Jian Weiwei’s first reaction to the request was fear.
But once she heard the compensation, she quickly made peace with it. There was nothing to hesitate about; using her ability felt like using a disposable product anyway. As for that initial fear, it was likely just the primal instinct of fearing death.
Could the death of an ability truly be considered death?
The Investigation Department wasn't so destitute that they had to exploit their employees for free experimental materials. The collection this time offered a handsome reward. If she agreed, Jian Weiwei would not only receive the money but also be promoted to a Teaching Assistant.
At that time, Xing Yue was already a formal Mentor. Jian Weiwei knew that comparing herself to a "talent monster" would only lead to frustration, so she accepted the terms, content to escape the misery of being a student and start her career.
She still enjoyed following Xing Yue around, treating her like a lucky charm for her career prospects. Her roommate seemed to stop disliking her as much—at least she would wait for Jian Weiwei before heading to meals.
Jian Weiwei wasn't assigned to be Xing Yue’s assistant, but having made progress in their relationship, she didn't mind the minor detail.
Coincidentally, she encountered Fu Shu in one of the classes she managed.
A fully recovered Fu Shu.
"I knew I made the right choice. It’s all thanks to Researcher Yi," Fu Shu said, his entire being lighting up with excitement at the mention of the researcher named Yi Ting. "She is my second parent. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today."
That night, Jian Weiwei received a message: she could use her ability again.
Number Thirty-Two’s face was vastly different from Number One’s. Based on the shift in Jian Weiwei’s aesthetic preferences during this period, she felt a sense of relief seeing that Thirty-Two was still as hardworking and uncomplaining as ever.
It was fine. Everything was fine.
A new terminally ill patient was brought into the laboratory. Jian Weiwei was called by a researcher she knew to help administer an injection.
She was curious about the "Yi Ting" Fu Shu had mentioned, so she asked about her. To her surprise, the white-coated staff in the lab didn't have a high opinion of the woman.
"She succeeded once and then refused to come back. Who knows what she’s so proud of?"
"She studied under a great teacher and has a solid background. She’s just not like the rest of us."
Jian Weiwei thought of the rumors regarding Xing Yue’s background and found herself agreeing.
"By the way, Weiwei, can you help me photocopy a document?"
She agreed absentmindedly.
By the time she finished the task and returned to the lab, the two researchers were gone.
Jian Weiwei assumed they had stepped out for a moment. Just as she was about to place the document on the table, the door behind her burst open. Fu Shu rushed in, looking anxious. Without a word of explanation, he shoved her into a metal crate used to protect energy pipes.
Startled, she didn't know what was happening. She covered her mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound. Her back pressed against a soft pipe transporting a fluorescent green semi-solid substance; she felt dizzy and nauseous.
The door seemed to open again. The sound of high heels clicking on the floor drew closer, stopping only when Fu Shu spoke: "Yi Ting."
"What? Not calling me 'Researcher' anymore?"
"You know why," Fu Shu’s voice was filled with a rage Jian Weiwei had never heard from him. People who had been bedridden for a long time rarely lost their tempers like this. "You should have clearly told the patient who came this time that the so-called 'treatment' involves fusing mutant genes! Just like when you treated me!"
Yi Ting’s calm stood in stark contrast to Fu Shu’s agitation. "I refused. I haven't stepped foot in this lab for days. But that’s only because the lack of transparency means the patient isn't certain about the mortality rate."
"He’s going to die, do you understand? Just like you were back then. He’s dying."
Fu Shu fell silent for a moment. "Even so, you can't..."
"Why can't I? Can't you accept that your noble human genetic carrier is mixed with a segment of mutant DNA? You finished your treatment and merely awakened a B-grade 'Regeneration' ability without any other rejection symptoms. Do you understand what that means?"
Jian Weiwei had never imagined a person's tone could be so cold.
"It means that from a biological perspective—at least in the eyes of the Research Department—there is no difference between a post-awakening ability user like you, those natural ability users who claim to be 'awakened,' and the mutants flying in the sky, crawling on the ground, or swimming in the sea."
"Simply put: you, and all of you, are mutants. Do you hear me clearly?"
Fu Shu went completely silent.
