Lin Xinyan heard the sound, but didn’t see how the lizard was sent flying. She knew all too well how fast and strong the creature was. And now it had been knocked flying with a single blow. That was something she couldn’t help but think about. Lin Xinyan couldn’t even imagine what had just happened. That blow was far beyond anything she could comprehend. Someone had sent a Spirit Rank creature flying with ease. Could he be an X-Rank Hero?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she dismissed it. There were already very few S-Rank Heroes in the world. You could count the X-Rank Heroes on one hand. S-Rank and X-Rank Heroes were world-famous, and she couldn’t remember hearing about a new Hero of that caliber.

Looking at the unfamiliar young man, Lin Xinyan felt conflicted. If he wasn’t one of the top Heroes, then how had he managed to land that blow on the creature? A coincidence? How could that be?

!!!

Suddenly, it clicked. Staring at the handsome young man, she said sternly, “You… You were sitting next to me earlier.”

She couldn’t be mistaken. That face was familiar—the same person who’d been sneaking glances at her on the bus. He was a Hero too, but could a lecher really deserve the title? Still, his strength…

The only explanation she could think of was that, like her, this young man was a Hero whose rank didn’t match his strength.

Shi Ji had been sitting off to the side, watching the fight the whole time. He’d known how it would end from the start, but hadn’t stepped in right away. The reason was Lin Xinyan.

After taking that heavy blow, the thick-scaled Ge Sila was still sprawled on the ground, unable to get back up. Shi Ji didn’t bother with it for now.

He strolled over to Lin Xinyan with an easy smile of confidence on his face.

“You’re a B-Rank Hero. You knew you weren’t a match for this creature. Why were you so stubborn?”

Lin Xinyan answered without hesitation. “Because I’m a Hero.”

“…” Her answer was so resolute that even Shi Ji was a little surprised. He couldn’t help but think it over.

“Looks like you’ve got some backbone.”

Shi Ji thought of Xian Ning, the B-Rank Hero he’d beaten up just a few hours ago. They were both Heroes, so why were they so different?

There was no need for him to ask any more. Even if he did, “Because I’m a Hero” would be the whole answer. He admired this pretty young woman.

“You did well. Leave the rest to me. You’re a Hero, so you should be able to handle that shoulder wound yourself, right?”

As he spoke, the young man walked past Lin Xinyan and headed toward the creature.

Ge Sila climbed to its feet. Its once-arrogant expression had twisted into something vicious, and its eyes had turned blood-red.

The lizard was brimming with murderous intent. Even after taking that heavy blow, it didn’t seem all that shocked. It was no longer as relaxed as before. Its expression was grim, its smile cold. It stared fixedly at Shi Ji and didn’t look at Lin Xinyan again.

“Interesting. Just one sweeping kick sent me flying that far. You’re stronger than this young lady. Being free really is great—you get to run into all kinds of interesting things.”

Shi Ji glanced back and gave Lin Xinyan, who was still standing there dazed, a look. She immediately understood. She was injured; if she stayed, she wouldn’t be able to help and might even get in the way. Without hesitation, she turned to leave. But before she went, she looked back at Shi Ji and said one thing.

“Be careful.”

Lin Xinyan turned back—and saw a weapon appear out of thin air in Shi Ji’s hand.

!!!

“What?! A spear… Soldier Tier…”

…