Unknown Future

In the shocked gaze of Chu Lian and the others, a pale hand slowly pulled the sheet down, revealing Zhang Feng's face.

Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, and because he seldom engaged in outdoor activities, his complexion appeared as pale as paper. Yet Chu Lian could clearly sense the vibrant life force within him. What on earth was going on?

"Where am I? Wasn't I killed by that monster? Why am I here?" He seemed to have just woken up, his consciousness still lingering on the last moment before death, not realizing that Chu Lian and the others were right beside him. He was talking to himself, incredulous about his current state.

"Weren't you dead? How are you alive?" It was Chu Chu who spoke first, having witnessed Zhang Feng's corpse impaled by the alien's claws. Her face was grim, a mix of fear at his mysterious resurrection and overwhelming curiosity.

"What are you doing here, Chu Chu?" Zhang Feng was startled to hear someone speak. He turned his head to look at Chu Chu and asked in a faint voice. "It's not just me; my sister is also here," Chu Chu knew that Zhang Feng actually wanted to see Chu Lian more, so she pointed to Chu Lian standing not far away.

"Chu Lian, are you alright? There were so many monsters outside; I was really worried about you…" A flash of joy crossed Zhang Feng's eyes. He was so focused on Chu Lian that he overlooked the oddity of his situation, his gaze soft as he spoke.

"I'm fine. I was separated while searching for Inori, or I wouldn't have taken so long. Once I found her, we came back and heard from Chu Chu about your death, which is why we're here now." Chu Lian pressed her lips together, trying to steady herself. She answered Zhang Feng, her eyes looking at him with a peculiar expression.

"That's good, as long as you're okay. I was worried for nothing, then," Zhang Feng sighed in relief. Knowing Chu Lian was safe reassured him, but he couldn't help asking impulsively. Luckily, she wasn't annoyed, or he wouldn't know what to do.

"Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself." Unable to withstand his gaze, Chu Lian took a few steps back.

Her words changed Zhang Feng's expression. Touching his chest, he murmured, "I remember I was walking with classmates. We were going one by one, so I was at the back. When I reached a flowerbed, a monster fell next to me."

"I was knocked to the ground by the impact, and before I knew what happened, something pierced my chest. Then I lost consciousness…"

He spoke clearly, but Chu Lian felt something was off. She thought it over but couldn't figure it out, frowning as she asked, "Did you feel anything unusual? Anything special happen?"

People don't come back to life unless they're not completely dead or in a state of suspended animation. Zhang Feng didn't have any unique constitution that could explain this.

There's always a reason for the unusual. She sensed something significant was amiss here, possibly interconnected, but had no leads. Her question came from uncertainty, knowing that even if something was wrong, Zhang Feng likely wouldn't know.

To be sure, Chu Lian checked Zhang Feng's attributes and found some issues.

Name: Zhang Feng

Gender: Male

Age: 13

Birthdate: 2002-11

Zodiac: Capricorn

Blood Type: B

Strength: 17

Agility: 20

Constitution: 24

Spirit Power: None

Body Data: Height, Weight 70kg (Anomalous muscle and bone density)

Attribute: Dark

Luck: B (Originally supposed to face no major setbacks, nor premature death; something is amiss here, Host, there must be a problem)

Power: Japanese high school student (that's quite a fighting capability!)

Talent: Evolution (Unknown)

Personality: Introverted, silent, Chu Lian-obsessed

Skills: Drawing C, Writing B, Drumming B

"Indeed, height and weight have changed, along with a significant increase in bone and muscle density. His talent for evolution and the attribute 'Dark' changed from the initial 'None' to this." Chu Lian found these issues but remained calm, continuing to discuss the events with him.

Finally, she concluded that Zhang Feng seemed to be a pawn used by some entity, and he held a considerable affection for her. This indicated that whoever was behind this had no malice, or they could have concealed these changes and maintained the initial state. Zhang Feng had become their spokesperson; while no immediate problems were apparent, that could change over time.

