Walking down the street, your vision filled with a sea of heads stretching endlessly. Skyscrapers stood reduced to mere decorations—eyes built to hold entire worlds now saw only this single, overwhelming sight.

Yet even in this crushing despair, glimmers of comfort could still be found.

Look closer, and you’d realize this "crowd" wasn’t just ordinary humans. Thick manes, long tails swaying behind backs, wings spread wide, fluffy ears perked high on heads or at the sides—none of it warranted surprise.

This century’s "society" was woven from them and baseline humans alike.

They were what humans called "Other Races."

To categorize them properly? You’d need to memorize an entire thick volume of the Multispecies Interaction Code. Simply put: nearly every race humanity once "prophesied" now walked this world.

Elves. Dragonkin. Beastkin (werewolves). Vampires. Werewolves… Save for gods and angels—myths too extravagant to manifest—every imaginable race had woven itself into human society.

Now, Bai Ming and his sister lived in this dazzling, chaotic world.

…

"Don’t dawdle on the streets. Buy what you need and come straight back. Understood?"

Bai Ming yawned heavily, Bai Ruoshui’s parting words looping in his sleep-deprived mind. Words couldn’t describe the exhaustion after an all-nighter. One thing was certain: from the moment he stepped out, he already missed his warm, comfortable bed.

"Ugh… Why’s the weather so damn perfect…"

Blazing sunlight pricked his dry skin like countless tiny needles. Stuck indoors all night staring at a screen, his eyes rebelled against natural light. Just walking made his stomach churn, nausea rising thick and bitter in his throat. His limbs hung limp—a terminal pessimist who’d lost all hope in life.

Only when he hunched into the subway station did Bai Ming finally catch his breath.

Nothing felt better than this temporary shade. The coolness soothed his near-charred skin and jolted every cell back to life.

For a "normal" human, Bai Ming firmly belonged in the "light-averse enthusiast" category.

"Let’s see… To City A… City A is… ah, found it."

Clutching his churning stomach, Bai Ming strained to lift his head. He squinted at the flickering LED screen, desperate to find his platform—then bolt for the restroom.

But reality loved surprises. Just as he pinpointed his route, the departure chime blared.

"Attention passengers: The Line 5 train from City E to City A is now arriving…"

*Gurgle…*

Overnight exhaustion crashed over him. The long journey ahead made not just his stomach, but his entire gut ache.

"Ugh… seriously…"

Missing this train would delay him by an hour.

For someone starving for sleep, that hour was lethal. Resigned, Bai Ming slumped and shuffled onto the train with the crowd.

…

"Ugh… stomach cramps… dizzy… wanna sleep…"

Eyes squeezed shut, Bai Ming groaned, face ashen. One hand gripped a overhead strap; the other pressed his abdomen. He bent slightly at the waist, trying to ease the pain.

Honestly, he’d brought it on himself. Knowing he had errands for Bai Ruoshui today, he’d still stayed up absurdly late. As the saying went: physical strength couldn’t mend mental exhaustion. Bai Ming was living proof.

Regret was useless now. Since shuffling into this packed carriage, the stifling heat and thick air made him feel suffocated.

And no seats…

"Damn… so dizzy…"

In this state, staying upright was nearly impossible.

His legs buckled. Bai Ming swayed and collapsed against a man beside him.

"Ah… s-sorry…"

He stammered an apology, trembling as he pushed himself upright.

"Huh? You blind as a bat, kid?"

The man snapped back, voice sharp. A typical thug—shoulders slouched, eyes deliberately avoiding Bai Ming’s. Up close, an instinctive fear prickled Bai Ming’s skin. Flinching from the man’s glare, he lowered his head.

After a beat, the man leaned in. A scar slashed from his lip to his temple. When he tilted his head, widened his eyes, and dug his finger into his nostril, the scar writhed like a tiny centipede.

His hand shot out, jabbing a finger at Bai Ming.

"Some little lady’s got the morning crazies? You know how damn hard you slammed into me?"

"…"

Bai Ming’s mind snapped crystal clear. Normally, he’d ignore trash like this—society’s deadweight, self-centered bullies who thought the world owed them. Arguing would stoop too low. But a warning was necessary.

This loudmouth had no idea the person before him was far more terrifying than anything he’d ever faced.

"Say that again—"

"Miss, take my seat."

A black-haired girl beside him suddenly stood, grabbing Bai Ming’s wrist.

"…"

One look revealed her identity.

Glossy black hair. Blood-red eyes. Two sharply pointed fox ears. A fluffy tail swaying behind her. Proof enough she wasn’t human. A crisp white shirt. A knee-length skirt. Jet-black stockings accentuating shapely thighs. Combat boots. Only the katana strapped to her side broke the picture of pure, feminine charm.

"Wait… I’m not a gi—"

"I know! I know… At our age, we all get this monthly misery…"

The girl deliberately closed her eyes, patting his shoulder with practiced solemnity. She nodded knowingly.

The misunderstanding was colossal.

No one guessed this delicate-looking "girl" was actually a man over twenty. Even bystanders began muttering disapproval at the thug.

"Shit… you—"

Humiliated, the man’s face flushed. Rage boiled over, ready to unleash on Bai Ming.

His fist drew back—

Then, a bone-chilling aura of death slammed into his mind from nowhere.

"Ghk…"

He froze mid-swing, hand suspended. Trembling, he turned his head. The black-haired girl stood nearby, her gaze locked onto him like a predator’s.

"So, sir," she said, smile bright but voice edged with threat, "shall we let this go? Strangers shouldn’t cause scenes in public, right?"

"Y-yeah… sure…"

Terrified, the man yanked back his shaking hand. He spun around and fled the carriage.

Bai Ming, standing too close to the girl, had felt that killing intent too.

*What is this kid?*

He slowly uncurled his hand from his stomach and offered stiff thanks.

"Thank you…"

Basic manners. Something he always said when helped.

But it wasn’t kindness. Since that aura washed over him, a primal instinct screamed: *Stay away from her. Trouble follows.*

"No problem! Heroes like us exist to solve citizens’ problems!"

When she declared "Heroes" with such pride, Bai Ming finally understood his unease.

*Ah…*

He sighed inwardly at the girl’s innocent face.

To avoid further talk, he accepted the seat without protest…

Just then, the subway announcement crackled:

"Passengers, we’ve arrived at A City Station. Those getting off, please…"