"Dinner?"
Mammon looked at Li Yuxin—his elder sister—who couldn't even lift her head at this moment. Anyone could tell she was extremely shy.
"Yes, our family would like to properly thank you, Mammon. You saved—"
"No need. I don't have time tomorrow."
Before she could finish, Mammon replied indifferently and turned to get into the car.
Originally, the reason he had saved Li Xuwei at that critical moment—
Was simply because he didn't want him to die so easily.
And also to leave behind a good impression in the hearts of the three siblings.
After all, when the truth was revealed later—
Wouldn't the contrast be far more interesting?
But that didn't mean he was willing to spend time engaging in meaningless interaction with them.
As the car drove away, Li Yuxin and Li Yuqin looked at each other, both a little stunned.
"Th-that was way too blunt, wasn't it?!"
After a long moment, Li Yuqin pointed in the direction Mammon had left, puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
She had never been treated so coldly in her life.
Sure, she knew someone like Mammon—cold on the outside—wouldn't be easy to approach.
But this was a bit too much!
"Maybe… to him, this really wasn't a big deal at all."
Li Yuxin said helplessly.
She could tell from his calm tone—
He truly hadn't taken it to heart.
"Come on, sis. Let's go. Seriously…"
Though cheerful by nature, having her warm approach met with cold indifference clearly annoyed Li Yuqin. She grabbed Li Yuxin's hand and headed toward their family car.
Meanwhile, at No. 1 High School.
"Principal Hu, this is the creature that injured my son?"
Inside a laboratory, Li Shiqian frowned as he looked at the body parts separated into six containers.
Yes—
This was the dismembered ghoul.
What shocked him, however, was that even when divided into separate containers—
All six parts were still moving.
Especially the ghoul's head. It bared its teeth at them viciously, its expression ferocious and full of life.
What terrifying vitality.
"Yes. Limbs, torso, head… Councilman Li, doesn't it resemble a certain kind of organism?"
Principal Hu, a man in his fifties with graying temples, spoke calmly.
"…It does."
Li Shiqian pondered briefly.
It resembled—
A human.
"We've tried various basic methods, but none can kill this creature. And we are certain—this type of monster has never been seen before."
"As for how it appeared, we still don't know. But based on our analysis, its biological structure is about seventy percent similar to a human's."
Principal Hu narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You suspect… this monster was once human?"
"Exactly. Councilman Li, you understand—when certain ability users awaken, their physical structure can undergo drastic changes."
Principal Hu nodded.
After all, ability users were, in essence, an evolution of humanity.
"And this is still just speculation."
Li Shiqian replied calmly.
He understood what Principal Hu was implying.
If this creature truly originated from human evolution—
Then studying it might yield something extraordinary.
For example…
Its immortality.
"…But it is indeed a possibility. Principal Hu, I look forward to your results."
Soon, a faintly eerie smile appeared on Li Shiqian's face.
If that undying trait could be replicated—
Wouldn't that be… perfect?
Inside the car.
"So that ghoul wasn't destroyed… couldn't be, or they chose not to?"
Mammon's lips curved into a cold smile.
Wasn't it obvious?
Studying monsters was the most natural response.
They likely wanted to uncover the secret behind its immortality.
Unfortunately—
That was impossible.
Because that immortality came from Mammon himself.
Even if they transplanted the ghoul's genes or cells into another human—
It would never replicate successfully.
"My lord, I heard that another dimensional rift has opened along the eastern coast. And this time… an entire city appeared."
Driving steadily, Chen Jun reported the latest news.
"A city?"
Mammon's expression shifted slightly.
Previously, when dimensional rifts opened, what emerged were mostly monsters.
But this time—
An entire city?
"Yes. According to intelligence gathered by the Human Alliance, the city is called Midgar. There are even a large number of civilians living there."
Chen Jun sounded somewhat astonished.
Monsters appearing was one thing.
But an entire city?
That was absurd.
This world… was becoming something else entirely.
"Strength? What about their strength?"
Mammon fell into thought.
No one knew why dimensional rifts were opening—
But one thing was certain.
If they continued to appear—
This world would descend further into chaos.
"We don't know much yet, but the inhabitants are indeed humans. And many of them can use magic."
"The strangest thing is… the city isn't governed by a mayor, but by a corporation."
"It's called—Shinra."
Chen Jun spoke, his tone filled with confusion.
"Shinra…?"