"Zhang Hai..."
Originally, he should have been the warrior with the most potential in Vantora Capital's Spiritual Energy Bureau besides Skyler Quinn.
During the First Spiritual Energy Tide, he awakened the Space ability.
Only his talent wasn't high. His cultivation speed was extremely slow—far unable to compare with First Sequence or even Second Sequence.
If not for awakening the rarest Space ability, he likely couldn't have joined the Spiritual Energy Bureau at all.
But during the Second Spiritual Energy Tide, his ability underwent a second awakening, thereby elevating his talent to become even more powerful!
This should have been a good thing—representing that Huaxia had produced another genius.
But regrettably, he did one thing.
Murder!
Before Spiritual Energy Revival, his parents died due to a commercial power struggle.
One could confirm it wasn't suicide. But during the case investigation, following a phone call, those people stopped investigating further.
The opposition not only possessed considerable commercial strength—relatives among them included people with authority.
He didn't make a fuss, because he knew it was useless.
This wasn't a small city. Those who could stop an investigation with one phone call—even actively covering up evidence—couldn't be dealt with by making a fuss.
No matter how big the commotion, it would be useless.
He concealed his hatred, enlisted in the military. After returning from service, he continuously prepared to avenge his parents.
Yes—he already knew who killed his parents, and which power stood behind it.
His parents actually hadn't provoked them. Hadn't even met face-to-face. Merely touched their interests, blocked their path—and died just like that.
Reality wasn't a novel. But reality was also a novel.
Things you thought didn't exist were often truly happening in some corner of the world.
Before his parents' deaths, he'd never imagined they would die because of this.
And he—couldn't even do anything due to the opposition's power.
Very fortunately, fate gave him this opportunity.
The First Spiritual Energy Revival let him awaken a Space-type ability. The Second Spiritual Energy Tide let his ability awaken a second time, even elevating his talent.
He cultivated with dedication, concealing himself.
After understanding his own strength and believing the time had come—
On a sunny day, he killed forty-two people.
His enemy. His enemy's parents. His enemy's children. His enemy's wife. His enemy's wife's parents. His enemy's wife's siblings...
He was an ordinary person. Even after collecting information for so long, he could only roughly know what times they'd appear in what places.
Companies. Villas. Family estates. Gatherings...
Fortunately, this was the internet era. They were also quite famous.
Finding them one by one. Killing them one by one.
He'd already waited so many years—what did this bit of time matter? He had the patience.
Also fortunately, at that time, Skyler Quinn was in seclusion absorbing dragon blood.
Even knowing what Zhang Hai had done, the remaining people had no way to arrest him.
Space-type abilities—wanting to leave was truly too easy.
Zhang Hai only entered this place because after completing his years-long aspiration, he chose to turn himself in.
Otherwise, with his Space-type abilities, this prison—whenever he wanted to leave, he could leave, right?
Currently, the Research Institute still hadn't created technology capable of suppressing ability users' powers.
"If only you'd told us directly back then. With your talent, how could we not have stood up for you!"
Liu Suifeng spoke in a complex tone.
Zhang Hai didn't speak—only smiled.
Liu Suifeng could only sigh helplessly.
Right—standing up for him should have been done many years ago.
Wouldn't have needed to wait until now.
Zhang Hai had taken action himself.
But he also hadn't lied. If Zhang Hai had revealed his second awakening and let the Spiritual Energy Bureau assess his talent and strength—as long as he reached Second Sequence, no matter which family or power the opposition was, they'd be arrested and brought to justice.
Even the verdict's severity would need to consider Zhang Hai's opinion.
Life imprisonment or death penalty.
Zhang Hai's suggestion would be the final verdict result.
In any era, the strong always had privileges.
In the past, manifested in wealth and authority.
Now—talent and strength.
An absolutely fair era had never existed.
Honestly, if not for Zhang Hai acting too blatantly, causing too much commotion online, they truly didn't want to convict him.
"You did nothing wrong. We're the ones at fault..."
Liu Suifeng sighed.
"You came to find me—there must be something, Captain Liu."
After Liu Suifeng finished speaking, Zhang Hai spoke in a gentle tone.
"Yes."
Liu Suifeng withdrew from sentiment, nodding to Zhang Hai's inquiry.
"I need you to go support Goose City."
"This Spiritual Energy Tide differs from the past. According to our speculation, this doesn't even count as a Spiritual Energy Tide—very likely reciprocal feedback left over from the previous Spiritual Energy Tide. But the Beast Tide still occurred, and more intensely than last time."
"Countless cities within Huaxia's borders suffered Beast Tide attacks. Among them—no shortage of Second Sequence or even First Sequence level mutant creatures."
"Skyler Quinn and others have already gone to provide support. But this time differs from before. First Sequence level ability users are ultimately too few. Moreover, those who can rapidly support other cities like Chen Bing, Firewing, and Skyler Quinn are fewer still."
"They've already been restrained by same-level mutant beasts, slowing their support. Other reinforcements also need time."
"Zhang Hai, though you fall somewhat short of Skyler Quinn and others—strictly speaking, your talent can only be considered Second Sequence—by virtue of your Space-type ability, you've already far transcended Second Sequence."
"Even compared to First Sequence, the gap isn't far."
"This time in Goose City, there's a First Sequence level mutant creature. I need you to hold it off until support arrives."
Hearing Liu Suifeng's words, Zhang Hai nodded, then said:
"Does this count as atoning for crimes through merit?"
"No—you have no crime!"
Liu Suifeng looked deeply at Zhang Hai:
"No matter how others accuse you, I've always believed you're not guilty."
"I've previously applied to higher authorities regarding your matter. Online, few people think you were wrong about your experiences and circumstances."
"You're only a criminal in the eyes of those who deserved what they got. But in our eyes, you're a hero—your parents' pride."
Zhang Hai left the prison, carrying a phone, rapidly heading toward Goose City.
Actually, whether criminal or hero had long since ceased to matter to him.
Regardless of what others said, he'd already accomplished what he wanted to do. The remaining time held no meaning for him.
What Liu Suifeng said to him was more like an apology for the past.
He knew this world was unequal—had known since very young.
(End of Chapter)