“Sheng-ge, no need to look, the two kids are in this alley!”

The woman turned back and shouted.

Soon after, a man with tattooed arms appeared beside her.

The man was gaunt, listless and kept sniffing as if he were an addict.

“What do you want?”

Facing these uninvited guests, Lin Zichen didn’t run. He shielded Shen Qinghan behind him and asked calmly.

From birth he had always been improving his body. His body far surpassed ordinary humans, giving him the confidence to stay calm in crisis.

The two were surprised by his composure.

The heavily made-up woman quickly changed back to her earlier gentle act. Smiling, she said, “Little brother, little sister, I have tasty food and fun toys at my house. Want to come play?”

Before she finished, the tattooed man snapped impatiently, “You stupid bitch! Why waste time luring them? Just knock them out and take them! I need the cash now!”

He pulled two foul-smelling towels from his pocket, tossed one to the woman, then strode toward Shen Qinghan.

“Xiao Chen…” Shen Qinghan was terrified, clutching Lin Zichen’s arm.

Lin Zichen patted her hand, telling her not to fear.

Then he let go, his feet exploding with force. In the next instant he shot forward like an arrow, a blur rushing at the man.

Bang!

His fist slammed into the man’s stomach, sending him flying, rolling several times on the ground before curling up like a shrimp, coughing blood.

“You, you—!”

The woman froze, terrified, unable to comprehend how a second or third grader could send an adult flying with one punch.

Without a word, Lin Zichen used a swift step, leapt high and smashed his fist into her heavily made up face.

Bang!

She was sent flying, teeth scattering, crashing to the ground unconscious—or worse.

Lin Zichen checked the area. With no cameras, he steeled himself to finish them off, picking up a brick to end the threat.

But then, from a nearby abandoned house came a thunderous noise.

Suddenly, a giant rat nearly three meters long with eight eyes burst out, its bloody jaws clamping down on the woman’s head.

In one bite, her head was gone. Blood sprayed, death instant.

Lin Zichen reacted instantly, grabbed Shen Qinghan and fled.

An Aberrant Beast!

The Giant Aberrant Rat that had appeared in the Yinghai Nation!

‘It was here too?!’

It’s a disaster!

His adrenaline surged, heart pounding, years of supposed security shattered in his mind.

Shen Qinghan, in his arms, was pale with terror, trembling but holding back tears.

After sprinting far enough, he set her down, trembling as he dialed the security team hotline on his children’s watch.

“Old District alley, there’s a Giant Aberrant Rat, exactly like the one that appeared in the Yinghai Nation!”

Panting, he tried to stay calm though his voice still shook.

Before the operator replied, the alley shook with the roar of machinery.

Looking back, Lin Zichen saw a Cyborg hovering above, half its body black, its alloy arm raised.

Its metal right arm erupted with sparks, firing a smoke-belching shell into the alley.

Boom—

Purple-blue flames burst out.

The explosion was loud but caused no real damage. No shockwave, no buildings destroyed. Just smoke flooding the alley.

Not a bomb. A smokescreen.

Likely meant to weaken the rat—perhaps anesthetic.

Then Lin Zichen saw the Cyborg descend into the smoke, engaging the rat in close combat.

With his sharpened senses from years of evolution, Lin Zichen could hear the clash even from outside.

“Xiao Chen, what do we do now?”

Shen Qinghan’s voice trembled as she clutched his hand.

Seeing her fear, he didn’t hesitate, “We’re going home.”

Though curious, he didn’t dare risk watching. He just wanted to get home.

Later, he’d wait for the evening news.

Meanwhile, his watch buzzed with the frantic voice of the operator.

“Child? Can you hear me? Leave the alley immediately, it’s dangerous!”

“I’ve already left, I’m safe now,” Lin Zichen replied, calming her.

“That’s good.” The female operator sighed in relief.

Lin Zichen squeezed Shen Qinghan’s hand, trying to reassure her, then asked, “Sister, I just saw a Cyborg fly into the alley. Was that one of your team?”

“Yes, that was one of ours. Now hurry home and stay with your parents.”

“Okay, thank you sister.”

He hung up politely, eyes drifting back to the smoke-filled alley. The sounds of battle still echoed, mixed with sharp squeals. The rat seemed to be losing.

Shen Qinghan, lips trembling, whispered, “Xiao Chen, I want to go home…”

“I’ll take you now.”

“Mm.”

“Can you walk? If not, I’ll carry you.”

“My legs feel weak…”

“Then get on, I’ll carry you.”

Lin Zichen turned, hoisted her onto his back and strode quickly toward home.