Chapter 6: The Dream of Superpowers and a Sister’s Care

Ah, it truly is splendid to possess superpowers. A creature of such immense size vanquished with but a single strike. When, I wonder, will I finally awaken my own extraordinary abilities?

As the battle concluded, Shen Yunfei removed his hat, his gaze fixed upon the colossal chicken’s carcass. His mind replayed the recent skirmish, a wistful thought taking root: ‘If only I possessed superpowers, I too could surely fell such a monstrous beast with a single, decisive blow.’

“Still indulging in fantasies about superpowers, are we? You truly are incorrigible. Give it up; such abilities cannot be forced into existence. Simply let nature take its course; perhaps one day you truly will awaken them out of the blue. By the way, why is your hair so greasy? How long has it been since you last washed it?”

The captain, having overheard his words as he passed behind him, reached out and vigorously ruffled his hair.

As their captain, he was intimately aware of the preposterous lengths Yunfei had gone to in his quest to awaken his powers.

The precise mechanism by which human superpowers awaken had always remained an enigma. Even with the development of sophisticated weaponry and gear to combat Aberrant Beasts (TL Note: Mutated or alien creatures), research into the awakening of these powers had yielded precious little progress.

It was akin to a cosmic lottery; some individuals awakened their extraordinary abilities even before emerging from the womb, while others, despite a lifetime of longing, never did. Such was the inherent unfairness of the world.

Yunfei, for his part, was but an ordinary man, consumed by an ardent desire to awaken his own latent powers. And what follies had he committed in pursuit of this elusive goal?

He had actively sought close proximity to perilous Aberrant Beasts during combat, deliberately placing himself in harm’s way.

He had endured frigid cold showers in the depths of winter, even daring to run naked save for his underwear through the snow afterward. Consequently, he had suffered a debilitating fever that raged for five days and five nights before finally subsiding.

Upon hearing rumors of someone awakening superpowers after consuming a particular secret concoction, he had promptly sought out and purchased the ingredients listed in the fabled recipe, only to suffer from severe diarrhea and subsequent dehydration.

These, however, represented merely a fraction of the absurdities he had committed in his pursuit of superpowers; countless other ridiculous acts existed, which the captain found himself disinclined to recount. In essence, he remained deeply concerned that Yunfei, that scoundrel, might yet embark on some fresh, preposterous endeavor in his unending quest for supernatural abilities.

“Is it really that greasy? I distinctly wash my hair every single day. But Captain, don’t you ever yearn to suddenly possess your own superpowers?”

“To claim I don’t yearn for it would be an outright fabrication. After all, the benefits and remuneration afforded to superpowered individuals far surpass our own. If I were to awaken such powers, I could undoubtedly secure a far better standard of living for my family.”

Indeed. Superpowered individuals not only vastly outstripped ordinary people in combat prowess, but they also enjoyed significantly superior welfare benefits. To deny any envy for these gifted beings would be an absolute falsehood.

“What? Captain, so your desire to become a superpowered individual stems solely from your envy of their benefits?”

The captain’s response deviated entirely from Yunfei’s expectations, leaving him somewhat disheartened. He had imagined that a man like the captain, much like himself, would aspire to superpowers out of a profound sense of justice, not, as it turned out, for mere material benefits.

“What’s wrong with that? Is it a crime to envy their benefits? Furthermore, if you were to become a superpowered individual, your sister Youchu would also be able to receive superior medical treatment, wouldn’t she? Do you truly not envy their welfare?”

“Hmm… solely on the matter of enabling Youchu to receive better medical care, I must admit, I am quite envious.”

While other aspects were debatable, when it came to medical benefits alone, Yunfei harbored genuine envy. His younger sister, Shen Youchu, had been frail and sickly since childhood, necessitating frequent, prolonged stays in the hospital. Indeed, one of the primary reasons he had taken on his current profession was the substantial salary it offered, which allowed him to cover her exorbitant medical bills.

