Demon.
This specifically refers to strange humans who have been granted supernatural powers by unknown entities and pose a threat to normal society.
The “demons” apprehended by the Demon Investigation Bureau are these very people.
When they handle cases, ninety-nine percent are related to demons.
But the definition of demons is extremely broad.
In a certain sense, someone like Sun Xiaohui, a Nianxie Ability User, could also be considered a demon. Anyone with unique powers can be counted as a demon.
So possessing supernatural abilities isn’t really the key factor in defining a demon. The real question is: are you useful to our government? And then, do you at least look human?
If you look human, you’re a good person. If you’re useful, you’re a good person. If you’re not useful, you’re a demon. Even if you don’t look human, but you’re still useful to the government, then you’re at least half a good person.
All citizens have to go through a full set of government inspections. Only after being proven harmless will an Identity Card be issued.
If the government finds you problematic, or you don’t register, then you won’t get an Identity Card.
Without an Identity Card, you can’t get any job in civilized society. No one dares to hire you. You’ll be forced to work in those illegal grey areas.
That brings the topic around to my own [Government Certified Harmless Demon Legal ID Card].
As the name suggests, it’s a special Identity Card issued by the government after officially recognizing a demon as harmless.
“What a pity.”
But now it seems that even with my Government Certified Harmless Demon Legal ID Card, I still can’t find a job in civilized society.
“So thirsty, I want a drink.”
Xu Bei sat on the bench, shaking his leg, his tongue parched. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol all day.
The first thing he’d done after returning to civilized society was get a haircut. The second thing was to quit drinking.
But getting a haircut is easy. Quitting drinking is hard.
He’d made his living as a bartender before, earning commission from selling drinks.
Selling drinks came with the extra service of chatting and drinking with customers. Drinking every day, he’d long since become a heavy alcoholic.
With nothing to do, Xu Bei noticed a few old men playing chess in a corner of the park, so he walked over and sat beside them to watch.
Each old man had a tripod set up in front of him, with a tablet on it, and a folding tea table next to it, a pot of tea brewing. They could sit there all afternoon, comfortable and at ease.
“Don’t block my cards, Bro Ba!”
“If I don’t block you, how can I win?”
“So shameless!”
As he got closer, Xu Bei heard the old men cursing and trash-talking each other. Their mouths were foul, and the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.
Xu Bei realized they weren’t playing regular chess—they were playing digital auto chess, an eight-player match, scheming against each other, having a blast.
Are old guys these days really playing chess like this?
“Young man, do you know how to play chess?” An old man saw the young man standing beside him and instantly switched to a friendly tone.
“I don’t know a thing. I’m just here to watch the fighting scenes.” Xu Bei shook his head and replied.
“Sit down, pour yourself some tea, I’ll teach you.” The old man smiled.
“Alright.” Xu Bei accepted with pleasure.
Of course, he wasn’t interested in learning auto chess. He just wanted to drink tea for free.
He crossed his legs and sat there for half the day, only leaving at dusk.
After saying goodbye to the old men, Xu Bei went to the convenience store to pick up Sun Xiaohui after work.
After all, this was pretty much the only job he could do right now.
Xu Bei arrived at the convenience store where Sun Xiaohui worked, but didn’t go in to bother her. He just sat on the bench outside, where customers could rest for a bit.
Sun Xiaohui’s job was cashier, standing there all afternoon.
It was easy enough, and there weren’t many customers in the afternoon, so her legs just got a bit sore.
“Xu-ge, what are you doing here?”
Before long, Sun Xiaohui finished her shift.
Still wearing her store uniform, she spotted Xu Bei as soon as she stepped out, and immediately walked over like a happy little puppy.
She was holding a plastic bag with four half-price bento boxes inside—enough for the two of them for lunch and dinner that day.
“I came to pick you up after work, and protect you on your way home. Since I’m living at your place, I have to do something.” Xu Bei chuckled.
“Hehe.” Sun Xiaohui was touched, but didn’t know how to respond with a witty remark, so she just giggled awkwardly.
“This place is pretty close to Meteor Street. The security isn’t great. How do you, a girl, manage to go back and forth safely every day?” Xu Bei joked.
“Stop right there!”
But before they’d gone far, a few punks suddenly jumped out from a dark alley and blocked their path.
Xu Bei’s joke instantly became reality. His smile froze, and he stepped in front of Sun Xiaohui.
Sun Xiaohui was a first-rate natural beauty. Walking around at night was dangerous, and it was all too common to run into trouble with thugs.
“Blondie! Don’t think I won’t recognize you just because you cut your hair short! Even if you turned to ashes, I’d still know you!”
A loud shout came from the other side, a finger pointing straight at him. Xu Bei was stunned for a moment.
So they weren’t after Sun Xiaohui?
“And you are?” He looked carefully, but didn’t recognize the man.
The newcomer was a giant, bald man nearly two meters tall, wearing a thin tank top that showed off his powerful muscles and fists the size of soup pots, his fingers covered in calluses.
The rest of his crew were all strong men, each one looking physically formidable.
Xu Bei could tell at a glance these guys were from the gym, or maybe boxers from a boxing club—definitely not your average street thugs.
“Damn bartender! Because of you, my girlfriend broke up with me! I’m here to settle the score!” the giant roared.
“I think your girlfriend breaking up with you has nothing to do with her coming to the bar for a drink. Our place is the most honest bar on all of Meteor Street. Prices are clear, we never cheat anyone. The girl pays, I provide the service—mutual consent.” Xu Bei replied calmly, as if he’d said this a hundred times.
It was clear this kind of thing had happened before. He already had a script ready.
“Nonsense!” the giant shouted angrily.
“I think the real problem is your looks and intelligence.” Xu Bei tapped his own forehead, hinting the guy was an idiot.
“Xu-ge, stop provoking him.” Sun Xiaohui hurried to persuade him.
“Pretty boy, you’re looking to die! We know you’ve already been kicked out of the Veil Bar! And you’re still out here tricking women! Tonight, I’m going to teach you a lesson!” As he spoke, the giant swung his fist, ready to beat up Xu Bei.
But Xu Bei suddenly reached out and, like performing a magic trick, flashed his Government Certified Harmless Demon Legal ID Card.
The giant actually stopped, took a serious look at the card, and exclaimed, “Demon?”
“I advise you to think carefully.” Xu Bei said.
The giant swallowed, a little intimidated, suddenly unsure what to do.
What exactly is a demon?
As explained earlier, they’re all monsters who can kill without blinking an eye.
But with so many of his brothers watching, how could he back down and lose face?
So the giant bellowed, “Don’t try to scare me! Just a government-recruited demon! Still not a real man!”
Then, he swung his fist at Xu Bei again.
Xu Bei leaned back and pulled Sun Xiaohui along to dodge the heavy punch.
“Ah!”
But the clumsy Sun Xiaohui tripped over her own feet and fell right on her butt.
Even so, she clung tightly to the four half-price bentos—after all, they needed to eat.
The giant’s punch missed, but he threw another one, showing no intention of letting Xu Bei off.