Chapter 1: Awakening Superpowers

“Damn it, I actually fell asleep!”
Shen Xin hurriedly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and glanced at the phone mounted on the electric scooter’s dashboard.
Time: Midnight, 12 o’clock.
Location: Academic Avenue, University City.
A faint chime sounded—a new order had arrived. Shen Xin snatched it up without hesitation, acting on instinct.

At 12:20 a.m., Shen Xin, the food delivery worker, was riding his scooter along a mountain road at the outskirts of Ox City, rushing to deliver the order.
He bitterly regretted his choice; he’d only accepted the job because of the high delivery fee, not realizing how remote the destination would be. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have taken it. But now, he was stuck—if he didn’t deliver, his whole day’s work would be wasted.

From time to time, piercing cries echoed through the darkness, sounding eerily like a baby’s wail. Shen Xin felt a chill running down his spine.
Luckily, after about ten minutes, he finally reached his destination.

Before him stood a large, seemingly abandoned courtyard in the mountains. The rusted iron gate was ajar, and several cars were parked inside; one still had its headlights on, illuminating the three figures visible from outside.
Nervously, Shen Xin picked up the large bag of food containers and entered the courtyard.
“Hello, are you the customer with the number ending in 7788?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s me!” replied a young man in black clothing, his hair cropped short.
Shen Xin handed the food to the young man and wished him an enjoyable meal, then turned quickly to leave.

“Wait.”
A cold, clear voice stopped him. Shen Xin paused and turned back. “Is there something else?”
“Come a little closer. I want a good look at you.”
The speaker was a young woman dressed in form-fitting black leather, her striking figure accentuated by the outfit. Her features were flawless, but her expression was icy, her chin slightly raised in a way that suggested pride. With her short, ear-length hair, she looked every bit the domineering, high-handed businesswoman.
Shen Xin, stunned by her beauty, froze in place.

“Hey kid, if Sister Dan calls you over, you’d better move! Why are you just standing there?”
Startled by the sharp rebuke of the young man holding the meal bag, Shen Xin hurried over, nerves on edge.
The woman known as Sister Dan studied him, then lightly patted his shoulder, her frosty face managing a faint smile.
“Don’t be nervous, I just want your contact information.”
“What?” Shen Xin was taken aback. He knew he was somewhat good-looking and had had girls ask for his number before, but this woman was stunning—why would she take the initiative?
Something was off. When things don’t follow the usual pattern, there must be a reason.

As Shen Xin hesitated, he suddenly caught sight, out of the corner of his eye, of a large pool of blood under a van, fresh blood still trickling from the rear.
He stumbled back several steps in fright and turned to flee, only to find a burly man in black blocking his path.
“You… you!”
Shen Xin was shocked. Just a moment ago, the man had been five or six meters away, yet now he stood right behind him in the blink of an eye.
The man said nothing, as silent as a stone. The young man spoke instead.
“Don’t be afraid, it’s just a wild animal we hunted in the van.”
He walked to the back of the van, opened the door, and dragged out an animal as large as an ox.
Shen Xin breathed a sigh of relief, but remained wary. These people might be poachers, he thought, making him even less willing to give them his number.

Sister Dan’s patience was running thin, her smile fading. “If you weren’t an Awakened yourself, I wouldn’t bother talking with you,” she said coldly.
“Sister Dan, this guy’s an Awakened too?” the young man exclaimed in surprise, hurrying over and extending a hand.
“Hello, I’m Chen Jiawang, an Awakened with strength abilities.”
Shen Xin, puzzled, replied, “Awakened? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You just haven’t discovered your abilities yet. Give me your contact information if you want; it’s your choice.”
Sister Dan’s patience was at its end.

“Alright.”
Shen Xin recited his number. Judging by the feats of these men—the speed of the black-clad giant, the strength of Chen Jiawang who lifted the beast single-handedly—he realized they were truly extraordinary.
Shen Xin had always dreamed of being a hero. If there was a chance, he would seize it.
Sister Dan jotted down his number and immediately called back. When Shen Xin’s phone rang, she hung up and said coolly,
“You can go now. If you awaken your ability, remember to contact me.”
“Oh, alright.”
A hint of disappointment crept into Shen Xin’s heart; he’d wanted to ask more, but Sister Dan had already turned to go inside.
This time, the black-clad giant didn’t block his path, but stepped aside to let him pass.

Once Shen Xin had ridden away, Chen Jiawang asked in confusion, “Sister Dan, Awakened people are so rare—why did you just let him leave?”
“He hasn’t awakened yet. And besides…”
“Besides what?”
“Let’s eat. Aren’t you hungry?” Sister Dan replied, sidestepping the question.

Shen Xin sped home to his rented room. He was a junior at Ox City University and had started delivering food a year ago. With classes during the day, he could only work at night, and since the dorms closed at 10:30, he had to live off-campus.
It was nearly one in the morning when he returned. Normally, he’d be asleep by now, but tonight he was wide awake, tossing and turning in bed.
“Did that impossibly beautiful Sister Dan lie to me?”
“What is my superpower?”
“How do I awaken my ability?”
One question after another plagued Shen Xin’s thoughts. He didn’t know how long he lay there before finally drifting off.

The next day, the sun was already high when he woke. Glancing at his phone, he was startled—it was already eight o’clock, almost time for class.
He dressed hurriedly, washed up in a rush, and dashed out the door.
Fortunately, his apartment was close to the classroom building. He sprinted all the way, reaching the classroom in five minutes.

At an intersection, he saw a boy of about eight or nine hurrying across the street, likely running late for school as well.
But the morning traffic was heavy, and a car was about to hit the boy.
“Watch out!”
Shen Xin shouted, heart pounding. He felt a sudden heat in his eyes, and the next moment, he saw the boy suddenly appear on the other side of the road.
“Huh? What just happened? Did I imagine it, or does that kid have powers too?”
He rubbed his eyes.
The boy on the far side looked equally puzzled, but hurried on his way.

“I must be seeing things from lack of sleep,” Shen Xin thought, resuming his run. After a few dozen meters, he slowed down.
“I definitely felt my eyes heat up just now—could it be…”
“Could my ability have awakened?”
He looked at a tree in the roadside greenery, focusing on a chirping bird perched on a branch. Fixing his gaze, he shifted his eyes to another spot.
He felt the same heat, and sure enough, the bird appeared at the new location.
“Holy crap, I… I’ve awakened! I’ve awakened! My fate is in my own hands, not heaven’s!”