…
"A little hobby?"
"An interesting story?"
"Some insignificant trinket?"
Wang Hao froze for a moment as he looked at the mysterious man in front of him and listened to what he was saying. Then, his heart began to beat slowly.
Something seemed to occur to him…
A silent summons, a room of such opulence as to dazzle the eye, a disaster creature that was as docile as a pet, a simple but strange little request, and a "insignificant" little gift…
Wasn't this the same as the "miracles" that appeared in novels and radio broadcasts…?
Furthermore, in an adventure like this, "insignificant trinkets" were definitely not really "insignificant."
After all, what was revealed between the fingers of a figure of this level might be a supreme treasure to ordinary people.
Moreover, if there was something that could allow him to awaken his abilities and become an Awakened…
At the thought of this, Wang Hao's relaxed body involuntarily tensed up again.
Thus, he calmed himself as best he could. Then, he looked up and asked innocently, "Sir. May I ask if there's anything you can use to help me become an Awakened?"
…
Listening to Wang Hao's thoughts, the expression on the "mysterious man" Fang Ze's face became especially interesting.
He knew that his roommate was simple and easy to fool.
However, he never thought that his roommate would be so easy to fool.
He had just casually said a few words and Wang Hao actually believed him? Furthermore, Wang Hao's imagination was even more perfect than his own design. This way, it shouldn't be a problem for him to obtain high-value information and obtain a good reward.
As for what his roommate wanted…
Fang Ze thought it was wonderful. He wanted it, too.
Of course, as a "big shot," Fang Ze couldn't say these thoughts out loud.
Thus, he tried to figure out how Wang Hao felt about him. He relaxed on the sofa and gently stroked the "young dragon" at his feet.
The "young dragon" raised its long neck and purred in pleasure. Then, its nostrils flared.
Then, Fang Ze spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Of course."
"As long as your story is interesting enough."
With the affirmation of the mysterious man, Wang Hao was suddenly filled with fighting spirit.
He thought this might well be a chance to change his fate.
Thus, using his eloquence, which he wasn't good at, he stumbled as he spoke. "S–Sir. I do have an interesting story."
"It started 12 years ago…"
"There's a place called Linshan County. It's…"
His story had just begun, but before he could continue, the mysterious man shook his head slightly and spoke in a disappointed tone.
'You may have misunderstood me.'
"The story I want to hear is something you experienced firsthand."
"I don't want to hear about rumors."
The voice of the mysterious man grew distant, ethereal, and mysterious.
"You have to understand."
"Stories told by the witnesses to the story are like a rich-tasting cake. They're full of tantalizing aromas. They're also very appetizing."
"Meanwhile, the smell of a story like the one you're talking about, which has been passed down and processed by who knows how many people, has long since dissipated. It's even filled with the stench of rot and mold!"
"Do you understand?"
Perhaps he had never seen the mysterious man so serious before, but Wang Hao was stunned for a moment.
His initial confidence had turned into panic.
"My own story?"
"But I don't think I have anything interesting…"
"My family background is ordinary, my studies are ordinary, and my job is ordinary. The most extraordinary thing is that I was assigned to a high-leveled city for some reason. In the end, I was even ostracized to be in charge of the red-light district…"
"Is it possible that Sir wishes to hear such a story?"
With that thought, Wang Hao began to lose confidence. He stumbled through his life story.
This time, the mysterious man in front of him did not interrupt him, but he did not seem to be interested.
As he spoke, Wang Hao could clearly sense that the other party was getting more and more disappointed.
It also made Wang Hao feel more and more depressed.
What else about him would be of interest to the mysterious man?
As he thought about it, Wang Hao couldn't help but think of two things that might interest the mysterious man.
One of them was a past buried deep in his heart that he had never mentioned to anyone else.
The other was about his roommate, a bizarre criminal who became an agent.
Wang Hao actually didn't want to say either of these things. After all, one of them was his secret, and the other was a secret of the task force.
However, in the face of such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he was really unwilling to give up just like that.
Of the two things, he should at least take a chance on one, right?
Thus, he hesitated for a long moment.
Eventually…
He gritted his teeth. Then, he spoke.
"Sir, actually… I do have a story you might be interested in."
The mystery man made a noncommittal sound.
Wang Hao sighed slightly and said, "Actually… I once had a very beautiful love, but I personally destroyed it."
At this point, his eyes were full of nostalgia.
"She's a girl I met when I was working part-time in college. She's as pretty as an angel, and she's optimistic and cheerful. All the good words in the world seem to apply to her."
"However, she wasn't human. Or rather, she was not an ordinary human."
"She's an Awakened. Her Awakened ability comes from her family's bloodline: Skeleton…"
The "mysterious man" sat up a little, obviously a little more interested.
