Cosmic Demon

Chapter 1 Hongzhi Class, Summer Job

Dongxia, Hengzhou rising star, Tai'an metropolitan area.

At the Silver Horse Gym located in the center of the commercial street, a brown and yellow stuffed bear squeezed through the door, staggered to the bottom of the central air-conditioning outlet, and commented on the muscular man in the equipment area:
"That's what newbies do. They're exhausted after just a few sets of training."

"Brother Kun just finished the punching strength test, and the final result was 275kg.

May I ask, young man, how many punches can you withstand with your body?"

Qin Shi, who was standing at the front desk, smiled and handed over a bottle of mineral water.

In the hot summer, distributing flyers while wearing heavy stuffed bear clothes is really hard work.

"So what? If we really fight, at most one punch, he will kneel on the ground and beg me not to die!"

The boy took off his hood and his skin was slightly dark. He was sweating profusely and greedily enjoying the cool air:

"Lao Qin, tell me the truth, did you bribe Lao Xu? We all came out to work during the summer vacation, why are you here enjoying the air conditioning while I am standing on the street soliciting customers in the 30-degree heat?"

The boy's name is "Zhou Ning", Qin's classmate, neighbor and childhood friend.

They are both senior students at Xinyi Middle School, and they work and study during the summer vacation.

"Mr. Xu is a money-hungry person, but I am penniless, so how can I afford to bribe you?"

Qin Shi said calmly:

"He just said that I have the business ability to be qualified for front desk work, and that I am quite outstanding."

Zhou Ning was puzzled:
"What's the difference between sitting at the front desk and issuing cards for people and me going out to hand out flyers? Who can't do it..."

Before he finished speaking, his eyes suddenly became sharp as if a radar was activated!
With a quick reaction of a few tenths of a second, he fell towards the door with great accuracy and locked onto a beautiful older sister wearing a pink sports vest and tight yoga pants.

The latter strode in gracefully, completely ignoring the eye-catching bear teddy bear Zhou Ning, and stared at Qin Shi with a smile:

"Brother Xiao Qin, is Coach Luo here today?"

Qin Shi quickly showed a shy smile:
"Coach Luo usually comes after three o'clock. Miss Lin, as a distinguished VIP member of our store, you can go to the VIP room to rest first. If you need coffee, light meals, or desserts, just let us know."

The beautiful older sister leaned forward slightly, with her hands on the counter:
"There's no one in the VIP room. It's boring. Can Xiao Qin chat with me?"

Qin Shi is still shy:

"The store has a rule that employees are not allowed to leave their posts without permission during work hours."

The beautiful elder sister's eyes curved into crescents and she asked deliberately:

"You mean you can be my companion after get off work?"

Qin Shi lowered his head awkwardly, as if he was at a loss.

This attitude, combined with the delicate and pretty young face, made the beautiful elder sister feel even more pleasing to the eye:
"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore. Sister is in a good mood, so please help me renew my membership card later."

This little episode came suddenly and went away quickly.

Watching the beautiful older sister with graceful curves walk into the VIP room, Qin Shi silently put away his business expression.

Zhou Ning, who was acting as a transparent background board next to him, was jealous and gnashed his teeth:

"Lao Qin! You're selling your body for a summer job as a receptionist? You have no moral integrity!"

Qin Shi shrugged helplessly:

"I have to make a living. Manager Wang promised me that he would give me a commission for every high-quality customer who stayed with me.

When you hand out flyers, you just wear a hot and heavy doll costume, but when I'm a receptionist, I have to consider more things, such as workplace harassment."

Zhou Ning was both envious and disgusted:

"Then let's switch!"

Qin Shi shook his head:

"This job is too complicated. I'm afraid you can't handle it, Xiao Zhou."

The two chatted and laughed, and worked hard to catch fish, and finally made it to lunchtime.

"It's synthetic food again. I'm about to throw up from eating it at school."

After receiving the work meal, Zhou Ning opened it and his face immediately fell.

“There’s nothing wrong with synthetic food. It’s cheap, comes in large quantities, fills you up, and provides the nutrients your body needs. Be content.

No matter what, it’s better than the pre-prepared food and gutter oil of the old era.”

