The rising sun’s rays bled through the thin fabric of the tent and onto my face, waking me. I slowly rose, my back aching and sore as I let out an exhausted groan. Opening the Azure Dragon store, I bought the Boundless Bag which was a sort of backpack that had endless capacity, although the weight of all items held would remain the same.

I packed the tent, serpent’s eye, and Medusa’s head into the bag before draping it over my shoulder and holding onto the arm strap. I wielded the Shield of Truth in my free hand and began the trek to the metro station.

[Agility level 20 → level 25]

[Physique level 20 → level 25]

The longer I spent outside, the more I could feel my lungs tingling. I could see the train station in the distance and quickly approached it. Once I got close enough, the air instantly cleared up, and I spat out the pigeon’s lung and took my first breathe of clean air.

I squinted to better make out a white figure walking in front of the entrance.

“Wei?” I sped up my pace as I approached the man. “Wei!” I ran forward but stumbled over the heavy shield, falling forward.

Wei darted forward with surprising speed and quickly stabilized me, grabbing me by my shoulders. “Peijin?” he whispered, surprised, “H-How did you…?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll explain it when all the party members are here.” I sighed, clinging onto him for just a moment too long and finally letting myself relax.

I looked around the metro station, peeking down the escalator to notice how packed it was with people. “Are you patrolling? It looks like you got new clothes, too,” I said, gesturing toward his long white robe. I did my best to mask my surprise.

He gave a curt nod before peeking over his shoulder. “When we got here, there was already another party in control, but don’t worry. I’ll call Yang over to show you around.”

My eyes were glued onto the white robes he was wearing. Did someone else tell him to wear these exact robes? After all, long white robes weren’t the most convenient for an apocalypse. If an observer told him, I figured karmic restrictions would stop that conversation from happening. But, if a disciple told him, my theory on observers was incorrect again.

“Did you get that outfit yourself?” I asked, gesturing toward the long sleeves. “I could get you a nicer one.”

He shook his head. “No, they were given to me by the other party. Not sure why, but it’s nicer than my old blood-soaked pair of clothes.”

“You don’t think it’s strange they asked you to wear something like that during an apocalypse? I can buy you a better set from the Azure Dragon store.”

Wei cocked his head a bit, giving me a strange smile. “Don’t worry about the other group. You can trust them.” He emphasized the last part slightly, trying to convince me.

“Peijin!” I heard the familiar voice call out to me, and I whipped my head around to meet Yang’s arms. He gave me a tight hug, leaning to bury his head in my small shoulder. “You’re alright! You don’t know how worried I was.” Yang’s words jumbled together in a quick mess, barely comprehensible.

I tried to power through his hug, but it was far too tight—I could feel my limbs compress together as the air was forced out of my lungs. I lightly tapped his back, trying to signal for him to let go. “Yang,” I choked out, heaving for air. “Yang!”

What the hell was his strength level for it to be suffocating despite my level fifteen physique?

[Scathing Reviewer activated!]

Bright blue sparks flew out from my skin, causing Yang to let out a small yelp before he let go of me and lept back. My hands still had a small blue sheen on them, miniscule particles flying off as if my skin were burning. This flurry of sparks must have been from my Scathing Reviewer skill.

Yang looked at me, wide-eyed and embarrassed. “S-sorry! I’m still trying to get used to the levels. I just upgraded my strength level a bit.”

“A bit? How high is your strength level for you to almost strangle me to death?!” I replied, exacerbated, my hands on my hips like I was scolding him before I bent down to pick up my shield.

“It’s only at level twenty-five.”

My jaw dropped at his statement. Did I fight the sea serpent for nothing? There was no way Yang could nearly match my stats when I was the one who had to defeat a mythical beast. “Where’d you get the money for that? Did you commit fraud or something during the few hours I was gone?

Yang scratched at his head and laughed. “Well, the reigning party here set up a whole monster farming system in the train station. It’s impressive. I was there all night to try and get stronger.”

I gave him a blank stare. Feiyu certainly didn’t put together such a complicated setup in Surviving My First Run. Did his IQ go up dozens of points or something?

So, fighting monsters in the dungeon could singlehandedly boost a disciple’s early stat levels by a very significant amount… my victory over the sea serpent felt less impressive now, and my cheeks flushed pink from embarrassment.

