"No... humans?" Ren Yi stared blankly. "Then all my classmates, like Lu Zihan, and Ms. Zhang, and our neighbor Auntie Du..."
"Yes." Ren Man nodded, confirming his terrifying suspicion. Then, as if remembering something, he added with meticulous precision, "Their shapes are just a bit different."
What the hell do you mean their shapes are different?!
"...Brother, can you please explain a bit more?" It took Ren Yi a long time to squeeze those words out.
Ren Man tilted his head, looking somewhat conflicted. Having to speak this much today was clearly a challenge for him.
Then, as if struck by an idea, he tuned the television to Alliance Channel 1 and gestured for Ren Yi to watch.
The news program was just beginning. A swell of stirring yet slightly distorted, static-filled music played as a blue planet orbited by two moons appeared on the screen.
Wait, was this how the opening of the evening news used to look?
Just as Ren Yi was feeling confused by the familiar yet alien television imagery, two news anchors appeared on the screen.
The male anchor had a standard square-jawed face, but the spaces where his facial features should have been were entirely occupied by mouths of various sizes. All the mouths opened and closed in perfect unison, piecing together a steady yet slightly hollow voice: "Good evening, viewers!"
The female anchor had sleek black short hair, and six glowing blue eyes were arranged symmetrically on both sides of her face. Her gaze shifted toward the camera in unison as she spoke elegantly: "Good evening!"
Ren Yi rubbed his eyes vigorously. Unfortunately, the image before him didn't change at all.
Male Anchor: "Today is Wednesday, July 14th of the Alliance Calendar, and April 4th of the Anomaly Calendar. Welcome to Anomaly Network News."
Female Anchor: "Just moments ago, the latest round of the Anomaly Cub Awakening Ceremony concluded successfully. Another 2,726 newborn compatriots have become part of The Alliance."
Male Anchor: "A total of 2,726 'children' participated in this Awakening Ceremony, and all successfully awakened as 'Cubs,' setting a new record for a single awakening session."
Female Anchor: "This Awakening Ceremony was hosted by 'Heart Fiend' and utilized the latest 'Emotion Guidance Method,' effectively reducing the risk of energy backlash during awakening. Their relatives are currently by their sides, actively guiding the newborn Anomalies as they integrate into The Alliance family."
Male Anchor: "At this time, we would also like to say a word to the Cubs watching this program. We know you may currently feel very lost, nervous, or afraid, but please do not worry. The Alliance will always be your strongest support."
Female Anchor: "If you have already calmed down, please check your 'Anomaly account'—formerly known as your 'student account'—as soon as possible. The Alliance has sent text messages to all of you."
Male Anchor: "A special reminder: Cubs should find their 'families' as soon as possible and strictly ensure they remain inside their bodies or within a ten-meter radius of them. If you are truly unable to do so, you may call the help hotline below at 4404-0044."
Male and Female Anchors in unison: "Don't worry. You've just... grown up."
Ren Yi stared at the television, his eyes feeling as heavy as lead, making even blinking a chore.
The male anchor's 'all-mouth' face was professionally transitioning to the international map; the female anchor's six eyes were all staring intently at the camera; the background music remained stirring, but to Ren Yi's ears, it sounded exceptionally grating.
It wasn't that he hadn't watched the evening news before—in fact, he was very familiar with these anchors... if only the male anchor would put his features back where they belonged, and the female anchor would merge her eyes.
Only now did he truly realize the meaning of Ren Man's words.
There were no humans in The Alliance.
Not a single one.
Including himself.
Ren Yi's mind felt like it was being gently pressed under the surface of water, yet his breathing was normal and the water was warm. He didn't have time to suffocate; he was simply forced to accept it.
Just as the news mentioned "Cubs should check their Anomaly accounts," his phone suddenly vibrated.
Ren Yi looked down and saw a notification pop up on the screen:
【You have 1 new unread message】
He felt an absurd urge to say "Wait, I'm not ready yet" to the phone.
Unfortunately, the phone had no intention of being considerate, and the message quickly expanded.
"It's important," Ren Man added softly from the side.
The phone vibrated again, right on cue.
【Please read as soon as possible.】
It felt like an urge.
Like a threat.
Like... concern.
Ren Yi took a breath and tapped the message:
【A Letter from The Alliance to Newborn Anomalies】
Dear Ren Yi:
Hello.
By the time you read this letter, you should have "grown up," observing the world for the first time with your own consciousness.
We wish to offer you our congratulations!
Welcome to the Pan-Galactic Anomaly Alliance.
Perhaps you still feel confused at this moment.
Please do not worry.
Every Anomaly experiences similar chaos during the initial stage of awakening.
What you are experiencing is merely a small growing pain in the process of maturity.
Regardless of what kind of existence you become, as long as you follow the rules of The Alliance, The Alliance will acknowledge, respect, and protect "you."
Note: Please read the following guidelines in detail; they are the important principles for your future life.
【Attachment 1: Basic Code of Conduct for Alliance Citizens】
All Alliance citizens are obligated to remember and strictly abide by the following rules:
The Alliance, formally known as the "Pan-Galactic Anomaly Alliance," is the home, support, and harbor for all Anomalies. Do not engage in any behavior that undermines the unity of The Alliance.
All purposes of The Alliance revolve around "World, Rules, and Survival." Do not question any decisions made by The Alliance.
Please cherish and maintain your "Anomaly account." Do not discard, cover, devour, or alter your Anomaly account at will. If your account name changes on its own, please stop all actions immediately and wait for rescue on the spot.
"Home" is the basic unit of The Alliance. Your "family" is absolutely safe and trustworthy; please maintain good family relationships. Do not leave home without permission, abandon family members, replace family members, damage family members, or create imitation family members.
"Children" and "Cubs" have the highest priority within The Alliance. Their growth is centrally planned by The Alliance. Any attempt to extract, enhance, weaken, prematurely awaken, forcibly regress, or spontaneously cultivate a Cub's abilities is considered a major violation.
Ren Yi suddenly felt his throat tighten, a dull ache of being forced to accept reality.
So, the world had never been abnormal; it was he, the transmigrator, who was the abnormal one.
So... to summarize:
The Pan-Galactic Anomaly Alliance... the world he had lived in for over a decade, was a human society played by a bunch of "Anomalies."
Those once-familiar classmates, teachers, and neighbors were all existences just like him, only with "different shapes."
"Children" were unawakened Anomalies, and "Cubs" were newly awakened Anomaly juveniles.
The good news was that he was no longer human; he had become a "Cub," so he was now a protected object.
The bad news was that for someone who considered himself to have lived as a human for two lifetimes, his mental state was on the verge of collapsing.
No, every "child" in The Alliance was raised as a human, so right now, the mental states of all "Cubs" were probably collapsing just like his.
This realization was like a stone cast into a calm lake, sending ripples through his chaotic thoughts, bringing a sense of loss after being stripped of his original perception, yet also a faint, inexplicable sense of relief as the dust finally settled.
He stared at the words "growing pains" on the screen, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he couldn't help but complain in his heart.
That feeling earlier, where he couldn't even control his form and his senses were in total chaos—they called that a "small growing pain"? The Alliance's descriptions were certainly euphemistic.
Ren Yi immediately opened the second attachment.
Rate on N.U.
