Chapter 12

Chapter 012

...I'll be waiting for your answer.

Lin Sinan's words sounded almost like a marriage proposal.

Lu Yan didn't need any further deliberation. He chose the former.

The Research Institute? He'd never go there in this lifetime. The outside world was far too fascinating. What was the difference between entering the Institute and being thrown in prison?

Besides, he wasn't a genuine healing-type Awakened.

Lu Yan pulled on his down jacket, put on a mask, and headed downstairs.

Lin Sinan was leaning against the car, smoking. Seeing Lu Yan approach, he quickly stubbed out the cigarette. The butt traced a neat arc through the air before landing squarely in a nearby trash can.

"Mr. Lu." Lin Sinan's demeanor was unusually stiff.

"I've decided," Lu Yan said. "I'd prefer to continue engaging with Pollution Disease cases."

Lu Yan rarely experienced what one might call worldly desires. His emotional spectrum was narrow. He didn't feel joy easily, nor was he prone to sorrow.

He was acutely aware of his own condition—a cold, detached nature wrapped in a convincing layer of social mimicry. He studied hard because societal norms dictated everyone scramble upward. Whether it was academics or medicine, everything he did was because it was "appropriate." Not because he liked it, but he didn't hate it either.

Pollution Disease was different. It was like a game with no known ending, offering fresh surprises every time he logged on.

He liked it. He liked it so much it made him tremble.

Lin Sinan gave him a long, penetrating look. "Understood. Then I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety."

Even if that protection came at the cost of his own life.

"Really, that's not necessary," Lu Yan replied.

"It's an order from headquarters," Lin Sinan answered, his voice firm. "Following orders is a soldier's duty."

*

K City, Pollution Disease Prevention and Control Center.

A middle-aged man arrived under the escort of several soldiers.

This was the researcher dispatched from headquarters, Ji Wen from the Third Research Institute. He had the scholarly, gentle appearance of an academic. The Center's director stepped forward, hoping to exchange pleasantries. Ji Wen merely raised a hand, and the director retreated, awkward and deflated.

Now, Ji Wen sat before a computer, reviewing the precious footage captured earlier by smart surveillance.

The two clips of Lu Yan "healing" the pollutants.

Occasionally, Ji Wen would hit the spacebar, pausing the video, his expression thoughtful.

"'Devouring'?" he murmured to himself. "'Subject Zero' is highly susceptible to pollution, kept in isolation, reportedly within a life-support chamber, though no one has ever seen her. 'The Pope' is reclusive, rarely leaves the Institute... Frankly, my understanding of healing-type talents is limited."

But he had seen the fine, fish-like scales that had surfaced on Lu Yan's arm.

"Compared to a 'Devouring' ability, cross-referencing the data leads me to believe he came into contact with a unique pollutant during this incident and fused with a part of it. An incredibly dangerous act, yet he evidently succeeded."

"He lied, claiming his talent is 'Devouring.' The purpose of the lie is to conceal his true ability. Therefore, he must possess some prior knowledge."

"Yet Lu Yan's entire life, both online and offline, has been under surveillance. I am certain he had no exposure to Pollution Disease information prior to this event. So how did he know?"

"Thus, I infer he actually possesses a talent related to information acquisition."

"On the Talent Sequence List, there are six such abilities: Omniscience, Precognition, Information Cocoon, Mind Reading, Soul Detection, and Heavenly Eye. The most fitting candidate would be..."

Ji Wen fell silent. He then picked up a pen and scribbled some indecipherable symbols on a sheet of paper—a personal cipher only he could understand.

In his youth, Ji Wen and a friend had discovered a script, a hybrid resembling oracle bone and cuneiform. Its origins were unknown, never circulated publicly, exceedingly rare. Ever since, whenever he needed to record crucial information he wished to keep secret, Ji Wen used this script.

He was forty-seven now. He had begun researching Pollution Disease at twenty, studying under Qin Changsheng.

Qin Changsheng's own mentor was Qiao Yu, the man who first identified Pollution Disease as a distinct phenomenon last century and initiated dedicated research.

Twenty years ago, due to diverging research philosophies, Qin Changsheng broke away from the First Research Institute and founded the Third.

As Qin Changsheng's direct disciple, Ji Wen was no slouch either.

What Lin Sinan and Bai Qiushi had failed to grasp, Ji Wen had deduced with reasonable accuracy just from watching surveillance footage.

This was precisely why the System remained wary of the Institutes. They housed the world's sharpest minds, those with the deepest, most detailed understanding of Pollution Disease.

Ji Wen adjusted his glasses and put away his pen. "Protocol dictates I should report this. But he is Subject 18's son."

He closed the video player. Within the system backend, he selected the two clips for deletion.

A warning prompt flashed on the screen, demanding an authorization password.

This deletion wasn't a simple matter of dragging files to the recycle bin. It was permanent erasure, ensuring the videos vanished from the world, never to be seen again.

