Capítulo 8: Chapter 8: The New Humanity
Su Ming racked his brain, piecing together fragments of memory. He finally recognized the group confronting him. Leading them was Zhang Tai, infamously known as the "Little Tyrant." Zhang Tai was notorious for his domineering and arrogant ways, but he had the clout to back it up.
Zhang Tai's family held considerable influence in District 13, with rumored ties to the district administrator himself.
Zhang Tai frowned as he observed Su Ming. Something felt off. Normally, this fat coward would be trembling in fear, barely able to speak, much less hold eye contact.
But now, Su Ming sat calmly, his gaze steady and unshaken.
Zhang Tai's anger flared, but he didn't let Su Ming's unusual behavior throw him off. Sneering, he leaned closer and barked, "Fatso, you've got some nerve. Lin Chuyu is way out of your league. Want me to break your legs so you remember your place?"
Su Ming tilted his head slightly, propping his chin with one hand. He gazed at Zhang Tai with an expression of mild curiosity and said, "What do you think would happen if I jumped out this window?"
The question landed like a bomb. Zhang Tai and his lackeys froze, their expressions ranging from confusion to alarm.
They hadn't expected this response.
Zhang Tai's fury bubbled to the surface, but before he could explode, one of his followers grabbed his arm.
"Boss, don't! If he actually jumps, we'll be in deep trouble!"
Zhang Tai's rage turned to unease. He knew the kid was right. If Su Ming did something drastic, it would be impossible to explain. No amount of family connections could save him from the fallout.
This wasn't just a bluff—Su Ming had already attempted suicide before. What if he really lost it?
Grinding his teeth, Zhang Tai forced himself to step back. "You're lucky this time. Watch your back, fatso!"
Su Ming leaned back, unbothered, and watched as Zhang Tai stormed out with his gang.
As their footsteps faded, Su Ming sighed. Troublesome.
---
He set aside the Modern Federation Chronicle and picked up Advanced Information Theory. Immersing himself in the dense material, Su Ming focused entirely on preparing for the upcoming City Exam.
The stakes of the exam were enormous—it wasn't just about securing a better future. For many, it was a matter of survival.
The basic subjects had been pushed to absurdly high standards due to fierce competition. As for the mecha specialization, Su Ming wasn't entirely confident, but he couldn't afford to hold back.
---
Late Night
Closing the last book with a soft thud, Su Ming leaned back and stretched. A glance around the second-floor reading area showed it was nearly deserted. Most students had left for the night, leaving only a handful of die-hard learners scattered across the room.
Checking his watch, Su Ming realized it was already 2 a.m. Packing up his materials, he made his way down the spiral staircase.
---
Just as he descended to the first floor, a figure stepped into view.
The girl was stunning—tall, around 178 cm, with an elegant white lace dress that perfectly complemented her flowing black hair. Her delicate features radiated a quiet grace: bright, intelligent eyes, a finely shaped nose, and soft, naturally red lips.
Su Ming's heart skipped a beat, his mind momentarily blank.
So this is Lin Chuyu? No wonder the kid fell for her.
Her beauty was almost unreal. But as Su Ming's gaze lingered, he noticed something unusual—her ears. They were long and pointed, distinctly inhuman.
A second-generation New Human?
---
The New Humans were humanity's genetically enhanced offspring, born of advanced gene modification techniques. Compared to ordinary people, they possessed superior physical and mental capabilities, along with extended lifespans.
In the current interstellar age, regular humans lived for about 200–300 years, but second-generation New Humans could reach 300–400 years.
Even more impressive were their specialized talents. Depending on their genetic modifications, they excelled in specific fields, from combat to scientific research.
While some New Humans were born naturally, most were the result of artificial intervention—genetic engineering conducted during the embryonic stage.
This natural superiority made New Humans highly sought after in all areas of society.
Su Ming knew that Lin Chuyu's New Human status was just one more reason she seemed so unattainable.
---
Lin Chuyu noticed Su Ming's stare and gave him a polite nod, her expression calm and composed.
Snapping out of his daze, Su Ming returned the nod, his face neutral.
Without exchanging another word, the two passed each other like strangers.
---
Dormitory Hallway
Fatigue weighed on Su Ming as he walked down the dim corridor to his dorm room. His stomach growled in protest—since noon, all he had eaten was a synthetic chocolate bar.
Still, Su Ming ignored the hunger pangs. With so much excess fat on his body, skipping meals wasn't exactly a crisis.
Reaching his room, he grabbed the doorknob—but stopped.
Something was off. His sharp senses picked up faint noises behind the door.
Without hesitation, Su Ming raised his foot and kicked the door open.
Bang!
The door slammed against the wall, revealing Yellow Hair, Green Hair, and Red Hair sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain.
"What the hell are you three doing, hiding behind the door this late?" Su Ming asked, raising an eyebrow.
The trio scrambled to their feet, rubbing their bruised heads.
"We were worried about you, man!" Yellow Hair said with an awkward laugh.
Su Ming studied their guilty expressions and quickly pieced things together.
So Zhang Tai found me at the library because these three sold me out. Figures.
Still, Su Ming didn't feel angry. It was predictable, even amusing in a way.
"Worried? About what?" Su Ming asked, his tone calm but probing.
The trio exchanged uneasy glances, their guilt becoming more apparent.
Finally, Yellow Hair stammered, "We, uh… heard Zhang Tai went after you. We thought…"
"So what if he did? Isn't that normal?" Su Ming interrupted, his expression unreadable.
"Normal?"
The three stared at him, utterly baffled.
Status de energia semanal
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