"...Don't find it so unbelievable. This has already been proven by experiments. Recently, an ability user provided a 'human' created through an ability. After analysis and comparison, it was found that the ability itself is the aberrant part of your bodies."
Jian Weiwei let herself sink into the middle of the soft pipes, wanting to hide.
She finally understood why the initial screening had been that way.
They were being treated as mutants, used like *gu* insects in a jar, exploited at will.
She didn't process a single word of the conversation between Yi Ting and Fu Shu that followed. She only remembered that after they left, she pushed open the crate door and collapsed onto the floor, her legs too weak to stand for a long time.
Fortunately, she had closed the crate door properly. When the researchers returned to the lab, she managed to brush them off by claiming she was dizzy. They helped her to a chair, offered a few words of concern, and then went to check on the patient.
"Vital signs are very weak. How many more days do you think he can last?"
"Hard to say. I hate to admit it, but if Yi Ting doesn't come to see him, two days at most?"
*She saw him. That person already saw him.*
Jian Weiwei had just taken a sip of water; now she felt like throwing it up.
Putting on her habitual fake smile to bid the researchers goodbye, she ran out of the experimental zone.
Fan Shuwan was in his usual spot on the garden bench downstairs, reading. Since she wasn't in the mood to greet him, Jian Weiwei lowered her head and tried to pretend she hadn't seen him. To her surprise, Fan Shuwan took the initiative to stop her.
"I waited here specifically for you today because I have a request." For the first time, Fan Shuwan’s book was spread open without reservation. This book he read so seriously every day didn't have a single word on its pages. "As you can see, I am also an ability user. I’ve decided to transfer from the Records Office to the front lines to participate in mutant suppression operations."
"Word is that the first batch of ability users sent on missions will be in five-person teams. I wonder if Assistant Jian would be willing to lead an inexperienced newcomer like me."
Jian Weiwei couldn't describe how she felt upon hearing this.
Those people treated them like mutants, yet sent them out to risk their lives fighting mutants.
What was the point of that?
But she couldn't say these things to Fan Shuwan. She could only force a smile. "Why the sudden urge to go to the front lines? Work at the Records Office is easy and pays well. I’m practically dying of envy; why would you come looking for trouble?"
"Because I’m afraid of dying."
Fan Shuwan gave a reason that sounded diametrically opposed to his actions.
"You..." Before Jian Weiwei could retort, he cut her off.
"I’m even more afraid of dying without knowing why," Fan Shuwan said. "The Records Office handles too much information. I don't think I have the capacity to stay there any longer."
"I believe you understand what I’m saying. From the way you use your ability, I can tell you’re someone who fears death just as much as I do."
The conversation that day ended in Jian Weiwei’s silence.
That night, she ate dinner alone. When she returned to the dormitory, she saw Xing Yue packing her bags.
She was leaving.
...
She could escape!
Jian Weiwei tried to ignore the screaming voice in her heart as she sat on her lower bunk.
The sound of the suitcase zipper being pulled was exceptionally piercing.
*She must have found out something too, which is why she’s choosing to run!*
The girl’s palms were slick with sweat. She had imagined her first real conversation with her roommate many times—agreeing to teach a class together? Going to buy new cooling sleeves and wrist guards together? But she never imagined it would be under these circumstances.
"Xiao Yue, can you take me with you?" Jian Weiwei finally couldn't hold it back, pleading in a low voice.
Her roommate’s movements paused visibly. For the first time, she spoke to her.
"No."
***
"I’m finished." Jian Weiwei gracefully tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking nothing like someone who had just recalled a painful past.
Xin Ye’s expression was far more solemn than hers.
He hadn't known any of this.
*This has to be fake, right? Am I really the reborn protagonist?*
【Stop questioning your rebirth and protagonist status. Do you have any idea how long these side stories have been updating and how much flak I’ve taken for them?】 Xun Yin’s tone was flat. 【It’s only right that you didn't know. Think about it—does the exposure of these secrets affect Leng Xianye’s ability to slay monsters and be the savior?】
Xin Ye: "It doesn't."
Xun Yin: 【Does it affect Little Leng and Little Xing being together?】
Xin Ye: "It doesn't... it might even be a catalyst."
Xun Yin: 【Then does it affect you slacking off while hiding within the protagonist’s party?】
Xin Ye: "..."