Qin Shi buried his head in eating rice, chewing slowly and feeling the monotonous taste of the synthetic beef.

To be honest, the nutritional value of synthetic food is not bad, it’s just that the taste is rather monotonous.

It’s similar to the feeling of eating instant noodles in the previous life, one pack is not enough and two packs are too greasy.

The only side effect of long-term consumption is that I feel like vomiting every time I smell it.

"No matter how healthy you are, you can't resist eating it every day! I really miss the fly restaurants in Jiuchang Street..."

Zhou Ning muttered softly.

[17535th Energy Replenishment]

[Growth +1]

“It’s useless except for reminding me how many times I’ve eaten and how many steps I’ve taken.

With such simple functions, it’s better to buy a smart bracelet for 9.9 yuan with free shipping…”

Qin Shi chose to ignore the bright and shining square handwriting that suddenly appeared in his sight.

How dare this kind of thing travel through time with me?

At least add some points to become stronger and hang up with one button!

"By the way, Qin Shi, are you going to the Youth Palace later?"

Zhou Ning complained, but he didn't waste any food and ate it all.

"Go ahead. You can earn 1,200 yuan a month here. If you go to the Youth Palace once a week, you can earn 300 yuan a day, which is not a small amount."

Qin Shi finished his lunch in no time, then stood up and threw the empty lunch box into the trash can.

"What's the use? Just say you work part-time at the Youth Palace. How much does their martial arts class cost for ten classes?"

Zhou Ning lowered his head and spoke dejectedly.

"A class lasts two hours, and the fee is five hundred, I think."

Qin Shi thought about it seriously.

"Look, we worked so hard during the summer vacation, but we can't even earn enough to pay for the martial arts class."

Zhou Ning had already taken off the hot and stuffy doll costume and was looking carefully at the beautifully printed flyer in his hand:

“Besides, the martial arts classes offered by the Youth Palace only teach basic moves and have no effect on developing vitality.

It’s not as good as the gym where we work. At least the gold medal coaches here are of quite high level.

I heard from others that Coach Luo’s vitality has been developed to 19 points, close to the 20 point mark.”

Qin Shi glanced at him:
"The gym is also expensive. Coach Luo charges you 3,000 yuan for a two-hour class."

Zhou Ning bared his teeth, as if he was distressed:
"It's always expensive for a reason!"

Qin Shi sensed his best friend's eagerness to try:

"Are you planning on buying the course? Have you mentioned it to your dad?"

Yinma Gymnasium is the best in Tai'an Metropolitan Area, with many gold medal coaches, all of whom have a vitality development level of over 15 points.

Furthermore, being able to occupy a prime location in a commercial street is itself a demonstration of strength.

At least you don’t have to worry about the boss running away with the money.

Looking around the bright and spacious first floor hall, Zhou Ning scratched his head:
"I do have this idea. The last time I met Coach Luo, he said that my physique is still okay. I should work hard to exercise. Maybe I can increase my vitality by one or two points. If I work hard, I might be able to pass the dan exam!"

Qin Shi blinked.

According to the regulations of the Dongxia Martial Arts Association, vitality is divided into nine levels from low to high.

It is divided into two levels: [amateur] and [full-time].

Every step forward represents a corresponding improvement in the level of vitality development.

Then, you will be assessed by the Wushu Association and get the certificate.

If one reaches the professional ninth dan, he can be awarded the title of "budoka".

Becoming a member of the martial arts association means being half a member of the organization.

"Coach Luo told you this? I remember my teacher at school saying that for an average person, the basic vitality is between 3-7 points, and the passing line for an amateur ninth dan is 9-12 points.

In the previous physical examination, my score was 8 and yours was 7.5. It’s not easy to raise it in a month and a half.”

For senior high school students like Qin Shi and Zhou Ning, the grade-setting exam for vitality development is of utmost importance.

The college entrance examination in the era of the universe places great emphasis on vitality, which measures the body's potential.

This aspect needs to be considered in any career position.

Especially the top universities like the four national universities, which are like shining pearls, have long listed this as a basic requirement for admission.

Individuals who cannot improve their vitality will be eliminated by society in advance. "Give it a try. Only first-class universities can provide courses on vitality development. The training methods we teach in the third year of high school are too slow."

