A true researcher must devote himself to a higher purpose. That was the unwavering belief held by Erin Autumn.Born in a small, snow-draped town tucked away in the vastness of Russia, Erin displayed a rare brilliance from an early age. Both of his parents were researchers themselves, and perhaps that spark of inquiry and obsession with discovery ran in his veins. No one was particularly surprised by his intelligence, but still, there was something undeniably extraordinary about a boy who, at only seven years old, could solve complex equations that left university students scratching their heads in frustration.Recognizing his innate genius, his parents dreamed of a brighter, more illustrious future for their son. They decided to send him far from the quiet countryside to a place where ambition and intellect thrived: Neo Silicon Valley, a gleaming metropolis of innovation, home to the world’s most brilliant minds and the seat of the exclusive Genius Society.Erin’s dream was simple, ye

After the researcher transformed himself into a massive dragon, Fuse stepped forward, her stance firm, eyes glowing with resolve. She might have Noah as her protector, but that didn’t mean she could just stand there and watch. It wasn’t in her nature to stay idle in the face of danger and let someone else take all the risk—not even him.But just as she was about to unleash her power, Noah raised a hand to stop her. His expression was calm, steady.“Noah—” she began, but he shook his head gently, a soft, almost sad smile on his face.“Let me handle this,” he said, voice low but resolute. “Save your strength. You’ve earned the right to enjoy the festival once this is over.”Without waiting for her response, Noah stepped forward, placing himself between the dragon and everyone else. He walked calmly, unfazed by the monstrous form towering above him.“I’m not a fool,” Noah said, his voice echoing across the ruined square. “I know exactly what you’re capable of… That’s why I won’t let you g

“I wonder if I look good in these clothes…”I leaned over the fountain in Central Park, eyeing my reflection in the rippling water. It was a soft, distorted image—but enough to check my hair, my collar, the nervous tilt in my shoulders.Today was important. No—special. This was supposed to be the day I finally got another chance with Mio. After everything we’d been through, this meeting meant everything. I wasn’t going to let it slip away.I glanced up at the ornate clock on the edge of the plaza. 5:00 PM.We were supposed to meet at 4:00.Something must have come up.I had actually arrived early—3:00 PM on the dot. I didn’t want to risk being late, even by a second. I waited on the benches, paced the path, kept checking my phone. And still, she hadn’t come.The sky had already started to fade into a warm orange, the kind that makes even the shadows look like they’re glowing. The park was alive with the festival crowd. Children ran laughing between booths. Parents chased after them wi

Turning Back Time a little.One Week Before the Neo Silicon Valley FestivalThe sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting the land in shades of silver and indigo. A week remained before the grand Neo Silicon Valley Festival, and preparations were underway far from the glimmering towers of the city.On the outskirts, beside a nondescript loading station cloaked in mist, a group of girls clad in ornate eastern ceremonial garments bustled with determined urgency. Their flowing sleeves and embroidered sashes swayed as they hoisted heavy wooden crates onto a rail-bound cargo train. The scent of old incense and cedarwood clung to the boxes—each filled with ritual implements, sacred charms, and offerings for the coming celebration.“Ughh… Why are there never any men in our faction?” one of the young shrine maidens groaned, her arms trembling beneath the weight of a particularly large crate. Her muscles twitched, barely holding up. “I swear I’m growing muscles just from this. My shoulders

Lynn and I kicked off the ground, launching ourselves toward each other like bullets. We’d fought more times than I could count, and over those countless matches, I’d started to pick up on her patterns—her rhythm, her habits, her favorite combos. Like Fina once told me, information is a weapon.Using what I knew from our past sparring matches gave me the edge. Or at least, I hoped it would.Lynn twisted her body mid-air and delivered a sharp kick aimed straight at my stomach. I'd already predicted this move. I sidestepped just enough to let it whiff past me, then swung my right hand toward her in a counterstrike.But Lynn wasn’t caught off guard. She blocked with both arms, solid and fast. The moment my fist made contact, I felt it—her arms were as hard as stone. It was like punching a brick wall.After her first kick missed, she landed gracefully, found her footing, and came at me again with a second kick from below—fa