The image flashed through his mind, and Qin Zhuo curved his lips into a smile, his voice growing cheerful.
【If you consider [Eight Cold Hell] to be your skill, you don’t need me to explain further to understand that it must be an AOE one. Of course, games can actively distinguish between friends and enemies and only cause damage to enemies, but the real world is not a game.】
A remark that hit the nail on the head.
Jian Xie froze in his tracks.
Most people believe that if you master an AOE skill, the wider its scope, the better, as this seemed to make it exceptionally powerful. Therefore, if you want to improve your abilities, you must start by increasing the scope and power of your skills.
But that was not actually the case.
It was precisely because of its scope that precision was the most critical requirement.
Jian Xie was just thinking about how to deploy the [Eight Cold Hell] to trap all the monsters inside. This was indeed theoretically possible, but how to accurately select the monsters without accidentally pulling in other people was what he should be considering now.
Only by doing this could he achieve what seemed impossible.
Jian Xie was able to easily pull the Special A-level in the subway station before because the target was set to 1, which was equivalent to locking in on a target.
And now, in this empty space, he could still do it flawlessly because the target was 0 from the start.
In games, 0 and 1 represented the simplest and most basic operations, like when newbies were asked to cast a spell or aim at a wooden stake in the starting village. It was not hard at all.
However, in real life, the population of an ordinary city was in the millions, and that of a provincial capital was in the tens of millions. Compared with such a dense crowd of people, the thousands of monsters hidden among them were as hard to distinguish as a few black pebbles in the desert. Once the [Eight Cold Hell] was fully unleashed, it was difficult to make them purely the monsters’ Achilles’ heel.
Once ordinary people were accidentally pulled in by Jian Xie, it would be like sheep entering the mouth of a tiger. They would either be eaten by the monsters or tortured to death inside the [Eight Cold Hell].
How to accurately capture individuals was a dangerous task.
And the responsibility of screening was even more terrifying.
“……”
Falling snowflakes settled on Jian Xie’s eyelashes. His long eyelashes trembled, and the snowflakes quickly fell onto his cheeks and melted away. Although he could feel the cold wind blowing in his direction avoid him, the place was still bitterly cold.
【But that doesn’t matter.】 Qin Zhuo’s voice revealed a hint of cruelty. In this regard, he had always shown remarkable indifference, unabashedly revealing his essence, which was different from that of humans. 【I just thought you would care, so I mentioned it.】
In Qin Zhuo’s eyes, humans were no different from the flowers and grass by the roadside. Just as humans did not care if they stepped on flowers and grass while walking, It naturally did not care if humans died. If it weren’t for Jian Xie, he would not even consider [imprecision] to be a flaw.
This was a gift from It, and no one knew its destructive power better than It did.
Crush and tear apart all enemies within range—that was the essence of this weapon. Saving others within the same range was not within It’s consideration.
Jian Xie didn’t mind his attitude. After all, he had known from the very beginning that Qin Zhuo was such an arrogant and conceited existence. Expecting him to truly empathize with humans was nothing short of a fairy tale—and that was precisely why Jian Xie could never take the other’s confessions to heart.
Even if the other party spoke sincerely, Jian Xie believed that it was nothing more than a cruel joke.
He did not enjoy this unexplained special treatment. Unless he knew why the other party was so obedient, he would never take it seriously.
“I want a solution.”
After a moment, Jian Xie simply steered the conversation away from dangerous topics and quickly buried his thoughts deep within his mind.
【You need to become more familiar with this place.】 Qin Zhuo said, 【Since this is your predation field, then this should be your territory.】
How to construct it, control it, and simplify it was simply a matter of the mind.
Here, he was omnipotent, the master of his own world.
Upon hearing this, Jian Xie’s heart stirred slightly.
In an instant, a thunderous humming sound rang in his ears, the earth trembled, ice shards flew everywhere, and the ice layer collapsed in a radius of about ten meters in the distance. Before his eyes, a huge ice pillar rose straight up to the sky. In just a few seconds, it appeared out of nowhere on the previously empty ice field.
【That’s really good.】 It chuckled softly and said indolently, 【You’re a good student.】
As expected, Jian Xie was recognized for his almost innate mastery.
Jian Xie, who just randomly thought it all: “…”
According to this premise, if he really could think whatever he wanted, wouldn’t he have to control his mind and not think about random things? Otherwise, his imagination, which he couldn’t control, might destroy the originally pristine [Eight Cold Hell].
He shrank into his clothes, forcing himself to shift his attention, and say calmly, “I understand.”
As he finished speaking, everything before his eyes began to fade away.
