Gao Yang slowed his pace, quickly deciding to head toward crowded areas.
Logically, a confrontation in public would attract more Rage Beasts, increasing his risk. But if the stalker was a beast, its hesitation to attack suggested it wanted him alone—meaning crowds were his shield.
Soon, he ducked into a 24-hour convenience store.
Moments later, a girl in a school uniform hurried around the corner. She hesitated at the store entrance, smoothing her bangs before entering—
—and colliding straight into Gao Yang.
"Ah!"
Gao Yang had braced for this ambush. Recognizing her face, relief washed over him.
"Xiao Si?"
Wan Sisi—nicknamed "Xiao Si" for her timid demeanor—froze like a deer in headlights. Her grip on her backpack strap tightened. "H-hi! So... random seeing you here! I, uh... missed my stop and got hungry, so..."
"You were following me," Gao Yang stated bluntly.
Her neck flushed crimson. "I—I just—"
Noticing the cashier's curious glance, Gao Yang pulled her to a corner booth by the window. He bought snacks and drinks.
Sisi sipped instant coffee, her nerves easing into giddiness. "He held my hand... bought me coffee..."
"What?"
"Nothing!" She nearly spilled her drink. "T-thanks for the coffee."
Gao Yang bit into a hot dog. "Why the stalking?"
Sisi ducked her head. "Gao Yang... you've been so quiet since Li Weiwei... I was worried."
He paused. Good catch. Need to maintain my social facade.
"People change. But you shouldn't bottle things up." Her voice softened. "If you need to talk..."
Gao Yang studied her: bobbed hair, bangs, wide nervous eyes—the epitome of a shy, crushable classmate.
As English class rep, Sisi had helped him with homework before. No wonder she'd noticed his recent withdrawal.
"Thanks," he said sincerely. "Didn't know you cared."
"I don't!" Her blush deepened. "I mean—classmates should look out for each other!"
They chatted about trivialities until their snacks were gone.
As Sisi cleared the table, Gao Yang caught her pocketing his coffee cup—a keepsake.
Does she... like me?
The thought soured as he remembered Li Weiwei's betrayal. Or is she another beast biding her time?
They parted ways outside. Only after Sisi's cheerful figure vanished did Gao Yang check his system:
No Luck Point spikes. She's harmless.
Two blocks later, the prickling sensation returned.
Still being followed?
His heightened perception—courtesy of boosted INT—left no doubt.
Gao Yang sped up, ditched his backpack at a corner, and hid behind a vending machine.
Seconds later, a figure rushed out—
"Wang Zikai?!"
"Gah!" Zikai clutched his chest. "Dude! How'd you spot me? Stealth mode activated!"
"I told you to train at home!" Gao Yang's headache returned. You're making it impossible to protect you.
Zikai groaned. "Sitting around sucks! Can't I fight monsters instead?!"
"No pain, no gain! Your potential is limitless—but only if you endure the grind!"
"Ugh. Fine." Zikai pouted. "I'll go back—"
"Quiet."
Zikai perked up. "What? Enemies?!"
Gao Yang's stomach dropped.
We're being tailed.
Again.
This is getting ridiculous.