Chapter Text
The world was unfair from the very beginning. Now, it was worse.
A decade ago, the "Awakening" began—an era that persists to this day, with no end in sight. This was not the gift of fantastic superpowers, but a more gruesome shift in reality.
Of the global population, only a fraction—around two billion—are registered as "Awakened." The remaining six billion are either dormant, incapable, or, most dangerously, unregistered. They are categorized into classes: F, D, C, B, A, and the pinnacle, S. Only twenty S-class individuals are known to exist worldwide.
From this new hierarchy, a power structure emerged: the Ten Seats. These were the ten most powerful Awakened in the nation, a title so formidable that even most S-classes could not claim one. While a rare, exceptional B-class might earn a place, the Seats were overwhelmingly occupied by S-class elites.
And above them all was the leader of the Ten Seats, known by a single, chilling title: The Spectator. He was a figure shrouded in mystery, spoken of as cold, unyielding, and utterly untouchable.
The most terrifying part of this new world, however, was the unknown. Like the fact that in a popular local café, a barista named You Huo—registered as a harmless D-class—was in truth an unregistered S-class, hiding in plain sight.
"Goodbye, have a good day," You Huo said, waving calmly to a regular. He moved behind the counter with an effortless grace, making drinks and taking orders simultaneously.
Riang Ling, a delicate girl in her school uniform, approached the counter. "Gege, the usual, please!"
You Huo gave a slight nod. With a fluid motion, he sent the coffee shaker skimming across the counter. It landed with a precise clank directly in the center of the serving tray. New customers stared, dumbfounded, while the regulars didn't even glance up, long accustomed to the barista's unnerving talent.
The murmured gossip was a constant, familiar hum in the café.
"How can he be a beauty, a genius, and so impossibly skilled? I wish my grandson was even half as capable."
"Ah... he's practically a god disguised as a D-class."
"I can't believe it!"
The source of this chatter was "Dosukso Cafe Latte," a place that never seemed to close. The original owner, a kind old lady who had worked alongside You Huo, was now bedridden, battling cancer. With no family of her own, she had already signed the café over to him, ensuring it would be in capable hands.
You Huo finished Riang Ling's matcha latte. Without a word, he slid the cup across the counter. "Catch."
The drink glided smoothly through the air, its contents perfectly still, until it slid to a stop right before Riang Ling. She didn't even need to move a muscle to receive it.
"Here's a tip, Gege," she beamed.
You Huo offered a brief smile, plucking the bill from her fingers with two of his own while his other hand effortlessly managed two coffee shakers. "Thanks. Enjoy your drink."
Riang Ling took a sip. As perfect as always. "You deserve it! Fetch me a lemon tart, please."
With his free hand, You Huo placed a tart on a clean silver plate and sent it skating down the countertop. It spun to a graceful halt at Riang Ling's usual seat. "Cash or card?"
"Card."
"Thank you."
The door chimed. A new customer, Chu Yue, entered and immediately pushed her sunglasses onto her head. "HuoHuo, dear! How's work?"
You Huo didn't pause his rhythmic movements. "Horribly wonderful."
A sly smile touched Chu Yue's lips. "Interesting."
Chu Yue slid onto a polished walnut stool at the counter, her eyes—sharp and discerning—following You Huo’s every move. The regulars instinctively quieted, sensing a shift in the air.
“Horribly wonderful?” she echoed, her voice a low murmur meant only for him. “That sounds like a paradox only you could live.”
You Huo’s hands never stilled, steaming milk for a cappuccino. “The ‘horrible’ is the endless chatter. The ‘wonderful’ is that it pays the bills.” He finished the drink with a rosetta that was a little too perfect, the leaves looking almost like a crest of flames.
Chu Yue accepted the cappuccino he placed before her without having ordered it. She took a slow sip, her gaze drifting pointedly towards Riang Ling, who was happily nibbling her lemon tart. “And the unregistered D-class, casually performing feats of kinetic precision for a schoolgirl’s applause? Which part of that is horrible, and which is wonderful?”
A flicker of something cold passed behind You Huo’s eyes, there and gone in an instant. His customer-service smile didn't waver. “The wonderful part is her continued patronage. The horrible part,” he said, his voice dropping, “would be if anyone were to disrupt that.”
The unspoken threat hung in the air between them, as palpable as the rich scent of coffee.
Just then, the cheerful chime of the doorbell sounded again, starkly out of place. Three men in severe, dark grey suits stepped in. They moved with a synchronized, predatory grace that immediately silenced the room. The air grew heavy, charged with a static that made the hairs on one's arm stand up.
The man in the lead, his features sharp and impassive, scanned the room before his eyes landed on You Huo. He ignored the queue and walked directly to the counter.
“We’re here for an inspection,” he stated, his voice flat. He placed a badge on the counter. It was matte black, embossed with a silver scale—the insignia of the Global Awakened Registry. “Routine compliance check for all D-class or lower establishments.”
You Huo slowly set down the towel he was holding. He met the man’s gaze, his own expression unreadably calm.
“Of course,” You Huo said, his voice even. “How can I help you gentlemen?”
