Chapter 1: Mysterious World

[Doctor]

[Cybercafé Manager]

[Listed Company Manager]

[Apprentice Transcendent]

[KTV Whore Hostess]

[...]

Sitting on the balcony at the top floor, Chen Yu held a pair of binoculars, observing the ceaseless stream of people on the commercial street below.

Above each person's head, a line of text floated.

In addition to [Doctor], [Cybercafé Manager], and [Listed Company Manager], there were [Hairdresser], [Security Guard], [Office Worker], [High School Student], and other titles, encompassing everything.

Chen Yu knew that those "titles" represented each person's true identity.

Those labeled as [Hairdresser] were certainly hairdressers.

Those labeled as [Security Guard] were certainly security guards.

Those labeled as [KTV Lead Hostess] were certainly...

"I should probably get her contact details," he thought, putting down the binoculars and falling deep into thought.

But this idea echoed for only three seconds before he abandoned it.

Because by then, a number of male animals were already surrounding the beautiful woman labeled [KTV Lead Hostess], clamoring collectively for her WeChat or phone number.

Obviously.

Apart from Chen Yu, everyone else could see the "titles" floating above each other's heads.

"...sigh."

He sighed deeply, feeling weary, and rose from the balcony to lie sprawled on the messy bed, eyes vacant.

Having transmigrated into this "strange" world for over half a year, he still struggled with the environment.

This place was far too different from "Earth."

Beyond possessing the group of Transcendents with superpowers, every human had a line of text representing their identity floating above their heads.

Also known as "labels."

The common folk called them "titles."

These designations were, for the most part, presented in text form.

Such as: Teacher, Police, Nurse, Firefighter, Soccer Player, Manga Artist...

And such as: Music Star, Model Citizen, Richest Person in Some County, Database Backend Expert, etc...

It was like a "curse."

And like a "law."

No one could escape it.

Including Chen Yu, the transmigrator.

And the people of the world never found this "bizarre" phenomenon strange.

Instead, they considered it part and parcel of human society, just like "Transcendent powers," and developed a set of social communication rules utterly different from those of "Earth."

No need for pleasantries.

No need for probing.

There was no need to guess whether the other person's identity, profession, or abilities were true or false.

Just by glancing at the "title" above someone's head, one could make an accurate judgement.

It was like a world where individuals were completely "naked" to each other, with no secrets hidden between them.

Low profile?

Unless you wear a hat every day to cover the text floating above your head.

Otherwise, sporting a title like [World's Richest Person], no one would believe you if you said you were poor.

The accuracy rate was as high as 99.9999%...

"So, am I that 0.0001%?"

Looking up at the "title" floating above his head, Chen Yu was expressionless.

His "title" turned out to be... [Corpse].

"..."

He reached out and rubbed his cheeks vigorously, feeling more exhausted.

He was very sure he wasn't dead.

So the "title" above his head had always been false.

When he first transmigrated into this body, the text above his head was [Germs].

The second month, it was [Ant].

The third month, [Worse Than Garbage].

The fourth month, [Filthy Garbage].

The fifth month, [Garbage].

Then came [Expired Feces].

[Feces].

[Rotten Meat].

[Unbearably Stinking Corpse].

Until this month's [Corpse]...

It changed every month.

Without the slightest care for his feelings.

Not once was the "title" accurate.

It resulted in him not daring to leave the house for even a moment, afraid that he would be attacked by "Transcendents" or "police" as soon as he stepped outside, treating him like a "wolf."

He was completely ostracized from human society.

Fortunately...

There was still hope.

After observing the trend, Chen Yu realized his monthly changing "titles" were moving upward.

From the initial [Germs] to the current [Corpse].

Steady and sure, making incremental progress, achieving gratifying results!

Perhaps in a few more months, he could become a [Normal Person].

Maybe even in a few years, he could have a title like [Head of State] above his head, pretending to be all important.

If he still had time...

"Bang bang bang!"

Suddenly, a knock on the door from outside made Chen Yu shiver, jump up, and turn his head toward the door, "Who... who is it?"

"Police station," a man's voice came from outside, "I called you this morning for identity verification."

"...Got it. Wait a moment, please, I'll change my clothes."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yu suppressed the urge to swear, entered the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and washed his face forcefully in an attempt to wake himself up.

That's right.

He had been reported...

For years, he had been hiding in his room without going out, relying on delivery workers for his meals and trash disposal, even taking nearly a year of leave from school.

Never showing his face.

And then someone, some damn idiot, reported him.

Accusing him of broadcasting pornography from his room...

