"Open up! I know you're in there!"
The voice outside grew increasingly impatient. Lin Yunyi took a deep breath and opened the door.
Standing before her was a middle-aged man gripping a key. Had she waited a moment longer, he likely would've let himself in.
"I'll pay the rent next week—every cent," Lin Yunyi said firmly, cutting off any chance for him to lash out.
The landlord's face darkened as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Every cent? Who are you trying to fool? I haven't seen you work a single day. And after last week's Awakening Ceremony, you're still just an ordinary person…"
Indeed, the former Lin Yunyi had no means to pay rent. If she hadn't transmigrated here, the landlord would've found a lifeless body behind the door.
But now, Lin Yunyi wasn't ordinary—she had a System.
And with Firefly, freshly summoned, she was confident she could earn enough to cover rent.
The landlord, of course, knew none of this. To him, she was still the same powerless girl.
His gaze turned lecherous as he looked her up and down. "You're an adult now. How about this? You're pretty, so I'll waive the 4,000 yuan rent. All you need to do is—"
"Save it," Lin Yunyi interrupted coldly. "I've Awakened. I'm an Ability User now. I'll pay the rent soon."
"Awakened?" The landlord snorted.
The school's Awakening roster was public. He knew she hadn't Awakened. Unless it was a rare Acquired Awakening, those who failed the ceremony would never gain abilities.
He didn't believe for a second that a frail girl like her had the talent for it.
But Lin Yunyi's unwavering gaze gave him pause—just for a moment, he almost believed her.
Then he snapped back, sneering. "Who are you trying to bluff? You've got two choices: agree to my offer, or get out. Rent's gone up everywhere. I'm only charging you 2,000 because I pity you. With your skills, you'd starve on the streets."
Lin Yunyi had long seen through his disgusting intentions.
She smirked—and summoned Firefly.
To intimidate him, Firefly appeared in her Stellar Hunter "Sam" form.
A towering figure emerged from the summoning space, clad in gleaming silver-white armor, flames flickering across her body.
The steel mech radiated power, its inner energy visibly pulsing.
She looked like a warrior from the future.
"Th-th-this…"
The landlord's face drained of color. He stumbled backward and collapsed to the floor.
Sam's overwhelming aura was suffocating for a mere mortal.
"I Awakened a Summoning Ability. Do you believe me now?" Lin Yunyi said icily.
Seeing the truth with his own eyes, the landlord scrambled to his feet, staring at Sam in disbelief before shifting his gaze to Lin Yunyi.
His earlier lust vanished instantly.
"You're impressive, but don't forget—last month's rent plus this month's totals 4,000. If you don't pay in three days, pack your things and leave!" he barked, then bolted out the door.
He feared Lin Yunyi might order Sam to strike him down.
Once he was gone, Lin Yunyi finally exhaled.
She turned to the towering Sam and said softly, "Alright, Firefly, you can come out now."
As her words fell, Sam shimmered with emerald light and transformed into a silver-haired girl with delicate features and a soft, doll-like face.
Her deep teal eyes held a hint of pink, like stars twinkling in a night sky.
She wore a green mini-skirt with wing-like accents, and her slender legs were wrapped in gradient stockings fading from green to black.
Firefly stood silently, staring at Lin Yunyi.
"Can't speak?" Lin Yunyi asked, puzzled.
Then it clicked.
"Hey, System! What kind of five-star character can't talk?!" she complained.
"Summoned characters must reach Silver rank to unlock the language system," the System replied.
"Tch, so that's how you want to play it?" Lin Yunyi rolled her eyes, powerless to argue.
She walked over and instinctively pinched Firefly's soft cheek.
So soft.
Realizing what she'd done, Lin Yunyi noticed Firefly hadn't resisted—but her cheeks were now tinged with a shy blush.
"Sorry! I spaced out!" Lin Yunyi quickly apologized.
Firefly, seeing her flustered reaction, broke into a gentle smile.
"She may be a summoned character, but Firefly clearly has her own consciousness. I'll need to build a proper bond with her," Lin Yunyi murmured.
As she spoke, Firefly suddenly stepped forward and hugged her, as if to comfort her after the earlier confrontation.
Lin Yunyi was caught off guard by the sudden embrace, a faint floral scent drifting into her nose.
Lin Yun: ??
She hesitated… then gently pulled away from Firefly's chest.
Only then did she realize—after becoming Sparkle, her height had shrunk significantly.
Firefly was now a full head taller than her. And in her Sam form? Even more towering.
No wonder Sam had felt so imposing earlier.
Then Lin Yunyi recalled the landlord's final threat.
"I need to earn 4,000 yuan fast. I can't stay here much longer. That man's dangerous… this place isn't safe."
She muttered to herself, deep in thought.
She needed a plan.
Working like a normal person was too slow. But now she was an Ability User.
She could enroll in an Ability Academy and receive government subsidies.
But that would take time—time she didn't have.
Only three days left…
"Wait… I'm Sparkle now and I have the 'Mask' ability!" Lin Yunyi's eyes lit up.
A mischievous idea began to form.