Wen Anran was licking the canned food contentedly as he watched Li Changan sprinting towards him. Then, his feet left the ground as Li Changan carried him on his shoulder.
"Wait, what's happening!" Being carried on someone's shoulder did not feel good. Wen Anran's abdomen was pressed by Li Changan's shoulder and he felt like he had eaten the canned food for nothing.
Without slowing down, Li Changan adjusted his breathing and replied, "San Zhenghe's second ability is terrifying. She merely sheathed her sword and I felt my neck tearing. If she had drawn her sword, I would definitely have died!"
"No, not possibly. Definitely!" Li Changan repeated with emphasis.
Wen Anran was speechless. He did not doubt Li Changan. When it came to sensing danger, Li Changan's instincts far exceeded humans and were akin to espers.
But how could San Zhenghe be so powerful? Until now, Li Changan had never said anything about certain death. He had even planned to assassinate Charles. What kind of ability could make Li Changan so fearful!
"Mythical Series!" Li Changan stated directly. "Sakura City's invincible Blade Pavilion of the Mythical Series!"
"That's impossible! There is no invincible ability!" Wen Anran retorted immediately. He could not believe it. As for the Blade Pavilion, he had never heard of it.
Li Changan did not speak. Only after running for several kilometers did he stop. There was no killing intent pursuing them so he could confirm they were temporarily safe. Only then did he have time to explain to Wen Anran.
"It is an ability that does not exist in the records of the Trials Facility. But it can be found on the black market. I had only heard about it before, but San Zhenghe is definitely using that one." Li Changan panted heavily as he steadied his breathing.
Wen Anran frowned to digest everything Li Changan had said. He had never heard of the Blade Pavilion before. Today was the first time he heard about it. Moreover, it was different from the Mythical Series that he knew. Something was missing.
Sakura City's Blade Pavilion originated from ancient folklore. But it was just a story after all. The protagonist in the story was mighty in combat, yet still just an ordinary person. The Blade Pavilion did not reach the mythical level.
Wen Anran kept silent, waiting for Li Changan to catch his breath. He had not witnessed the previous fight with his own eyes. But seeing Li Changan's urgency, he knew it was no simple matter.
Then, he saw the formerly composed Li Changan suddenly reveal an ecstatic smile.
"I injured her." Li Changan had a deranged look. "I almost killed her. What a pity, I haven't gotten used to my current speed yet and hesitated slightly."
"Huh? You're happy that you almost killed her?" Wen Anran could not understand. What was there to be happy about?
"She acknowledged me as a powerful foe. The Blade Pavilion also acknowledged me as one. Moreover, I almost killed her. You don't understand. She proved that I'm not trash." Li Changan's smile grew even brighter.
But you were never trash to begin with! Wen Anran could not comprehend it even more. Not proficient in consoling others, he awkwardly patted Li Changan's shoulder, "You are already very powerful. I also think you are formidable. No one else can hunt so many espers like you do without any abilities."
"No no no!" Li Changan shook his head vigorously. He had an almost deranged look. "I'm trash without any abilities. That's what everyone says. I've known since young that I'm different from others. I don't have any abilities. I'm even worse than producers."
"During summer, they would use ice and fire abilities to boil water and splash it on me." Li Changan took off his shirt, pointing to the large patch of scald marks extending from his shoulders to his chest.
"During winter, they would snatch away my padded jacket and strip my clothes, making me run home naked in the snow."
"They would step on my head. The teacher said it could help me awaken my abilities. So no one stopped them."
"My first job was unloading cement at a construction site. I tried my best to pretend to be a strength-type esper. But I got exposed by my boss for not having any abilities. He fired me and deducted half a year of my wages."
"I filed a lawsuit at the Arbitration Center to get my wages back. But I couldn't register my abilities, so I had no social security."
"It's hard for you to understand this kind of life. Actually it's not that pitiful, but it really sucks. I like the Trials. Every opponent treats me as an equal and tries their best to kill me. Only she acknowledged me as someone powerful."
No, it was already very pitiful! Wen Anran gently patted Li Changan's shoulder again. He did not know how to console Li Changan. Perhaps Li Changan did not harbor deep-seated hatred, but he had faced the purest malice from others.
It was precisely the purest malice that made it hardest to break free. He had no one to seek vengeance from, so he unleashed all his suffering onto himself.
"You are actually very strong, stronger than you imagine. Many espers can't compare to you." Wen Anran said gently. "With a mortal body matching gods, you are the only one of this era. Isn't being ability-less what makes you most special?"
Li Changan lifted his head. His expression had calmed. He smiled lightly, "Isn't being special the same as being a freak?"
Wen Anran was rendered speechless, unable to refute. He sensed the deep-seated inferiority hidden within Li Changan. Perhaps even Li Changan himself was unaware of it. It was hard to imagine that this ruthless killer would harbor feelings of inferiority!
"Alright!" Li Changan stood up and bent down to signal Wen Anran to get on. "I'll bring you to kill others. We can't deal with San Zhenghe. I like her a lot."
Now I understand. Your "like" is definitely not a good thing! Wen Anran smiled helplessly as he let Li Changan give him a piggyback ride across the city.
Li Changan was still carrying Wen Anran's backpack. Occasionally, the sound of bottles and cans colliding could be heard from within. "Why did you bring so many external injury medicines? And you haven't used any before."
"Just in case. I'm not like you. If I suffered those injuries of yours, I definitely wouldn't be able to take it."
"Don't worry. I won't let you get hurt. My self-healing ability is great. I'll take the brunt if we get into fights."
"Then consider these medicines prepared for you."
"Stop saying such unlucky things..."