8: Chapter 8 Hell on Earth

"Deprivation"

Purple light surged from Qin Xiaogan's right hand, and balls of light emerged from the kitchen knife.

[Sword Hero]

[Beastification - Berserk]

[Flame]

[Turn Over a New Leaf]

[...]

So that's how it is.

The abilities of the Awakened are imprinted within their souls; once I deprive the dead of their abilities...

...their souls will also vanish along with them.

"Eye of the Undead"

[Name: hell kitchen knife]

[Source: A kitchen knife brought into hell, it became the Reaper's cooking utensil and returned to the mortal world for unknown reasons.]

[Effect: +5 Strength, +5 Spirit when equipped]

[Skill ① — Reaper's Pact: Every unit killed will have its soul absorbed, retaining its strength from life for the host to control. Currently controls six people.]

[Note: Increasing Spirit will increase the number of souls that can be controlled.]

[Skill ② — Devour: The kitchen knife can devour the dead to increase the host's attributes.]

[Grade: God-tier]

[Bound]

"Can I control six people now?"

Qin Xiaogan rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Once an ability is deprived, they can no longer be controlled."

However, Qin Xiaogan soon put the matter out of his mind.

He couldn't control many people anyway; increasing his strength was the key.

Qin Xiaogan was just about to choose an ability that suited him.

Wang Yi's crisp voice rang in Qin Xiaogan's ears: "Master!"

Qin Xiaogan raised an eyebrow and looked up.

He saw the three of them looking grimly into the rooms of the Foot Bath Center one by one.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Heizi was the first to speak: "Master, you'll know once you go in and see for yourself."

Qin Xiaogan's figure flickered, and he instantly entered the room.

The sight that met his eyes made Qin Xiaogan's brow furrow slightly.

The dark, damp room was filled with a putrid stench.

Dozens of women huddled in the corner, their bodies trembling, their eyes numb and hopeless.

The walls of the room were mottled and dilapidated, and the floor was covered in dust and clutter.

The windows were boarded up with thick planks, preventing the moonlight from entering and making the room seem even darker.

With a thought from Qin Xiaogan, the wooden planks instantly shattered.

The moonlight spilled in softly, illuminating the vacant faces of the women.

Suddenly, Qin Xiaogan was momentarily stunned.

[Name: Nameless]

[Strength: 10]

[Speed: 10]

[Defense: 10]

[Spirit: 10]

[SSS-rank — Absolute Equilibrium: Pulls targets into an Equilibrium Space, forcibly balancing the attribute points of both parties.]

[SS-rank — Will of Equilibrium: When any single attribute point is increased, all other attribute points increase simultaneously.]

[???]

[Grade: ?-F]

[Potential: SSS]

SSS-rank? Equilibrium?

This was the first time Qin Xiaogan had encountered an Awakened with SSS-rank potential.

Even more outrageous than that woman from the Investigation Bureau.

Furthermore, the word "Equilibrium" felt exceptionally familiar to him.

It was as if those two words had been with him for a long time.

Qin Xiaogan broke into a smile and said to the group of pitiful women, "Let that Awakened come out."

Among the crowd, one woman's expression changed drastically.

Qin Xiaogan let out a light chuckle.

"3..."

"2..."

The woman hurriedly crawled to Qin Xiaogan's feet, clutching his pant leg and pleading, "My Lord, it's me, it's me."

Qin Xiaogan looked down at the woman at his feet.

Though her face was haggard, some traces of beauty could still be seen.

Qin Xiaogan shook his head, just about to say something.

A childish, milky voice rang out.

"You're not allowed to bully Aunt Huang."

Qin Xiaogan's sword-like eyebrows rose slightly as he looked up.

A little girl came into view.

She was about seven years old, wearing tattered clothes, but her face was remarkably clean.

The little girl's kind and innocent appearance reminded Qin Xiaogan of his sister from his previous life.

Qin Xiaogan was just about to step forward.

Aunt Huang turned back and shouted at the little girl, "What are you doing out here? Go back! Go back quickly!"

The little girl's mouth pouted slightly, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

Qin Xiaogan's eyes narrowed, then he smiled. "Qin Pan, so you're here. I've been looking for you for a long time."

The woman hurriedly stood up, shielding the girl and looking at Qin Xiaogan warily.

Qin Pan sniffled. "Aunt Huang, is my name Qin Pan?"

Aunt Huang was also confused. "Who... who are you exactly?"

Qin Xiaogan sighed. "I am her brother. Back then, when the family tragedy happened, sigh..."

Aunt Huang automatically filled in the blanks with many melodramatic plotlines.

However, she still kept a close eye on Qin Xiaogan.

"What evidence do you have to prove you're her brother?"

Qin Xiaogan sneered. "If she weren't my sister, would I waste so many words on you?"

Aunt Huang was stunned.

That's true. The smell of blood on this man almost masked the stench of the entire room.

Such a terrifying man.

If he really wanted a little girl, why would he waste words with her?

Qin Xiaogan beckoned to Qin Pan. "Come here."

Qin Pan looked at Qin Xiaogan with her innocent eyes blinking.

"Aunt Huang, can I go over?"

Aunt Huang sighed and then nodded.

She had no choice but to agree.

Qin Pan took small, cautious steps toward Qin Xiaogan.

"Master! Master! Soul Reagents! So many Soul Reagents!"

Liu Han's shout echoed throughout the Foot Bath Center.

Qin Pan retreated behind Aunt Huang in fear.

Qin Xiaogan took a deep breath.

"Master, look! So many crates of concoctions!"

Liu Han walked in pushing a cart.

Qin Xiaogan turned back and said, "I'll deal with those later. Get lost for now!"

"You got it!"

Liu Han sensed something was wrong and quickly bolted.

Qin Xiaogan looked at Qin Pan, who was only peeking her cute little head out from behind Aunt Huang.

He couldn't help but find it amusing.

Qin Xiaogan walked up to Aunt Huang. "Come out, let big brother give you a hug."

Qin Pan wrinkled her delicate little nose and said, "Big brother is stinky."

Aunt Huang gave an awkward smile. "...The smell of blood on you is too strong. How about another day?"

Qin Xiaogan sniffed himself and then nodded.

"Master, this isn't Heaven on Earth; this is Hell on Earth!"

Wang Yi suddenly appeared beside Qin Xiaogan, her chest heaving violently.

"They are in the human trafficking business."

"I even found many human organs in the warehouse at the back."

"They're absolute animals!"

Qin Xiaogan frowned and said, "Make a tally of the women and children here, and then see if you can contact their families."

Wang Yi was stunned. Did the decisive and ruthless Qin Xiaogan also have a tender side?

Upon hearing Qin Xiaogan's words, Aunt Huang knelt directly on the ground and began to sob.

"Thank you, My Lord, thank you..."

"You are a Living Bodhisattva."

The other women also sobbed while expressing their gratitude to Qin Xiaogan.

Qin Xiaogan chuckled softly and thought to himself, "Living Bodhisattva? More like a Living Yama."

Qin Pan had wanted to follow Aunt Huang's lead and kneel, but Qin Xiaogan gently helped her up.

Qin Xiaogan stared into Qin Pan's pure eyes and said word for word, "Remember, no one can make you kneel. Not even me."

Qin Pan nodded ignorantly and then gave Qin Xiaogan a sweet smile.

Wang Yi stood to the side, her heart melting.

How could there be such a cute girl?!!!!