"Where am I?"
Lin Fan looked around the room in confusion. The environment was completely unfamiliar.
The first thought that popped into his mind was that he'd transmigrated.
Was it really necessary to transmigrate just because he'd pulled five consecutive all-nighters? Fine, transmigration it is. But judging by the decorations and furnishings in the room, it sure seemed like ancient times.
No electricity, no internet, no phone—how am I supposed to survive this?
"Knock, knock!"
Intense knocking echoed from the door.
"Hurry up and get out here! The arrest officer told us to gather at the Martial Arts Training Ground. If you're late, you'll get disciplined!" a voice shouted from outside.
Lin Fan's brain processed memories that didn't seem to belong to him. After digesting them, he understood what his new role was and who was outside the door.
Constable?
That's right, his current identity was that of a constable—a role often portrayed as cannon fodder in TV dramas. Basically, if a constable went on a mission and none of them died, it wouldn't even be considered a proper mission.
"Nope, I refuse to be a constable. I need to bail out of this job fast." Lin Fan wasn't about to get himself chopped to death by some overzealous martial artist mere moments after transmigrating.
He pushed the door open and stepped outside.
Martial Arts Training Ground.
Lin Fan stood in the front row of the team, wearing a uniform that made him look entirely unremarkable—just another background character among many.
A middle-aged man with a square-shaped face, dressed in a constable's uniform, stood there solemnly. His sharp gaze swept over the group like the edge of a blade.
When the man's eyes landed on him, Lin Fan felt an uncomfortable chill run through his whole body.
"Good. After a month of training, you've all qualified to be constables. Now it's time to tell you what lies ahead." The arrest officer's voice was deep and powerful, resonating in their ears like thunder.
"Demons. From now on, our main task will be to assist the officials from Jiangdu City's Demon Hunting Mansion in slaying and exterminating demons."
As soon as the arrest officer said this, the group broke into murmurs. There was visible fear and panic.
Lin Fan was completely gobsmacked.
Demons?
You've got to be kidding me. The starting difficulty is this high? He had assumed he'd be dealing with humans, but instead, it turned out to be demons. This wasn't cannon fodder grade at all—it was straight-up suicide!
The arrest officer squinted. "Are you afraid of demons? Anyone too scared and wanting to quit, speak up. I'll let you leave."
Lin Fan's brain was still in turmoil. Hearing this, his toes began to shift forward.
But to his surprise, someone else moved even faster.
"Sir, I want to quit! I have elderly parents and young children depending on me. I joined as a constable because of the high salary. I don't want to die!" The man standing next to Lin Fan blurted out, pale-faced and trembling, his voice cracking with fear at the thought of facing demons.
"Fine. If you wish to quit, so be it. Men!" the arrest officer called out.
Two senior constables quickly approached. "Sir."
"Take him away for the whipping punishment. If he can endure it, let him go; if not, he dies." The arrest officer's voice was icy.
The man who had stepped forward to quit was drenched in sweat and screamed at the top of his lungs, begging for mercy.
Good heavens.
This is a one-way ticket with no exit.
Lin Fan felt a chill in his heart. His toes, which had shifted forward, slowly retracted. He was utterly terrified—his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his chest.
Suddenly.
His entire body trembled as the arrest officer's gaze locked onto him. This guy was a hardliner. Despite seeming reasonable, he was frighteningly intimidating.
"Do you also wish to quit?" The arrest officer's terrifyingly cold eyes bore into him.
Lin Fan's throat moved nervously, and after a moment of hesitation, he shouted: "Sir! I have no intention of quitting. From the moment I entered this door and became a proud and honorable constable, I've already placed my life on the line. I want to say that no matter whether fighting demons or any other threat to Jiangdu City's safety, I will move forward courageously, without hesitation. I will climb mountains of blades and plunge into seas of fire without a single frown!"
Dammit, what else could he say at a time like this? If he admitted he wanted to quit, he'd definitely be beaten to death.
Everyone around him stared in shock at Lin Fan.
This guy's shameless level was off the charts.
Could he at least cover his conscience and say something honest? Surely he was just as scared but didn't dare admit it—for fear of facing the whipping punishment.