Since nothing had happened yet, Chu Lian couldn't reject or dislike Zhang Feng over what might or might not happen. After all, he genuinely cared about her, not like Wang Ting Si, who wanted her attention, but with a desire to protect her. This made it hard for her to dislike him.

"With everything that happened, we don't know how to solve it. You'll probably need to go to the hospital for a series of tests and be questioned by certain authorities, so are you prepared for that?" Chu Lian asked the question Zhang Feng had been avoiding.

He wasn't sure if the news of his death had reached his parents, and if it had, they were likely on their way. If not, how would he explain the events to come? This wasn't a TV scenario of someone almost dying and reviving; he had actually been impaled, and many knew about it.

He hesitated for a while before saying bitterly, "I don't know what to do. I guess I should talk to my parents. I think they'll understand. Given this accident, not dying is a huge relief. Better a few tests and being away for a while than being dead. I just hope I won't be treated as a lab rat."

Zhang Feng's worry was valid; the situation was serious, and authorities would scrutinize all anomalies. His death and resurrection would draw immense attention. They might use him for experiments to gather data.

"If you promise not to pursue my sister, such things won't happen," Chu Chu offered a deal, suggesting that if he stopped thinking about her sister, she could help. Zhang Feng's face showed a complex expression, ready to agree when Chu Lian interrupted.

"Chu Chu!" Chu Lian scolded, stopping Zhang Feng's response. Chu Chu stuck out her tongue and fell silent. "We'll help you with what you're worried about. We won't let you become a lab rat. Cooperate with their tests, and you should return soon. Your parents will only be asked about your background and if such things ever happened before."

Chu Lian anticipated the questions and prepared Zhang Feng so he'd be at ease.

"That's a relief… Thank you, Chu Lian. I'll repay your kindness one day." Zhang Feng visibly relaxed. His family wasn't wealthy, so he understood Chu Lian had paid a high price to help him, prompting his promise.

"This isn't kindness; it's responsibility," Chu Lian murmured quietly, unheard by Zhang Feng but noticed by Inori and Chu Chu. Inori squeezed her hand tighter, and determination flashed in Chu Chu's eyes.

"Chu Chu, please tell the teachers and classmates what happened here. Remember, don't say too much, or it'll be hard to explain. I'm stepping out to call my mom and explain everything that happened," Chu Lian said, taking her phone and leading Inori outside.

Before leaving, she turned to Zhang Feng and said, "Zhang Feng, go back with Chu Chu later. I think someone has noticed the situation here. Just say you came to check on a classmate. I'll make sure they don't trouble you."

With that, she disappeared from the room, leaving Chu Chu annoyed and Zhang Feng embarrassed. "Sorry to trouble you again, Chu Chu." He tried to speak, but Chu Chu ignored him, huffing as she turned away.

Seeing this, Zhang Feng climbed out of bed, pulling off the blanket. He glanced at his torn shirt and healed skin, paused briefly, then followed Chu Chu.

Meanwhile, on a distant barren planet far from Earth, an injured adult alien awoke in the wilderness. It gazed at the gray sky and the distant city shielded by a light barrier, emitting an angry roar.

Raising its arms, the creature screamed for a while before speaking in Mandarin: "Chu Lian, just you wait. You'll see the consequences of leaving me alive! This planet is my hunting ground, and one day I'll return to Earth with an army of aliens, turning you into my perfect queen, making you do whatever I want."

It waved its claws as if cutting through the air. "An infinitely evolving body, a perfect life form. Though no longer human, my growth potential far exceeds that of humans. Plus, I can use some of the dimensional traveler's exchange abilities. Ha ha, fate is on my side…"

As it spoke, lightning cracked in the dark sky, striking nearby. Illuminated by the electric light, its monstrous form appeared even more grotesque.

Rain began to fall silently, as if this place feared the emergence of a terrifying presence…