Chapter 5: A Sudden Encounter

The man’s sprinting speed even surpassed many E-level mutant beasts. His initial burst of speed far exceeded that of a cheetah, and his tensed muscles brought his arm swiftly in front of Lin Xi.

Lin Xi, not having transformed, found her strength diminished. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, she had no time to react.

Just as the moment hung in the balance, a white-haired girl suddenly appeared before her. With one hand, she pulled Lin Xi aside, while the other grasped the man’s attacking arm. In a fluid motion, she used her foot to send the man flying off the ground, swiftly executing a shoulder throw.

The man, originally moving at incredible speed, was effortlessly redirected by Bai Li, slamming him toward the ground with such force that it created a spiderweb of cracks.

“What the heck just happened?”

“Didn’t see that coming!”

“Did I just witness a fragile-looking girl take down a burly man with a throw?”

In contrast to the calm yet chaotic crowd, Bai Li merely brushed the dust from her hands and turned to Lin Xi, asking, “Are you okay?”

“No harm done… Small wonder you’re still so strong, even without awakening your abilities, Small White.”

Even in her untransformed state, Lin Xi’s physical prowess was akin to that of an elite athlete. Yet, even she was caught off guard by the man’s attack, while Bai Li, with no special abilities, handled it effortlessly. The man had briefly reached speeds comparable to an E+ level, while Lin Xi, in her current state, was only at an F- level.

“If you’re this strong now, Small White, you’ll likely surpass me once you awaken, right?”

Reflecting on it, Bai Li had always been a versatile prodigy, excelling in both academic and athletic pursuits.

“I wouldn’t know. By the way, should we take him to the station?”

“Ah, don’t worry about the damaged floor; it will be reimbursed.”

“Is that so…”

In reality, Bai Li wasn’t referring to the cracked floor, but to the man himself. Though she sensed something amiss and was on guard, when she saw the man about to attack Lin Xi, she acted on impulse and didn’t control her strength. Based on the sensation from his arm, the man likely suffered severe fractures in his wrist and foot.

However, she had managed to rein in her power just in time, or else the damage would have been far worse. As for an explanation, she could blame it on the man’s explosive acceleration and the impact of hitting the ground.

“What’s going on here?”

As Bai Li pondered a plausible explanation, another woman’s voice chimed in. A tall, suit-clad woman pushed through the crowd, her badge indicating she was a law enforcer.

“Clear Sky Senior.”

“You are… Lin Xi? What happened here?”

“In short…”

Lin Xi recounted the recent events to this androgynous senior, while Bai Li, intuitively sensing she was the senior Lin Xi often spoke of, watched quietly, her annoyance growing by the moment.

“…I see, I understand.”

Clear Sky glanced at the cowering girl by the stall, then at the unconscious man on the ground, before looking back at Lin Xi.

“Leave this to me. You both should go now.”

“How can we? You just got off work, right?”

“I happen to have business nearby, so it’s no issue. Besides, you two…”

Clear Sky’s gaze shifted to Bai Li, standing beside Lin Xi like a protective white pup, and a mischievous smile played on her lips.

“Aren’t you two on a date?”

“W-what?!”

Lin Xi’s face flushed a deep red, as if she might start steaming.

“N-no… she’s not my girlfriend…”

“Oh? So she’s not your girlfriend yet, then?”

Under Clear Sky’s scrutiny, Lin Xi’s head bowed even lower, her pink hair concealing her expression.

“Look after Lin Xi for me, Senior.”

“Of course.”

Bai Li exchanged a glance with Clear Sky, then turned to pull Lin Xi away. Though irritated by Lin Xi’s familiar address to her senior, Bai Li acknowledged the woman’s perceptiveness and good nature, grudgingly approving of her.

“…They’re so youthful.”

Watching them leave, Clear Sky turned her attention to the fallen man, a flash of anger in her eyes.

“Everyone, clear out. Go about your business. As for you, come by the station later for a statement, and compensation will be arranged.”

“Y-yes!”

“Also, one more thing.”

Clear Sky approached the girl and raised her hand.

“Five boxes of octopus dumplings, all sauce, please.”

****

Bai Li led Lin Xi away until they were in an unfamiliar area, then stopped.

“The food stalls here should be pretty good… Lin Xi?”

Bai Li glanced back at Lin Xi, who kept her head down, hiding her expression.

She hadn’t anticipated Clear Sky’s comment would fluster Lin Xi so much that she remained unsettled even after their walk. Whether to attribute it to Lin Xi’s innocence or shyness, Bai Li found this version of her equally endearing. Unfortunately, with Lin Xi’s head down, Bai Li couldn’t fully appreciate her expression, or she might have eaten enough for twenty people, no, thirty!

“I wish I could capture this moment, record it, so I could relive it…”

“Small White…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Bai Li’s tone was soft, like she was soothing a child, but the next moment, Lin Xi’s action left her speechless.

Lin Xi lifted her head, gazing up at Bai Li with a gentle, shy blush still visible on her face. One hand held onto Bai Li’s sleeve, making her look incredibly adorable, her charm multiplied by a factor of ten, if not more.

Seeing Lin Xi like this, Bai Li felt her heart skip a beat, as if she wanted to turn her eyes into a recording device to capture every moment of Lin Xi’s expression. Wait, she recalled seeing a skill that could copy short-term memories. She’d have to learn that tonight.

However, just as Bai Li was lost in thought, Lin Xi’s next words shattered her inner calm once more.

“…Come to my place tonight…”

Bai Li’s heart, which had only paused momentarily, now felt like it had exploded.