In the blink of an eye, the terrifying surreal scene vanished, leaving behind only randomly piled tables and dust-covered windows. The chill dissipated without a trace, and he returned to reality, as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a strange dream.
Black fog floated up again from behind him, gradually covering the entire room. The figure hidden in the hazy mist bent down, slipped through the gaps between his arms and body, and held Jian Xie in his arms. Then, as if asking for a reward, It gently rubbed It’s cheek against Jian Xie’s hair.
【I’m very obedient.】
Upon hearing this, Jian Xie paused for a moment, then subconsciously reached out and touched the face resting on his shoulder.
It wasn’t until his fingertips touched skin that felt too cold for a human being that he came to his senses and realized what he had just done. His heart began to race, and he was about to pull his hand back, but the other party noticed his intention, clicked their tongue, and grabbed his wrist first, placing it back on their own face.
【So, how are you feeling about the proposal regarding the body? I’m serious about wanting to be with you.】
“I discovered that you cannot appear in the [Eight Cold Hell].”
The two spoke almost simultaneously, but their words were so different in meaning that they fell silent for a moment.
Then a sudden unbearable quietness permeated the air.
Jian Xie: “…”
His lips twitched and he said as if nothing happened, “Just as only I can penetrate the black fog and touch you, even if it’s just pseudo-predation field, you will still be hurt by me?”
This was not just empty talk.
Although [Eight Cold Hell] was only summoned twice, according to Qin Zhuo’s sticky personality, which never left his side and constantly entangled and occupied him, the black fog enveloping him should not have returned to his own body so abruptly each time. Therefore, Jian Xie believed that this was sufficient evidence.
【If I answer it, will you return to the topic I want to hear about?】
“Yes.” Jian Xie said bluntly, “With the condition that it is the truth.”
Prior to this, Qin Zhuo had mentioned that It would give him It’s heart in exchange and revealed the secret that he would die if it was crushed.
But Jian Xie didn’t know how exactly the term “crush” was defined.
The terrifying creature clinging tightly to his back possessed a strikingly handsome face that could make one’s heart race, but It’s behavior was utterly unpredictable and capricious. It cared little for the lives of other humans and would kill monsters without hesitation. It’s promises held no binding power over Itself.
【……If I didn’t like you so much, I’d probably feel sad.】
Only on the condition that his death was guaranteed would he be willing to establish a personal relationship.
Although Qin Zhuo’s voice was filled with the grievances of betrayal, Jian Xie clearly sensed the sudden surge of joy in his voice as well as the unique curiosity of an observer.【But the truth is, I think I like you even more now.】
If Jian Xie accepted it without even thinking about it, Qin Zhuo would feel that he had lost his original ability to judge.
【I don’t like stupid people.】
Jian Xie: “…”
He couldn’t understand It. He thought the other would respond with a cold laugh or mock him for his human arrogance, just as It had done to other monsters and humans. The last thing he expected was this reaction. Not only did It have the leisure to put on a show, but It even joked with him.
Seeming to sense his silence, Qin Zhuo chuckled softly and slowly let go of him.
【That’s right, this thing is useless in my hands, but in yours, it can crush my heart.】
It sighed deeply. 【After all, this is the only instrument of torture I brought with me from hell. No matter which of the four types of hell it came from, I hope you will use it well. If I disobey you, you can even use this as a reason to punish me and I won’t complain at all…】
Unable to hold back, Jian Xie’s mouth twitched. His face did not show it, but his voice softened a little unconsciously. “Don’t make yourself sound so pitiful, okay?”
Was it his illusion? Why is this evil god becoming more and more adept at human tricks?
…How did It know that he was all bark and no bite? He didn’t even mention the keyword in his mind.
In response, Qin Zhuo’s lips couldn’t help but curve, finding the slightly confused Jian Xie particularly adorable.
Although It wasn’t speaking every moment, It was watching Jian Xie every second, squinting It’s eyes and observing his attitude toward the people around him.
Making a note of who he was closer to and remembering each time he crossed the line.
【That’s how it is.】
It quickly resumed his usual lazy demeanor, It’s reddish-brown eyes naturally tinged with indifference, as if nothing in the world could arouse It’s interest except for the only human being in front of It. But then again, that human being was the very reason for It’s existence.
【So, do you agree?】
Jian Xie: “…I agree.”
【Really?】
“If you ask again, I’ll change my mind.”
Qin Zhuo couldn’t help but chuckle softly. It leaned forward again and embraced the human before It, but It’s elbow was grabbed by Jian Xie. It tried to pull away a few times but failed, so It gave up struggling and let him hold It as he pleased, feeling the tremors emanating from the chest pressed against his back.
