Jian Ran raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

    Bai Lian grabbed a water bottle from a nearby table, emptied it, and crumpled it in his hand.

    “Look at this bottle. It’s like my heart, shattered by your cruelty. How do I fix it?”

    Jian Ran paused, then took the bottle from him, blew into the opening, and watched it reinflate.

    “Just blow into it!”

    She glanced at Bai Lian and noticed his odd smirk.

    Jian Ran: ...

    Suddenly, she realized the double entendre.

    Of course.

    Expecting seriousness from this man was like expecting a cow to appreciate piano music.

    【??? I’m tired of instantly understanding these jokes!】

    【Is this how straight-A students feel during exams?】

    【Why do I always get it immediately?! I hate myself!】

    【How do I make my girlfriend say these words?】

    【How do I make my NEIGHBOR’S girlfriend hear these words?】

    【The internet is WILD!!!】

    The fun never lasts.

    The event ended.

    Bai Lian left the bar and headed toward the staff dormitory.

    Under dim streetlights, hands in pockets, he walked into the breeze, his shadow stretching behind him.

    When the shadow vanished, he stopped and looked up.

    A crimson fog crept from the horizon, devouring the moon and stars.

    Unnoticed, the same fog began swirling around Bai Lian.

    It thickened until the streetlights barely pierced through.

    “What’s happening?”

    Bai Lian pulled his hand from his pocket, frowning at the unnatural shift.

    This is too strange. Can dungeons mutate?

    This red fog was anything but normal!

    【Damn, where’d all this fog come from?】

    Another notification, this time personal.

    A unique class!

    20,000 Rule Points!

    Ninety-four skill books!

    “At least the SSS rating wasn’t stolen...” Bai Lian sighed in relief.

    He’d feared the mutation would void his perfect score.

    If that happened, he’d hunt down whoever caused this and make them regret it.

    “Unique Class: Shadow Sovereign? What’s that?”

    An answer came instantly.

    An eye erupted from his head!

    It tore through space itself—a violet-green orb, cold and emotionless.

    Even Bai Lian shuddered under its gaze.

    Staring too long might make my head explode!

    Suddenly...

    The eye locked onto him.

    Before he could react, it plunged into the crown of his skull!

    “Hmm~ Uh... Am I okay?”

    Bai Lian braced for pain, but nothing came.

    Only strange new knowledge flooded his mind.

    Abilities Unlocked:

    Dead Eye: Manifest the Dead Eye anywhere—above his head, on his forehead, or... elsewhere. Bai Lian opted for the crown. Majestic.

    Dead Realm: Create a zone where his power multiplies tenfold. Perfect for crushing opponents.

    Shadow Sovereign: Summon a clone matching his strength. Double the trouble.

    Annihilation: Channel the Dead Eye’s energy to obliterate foes below 4th-tier class.

    “Classes have tiers now?”

    Bai Lian marveled. Though new to class tiers, his power felt overwhelming.

    As a 1st-tier Shadow Sovereign, he could annihilate anyone up to 4th-tier.

    Not bad for a day’s work.