Zhou Ning knew the difficulty very well, and his face was filled with helplessness:

"Top students in the elite class like Xu Mo and Zhao Yunzhu have good family conditions and can afford private coaches. They go to high-end places like training halls on weekends to receive professional guidance.

For the poor students like us in the Hongzhi class, we should either think of a way out or just go to work as slaves in the factory after the college entrance examination."

Qin Shi nodded. What Zhou Ning said made sense.

Reality is often cruel. The vague dividing line between different classes does not gradually appear after entering society.

But it has been with us since birth.

For example, the Hongzhi class that Qin Shi and Zhou Ning study in is Dongxia’s financial aid program.

The Education Commission stipulates that every school must recruit a group of students with above-average academic performance and from poor families, and waive their tuition fees so that they can complete compulsory education.

They were born in the old city area outside the urban circle and attended schools for children of workers since childhood.

For a strong school like Xinyi Middle School, which ranks among the top three in Tai'an urban area, without a financial aid program like the Hongzhi Class, the three-year tuition would be enough to drain the family's savings.

"Will your family agree?"

Qin Shi was a little surprised. He didn't expect that Zhou Ning, who was usually carefree, would also think about his future.

"I didn't do well in the last exam, so my dad talked to me and told me that with my grades, there was no chance of getting into Hengda or HKUST.

The admission score lines of these top universities are all above 700 or 800. My basic scores are not high, and my exam scores are even worse. My total score will definitely not exceed 500.

Unless I can reach amateur 7th dan in one go, I will have a chance to pass the admission line by adding extra points.”

Zhou Ning sighed:

"It's easy for me to get points in games, and I'm thankful that I performed well in the exams.

As a second choice, my father thought of a way out for me, which was to let me study in a better technical college and choose a major that is easy to find a job in.”

Qin Shi understood immediately:

"Are you planning to take the martial arts exam? With an amateur ninth-dan score, plus the basic scores in cultural subjects, your martial arts scores are enough for a technical school..."

He didn't say the rest of the sentence.

The teaching staff of technical schools is far inferior to that of first-class universities such as Hengda University and University of Science and Technology of China.

Even if one works extremely hard, it is difficult to reach the amateur fifth dan level in four years of college.

The job options during the subsequent internship period are not wide.

Most of them are community security guards, civil engineering plasterers, auxiliary police and urban management staff.

"Don't worry. My dad is at the department level, and my mom is at the ministerial level. With their help, I can easily become a section-level cadre in Old Man Nie's factory..."

Zhou Ning was optimistic.

His father runs a billiard hall on Jiuchang Street in Dangyang District.

My mother is in charge of the convenience store.

As for the so-called "section level", it is probably the security section.

"Okay, remember to leave a vacant concierge position for me."

Qin Shi smiled.

"Okay, okay, Lao Qin, the concierge will definitely keep it for you.

But what do you think? No matter how heavy the burden on our family is, we can't drop out of school!
Even if we are used as space cattle and horses to build infrastructure, we still have requirements for the development of vitality!"

Zhou Ning looked at him with concern.

Compared to myself, my best friend Qin Shi's grades are slightly better. His basic scores and regular exams are not bad, and he is at an average level in the class.

If you try hard, there is a great chance of breaking through the 600 mark.

As long as you pass the placement test, you can easily get into a second or third rate university.

The only thing to worry about is that Qin Shi’s family conditions are too poor and they may not be able to afford it.

The cost of living in Tai'an metropolitan area is ridiculously high for children in the old city.

"I haven't thought about it too much for now. There will always be a way out. At worst, I can sign up for the army and join the great pioneering movement that will continue for the sixth millennium."

Qin Shi's eyes wandered, resting on a black border that was invisible to others.

It is like a translucent wall, stubbornly appearing before our eyes, with some seemingly meaningless text messages occasionally emerging.

[Anchor point: Qin Dynasty]

【Growth stage: To be unlocked】

[Progress: 99%]

[Number of monuments: None]

This black border, which was only visible to Qin Shi, seemed to be imprinted on his retina.

No matter how he tried to shift his gaze, it was always there.

