Use Your Fists

In the dilapidated old district, wind and rain lashed the streets. A man in a dark red cloak sprinted through the downpour, carrying a large suitcase.

Pitter-patter!

His taut nerves made every drop of rain sound painfully clear. Zhao Kongcheng frowned as Wu Xiangnan's voice sounded in his earpiece. "Old Zhao, you have only one job: evacuate the residents. Do not fight. Whatever you do, do not fight!"

"You can't beat the Ghost Face King. Besides, the old district has few residents, and they're scattered. The losses won't be too great!"

Zhao Kongcheng's anger flared at those words. "But the people living here are still people! Those are human lives! I can't back down!"

"Old Zhao, calm down!"

"I've already informed Wang Quan. He's covering the city center, and everyone else is heading to the old district. Reinforcements will arrive in ten minutes!"

"We can't lose an experienced Night Watcher over one small incident. Countless incidents involving mysteries killing people happen every year." Wu Xiangnan pleaded earnestly, frantic with worry.

"We're not gods. We're human. We do what we can!"

"The Ghost Face King is in the River Realm. You're just an ordinary man without any forbidden ruins. Don't be rash!"

"Xiangnan, have you forgotten the oath we swore when we joined the Night Watchers?" Zhao Kongcheng's voice was resolute. He knew the vice-captain had his best interests at heart, but he had his own principles.

"Sorry, but I can't stand by and do nothing!"

He glanced back. Through the hazy curtain of rain, the low houses glowed with warm light, like the most beautiful sight in the world.

Just then, a foul stench flooded his nostrils. Zhao Kongcheng's pupils contracted, and he froze in place.

The rain grew heavier, a chaotic clamor filling his ears.

After standing stunned for two or three seconds, he slowly turned toward the deserted alley beside him. There, he saw it-

The manhole cover was trembling.

The answer was clear.

"Reporting! Watcher Zhao Kongcheng has located the Ghost Face King in the old district!"

"Old Zhao, trap it with [Boundless Domain] and wait for reinforcements!"

"Xiangnan, you know [Boundless Domain] isn't meant to trap anything. It's meant to conceal."

"Then go evacuate the residents!"

"Hey!"

"Old Zhao?"

Zhao Kongcheng cut off the call. He pressed the button on the suitcase, and it sprang open with a click, revealing three advertising boards. He swiftly set them up around the manhole cover.

Drops of blood sank into the boards, and a dark red glow flared. Viewed from above, three red lines formed an equilateral triangle. A moment later, a section of the old district vanished from the map.

Zhao Kongcheng took one last look at the low houses behind him and touched the Emblem in his pocket. The corners of his rain-soaked mouth lifted. He drew his blade and stepped inside.

The downpour swallowed the world once more. On the rooftop of the tallest building in the city center, Wang Quan held a cloth bag, his azure eyes shining all the brighter in the rain.

His sharp gaze pierced the curtain of rain like a sword, sweeping across the entire city center in an instant. Finding nothing unusual, he switched on his earpiece. Before he could report, Wu Xiangnan's anxious voice came through:

"The Ghost Face King has appeared in the old district!"

"Old Zhao is the only one there, and he's cut off communications!"

"Can you get over there?"

"The captain and the others need at least ten minutes!"

In truth, Wu Xiangnan held out no hope. Even turning back halfway would take ten minutes. Getting there from the city center would take at least half an hour.

"Oh?"

"The old district?"

"Give me a location. If I don't have to worry about pedestrians or buildings, one second should be enough!"

"Huh?!" Wu Xiangnan was so shocked that he went numb. One second? Was this guy even fucking human?

"What if you do have to worry about those things?"

"Send me a location and a route with no people along it. Preferably through secluded alleys. The sooner, the better!"

"Okay, okay!"

"I'll send it right now!"

Ten seconds later, Wang Quan received the route. He glanced at it and smiled faintly. "Not bad. It's not too far. Estimated arrival in two minutes!"

"Hahahaha! Thank goodness, you'll make it!"

