The Creatures that We Are

Zhang Wei was brushing his incomplete teeth when the base shook with a thunderous crash. Two seconds passed before he processed the sound. He spat out toothpaste foam and strode toward the living room.

Even then, he didn't grasp the danger at their door.

Since the Starcatching Pavilion incident, they'd taken every precaution to keep the base hidden. Only trusted members came and went, always in disguise, always at night, always by secret paths.

Zhang Wei's first thought was earthquake or gas explosion.

Toothbrush still in hand, foam at the corner of his mouth, he looked toward the entrance. The door had crumbled inward.

Only then did he realize that it was an enemy invasion.

A figure emerged from the dust cloud. Gray coat, soft brown curls, gold-framed glasses over mismatched eyes—the right gray, the left emerald. His right hand gripped a cane while his left, wrapped in a black glove, rested unnaturally in his pocket.

The man smiled warmly. "We meet again, Zhang Wei."

Zhang Wei's blood turned to ice. He shouted before he could think about turning around, “Hurry—”

Invisible force crushed his throat, choking off the warning. The pressure around his neck intensified until pain shot through his vertebrae, threatening to snap bone.

Qilin's Telekinesis, stored in his own body.

Qilin's gaze sharpened with clinical focus. "If possible, I'd prefer to take no life tonight, but I won't offer second chances. Understood?"

Zhang Wei clawed at his throat, nodding frantically in submission.

Two seconds later, the force relented. He stumbled back from death's edge.

"Ack, ack..." He dropped to his knees, coughing. "Don't, don't kill me... I want to formally apologize for my actions."

"Though your apology lacks sincerity, I accept it." Qilin's smile remained gentle. "I admire how readily you discard useless pride for the greater good."

Zhang Wei felt his frozen blood shatter. The man saw through everything.

"Follow my instructions."

"Okay..." Zhang Wei avoided those penetrating eyes that made breathing difficult.

"First, hand over the Psyche Rune Circuit," Qilin ordered.

Zhang Wei's heart plummeted.

The old bastard! How did he know I have the Psyche Rune Circuit?

Was that a bluff?

No, I can’t lie. He’s going to search me. I’ll die if I pull another trick.

I can’t die yet. My Confidence is the only thing giving immunity to Eidos. If I die, the others aren’t going to defeat Qilin!

Do as he said, Zhang Wei, whatever he tells you to do. Even if he puts a dog chain on you and tells you to eat shit, you must do it!

Hands trembling, Zhang Wei fished out the Psyche Rune Circuit from his pants pocket and threw it to Qilin, not daring to show any hesitation.

The Rune Circuit hovered before Qilin, rotating once. Only after confirming its authenticity did he grasp it.

Then the Rune Circuit vanished in his hand.

Yellow Lotus had already carried Surnamed Li inside, waiting silently behind Qilin.

"Good," Qilin said softly. "Now bring everyone else here."

"Understood."

Zhang Wei rose slowly on shaking legs.

Qilin added, "No tricks. Remember, no second chances."

"Understood." Zhang Wei's voice held nothing but submission.

A few minutes later, Quiet Book, holding Lovely Lamb’s and Wang Weiyan’s hands, a wheelchaired Vermilion Bird, and Zhang Wei stood before Qilin.

The little girls were woken up from their sleep, still in their pajamas. They knew Qilin as their enemy, but they didn’t find the gentle-looking man threatening. Instead of an instinctual fear, they felt only a quiet panic.

Qilin took two steps forward and dropped to one knee.

Quiet Book went pale but held her ground, trying to shield the children.

"Please, please spare them... They're just kids. They...they know nothing..."

Ignoring her, Qilin gave the girls a warm smile, like a doting uncle. "Don't worry. Though Uncle is your enemy, I'm not a bad person. I won't hurt you."

His psychic power washed over them, dissolving their fear into a drowsy calm.

Rising, he approached Vermilion Bird, his expression complex, smile tinged with regret. "Good to see you alive, Vermilion Bird. Soon you'll witness humanity's future alongside me. Sadly, Azure Dragon won't join us."

His gaze swept the room before fixing on the study. "No need to hide. Come out."

Zhang Wei started, face draining of color. "I didn't know Gregor was here! He said he was going out!"

"I believe you." Qilin didn't trust Zhang Wei, but he trusted his senses and the man's genuine emotional response.

"Still won't show yourself?" Qilin's eyes locked on one spot. "Remember, no second chances."

Zhang Wei watched the study door, expecting movement. Instead, a shadow beside the cabinet shifted, morphing into Zhong He.

"Failed art class, did you?" Qilin's smile remained mild. "Room lights are overhead, yet you cast a shadow from the left. Rather obvious."

Silently, Zhong He stared at the puppetized Yellow Lotus behind Qilin, gaze sharp and anguished.

Just like Azure Dragon had been, Yellow Lotus was wrapped in black cloths like a mummy, revealing only the upper half of her pale, numb, and lifeless face.

The blond curls she had been proud of were cut messily—she never kept her hair short. She had been bullied and marginalized in school for being a tomboy. She would be furious if she knew this was the treatment she got after death.

Pain blazed through Zhong He's chest. His bloodshot eyes burned with murderous fury. He yearned to tear Qilin apart.

But he couldn't move. Psychic energy pressed against every inch of his skin like countless poisoned needles, ready to pierce his body and brain at any moment.

The threat extended to everyone present. All stood within range of Qilin's psychic attacks, including Brain Formatting.

Qilin could kill everyone in a split second if he so wished.

Outside of Zhang Wei. But Qilin could easily kill him with another Talent.

“Do it,” Zhong He said.

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