The lead inspector’s lips curled into a thin, humorless smile. “You can start by giving us your real name. And then, you can explain the massive, uncontained S-class energy signature that’s currently emanating from this café.”
You Huo’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He had sworn he’d suppressed his energy signature perfectly, compressing it down to the faint, harmless hum of a D-class.
He offered a placating smile, the lie flowing smoothly from his lips. "A mistake, perhaps. Someone here might be having a latent episode. Who knows?"
The lead inspector’s frown deepened, his gaze sweeping over the quaint, sun-dappled café with open condescension. "In a place like this?"
You Huo’s eye gave a single, almost imperceptible twitch. "Are you discriminating against this establishment?"
"No, no, don't misunderstand," the inspector said, though his tone was anything but apologetic. "It's just... statistically improbable. How could such a... modest cafe attract the attention of an S-class?"
A soft, derisive scoff escaped You Huo. The pleasant mask of the barista slipped, and his face darkened, the shadows under his eyes seeming to deepen. The air in the café grew still and heavy.
A regular at a corner table whispered to her companion, her voice hushed with awe and fear, "The barista is genuinely mad. I've only seen this look once before..."
Another customer shivered, pulling their cardigan tighter. "I think the temperature just dropped a few degrees."
You Huo’s lips curved into a cold, mirthless smile. "Is that so?" he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Then perhaps you should check your instruments again. I'd hate for you to file an inaccurate report."
You Huo clasped his hands together on the counter, the picture of false patience. "You're really illiterate, aren't you?" His handsome features were sharpened by a cold, mocking smile.
The lead inspector bristled, crossing his arms. A flick of his wrist sent the two guards flanking him into action. They raised their weapons—sleek, matte-black rifles designed specifically to neutralize Awakened abilities. The barrels were now trained directly on You Huo.
In an instant, the barista's demeanor shifted. He raised his arms in a gesture of surrender, his expression melting into one of pitiful helplessness. "Please," he implored, his voice wavering with feigned sorrow, "I'm just an innocent D-class, working alone in a cafe as the only barista." He gave a despondent shake of his head.
It was a masterful performance, and the regular customers, who had witnessed his quiet dedication for months, erupted.
"Discriminating against a cafe and its sole barista who works day and night? Unacceptable!" a burly man shouted, standing up so forcefully his chair scraped back.
"This is harassment!" another woman joined in, pointing an accusatory finger at the inspectors.
A wave of angry shouts swelled, filling the cafe with a protective, defiant energy. The lead inspector's confidence wavered for the first time, his gaze darting across the furious crowd. He had expected compliance, not a riot.
"What's going on?"
The voice was calm, low, and carried an absolute authority that froze everyone in place. The lead inspector paled, immediately stepping aside and performing a deep, formal bow. "Spectator Qin..."
Even You Huo's act faltered. His head tilted slightly, his eyes widening and lips parting in genuine shock. The sheer weight of the energy signature emanating from the Spectator was overwhelming, a crushing pressure that made even an S-class like him feel like a trembling rabbit before a wolf.
He gulped and forced an awkward smile, looking up at the man.
You Huo was not short, standing well over 1.8 meters, but the man before him, Spectator Qin, was a giant—at least 1.9 meters tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, muscular and lean. He made You Huo's slim physique seem almost delicate.
No one dared to speak.
The lead inspector finally found his voice. "What are you doing here, Spectator?"
"Getting coffee."
You Huo choked, barely suppressing a laugh. "Pfft..." He couldn't resist a murmured jab, "This cafe would never attract an S-class, huh..."
The lead inspector flushed a deep red. You Huo just smiled more gently, intensifying his suppression, ensuring his S-class signature remained completely invisible, even to the Spectator.
Spectator Qin lowered his gaze to the gentle-looking barista. A faint smile touched his lips as he flicked his wrist. "I'll have a latte."
"Wonderful choice," You Huo replied, his voice smooth as silk. "What size? Tall, Grande, or Venti?"
"Venti."
"Your order will be ready in a few seconds."
Spectator Qin raised a brow in interest. "A few seconds?"
You Huo beamed. "Dosukso Cafe Latte's best service is fast and flawless."
"Is that so."
"Of course."
In a blur of motion, You Huo filled a cup, steamed the milk, and crafted a perfect rosetta, capping it with a lid. The entire process took seven seconds.
"Fast and flawless. Free of charge, Spectator."
Spectator Qin let out a short laugh, a smirk playing on his lips. He took a sip and grinned. "Perfect. Inspection over. You can all go home."
The lead inspector and his team could only stare, utterly defeated. "...Understood."
As they filed out, Spectator Qin looked back, his dark eyes meeting You Huo's. "I'll come back."
You Huo forced a grin. 'I don't want you to,' he screamed internally.
At that moment, the wind brushed through Spectator Qin's hair, the brunette strands swaying like dark wings. His eyes were deep and obsidian, without a single glint of light. His lips were full, his nose slim and high, his cheekbones perfectly defined. His face was an art piece.
For the first time in his life, You Huo had to admit there was someone who could compete with his own celestial looks. He scoffed inwardly.
'I hope we never meet again, Spectator Qin.'
He thought the words loudly in his head, his face a mask of tender politeness as he watched the most dangerous man in the world walk away.