Well, no matter what, I caught the eyes of observers and gods through my earlier performance, not to mention the achievement and reserve of stars I had. That fame couldn’t be earned by farming monsters.

Wei patted my shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Peijin. I’m sure you still have the highest level in our party if you survived the serpent.”

My cheeks burned even more at Wei’s callout. “Hey, who said I was worried about Yang’s stats? I know I’m still first.”

“But Peijin, I didn’t say anything about Yang.”

“Go back to patrolling, Wei.” My expression was flustered, and I could see the playful glint in Wei’s eyes. He briefly lowered his head before leaving Yang and me alone.

“Don’t mind Wei,” Yang said. “He was nervous the entire time you were gone, but everyone at the station thinks you’re a legend now with how much Wei raved about you. I’m sure the reigning party moved him to outdoor patrol just to get him to stop talking about you and fighting with Yue.”

“You weren’t nervous?” I asked.

Yang glanced to the side. “I couldn’t console Amelia if I was also upset.”

I gave him a smug grin. “Yeah? Well, since you were so calm, I was hoping you’d be able to bring the train station under my party’s domain.”

Yang’s face lit up. “Oh, just wait until I introduce you to the other party. Qiu Feiyu is just great. You’ll love him”

[Observers Chat]

Socrates: LOL Jia Li, aren’t you excited to see Feiyu? Technically, you’ve known him since you were fourteen. All those pages you wrote describing him really paid off, even if they were boring at the time.

My eye twitched, and I awkwardly cleared my throat. “I’d rather see Amelia.”

We approached the entrance of the train station, which was a large staircase at the station’s opening. It was a massive structure of concrete and glass with signs pointing in the direction of various train lines.

Yang led me down, and the sight before me was astounding. Thousands of people were sitting on benches or leaning against the wall—which was completely typical of a Chinese subway station—but the station’s various service centers were turned into a food and water distribution system, a cooking station, a medical treatment room, and a strange rendering of a barracks where a constant flow of men and women were exchanging swords, bows, and spears.

Yang navigated through the crowd we were at the top of a staircase leading down to platforms one and two. He pointed down the staircase. “Platforms one and two are where monster farming is set up. We’re currently at the east gate, which is the main hub for the disciples because all the supplies were here.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I can’t help but feel like I missed a lot when I was gone,” I muttered under my breath, feeling rather bitter that I wasn’t excelling in my own world. Not only that, but I wasn’t even a necessary member of my own party.

Yang let out a little laugh before walking back to the barracks to pick up a glowing sword from a reserved section. It was an intermediate level, not high enough to have any special functions, but Yang clearly established himself at the station.

“It’s not as utopian as it seems. Give it another day for infighting to start. It’ll be just like the pest control office.”

I scrunched my nose. “Don’t even bring up that place again. But Yang, don’t you think it’s suspicious that they’re this organized? We’re in an apocalypse, and they seem too prepared.”

I crossed my arms over my chest before my eyes locked on a figure leaning back on a pillar by the east gate, nonchalantly polishing a blade.

Based on the wide back profile, the person was a man who regularly worked on their physique. Wearing a tight black button up, the fabric stretched around his muscles when he twirled the gorgeous blade in his hands and carefully examined it.

It was the exact blade I wanted.

“Hmm?” Yang lowered his head to match my eye level, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Stop it. I was looking at his sword.” Was that a lie? Partially.

“Didn’t you mention once that your type was men like that?”

“Men like what?”

“Brooding, wearing all black, and—”

“No.”

Yang snickered and continued to walk forward. However, as we were passing by, Yang suddenly pushed me straight into the stranger.

I stumbled and fell straight onto him, quickly pushing myself off and blinking rapidly in my shock. I stammered, completely embarrassed. “I’m so sorry!” My gaze looked up to see his face for the first time, and my jaw instantly dropped in a mixture of horror and awe.

His sharp nose perfectly complemented his angular features drew one’s eyes to his mischievous, slightly upturned lips that parted just enough to show pearly white teeth. His thick eyebrows were raised in surprise and perfectly framed his pitch-black eyes. They squinted in a condescending and intrigued manner with his usually long lashes twinkling under the harsh station lights.

Who else could this man be but Qiu Feiyu?

[Observers Chat]

Socrates: Whoa.