On the other side of the panel is a gray egg-shaped object with a pixelated style.

There was a fresh red scent flowing inside, like a kettle about to be filled.

It is as hazy as fog, as if giving birth to some kind of life.

This thing accompanied Qin Shi in his second rebirth.

But he only knew that its name was [Monument].

"I don't know what will happen if the progress is full..."

While Qin Shi was thinking, Zhou Ning was still chattering:
"It's not that easy to be a soldier. You don't have enough vitality to enter the military academy!..."

Although Dongxia's great pioneering movement, which lasted for six thousand years and aimed at opening up new territories and establishing more human homes, is about to come to a successful conclusion.

But it does not mean that the era of peace, where weapons are put into storage and horses are freed to rest in the mountains, will come in an instant, as easy as turning the pages of a book.

Qin Shi can see this from browsing the news every day.

Going to a remote administrative planet and being a small and fragile screw often means that your personal safety is not guaranteed.

“My sister drives a truck and earns her money through hard work. Tuition fees for second- and third-rate universities and technical colleges are not low.

She is supporting me and my sister alone, it is too tiring.”

It has been a long time since he luckily traveled through time to the past, and Qin Shi has long since gotten used to his new life as a human being.

But every time I think of this beginning, I can't help but feel angry.

"A gambling dad, a dead mom, a sister who dropped out of school, a young sister, and a broken me... It's only slightly harder than the hell of being born in a school toilet, with yellow-haired parents and a psychotic sister."

Qin Shi couldn't help laughing, but he was not discouraged.

Compared to the hard days in the previous life when he was tricked by a distant relative into going to the park and almost broke his kidneys, and was finally forced to live a life by the side of the river.

This period of life is actually not that bad.

He looked up at the TV in the gym hall, where hot news stories were played one after another.

“Warm congratulations to “Legend of the Martial God: Kirin” for breaking the 10 billion box office on the first day, breaking the record of the previous film “Greedy Wolf”! Let’s see how the humble boy roars across the galaxy!”

"The joint examination of the five schools is in full swing! All citizens who are over 18 years old and have received compulsory education in Dongxia can participate in the preliminary examination!"

"The champion of the 83rd Star Cup and the youngest professional 9th-dan martial artist in history, Yu Li, will attend the opening ceremony of Tai'an Cultural Tourism as a special guest on September 3!"

"A man with ambitions will go to the battlefield and dedicate his youth to the military camp without regrets! We welcome students from all schools to apply for the Yinghuo Ancient Star Military Academy. The enrollment consultation is as follows..."

Zhou Ning held his chin with both hands, his tone full of envy:
"Old Qin, look at this. A professional martial artist who has already achieved the status of a professional martial artist before the age of 20 was directly recruited by the 'Northern China Imperial Capital', one of the four national universities.

You said we are all human beings, why is there such a big difference? "

Qin Shi smiled:
"Reincarnation is a technical job, Xiao Zhou.

Apart from anything else, the two birth points, Old Factory Street and Imperial Capital, are separated by 180,000 light years.”

Zhou Ning lamented:
"If my father had gone out to try his luck, participated in the development of Xinxing, and obtained the right to reside in the Tai'an metropolitan area, I wouldn't have to work so hard!"

Hengzhou, where they are, is the 34th administrative district divided by Dongxia.

The full name is Hengzhou Rising Star.

As the largest rising seaport city in Hengzhou, Tai'an Metropolitan Area has developed rapidly by virtue of its geographical advantages.

Especially in recent years, the momentum of free trade has been rapid, and countless new upstarts have emerged like mushrooms after a rain.

Unfortunately, the Tai'an urban circle is like a nouveau riche that looks down on its former poor relatives and is too lazy to interact with them.

"Remember the standard answer in the textbook? The location advantage of this region is that the labor force is abundant and cheap. That's us."

Qin Shi patted Zhou Ning on the shoulder and slowly stood up:
"It's because the workers' children were born at the wrong time. The glory of the Old Factory Street has passed. If they want to take root in the Tai'an metropolitan area, they can only climb up slowly on their own.

I'm here, Xiao Zhou, and the important task of guarding the front desk is now handed over to you."

(End of this chapter)