Disappointment

Youcheng No. 3 Middle School, early the next morning.

Classrooms were always at their noisiest during breaks.

But unlike before, today's topic was no longer celebrity gossip or gaming records. Instead, it revolved around two names: Hua Yin, and Qing Wuyan, who had just become a "legendary eyewitness."

"Seriously? Wuyan, you really saw Hua Yin... no, Special Agent Hua, make a whole bunch of glowing white butterflies appear with a swish, and they healed the injuries on your face right away? Without even leaving a scar?"

A girl covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.

"Of course it's real!"

Qing Wuyan sat on top of his desk, animatedly gesturing as he spoke. The patch of skin on his face that had already recovered completely seemed to be his best proof.

"You didn't see what it was like back then! The Special Affairs Bureau was making arrests, and the whole black market was a complete mess! Hua Yin and the others were chasing an old hand, and that guy was as slippery as an eel! If I hadn't climbed up and pointed out the way for them, he might've gotten away!"

He deliberately skipped over the embarrassing part where he had been knocked down and injured, instead focusing on Hua Yin's miraculous healing abilities and the overwhelming force of the Special Affairs Bureau's operation.

"Those butterflies were incredible! Cool and icy, and the moment they touched the wound—bam, it was healed! It was like something out of a sci-fi movie!"

"Hua Yin is really... completely different now. That presence, seriously. No wonder he's from the Special Affairs Bureau!"

"Did wings grow from his back that time? Like the rumors at school last time?"

"Uh... I didn't see that. Maybe it wasn't the right occasion? But that healing alone was terrifying enough! An Awakened! Our school actually produced an Awakened!"

Astonishment, envy, curiosity, and even a faint trace of awe filled the classroom.

The name Hua Yin had completely transformed from that of a "quiet former classmate" into a symbol surrounded by mystery and power.

As someone who had "gotten up close" and been "saved," Qing Wuyan naturally received plenty of attention and questions. He clearly enjoyed it, telling the story with ever more vivid embellishment.

No one noticed that beneath his seemingly excited and exaggerated storytelling, a fleeting trace of amusement occasionally passed through his eyes, utterly at odds with his expression.

During the lunch break, on the school rooftop.

Lin Qingqiu leaned alone against the railing, staring blankly at the distant outline of the city.

The breeze stirred the ends of her hair, but it could not disperse the faint heaviness between her brows.

Qing Wuyan came looking for her, holding two cans of soda. He handed one to her.

"Thanks." Lin Qingqiu took it, her fingertips cold.

"Class Monitor Lin, are you still thinking about the Genetic Potion?"

Qing Wuyan leaned against the railing beside her, took a gulp of soda, and asked casually.

Lin Qingqiu softly hummed in acknowledgment without denying it.

Ever since that night's encounter and the snake disaster that followed, a powerful sense of unease and longing for strength had taken root in her heart.

The world of ordinary people was too fragile. She wanted to grasp onto something, even if that path was destined to be difficult.

"The official registration channels are too difficult. The wait is long, the reviews are strict, and..."

She paused. "I heard the supply of suitable potions is also very limited."

Her family had some influence, but when it came to extraordinary resources, their reach was limited.

Qing Wuyan smacked his lips, glanced around, and lowered his voice. "Official channels are all like that. But... I've heard that some 'unofficial' channels might be able to get things that have 'leaked out' from major potion companies."

Lin Qingqiu's gaze sharpened as she looked at him. "Unofficial channels? You mean..."

"The black market."

Qing Wuyan uttered those two words. Seeing Lin Qingqiu frown, he hurriedly added.

"Not the chaotic kind where something happened yesterday."

"Actually, Youcheng has another black market that's more hidden and more 'high-end.' It specializes in goods you can't find on the market, including... Genetic Potions acquired through certain special channels."

"Of course, the prices are steep, and the risks are high."

Seeing Lin Qingqiu's thoughtful expression, he continued, "I know this sounds risky."

"But, Class Monitor Lin, if you've really made up your mind to take this path, maybe you should take a look. At the very least, you can learn more about it."

"That's better than waiting around for the slim hope offered by official channels."

"Yesterday... you could say I got lucky in a bad situation. I managed to find out a little about how to get into that black market."

As he spoke, he pulled a wrinkled black card from his pocket. It bore no markings whatsoever, but its edges were decorated with irregular dark-gold patterns, giving it a rather mysterious appearance.

"This is supposedly an Introduction Card. In the alley behind Old Records Bar in the North District, show this to the guard after one in the morning, and you might be allowed through."

Lin Qingqiu took the black card. It felt cold and hard, and the dark patterns glinted faintly beneath the sunlight.

Her heart pounded, filled both with caution toward the unknown danger and anticipation for a possible opportunity.

"Qing Wuyan, why are you helping me?"

She raised her head and looked directly into Qing Wuyan's eyes.

She knew Qing Wuyan was close with Hua Yin, and between herself and Hua Yin...

That confidentiality agreement, along with the invisible distance between them after that night, made her especially sensitive whenever she faced people or matters related to Hua Yin.

Qing Wuyan scratched his head and showed his usual slightly embarrassed smile. "We're friends, aren't we? And you're Hua Yin's class monitor. You've looked after him plenty of times."

"I can see that you really want this... Anyway, I only got this information by chance, and I can't use it myself, so there's no harm in telling you."

"But, Class Monitor Lin, you really need to think this through. Places like that are full of all sorts of people. If you do go, you have to be extra careful!"

"Preferably... well, make every possible preparation."

His smile was sincere, and his tone was concerned, as though he were merely a helpful classmate with some connections sharing a secret.

Lin Qingqiu clenched the black card, her breathing slightly hurried.

After a moment of silence, she finally tucked the card carefully into her pocket.

"Thank you, Qing Wuyan. I'll... consider it carefully."

Night had deepened, in Youcheng's North District.

This place was completely different from the chaotic, noisy black market in the West District.

The entrance was extremely well hidden, requiring passage through several hidden sentries and identity checks.

The interior was not especially large, but its decor was strange. The dim lighting was permeated with a mixed scent of rare spices, spiritual materials, and some indescribable chemical agents.

There were not many people coming and going, but each carried a heavy presence and wary eyes. Most transactions were conducted in sealed private rooms or secret chambers.

This was one of the true cores of Youcheng's underground world, serving clients with wealth, power, or special connections.

Inside a completely soundproof secret chamber, its walls covered in dark silver sound-absorbing material.

Scarface King, a man who ruled over part of Youcheng's underground world, was here as well.

He was around forty, with a vicious centipede-like scar running from his right brow bone to the corner of his mouth.

He had a lean, powerful build and a fierce gaze. The savage aura of a Genetic Warrior radiated from him, yet he seemed somewhat uneasy at the moment.

The secret chamber had no windows. Its only light source was a small lamp at the center of the ceiling, casting a ghastly pale glow.

Beneath the lamp, someone sat in the room's only chair.

That person was completely concealed in the chair's shadow, making his face impossible to see. Only his tall, slender build was vaguely visible, and he appeared to be young.

He leaned leisurely against the chair back, with only his hands exposed beneath the light, resting casually on the armrests.

Those hands had distinct knuckles, long fair fingers, and neatly trimmed, clean nails, like the hands of an artist who played the piano.

Yet for some reason, in this cold and gloomy environment, those excessively beautiful hands gave off a heart-palpitating feeling.

"The mission failed, and they were captured as well."

A young, calm voice devoid of any warmth came from the shadows. Its timbre was strange, like an electronically synthesized voice.

"Scarface, you've disappointed me."