Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao didn't flinch, his smile widening with a casual, almost devil-may-care air. "C'mon, why don't you just finish off Lulu if she's the main problem?"

"What?" Dong Kai froze, his eyes widening as he stared at Wang Xiao. He looked genuinely stunned, as if he hadn't expected those words to leave the man's mouth.

Wang Xiao shrugged nonchalantly, his expression unchanging. He'd already anticipated this reaction—this kind of hesitation was what separated mortals from those who truly ascended. Rising to godhood wasn't about brute strength or lineage; it was about mindset. A willingness to do whatever was necessary, no matter how extreme.

But Dong Kai, clearly misunderstanding the glimmer in Wang Xiao's eyes, laughed nervously. "Man, stop joking. You can't be serious. And for the record—your life's no less tragic than mine."

Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his smile softening, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You think so?"

He leaned back, his arms casually crossed, as memories flickered in his mind. He had shared his story before—the same sanitized version he'd told his mother. About returning back, about the struggles...

But those memories, were nothing compared to what he'd endured and the choices he had made since.

Dong Kai wouldn't understand. Their lives weren't even remotely similar.

Wang Xiao glanced at the man, the corner of his mouth quirking up as his thoughts darkened. Sure, his life was rough—but at least Wang Xiao had options. Hell, if he wanted to, he could grab that stepmother of Dong Kai's, Lei Xei, throw her into a bed with that uptight Principal Li—who, despite her age, carried herself like she belonged in a luxury magazine—and make it a night to remember.

Maybe even add Lulu to the mix, just for the hell of it.

Yeah, his life had struggles too. But his struggles weren't shackles—they were stepping stones. Challenges to overcome. Toys to break. Compared to Dong Kai, whose existence was trapped in the web spun by his stepmother and clueless father, Wang Xiao's path was wide open.

"No," Wang Xiao said finally, "Our lives might have their similarities, but they're definitely not the same."

Dong Kai frowned, sensing the shift in Wang Xiao's tone but not entirely understanding it. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Wang Xiao didn't bother answering. Instead, he turned and started walking away, his posture relaxed as if the conversation hadn't happened at all.

"Hey, wait! Since you're here, why don't we plan a reunion?" Dong Kai called out, his voice echoing slightly in the empty hallway. Most of their old classmates didn't even know this bastard was back in town, let alone alive.

Wang Xiao paused mid-step, glancing back over his shoulder. "Hm? Text me the time and place."

His tone was nonchalant, as if he were agreeing to grab coffee rather than meet a group of people who'd probably gossip about him the moment he left. His social contacts hadn't changed, and if they had, it wouldn't be hard to track them down.

Dong Kai nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He watched as Wang Xiao strode back toward the office, exuding that same unshakable confidence he'd always had.

By the time Wang Xiao returned, Aurora had already handled everything.

He didn't ask what she'd done—he didn't need to. The subtle smirk on her face, coupled with the utterly defeated expressions of Principal Li, Dong Feng, and even Lei Xei, told him everything he needed to know. Whatever she'd said or done, those people had flipped their attitudes a full 360°.

"Let's go," Wang Xiao said simply, taking Zhenxi's hand. The little girl skipped along beside him, looking as carefree as if they'd just left a park rather than a tense showdown.

On their way out, they ran into Dong Kai again.

The man's gaze flickered between the three of them—Wang Xiao, the foreign-looking woman who walked beside him with an air of quiet authority, and the little girl holding his hand. His expression shifted, his brows furrowing as realization struck him.

"Wait…" he muttered, his eyes widening as his brain finally caught up.

Wang Xiao had a 'daughter'. At the age where most guys were still shuffling between girlfriends or figuring out their careers, this bastard had somehow gone and had a kid.

And not just that—the woman beside him was stunning. Incredibly beautiful, with striking features that made her stand out even more.

She didn't just look foreign; she looked otherworldly beautiful.

Dong Kai's mouth fell open slightly. "You—" He stopped himself, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Wang Xiao barely glanced at him, raising a brow. "Something on your mind?"

