NOVEL ONLINE FREE IV – Public Data and Ranking Order
“What’s wrong with you two? I’m warning you, don’t even think about hurting my Xiao Lan1Xiao is the pinyin form of [小] which can be translated as 'small' or 'young', or you’ll have to deal with me!” Mu Xuetong stepped in front of Ye Lan, shouting with determination.
The two men facing her frowned, tightening their grip on their weapons. “Don’t be ridiculous. We knew you had a thing for beastkin girls, but we didn’t think it had turned into an obsession. Beastkin are classified as enemies under humanity’s rules! And ranked sixth in the Ranking Order. They could attack at any moment!”
Rules? Sixth in the ranking? What are they talking about? Ye Lan was completely baffled, trying to make sense of this new information. Meanwhile, Mu Xuetong let out a frustrated huff. She crouched down, placing her hands firmly on Ye Lan’s shoulders and giving her a reassuring squeeze before looking back at the men with a serious expression.
“Look! She’s just a cute beast girl! How could you even think of harming her? Beastkin and beast girls are not the same at all, they’re totally different!” she said with unwavering conviction.
“Different? Aren't all beastkin the same?”
“They are not the same! Beastkin are beastkin, but beast girls are adorable incarnations! Cuteness is justice!” Mu Xuetong replied with unwavering conviction, no hint of doubt in her voice.
Hearing this, Ye Lan couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“‘Cuteness is justice... That’s definitely something you’d say” she chuckled, laughing so hard her stomach began to ache, and a tear slid down her cheek.
After catching her breath, she raised her hand, summoning her attribute interface.
“Look, you don’t have to worry. I don’t understand a thing about these rules, but I used to be human, really! So I’m not going to hurt you… Besides, even if I wanted to, do you really think I could do anything?” she added, shrugging as she looked at the three level-10 experts in front of her.
How unfair! Ever since I became a beastkin girl, I’m either chased by a pack of perverted weirdos or looked at with suspicion by high-level people!
Ah, how hard my life is!
The two men exchanged confused glances before turning back to Ye Lan. “You’re saying you used to be human? That’s impossible! There’s no record in public information of Earth humans becoming any race other than human.”
Public information? What was that supposed to mean now? Ye Lan stared at them, perplexed, not understanding the jargon they were using.
Mu Xuetong, lips pursed and eyes determined, continued arguing with them, but it was clear both men were from the [conservative faction] and weren’t inclined to believe that Ye Lan had ever been human.
Just as the argument was about to erupt, Ye Lan took a deep breath and shouted loudly.
“Stop! Could you please explain what this classification order and public information even mean? I don’t understand a single thing you’re saying!” she asked, exasperated.
Before the other two could protest, Mu Xuetong stepped forward, a mischievous smile on her face as she made a sweeping gesture in the air.
"I’ll explain it to you! Public information is what appears on the interface in front of us and provides common knowledge, accessible only to the human race. So far, public information has three points:
- Earth has transformed into a single continent, and all Earth humans have become part of the human race. The human continent is just one among 12 others, each inhabited by a different species.
- The classification order is a list that ranks the 13 known races by power. The higher the rank, the more powerful and respected the race. Beastkin are in the sixth position, while humans... well, we’re ranked thirteenth.
- If a human dies, they won’t respawn like in video games. Instead, they’ll die permanently.”
After hearing Mu Xue Tong’s explanation, Ye Lan fell silent. No wonder they were so wary of her. Humans rank last in the racial classification, while beastkin, though not at the top, still held a respectable position.
Do they really think that anyone not of their race is an enemy?
Ye Lan sighed and pursed her lips as the two men shot a furious glare at Mu Xuetong.
“You really told her? Public information is exclusive to the human race. This just proves she’s a true beastkin!”
“I keep telling you! She’s a legitimate beast girl! Why don’t you get it?” Mu Xuetong puffed her cheeks, clearly frustrated.
Just as the tension was reaching a breaking point, an unfamiliar voice echoed through everyone’s ears.
“I can confirm it. It’s likely she used to be human. She appeared near a nearby school, and I happened to be around when a flash of purple light went off. It must have been her.”
As the voice finished speaking, a dark figure descended from the sky. A large, shuriken-shaped sword rested on their back, and a mask concealed their face, giving them a distinctly “chuunibyou” vibe.
“Du Heng!”
The three were stunned when they saw who it was, clearly indicating that they knew him.
“Are you sure?”
“Do you think I’d lie?”
Du Heng replied without hesitation, turning slowly toward Ye Lan and locking eyes with her as he raised his hand.
What’s he going to do?
Ye Lan started to sweat. This guy was level 11—higher than even the three who were with her!
Du Heng finally placed his hand on Ye Lan’s head, his eyes lighting up as if he’d found something adorable.
“She’s a beast girl… my favorite! Finally… ah!” Before he could finish, Mu Xuetong smacked him on the head, standing protectively in front of Ye Lan with a hostile glare.
"Xiao Lan is mine! Don’t you dare touch what belongs to me!" Mu Xuetong said with utter seriousness.
When did I become your possession? Ye Lan wanted to protest, but seeing the four level-10 experts, she decided to keep quiet.
The two men exchanged resigned glances and sighed.
"Alright, if Du Heng says so, we’ll trust you for now. My name is Suo Gang, and this is Yi Lai. Sorry about earlier, little beast girl," they introduced themselves.
Hearing this, Ye Lan couldn’t help but correct them. "My name is Ye Lan! Don’t call me 'beast girl!'"
"No problem, little beast girl Ye Lan."
"..."
Frustrated, Ye Lan looked around, just as a notification popped up on the computer Suo Gang was working on.
"Captain, help us! We’re surrounded at the police station!"
