The Creatures That We Are-Chapter 1135: Pure

“Can’t you change Donxote’s mind?” War Tiger turned to Chen Ying, desperation creeping into his voice. “Little Ying Ying—”

“Don’t call me that,” Chen Ying snapped, her stomach twisting. “It’s making me sick.”

“Sister Ying!” War Tiger had thrown his pride out of the window. “Weren’t you Donxote’s supervisor? Persuade him into giving his Talents to me!”

“He must have his reasons,” Chen Ying countered.

“But it’s not scientific!” War Tiger pressed. “His Talents will have more value with me than with Zhang Wei! It’s the undisputable truth!”

He turned to Gao Yang. “Say something, Little Yang Yang!”

Gao Yang nodded. “If we’re talking about strength, you are the stronger fighter for certain.”

“See!”

“However,” Gao Yang cut in. “No matter how strong you are, you can only fight one death monster. We have to take on seven at the same time. It makes more sense to balance our power.”

“Zhang Wei’s Confidence is 100% immune to psychic damage, which is a strong ace. It’s been difficult to make use of it given his lack of combat power. Now that he can fight, it’ll have a great impact on the battlefield.”

“Agreed,” Vermilion Bird said.

Nine Frost and Chen Ying echoed their agreement.

Dragon raised his coffee slightly in silent support.

“What a mistake!” War Tiger whined, not having a valid argument.

He studied the list again. “Bumblebee...well, his Talents aren’t that good. Who has he chosen?”

“Raven Shark,” Nine Frost said.

...

Late at night, Raven Shark was having a bath in the bathroom on the second floor, wearing swimming shorts. He played with the shark toys floating on the water, content.

The door opened. An overweight man walked in—Bumblebee.

“Raven Shark? You’re still bathing? I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Raven Shark quickly sat up and wiped his face, his eyes fixed on Bumblebee's knees. He hadn't really been bathing—he simply loved being in water. He could stay there all day if nothing interrupted him.

“There’s a bathroom...upstairs.” It was a struggle for him to even say those words.

Bumblebee waved at him. “I’m not using the bathroom. I just have something to talk to you about.”

“Oh.” Raven Shark stood in the tub, water cascading off him. His gaze settled on Bumblebee's pronounced belly.

“I’ve decided to be a regular person, Raven Shark. You?”

“I’ll...keep fighting.”

“I knew it.” Bumblebee gave him a friendly smile. “I didn’t want you to keep fighting. If something happens to you, Elder Vermilion Bird really won’t be able to move on. Of all those closest to him, you’re the only survivor.”

Raven Shark quietly clenched his fists.

“Haha, I know the advice isn’t going to change your mind. You must want to protect Elder Vermilion Bird.”

Raven Shark nodded.

“So I’ll give you my Talents. Protect Elder Vermilion Bird and yourself. Both of you must stay safe.”

Raven Shark didn’t respond.

“Why, are you not confident in that?” Bumblebee asked.

Raven Shark shook his head. “I’m confident.”

“That’s the spirit!” Bumblebee patted Raven Shark on his wet shoulder. “Alright, go back to your bath.”

“You?” Raven Shark looked up at him.

“Me? I’ll go home after transferring my Talents to you.” Bumblebee’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I’ll finish the anime I haven’t finished, use all my pulls in gacha games, buy all the figurines I’ve wanted to buy, attend a few more cons...”

He trailed off, breaking into a sad smile. “If only Miss Liu were still around. I would muster the courage to ask her to cosplay my favorite characters.”

...

War Tiger slammed the table, cigarette dangling from his mouth. “Everyone, I call dibs on the rest of the Talents. Yes? Any no?”

“It’s a no from me,” Vermilion Bird said.

“Why?” War Tiger said hurriedly. “Gao Yang and you can’t pick any. Why are you objecting?”

“The most powerful should get the first pick.” Vermilion Bird turned to Dragon.

Dragon looked up from his coffee, blinking innocently. “I’m good.”

“You don’t want any more Talents?” Vermilion Bird asked in surprise.

“One will suffice. I’m not a main fighter in the final fight.” Dragon paused before adding, “And I want to remain pure.”

“What does that mean?” Nine Frost asked.

“The literal meaning.” Dragon went back to his coffee, clearly not intending to explain further.

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Vermilion Bird shook her head in resignation. “Fine. Go on, War Tiger!”

“Yay!”

Like a child given first pick at a toy shop, War Tiger crouched on his chair, list in hand, debating between a few candidates. Many Talents caught his eye, and he struggled to give up any.

The others began to discuss how the Talents should be allocated. Gao Yang quietly listened, sharing his opinions every now and then.

Minutes later, his phone rang. With Dr. Jia on their side, they didn't worry about death monsters tracking their cell signals. They'd been using their phones normally.

Gao Yang glanced at the caller ID and paused.

He walked away to pick up the call before returning to the group.

His strange reaction didn’t go unnoticed.

“Who was that?” Vermilion Bird asked worriedly.

Gao Yang didn’t answer. He picked up his tea and took a drink.

“Who called you?” Vermilion Bird asked again.

Gao Yang still didn’t respond.

“Gao Yang,” Vermilion Bird pressed in a low voice, grabbing his hand. “Look at me.”

Gao Yang slowly raised his eyes to meet hers, his face pale, his expression helpless and panicked.

“Your hands are shaking,” Vermilion Bird said.

...

Suburban town, Li City.

Under an osmanthus tree in front of a concrete house, a man sat on a bamboo stool. Wearing an apron and gloves, he dissected a fish.

An old phone lay beside him on the ground, its screen showing the call history—he had just called his 19-year-old nephew.

It was Gao Xin’s 48th birthday today. Tradition called for a banquet in one's fourth Zodiac Year.[1]. But he disliked trouble and meaningless social functions, preferring to spend his birthday simply.

Still, spending it alone felt too lonely. He'd woken early to buy ingredients at the market, planning to make a full lunch for his nephew and niece.

“Uncle!” Gao Xinxin burst from the living room in a black Lolita dress, her hair in twin tails. “Look! Am I pretty?”

Gao Xin had finished prepping the fish. He removed the gloves and washed his hands at the tap. He turned to look at her. “Well, it’s pretty. But why are you dressed in all black? It’s Uncle’s birthday. You should wear red.”

“You don’t get it, Uncle. Black looks formal and elegant.” She laughed. “This is a big day. I should wear black.”

“Alright. I don’t know what the youngsters today like.” Gao Xin walked to the kitchen with the fish and a cleaver. “But I know your stomachs. I’ll make you delicious food today.”

“You’re the best, Uncle!” Gao Xinxin beamed. Her ink-black eyes darted around. “Oh, my brother’s gonna come, right?”

“Of course. He has to.” Gao Xin pulled a long face. “You said it yourself. It’s a big day today.”

“Yeah.”

Gao Xinxin nodded and looked out at the blue sky hanging above the front yard. She chuckled.

“I can’t wait.”

[End of Act 6 Part I]

1. Every year corresponds to a Chinese Zodiac Sign. The lunar year starting at the end of January 2025, for example, is the year of snake. One’s zodiac sign depends on the year of their birth, and every twelve years, it’ll be their zodiac year. ☜