Zhou Ming.
This milk tea shop was located right near where the incident was supposed to erupt. Gadelia, with her ample resources, had directly bought out the place just for the chance to engineer an encounter with the male lead.
‘I’m still too weak. To get revenge for mom and dad, it’s still far from enough…’
‘As for future plans… when I’m older, I’ll join the Lantern Bearers of the Jingquan Union. Only a professional department for handling Residual Energy and Ability users can help me improve better.’
A vibrant, youthful male voice suddenly drifted into Gadelia’s ears, growing clearer and clearer. It was like sunlight piercing through gloom, swiftly pushing aside the noise in her mind.
It really works… It’s not noisy anymore.
Gadelia’s expression relaxed, her whole body easing as if a long drought had finally been met with sweet rain.
“Zhou Ming…”
She couldn’t help but murmur his name softly.
The idle female shop assistant beside her was startled. “What’s wrong, boss?”
Gadelia shook her head. “It’s nothing. Carry on.”
She began passively listening to Zhou Ming’s thoughts.
Just a kid with a similar background, that’s all.
Gadelia gave a mental snort, feeling somewhat indignant. After all, she had once held a high position and still retained a fair amount of pride.
“Oh~” The shop assistant responded and went back to spacing out.
“Run!”
“It’s a Energy Beast!”
Panicked shouts suddenly came from the distance. The crowd instantly scattered in all directions, and the street was soon empty.
Gadelia snapped to attention—the plot had begun.
She immediately closed the shop door, turned, and made a ‘be quiet’ gesture to the two female shop assistants.
“Boss, aren’t we going to run away too?” one of the assistants asked nervously.
“Everyone’s run off now. If we go out, we might just become appetizers. It’s better to hide here. At most, in a few minutes, the Lantern Bearers will come to deal with the Residual Energy. Then it’ll be safe,” Gadelia explained with a nod.
Next, Zhou Ming would step forward to block the Energy Beast.
She just needed to guide it slightly, lure the beast closer to here, then play the role of the damsel in distress. By binding Zhou Ming with a debt of gratitude for saving her life, she could proceed with her subsequent plans.
As a high-level Residual Energy user, Gadelia could command lower-level Energy Beasts. This was the core of her plan.
Through the glass door, her milk tea shop was quiet. The two shop assistants were huddled in a corner, hugging themselves tightly, staring fixedly outside.
Gadelia waited silently.
‘I shouldn’t have opened this shop. I thought being a bit out of the way would mean peace and quiet. Who knew I’d run right into the battlefield.’
From outside came intermittent screams, the roars of Energy Beasts, and the chaotic sound of running footsteps.
She frowned slightly and glanced back at the two shop assistants.
Should I take them and run?
But she quickly dismissed the idea.
Given her current physical condition in this body, she’d probably collapse after just a few steps, making things even more dangerous.
Forget it. Let it be.
She let out a soft sigh, leaned against the wall, and quietly waited for Zhou Ming’s arrival.
CRASH!
A tremendous noise.
The glass door shattered violently. A young man covered in blood was thrown inside, crashing heavily onto the floor.
Gadelia sprang to her feet, looking at the newcomer.
It was Zhou Ming.
Two Energy Beasts charged in right behind him.
Zhou Ming grabbed a nearby chair and smashed it with all his might. Movie scenes were ultimately exaggerated. He used all his strength, but the chair didn’t shatter. Instead, it gave the Energy Beast a chance to counterattack. A sharp claw slashed across his arm.
Gritting his teeth, he flung the chair at the other beast while simultaneously activating his ability. An air bullet shot out.
The Energy Beast let out a low roar and actually lunged straight towards the two shop assistants cowering in the corner.
“Ahhh—!”
The two assistants screamed, their legs going weak, unable to even run.
“Bastards! Come at me if you have the guts!”
Zhou Ming roared, charging forward and grabbing the Energy Beast, hurling it away with force.
“Run! I’ll hold them off!”
However, no one moved.
The two shop assistants were petrified with fear, tears streaming down their faces.
Gadelia frowned.
This isn’t right… In theory, they’re just low-level Energy Beasts. Zhou Ming shouldn’t be struggling this much.
Could it be my influence that made them lose control?
Low-level Energy Beasts, under the command of a higher-level being, receive a slight enhancement, allowing them to erupt with greater power.
Gadelia suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Zhou Ming glanced back at the three unresponsive people behind him, clenched his teeth, and fired another air bullet.
His body was already beginning to sway.
Behind him were ordinary people with no means to fight back. In front of him were bloodthirsty Energy Beasts. He couldn’t fall.
The air was thick with the metallic smell of blood. His legs trembled as if they might give out at any moment.
Gadelia sighed and decided to help him a little.
She transmitted her will to the two low-level beasts—Take it easy. Just act a bit.
Why didn’t she just use her ability to solve it directly?
Because her psychic abilities had limited effect on these mindless Energy Beasts.
The two beasts paused slightly but soon continued lunging at Zhou Ming, their mutated limbs slamming down hard.
Unable to dodge in time, Zhou Ming was injured again.
Gadelia couldn’t help but facepalm.
The comprehension ability of low-level Energy Beasts was just too poor. They couldn’t understand complex commands at all.
“Stop.”
She issued the command again.
The two Energy Beasts instantly froze in place.
Zhou Ming seized the opportunity, firing an air bullet.
Bang! Bang!
Several consecutive attacks landed. The two beasts began to sway unsteadily.
Seeing this, Gadelia immediately withdrew her control.
Have to play the act through. Can’t let Zhou Ming notice anything strange.
“Go! Run as far as you can! Don’t worry about me!”
Zhou Ming roared hoarsely.
His breathing grew heavier, his vision began to blur, but he still forced his body to hold on, continuously activating his ability to buy time for the people behind him.
Shhhhk!
One of the Energy Beasts suddenly erupted with violence. Its mutated arm brutally pierced through his chest.
Zhou Ming’s body stiffened.
His gaze slowly shifted, looking towards the trembling shop assistants in the corner, then towards the foreign woman leaning against the table.
Memories flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
He opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.
‘This… is this the life flashback…’
With his last bit of strength, he fired one final air bullet, piercing through the heads of both Energy Beasts.
Thud.
Zhou Ming collapsed to the floor.
The Energy Beasts fell too, dissolving into wisps of gray smoke.
Gadelia’s pupils constricted violently. She threw herself to Zhou Ming’s side, her hand trembling as she pressed it against his chest.
No heartbeat.
The clear, youthful voice in her ears had vanished completely.
Bro what the hell, massive fumble