Chapter 508 Chuunibyou (Middle School Syndrome)
The sky was overcast and gray.
The streets were shrouded in mist, and the buildings on both sides were riddled with holes.
Huge billboards and glaring neon lights flickered twitchingly, their light scattering wildly and casting a bizarre and surreal glow on the ground.
Several half-human, half-monster mutants wandered the streets mechanically, muttering to themselves.
The sticky fluid dripped continuously from my body, accompanied by a piercing corrosive sound.
Bang!
A loud bang.
In the distance, a building's rusted metal fence was kicked open.
"Tsk, this color scheme."
Xia Mingang strode out with his hands in his pockets.
Her custom-made long trench coat billowed in the wind, eye-catching and flamboyant, completely out of place in this oppressive and dangerous polluted area.
He squinted at the neon sign twitching in the fog, "It matches my combat uniform quite well today."
"If you don't want to wear it, you can give me your combat uniform." A middle-aged man in a white lab coat, with sparse silver hair and glasses, followed him out through the gate.
"I designed this combat uniform myself."
Xia Mingang tossed his hair. "Professor Qi, you don't understand. Looks are the number one fighting power."
Once Qi Shiqi entered, he no longer paid any attention to him.
The dilapidated streets flashing neon lights, the juxtaposition of light pollution and darkness, create a strong visual impact.
He had spent half his life studying contaminated areas, and this was the first time he had ever stepped into one.
Compared to the cold data in the documents, everything around me felt so real and tangible.
Qi Shiqi's eyes gleamed with fervor, "Pollution Zone No. 24 is located in Chongqing, a place that used to be known as the Cyber City, the 8D City..."
Xia Mingang looked down at his boots, which were stained with rust, and asked, "Cyber?"
“Yes, look at this light pollution. It’s all scenery preserved from the old days.” Qi Shiqi was very excited. “I never thought I would be able to see it with my own eyes one day.”
Xia Mingang shrugged: "That's something only found in the ruins of the old main urban area, right?"
"You don't understand. The contaminated zone is bizarre and wonderful. Everything inside is only related to the gatekeeper."
Qi Shiqi instinctively reached for the box to collect data, only to find that he hadn't brought anything in.
Where is our car?
The young master complained that the convoy was moving too slowly.
Having endured the journey, and with the Dawn Base fast approaching, he stepped on the gas and took Qi Shiqi away from the group.
As a result, the two of them were inexplicably drawn into the contaminated area.
Xia Mingang coughed lightly, "That's not important. It's just a two-star contaminated area. I'll go find a car after I've wiped this place out."
He didn't want to talk about how embarrassing it was to be kicked into the contaminated zone by his own spirit.
Qi Shiqi's eyes widened. "My suitcase is in the car. There's nothing inside, so how can I record data?"
"Frankenstein, can you stop thinking about data all the time? Aren't you in a hurry to go to Dawn Base to see your ancestor?"
The person who was engrossed in his research actually sought him out and asked to accompany him when he learned that he was going to the Dawn Base.
Xia Mingang thought he had changed his personality.
But once they entered the contaminated area, their true colors were revealed.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Go find the key, and get the item before you come in!"
Qi Shiqi was itching to get his hands on the suit and didn't bother arguing with him. "Quick, give me your combat uniform. I need to go check on those mutants."
The mutant species behaves very differently in contaminated areas.
Now is the best time to observe.
"OK!"
Xia Mingang took off his black trench coat with gold thread and handed it to him, saying, "You study the data, and I'll study how to make the enemy cry with coolness. Clear division of labor."
He had barely finished speaking.
A huge stone tablet appeared out of nowhere and fell from the sky, pressing down like Mount Tai.
Xia Mingang covered his head, "Damn it, you hit me again?!"
Qi Shiqi put on the combat suit that protected him from the corrosive liquid, and of course he knew that Xia Mingang was referring to his spiritual body.
Along the way, whenever Xia Mingang's delusions of grandeur struck, Bixi would suddenly appear and give him a few whacks.
When the beating was at its worst, I chased after him and beat him up.
Qi Shiqi was already used to this. He adjusted his glasses and said, "It's fine to eliminate the contaminated area, but I want to observe it a little longer. Go find the key."
Qi Shiqi conducted research on polluted areas and gained some understanding of some polluted areas in various places.
The Shuguang Base has sent people to deal with this No. 24 contaminated area multiple times.
It still exists today.
Because no one could find the gatekeeper.
Xia Mingang rubbed his head and snorted nonchalantly, "No way. I'm an S-rank Sentinel, after all. Now that I'm in, I'll definitely help them wipe this place out."
Otherwise, if word gets out that he can't even handle a two-star contaminated zone, how embarrassing would that be!
...
Dawn Base.
Today is the day Qi Ling goes to the research institute for a physical examination.