Hedgehog1938: He looks even better than I thought he would… ToT

Sapling123: And his skills surpass his looks. He might be better here than in the original, too.

Feiyu aimed his sword right for my throat. I swung my Shield of Truth just in time to clash against it, causing a loud ring to sound through the station.

His smile grew, and his chin cocked upwards as if observing all my movements. “Not bad. You must who Wei was talking about.”

Yang awkwardly stood on the sidelines and brought both of his hands to cover his gaping mouth. The station quieted down at the sound of our clashing weapons before Feiyu pulled back.

“What a bummer. I was just finishing up polishing my sword,” Feiyu pouted, his eyes still mocking.

“You’re the one who swung at me first.” I panted before pulling back, holding the shield in front of me. For once, I was glad the shield was so large and clunky for it hid my trembling arm.

Feiyu smiled, his eyes curving into pleasant crescents. “Forgive me. I recognized the look in your eyes, and I thought I’d make the first move.”

Yang clasped his hands together and let out a very nervous laugh, walking between us and separating us with his long arms. “Peijin, meet Feiyu. Feiyu, meet Peijin.”

Feiyu took a step back and leaned on his sword casually, tilting his head. “Peijin. That’s a loaded name. You must be very ambitious then.”

Cocky bastard.

“There’s not enough room in this station for the both of us,” I said, my voice cold.

I meant every word. Even the sword he was holding, a sharp black blade with dark purple iridescent highlights, was the one I had desperately wanted to snag at the station for myself, but somehow, he got it first.

“Really?” Feiyu asked. “I was going to say I found you intriguing.”

“Don’t play with me.”

My palms became clammy, and I tried to mask my discomfort. Since I created Feiyu, I knew he was the biggest wildcard—no disciple ever came close to challenging him. The only true threat to Feiyu were the gods, and he killed them.

“Wei and Yue… those two disciples are great, aren’t they? You’re really lucky, Peijin. I would’ve loved to have them in my party.”

I bristled, instantly defensive. We were two wolves fighting for territory. “What are you getting at?”

“I’m just excited is all,” Feiyu said in a friendly tone. His friendliness only made me more on edge. “It’s only the beginning, so I’m sure a lot will change.”

Yang was burning up out of embarrassment from how poorly the introduction was going. “Ha ha, you guys are both so… intense. Peijin and I will get out of your way now.” Yang bowed his head in an apologetic manner before dragging me off.

We had only taken a few steps before Feiyu’s deep, calculating voice rang out from behind.

“Wait.” The sound of his slow footsteps approached until he leaned down to whisper in my ear. “You can’t replicate what my party has created, so don’t ruin it. I want to work with you, not against you.”

I looked over my shoulder to meet his gaze, my eyes cold. “I wouldn’t need to replicate it when I could make something greater.”

“You really are ambitious,” Feiyu said.

If I heard that phrase one more time, I would truly go insane.

“I’m just a pest control worker.”

Yang exchanged a few words with Feiyu, but I tuned them out, distracted by my racing thoughts.

Truthfully, there was nothing inherently wrong with Feiyu as a character. His prior occupation was as a relatively popular online streamer, and once the apocalypse started, he was incredibly cunning, cold, and calculating.

What sparked fear through me was that he was created as a reflection of myself. He was equally selfish, and pathetic—looking at him caused rage to surge through me. It was as if I were staring at an alternate version of myself, but a far better one. Feiyu lacked all the qualities that I hated about myself.

If Wei and Yue’s connection to my identity startled me, Feiyu’s appearance was a punch straight to my liver.

“Peijn? Hello? Earth to Peijin…” Yang waved his hand in front of my face. Feiyu was long gone.

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts, jumping from the sound of his voice. “Huh? Oh, sorry.”

“You look a little pale. Do you want to get some rest before the next arc? It’ll be starting soon.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I want to see Amelia and Yue first,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. I checked how long was left until the commencement of the first arc.

[Please make your way to Platform 1 in the next twelve minutes.]

“Then let’s go straight to platform one. Amelia, Yue, and Wei are supposed to meet me there ten minutes,” Yang said, grabbing a sword as we walked by the armory and tossing it toward me.

The sword was relatively heavy and I inspected it, fiddling with the handle. It was by no means a very good one, but it could work for now. Yang and I headed for platform one, but before I could descend the stairs, a man blocked my path.