“Stop laughing.” Jian Xie felt the tips of his ears grow warm. He turned his face away awkwardly and said, “You’re weird.”
Would a normal person feel happy if they knew their life was in danger?
“……”
Oh, wait a minute.
He forgot.
Qin Zhuo wasn’t human at all.
*
Cheng Li felt out of place among the other parents, not only because of his age, but also because of how he was dressed.
Maybach, Rolls-Royce…
Tsk.
This made him feel a bit out of place, driving a domestic car worth hundreds of yuan and wearing a cheap suit.
In the past, he could have driven a car like that. If only it weren’t for that incident.
Never mind.
While waiting for Jian Xie to get out of school, Cheng Li couldn’t help but glance at the license plates of the cars, marveling at the financial strength of this school. He wondered if Jian Xie had enrolled here as an orphan, or if he had enrolled with a scholarship, just like some of the private high schools he had heard about.
But it was probably not enough, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to take on such a dangerous part-time job at the Supernatural Management Bureau.
From Jian Xie’s behavior, Cheng Li could tell that he was well-educated. If his parents were still alive, they probably would never have had the opportunity to meet.
Could a teenager like him really change things? What he saw and heard during those two nights was like a dream, utterly unbelievable.
“……”
Cheng Li couldn’t help but lower his head thoughtfully, his mind wandering off.
It was not until a pair of small leather shoes stopped in front of him and someone snapped his fingers in front of him that he suddenly came to his senses.
He raised his head and met Jian Xie’s face, which stood out from his peers and could instantly catch the eye of anyone in the crowd. It was handsome, but Cheng Li had never seen any expressions typical of a teenager on it. It always seemed cold and distant, as if rejecting everyone.
“Let’s talk in the car,” Jian Xie said.
Although it was a reversal of roles, it wasn’t unpleasant.
He cleared his throat with a cough, regained his train of thought, and put on a mature and reliable adult expression. He nodded, stood up straight against the car door, and reached out to help Jian Xie carry his heavy-looking backpack. But the moment he took it—
“……！”
Caught off guard, he was almost knocked to the ground by the backpack.
“What did you put in there that’s so heavy?!” Cheng Li was flabbergasted, “You didn’t pack your luggage in advance, did you? They’ll prepare it over there…”
Jian Xie glanced at him, said nothing, and simply pulled open the zipper a little, revealing the edge of a paper.
It was all homework and tests.
“…” Cheng Li suddenly felt embarrassed, opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again. “The pressure of studying in senior year of high school is indeed very heavy.”
It was only a few days, and there was so much to write… And you couldn’t even tell just by looking at him. He looked pretty weak, but he was carrying all those books and acting like it was no big deal. He really underestimated the power of learning.
The way he looked at Jian Xie had already taken on the filter of a academic achiever.
Jian Xie: “…”
Seeing the other person’s strange expression, he knew he was thinking about something unpleasant. He didn’t actually know how heavy the schoolbag was because he had only put it on his shoulder for show. In fact, it was Qin Zhuo who had been carrying it for him the whole way.
Cheng Li placed his backpack on the back seat with a sincere heart, then got into the car and turned to look at Jian Xie, who was fastening his seatbelt in the passenger seat.
“First, before the autumn job recruitment, I need to be honest with you about something.”
Cheng Li deliberately cleared his throat to make sure the other person could hear him clearly. Hesitation flashed in his eyes.
Jian Xie paused. “….What?”
He has a bad feeling about this.
“The Bureau has always followed a recommendation system, and I’m your recommender.” Cheng Li rubbed the back of his neck, a sign of nervousness.
He tried to sound as polite as possible. “I don’t think I’ve told you this before, but I used to be quite influential at the Bureau. I was an A-level investigator, close to becoming a Special A-level investigator. I was young and reckless and got into some harmless trouble. Basically, everyone in the department knew about me, but… um…”
At this point, Cheng Li vaguely glossed over the matter and deliberately shifted to another topic.
“But I’ve never had the patience to recommend anyone else, so you’re my first. Then, there’s a tradition in the Bureau of a senior-junior system, which is designed to ensure that all departments help each other and work together for mutual benefit. So, the name of the recommender will be marked on the temporary uniforms of each autumn recruitment candidate, and yours will have mine…”
Jian Xie interrupted his illogical nonsense yapping directly, “Get to the point.”
Cheng Li suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders.
“Sorry, during the fall recruitment season, you might be targeted by five departments at the same time… because I’m just not very popular.”
Translator Xena’s other works: https://ko-fi.com/xenatl/gallery
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