He adjusted his cloak, put on a mask, and covered himself completely, making sure his bluish skin wasn't exposed so as not to frighten the people in the city.
Before leaving home.
Qi Ling would usually say to the robot standing at the door, "Take good care of the house, I'll be back soon."
The cold, unresponsive robot didn't respond. But he persisted, thoroughly enjoying himself.
The training ground was deserted. The training equipment used yesterday was piled up under the trees. It was still early, and no one else had arrived yet.
Qi Ling walked to the parking area and waited.
While the captain was away, his teammates took turns driving him to the research institute, and today it was Tao Haohao's turn.
It didn't take more than a few minutes.
A white car appeared on the winding mountain road.
Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Tao Haohao rolled down the window and shouted in his loud voice, "Qi Ling! Get in the car!"
Qi Ling quickly stepped forward, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat, pulling the hood down further. "Thank you for your help, Hao Hao."
Tao Haohao waved dismissively, stepped on the gas, and the car shot off like an arrow. "Why are you being so polite with me?"
The car sped along the winding mountain road, the scenery outside the window rushing past.
Tao Haohao seemed to remember something and slapped the steering wheel. "By the way, do we need to buy some meat later? Do you have enough points left?"
"That's enough."
Qi Ling habitually curled her fingers and replied, "Let's buy twenty catties of meat and some vegetables."
Lately, I've been training with everyone and mostly getting free food and drinks, so I haven't spent many points.
But during training, everyone took turns treating each other to meals.
He couldn't just freeload; the sentries had big appetites, and he wondered if twenty pounds of meat would be enough.
However... all this calculations show that my wallet is definitely going to suffer a huge loss today, and I don't know if the points in my card will last until the next mission.
He had originally planned to buy some parts from the logistics department and try to modify the robot himself.
Thinking of the huge debt owed to the captain, Qi Ling had no choice but to quickly abandon the idea and wait until the debt was paid off.
Tao Haohao had plenty of points and didn't think that far ahead. He was very easygoing and said, "It's okay. Just remember to let us know if you don't have enough points."
Qi Ling nodded repeatedly.
We arrived at the biological research institute quickly.
Qi Ling handed the points card to Tao Haohao, asked him to help buy meat, and then entered the research institute through the back door.
Xiao Zhang was waiting there and waved to him warmly. "You've finally arrived! Professor Qi sent us a message yesterday and asked us to tell you that he will be here in a couple of days."
Qi Ling was taken aback.
What is Qi Shiqi doing here again?
＊
Qi Ling didn't know Qi Shiqi's purpose in coming. Afraid of making a fool of himself, he hesitated for a long time before daring not to ask any more questions.
Xiao Zhang walked in alongside him and chatted with him warmly.
“Yesterday, Dean Fu was asking us if we were used to living alone outside, and if we were bored.”
Qi Ling shook her head, "I'm not bored. The training ground is lively during the day, and the captain is my neighbor at night..."
He paused for a moment after saying this.
The captain didn't come back again last night...
I heard from others that after the meeting yesterday, the captain accompanied Yun Zhao to the base's library.
They didn't see him until his teammates finished training.
"You'll get used to it. Now that you can control the mucus from leaking out, go and ask the base for a communication device."
Xiao Zhang was worried about his mental health, and said to himself, "Each combat team member can apply for a second-generation communicator for free, so you can browse the forum when you're bored and keep up with the latest developments in various places."
Qi Ling was somewhat tempted upon hearing this.
He wanted to modify the robot himself, but lacked the professional knowledge. He figured he could at least use a communicator to search online.
How do I apply?
Xiao Zhang smiled and said, "I'll go get an application form later. You fill it out and I'll submit it to the logistics department for you."
"However, the first time is free. If it gets damaged later, you will have to pay for repairs and replacements yourself using points."
"I understand, thank you."
Qi Ling was truly grateful to Xiao Zhang, who was one of her few friends at the base.
Qi Ling then took the opportunity to inquire about the price of the robot parts.
Although he can't afford it now, he wants to make a budget in advance so that he has a clear idea of what to expect and can slowly accumulate points.
"Parts? Prices vary greatly depending on the materials. Didn't you bring back a batch of robots last time?"
Xiao Zhang thought Qi Ling was referring to those invulnerable robots.
"There's no need to change it, right? I heard that it uses the most advanced technology from back then, and the materials and systems inside are things that the base researchers have never even seen before."
Qi Ling quickly told him, "No, I want to modify my own robot. It was a gift from the captain."
His robot may not be invulnerable or covered in cutting-edge technology, but it carries a special significance.
"Okay, then tell me the model number, and I'll ask for you when I get the form later," Xiao Zhang said.
Qi Ling thanked him again.
During their conversation, the two arrived at the mutant research lab on the third basement level.
