Boom.
A golden light, invisible to others, erupted from Chen Shi's body.
His muscles tightened.
Bones crackled.
The +100% stat boost was terrifying.
He felt light as a feather.
Yet heavy as a tank.
If using gym as an example, he can bench 800kg now, run 100meter in 8 seconds, long jump 15m+ and so on.
Basiccally not human anymore!
His hearing expanded.
He could hear the breathing of everyone in the cafeteria.
He could hear the heartbeat of the terrified Amy.
But the real prize was the skill.
Chen Shi focused on the new icon in his mind.
[Skill: Luck Manipulation]
[Grade: God (Unique)]
[Effect: You control the threads of fate. You can apply [Great Fortune] or [Doom] to any unit within your line of sight.]
[Cost: Consumes Mental Power.]
[Note: You are the God of Gambling. You determine who finds a treasure, and who trips on a banana peel into a monster's mouth.]
Chen Shi took a deep breath.
Suppressing the urge to laugh.
Hehe.
God-level.
This is a game-changer.
In a horror world filled with random death.
Luck is the most important stat.
And now... I own it.
The cafeteria was dead silent.
Again.
But this time, it wasn't fear.
It was pure, unadulterated shock.
Hundreds of Chosen stared at Chen Shi.
Then at the kitchen door where the S-rank anomaly had just fled like a shy schoolgirl.
Brains crashed.
Worldviews shattered.
"He... he's alive?"
Someone whispered.
"Not just alive."
"Did you see that?"
"The ghost... she blushed?"
"She gave him a gift?"
"Are we in the right game?"
"Is this Bloody Manor or Love Island?"
People slapped their own faces.
Trying to wake up from this absurd dream.
They expected blood.
Dismemberment.
A head rolling on the floor.
Instead.
They got a romantic comedy.
Okay, only romantic for Chen Shi.
Still scary for them.
In the corner.
Elena let out a long breath.
Her evaluation of Chen Shi skyrocketed.
He's a master.
A true veteran.
He recognized Annie's personality type instantly.
So he switched formulas.
Even Elena didn't know exactly what he said, but he got it right.
That's how he survived.
Amy blinked.
Tugging Elena's sleeve.
"Elena."
"I think I know what he whispered."
"He must have promised to eat the big sister feet every day."
"That's why she ran away so happy."
Elena choked.
"Amy... don't speak."
"You're ruining the vibe."
The stream was equally confused but celebratory.
[Audio was cut! What did he say?!]
[Whatever he said, it worked!]
[He seduced an S-rank ghost! Brother Chen is a god!]
[Celebration! Open the champagne!]
[He passed the death flag!]
Dragon Country Command Room.
The atmosphere was tense but electric.
The old general leaned forward.
Staring at the monitor.
"Zoom in on his arm."
"Look at the muscle density."
"And his grip on the table."
The analyst typed.
"Report!"
"Target Chen Shi's physical biomarkers have spiked!"
"Muscle tension, bone density, pupil reaction speed..."
"They all doubled instantly!"
The general gasped.
"Doubled?"
"That means..."
"He can now physically overpower two of our top special forces soldiers."
"Without using any skills."
"Just raw strength."
The general slammed the table.
Laughing.
"Good kid!"
"He's evolving!"
"The stronger he gets, the safer Dragon Country is!"
The Dragon Country stream started mocking the haters.
[Where are the foreign dogs?]
[Didn't you say he was dead?]
[Come out! Bark for your master!]
[Why so quiet? Cat got your tongue?]
[Or did Brother Chen's tongue scare you?]
Unlike before.
The foreign stream was strangely silent.
No insults.
No curses.
Chen Shi stretched.
Feeling the explosive power in his body.
He waved at the corner.
"Elena! Amy!"
"Come here!"
"Food is getting cold!"
Elena hesitated.
But realizing the safety zone was around him.
She grabbed Amy and walked over.
Sitting down opposite him.
"You really act like you own the place," Elena whispered.
"I do now."
Chen Shi grinned.
