“You two, why are you back later than usual today?”

“We stayed in the classroom for a while, so we came back a bit late.”

At Shen Qinghan’s door, Lin Zichen explained to Xu Meng, who had come out to open it.

Xu Meng nodded and didn’t ask further, just told him to head home soon so his parents wouldn’t worry.

Before leaving, Lin Zichen glanced at Shen Qinghan.

Seeing that she was doing better, he felt relieved enough to return home.

About what happened in the alley today, he and Shen Qinghan had agreed—it was their secret, not to be told to anyone else.

The Giant Aberrant Rat was one thing.

But what really needed hiding was the overwhelming strength he displayed against those two criminals, strength far beyond his age.

If anyone knew, it would cause endless trouble.

For now, Lin Zichen wanted only to maintain the image of a young prodigy.

That was enough to earn privileges and resources at school and make his parents proud.

Anything beyond that would disturb his peaceful life and hinder his quiet evolution.

* * *

Back home, after dinner.

Lin Zichen sat by the TV waiting for the evening news.

He hoped the Security Team would report what happened in the alley.

Ten minutes later, the news broadcast began—the Giant Aberrant Rat.

The report was more detailed than he expected.

Two videos were shown.

One was drone footage from above.

The other was first-person combat footage from the Cyborg.

Watching both, Lin Zichen saw how the Cyborg kept his distance, circling the rat, never leaving the purple-blue smoke, never entering its range.

Soon, the once-agile Giant Aberrant Rat slowed down as if drugged.

Clearly, the smoke weakened it.

When its strength waned enough, a blade emerged from the Cyborg’s arm and he went in for close combat.

The battle lasted nearly seven minutes.

Finally, the Giant Aberrant Rat’s throat was cut, its heart pierced, collapsing to the ground.

‘This Cyborg’s level must be low.’

Lin Zichen thought so after the video.

He had watched Cyborg battles before, with missiles and lasers—devastating.

But this one relied on poison smoke, dragging out the fight, looking weak.

As he pondered, his parents, done with the dishes, sat down.

They were shocked when they saw the news.

“Wait, isn’t that the same rat that attacked the Yinghai Nation? How is it here in our country?” Zhang Wanxin worried.

Lin Yansheng frowned, telling Lin Zichen, “Xiao Chen, don’t walk to school for now. I’ll take you.”

Before he finished, Zhang Wanxin added, “No need, the school just announced classes are suspended for half a month due to the rat in the Old District.”

‘Half a month?’

Lin Zichen frowned.

That meant there could be more rats nearby.

Yesterday’s fight seemed strange too.

The Cyborg had arrived too fast, almost like it was tracking the rat all along.

But that wasn’t his problem.

He only needed to focus on improving.

Still, he could study the Giant Aberrant Rat…

He went to his parents’ study and searched online.

He learned that an adult Giant Aberrant Rat could grow up to three meters long.

Its Biological Level averaged Tier Five.

‘Tier Five?’

He shivered, glad he ran yesterday instead of fighting.

‘My training isn’t enough. I need to push harder…’

Urgency welled up in his heart and he went upstairs to train intensely.

[You are doing weighted push-ups, Vitality +2, arm muscle strength +2, chest muscle strength +2, push-up Proficiency +1]

[You are doing weighted squats, Vitality +2, leg muscle strength +2, squat Proficiency +1]

[You are doing weighted sit-ups, Vitality +2, abdominal muscle strength +2, sit-up Proficiency +1]

* * *

Time flew by.

A month later, Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan, childhood friends, welcomed their ninth birthdays.

Specifically, today was Shen Qinghan’s birthday.

Their birthdays were one day apart, so both families celebrated together, alternating whose birthday was hosted each year.

Last year was Lin Zichen’s. This year was Shen Qinghan’s.

That night, both families gathered at Shen Qinghan’s home.

The two children had prepared gifts for each other.

Knowing Lin Zichen loved reading, Shen Qinghan bought him books about Cyborgs, Gene Fusers and Aberrant Beasts.

Lin Zichen gave her a handmade wooden hairclip.

Carved with her name and a dandelion, it was delicate and beautiful.

“Xiao Chen, this hairclip is so pretty, I love it!”

Shen Qinghan was thrilled, surprised by such a personal gift.

She quickly put it on, admiring herself in the mirror, loving it so much she felt her book gift looked cheap in comparison.

Handmade gifts carried more meaning.

“Xiao Chen, let’s make a promise. Every year, we’ll give each other something handmade for our birthdays, okay?”

Lin Zichen smiled, “Okay.”

“When did you learn woodworking? Why didn’t I know?” Zhang Wanxin asked, feeling a pang of envy.

“I spend a lot of time in my room making crafts,” he lied.

The truth was he trained in secret. He had only watched a video online last week and mastered it instantly thanks to Innate Wisdom.

“Mom, I made a hairclip for you too. After the party, I’ll surprise you with it.”

Hearing this, Zhang Wanxin’s sourness melted into a smile.

* * *

After the party, Lin Zichen lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking.

He had been following news of the Giant Aberrant Rat, wondering why it appeared in the Old District.

No clear answers came from officials. It remained a mystery.

But at least it only appeared once. Life had returned to normal.

‘Hopefully, it was just an accident, not a ploy.’

This world wasn’t peaceful. Aberrant Beasts outside, Cultists inside. He couldn’t help but worry.