Chapter 63: The Superhuman Criminals and a Sister’s Fury

As previously stated, whether an individual awakens their superpower is entirely a matter of luck.

Some people never manage to awaken their powers even into old age, while others manifest theirs shortly after birth.

Similarly, not every awakened Superhuman (TL Note: 超能力者, a person possessing superpowers) joins an official organization like Liu Xingluo to become a hero protecting humanity.

Ever since superpowers first emerged, many individuals who awakened their abilities chose instead to commit misdeeds for their own selfish desires.

Naturally, the government would not tolerate such individuals; all illegal acts would eventually be brought to justice.

However, Superhumans are formidable beings capable of easily dispatching Evolved Beasts (TL Note: 异生兽, mutated creatures or monsters), and possessing far greater intelligence than these beasts, apprehending them proves to be no easy feat.

Thus, government-affiliated Superhumans are tasked not only with confronting Evolved Beasts but also with subduing those Superhumans who attempt to commit crimes.

Nevertheless, most of these criminals are individuals who, shortly after awakening their powers, declare, ‘I don’t eat beef’ (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘wo bu chi niurou,’ implying a sudden change in disposition or a boastful attitude, often used to describe someone who becomes arrogant or starts showing off after gaining a little power).

They begin their villainy without even fully developing the limits of their abilities.

Such individuals, when confronted by government-affiliated Superhumans who have undergone rigorous training, are typically subdued within ten seconds.

Occasionally, however, more cunning individuals emerge.

These types typically take their time to explore their abilities, developing various applications before embarking on their criminal enterprises.

Dealing with such adversaries presents a greater challenge for the government, as they are compelled to expend significantly more effort in their pursuit.

Even now, merely contending with the Evolved Beasts that periodically appear in this world already strains the Superhumans to their limits, highlighting a severe shortage of personnel.

Despite this, a portion of these Superhumans must be specially assigned to handle cases involving superhuman crime.

Upon their arrest, these individuals are typically sent to detention centers specifically designed for them.

A subset of these, those with good attitudes and a willingness to repent, are transferred to correctional facilities for rehabilitation.

Afterward, they are integrated into government agencies, just like other Superhumans, to fight against Evolved Beasts.

Naturally, their salaries and benefits are identical to those of their peers.

As for those who remain defiant, exhibiting deplorable attitudes and an unwavering refusal to repent, the government shows no leniency.

If they refuse rehabilitation, then death is their immediate fate.

This world already lives under the constant threat of Evolved Beasts, and considerable effort is expended merely to combat them and protect humanity.

There is simply no surplus energy to be wasted on those who refuse to atone; execution is swift.

Their remains, upon death, are sent to research institutes affiliated with local agencies, where scientists hope to unravel the mysteries of superpowers through their bodies.

Initially, this method of handling criminals drew accusations of inhumanity and a complete disregard for their human rights.

However, discussing human rights in an unstable world where the very survival of humanity is threatened is inherently ludicrous.

Would anyone demand respect for their human rights from an enemy during wartime?

If such a person existed, they would undoubtedly be considered abnormal.

Returning to the shopping mall, Liu Xingluo received no response after her angry shouts to the floor above.

Consequently, she resolved to ascend the stairs herself and investigate what exactly was transpiring on the fourth floor.

“Xiao Luo, it’s better not to go up there.”

“Look, it seems like some serious incident has occurred on the fourth floor; if you go, you might encounter danger yourself.”

Liu Ruyan understood that Liu Xingluo was enraged by her injury and intended to confront the perpetrators.

However, she did not wish for Liu Xingluo to interfere.

As the saying goes, ‘one less trouble is better than one more,’ and since this matter held no direct relevance to them, it was wiser not to get involved.

“No. That scoundrel nearly killed you, Sis.”

“I don’t care if it’s a heinous incident or a minor one; I have to drag that person down here and make them apologize to you.”

Liu Xingluo was absolutely furious, utterly deaf to Liu Ruyan’s counsel.

At this moment, she was like Josuke Higashikata (TL Note: A character from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure known for his explosive temper when his hair is insulted) when someone mocked her hair; she would not calm down until she had thoroughly beaten the culprit.

Benefiting from her transformed state, Liu Xingluo didn’t need to bother with the elevator for a mere four-story ascent; a simple exertion of strength was enough for her to leap straight up.

Having successfully reached the fourth floor, Liu Xingluo surveyed the scene.

Apart from three individuals standing, everyone else was crouched on the ground, hands clasped over their heads, a scene often depicted in bank robberies—in other words, hostages.

Curiously, the three standing figures held no visible weapons like firearms.

Logically, if such a large group of people were to resist together, they should have been able to easily overpower them.

Yet, without exception, they all remained huddled on the ground, hands on their heads, indicating that the three individuals could effortlessly subdue these ordinary people even without weapons.

These, then, were the so-called Superhuman criminals.

Liu Xingluo, however, cared little whether they possessed superpowers or not; she had ascended to settle a score on behalf of her sister.

“Hey, you three, which one of you threw the robot down earlier?”

Perched on an intact railing, arms crossed over her chest, Liu Xingluo posed her question to them.

“Huh? Hey, when did you get there?”

“Aren’t you afraid we’ll kill these people?”

It was only after hearing her question that the three noticed Liu Xingluo.

Mistaking her for a Superhuman sent by the government to apprehend them, one of them raised a hand and conjured a fireball, aiming it directly at the nearby hostages.

“Don’t question me!”

“I’m asking again! Which scoundrel threw the robot down earlier?!”

Ignoring their question, Liu Xingluo’s sole focus was to ascertain which of the three had thrown the robot.

She was only here for that specific individual; the other two were of no concern to her, and she cared not what became of them.

“Threw the robot down? Ah, Akiko, was that you?”

“I remember you did kick a robot vacuum down there.”

Intimidated by Liu Xingluo’s imposing presence, one of them quickly exposed the accomplice who had kicked the robot.

“Because that robot was so annoying!”

“It bumped into my foot and then kept telling me to move my foot, so I got irritated and just kicked it down.”

“So, it was you, right?”

“Alright, now go down and apologize to my sister, then kowtow twice.”

“After that, I’ll beat you up, and we can consider the matter settled.”

Despite her current state of raging fury, Liu Xingluo mercifully offered the individual a chance to admit their wrongdoing voluntarily.

Should they fail to appreciate this opportunity, she couldn’t say what condition they would end up in.

One thing was certain, however: they would undoubtedly be crying and begging for forgiveness by then.

“Huh? You want me to go down and apologize, and even kowtow twice?”

“Eat shit (TL Note: A vulgar Cantonese slang term, ‘yeh si lah nei,’ meaning ‘eat shit’ or ‘go to hell,’ used to express extreme contempt or anger)! Why should I apologize to your sister?”

“If you’re willing to sleep with me, though, that might be something to consider.”

Completely disregarding Liu Xingluo, and emboldened by her striking appearance, the individual brazenly spouted obscenities.

What if Liu Xingluo was a Superhuman?

She was only one person, while they had three, all of whom were Superhumans themselves.

From every perspective, the advantage clearly lay with them.