"Thank you. Please save Old Zhao!"

"No problem!"

"Uncle Zhao is such a good man. How could I let him die?"

Wang Quan glanced at the curtain of rain, planted one foot on the edge of the rooftop, spread his arms, and launched himself into free fall.

From a distance, a streak of silver light lit up the world.

System quest or not, he was going to save this man.

Who wouldn't like a funny, hot-blooded older guy?

Outside, rain poured down, and the world was a chaotic mess.

Inside, steam rose from the food, and smiles were as sweet as cake.

Lin Qiye kept glancing out the window, looking distracted.

"Little Qi, what's wrong?" Aunt placed a piece of pork rib in his bowl, her voice full of concern.

"I'm fine!"

"A-Jin!"

"A-Jin!"

Seeing that her son wasn't eating either, Aunt didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why aren't you eating either? Today's a happy occasion. We even have meat, and you're still not eating!"

"Oh!"

"Little Jin might be under too much pressure from school lately!" Lin Qiye explained.

Just then, a bark came from the balcony. Aunt looked over. Little Black Scab had slipped out there at some point.

"What's gotten into this little fellow today? He's not even eager to eat. Usually, he practically dives into his bowl!"

Lin Qiye picked up a bone with his chopsticks and waved it. Little Black Scab glanced at the bone, then looked outside the balcony, seeming torn.

Realizing something was wrong and thinking of Zhao Kongcheng, Lin Qiye hurried to the balcony. He tossed the bone to the puppy and looked outside.

In the boundless darkness, there was nothing but pouring rain, as though the world had fallen silent.

Suddenly, his eyes widened. A streak of silver light, like a comet, shone through the endless darkness.

Then he noticed a bat sheltering from the rain beneath the balcony. Remembering that his newly acquired Starry Night Dancer let him communicate with nocturnal animals, he decided to give it a try.

He would never have known without trying-and what he learned gave him a fright.

Lin Qiye stood motionless, like a statue.

"Little Qi, what are you doing?"

The instant Aunt finished speaking, Lin Qiye spun around, rushed to the door, and put on his shoes.

"Aunt, I just remembered something urgent. I need to go out!"

"Silly boy, whatever it is can wait until the rain stops!"

"Aunt, I'm heading out!"

The bat had told Lin Qiye about Zhao Kongcheng, and he couldn't help feeling guilty. He was eating dinner in a warm home while that older man risked his life against a monster to protect him.

No matter what, he couldn't simply stand by and watch.

The black-haired boy charged into the curtain of rain. As the downpour carved up the world, the silver-haired boy was also racing against time.

They shared the same destination.

Guided by the bat, Lin Qiye reached the outside of [Boundless Domain] first, only to be bewildered. There was nothing there. The bat couldn't have lied to him.

Then...

He raised his head and stared fixedly at the empty space before him. He remembered the older man mentioning something that could block out other people. This was probably it.

Cold rain slid down his cheeks. Lin Qiye drew a deep breath and shouted, "Uncle, I know you're in there! Let me in! I'll help you!"

"Uncle!"

"Zhao Kongcheng!"

"Old Zhao!"

"Hello!"

After several shouts, a faint voice drifted out of the empty space. "Why the fuck aren't you staying home in this downpour? What the hell are you wandering around for? Get lost!"

"No!"

"You don't get to save the world all by yourself in secret!"

"Uncle, let me in! I can help you!"

Lin Qiye felt his way forward. Ripples appeared in the rain; an invisible barrier was right before him.

"Get lost!"

"I don't need your help!"

"Besides, you can't even open [Boundless Domain]! How the hell are you supposed to help?" Zhao Kongcheng swore.

"I..."

Lin Qiye froze. Suddenly, he remembered Michael. He remembered his own eyes. Before he could act, a hand settled on his shoulder, and Wang Quan's rich voice rang out, brimming with pride:

"Kid, if there's something you want to do, then do it!"

"But remember, don't use your voice. Use your fists!"