“See? So, you scamp, abandon those absurd notions and simply wait patiently. If fortune smiles upon you, perhaps one day you truly will awaken as a superpowered individual. However, I believe for someone like you, there’s actually an even swifter method for your sister to enjoy the full benefits afforded to those with extraordinary abilities.”

“What method is that?”

“Find a superpowered individual and make them your wife. According to regulations, should you successfully register as a married couple with a superpowered person, both you and your sister would then be entitled to the benefits she provides. How about that? A rather swift solution, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Swift, it certainly is. However, Captain, the method you propose amounts to nothing more than ‘eating soft rice’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to living off a woman’s income or being a kept man), doesn’t it? If given the choice, I’d much rather rely on my own efforts than subsist on another’s generosity.”

He had anticipated the captain offering some brilliant insight, not a suggestion to live off the largesse of a superpowered individual. This was a proposition Shen Yunfei found profoundly difficult to stomach. He was no ‘pretty boy’ (TL Note: A derogatory term for a man who lives off a woman’s wealth); he was a man of self-respect and dignity. To expect him to live as a kept man to a superpowered woman was utterly unacceptable.

“What’s this? You’re being picky now, are you? Do you have any idea how many people are desperate to ‘eat soft rice’ from a superpowered individual but can’t even get a bite? Honestly, my good intentions are utterly wasted on you. Never mind, I won’t argue. By the way, how has your sister been doing at the hospital lately? Is there anything you need assistance with? Just tell me; anything within my purview, I’ll do my utmost to help you both.”

“Hmm. She’s doing quite well. That girl has been far more spirited lately. Just a few days ago, she even declared her intention to become an idol once her health fully recovers.”

“An idol, you say? That’s wonderful, truly. But it must be quite a challenge for your sister, wouldn’t you agree? Given her delicate constitution.”

“Indeed. I told her as much then, suggesting she might do better to pursue a more realistic dream. With her frail, delicate body, attempting to debut as an idol would likely see her hospitalized before even completing a single concert.”

Yunfei readily concurred with the captain’s assessment. That girl, Shen Youchu, truly was something else; with such a long road ahead until her discharge from the hospital, she was already dreaming of becoming an idol. ‘Honestly,’ he thought, ‘couldn’t she just choose a slightly more pragmatic aspiration?’

“Is that truly what you said? You actually spoke those words to your own sister?”

Upon hearing that Yunfei had indeed uttered such words to his sister, the captain was rendered utterly speechless. If a potion existed in the world to enhance emotional intelligence, he would, without a moment’s hesitation, forcefully administer an entire bottle to Yunfei. What could possibly be going through the man’s mind, to speak such cruelties to his own sibling?

“Yes, that’s precisely what I told her, because it is, after all, the unvarnished truth.”

“No, no, no. This isn’t simply a matter of truth or falsehood, is it? So, what transpired afterward? Did your sister take any action once she heard those words?”

“Yes, she did! She furiously hurled a pillow right at me then and there. Honestly, her body hasn’t even fully recovered, and she’s engaging in such antics. Sigh, I truly can’t fathom it. I was clearly acting in her best interest, so why would she treat me with such animosity?”

“Hmm… if she hadn’t reacted that way, I would have found it rather abnormal.”

“Huh? Captain, what exactly do you mean by that? Do you perhaps know why Youchu treats me in such a manner?”

“I do know, but even if I were to tell you, it would be utterly futile. You’ll simply have to discern it for yourself. Alright, lads, that’s a wrap. Let’s go, time to head back.”

Dismissing Yunfei, the captain then directed the other team members to board the vehicles one by one, preparing for their return to headquarters for much-needed rest and treatment.

“What? If you refuse to tell me, how am I ever supposed to understand? And you expect me to figure it out on my own. Honestly!”

The captain’s evasive conduct left Yunfei feeling a distinct sense of irritation. Yet, despite his pique, there was little he could articulate; after all, if the captain chose not to divulge the information, he hardly had the right to compel him, did he? Resigned, he joined the others in boarding the vehicle for the journey back to headquarters.