However, at this moment, Wang Hao no longer cared about the other party's attitude. He was completely immersed in the past and started talking to himself.
Instead of telling a story, it was more like a confession from him.
Clearly, it had been weighing on his mind for a long, long time. He'd been meaning to let it out.
This state made Fang Ze especially comfortable.
He had not expected that his impromptu little plan would actually allow him to succeed in prying into his roommate's secret past. Furthermore, he had learned of such an interesting ability.
[Skeleton: With the awakening of this power, the user's flesh and bones will be completely separated. The soul will reside on the bones, but the body can be abandoned at will, or replaced like changing clothes.]
Therefore, gender and race meant nothing to an Awakened with this ability…
They collected the flesh of various creatures as their "clothes" and exerted different powers.
This was one of the Awakened abilities that were best for disguise and investigation…
Just like that, one person spoke while the other listened. This continued until the end of the story.
Fang Ze listened with relish. He also understood why his roommate had broken up with that woman.
After all… Who knew if the other party was really a woman!
Even if one could determine her gender through her bones, but… Who knew if that skin and flesh were hers, or… How many years their family had passed down the bones…
However, although he was very satisfied with his roommate's story, Fang Ze still had to put on a full show.
He could not really help his roommate awaken, so although he listened attentively, he kept shaking his head slightly to pave the way for his subsequent refusal.
Towards the end of the story, Wang Hao gradually came back to his senses and realized that the "mysterious man" in front of him didn't have a high opinion of his story.
He did not think that the "mysterious man" in front of him was deliberately making things difficult for him. After all, there was no need for such a big shot to tease him.
He just thought that perhaps the other party had heard too many similar stories or knew too many similar Awakened abilities, so the mysterious man did not think that what had happened to him was very surprising.
What he thought was exciting might just be because he was in the story and had invested his feelings. To others, it might just be a very melodramatic love story.
However, when he thought about how his secret experience had failed to gain the approval of this mysterious man in front of him, Wang Hao couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.
Thus, he stopped slowly with a little sigh.
He gave up.
He gave the mysterious man a small, frustrated bow and said, "Sir, I'm so sorry. My life may indeed not have been exciting enough to satisfy you. If I continue, I may only be delaying your precious time."
"So, can you let me go back now?"
Actually, Fang Ze felt that his roommate's relationship was quite exciting.
However, he was indeed tired after a wasted night of storytelling.
Thus, he gave a faint grunt and said, "Of course."
At this point, he added in a flat voice, "Actually, your story is not bad. It's just missing a little…" There was no pity in his tone, like a master who praised their disciple politely before they left.
With that, Fang Ze prepared to send Wang Hao back.
At that moment.
Perhaps the words of the "mysterious man" had provoked Wang Hao.
Wang Hao looked distinctly hesitant.
"Just missing a little?"
"I have two stories. One of them failed, but I still have the other… Should I take another gamble?"
He hesitated, hesitated…
After a moment, he finally made up his mind. Then, he quickly shouted, "Sir! Please wait! Please give me another chance!"
Fang Ze was stunned by his roommate's sudden behavior. Then, he stopped what he was doing reflexively.
However, he then remembered his "identity," so he resumed his disguise and sat there, cold-faced and silent while watching Wang Hao.
At that moment, Wang Hao realized that he had lost his composure.
This was because the terrifying disaster creature under the mysterious man's feet had already turned its head and stared at him coldly. Its vertical pupils were filled with a dangerous light. As its huge mouth opened and closed, flames flowed out…
Thus, Wang Hao quickly salvaged the situation. He said, "Sir, please forgive my rudeness. It's just that I suddenly thought of a story you must be interested in!"
"It's about the roommate I live with!"
The "mysterious man" Fang Ze was slightly stunned.
Then he quietly said, "Yes?"
Seeing that the mysterious man in front of him was not angry, Wang Hao heaved a sigh of relief. However, he also knew that opportunities were precious, so he spoke quickly and simply.
"Here's the deal. I may be an agent, but my roommate is a criminal."
"He and his partners planned and carried out the murder of a wealthy businessman."
"While retreating, it seems they were attacked by some force."
"His accomplices escaped, but he was injured and unconscious. Then, he was discovered by the Investigation Department that came after them."
"When he woke up, he'd lost his memory. The Investigation Department and the Security Bureau decided to fake his identity and make him think he was an agent. They wanted him to help solve the case and lure his partners into showing up."
"Furthermore, I was given the secret assignment of becoming his roommate and keeping a close eye on him!"
"…"
"…"
At the same time, the "mysterious man" Fang Ze was speechless.
???
"Hold on."
"Wait a minute."
"What did I hear?"
"I'm a criminal???"
At that moment, belatedly, Fang Ze suspected that something was wrong with his ears…