"Consider it repayment for the times I dissected 18's brain... Should I meet Lu Yan?"

Ji Wen waited for the progress bar to hit 100%, then pulled out an assessment form.

[Lu Yan. Male. 26. Mental State: Stable. Aberration Degree: Low. Education: Master's Degree.]

[Exhibits sharp environmental awareness. Personality: Cautious, skeptical. Long-term surveillance not recommended, risk of eroding trust in the Prevention Center.]

[Preliminary confirmation as healing-type Awakened. Talent: 'Devouring.' Capable of using spiritual entity to consume pollution sources. Shows significant efficacy on Awakened with low-to-mid stage aberration.]

[Potential to assist in 'The Tyrant's' treatment: Unknown. (Note: Due to extremely low spiritual power threshold, contact with The Tyrant is not currently advised. High risk of infection.)]

[Threat Level: Low.]

All those years ago, the friend with whom Ji Wen had recorded that script was named Lu Cheng. Lu Yan's father.

Thirteen years ago, Lu Cheng suffered an infection, becoming a pollutant. His talent was inferred to be #66 - Precognition.

The relevant authorities contained him at the First Research Institute, designation Subject 18. The following year, Lu Cheng escaped from the Institute. His whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

"Better not meet. I held him as a baby, all those years ago. That child always had an excellent memory. He'd recognize me."

Ji Wen set down his pen. After a moment's thought, still uneasy, he fed the sheet of coded symbols, along with the photo files, into a shredder.

*

Lin Sinan brought Lu Yan to the Pollution Disease Prevention and Control Center to meet the researcher from headquarters.

Upon arrival, however, he was taken aback to learn the researcher had already departed.

"Deputy Director Ji is a very busy man," a staff member explained, somewhat apologetically. "He arrived at eight this morning and left by nine. Said he had many important experiments awaiting him. But he did complete the assessment report."

The System grumbled to Lu Yan: This researcher they sent seems to have detected my presence. Actually, let's be confident—remove the 'seems.' I've underestimated humans again.

Fortunately, for now, he appears to be on your side.

Countless events transpired every second across the globe. While the System was "Omniscient," flooding its host's mind with all that information at once would only result in a cerebral meltdown, reducing them to an idiot.

It operated within a perceptual range—not insignificant, but not infinite. Beyond that range, it lived up to its "Omniscient" title.

"Mr. Lu, please follow me to collect your uniform and this month's stipend."

Lu Yan's information was now officially registered. He was a documented, state-sanctioned employee.

Code Name: Diting. Spiritual Power Threshold: 440. F-Class Awakened. Aberration Degree: 3.1%.

Affiliation: Special Operations Department, First Group, Seventh Team.

A staff member led them to a vault in the headquarters' basement level. From a refrigeration unit, they retrieved a suitcase and began the briefing.

"This is the Research Center's latest invention: the 'Galaxy Detector.' The standard issue is a wristwatch. If you dislike it, you may request an alternative form—necklace, mobile phone, etc."

"The detector monitors your real-time aberration level and the pollution values of nearby pollutants. It also features navigation, positioning, Bluetooth communication. Here's the manual. You may choose to disable the global positioning system and opt out of data transmission."

The detector was a sleek, highly technological-looking smartwatch.

Lu Yan didn't put it on immediately, instead slipping it into his pocket.

"This is one of the Institute's most precious inventions: specialized medicine for Pollution Disease. The raw materials are sourced from pollutants, making production extremely costly. Please do not sell it for cash." The staff member emphasized this point, given past precedents. "If you require funds, contact headquarters directly. Your current cash withdrawal limit is five million."

The medicine came in capsule form. Only four pills.

"The standard monthly allocation for an F-Class Awakened is two pills. The remaining two are a performance bonus for your exemplary actions during the K City Pollution incident."

This medicine is the real deal, the System noted. Different from the drugs allocated to the aberrants in the containment facilities. It's a life-saver in a critical moment. Your aberration level is still low. Stockpile as much as you can.

"This is your identification card."

The card resembled a national ID, featuring Lu Yan's photo, collected fingerprints, and a DNA code.

"For every mission completed, you will earn corresponding Contribution Points. Points can be used for item exchange, task issuance, pollution management, and other purposes."

"Finally, this is the weapon headquarters prepared for you based on the researcher's report."

A dagger. Exquisitely crafted. Lu Yan drew it from its sheath. The blade shimmered with a cold, ghostly blue light.

It was double-edged.

[Made from the bone of a D-Class pollutant, the Land Turtle. Market price: 500 Contribution Points. Anything better would be wasted on you and might get snatched by other mask-wearing crusaders. It suits you perfectly. Headquarters really went to some trouble. Are you the illegitimate son of the overall director or something?]

"Thank you." Lu Yan gave it a few practice swings. "I like it."

The staff member bowed deeply. "I'm glad you approve. Thank you for your contribution to humanity's future. I hope to be of service to you again."

...

When Lu Yan emerged, he couldn't help but comment, "That was a bit... intense."

