Wen Ya's face went pale. She froze in place, her thoughts spinning.
Lin An had already stripped off his shirt.
His body was lean and powerful, muscles shaped not by years of training, but by something beyond human limits. After awakening, the [Savior] template had reforged him. His limbs were long, his lines clean, his skin carrying a translucent luster like polished jade. His build wasn't bulky, yet every curve of muscle radiated hidden strength.
…He looks good.
The stray thought startled Wen Ya, and she quickly suppressed it. Her nerves snapped taut.
What if he wants to force himself on me?Should I resist? End it myself?
Her mind tangled, sluggish like mud. A girl like her, dragged away by a stranger, should rather die than endure humiliation. But something about Lin An's presence—its cold, commanding gravity—clouded her judgment. It drew her in even as her instincts screamed caution.
Damn it… Stay clear-headed.
As her thoughts scattered, Lin An suddenly turned his back to her.
"My back." His voice was calm, clipped. "Are there any patterns?"
She blinked. "Huh…?"
Lin An overlooked her daze. He'd taken off his shirt not to intimidate her, but to confirm something. Mutants carried unique markings. If he bore them, he'd need to hide the truth carefully. Mutants were temptations—for allies, for enemies, for hunters.
Wen Ya forced her gaze into focus.
"There's… nothing," she said quietly.
Lin An frowned. No marks? That didn't make sense. Before awakening, his willpower had been twelve—well beyond the threshold of a mutant.
Was he wrong? Or were the marks somewhere else?
For a moment, he considered removing more, then dismissed the thought.
No. Not in front of her.
He pulled his shirt back on, unaware of the faint dark-purple trace that flickered just above the waistband of his trousers—gone before Wen Ya could be sure she'd seen it.
He turned, eyes steady.
"I'll keep this short. Join my team. Serve me."
The words struck her still.
Serve?
She didn't mind joining him—after all, he'd saved her, and his strength was undeniable. Alone, she wouldn't last a day. But that word carried too many meanings.
"What do you mean by 'serve'? What do you want me to do?"
"Follow my orders. All of them."
Lin An spoke without hesitation, his tone sharp as a blade.
Her fingers clenched together at her chest. She stood half-covered, too shy to move, waiting for permission.
"…Everything?" she asked in a whisper.
"That's right."
Impatience edged his voice. Time mattered more than her modesty.
"Then… can I refuse?"
"You can." His eyes chilled. "But you'll die."
The murderous pressure radiated from him, suffocating. Lin An hadn't saved her out of kindness; he saw her potential. But a mutant unwilling to obey was a liability. Better dead than a hidden danger at his side.
Wen Ya's breath hitched. One look told her—if she said no, she'd end up like the headless corpse on the ground.
Life or death.
She straightened slowly, forcing her fear down. Lin An was cold, ruthless, but not depraved. Compared to the monsters outside, he was safer than anyone else she might meet.
"…I agree," she said at last. Her voice steadied. "But why insist I join?"
Her cheeks flushed as she added, almost pleading, "Can I… put on my clothes first?"
Lin An said nothing, just turned away.
Wen Ya dressed quickly, though the ragged cut in her once-smooth hair caught her eye, leaving her with a bitter smile.
"Follow me," Lin An ordered, glancing at her briefly. "And don't keep your hair long. It'll only get you killed in a fight."
She bit her lip, tied it up without protest, and trailed after him at a jog.
What a cold man. What has he gone through?
But Lin An wasn't paying her any attention.
As Wen Ya accepted his terms, a translucent screen flared before his eyes.
[Savior Template: Team Function Activated]
Current Members:
Lin An – Captain (Savior Host, Level 0 Awakener)
Wen Ya – Member (Mutant, Level 0)
Team Level: 1 (2/5 members)Next Upgrade: Unlock at 5 members
Team Restrictions: Once joined, members cannot withdraw or be replaced.
Functions Unlocked:
Team Communication – 100km range, encrypted channel exclusive to team members.
Loyalty Display (Captain Only) –
Wen Ya: 50/100 (Borderline. May betray under severe threat. Stable at ≥60.)
Team Buffs – Captain: +20% all attributes. Members: +10% all attributes.
Team Mission Available:Recruit 5 special players (Awakeners, Mutants, ???) within 30 days.Reward: Doomsday Base Vehicle (Starter Model).
Lin An's lips curled faintly. This was only the beginning.