“Sorry, princess,” he said, leaning on a rundown and unimpressive ax. “We’re full here, and we wouldn’t want you to get hurt, either.”

I quirked a brow before peeking around him. The tracks were full of small monsters, but further back, it was clear that more giant and treacherous beasts weren’t being fought. The entire station seemed to tremble at their roars as they pounded against the walls.

Looking back up at the man, my cold eyes met his. “Doesn’t look very packed. This is where the next arc is, and it starts in a couple minutes.”

He gave a condescending frown before leaning down to match my eye level. “Do I need to repeat myself?”

“She’s with me. Let her in,” Yang retorted from behind me, taking a few steps forward.

“Yang, are you this girl’s babysitter or something? Did boss tell you to watch over her?”

Divinity ‘Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts’ cries out at the man’s injustice!

Another message from Archangel Michael. He was strangely devoted to my party.

[Observers Chat]

Socrates: Take this abuse and I’m never giving you spiritual energy again.

I let out a humored exhale before turning around, ignoring the man’s comment. There was no point in arguing with trash like him. As I began tying my cropped hair into a short ponytail, two hands grabbed onto my shirt before throwing me as hard as possible toward the staricase. I only stumbled.

A normal person would have gone flying, but now, it was clear to me that my level was far higher than whatever this guy’s was.

I whipped my head around to face the man, but Yang was a step faster, already shoving him against the wall.

My sword let out a loud ring, piercing the space between the man’s wrinkly neck and the wall behind him. The man’s pupils shrunk into tiny dots as he stared at me in horror.

Divinity Great Sage Equaling Heaven sponsors 3,500 stars.

Observer Socrates sponsors 5 stars.

My eyes lit up with total excitement, and the dreadful feeling that I was a failure finally lifted just a bit. It was my first real star sponsorship!

A shocked Yang turned around to see me standing with an outstretched arm. The sword he handed me just moments before was now mere millimeters away from having pierced the other man’s neck. I walked up and pulled the sword out from the wall before turning my back on him.

“I’m so sorry about that, Peijin,” Yang apologized, running up behind me moments later. “I didn’t think they’d act like that toward you. He scrambled away as soon as you turned around.”

At my silence, Yang grew increasingly apologetic. “Peijin? Is everything okay?” He hurried his steps to try and see my facial expression but paused when he did catch up.

I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach as I leaned forward; my hand gripped Yang’s shoulder to stabilize myself. “Did you see that look on his face? He won’t last another arc! God, that was hilarious.”

Yang paused in surprise at my reaction before letting out a little laugh himself, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t be surprised by your reaction.”

“Peijin!” a shrill voice called for me and I turned my head to see Amelia darting over, her arms outstretched. I hoisted her up and spun her in the air while Wei and Yue slowly approached.

Amelia’s hair was tied up into a beautiful, braided bun. Yue’s hair was also braided—if you could give it that much credit. It looked like a total disaster, but I quickly smiled. Amelia and Yue must have done one another’s hair.

[Disciple Yue has activated Profiling!]

Yue let out a slow whistle as she read my new stats.

“Busy without us? Hey, you’ve even activated—”

Before I could make a snarky retort, Yue let out a surprised gasp. Sparks erupted from my body, and she painfully clutched her eye, wincing.

“The fuck?!” she cried, vigorously rubbing her eyes and glaring up at me. “Since when could you disable skills like that?”

Shrugging nonchalantly, I turned away. “Scathing Reviewer doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

[Make your way to Platform 1 immediately for the second arc.]

My party made its way down the stairs. The select few who were brave enough to farm leapt up from the tracks and waited patiently while thousands of disciples slowly flooded the platform.

Thankfully, it was big enough to accommodate all of us, though it became increasingly cramped. Amelia clung onto my leg while we edged closer to the edge of the platform where the first car’s doors would open. Wei stood behind my party, extending his arms to protect us from the shoving crowd.

A roaring erupted from the tunnels, causing the station to rumble. A set of blaring lights emerged from the darkness to reveal a train hurtling down the tracks, crushing all the creatures and beasts in its path.

“Ready for the next arc?” I said, a cocky grin on my face.

Yue cackled from behind me, cracking her knuckles. “Bring it on.”