It didn't affect that at all.
【Actually, it will.】
The person sitting in front of the computer didn't know what kind of expression they were making. They touched the corner of their mouth, only then realizing they were actually smiling.
【If Leng Xianye hadn't relied on the Black Box to devour the mutant cores, and the apocalypse hadn't been speed-run, you ability users would have eventually become nothing more than tools for Headquarters... Guess what other functions ability users could be developed for, given how much closer you are to mutants, besides being the blades that cull them?】
Thirty-five percent of Headquarters' energy had already been replaced by new energy harvested from mutants.
Most mutants killed on missions were recycled and repurposed.
Because of the onset of the apocalypse, most teenagers' academic careers ended early. During the two-year training period, teachers were also responsible for teaching general education. The civilian sectors maintained economic operations, and for some reason, Economics courses—minus Macroeconomics—had been mysteriously retained.
Xin Ye still remembered the first lesson; the scarcity of resources was one of the earliest concepts introduced.
In his memory, the teacher’s voice and Xun Yin’s voice overlapped at this moment.
【Relative to the infinite desires of people, resources will always be scarce and lacking.】
...
"Impossible!"
Jian Weiwei nearly fell off her chair, her eyes wide. "I know it’s a lot of information and you’re excited! The dorm walls are soundproof, but don't shout so loud. Oh, wait, your teammates are next door, so I guess it’s fine."
The Mirror Self half-embraced Xin Ye’s shoulder, stroking his back. "That shout was indeed quite loud."
In reality, their voices were heard by the teammates next door. Tang Qiuqiu was the first to run over and knock.
"Captain? Are you okay?" Even after receiving permission to enter, Tang Qiuqiu didn't come in immediately. She just poked half her head in. Seeing Jian Weiwei, she gave a hostile, malicious glare before quickly changing her expression to look worriedly at Xin Ye. "Are... are you sick? If anything’s wrong, we’re all right next door. Just call us."
Xin Ye said he was fine. After Tang Qiuqiu closed the door and left, he gripped the blanket even tighter.
"If I follow the path you designed for me, how am I supposed to proceed?"
【It’s a power fantasy route. Let the 'Mirror Self' completely replace the 'Black Box' and just go on an OP rampage,】 Xun Yin pulled up his discarded draft outline. 【You’ll become the second 'Dragon-Proud-Heaven' protagonist. I’ll just delete the Headquarters' inside story. It won't matter if you remember it or not; as long as the core is eliminated, everything can end just like the main story timeline.】
【Do you like this plot? ...Or do you have your own ideas?】
"I don't believe you," Xin Ye’s knuckles turned white from the strain. "I don't believe a single word about the future or the ending you’ve described."
A future that smooth and effortless felt like floating on clouds—approaching the sun, bathed in glory—but the moment you slipped, you would be shattered to pieces.
"I have my own hands, feet, mouth, and brain. Why should I live like a cripple relying on your guarantees? Why should I place the lives of my teammates and friends in your hands?"
As Xin Ye spoke, the weight of his words grew heavier, yet the voice reaching Xun Yin became lighter and lighter.
As if he didn't care about these things at all.
He said to Jian Weiwei, "Thank you for coming to tell me these things today. I will verify them carefully and think seriously about what to do next."
Jian Weiwei watched as the boy’s expression gradually smoothed out. She found it quite interesting. "Don't mention it."
Xin Ye got out of bed, threw on a coat, and saw Jian Weiwei out.
Xun Yin reached this point, saved the document, and closed his laptop.
That power fantasy outline was indeed a discarded draft, but he didn't have any other newly written outlines either.
In the past, writing so aimlessly without a plan would have been impossible for him. But now, he sprawled lazily across the desk, immensely satisfied with the progress.
*I knew my protagonist would choose to walk this way,* Xun Yin thought.
Xin Ye was the very first character of this book, born before the main text, yet too many things about him had been locked away in the "Trash" folder along with discarded settings.
The Headquarters' secrets that were deleted for being too dark, the character settings that were removed or split for being too detailed... now, these things were coming to life.
Xun Yin saw his own face reflected in the black screen.
"I really want to cut open all these filthy things and show them to you, Xin Ye."
