Chen Xiao fished out his phone—internet was lagging like hell.
Must be too many people online. He randomly clicked on a few forum posts:
"Animal World: A Massive Conspiracy?"
"Slaughterhouse of the Gods—Are Humans Just Lambs?"
"High-Tech Hoax or the Death of Religion?"
Page after page of pompous, high-minded articles flooded the forums—most were worthless, rushed-out garbage with zero substance.
The comments, though? Way more real:
"This is some bullshit! No way powers are tied to your last meal!"
Under that comment, 99+ replies piled up. At first, a few folks chimed in:
"Right? Determining superpowers by dinner? What a braindead idea, lmao."
"Must be a phone hack!"
"Bet it's a Yank conspiracy!"
Then someone freaked out:
"Yo, somethin's wrong! The voice said I got a C-rank Gluttony talent, and now I'm starving—I've already downed eight burgers!"
"Fuck! Horns are growing outta my skull! This is insane!"
"My teeth are sharper than a knife now!"
"I got a pig talent and blew up like a balloon. I'm devastated! (sarcastic) Never eating pork again!"
Chen Xiao skimmed the comments and could only shake his head in dismay.
He knew the next few hours till dawn would be a nationwide free-for-all.
But soon, "new humans" would start hunting animals without rules.
Chen Xiao revved the stolen motorcycle, weaving through city streets.
Blood-red moonlight drenched the ground, casting shadows like a sea of bloodstains.
"Dudu dudu."
"Dudu dudu."
"Hey, Uncle—yeah, I'm fine."
"Uncle, I awakened a rooster talent. Feel amped as hell, haha."
"Yep, don't worry 'bout me."
Chen Xiao answered the call with a practiced smile—just like in his past life, leaning on memory to act natural.
On the other end was the person he'd missed most before dying: Chen Changqing, his uncle and adoptive father who'd raised him.
He didn't want to meddle with fate—if things ran their course, Chen Changqing would survive.
In his past life, his uncle had joined a local org in the capital and outlived him, after all.
Hung up, no more attachments.
Time to settle his own scores.
Cheng Youyou—how was that KFC family bucket I sent?
Thinking of Cheng Youyou's parents, rage boiled in Chen Xiao's veins.
Those two old fucks had targeted him nonstop.
In his past life, he'd been used as a pawn countless times—all their doing.
Following a familiar path, Chen Xiao sneaked into Jiangbei's villa district, scaling a wall.
Near Cheng Youyou's house, he activated [Dragon Breath] to eavesdrop.
The talent let him sense four people inside—their auras all weak, all matching.
Did they really all eat the family bucket?
"Youyou, you've been wronged."
"Mom knows you couldn't stand that loser. Just... not yet."
"He's Chen Changqing's only heir—perfect for Young Master Wang's puppet."
"That old man's days are numbered. Once that loser gets the ancestral house..." Cheng Youyou's dad snorted.
Cheng Youyou sighed, glancing at her mom:
"Fine, I get it. But just looking at him makes me nauseous—he's like a toad chasing a swan."
Then a handsome guy strolled in—Young Master Wang. He cooed:
*"Relax, Youyou. Once he inherits the estate, I'll arrange an 'unfortunate accident'."*
He paused, smirking:
"Like yesterday—though that was just for fun. Next time? It'll be permanent."
"An orphan leaving his ancestral home to his girlfriend? Clean and tidy, right? Hahaha."
Laughter erupted from the hall—Cheng Youyou's dad.
The four chatted amiably, but their words dripped with ice.
Chen Xiao's fists clenched. Now he knew:
Why Cheng Youyou never broke up, even though she loathed him.
Why his "accident" had no culprit.
The Chengs and Wangs had plotted every move.
He checked the time—still hours till dawn. No rush. He kept listening.
"Young Master Wang, forget that loser. Can you... pull strings about tonight?" Cheng Youyou's mom rubbed her hands, embarrassed.
Wang Qi: "You mean the anomaly? It's too big—I don't know shit."
"Hope it's a prank. If I, Wang Qi, awaken a chicken talent? That's hilarious."
Cheng Youyou soothed him in a syrupy voice: "Calm down. It's definitely a prank."
Mentioning tonight made Wang Qi twitchy. He checked his watch—nearing midnight.
"I should go. I'll hit you up if needed."
"Take care, Young Master Wang."
"Bye, Brother Qi."
"Mm."
"Bang—!"
Wang Qi had barely stepped out when a massive hand slammed him to the ground.
The force pinned him—bones screaming. He whipped around, saw Chen Xiao in a hospital gown, and yelped:
"Chen... Who the fuck are you? Why sneak attack me!"
Chen Xiao squatted, grinning maniacally: "So, Young Master Wang—what pathetic talent did you awaken?"
"Cough—what's it to you?!"
Wang Qi coughed, confused.
Logically, this orphan shouldn't know him.
"Not playing nice, huh?"
Chen Xiao shook his head, drew a massive iron cone from his chest.
He swung at Wang Qi's legs!
"Still not satisfied..."
Chen Xiao kept hammering—strength 早已非人 (long since beyond human).
Pure, unrestrained venting!
The force crunched through bone like wet tissue, each strike a sickening squelch.
"Puff!"
"Puff!"
"Puff!"
Blood sprayed—stone slabs, wall tiles, all drenched red.
Wang Qi's legs ruptured like overfilled blood bags, bursting again and again.
"Ah ah ah! Chen Xiao, you loser! You broke my legs?!"
"Misunderstanding? Nah—I'm breaking your arms too. Oh, and that little thing between your legs!"
"How dare you! How dare you—ahhhhh!"
"Ah! Help! I'm sorry! Sorry! Ah!"
"Spare me! Please! Ah!"
Wang Qi's screams reached the villa. Cheng Youyou opened the door—
And saw Young Master Wang being hauled like a dead dog by a muscular guy, wailing piteously.
And that guy? She knew him all too well.
Chen Xiao.