"Pregnant?!"
Gao Yang and Qing Ling spoke in unison, their faces mirroring shock.
Beasts can get pregnant?
Don't they lack human reproductive systems?
Gao Yang's head throbbed. Too many questions, too few answers. And here he was, still a weakling who might not survive the week.
Qing Ling cut straight to the chase. "You're sure she's not lying?"
"Positive." Huang's voice was firm. "No reason to."
"Your kid?"
"Uh..."
The bluntness of Qing Ling's question made Huang pause. "I'm confident I'm not being cuckolded."
Qing Ling dropped the subject.
Gao Yang hesitated. "Officer Huang... can I ask something personal?"
Huang smiled awkwardly. "I know what you're wondering. My wife and I have a good relationship. We were together before I awakened. Even now, we're... intimate about once a week."
He cleared his throat. "She's shy—always insists on darkness, a bit of wine... Well, you're young. Point is, since I've never been with a human woman, I never noticed anything... off."
Huang sighed. "She always wanted a child. We never used protection. I assumed beasts couldn't conceive."
"What now?" Gao Yang pressed.
Huang lit a cigarette, taking a long drag. "Honestly? My first reaction wasn't shock—it was joy."
"Joy?" Qing Ling frowned.
"Fatherly instinct, I guess." Huang exhaled smoke. "I've decided to keep the baby. If it can be born safely."
"You're insane," Qing Ling said flatly. "She's a beast."
"I know." Huang's smile was bittersweet. "But she's also my wife. That's my child."
Gao Yang stayed silent. Privately, he supported Huang's choice. A gut feeling told him this child might unveil more secrets—though it would likely drag Huang into deeper danger. A risk worth taking.
"Your funeral," Qing Ling muttered. "Just don't drag me into it."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Huang turned, leaning against the desk. "Next topic. Since the mission failed, I can't share the sequence list. But I'll still answer two questions. Choose wisely."
"How do talents level up?" Qing Ling demanded instantly.
Huang's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think they can?"
Good question. Gao Yang wondered—was the system unique to him?
"I wasn't sure at first." Qing Ling studied her palm. "But my Blademaster has upgraded twice. It's not like training muscles. It's... a surge of energy. Like being reborn. I've felt it twice."
"But not with Metal?" Huang probed.
"Only once. After that, nothing. At first, I could only control 1kg of metal. After upgrading, 10kg. Logically, there should be more levels." She clenched her fist. "What am I missing?"
"Sharp deduction." Huang removed his cap. "All talents can level up—rumor says up to Lv.8. Your Blademaster is only Lv.3. My Gunslinger too."
"How do I level up?" Her eyes burned with intensity.
"Sorry. Can't answer that."
"Why?"
"Rules."
"Whose rules?"
Huang smiled but stayed silent.
"My turn." Gao Yang raised his hand like an eager student.
"Go ahead."
"How do I meet them?"
Huang blinked, then chuckled. "Quick thinking."
Gotta compensate for being weak somehow. "You've got a group backing you, right? These 'rules' come from them?"
Huang nodded. "I'm not officially part of them—more like a freelancer. They contact me, use me as a tool. I've got no real access. But..." He lowered his voice. "Sometimes I pry intel from my handler. If they found out, I'm dead."
"Why not join properly?" Gao Yang asked. "Your job's perfect cover."
Huang laughed sheepishly. "Because I'm too weak."
Ouch. Gao Yang felt that one in his soul.
"Failed their tests. Stuck in probation limbo." Huang glanced out the window. "They operate in shadows. Even stronger awakeners tread carefully."
"Got it."
"But..." Huang turned back. "With you two, I might retry. If you're interested."
"Yes."
Gao Yang didn't hesitate. Qing Ling, however, stayed cold.
"Join them, and I'll learn to upgrade talents?"
This woman's one-track mind...
"Guaranteed."
"When's the audition?"
"Soon. Wait for my signal." Huang checked his phone. "Gotta run. Ultrasound appointment."
Gao Yang teased, "Aren't you on duty?"
"The joy of slacking is—" Huang's grin vanished. In a flash, his gun was drawn, aimed at the door. "Who's there?!"
Qing Ling moved faster. Her tangdao pierced the wooden door in one thrust.
Shink!
She withdrew the blade. "No one."
Gao Yang gaped. You just stabbed through a door! What if it was a human?!
Guess 'shoot first, ask never' is her motto.
Huang holstered his gun. "False alarm. Nerves."
He adjusted his cap. "Dismissed."
The rest of Gao Yang's day passed uneventfully.
He periodically checked his system. No Luck Point spikes—meaning no immediate threats.
Then, back to autopilot.
After night classes, he walked home alone.
The rain had stopped, but puddles glittered under neon lights like portals to other worlds.
Splash.
Gao Yang halted mid-step.
Something felt... off.
A chill crawled up his spine.
Someone's following me.