The gang leader, realizing Lin An’s intent, couldn’t hide the fear in his eyes. He was like livestock awaiting slaughter, utterly helpless. His gaze locked onto Lin An, who approached step by step, waiting for the next move.
Lin An walked slowly to the gang leader, took a deep breath, and thrust the knife! The blade pierced the man’s heart. As Lin An yanked it free, blood gushed from the gruesome wound like water.
But Lin An wasn’t satisfied.
Like a madman, he stabbed the gang leader again and again. The squelching sound of steel tearing flesh filled the air. A low whimper escaped the thug’s throat, as if his neck were crushed.
Both men were drenched in blood. The beast inside Lin An roared in satisfaction. To him, the scent of blood smelled sweet.
Blood pooled on the floor. The red-haired man snapped his fingers. The black energy swirling over the gang leader vanished—his restraint lifted. Freed, the thug collapsed, twitched slightly twice, and fell still.
He’s dead. I killed him.
Lin An knelt, staring at the yellow-haired thug lying cold before him. Moments ago, that face had snarled with murder. Now, it was lifeless.
Guilt over taking a life coiled in Lin An’s chest. The stench of blood stung his nose, making him gag. He knelt there, dry heaving. The red-haired man watched coldly and spat two words: “Continue!”
Lin An shuddered at the voice. After a long pause, he stood shakily and limped toward the remaining three thugs. Though restrained, they saw everything. They thought.
Watching Lin An butcher their leader like a madman, then advance with the knife, a spark of fear ignited in the thugs. It spread fast, burning through them.
But they were frozen. They could only watch as Lin An carved wounds into their bodies like slaughtering pigs. When the red-haired man lifted the restraint, Lin An stared at the three mangled corpses. His eyes held no emotion—only indifference.
*Clap clap clap clap clap.* The red-haired man applauded, a mocking smirk on his lips. “Not bad. Well done.”
Lin An closed his eyes, lying back on the cold floor. The thick blood stench drained his strength. After a while, he opened hollow eyes and whispered, “Fulfill your promise.”
The red-haired man walked to Li Mo. Freed from restraint, Li Mo had fainted, his pale face twisted in pain. Dark light flashed in the man’s palm. Li Mo’s trembling eased. His face smoothed, gaining a faint blush.
The man turned to Lin An on the floor, looking down. “The issue’s resolved. But his mind might have minor damage… An ordinary human absorbing my energy—him not going mad instantly is my doing.”
Lin An struggled up, his gaze flickering over Li Mo. He knew this was the best outcome. After silence, he murmured, “Thank you.”
The man turned away. A black hole-like door appeared before him. He paused at its edge, not glancing back. “As promised, you may join us. Your friend, baptized by my energy, can enter directly. You? Different. Follow me. A small test awaits.” He stepped through without waiting, vanishing. Only the door remained, twisting like a living thing.
Lin An glanced indifferently at the four bloody corpses. A faint nausea lingered, but it was better than before. He sighed. He’d finally taken this step.
He hoisted the unconscious Li Mo onto his back, limping forward. Already injured and weak, Li Mo felt like a boulder—even though both were skinny and light.
Lin An knew this was a trial before the real test. The door flickered unstably, clearly time-limited. If he didn’t enter before it vanished, he’d lose his chance forever. Two choices loomed: push through with Li Mo… or abandon him. Go alone.
The latter was easier. The former might cost him escape from mediocrity. But Lin An refused to leave Li Mo. He refused to stay ordinary.
This refusal drove him forward, teeth gritted. Mind and body at their limits, Li Mo felt like a thousand-pound weight.
At the final stretch, Lin An moved on pure instinct, mechanical steps. His eyes lost their light, reflecting only the door.
The world blurred into a surreal haze. Only the door grew sharp. Memories before meeting Li Mo chased him like nightmares.
“Haha! Look at this runt! Wants to buy from my shop? Piss on yourself first! Disgusting! Pah!” A burly man slapped a coin from a scruffy boy’s hand. A passerby tried to intervene. “Hmph! Don’t you know? He killed his parents with bad luck! See? His eyes are red!”
Onlookers murmured at the boy’s blood-red eyes.
Bullied relentlessly, the boy learned to trust no one. He sensed hidden motives behind the police and orphanage staff’s smiles—that’s why he avoided them.
Until he met Li Mo. That boy’s smile held not a trace of impurity. In him, Lin An saw a shadow of his past self. For the first time, he felt he had family.
Lin An knew crossing the door meant truly living—paid with death and endless darkness.
Or, stopping now with Li Mo meant a lifetime of lowliness. Or dying young in another fight like today’s.
Lin An wasn’t made for mediocrity. A beast lurked in his heart. If he must die, he’d see this world’s truth.
The young beast roared. He stepped into the twisted door. A shattering sound echoed in his ears. Too weak to open his eyes, his consciousness sank into Chaos Base. He thought he heard the red-haired man’s voice:
“Oh? What’s this?”
