I'm Just a Nobody, Why Are You Calling Me a God?!

The cold, damp air was thick with the stench of rot and sewage. Narrow, winding streets were littered with piles of garbage. The people here moved with empty expressions, long since accustomed to the hardships of survival and the oppression of daily life.

A thin young man leaned against a crumbling wall, his vacant gaze fixed on the overcast sky. In his hand, he clutched a rusted coin—his last possession.

Suddenly, a deep, murmuring voice drifted from somewhere in the distance, sounding distinctly inhuman. The man frowned slightly, scanning his surroundings, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on the coin, muttering under his breath, "Hallucinations again?"

Just then, a raggedly dressed child rushed past, accidentally bumping into the man's knee. The child looked up in panic, mumbled an apology, and then bolted into the depths of an alley. The man watched the frail figure disappear, a bitter smile creeping onto his lips. He hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket, pulling out his last piece of stale bread. He broke it in half and ran after the child, offering one of the halves.

"Take it. Eat." His voice was hoarse but filled with genuine kindness.

The child stared at the bread, wide-eyed, cupping it with both hands before whispering, "Thank you... thank you, sir."

The man met the child's gaze, but at that moment, another sharp, piercing whisper rang through his mind. His expression twisted in shock as an invisible force seemed to weigh down on him. He shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel the noise, only to find his body trembling involuntarily.

"Go... change your fate," a shadowy voice echoed in his mind, its tone eerily compelling.

"Who? Who's speaking?!" The man clutched his head, eyes darting wildly. Around him, people continued about their business, oblivious to his distress. It was as if he was the only one who could hear the voice.

"They wouldn't understand," the voice continued, smooth and hypnotic. "This world has long abandoned you. But you can choose—choose to tear it apart, to rewrite everything."

His fingers slowly unfurled, revealing the rusted coin resting in his palm. A faint crimson glow pulsed along its corroded surface, almost as if it were alive, subtly pulsating in rhythm with his heartbeat.

"Do you desire power?" The voice was now slow, deep, and insidious. "Just a little... enough to shatter your cage."

His eyes flickered between confusion and a growing, frenzied determination. His breathing became erratic. Clenching his jaw, he whispered, "No… no… I don't want to…"

Yet, when he opened his eyes again, the crimson light had already seeped into his irises, staining them with an eerie madness. He looked down at the coin in his hand, and in that moment, his resolve solidified.

"If this is fate… then let it witness my defiance."

With that, he turned and strode into the slums, his figure swallowed by the decaying alleyways. Behind him, the streets remained alive with the usual noise and chaos—but the sky above seemed just a little darker.

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The final cultural exams had finally come to an end. Standing outside the classroom, Wang Yanfei took in the rare sight of the winter sun shining in the clear sky, a deep sense of relief washing over him. He was finally free from the drudgery of rote memorization and endless tests. The next phase of his training would focus primarily on physical conditioning—still intense, but far preferable to the monotony of studying.

During this time, his Jade Force had significantly improved. His Jade Skin had become so durable that ordinary blades could no longer leave a mark. He even suspected that small-caliber bullets might struggle to penetrate his defenses. However, Wang Yanfei was not blind to his limitations. Through several sparring sessions, he realized a major flaw—while his external defense was formidable, the force of impacts still transferred internally. The last time he took a direct hit from an iron rod, his skin remained unscathed, but the impact rattled his internal organs, leaving his chest feeling tight. Clearly, while Jade Skin was strong, his bones and internal structure were still vulnerable.

Now, with the arrival of winter break, he decided to return to District One to spend time with his family for the New Year. His parents worked at a prestigious research institute, and he had not seen his younger sister in a long time. For someone who had been away from home for so long, a family reunion felt like the best way to recharge.

At the train station, he carried his modest luggage onto the high-speed rail bound for District One. The winter landscape blurred past the window. Towering skyscrapers and intricate transportation networks painted a picture of East Nation's prosperity. The sight made him realize, once again, the silent responsibilities he now carried.

"I should call my parents once I get home," he thought. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he imagined his sister, Wang Xiaoxiao, running up to him like she always did, clinging to him with playful excitement.

The thought made him chuckle softly. Around him, passengers filled the train car with murmurs of conversation, but he simply leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and waited for his arrival.

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Dragging his luggage through the bustling high-speed rail station, Wang Yanfei took a moment to soak in the overwhelming urban vibrancy. Though he was no stranger to District One, its relentless evolution never ceased to amaze him. Even though District Seven was technologically advanced, it still lagged behind District One's seamless fusion of function and aesthetics.

Here, skyscrapers were no longer just functional buildings but architectural masterpieces, their exteriors rippling with dynamic light displays, pulsating like the veins of a living city. Hovercars weaved through the air, leaving behind faint energy trails. Pedestrians and robots moved harmoniously through the streets, interacting seamlessly as if they had been coexisting for generations.

"Welcome to East Nation's District One. Do you require navigation or transport services?" A sleek service robot glided toward him, its voice polite and pleasant.

"I'm headed to Star Research Institute. Can you take me there?" Wang Yanfei glanced at the address on his wristband.

"Certainly. Please follow me." The robot extended a mechanical arm, opening the door of a nearby hovercar. "Please board. Estimated travel time: ten minutes."

Seated comfortably, Wang Yanfei watched the cityscape drift by. Even after multiple visits, District One's rapid development never failed to impress him. The hovercar's smooth flight made gravity feel almost nonexistent, and the scenery outside shifted fluidly, showcasing a metropolis steeped in cutting-edge innovation.

Before long, the hovercar descended gently in front of Star Research Institute. The service robot exited the driver's seat and nodded at him. "I am unable to enter the institute, but I can escort you to the waiting hall."

Security was tight at the institute, and after registering at the front desk, he stepped into a vast, pristine lobby. The space was eerily quiet, save for a receptionist droid stationed behind a minimalist counter. The walls curved seamlessly, embedded with soft, flowing light patterns. Above, a gentle luminescence bathed the area in a futuristic glow.

Setting down his luggage, Wang Yanfei took a seat and absently scanned the surroundings. Before long, the accompanying robot approached him again and spoke softly, "You appear to be unoccupied. If you wish, I can provide entertainment options."

"Entertainment?" He raised an eyebrow. "What do you have?"

The robot opened its palm, projecting a holographic interface displaying a simple battle game. Wang Yanfei smirked. "You can play too?"

"Of course," the robot responded, with a hint of pride in its tone. "I am programmed with various entertainment modules to optimize user experience."

Chuckling, Wang Yanfei picked up the virtual controls. "Alright then. Let's see what you've got."

As the game started, he quickly got the hang of it. Though his skills were mediocre at best, he noticed that the robot neither crushed him nor let him win too easily. The matches were finely balanced, keeping him engaged without frustration.

"You're going easy on me, aren't you?" he said, narrowing his eyes.

"The goal of entertainment is to provide optimal challenge and enjoyment," the robot replied, completely serious.

Wang Yanfei clicked his tongue. "Damn, you're good. Alright, one more round."

"Gladly," the robot responded, seamlessly initiating the next match.