"Sorry for getting your sweater dirty!"

Her voice was slightly hoarse but still pleasant, tugging at the heart.

"Because this little one is so pitiful!" She gently stroked the black cat’s head. A closer look revealed the cat in her arms stayed perfectly dry—she was the umbrella.

Qin An’s umbrella was large, just big enough to cover two people and a cat.

She tried to stand but had no strength left beyond sitting.

Qin An reached out his hand. She grasped it again. His hand wasn’t big, but it fit hers perfectly—calloused yet deeply reassuring.

Her hand was icy cold, colder than a corpse’s. Her pupils held a dead gray haze.

Qin An pulled her up. She leaned against him to steady herself.

"I’m fine, but this little one seems very hungry."

*Is the cat more important than yourself?*

The bookstore was nearby, but Qin An had no key or lock-picking tools.

He pondered where to take the girl.

A roar like a wild motorcycle grew clearer. A silver twin-barreled bike emerged from the drizzle, exhaust pipes steaming.

Two men wearing bizarre ghost masks rode it. Seeing those familiar masks, Qin An’s memories of dominating Japan resurfaced.

Every country had Esper organizations, big or small, led by Espers themselves. Japan was an exception—it had only one: High Heaven Plain.

Japanese Espers deified themselves, believing their Supernatural Powers were divine.

Within High Heaven Plain, a faction called the Underworld Sect sought total control.

They crushed Espers outside their ranks: surrender and join, or die.

In his past life, Qin An was hired by High Heaven Plain to quell the Underworld Sect’s rebellion. He also shattered the spirit of the devouring princess—a child burdened with unimaginable sins.

Now, High Heaven Plain likely hadn’t spotted the rebellion yet. Why were they here? Not for him. So it must be…

Qin An glanced at the girl leaning against him, barely alive. His pupils dilated.

"Brat, let go of that girl! She’s our sacrifice for summoning a god."

"We’ll count to three. Drop her, and we’ll give you a chance to run. Your survival depends on luck."

The red-and-white masked man drew a sharp dagger, licking his lips—a bloodthirsty grin.

"Three… two…" He dragged out the words. Qin An watched like it was a circus act. Unforgivable.

The Red Ghost lunged. An assassin-type Esper, no one survived his poisoned dagger. Backstabs were his specialty.

As he thrust down, he faced not a back but Qin An’s faintly smiling face.

*Impossible! My power is high-speed movement! I’m a B-rank Esper!*

Again. Still that smile. Again. Qin An grew bored.

"I’m tired of playing. You’re so slow."

*Slow!* The word shattered his confidence. *It must be a higher-level acceleration power!*

He stabbed wildly. Qin An dodged effortlessly, holding the girl and umbrella with ease.

A light elbow strike smashed the Red Ghost’s mask. He flew meters away, rolling in muddy water.

"You dare harm my comrade?!" The yellow-masked giant roared, pounding his chest like a gorilla. His muscles swelled, bursting his clothes, revealing a bushy chest.

"Stop howling like a ghost in a haunted house! It’s late and noisy." Qin An closed his umbrella and tapped the giant’s head with the shaft. Stars spun before his eyes; he collapsed after a few spins.

Qin An crushed the mask underfoot. Beneath was a young, fierce face—probably a high schooler.

Qin An sensed a gaze. On a nearby rooftop, a faint light glimmered.

He opened his umbrella. An arrow pierced it like wind. The torn umbrella blew away, but Qin An vanished.

A girl in red-and-white Miko robes appeared. Snow-white skin, sleek black hair. Her gaze was bold yet gentle, long lashes like brushed silk, a white bow in her hair—straight out of a painting.

Behind her was another Miko-robed girl with short hair, holding a bow and quiver.

Both gasped at the men on the ground—they recognized them.

"Elder sister, what should we do?"

"Let’s ask Granny first."

Qin An carried the girl in a princess carry, sprinting across rooftops.

"Qin-kun, what were those two just now?" Yuko snuggled in his arms, holding the black cat.

"They have superpowers. Espers, like in manga and novels."

"Really?" Her tone held little surprise, as if expected.

"You might be an Esper too. A very rare one, highly sought after."

Yuko’s eyes lit up like a child discovering a new world. "Then what are you?"

"I’m the one who subdues them."

"You’re amazing."

A long silence followed. Soon, Qin An’s apartment building came into view. Taking a strange girl home felt awkward.

"Where’s your home? I’ll take you back."

"My door is locked." She smiled bitterly, hiding endless sorrow.

"My home isn’t locked. Want to come?"

At those words, she beamed like a child. She pressed closer to his chest. Despite the rain and cold wind, his chest felt like the sun—endlessly warm.