The crew-cut man hesitated but assumed the young man might be an additional recruit brought in by the boss. Despite feeling down, he managed a polite smile.

*Beep... Doo-doo.*

A game failure tune played from the young man's phone.

The young man squinted, putting away his phone. 

“Lost again... This level is tough,” he said, brushing aside his black, shoulder-length hair and looking at the crew-cut man outside the elevator.

“?? Aren’t you coming out, friend?” The crew-cut man frowned. The elevator doors had been open for over ten seconds, but the young man hadn’t moved.

“Ah, sorry, I forgot why I was here.” The young man’s eyes lit up with realization, and he stepped forward.

“Thanks,” he said as he exited the elevator.

*Swish!*

A red flash sliced across the crew-cut man’s throat.

The light moved so fast that only a streak of red remained in his vision.

Blood spattered.

He stood motionless, reaching up to touch his neck without feeling anything.

“I...” He tried to speak, but no sound came. It was only then that he realized his voice was gone.

A sharp pain quickly spread from his neck, radiating through his entire body.

*I... I’ve been killed!?*

He staggered backward, clutching his throat as pain, suffocation, and despair overwhelmed him.

*Whir...*

The red light circled back into the young man’s palm.

It was a short, crimson mechanical blade, pieced together from intricate components, its handle emitting fine silver-blue sparks.

The blade was inscribed with encrypted characters, appearing almost as an ancient code.

The young man stepped past the crew-cut man, heading for the living room door.

He stopped, raising his right hand.

“Do your thing, Fire Scythe.”

He seemed to be speaking to the weapon.

*Buzz...*

Red blades shot out from his pocket, floating mid-air.

Each was the size of a hand, shimmering ominously in the air.

The young man pressed his hand against the door.

*Thunk.*

*Th-th-th-thunk!*

Instantly, over a dozen blades shot through the door, tearing into the room beyond.

The red streaks carved deadly curves, like a fleet of scything fish swimming through the air.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

The young man retracted his hand and clenched it into a fist.

The blades retracted, piercing back through the shattered door and returning to his pockets.

“Perfect,” he muttered, stepping into the elevator and pressing for the ground floor.

A gust of wind blew through, and the living room door slowly tilted and crashed to the floor, revealing the scene inside.

The bodies of the gang members lay in disarray—some slumped on the sofa, others sprawled on the floor, backs against the wall.

All had deep, bloody gashes at their throats.

On the balcony, Meng Mingcheng sat back in his recliner, a crimson mechanical blade lodged between his brows.

The blade lit up with intricate red lines, like an electronic circuit.

*Boom!*

Suddenly, flames erupted from the blade, consuming the room. The fire spread inexplicably, engulfing the balcony and racing through the living room, kitchen, and other areas.

The air itself seemed to burn, igniting everything it touched before another explosion rocked the core.

*Boom!*

Flames spewed out from the balcony, painting the courtyard below in an eerie red glow.

The young man walked out of the building, glancing at his watch as he whistled and strolled away without looking back at the fire.

Sirens and fire suppression systems activated as he exited the complex, water jets spraying in vain.

Outside, a row of sleek, black convertibles awaited by the curb.

A tall man in sunglasses emerged from the lead car, pressing a button on the side of his shades as the young man approached.

“Long time no see, Ding Ning.”

“Where’s the boss?” the young man asked casually, sliding into the passenger seat.

“He’s waiting. He’s even prepared a dinner for you, just as a warm welcome,” the man in sunglasses replied with a grin.

“Typical of him. He always knows how to make me feel welcome,” Ding Ning said, patting the car's dashboard.

“Thanks for helping out so soon. I know it’s a lot to ask,” the driver said as he started the engine, the headlights casting a pale glow.

“No need for thanks. Wait until it’s your turn to be on your toes when I arrive on your turf,” Ding Ning said, chuckling. “By the way, I heard the boss set up a little operation here?”

“Yes. There’s plenty to be done,” the driver replied, pressing a button.

The car roared as it sped forward, the three-vehicle convoy slicing through the city streets. 

In the distance, another explosion illuminated the upscale complex where Meng Mingcheng had been.

The fire blazed brightly, casting an ominous red glow against the night sky.

“Quite the commotion, huh?” The driver sounded slightly uneasy.

“It’s just a gang leader. No one will care,” Ding Ning said, drumming his fingers on the door. “People band together and act tough because they’re weak. They put on a fierce front so others won’t mess with them.”

