"Early this morning, the highly anticipated newly promoted S-Class hero Situ Qingxue successfully eliminated a Level 6 demon, bringing an end to the demon turmoil in Ninghai City…"
The morning news crackled from the radio as Lu Feng brushed his teeth, half-listening inside his small home.
Situ Qingxue—the youngest S-Class hero in history—had survived her family’s massacre as a child. Through relentless effort, she defeated foe after foe, met kind benefactors, gathered loyal companions, and rose to today’s glory.
Oh, and she was reportedly quite beautiful too.
*That’s* a true protagonist: good-looking, gifted, blessed with endless opportunities—the textbook main character template.
Lu Feng, though a transmigrator, never saw himself as the hero. Just an ordinary guy: unremarkably attending university, quietly running a tiny clinic. Life was fine. No grand dreams, no special talent, no lucky breaks.
He viewed himself more like an NPC in a game—a warm-hearted doctor in a humble clinic. If the world’s real protagonist ever stepped through his door, he’d gladly lend a hand.
After the hero braved countless trials and, one dawn, panting and battered, finally slew the final boss… this NPC would simply live out his days in peace.
To Lu Feng, this world’s difficulty was merely "Normal." Conflicts existed, but no earthquakes, no apocalypse. His clinic would stay untouched. A quiet, uneventful life suited him just fine.
Saving the world? That was the protagonist’s job. What did it have to do with a small-town clinic doctor?
He took a deep breath. Yesterday’s rain had washed the dust away; the air felt crisp and clean. Lingjiang Town wasn’t developed, but its tranquility suited Lu Feng’s slow-paced soul.
Only regret? His game had just hit Level 10 yesterday—multiplayer mode still locked. No joyful co-op sessions left him feeling oddly bored.
After brushing his teeth, Lu Feng headed to the nearby market, as usual.
His life was simple. Yet doctor’s habit made him meticulous: lunch and dinner each had one veg, one meat, one soup. Dinner portions were slightly smaller—balanced, no waste.
(Though "no waste" also meant tight budget. Every meal was carefully calculated.)
"Ah, Xiao Feng! Still buying so little meat?"
Auntie Li, bustling behind the breakfast stall, wiped her hands on her apron and hurried over, placing two steamed buns and soy milk before him—his daily order, memorized.
His "friend of the ladies" rep wasn’t for show. In spare time, Lu Feng chatted with middle-aged women about life wisdom and square-dance noise pollution.
Thanks to his tireless efforts, village nights were now peacefully quiet, free from blaring speakers.
"More veggies are healthier," Lu Feng replied, launching into his usual nutrition lecture. Rural elders, once prosperous, often overindulged in meat. It took real effort to persuade them.
"Alright, alright—you’re always right. This old lady doesn’t know better. Tofu pudding?" Auntie Li waved a hand.
*She makes tofu pudding now?* Lu Feng weighed his purse.
"One bowl, please."
One bite later, he smacked his lips.
*Salty.*
Still, honoring "no waste," he finished it. Then, bag of groceries in hand, he walked back.
The clinic was two kilometers away, but Lu Feng walked daily—for exercise.
At a street corner, a worn cardboard box caught his eye. A tiny white head peeked out.
Closer look: a white-furred kitten, barely weaned.
It didn’t flinch as he approached. Instead, it gazed up with large, calm gray eyes.
*Poor thing.*
Lu Feng crouched, lifted it gently. The kitten didn’t resist—dazed, it nestled quietly into his arms.
"Such a good kitty," he murmured, stroking its head, heart warming as he carried it home.
Living alone with few patients, a pet would ease the quiet. Finding one? Bonus—saved pet-buying cash.
"Don’t wander off," he said, setting it down before rummaging inside. Compassionate by nature, Lu Feng kept cat and dog food for strays he might rescue.
Yet every time he offered it, animals fled. He never knew why.
He returned with a cat bowl and kibble. The white kitten still sat by the door, staring blankly at the clinic, silent and still.
*Truly well-behaved. Easy to raise.*
He beckoned. Poured the food.
The kitten crept close—then shrank back. Neck tucked, it retreated two steps, crouching behind a pillar.
*Again?* Lu Feng sighed.
Through the kitten’s gray eyes, the kibble looked like fresh, wriggling brown meat chunks—freshly carved from some mythical beast, twitching faintly within the bowl.
But hunger won.
Slowly, cautiously, it inched forward. Confirming safety, it finally ate what the young man called "cat food."
"There we go," Lu Feng cooed, gently stroking its ear, joy blooming in his chest.
*Finally… a pet.*
"After a bath, you sleep with me tonight," he declared, clapping his hands.
…
…
Meanwhile, outside town, Sisha faced her second ambush.
In the woods, over a dozen black-clad figures drew silver weapons, aiming for the finishing blow on the injured Blood Clan royal from their intel.
What met them was a crimson flash—a fierce scarlet sword aura severing the first head. The assassins froze.
"What?! Weren’t we told she was gravely wounded?" Luo Xuanming snarled.
A Hero Association member, he’d tracked this Blood Clan royal’s retreat after multiple ambushes. Intel confirmed severe injuries.
Stranded in *his* jurisdiction—Lingjiang Town—this was his golden ticket. Slay a royal vampire, earn promotion, escape this barren backwater.
But now? The silver-haired girl’s dress fluttered. Her elegant blade flicked away a Spirit Division member’s silver weapon—then took his head.
Roaring, Luo Xuanming lunged. Steel clashed. In an instant, he flew backward, crashing into a tree, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Combat strength Level 6… When did this vampire level up?!" Horror flooded his eyes.
Sisha answered with silence. Her sword swept again, reaping lives without pause.
As Lingjiang’s Hero Squad leader, Luo Xuanming was only Level 4. His team: Levels 2–3. They’d planned for a wounded Level 5 royal. Against a fully healed Level 6 Blood Clan royal? Impossible.
"Retreat! Fall back!" he choked out.
After four or five fell, the rest scattered.
*Must report to the director. Find where she healed. Who helped her?*
Earlier squads confirmed she was injured *inside* Lingjiang Town.
Someone here aided her.
His promotion chance—ruined. Luo Xuanming’s throat burned with bitter rage.