Dong Kai laughed softly, more at himself than anything else. "Our lives really are different…"

Wang Xiao smiled faintly, his usual air of detached amusement returning as he disappeared from Dong Kai's view, walking away with Aurora and Zhenxi by his side.

Dong Kai stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where Wang Xiao had just been. His mind shook, thoughts of what could've been and what was.

"Yeah," he muttered to himself, the bitter smile lingering. "Definitely different…"

______

"He's the one who captured you?"

The Shura King's voice boomed across the skies, a deep rumble that seemed to make even the wind stop. High above the city, he hovered atop a massive bat, its leathery wings flapping slow and heavy, like the heartbeat of a giant. His armor was blacker than a moonless night, each plate shimmering with a dull, menacing gleam.

Eyes like twin shards of obsidian glared down, locking onto Wang Xiao, who strolled below with his daughter and Aurora at his side.

This was the same warrior who had intercepted Hei Lian, brought her here. Now, he stood tall and unyielding, his presence like a storm brewing, his gaze sharp enough to cut steel. The Shura King wasn't alone—behind him, a swarm of Shura warriors floated on their smaller bats, their crimson eyes glowing like embers in the dark.

Hei Lian hovered nearby, her arms crossed, her lip curled in a half-sneer. She snorted, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Yeah, it's him. But didn't Father say we're supposed to find the strongest warrior first? Not just pick fights for fun?"

Her tone was sharp, her glare enough to pierce even the Shura King's pride.

He didn't flinch. "The strongest warrior of this world? I'll know him when I see him. And this one—" his gaze snapped back to Wang Xiao—"looks strong enough to bleed."

Hei Lian's scowl deepened. 'Idiots.' The Shura King's hot temper had always been a problem. Her father's orders had been clear: find the strongest, but don't make a mess.

Yet here they were, ready for chaos above a human city like a scene straight out of a nightmare.

Still, a part of her, a small part she wouldn't admit to, wanted to see Wang Xiao suffer.

That cocky bastard had captured her, humiliated her. Now, these trained Shura warriors would show him what real power looked like. Even if he survived, he'd learn his place.

Her lips twitched into a faint smile. 'Let's see how your arrogance holds up against them'

SCREECH!

The Shura King's bat screeched, its voice a high-pitched wail that sent shivers down even Hei Lian's spine. Around him, the smaller bats followed suit, their cries filling the air like a war cry.

Below, oblivious to the tension building above, Wang Xiao walked casually, his daughter skipping at his side.

Aurora kept her usual calm, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings, sensing the faint tremors of hostility in the air.

"They've been hunting him for weeks," Hei Lian muttered, her voice laced with irritation. "And now they finally find him."

Her gaze dropped to Wang Xiao, his carefree stroll like he owned the ground beneath his feet.

She clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling over. Coming all the way from Purgatory, crossing worlds to reach this place, she never imagined she'd be bested and captured.

Yet here she was, left to hover in the shadow of her own defeat, watching this like a reluctant spectator.

The Shura King's voice echoed, loud and sharp. "Prepare the swarm."

Hei Lian sighed, her irritation now mixed with dread. This wasn't going to end cleanly, and she knew it. If her father found out about this mess, there'd be hell to pay. But for now, all she could do was watch.

'Let the fool learn the hard way,' she thought, her smile returning.

And Wang Xiao? He didn't even look up.

"Going somewhere?"

"!!"

"!!"

The voice echoed through the air like a slap. The Shura King, mid-motion to descend, froze. Hei Lian stiffened too, her head snapping downward.

Wang Xiao was still strolling below—or so it seemed. But when they turned, they saw him somewhere else entirely.

He was standing on one of their bats, right next to a Shura soldier who hadn't even noticed him yet. The soldier flinched as if realizing too late that the Reaper had come knocking.

SWISH!

The blade came down fast, no hesitation.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Blood sprayed wide as the Shura warrior's body split clean down the middle, the halves tumbling into the sky.

No scream, no time for one.

Everything went quiet.