After we grasped the situation, the snacks were mostly gone. Chen Ze stood: “Let’s go. I’ll take you over.” Heading to the wall, the streets were empty except for a few stragglers. I suddenly remembered: “Right, Chen… Teacher, how’s Moyun City’s casualty situation?” “It’s manageable. The Ability Government got some intel early and sent us to take over soon after the gate appeared,” Chen Ze, part of the first wave, knew well. “Some died initially, but we sealed the gate and cleared the city’s Beasts. It’s safe for now. Civilians who couldn’t evacuate are staying indoors to avoid Beasts slipping in.” They could guard the skies but not underground, so Beasts occasionally got in. City-bound ability users handled them. Civilians on the streets could hinder tasks and get hurt, so they were told to stay home. “What about supplies…” Wu Mingbai asked hesitantly. The sudden event left no prep time. With so many civilians indoors, daily food and water needs were huge. If supplies ran low, chaos would follow. Before he finished, Chen Ze chuckled: “The city has a teleportation array. Unaffected cities send us supplies regularly, distributed door-to-door. Even without them, it’s fine. Guess my ability?” “What?” Wu Mingbai asked instinctively, realizing he’d thought like a civilian. We were ability users! “Logistics Master,” Chen Ze answered. “My ability supports many people’s needs. The government sent me to prevent Beasts from wrecking the array.” Chen Ze left at the gate for his own tasks. We climbed the wall, and the commander approached upon hearing us. Seeing our young faces, he was surprised, then asked rapidly: “I’m the commander here. Report your abilities. Group-attack ones, specify.” We listed our abilities. Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai had group-attack ones. Jiang Tianming’s came from Frost Mage, a replicated strong ability with complete skills. With enough Mental Energy, it matched the original’s power. Wu Mingbai’s sinkhole skill created small earthquakes, swamps, collapses, and earth spikes—all group-attack capable. Only Earth Element allowed such versatility. Wu Mingbai maximized it, thanks to Black Flash boosting his element density. Without it, he couldn’t have used so many skills. Though my and Lan Subing’s abilities were strong—obviously so—the commander, noting our lack of group-attack and student status, didn’t prioritize us, assigning us as support while focusing on Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai. Despite the crowd, since no one watched us, Lan Subing was at ease. She tilted her head, marveling at the commander’s retreating figure: “We got ignored?” As a civilian or ability user, she’d always been a star. Being overlooked was new. She wasn’t mad, just amazed. “Isn’t that good?” I said leisurely. “Being noticed here isn’t great.” The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. More attention meant more work and danger. Though I planned to shine in this campaign, I wasn’t about to be a workhorse on this main battlefield. The author didn’t want me gaining popularity. Performing normally might not make the manga. Only key moments would force him to include my highlights. So, I waited for my moment, staying the slacking Su Bei. Unlike me, Lan Subing wasn’t one to shy away. Her friendship with Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai showed a restless heart beneath her quiet exterior. Soon, she showed everyone Word Spirit’s power. A single “Freeze” stunned most Beasts, forcing them to stand still and take hits. She controlled so many because they were low-level and weak. She only froze them, not killed them. A “Die” command would’ve cost triple the Mental Energy—beyond her limit. The move stunned everyone. Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai reacted first, jumping down to fight hand-to-hand. Ability and physical attacks combined killed more Beasts. Others snapped out of it, joining the slaughter. This battle made Lan Subing famous in Moyun City, outshining everyone as the most valued ability user. At lunch, many crowded around her, eager to befriend this promising star. Lan Subing was overwhelmed. Years of training had eased her social anxiety, but facing this “siege” was deadly. She could barely speak, wanting to hide in a crack. Seeing her plight, we three stood to help. On the way, Wu Mingbai chuckled: “We’re getting sidelined?” I couldn’t help laughing: “She said the same thing not long ago.” Talk about turnabout! Lan Subing probably regretted her earlier words. Without that jinx, she might’ve avoided this. Even if not, I wouldn’t be teasing her. With our escort, she reached her room. With no outsiders, she exhaled, pale: “Terrifying.” “Didn’t you envy it on the wall?” I didn’t let her off. Recalling her words, she blushed, muttering: “I envied Jiang and Mingbai getting big tasks, okay?” Jiang Tianming handed her a Mental Crystal to recharge her drained Mental Energy, asking: “When can you use that ability again?” “With enough crystals, two hours. Without, at least five,” she answered, assessing herself. That frequency was acceptable—not a one-shot deal. Even without crystals, she could use it four times daily, doubling our Beast kills—a huge amount. “I’ve got plenty of Mental Crystals,” I said, pulling out a few. They were worthless to me—my high Mental Energy meant I didn’t need them, so they sat in my storage ring. Perfect to give away. The others offered some too. Not enough for constant supply, but plenty. Counting them, Jiang Tianming looked out: “I’ll ask Teacher Chen if they can get more. If you can keep it up every two hours, our combat power will soar.” After a brief rest, the three of us, minus Lan Subing, returned to the wall to fend off Beasts. I slacked while watching below, sighing at how cautious I had to be. With my ability, without burning much Mental Energy, the best way to maximize damage was a weapon-like ability item—like a sword—max out luck, and fight hand-to-hand. When tired, a flying ability user could bring me back. With luck, my strong combat skills, and Gear attacks, I’d outshine my current sporadic attacks. But a gentleman doesn’t stand under a falling wall. Doing that might make people wonder why Beasts went easy on me, sparking collusion rumors. To avoid trouble, I stuck to slacking. That afternoon, Lan Subing repeated her trick twice, clearing many Beasts. Seeing her value, Chen Ze gathered a pile of Mental Crystals. Local ability users provided them—rare but useful, so everyone had some. Chen Ze said he’d told the outside, and soon, more crystals and supplies would arrive. Lan Subing could use them freely—resources were ample if she killed Beasts. The next day followed suit. With crystals, she used her skill every two hours. At this rate, the city’s Beasts would be cleared in a week. Seeing Moyun City’s progress, I knew trouble was coming. Checking everyone’s Destiny Compass, I saw all small needles on the right, with many large needles dropping below. Clearly, something was happening today. That night, I didn’t plan to sleep, climbing to the clock tower’s spire—the city’s highest point. Learning from last time, I brought a stool, adjusting it for comfort. Normally, the highest point would be guarded, but the wall was high enough, so the clock tower was ignored, used only for timekeeping. It rang at midnight and noon. Outside was thick darkness, clouds hiding the moon, the sky nearly lightless. In our room, Wu Mingbai, sleepy, checked his phone and said: “Su Bei’s not back.” As roommates, we tracked each other. I’d said an hour ago I was hitting the restroom and hadn’t returned. “You worried he’s in trouble?” Jiang Tianming looked up, surprised. If it were anyone else gone that long, he’d search. But it was me, so he didn’t bother. Wu Mingbai scoffed: “I’m worried he’s causing trouble.” Gone so long at night, I was either in trouble or making it. With my risk-dodging skills, the former was unlikely. They should worry about being left behind. Jiang Tianming agreed, shaking his phone: “I messaged him. No reply.” Wu Mingbai frowned: “Tell Bing. Something’s up.” Jiang Tianming gave an “OK” gesture: “Sleep. Whatever he’s doing, we’ve got tasks tomorrow. Rest up. The commander said we might pull night duty.” With a rotation system but too few ability users, rest was scarce despite careful planning. By night, everyone’s Mental Energy was drained. Without sleep, surviving a day—let alone night duty—was tough. “If that guy didn’t