Chapter 7: *Hostage of the Same Kind*

Dragging her oversized suitcase along the edge of the road, Song Shi was overwhelmed by a deep sense of desolation. 

She was, in every sense, homeless. In this dazzling world, rejection of her genes was everywhere. 

Only one last rental property remained to be viewed. 

Clinging to a sliver of hope, she headed for the bus stop. 

The final property was over ten kilometers away. Walking there would waste far too much time. 

After about five minutes, the bus arrived at the station. 

Anxiety bubbled within her—what if she wasn't even allowed to ride the bus? 

"Face scan successful!" 

The robotic female voice from the scanner announced, and no one ordered her to disembark. 

Relief washed over her as she found a seat near the back, setting her suitcase by her feet. She turned to watch the scenery slowly pass by outside the window. 

A suspended electric rail zoomed by, running parallel to the bus. 

In the sky, airships dragged massive banners reading, *"Welcome to Tomorrow University!"* 

Song Shi paused, her interest piqued. She searched for "Tomorrow University" online. 

The official website boldly declared, *"Tomorrow University Welcomes District 11's Awakened!"* 

From the description below, she learned that Tomorrow University was the sole academy for Awakened individuals in District 11. 

The Federation had 11 human bases, each hosting at least one academy for Awakened individuals. 

District 11 ranked near the bottom among the bases, with few Awakened people. One academy sufficed here, unlike Bases 1 and 2, where there were over ten academies each. 

Currently in her senior year of high school, Song Shi realized that if she awakened, she could attend Tomorrow University. 

If not, her only option would be an ordinary university—thankfully, District 11 had plenty of those. 

Just as she was lost in thought, a loud *bang* shattered the tranquility of the bus. 

The driver slammed on the brakes. Song Shi pitched forward, her suitcase tumbling ahead of her. 

Gripping the seat in front of her with one hand, she reached out with the other to catch her suitcase. 

"Nobody move!" 

A scruffy man wielding a gun swept his gaze across the passengers, his eyes finally locking onto Song Shi's hand on her suitcase. 

She pressed the suitcase's rear wheels down with her foot, raised her hands above her shoulders, and assumed a surrender position. 

Only then did the man redirect the gun toward the driver. "Don't stop! Head west! If the City Guard catches up, you'll die alongside me!" 

Trembling, the driver restarted the bus, which surged forward like an arrow. At the station, bewildered passengers waiting to board stared after the departing bus, confusion etched on their faces. Then, one by one, they picked up their phones to call the City Guard. 

"Hello, City Guard? It seems someone's hijacked a bus again..." 

Inside the bus, the gunman began robbing passengers row by row. 

No one dared resist. This was hardly unusual; risking one's life for a few coins wasn't worth it. 

When it was Song Shi's turn, she reluctantly held out her lightbrain. 

**[Payment Successful: 34,030 Federation Coins]** 

Song Shi was devastated. They hadn't left her a single coin. 

That was her entire three months' worth of living expenses! 

"Kindred spirit, huh?" 

The man paused after taking her money, lowering his gaze to study her. 

Song Shi: "?" 

A thought struck her, and she lifted her head. "!" 

This man's differentiation was Berserker! 

Her payment page labeled her as a *"high-risk individual"*—a designation exclusive to Berserker candidates within the Federation. 

But that wasn't the most pressing issue. 

What did he mean by "kindred spirit"? Why announce it to everyone? 

He was a Berserker, and so was she. 

If he was robbing the bus, how could she avoid being implicated? 

In this world, which harbored deep prejudice against Berserker genes, any attempt to clear her name would be futile. 

Sure enough, the passengers' gazes shifted to her, their expressions tinged with suspicion. 

The man seemed determined to drag her down with him. He patted her shoulder. 

"What are you sitting around for? Help me out! We split fifty-fifty." 

Song Shi's lips twitched. She stood reluctantly, her voice strained. "Alright." 

The man grinned, a satisfied and unhinged smile, and moved to the final row of seats. 

Once there, he would have taken everything he wanted. 

Song Shi turned slightly, gripping the back of her seat, her tone casual. "Are you of age?" 

His face was obscured by a scraggly beard and tangled hair, making it hard to discern his features or estimate his age. 

"No, I'm only seventeen." 

"Ah, same as me. I suppose you haven't awakened either?" 

Caught up in his triumph, and perhaps overjoyed at having someone to share the risk, he answered without thinking, "Of course not." 

The veins on the back of Song Shi's hand bulged as she tightened her grip on the seat. Using it as leverage, she propelled herself upward, her knees smashing into the man's gun-wielding shoulder. 

The gun flew from his grasp, and he staggered backward, slamming into the bus's rear wall. Struggling to regain balance, he gripped the seats on either side of the aisle. 

"Driver, stop the bus! Everyone get off, now!" Song Shi shouted, leaping down. The gun had fallen nearby; she hooked it with her foot and snatched it up. 

The driver reacted quickly, slamming on the brakes. Doors flew open, and passengers scrambled to escape. 

The sudden stop pushed Song Shi backward. She grabbed the overhead bars to steady herself. 

The man, now on his feet, glared at her with seething fury. His shadowed eyes radiated malice. From his pocket, he drew a knife. 

Of course, he wouldn't hijack a bus armed with only a gun. 

Though inexperienced with firearms, Song Shi pointed the gun at him. 

"Don't move!" 

He laughed maniacally. "That gun's empty! I fired the only bullet. Prepare to die!" 

Ignoring the weapon, he lunged. 

Cursing, Song Shi kicked her suitcase toward him as a makeshift shield and retreated quickly. 

The suitcase tripped him, sending him sprawling. He landed in a vulnerable position, the knife dangerously close to his own body. 

Seeing this, Song Shi hesitated briefly. But within seconds, she dashed forward, grabbed his wrist, and plunged the knife toward him. 

Blood sprayed as the blade found its mark. The man screamed, writhing in pain, clutching his face. 

Song Shi ignored him, retrieving her suitcase. 

But just as she was about to leave, the man produced a grenade-like device. Trembling, he yanked the pin. 

Song Shi's eyes widened in horror. 

Dropping everything, she leaped off the bus and sprinted away. 

*Boom!* 

A scorching wave of heat erupted behind her. The blast threw her into the air before slamming her into the ground. 

*(End of Chapter)*