Wei Jin sat on the couch in the living room, his gaze fixed on the clock hanging above the television.
The second hand moved steadily, each tick sounding louder than it should have.
His father, Wei Zhen, sat across from him, pretending to read news on his tablet but glancing up every few seconds. His mother, wei lan, stood near the dining table, wiping the same spot over and over with a cloth she didn't realize she was holding. His younger sister, Wei Ling, leaned against the window, peeking outside as if waiting.
The atmosphere was strange—quiet and tense.
Finally, wei lan broke the silence.
"Jin," she said gently, "you told us to sit together and wait. Is something wrong?"
Wei Jin swallowed.
He hadn't planned this far. He only knew one thing—the time was close.
Before he could answer, his senses flared.
A sudden pressure brushed against the edge of his awareness, heavy and sharp, like something enormous stepping into his perception. Jin's spine stiffened, his heartbeat spiking.
No…
Is it already happening?
His eyes snapped toward the door.
For a brief, terrifying moment, his mind screamed the same thought over and over.
Did the rift open early?
Is there already a monster outside?
The doorknob turned slowly.
The pressure eased the instant the door opened, replaced by a familiar presence.
"Uncle!"
Wei Ling darted forward before anyone else could react, throwing herself at Li Yuan as he stepped inside. Li Yuan laughed and ruffled her hair, steadying himself as she nearly knocked into him.
Wei lan stared, startled. "Brother? Why are you here?"
Li Yuan blinked and looked past her—straight at Jin. "Why am I here?" he repeated. "Didn't Jin tell you?"
All eyes turned to Wei Jin.
"…About what?" wei lan asked, confused.
Wei Jin felt his throat tighten.
Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "You didn't tell them? Still playing favorites with your uncle, huh?" He laughed, but there was a sharp curiosity behind his eyes.
Wei Jin forced a fake smile, his mind racing.
The clock ticked.
Too close.
What should I do?
If I tell them and nothing happens, they'll think I've lost my mind.
If I don't tell them…
A small, cowardly part of him whispered—
What if it doesn't open this time?
Wei lan stepped closer, worry creeping into her voice. "Jin, talk to Mom. Is someone bullying you at school?"
That was enough.
Wei Jin straightened.
"Uncle," he said, his voice firm despite the fear clawing at his chest. "Please listen to me first."
Li Yuan's expression shifted instantly, his laughter fading. "Go on."
"A rift will open today," Jin said. "Here. Near our house."
The room froze.
Wei Zhen slowly lowered his tablet. Wei Ling stared at him with wide eyes. Wei lan's face went pale.
Li Yuan's gaze hardened. "Jin," he said quietly, "this isn't something you joke about."
"I'm not joking," Jin insisted, forcing himself to meet his uncle's eyes. "I don't know how to explain it properly, but I can sense it."
Li Yuan exhaled slowly. "Enough. You told me you awakened a skill. You should've just said that. Look at your parents—you're scaring them."
Wei Jin clenched his fists.
"I did awaken a skill," he said quickly. "A sensory-type skill. It enhances my sight, hearing, awareness—everything. I can feel things before they happen."
After that he kept repeating about the rift while panicking.
Li Yuan studied him for a long moment, then stepped forward and pulled Jin into a brief, firm hug.
"Alright," he said calmly. "I heard you."
Jin froze.
"You… believe me?"
Li Yuan nodded casually. "I'm here, aren't I? If you sensed something, then we'll take it seriously. Even if you're wrong, nothing bad will happen while I'm here."
Jin's chest loosened slightly, though confusion followed immediately.
He believed me… just like that?
"Tell me about your sensory skill," Li Yuan continued. "How far does it reach?"
Jin hesitated, then nodded. "I can sense movement, presence, and strength. Not clearly, but roughly."
Li Yuan's eyes glinted. "Alright. Then tell me—how many people are in the truck parked downstairs?"
Jin closed his eyes.
The world sharpened.
Sounds separated, footsteps layered over distant engines, heartbeats faint but distinct. His awareness brushed against the street below, touching metal, movement, and life.
"Five," Jin said slowly. "Five people."
Li Yuan's eyebrows shot up.
Wei Ling gasped. "Uncle, is that right?"
Li Yuan chuckled softly, though there was unmistakable surprise in his eyes.
"Yes," he said. "There are five people in the truck downstairs."
Wei Ling's eyes widened. "Uncle, really?"
Li Yuan nodded. "Our team has eight members in total. Two stayed back at headquarters. I'm here." He glanced toward the window. "The remaining five are in the truck."
The room fell silent for half a second—then erupted.
Liu Mei covered her mouth, disbelief and emotion flooding her face. Wei Zhen stood abruptly, gripping Jin's shoulders as if to confirm he was real. Wei Ling hugged him tightly from behind, laughing and nearly knocking him forward.
"He really awakened a skill…" wei lan whispered, her voice trembling.
They all knew what this meant.
They knew how hard Jin had trained since he was young. How he pushed his body when his gene quality refused to improve. How he came home injured, exhausted, and silent, never once complaining despite being labeled useless by others.
For the first time, pride filled the room without reservation.
Then—
Wei Jin stiffened.
His expression changed instantly, all warmth draining away.
"The pressure…" he muttered.
He turned sharply toward the door. "Mom, Dad, Ling—come here. Stay away from the entrance."
Everyone froze at the urgency in his voice.
Before anyone could question him, Li Yuan laughed once, low and calm. "Do what he says."
That single sentence cut through the confusion.
Wei lan hesitated, then pulled Wei Ling back. Wei Zhen followed without another word, trust overriding doubt.
Li Yuan stepped toward Jin and rested a heavy hand on his shoulder. His gaze was sharp, but there was approval there too.
"I believe you," he said quietly.
Jin looked up, startled.
Li Yuan patted his shoulder once. "I'll go check. You did well."
Without another word, he turned and opened the door.
"Stay inside," he added over his shoulder. "All of you."
The door shut behind him.
Space folded unnaturally, like glass under pressure, as a crack tore open in the distance.
The rift had begun to form.
Inside the house, Wei Jin stood frozen, his senses screaming.