Leaning back in his chair.
Spreading his legs comfortably.
"Eat up."
"We need energy for tonight."
Elena picked up her fork.
But her gaze wandered.
She looked at Chen Shi.
He seemed different.
Taller? Broader?
And...
Her eyes drifted down.
Scanning his body.
Finally landing on his crotch area.
Suddenly.
Elena's eyes widened.
Her pupils trembled.
She dropped her fork.
Clang.
She stared at the tent in his pants.
It wasn't just a "morning wood."
It was a terrifying weapon.
Clearly, the [All Stats +100%] buff...
Didn't discriminate.
It enhanced everything.
Elena swallowed hard.
Face flushing crimson.
Holy shit.
Chen Shi noticed her gaze.
Burning a hole in his pants.
He reacted instantly.
Clamping his hands over his crotch.
"Hey!"
"Eyes up here!"
"Don't covet my sacred Dragon Root!"
"I am still a pure, innocent child!"
Elena rolled her eyes.
"Pfft."
"Who cares?"
"You think that's rare?"
"I can buy a silicone toy online for twenty bucks."
"Same function."
"Better battery life."
"Who needs a real one?"
Chen Shi raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so?"
"Then why are you drooling?"
Elena froze.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"I... I am?"
She looked down at Amy.
Seeking support.
Amy nodded seriously.
Pointing at Elena's chin.
"Yes, Elena."
"A long string."
"Crystal clear."
Elena's face exploded red.
She wiped her mouth furiously.
Slamming the table.
"I'm hungry!"
"I haven't eaten all day!"
"I was busy dealing with the ghost shadows outside!"
"It's a physiological reaction to the steak! Not you!"
Chen Shi leaned forward.
His voice low.
Teasing.
"Oh?"
"Hungry?"
"So..."
"You're eyeing my 'treasure' as a snack?"
But before he could finish teasing.
Sizzle.
The bone fragment in his pocket suddenly heated up.
Burning like a soldering iron against his thigh.
Smack!
An invisible force lashed out.
Slapping the back of Chen Shi's head hard.
Chen Shi froze.
The hair on his neck stood up.
He felt it.
A pair of cold, angry eyes staring at him from the void.
Watching his every move.
Warning.
Don't flirt with other women.
Chen Shi straightened his back immediately.
His arrogant grin vanished.
Replaced by the face of a model student.
"Cough."
He cleared his throat.
"Eat."
"Let's eat seriously."
"Food is a gift from God."
"We shouldn't talk nonsense."
Elena saw his instant submission.
"Heh."
She sneered.
"Scared?"
"Thought you were the king of the castle?"
"Turns out you're just a henpecked husband."
Chen Shi ignored her.
Burying his head in his rice.
But Amy was curious.
She blinked her eyes.
Looking at Chen Shi's sudden change in posture.
Then.
Her gaze drifted down again.
Curious about what terrified Sister Elena earlier.
She peeked under the table.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Brother Chen..."
"Why did you hide a water bottle in your pants?"
Pfft—!
Chen Shi sprayed a mouthful of soup.
Drenching the table.
And Elena's face.
"Cough! Cough!"
He slammed his chest.
"You..."
He pointed a trembling finger at Amy.
His face flushed.
"Kid..."
"Tell me the truth."
"You are an adult, right?!"
"Please tell me you are."
"Otherwise I'm going to jail even in a horror game!"
Elena wiped the soup off her face.
Calmly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Relax."
"The Horror Game has a bottom line."
"It doesn't pull in minors."
"Physically impossible."
She looked at Amy.
Who was still staring innocently at Chen Shi's crotch.
"She's at least twenty."
"Looking cute..."
"Maybe it's genes."
"Or dwarfism."
Or a curse.
Elena added in her heart.
Hearing this.
Chen Shi let out a long breath.
Slumping back in his chair.
"Oh, thank god."
He patted his chest.
"It's just a... very sturdy water bottle."
" hydration is important."
The Dragon Country stream exploded.
[Water bottle?!]