That week, Jiang Huai was almost daily on the receiving end of Yue Qinshan's headshots.
However, he also noticed that each time his bones were shattered by Yue Qinshan's attacks, they were further strengthened.
Especially his head.
That damn Yue Qinshan almost always aimed for Jiang Huai's head in the later stages.
Now, Jiang Huai's head armor had evolved into something angular, and the jawbone was covered with a black-golden exoskeleton similar to the insect queen's shell.
One could say both his appearance and strength had evolved significantly.
"Teacher Yue, stop already. If you keep this up, I might evolve into a Gundam."
Jiang Huai lay on the ground, raising his hand in surrender.
"Heh, just like I thought," Yue Qinshan said, sitting down next to Jiang Huai. He tapped Jiang Huai's remaining half of a skull with the muzzle of his gun.
"Tomorrow's the assessment. So, how do you feel? Confident?"
"I don't know. After all, I don't even know the content of the assessment. But if it's a punching bag contest, I'm sure I could win the championship."
At this, Yue Qinshan burst into laughter.
"This assessment will be a bit special, kid," he said, the laughter fading as he turned serious.
"After all, according to the Apocalyptic Association's observations, the Beast Tide will arrive in this city in a month. You new recruits will be assigned to some tasks when that happens."
"So, this assessment will be stricter. Those awakeners who can't pass will be transferred to other cities to preserve them as potential reinforcements."
Jiang Huai's head slowly began to recover. He sat up and looked at Yue Qinshan.
"You didn't tell me this before."
"Telling you would be meaningless. It would only add pressure. Kid, do you know that this is Lu Ya's last chance?"
Jiang Huai nodded and then asked, "So, if Lu Wanyin fails this time, will she also be transferred?"
Yue Qinshan shook his head and smiled.
"If the Beast Tide weren't so imminent, maybe. But now, she'll be forcibly sent to the front lines by the Association."
Jiang Huai furrowed his brows.
Yue Qinshan lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "The Association thinks if you can't pass three assessments, your awakening talent is wasted. You might as well contribute in other ways."
Jiang Huai wanted to say something about it being inhumane.
But if the Beast Tide really took over the city, Lingyu City would eventually become a forgotten ruin.
Actually, conspiracy theories had been circulating on the internet for years, with many sightings of monsters being shared. There were even rumors that the lockdown of Yulong City wasn't because of some special disease, but due to some destructive force.
The whole city had now become a ruin.
Of course, such posts were quickly deleted, and the people who posted them were taken offline for questioning.
Even Jiang Huai, who had once lived as an ordinary person, could sense the subtle, ominous atmosphere beneath the seemingly calm sky.
If the city kept falling, the authorities wouldn't be able to conceal the panic for long.
When everything erupted, chaos would engulf it all.
So, they had to stop the Beast Tide at all costs.
Even if it was just one victory.
It would be enough to boost morale.
In such an environment, perhaps the concept of personal humanity would be disregarded.
Jiang Huai wasn't a saint. He couldn't save everyone, but Lu Wanyin...
He wouldn't let her be harmed.
"Teacher Yue."
"Huh? What's up? You've been silent for so long, finally speaking?"
"I will make sure Lu Wanyin passes this assessment."
Yue Qinshan fell silent.
In that abandoned building, Yue Qinshan's cigarette tip glowed brightly in the darkness.
"When the assessment happens, don't reveal your identity. Humans have zero tolerance for beasts."
"Then... Teacher Yue, why did you choose to accept me? Was it just because I saved Lu Wanyin?"
Yue Qinshan gave a dry laugh and then said, "Jiang Huai, honestly, just relying on awakeners, I can hardly imagine we could win this war."
"But now, if a beast that can evolve endlessly stands on the human side..." Yue Qinshan started to speak but noticed a flicker of disappointment in Jiang Huai's eyes.
Perhaps the kid wanted to hear: I think you're special, I think you're kind, I think you're like half a son to me.
But Yue Qinshan couldn't say that.
"If you stand on the human side, then we have hope, Jiang Huai."
He gave the most brutal answer.
However, Jiang Huai's silence only lasted for a few seconds before he smiled and nodded.
"I understand, Teacher Yue. Whether it's a beast or a human, I just want to live well, and I hope the people around me can live well too. So, I'll do my best."
Yue Qinshan nodded.
He really wanted to say, Don't try too hard. After all, you're still just a kid who needs someone to look after him.
But in this environment... those who are capable can't remain children.
Yue Qinshan stood up and patted his backside.
"Alright, that's enough for tonight. Get some rest. Tomorrow, be at the Association's front gate by 8 AM with little Lu."
With that, Yue Qinshan waved his hand and walked to the edge of the dilapidated building.
"Jiang Huai, there's one thing..."
"If—if I die, please look after little Lu for me." His tone lacked the usual carefreeness.
After saying this, before Jiang Huai could respond, he jumped from the edge of the half-collapsed building.
Jiang Huai also approached the edge of the building, but he could no longer see Yue Qinshan's figure.
The truth about Yue Qinshan's awakened power was also a mystery.
Awakeners above the fourth star had the right to conceal their files. They were granted more privileges, and in the Beast Tide, they would take on higher-risk and more dangerous tasks.
Jiang Huai gazed at the distant neon nightscape and couldn't help but sigh.
If Yue Qinshan wasn't part of the Night Demon Patrol, perhaps his life would be a lot more exciting.
...
At 7 AM the next morning, Jiang Huai carefully climbed out of the sofa. He originally thought Lu Wanyin was still asleep and sneaked to her room.
But when he opened the door, he found the bedding neatly folded, but the girl wasn't on the bed.
After searching the room, he finally found her on the balcony, already dressed.
Today, Lu Wanyin wasn't wearing a skirt but had on a hooded tracksuit and pants for easier movement.
"You're up earlier than me, that's a first," Jiang Huai said, walking out to the balcony.
The girl, hearing his voice, shrank her body.
"...You're so quiet now when you walk?"
She turned her head, glaring at Jiang Huai with some displeasure.
Jiang Huai knew that his control over his power wasn't at this level yet; it was just that Lu Wanyin had been lost in her thoughts, which is why she hadn't noticed him.
"Are you nervous?" Jiang Huai asked.
"This is my last chance."
Seeing the dazed look in her eyes, Jiang Huai scratched his head, then raised his hand to cup her face and gently knead it.
"What are you doing?" Lu Wanyin said with some dissatisfaction.
"I'm just checking to see if you're an imposter, or an infected person."
"Stop messing around."
"Alright, since it's the last chance, there's no turning back. Let's go for broke."
Lu Wanyin allowed him to cup her face, mumbling.
"But I haven't passed before…"
"This time will be different."
"How's it different?"
"Because you have me! Your big brother can do everything—fight, cook, and I'll help you pass the test easily."
Seeing Jiang Huai boasting, Lu Wanyin couldn't help but laugh.
She slapped his hand away.
"Just you? You'll help me pass the assessment? You little punching bag."
Then she pinched Jiang Huai's face.
"Don't come crying to me if you don't pass."
...
After breakfast, with Jiang Huai's guidance, Lu Wanyin's mood improved a lot. After that, Jiang Huai changed into lighter clothes and, together with Lu Wanyin, they went to the Night Demon Patrol.
Meanwhile, somewhere unnoticed, high above the clouds in Lingyu City, the air began to distort. A shallow rift tore through the space, slowly opening like an eye, casting its malicious gaze upon the city.