The warning lights embedded in the wall flashed intermittently, their green glow adding an eerie touch to the entire space.
Security here is tight, and many monsters of different levels are imprisoned here. Each room has a heavy blast door, and it is guarded 24 hours a day.
Qi Ling has been here many times.
Some of the instruments for testing mutants are only available here. He followed Xiao Zhang's footsteps with practiced ease, passing through one door after another.
The researcher in charge of the examination recognized him and smiled as he asked him to take off his cloak.
Qi Ling did as instructed.
The bluish skin was exposed to the air.
Wisps of black mist could be faintly seen rising from the skin like smoke, eerie and terrifying.
No matter how many times they watched it, the researchers still found it incredible.
It's unimaginable that a mutant could still retain its sanity and fight alongside humans.
...
The routine inspection was completed quickly.
Qi Ling put her cloak back on and followed Xiao Zhang to the first floor to fill out the communication device application form.
I ran into Dean Fu in the elevator on my way upstairs.
He's still the same as always, with his thermos cup always in his hand, as if he just came back from a trip.
As soon as Dean Fu saw Qi Ling, he asked the same question as Xiao Zhang.
Are you used to the accommodation and the food?
Qi Ling felt a warmth in her heart and patiently answered again.
Dean Fu softened his tone and said, "You'll get used to it. I just had a meeting with the Special Abilities Institute. They found that the concentration of dark matter in the air has been rising recently. If you feel unwell, remember to contact us immediately."
"Concentration increased?"
Xiao Zhang was very surprised, "Could it be over 30%?"
Since the end of the Dark Ages, except for areas near contaminated zones where the concentration is higher, the concentration of dark matter in other areas has remained below 30% for twenty years without any change.
Dean Fu said, "Yes, Dean Jiang has already gone to see Chief Shen. You should refrain from making any unfounded statements for the time being."
Qi Ling paused for a moment, then asked, "The captain and the others... aren't outsiders, are they?"
He knew in his heart that Dean Fu had specifically told him this because he was afraid that the high concentration of dark matter would have an impact on him.
“Team Leader Xie is not an outsider; I’m referring to an ordinary person.”
Dean Fu said, "To avoid causing panic, it's enough for internal staff to know."
Qi Ling nodded in agreement.
He said goodbye to Dean Fu and followed Xiao Zhang to fill out the application form.
Wait until you come out through the back door.
Tao Haohao had already bought the meat and was waiting there. He called out in a loud voice, "Qi Ling, get in the car quickly! They're cooking hot dry noodles, let's hurry over and have breakfast."
Tao Haohao was only thinking about eating rice and didn't even consider that Qi Ling could only eat meat.
"Will the dark apocalypse return?" Qi Ling asked abruptly as she got into the car.
Tao Haohao floored the accelerator and sped off through the back door into the special passage.
He said nonchalantly, "Who knows? Why think so far ahead? Let's live for today, and eating is the most important thing!"
Qi Ling lowered his head and thought for a while, then realized that he was right.
The shadow of the apocalypse has long loomed over us, and people are struggling to survive in the cracks. The future is unpredictable, and excessive worry only adds to our troubles.
Just like Tao Haohao said, cherishing the present is the right thing to do.
When the two returned to the training ground, the people there were sitting in rows under the trees at the edge of the field, each holding a bowl.
Today, Yun Zhao was wearing a pink sun-protective shirt, holding a bowl bigger than his face, and sitting among a group of burly sentries.
Hot dry noodles are delicious.
Qi Jun's hand slipped today, and he added a little too much salt.
Xie Tu brought over a bottle of mineral water. "Would you like some water?"
"Drink it, help me unscrew the cap." Her hands were busy.
Xie Tu opened the bottle and held it to her lips.
Tao Haohao parked his car and rushed over to eat. He looked around and asked, "Where's Wang Jiayu?"
Yun Zhao looked up and pointed at Duan Xi next door with his chopsticks, "Yesterday the two of them made a bet, and A Yu lost and had to wash his combat uniform in the locker room."
She also said she wouldn't eat until she finished washing up.
"Damn it! Duan Xi, are you even human?! Don't you know how to give way to her?" Tao Haohao said, dissatisfied.
Duan Xi protested, "I started to give in, but she noticed and got angry."
He texted him for ages last night trying to coax him, but he didn't reply to a single message. This morning, he had a cold face as soon as he left the house and asked me to bring out my dirty clothes.
Duan Xi coaxed the person into not giving it to him, saying the bet was off.
She insisted on accepting her loss and went to the locker room to take out his combat uniform to wash it.
Duan Xi had no choice but to let her wash it.
“She definitely can’t wash it properly. Every time before, my housekeeper would help me wash it. Every time she came here, she would go to her house to clean up first, and only come to my place after she was done,” Duan Xi said with distress.
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