09: The Times Have Changed

The gentle sound of waves filled his ears. Each surge followed by another, like a celestial choir, inviting him to lose himself in its embrace.

On the city’s coastline, Qin Xiaofan suddenly opened his eyes.

He retched violently, expelling a considerable amount of seawater from his mouth, the burning sensation in his stomach jolting his mind into clarity.

“I’m still alive?”

In the darkness, Qin Xiaofan gazed out at the endless expanse of sea, utterly bewildered.

A new message appeared beneath the system panel:

“Warning: If the host dies in this world, it will be true death. Please cherish your life.”

Cold sweat broke out on Qin Xiaofan’s forehead.

But then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

His laughter was wild—like a fool who had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.

How could he not laugh? Qin Xiaofan had always been an optimist; surviving against all odds was surely something to celebrate.

His luck was truly that of the chosen.

Of course, his survival owed much to his sturdy constitution.

He turned around and saw, in the distance, a city glowing with lights.

“This must be K City…”

Dusting off his trousers, Qin Xiaofan walked into the bustling city under the cover of night.

For several days, Qin Xiaofan wandered through this strange city, gathering vital information as he went—

September 1st, evening—

Incidents of mutated wild animals attacking people erupted all over the globe.

At the same time, the number of people awakening supernatural abilities increased dramatically.

September 2nd—

A media explosion rocked both domestic and international outlets. News could no longer be suppressed; the world’s attention focused on those awakening to their powers.

September 3rd—

Attacks by mutated creatures surged, plunging the world into panic.

Governments scrambled, deploying armies en masse to suppress mutated animals in city zoos.

People launched the largest food-buying frenzy in history, with robberies soaring.

September 4th—

The world entered a state of highest emergency.

The Alliance of a Hundred Nations convened the largest emergency meeting in history.

Yet the meeting devolved into chaos, ending in fury and discord.

That afternoon, the Alliance convened again…

…

A dull thud echoed from nearby as Qin Xiaofan stood by the roadside. He turned to see a mangled mess of flesh and blood.

“Another jumper. Suicide again.”

---

September 4th, a special report titled “The Apocalypse May Be Late, But It Never Misses Its Appointment” ignited the internet, fueling widespread pessimism and sending the suicide rate soaring.

Governments, overwhelmed, could no longer control the spread of panic online.

Finally, on September 5th, group administrators enforced a total silence. People could only receive official calming messages, unable to post anything themselves.

…

In those days, Qin Xiaofan witnessed many ordinary people awakening their abilities.

The powers awakened were wildly varied—

Most were useless: sprouting grass on their heads, glowing fingertips, and the like. Yet a select few gained extraordinary abilities.

Superhuman powers, mastery over natural forces, physical prowess far exceeding human limits.

…

A new era had arrived, heralded by the roaring currents of change!

Everything was abrupt and caught humanity off guard.

Heaven seemed indifferent to human feelings; in the eyes of the divine, people were no different from ants crawling slowly on the earth.

Outside a shopping mall, Qin Xiaofan looked up.

In the azure sky, a young man stood shirtless, vast white wings unfurled from his back, beating and whistling in the air.

He towered above the world, as if the entire earth lay beneath his feet.

The crowd gazed upward, awestruck, watching the winged awakened as though witnessing a god.

“The times have changed…”

Beside Qin Xiaofan, an elderly man in military uniform sighed, his voice heavy with helplessness.

Qin Xiaofan looked at the old man in silence—not just seeing age, but the end of an era.

Just then, Qin Xiaofan received a system notification—

“Ding: Congratulations, host, for completing the task of witnessing the dawn of a new era.”

“Title acquired: Witness.”

“Task reward: 2000 points.”

“Task reward: Thunder Ability, Palm Lightning skill.”

Thunder Ability!

Excitement surged through Qin Xiaofan.

He had seen so many powerful awakened emerge these days, and now, finally, it was his turn!

He felt a mighty force welling within him.

A peculiar tingling spread across his body.

He spread his hands and saw arcs of electricity crackling in his palms, lightning flickering in his eyes, as the system panel changed—

Host: Qin Xiaofan

Level: C-class Awakened

Ability: Thunder (Level 1)

Skill: Palm Lightning

Equipment: None

Points: 2300

At last, the level was no longer unknown.

A new ability section appeared; Palm Lightning was now listed as a skill.

Qin Xiaofan opened the description.

---

Thunder: This ability has vast potential for growth. To master thunder, the host must absorb heavenly lightning to advance.

In plain terms, one must be struck by lightning to level up…

Palm Lightning: Releases a powerful bolt of thunder from the palm, its strength increasing with ability level.

Qin Xiaofan was elated, eager to test the power of his new ability.

But then, he sensed something was wrong.

“The task is complete—shouldn’t I return to the real world immediately…?”

He spotted a new message on the panel: Early completion does not trigger early return; you will automatically return when the task duration ends.

Qin Xiaofan was dumbfounded.

The thought of his body buried in the earth filled him with mounting anxiety.

“I wonder how Huohuo is doing now.”

For the next two days, Qin Xiaofan remained hidden within the city.

He occasionally went to deserted places to familiarize himself with his ability; the power of Palm Lightning greatly satisfied him.

Moreover, Qin Xiaofan was astonished to discover that the white radiance within him actually enhanced his thunder’s might…

This only deepened his conviction in the mysterious strength of the white light.

His slumber had begun when the light entered him, transporting his consciousness into this world; perhaps the white radiance was responsible.

Yet what connection existed between the white light and the system…?

September 6th—

The Alliance of a Hundred Nations finally reached consensus: Awakened individuals were recognized as legal citizens, and new laws for them would be drafted.

September 7th—

Governments unleashed decisive measures, eradicating mutated creatures in cities, executing criminals and dangerous awakened on the spot.

Amid the bloodshed, the chaotic world began to regain order.

…

September 8th, the final hour of the task.

Qin Xiaofan sat on a park bench, savoring a last moment of leisure.

The thought of returning to a world without civilization, where all humanity was petrified, brought sadness to his heart.

Nearby, a little girl appeared.

She wore a white dress with a floral pattern, two small pigtails atop her head, lively and adorable—a little angel, skipping toward Qin Xiaofan.

“Big brother, are you going back soon?”

Her voice was clear and sweet as she addressed him.

Qin Xiaofan was stunned, gazing at her innocent smile; suddenly his mind went blank, his thoughts sluggish.

The little girl extended both hands, offering him a small boat folded from white paper.

Her face still beamed with joy as she nodded to him, then skipped away.

Qin Xiaofan was at a loss.

He noticed inside the paper boat, a line of writing—

“Remember, do not let the era forge your sorrow.”

In an instant, an inexplicable chill swept over him.

Suddenly, the world spun; before his eyes, everything became a vivid, dreamlike oil painting…