"...Fuck."

"Before making a report, at least figure out my gender first."

Drying off the water on his face, Chen Yu's fists cracked as he clenched them tight.

Different cultural species have different social rules.

In this world where everyone has a "label" above their head, the way the country combats crime, maintains safety, and stabilizes society is naturally different from the "Earth world."

Since people can't hide their identities, many criminals with "infamous titles" above their heads can only hide, daring not to show their faces.

That's why if someone "doesn't see daylight" for a long time, they easily become "suspicious individuals" and get reported by neighbors, the public, or police informants.

It's extremely unfriendly to the homebody male and female community.

"Even just one more month would have been fine..."

Coming out of the bathroom, Chen Yu looks up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, "I swear to God, don't let me find out who reported me."

"Bang bang!"

The knocking resumed, amplified by twenty decibels.

"Chen Yu, open the door quickly!" the policeman behind the door sounded more chilling.

"Com... coming."

Snapping back to reality, Chen Yu picked up the hat hanging on the wall, put it on his head to cover the words [Dead Corpse], then reached out and grabbed the anti-theft door handle.

But he hesitated to turn it.

Opening this door might change his "life" forever...

Chen Yu: "… Officer, you definitely won't agree if I don't open the door, will you?"

Policeman: "You can try."

Sighing, Chen Yu opened the door honestly and welcomed the... police officer into the house.

The police officers who came for "verification" were two people, a man and a woman, both very young.

One had the title of [Police] above his head.

The other also had [Police] above their head.

The leading young male police officer, upon seeing the hat on Chen Yu's head, immediately narrowed his eyes for half a second and signaled his female colleague with his eyes.

"Officers, please take a seat, I'll make some tea for you," Chen Yu rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the kitchen, opening the fridge, "What kind of tea would you like? I have iced black tea, green tea, um... and more iced black tea."

"We won't drink anything." The young male police officer took out his ID, showed it to Chen Yu for a moment, then stood indifferently in the center of the living room, opened the folder, pen in hand, and started asking questions while writing, "Let's start directly, cooperate with us."

"I'll cooperate, of course." Closing the fridge door, Chen Yu raised both hands.

Female police officer: "…"

Male police officer: "… There's no need to surrender. What's your name."

Chen Yu: "Chen Yu."

"Occupation."

"University student."

"Age."

"Around twenty or so."

The male police officer's pen paused, and he looked up at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu sheepishly: "I kind of forgot."

"Bring your ID card."

"Sure, sure."

After handing over his ID card, the male police officer inspected it thoroughly, wrote the information into the file, then handed back the ID card. He asked, "We received a report that you have been shut in your room for years without coming out. The reporter suspects you're engaging in illegal broadcasting."

"Bullshit!" Chen Yu suddenly became furious, "I only rented this apartment this year! What do you mean years? And what about erotic broadcasting? Do you think I, as a man, attract viewers because my butt is sexy?"

"Please remain calm and cooperate with the work." The male police officer's face was expressionless, staring at Chen Yu without blinking, "Answer the question. Why don't you go out."

"…" Chen Yu remained silent.

Closing the folder, the male police officer pointed to Chen Yu's hat, "Take it off. Let me see your title."

The corners of Chen Yu's mouth slowly curved upwards, "I knew it, the big moment is coming."

"Snap."

The male police officer flicked out his stun baton, "Take off the hat, cooperate with us."

Chen Yu: "… I said the big moment is coming."

The male police officer frowned, "What?"

Chen Yu gestured, trying to explain, "I mean, a bowel movement! I've got a big one coming. Can I go to the bathroom first?"

The female police officer's forehead vein twitched, "Think you're funny with that lame joke?"

"Mr. Chen Yu, don't delay unnecessarily," the male police officer displayed the stun baton, "First warning. If you don't cooperate, after three warnings, we'll take coercive measures."

"I didn't say I wasn't cooperating," Chen Yu's headache grew, "It's just that... what I'm saying is... don't we have a possibility that we skip the hat removal part, I'll just tell you my title, and you believe me. It'd save everyone trouble. And then you can go do whatever you're busy with."

Male police officer: "What do you think?"

Chen Yu: "I think you definitely won't agree."

"Second warning," the male police officer took out the handcuffs from his waist.

Chen Yu: "…"

Male police officer: "Third…"

"Swish."

Chen Yu decisively, sensibly, swiftly, and without resistance took off the hat.

Exposing the two big characters above his head—[Dead Corpse].

Male police officer: "…"

Female police officer: "…"

Chen Yu: "Bad luck, huh?"

…