vanish, I’d be asleep,” Wu Mingbai grumbled. He was exhausted, but my absence kept him up. Jiang Tianming felt the same, suspecting trouble tonight, so he stayed awake. But one watching was enough—no need for all three to lose sleep. What if nothing happened? Meanwhile, I was on the clock tower, fanned by a small device. Summer wind was hot, but I came prepared to avoid suffering. I left at midnight; it was now past 1 a.m. Except for the wall’s faint lights, the city was dark, like a ghost town, silent. If I was right, the Beasts’ trouble was near. But where? My Mental Energy was vast but not city-wide, so I needed a specific spot. Luckily, my prophecy ability made it easy. I conjured a Prophecy Gear, silently wishing for “the scene of Nightmare Beasts appearing in the city.” I flicked it upward. The Gear turned to mist, faintly showing a well below. Moyun City had five wells. I’d studied the map en route, knowing their locations. I sent Mental Energy to find them, pondering the mist’s meaning. Prophecy Gear gave no useless info—that was my design. The well was a clue, but so was the mist, not just background. The mist hovered above, almost rising from the well. Thinking of my prophecy, I guessed—did the mist represent Beasts emerging from there? Mist-like Beasts… I recalled Beasts that could turn to mist. With Destiny’s vast data, I quickly listed several. I used elimination. Beasts sent to infiltrate would have traits, like strong control abilities, to restrain the city’s people, aiding an outer breach. One fit. My gaze hardened. I leaped into the clock tower, smashed the clock face’s glass, and moved both hands to midnight. The loud chime woke the city. Though different from the alarm, it roused everyone. After alerting them, I headed to the well my Mental Energy found, not far from the tower, in the city center. At the well, pale cyan mist poured out rapidly, like dry ice. I grabbed a mask from my storage ring, put it on, and sat far from the well, waiting. The spot wasn’t hidden—unseen from the wall but obvious from the tower. “Whoosh… what’s happening?” As expected, a group rushed over, led by a dog-nosed boy who asked. Calling him “dog-nosed” wasn’t an insult—he had a dog nose. Finding me, he retracted it, reverting to normal. Clearly, a search-ability user. I’d seen many at the Academy. “Su Bei? Why’re you here?” Before I could speak, Jiang Tianming’s trio emerged, shocked yet unsurprised. Seeing me here felt both unexpected and inevitable. This guy sneaking out at night? Never good news. I pointed at the cyan mist, now nearing residences, and said lightly: “Nightmare Beasts got in.” They gathered at the well, eyeing the mist warily. Chen Ze touched it, finding no substance: “A Beast skill? What kind?” “It’s the Sleep Nightmare Beast’s skill. Anyone touching the mist falls into deep sleep,” I answered calmly, standing far off. Chen Ze processed, then paled: “Then I’m—” Before finishing, overwhelming drowsiness hit. His consciousness couldn’t resist, and he collapsed. More “thud” sounds followed—everyone who inhaled the mist without protection fainted. Only Jiang Tianming’s trio, standing with me, was spared. The rıghtful source is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 My spot was upwind, so the mist didn’t reach me yet. Jiang Tianming was stunned: “You didn’t warn everyone?” “Didn’t I ring the bell?” I said righteously. “As for just now, they rushed in too fast for me to stop. By the time they were there, it was too late.” Just an excuse—I didn’t bother stopping them. Cyan, green, purple mist—anyone with a brain would know it’s trouble. Rushing in to sniff it? Asking for it. Letting them sleep was my good deed. The trio was speechless. Knowing me, they wisely stayed by my side instead of joining the crowd. Otherwise, they’d be out too. “Now what?” Jiang Tianming frowned. “If this mist spreads city-wide, we’re in trouble.” Lan Subing asked hopefully: “Can my ability stop it?” Her ability was stronger against single targets, even High-Level Beasts. “Not really,” I shrugged. “Sleep Nightmare Beasts are control-immune and take no physical damage.” Seeing me speak so knowingly, Wu Mingbai looked suspicious: “The Academy didn’t teach this Beast. How do you know so much?”