Chapter 7: Development
【Current Skill Points: 1 (Can be used to develop the “Skill Tree”)】
"Starts with one skill point, newbie perk?" Ji Minghuan raised an eyebrow, then blinked and recalled where that skill point came from. "Oh wait... I think I got this skill point during that Q&A session at the start."
Looking back at everything that happened today, he finally realized why the answer to that first question was—"This is both a dream and reality."
And under those circumstances, the fact that he even managed to pick the correct answer was already nine parts miracle out of ten.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t remember the exact question process anymore. There must've been some kind of solid logical reasoning behind it, and not something dumb and straightforward like the elementary-school-level logic of “pick the long one out of three short and one long.”
He clicked the first skill on each of the three branches, and information windows popped up in front of him.
【Branch “Stealth” — Binding Restraint Sensory: Grants your Binding Restraints "vision" and "hearing." When you press the Binding Restraints against a separating surface (such as a wall or floor), you can clearly see and hear what’s on the other side.】
【(Learning this skill consumes 1 Skill Point)】
【Branch “Frenzy” — Binding Restraint Extension: Increases the maximum extension range of your Binding Restraints from 8 meters to 15 meters.】
【(Learning this skill consumes 1 Skill Point)】 【Branch “Wrath” — Binding Restraint Detection: When you use the Binding Restraints to touch an opponent (must be human or humanoid), a set of their data (attributes, abilities) will appear in your mind.】
【(Learning this skill consumes 1 Skill Point)】
“One out of three—learn one skill from a branch, and the next skill on that branch unlocks. Back in the computer lab, tons of RPGs I played had similar mechanics.” For Ji Minghuan, this familiar Skill Tree System was like reuniting with an old friend—he was just short of shedding two emotional tears.
“If my Esper ability really does have its own intelligence, then it sure knows how to win me over,” he thought.
This felt like a brand designer customizing a product just for you based on your preferences—purely to hook your interest and pull you in completely.
After considering the three starter skills for a moment, Ji Minghuan ended up choosing 【Binding Restraint Sensory】.
The reason was simple: this skill screamed “peeping,” “tracking,” and “covert investigation”—exactly the kind of sneaky stuff he needed right now. Otherwise, he wouldn't survive.
If he couldn’t quickly find clues about the lab and recover his physical body from that detention room, anything could happen tomorrow—and even if those researchers dissected him on the spot, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.
He pressed and held on the skill description. The skill icon lit up from dim to bright, flashing with a red-and-black shimmer.
【1 Skill Point has been consumed. Successfully learned Skill from Branch “Stealth”—“Binding Restraint Sensory.”】
【Next skill in Branch “Stealth” is now available for learning.】
After turning off the TV, Ji Minghuan got up from the sofa and walked toward the staircase.
The second floor of the building held the rooms of three children; the third floor was where his father and mother’s rooms were.
Since his father had been away for years and his mother had died unexpectedly in an accident, the third floor of the house was usually quiet and deserted. Aside from using the third-floor balcony to dry clothes, they rarely went up there—to avoid being reminded of painful memories.
Reaching the second floor, Ji Minghuan paused in front of his room and reached out his right hand.
A black Binding Restraint emerged from his body, resting on the doorframe like a black hand.
The next moment, it was as if the Binding Restraint had grown “eyes”—the scene behind the door became completely visible. Though standing outside, he could clearly see what was inside the room.
The bookshelves, wardrobe, bed—every detail was crisp and vivid, maybe even clearer than if he’d gone inside himself.
“This is awesome…” he raised an intrigued eyebrow and retracted the Binding Restraint from the doorframe. “Just like the description says—put the Binding Restraints against a barrier and you can see right through. This kind of X-ray vision is super useful for surveillance and tracking. First skill and I already hit the jackpot.”
Ji Minghuan then headed up to the third floor, walked to the end of the corridor, and stepped onto the rooftop of the building, leaning on the railing to look out at the horizon.
It was already nightfall. Under the blanket of night, neon lights lit up across the city like a line of toppled dominoes. From above, the view resembled a glowing dragon made of smoke and lights, winding its way toward the distant mountains where it finally faded.
He closed his eyes, letting the Binding Restraints “see” the horizon in his place.
The closer to the sky, the darker it became; the cliffs at the edge of the horizon were gentle and sloping. Closer to the city, the brighter it was, as thousands of lights illuminated the streets and alleys. The Binding Restraints listened to the cicadas in the trees and the sounds of people on the bright streets below.
