Half an hour later, in the living room.


    The woman sat on the sofa, her face pale with worry.


    “So you’re saying monsters exist in the world, and one was in your office building?”


    Zhang Xiaoman had calmed down and recounted the entire incident.


    His mother already knew about his 超凡 powers—she’d witnessed the system’s binding while cooking the fish.


    “No, I’m certain it wasn’t human!”


    Zhang Xiaoman insisted. “The speed, the sound… It was worse than a tiger.”


    His mother shuddered.


    Zhang Xiaoman shook his head, clearing the images. After a moment of thought, he said, “Mom, I just realized… Why did I get these powers, and then monsters appeared? It can’t be a coincidence or ‘protagonist luck.’”


    “What do you mean?”


    Zhang Xiaoman sighed. “When have we ever seen monsters before? Even Sixth Uncle, who’s been 算命 for decades, hasn’t seen any. Now that I have powers, they’re popping up everywhere.”


    “So, I think… it’s not about me. It’s about the world.”


    “You mean… spiritual energy revival?!”


    Zhang Xiaoman was surprised she knew the term.


    She read novels on Qidian daily, reaching the highest “Reading Saint” level.


    “It’s just a theory. If more monster sightings occur, we’ll know.”


    His mother nodded. “Quit your job tomorrow. It’s too dangerous.”


    Zhang Xiaoman agreed. The salary wasn’t worth risking his life.


    With the system, he didn’t need to work anymore.


    “Alright, it’s late. You’ve been working hard. Go to bed early.”


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    His mother yawned and returned to her room.


    ……


    Midnight.


    In Zhang Xiaoman’s bedroom.


    He lay in bed, counting down the seconds on his watch.


    “11:55:36… 11:55:37… 11:55:38…”


    He waited for midnight to claim his daily lottery.


    “11:58:48… Almost there!”


    Time crawled by.


    “Once it hits 12, if the lottery resets daily, my theories will be confirmed!”


    As the clock neared midnight, his heart raced.


    He’d drawn twice: first the white Hearthstone, then the gray Chewed Bone.


    He suspected the lottery reset daily, earning 1 point per draw.


    Points could buy items in the shop, but only Extractor was available.


    Frustrated by the lack of a system spirit, he had to figure things out alone.


    He checked his palm—a complex seven-pointed star with an eye in the center, obtained after using the Extractor.


    He still didn’t know how to use it.


    At midnight, the lottery button lit up.


    Zhang Xiaoman closed his eyes, mumbled prayers, and tapped the button.


    “Congratulations! You’ve obtained the white item: Holy Water.”


    A transparent vial materialized on the bed.


    “What’s this?”


    He picked it up, curious about its use.


    The vial was egg-sized, crudely made, sealed with a cork and white thread.


    Shaking it, he saw about an ounce of clear liquid.


    Holy Water


    1 ounce.


    — Liquid gold.


    “Hmm…”


    The vague description annoyed him, but it was better than gray trash.


    He searched online for clues.