Chapter 3 – Silent Expectations
Back in the Alliance, Wen Lin lay motionless on a medical bed.
Beside him stood a woman with a cold, indifferent expression.
Ji Xin.
His mother.
For the past two hours, she had been circulating her power through his body, repairing damaged organs and stabilizing his shattered vitality. Her movements were precise and efficient—without the slightest hint of gentleness.
Not once did she speak a word of comfort.
In fact, she was displeased.
It hadn't even been two days since Wen Lin entered God's Sanctuary, and he had already returned half-dead.
Useless.
That was what she thought.
Yet Wen Lin felt no sadness.
On the contrary—he was grateful.
If not for her timely intervention, he would already be a corpse.
Beside Ji Xin stood another figure.
Li Guo.
His father.
Tall, silent, expressionless.
From start to finish, he had not said a single word.
It was as if Wen Lin's life and death had nothing to do with him.
And in truth…
They were not his biological parents.
Wen Lin had been an orphan in this world.
From the beginning.
No background. No protection.
Only himself.
Even in that harsh environment, he had never given up. His desire for power had only grown stronger.
As a child, his goal had been simple—obtain a scholarship, escape poverty, change his fate.
He studied relentlessly.
Success was within reach.
Then, at six years old, he was adopted.
Everything changed.
Instead of relying on talent and effort alone, he began using resources—money, influence, connections.
If power was available, why not take it?
Love?
He never received any.
Not before.
Not after.
But Wen Lin didn't care.
He only cared about results.
Whenever his requests were refused, he would throw tantrums, argue endlessly, even act irrationally—like a mad dog whose tail had been stepped on.
It damaged his image.
Lowered his worth in their eyes.
But in the end…
He always got what he wanted.
In his previous life, Wen Lin had been lazy.
Always postponing things.
"I'll do it tomorrow."
Tomorrow never came.
Not even when death arrived.
That regret was carved into his soul.
Waste an opportunity once…
And you may never get another.
He understood this better than anyone.
After finishing treatment, Ji Xin withdrew her power.
Without saying goodbye, she turned and left.
Li Guo followed.
Before they left, Wen Lin spoke quietly.
"Buy me a Mutant Armor Beast Soul."
Neither of them answered.
But Wen Lin knew.
He wouldn't give up.
When the room fell silent, Wen Lin finally lost control.
Tears flowed down his cheeks.
Today's events were too much.
The pain.
The fear.
The closeness of death.
It had left wounds deeper than flesh.
Psychological scars.
He cried silently.
Until there were no tears left.
Until his chest felt empty.
When he finally calmed down, only clarity remained.
He opened his status panel.
Name: Wen Lin
Age: 16
Cultivation: None
Lifespan: 200 Years
Evolution Requirement: 100 Geno Points
Current Geno Points:
Ordinary: 6Primitive: 1
Beast Souls:
Iron-Stomach Boar (Spear)
Free Points: 1
Geno Arts:
Organ Tempering Art (Beginner)
This hunt had been extremely profitable.
A Beast Soul.
A Geno Art.
Free Points.
Few beginners achieved this.
Yet Wen Lin's expression darkened.
I need healing.
If he had been farther from the shelter…
He would be dead.
A healing-type Geno Art was no longer optional.
It was necessary.
He summoned his Beast Soul.
Light condensed.
A dark metallic spear appeared in his hand.
Iron-Stomach Boar Spear.
Cold.
Heavy.
Solid.
Wen Lin stared at it silently.
He had trained with many weapons.
Sword. Saber. Spear. Dagger.
But mastered none.
That would change.
Grip tightening, he stood up.
Spear first.
Then everything else.
For practice, he chose the Gladiator Device.
A virtual combat system where battles felt completely real.
Pain. Fatigue. Fear.
Everything.
After wearing the equipment, a screen appeared.
Create Username
Warrior — Already Taken
Shadow — Already Taken
Hunter — Already Taken
…
After several failures—
Newbie46 — Registered
[Unevolver Mode]
Invite FriendRandom Match
He had no friends.
He selected Option 2.
The arena materialized.
An opponent appeared.
Barehanded.
No weapon.
Wen Lin immediately summoned his spear.
The match began.
He attacked first.
Stepping forward, he thrust toward the opponent's face.
Fast.
Direct.
His plan was simple.
Injure.
Retreat.
Repeat.
Until victory.
But—
He was wrong.
Very wrong.
His opponent casually tilted his head.
The spear missed.
A fist flew toward Wen Lin's ribs.
Perfect timing.
Perfect angle.
Expert-level.
Not a newbie…
Wen Lin's pupils contracted.
The moment Wen Lin thrust his spear—
His opponent tilted his head slightly and stepped forward.
The attack missed.
In the same instant, the distance between them vanished.
Close combat.
With a long spear in hand, Wen Lin was instantly at a disadvantage.
Before he could react, a powerful kick slammed into his abdomen.
His vision shook.
He staggered backward several steps, struggling to breathe.
Before he could even regain balance—
The opponent was already in front of him.
Too fast.
Wen Lin's thoughts slowed.
What do I do?
Instinct took over.