A summer breeze gently brushed his cheeks. The black Binding Restraints twisted in the wind like little snakes, experiencing the world in their own unique way. After a while, the boy slowly opened his eyes and pulled the Binding Restraints back into his body.
“Their senses are way sharper than mine. Especially in the dark—it adapts really well. In fact, it might even see better in darkness than in light. It's like having a super-expensive night vision device built in. That’s a hidden advantage: if there’s ever a blackout in a mall and everyone’s plunged into darkness, I can rely on the Binding Restraints to regain vision first and strike before anyone else,” Ji Minghuan murmured. “Totally worth learning this skill.”
He leaned against the rooftop railing, enjoying the breeze while checking the “Character Skill Tree” interface.
【Branch One (Stealth): Binding Restraint Sensory (Learned) → Binding Restraint Verity (Requires 1 Skill Point to learn) → Unknown (Unlocks after previous skill is learned) → Unknown】
Ji Minghuan raised his hand and tapped the newly unlocked skill. Its description popped up in front of him.
【Binding Restraint Verity: After binding a target with your Binding Restraints, you can compel them to speak the truth in their hearts.】
“This one looks super useful too,” he muttered. “If only I could catch one of those researchers from the lab… even just one would be enough to force the lab’s location out of them.”
Thinking about it, he glanced toward the direction of the orphanage.
The Guyimai Neighborhood was a bit far from the orphanage, so even from this height, all he could see was a vague, blurry silhouette. The attic of the library seemed to be lit up—probably another kid got punished by the director. Ji Minghuan smirked. Every time the nurses locked them in the attic, they’d cut the power from the first floor—otherwise no one would be scared of spending the night up there.
“In a few days, I’ll take this body back to the orphanage and look for clues. But not tonight—I just got this body. Better to play the part of an average high schooler for now, or the people around me might start getting suspicious.”
“Better think long-term: wait until I’ve got a second ‘game character’ before I take action. That way, even if one character gets captured—or destroyed—I can keep going with the other one.”
“For now, I’ll just watch and wait. Acting too fast might alert the enemy. Besides... I still don’t know if any of the Instructor’s accomplices are hiding in the orphanage. If I don’t know who they are, getting on their radar would be a huge pain.”
With that thought, Ji Minghuan withdrew his gaze from the horizon.
Leaving the rooftop, he went downstairs back to the second floor. He slowly made his way to the second door from the left in the corridor, turned the doorknob, and stepped inside.
It felt nice to be back in his room.
As the saying goes: “Gold nest, silver nest, nothing beats your own grass nest.” In his memories, “Gu Wenyu” loved spending time in his room doing random things—sometimes cheering for his favorite Reality-altering Esper on Esper fan forums and sparring online with other users, sometimes quietly building model kits at home, shutting out the world.
But ever since awakening his Esper powers a month ago, he’d gone totally off the rails. Every day after school, he’d lock himself in and practice manipulating his Binding Restraints like he was possessed. He ignored his friends and spent all his time with the Binding Restraints—like he was secretly raising a bunch of black snakes.
In contrast, Ji Minghuan didn’t have that kind of monk-like dedication.
He saw himself as a player—and his ability let him view the world like a player too. Like a higher-dimensional being controlling a 2D character on a screen, every move calculated for max efficiency. So now, he just flopped onto the bed and continued browsing the System Panel, raising a hand to tap the 【Attributes Panel】 at the top.
【Character Name: Gu Wenyu】
【Character Type: Esper】
【Current Alias: None (Too little fame in the real world, hasn’t made a name yet)】
【Character Age: 17】
【Character Gender: Male】
【Character Attributes: Strength (Physical capability): C; Speed (Reflexes): C; Spirit (Mental strength): C】
【Overall Rating: C】
【Current Event Cards: 0】
【Current Attribute Points: 0】
“All C’s... trash-tier stats.” Ji Minghuan skimmed the three attributes and gave his assessment.
He still didn’t know how high attributes could go in this world, but the priority was to understand the System Panel functions. He closed the Attributes Panel and tapped on the most eye-catching option—【Character Development System】.
【About the “Character Development System”:
At the character creation stage, choosing different main growth paths will generate different development systems. Each game character will have a unique “Character Development System,” and no two are the same.】
【Game Character “Gu Wenyu” (Gray Character route selected) has the following development system:】