"Good, very good. Your determination shows you're well-suited to be a constable." The arrest officer's gaze softened somewhat, clearly satisfied. "Men, bring out the demon."
Shortly thereafter.
Several senior constables hauled out an iron cage containing a wild boar.
This wasn't an ordinary wild boar. Its tusks gleamed black like obsidian, its hair resembled steel needles, and its blood-red eyes exuded ferocity and terror. It was a murderous beast.
"This is a Pig Demon, and it is your test subject for the upcoming assessment. Pick up a weapon and strike it down. When facing demons, you must possess an unyielding heart."
"You go first."
The arrest officer's gaze fell on Lin Fan. He seemed especially optimistic about Lin Fan—someone with guts and resolve. Jiangdu City lacked nothing except boldly courageous individuals.
Lin Fan froze and remained rooted in place, not out of fear of the Pig Demon.
No, it was because the moment the Pig Demon was brought out, a voice resounded in his mind.
"Ding! Small Assistance System activated."
"Name: Lin Fan."
"Spirit Root: None."
"Realm: None."
"Cultivation Level: None."
"Cultivation Technique: None."
"Innate Divine Ability: None."
Note: Specific functionality to be explored. Unknown by design—most intriguing.
Lin Fan was dumbstruck. What kind of system was this? It clearly wasn't "small assistance"—it was a "Five-Nothings Assistance System"! It had nothing at all. Was this supposed to be helpful or deadly?
Meanwhile, the Pig Demon had text floating above its head.
Pig Demon: Non-noteworthy Imp.
Possible Drop: Earth Spirit Root Fragment, Thick Skin and Tough Flesh (Black Iron Level), Boiling Ferocity (Fake Black Iron Level), 1 Year of Cultivation, Wild Boar Charge (Non-noteworthy Skill), Wild Boar Hair Needle.
What does all this mean?
When he looked at the arrest officer and others, similar text appeared above their heads, just like the Pig Demon's.
Lin Fan recalled the arrest officer instructing him to strike the Pig Demon and quickly regained his senses. He went over to the weapon rack and picked up a long spear.
The spear thrust forth like a dragon—a weapon that could pierce deep into the soul. Not bad.
The Pig Demon roared and screamed as it saw a human approaching. If not for the thick iron chains binding its limbs, it would have rushed forward to gore this human to death.
"Little Piggy, hang in there! I'll be quick!" Lin Fan circled the iron cage, searching for the optimal spot to strike. Ideally, a stab to the head would end things quickly.
But when his eyes met the Pig Demon's gaze, Lin Fan shivered. Those eyes filled him with unease, making it hard to act. Perhaps a different target would be better.
He moved around to the rear of the Pig Demon...
The Pig Demon struggled and thrashed. What was this human doing behind it?
What was he planning?
Suddenly.
The Pig Demon heard the human roar furiously behind it. Although it hadn't yet suffered damage, for reasons unknown, an inexplicable chill spread over it.
Splat!
"Awoo..."
The Pig Demon's body stiffened, its limbs stretched out straight, and its eyes bulged wide...
A searing, unbearable pain surged through every inch of its flesh.
Those present watched this scene unfold and gasped audibly.
Such ruthless methods.
Even though the attack wasn't directed at them, they could clearly feel...
Splat!
Lin Fan pulled his spear out and frowned. Why wasn't anything dropping? Did he need to kill the Pig Demon outright to get rewards?
"Good, very good. Next—" The arrest officer seemed quite pleased with Lin Fan's actions. Though the choice of attack angle was unusually sneaky, it was still acceptable.
Just as he was about to call Lin Fan down and send up the next participant, he heard that chilling sound again.
Splat!
Lin Fan plunged the spear back into the Pig Demon.
It went deep.
A soul-piercing blow.
The Pig Demon convulsed in agony, mortally wounded. Foam sprayed from its mouth as it thrashed weakly, eventually succumbing to the deadly precision of Lin Fan's cruel spear.
"Pig Demon slain."
"Obtained..."
A cheerful tone rang out. So that was it—only by killing could he earn rewards.
Lin Fan's heart swelled with delight as he eagerly anticipated the loot that would drop.