He thrust again, desperately, hoping to force some space.
His opponent shifted left.
The spear sliced through empty air.
A hand shot out.
Grip.
Wen Lin's wrist was seized.
A fist followed.
Bang!
Pain exploded across his face.
He swung his left hand wildly.
Missed.
By the time he realized—
The opponent was already behind him.
An arm locked around his neck.
Pressure.
Bone creaked.
Like a hunter crushing its prey.
Crack.
Darkness swallowed Wen Lin's vision.
The match ended.
He hadn't fought.
He had been dismantled.
After exiting the arena, Wen Lin stared at the result screen.
Defeat
Opponent: DemonSlayer
Silence filled his room.
After hesitating for a moment, he sent a friend request.
Accepted.
Instantly.
That surprised him.
Wen Lin hesitated again.
Should he challenge him?
Before he could decide—
DemonSlayer went offline.
Wen Lin exhaled slowly.
Relief mixed with frustration.
Deep down, he didn't want to face that monster again.
Not yet.
He hadn't even learned how to use his spear properly.
He logged out of Gladiator.
Today felt cursed.
Everything had gone wrong.
Combat.
Confidence.
Pride.
All shattered.
Wen Lin walked into his courtyard.
He picked up his spear.
No spectators.
No opponents.
Only himself.
He didn't know any advanced techniques.
No secret manuals.
No inheritance.
Only basic forms.
Thrust.
Sweep.
Block.
Withdraw.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Four hours passed.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
His arms trembled.
His legs felt hollow.
Finally, he collapsed onto the ground, unable to move.
Even lifting a finger felt difficult.
After resting, he dragged himself to the bathroom.
Cold water washed away blood and sweat.
Then he ate in silence.
Returned to his room.
Sitting cross-legged, Wen Lin began circulating the Organ Tempering Art.
Energy flowed slowly through his body.
For the first time, he could clearly sense his internal organs.
A strange vibration spread through his abdomen.
Like tiny pulses echoing inside him.
Uncomfortable.
Yet… strengthening.
He endured it.
He didn't stop.
Gradually, warm energy gathered, reinforcing his weakened organs.
Minutes passed.
His breathing steadied.
His pain faded.
Then—
Hunger struck.
Violent.
Overwhelming.
Stronger than before.
His stomach roared.
He opened his eyes.
I need to eat…
Just as he stood—
Knock. Knock.
Someone was at the door.
Wen Lin opened the door calmly.
Ji Xin stood outside.
Without a word, she turned and walked away.
Wen Lin followed.
Neither of them spoke.
They stopped in the living hall.
Li Guo was already there.
Ji Xin finally said, "We discussed your request."
Wen Lin lifted his eyes.
"We won't buy a Mutant Armor Beast Soul," she continued flatly.
"Instead, you'll get a Primitive Armor Beast Soul."
One rank lower.
Cheaper.
Safer.
For them.
The words echoed in Wen Lin's ears.
Primitive.
Instead of Mutant.
Silence.
Then—
He burst out laughing.
"Hahaha… hahaha…!"
He collapsed onto the floor, rolling wildly.
A cup shattered.
A chair fell.
"I'm going to die!"
"I'm going to die in the Sanctuary!"
"Someone save me! My parents are trying to kill me!"
He slapped himself repeatedly.
Smack!
Smack!
Red marks spread across his face.
Tears flowed.
Screams echoed.
A complete breakdown.
Li Guo and Ji Xin were unmoved.
If anything, they would have been surprised if he hadn't reacted like this.
This wasn't new.
Years ago, after adopting Wen Lin, he had asked to learn weapons.
It was reasonable.
They hired him a teacher.
But soon, Wen Lin wanted more.
Different weapons.
Different instructors.
Different schools.
The cost skyrocketed.
They refused.
He said nothing.
Appeared obedient.
But secretly—
Every day, he went outside and cried.
Whenever passersby appeared, he would sob helplessly.
He was only seven years old.
People couldn't ignore him.
They asked, "What's wrong, child?"
Wen Lin would whisper fearfully,
"Don't tell… If my parents know, they'll strip you and beat you in the bathroom…"
The words were terrifying.
Furious adults stormed his house.
Demanded explanations.
Li Guo and Ji Xin were shocked.
They denied everything.
But Wen Lin showed bruises.
No one believed them.
Rumors spread.
Reputation collapsed.
They spent years suppressing the incident.
From that day on, they understood:
Wen Lin was not a normal child.
Back in the present—
He continued slapping himself.
Harder.
Faster.
No sign of stopping.
Ji Xin's eyes twitched.
She stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
"Enough."
She knew.
If they didn't give in now—
Tomorrow, he would accuse them of abuse.
Again.
And people would believe him.
She hated Wen Lin.
But she hated Li Guo even more.
He was the one who had insisted on adopting him.
And destroyed their family's peace.
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Li Guo spoke.
"…We'll buy the Mutant Beast Soul."
Instantly—
Wen Lin stopped.
Tears vanished.
Breathing stabilized.
He wiped his face.
As if nothing had happened.
"Thank you."
He bowed slightly.
Perfectly polite.