“Well, if you say it’s fine, then it’s fine,” the driver said.

The convoy slowed as it approached a gleaming restaurant with a golden sign reading *Mingde Banquet Hall*.

A doorman rushed to open the car door.

Ding Ning stepped out, striding toward the broad figure waiting at the entrance.

“Long time no see, boss!” He opened his arms with a grin.

“Long time no see, Ding Ning,” Sindra replied, his face warm and nostalgic.

They embraced tightly.

* * *

Morning light filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow over the white desk.

Li Chengyi lay on his bed, uncovered, hands folded over his stomach, serene and straight.

*Swish.*

Without warning, his eyes snapped open, and his hand instinctively reached for the gun at his waist.

The safety was off; he gripped the handle, ready to fire.

The automatic pistol could empty an entire clip in seconds.

Realizing he was safe at home, Li Chengyi’s body relaxed.

“...”

He sat up, staring at the gun in his hand, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

How long had it been since he had become this way...?

Sitting there, he felt hollow. The sudden reprieve from the life-threatening ordeal in the Dead End left him drained, physically and mentally.

“No matter what, there’s a chance I’ll face another Dead End in the future. I need to strengthen my defenses. While things are calm, I should focus on learning more about absorbing malice.”

He glanced at the malice bar, which had been stuck at 89%.

Getting out of bed, he pondered how to gather more malice efficiently.

After dressing, he left his room to find his parents already gone for work. Only the sound of his sister, Li Chengjiu, could be heard from her room.

He decided not to greet her and instead focused on making breakfast: boiled eggs.

He loved them plain, cooking them just until the water boiled to avoid the toxic greenish substance that could form on overcooked yolks.

He had learned this tip from someone before, and now he paid attention to it.

Two eggs, a cup of milk, and some crackers made up his breakfast.

He sat at the dining table, eating slowly.

*Ding-dong.*

The doorbell rang.

Li Chengyi stood to answer it.

A stranger stood outside—a tall figure clad in a black trench coat, wearing a black mask and brown-tinted AR glasses.

“Hello, I’m looking for Li Chengjiu,” a raspy female voice said.

Li Chengyi noticed the golden braid trailing down her back.

“Oh, she’s in her room,” he replied, pausing for a moment before responding.

It wasn’t the woman’s strange appearance that made him hesitate, but the unusual quality of her voice.

“May I come in? Your parents have met me before,” the woman said politely, taking off her glasses to reveal kind, blue eyes.

“Of course, please come in,” Li Chengyi said, stepping aside.

“My name is Marianne. You must be Chengjiu’s brother. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said as she took off her shoes, her voice soft.

“Is that so?” Li Chengyi smiled politely.

“I always wanted a brother, but my parents were too old to have another child,” Marianne said, finding a seat and studying him.

“You and your sister look so alike,” she said, smiling.

“I’ll get you some water,” Li Chengyi said, heading to the kitchen for a disposable cup.

*Malice absorption: 92%.*

*Malice absorption: 100%.*

*Flower Scale Armor evolution begins. Please wait...*

His hand trembled as he reached for the cup.

*Malice absorption? Where did that come from? Who harbors malice toward me here?!*

Keeping calm, he poured water into the cup, listening as Marianne spoke in the living room.

“Your brother is adorable, and your parents seem wonderful... No wonder you don’t want to...”

“Shut up!!”

*Bang!* 

The bedroom door flew open, and Li Chengjiu stormed into the living room, face contorted with fury.

The two women faced each other—one standing, the other sitting, one enraged, the other smiling softly.

“How did it go?” Marianne asked in a low voice.

“...”

Veins bulged on Li Chengjiu’s temples as

 she gritted her teeth.

“I’ve been here six times. We’re showing our sincerity,” Marianne said gently.

“I...”

Li Chengjiu’s eyes stung as if tears threatened to fall, but she knew she couldn’t show weakness.

“You see,” Marianne spread her arms, eyes filled with longing. “You have parents who love you, a brother who’s as cute as a bunny, a warm home... I...”

“I agree!” Li Chengjiu shouted abruptly. “I agree to your terms!”

“Good... Very good,” Marianne said, rising to hug the trembling girl.

“Don’t be afraid. You’re doing just fine...”

Tears streamed down Li Chengjiu’s face as she stood, crying without warning or reason.

 

 

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TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!