Chapter 12: Limitless Growth 7

The professor installed several real-time sensors on Lekai, allowing him to monitor and collect all kinds of data from home. Satisfied, he patted Lekai’s small head. “Go on, tonight we’ll have roasted leopard meat!” The professor truly lived up to his name—even daring to dine on mutated beast meat with the wild folk. Everyone knew that mutated beasts grew up in radioactive zones and could be carriers of infection; aside from the wild people, who would risk eating them?

But the professor dared, and nothing ever happened to him. If word got out, people would probably try to capture and dissect him for research.

The professor pulled up a screen, watching Lekai dart about as swiftly as a young cheetah. However, the smile at his lips gradually faded, replaced by a grave seriousness.

It was still spring, before the radiation returned—a time when blossoms should fill the air with warmth and renewal. Yet the sky remained ever gray, devoid of even a wisp of cloud. The land was barren, resembling a primordial world, and the scant forests and vegetation radiated not life but a chilling menace, like the maw of a gigantic beast poised to devour any who dared enter, leaving nothing behind.

Lekai opened the iron gate and dashed out over the cliff’s edge, leaping straight into the void as lightly as a bird. Midair, the rope tightened; his small, wiry body bounced once off the rock face, released the line, spun through several somersaults, and finally landed in a crouch, sending up a cloud of dust. Rising slowly, he ran a hand through his tangled hair, grinning with unabashed vanity, “Truly dashing!”

The professor nearly sprayed his premium coffee, imported all the way from the imperial capital. He coughed, speechless for a moment.

So showy at such a young age—what would he be like when grown?

Now, for Lekai, Zone B posed no challenge. Even the strongest wild wolves were no match for him. Still, old habits died hard; the moment he left home and entered hunting mode, Lekai never relaxed his vigilance. Until he returned, survival was a constant battle. Any carelessness or misjudgment could mean never returning to the warmth of home. So, while he appeared casual, he was in a constant state of readiness, poised for the best possible response.

He glanced at his wristwatch, tapped a button as the professor had taught him, and a holographic map sprang to life before his eyes. A red dot marked Lekai himself. This was an incredibly detailed map—vastly superior to relying on memory for direction. Not only that, the device also had a communication function, allowing him to speak with the professor in real time.

After a quick look, Lekai set his bearings and headed straight for Zone C.

A lone wild wolf, out hunting, spotted Lekai. Perhaps confident that a child would be easy prey, it didn’t call for help but loosed a howl, leapt from the slope, and lunged, fangs bared.

Lekai’s brow furrowed in irritation. “I’m having leopard tonight, not wolf!” In a flash, his curved blade was in hand, slicing through the air like lightning breaking through cloud. The wolf, mouth still open in triumph, had no time to gloat before its head was severed in a single stroke, its body collapsing in two bloody halves to the ground.

As if he’d done nothing remarkable, Lekai sheathed his spotless blade and continued on his way.

The professor nodded to himself. The boy was becoming ever more calm and precise in the hunt—delivering a fatal blow without even using his full strength. Terrifying. He was a born predator.

Having dispatched the wolf, Lekai picked up his pace. The scent of blood would soon attract more mutated beasts. If he lingered, he’d be caught in another endless melee. While they were no longer a real threat to him, he hadn’t forgotten his mission for the day: to slay the mutated leopard of Zone C!

No sooner had Lekai left than several wild men appeared beside the wolf’s corpse. Had the professor seen them, he’d have recognized them immediately as the three brothers who’d killed two of his mercenaries.

The three brothers stared after Lekai, mouths agape in shock—enough to swallow an egg. At last, they swallowed hard and turned to the dead wolf.

“Incredible. Was that really the little madman? When did he get so strong? He killed the wolf with one strike!”

The eldest rubbed his eyes fiercely, unwilling to believe what he’d seen.

The second brother clutched his gun, still shaken. “Good thing we didn’t try to mess with him just because we have guns. Otherwise, we’d be finished.”

The youngest, not convinced, protested, “How can we know if we don’t try? No matter how tough he is, he’s not faster than a bullet. You two have just been scared of his father. That old man hasn’t been back for years—probably dragged off by the nobles of the Sky Realm to mine until he dies. He’ll never return. Why should we keep letting the kid have the best house in Zone B?”

The honest, straightforward eldest roared, “What nonsense! If it weren’t for Boss Le, would we three still be alive? He’s only been gone a few years, and you want to steal his son’s place? How could you betray him? Besides, you know how strong the kid is. If you want to die, don’t drag us with you!”

The youngest bristled. “We’re wild men—since when did we care about loyalty? The strongest should rule. Why should that brat live in luxury while we’re in caves? I’m going to see exactly what he’s made of.”

With that, the youngest grabbed his gun and took off after Lekai.

The eldest frowned. “Second, take the wolf back. I’ll follow. That idiot third—I’m afraid he’s getting himself into trouble.”

He gave his orders, slung his gun, and hurried after his brother.

Lekai, of course, was oblivious to all this. Even if he’d known, he wouldn’t have cared. The wild people’s life was inevitably harsh and merciless, but Lekai always agreed with his father: as long as someone was human, they deserved to live. Unless absolutely necessary, humans should never kill one another.

Guided by the map, Lekai advanced quickly and purposefully.

The two brothers trailing him soon grew uneasy. Where was the little madman going? Something felt off.

Suddenly, Lekai stopped ahead, and the brothers both breathed a sigh of relief. The deeper they ventured, the greater the oppressive atmosphere became. Both felt their nerves fraying. If not for the third brother’s determination to seize Lekai’s home, the eldest would have already turned back.

Wild men were born with a sense for danger.

“Third, stop! Come back with me now,” the eldest finally caught up, but the youngest was too focused on Lekai, raising his gun and calculating the distance.

“Perfect timing, big brother! Let’s get a little closer—he’s standing right in the open, a perfect target. I’ve been practicing my shooting for half a year; my aim is flawless!” the youngest said excitedly, creeping forward.

“Wait, something’s wrong. Stop now!” The eldest’s unease deepened, and he dragged his brother behind a rock.

“Big brother, this is our chance! Kill the little madman, and we’ll have Boss Le’s house—spring all year, safe and hidden, better than the Sky Realm. I went there once and never forgot it. The opportunity is right in front of us. Why hesitate? If you want to keep clinging to loyalty and live in a cave, fine. I’m going to kill him now!”

A wolfish gleam flickered in the youngest’s eyes. He shoved the eldest aside, cradled his gun, and charged ahead.