When John returned to the classroom, he found everyone grinding harder than ever.

  Some were frantically reviewing notes; others were practicing tactical movements, simulating combat in the aisles. Yang Quan and his squad, in particular, looked like they had literally submerged themselves in the "Ocean of Knowledge."

  "Why are they even more obsessed than before?" John muttered.

  What he didn't realize was that during his week-long absence, the class hadn't slacked off. On the contrary, they saw it as the perfect opportunity to overtake him while he was "napping."

  Yang Quan caught a glimpse of John from across the room and gritted his teeth. Just wait, you bastard. Once I become a One-Curse Ghost-User, the hierarchy is going to change!

  He had no idea that John had already fused with a ghost and boosted his combat stats again. If John’s raw physical strength previously put him on par with a rookie One-Curse user, he was now moving comfortably into the "Veteran" category.

  "Hey, where's William?" John asked the student in front of him. Had William gone into seclusion too?

  "He’s out on a mission with a teacher."

  "I see." John nodded. Ron wasn't the only Ghost-User teacher at the academy anymore; William was likely gaining some real-world experience.

  William’s really pushing himself.

  While William was usually the "play-it-safe" type, it didn't mean he lacked the guts to face the supernatural. Spending so much time around a freak like John had clearly rubbed off on him; at the very least, he wasn't paralyzed by fear anymore.

  Just then, John’s phone buzzed with a notification.

  [Target: Zhao Yuanlong. Serial Killer. Victims: ~100 in seven days. Companion Object: Ghost-Face Blade...]

  John’s playful expression vanished. He studied the file with grim intensity.

  Joke all you want, but never gamble with your own life...

  The following evening.

  Ron and John left the school and headed straight for the Nanshan District.

  Based on the Ministry's spiritual divinations, the suspect had entered the northern sector of the district. As for his exact hideout, that was up to them to find.

  "What’s the plan, sir?"

  The two were currently sitting in a brightly lit bubble tea shop.

  "The search area is huge," Ron said, glancing at the map. "We’ll split up tonight. The target is a confirmed One-Curse Ghost-User. If you find a lead, do not engage. Signal me immediately."

  "Sure, sure..." John nodded, though he couldn't help but whisper, "Is a One-Curse really that big of a deal?"

  Ron, worried about John’s arrogance, snapped, "In this world, a One-Curse Ghost-User is already a heavyweight, okay?!"

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Then what does that make Director Wei and his inner circle?"

  "They... they are 'God-tier' anomalies."

  "..." John’s interest was piqued. "Sir, what Rank is Director Wei? Two-Curse? Three? Four?"

  "I have no idea," Ron said, waving the question away. "But for me, it doesn't make a difference."

  "Why not?"

  "Because he’d kick my ass regardless."

  "Fair point."

  "Alright, time to move." Ron pulled out a small, glowing sphere. "This is an official Detection Bead. If someone uses a companion object nearby, it’ll glow. Don't activate it until after 8:00 PM; Zhao Yuanlong usually hunts under the cover of night."

  "Got it." John took the bead. "Neat gadget. Too bad it’s a disposable; once the spiritual charge runs out, it’s just a marble."

  "What, you want a permanent one for free?" Ron snorted. As he stood up to leave, he gestured to the tea in his hand. "By the way, this stuff is actually pretty good. What was it called again?"

  John gave him a deadpan look. "It’s called the 'Sparkly-Warkly Super-Nummy Berry-Tea.' Just order it by name next time. They love that."

  Night fell.

  "Am I actually going to find him today? Probably going to take all week," John sighed as he stepped out of the tea shop and began wandering the local streets.

  Searching for a human target was a massive time-sink. No wonder the Ministry was offering five Ghost Crystals for the job.

  Suddenly, a cold drop hit his nose. He looked up at the leaden sky.

  "Rain..."

  John frowned. A downpour was going to make tracking even harder. The bustling streets cleared out in minutes as people scrambled for cover.

  John popped open an umbrella and continued his stroll. Maybe he'll find me instead? As long as he didn't actively flare his Spirit Power, John looked like any other civilian—maybe a slightly too-confident one, but a civilian nonetheless.

  Hours passed. Nothing.

  11:00 PM.

  "What a drag. Dealing with ghosts is so much easier—at least they have the decency to jump out and attack you. You don't have to play hide-and-seek," John muttered, watching the torrential rain. "Guess tomorrow is another—"

  He stopped. The Detection Bead in his pocket pulsed with a sudden, sharp light.

  "Finally!"

  John’s eyes sharpened. He followed the signal toward a small, dimly lit alleyway. At the end of the alley sat a cramped, run-down noodle shop.

  The moment he stepped inside, a man wearing a surgical mask emerged from the back kitchen.

  Their eyes met. For a split second, the air in the tiny shop felt like it had frozen into solid ice.

  "Proprietor..." John’s voice was calm. He cracked a friendly smile. "Give me a large bowl of the beef noodles."

  "No problem."

  The coldness in the man's eyes vanished, replaced by a welcoming crinkle. "Take a seat, handsome."

  "I like you. You've got good taste," John grinned, sliding into a corner booth.

  They played the roles of owner and customer perfectly, showing none of the murderous tension from a second ago.

  "Rain's really coming down out there," John remarked.

  "Tell me about it. Look at this place—not a soul in sight." The man shook his head with a sigh. "Hang tight, I’ll get your noodles started in the back."

  The man disappeared into the kitchen.

  John sat in the corner, his expression unreadable. His physical senses were far beyond a normal human’s; the moment he’d walked in, he’d smelled it. The metallic, cloying scent of fresh blood.

  Combined with the Detection Bead’s reaction, there was no doubt. This was Zhao Yuanlong.

  Time to get to work.

  John hesitated for a moment, then pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Ron. He was fairly confident, but if the target had a hidden ace, he wanted a safety net. He called it being "steady." Everyone else called it being a coward.

  I don’t have to worry about him running... there's only one exit, John noted.

  His only real concern was a random civilian walking in for a late-night snack. Fortunately, the storm was so fierce that the streets were empty.

  That was likely why Zhao had chosen this moment to move.

  A few minutes later, Zhao Yuanlong walked out carrying a steaming, fragrant bowl of beef noodles.

  "Here you go. Enjoy," he said softly.

  He placed the bowl in front of John, his eyes scanning the empty shop one last time to confirm they were alone. It was time.

  Zhao moved silently behind John’s back. Just as he was about to summon his Ghost-Face Blade to end the boy’s life, John suddenly turned his head.

  "Hey, Boss. There’s something wrong with these noodles..."

  "Hmm?" Zhao paused, his hand hovering near his waist as he instinctively played along.

  "Did I mention..."

  John beckoned the man to lean in closer, as if to share a secret. Then, his voice dropped into a chilling, amused rasp:

  "...I don't eat noodles!"