He hadn't actually done anything yet.

[Standard script. Everyone has a bit of hero-worship and chuunibyou. Some people eat it up. You're just benefiting from the halo of past martyrs.]

The respect wasn't for Lu Yan alone. It was for every Awakened in the Special Operations Department.

The Research Institutes handled theory. Special Operations handled fieldwork. The Prevention and Control Centers were logistics. The three pillars supported each other, groping toward a future.

Lin Sinan was waiting for him in the off-road vehicle by the entrance, slumped over the steering wheel, eyes half-closed in lazy repose.

After taking the specialized medication, his aberration level had dropped significantly. From 53 a few days ago to 39.

Contact with pollution sources increased aberration. Leaving the area caused a slow decrease back to a baseline level. The medication's function was to lower that baseline.

Lin Sinan's current baseline was 31. Exactly ten times Lu Yan's.

The body developed resistance with repeated doses... but there was no helping that.

Lin Sinan waved. "Come on. I'll take you to meet your squad."

He was a member of Special Operations Group Six.

Groups were divided by region. K City's province and the surrounding area fell under Group Six's jurisdiction.

Logically, Lu Yan should have joined his squad. But headquarters probably considered Lin Sinan's spiritual power threshold too low, and his missions too dangerous, so they assigned Lu Yan to a different team.

Lin Sinan took it in stride. His threshold was only 1600, a mere D-Class by the scale. Hardly reassuring for protecting a healing-type Awakened.

Lu Yan was joining Special Operations Department, Group One. They hadn't taken a new recruit in years. Lu Yan was the first in three.

Sitting in the back seat, Lu Yan thought for a moment, then disabled the data transmission and strapped the detector to his left wrist.

The display showed his aberration level: 7.5.

His right side: 3.1.

They really were different.

Lu Yan hadn't slept well recently. The village was over 200 kilometers from K City, the roads poor. At least three or four hours. Leaning back, exhaustion washed over him, impossible to resist.

Noticing his fatigue, Lin Sinan said softly, "There's a blanket in the back. Sleep. I'll wake you when we arrive."

Lu Yan made an affirmative sound and slipped into sleep without realizing it.

When he woke again, the sky was pitch black.

Disoriented, he almost asked, "Aren't we there yet?" But a sudden alertness froze the words.

He smelled blood.

The silence was absolute. And more importantly, Lin Sinan wasn't in the driver's seat.

[You're finally awake. Damn it, why did it come here...]

[My time is short. Remember this—]

[You've encountered an A-Class pollutant, the Dream-Eater. This is both a dream and reality. What you see may not be real, but it may not be false either. If you die here, you die for real. You become nourishment for the Dream-Eater. I wonder what your soul tastes like. Unfortunately, I'm suppressed in this false space because you are not the master of this dream.]

[A Dream-Eater alone wouldn't be this bad, but I didn't expect that stinking wall to be here too. The combination creates a nightmare-difficulty instance. I thought we were heading for the beginner village, not stumbling into a hidden dungeon.]

[Rescue is already on the way. The key to escaping is: wake the master of the nightmare.]

[The only silver lining is that in this dream, you're not just some nameless female classmate... Alright, I can't say more. It's almost detected me.]

The System fell completely silent.

Lu Yan lay still in the back, listening. No unusual sounds. After a moment, he fumbled for his phone.

He shielded the light. Battery: 90%. No signal.

In his inbox, one message from Lin Sinan.

"You're still asleep. I'm going out to check. Something feels wrong outside. Wait for me to return. Do not leave the vehicle under any circumstances. Stay safe."

Even back in his doctoring days, Lu Yan had noticed the first patients to be discharged were always the ones who followed instructions to the letter.

So he stayed in the back of the vehicle until dawn. In the later hours, occasional roars and cries for help echoed outside. Lu Yan remained unmoved.

When daylight finally came, Lu Yan also discovered the source of the blood smell.

Lin Sinan was pinned to the rear windshield.

All night, this corpse had been here, separated by a pane of cold glass, staring into the vehicle with blood-filled eyes. Several grotesquely large maggots had already crawled from his ears, inching across the glass.

Lu Yan's phone clattered to the floor.

A long time passed before he spoke, his voice flat. "Pupils markedly dilated, highly clouded. Mild cadaveric odor. Estimated time of death... thirty-six to forty-eight hours ago."

...

...

The border region between K City's outskirts and W City.

A long stretch of highway lay sealed off. Countless traffic officers swarmed behind the barricades, overwhelmed.

Prevention Center personnel had rushed to the scene, assisting researchers with over twenty hours of pollution source analysis.

Reporters swarmed, thrusting microphones forward:

—"What is the grade of the new pollution source in K City? Does it pose a threat to nearby residents?"

—"Have any survivors emerged from the fog in the forty-eight hours since its appearance?"

Behind the officers, a thick, churning fog loomed.

Swirling gray-black tendrils, like the merciless maw of a leviathan devouring all.