Chapter 19
After exchanging contact information, Su Ci and Yan Ping emerged from the corner.
The others quickly adjusted their expressions, and as the two approached, Shi Yijiang stepped forward and patted Su Ci on the shoulder.
“Su Ci, sorry about earlier!”
He grinned and added, “Captain Yan is right—if you can’t pass the probation period as a caretaker, you should consider other positions. If you’re interested in the work at Logistics, I can help recommend you.”
Competent individuals were welcome everywhere.
Although Su Ci looked frail and likely lacked physical strength, logistics tasks didn’t require much manual labor since most material handling was assisted by robots. His calm and collected demeanor in the face of danger was an invaluable trait.
Shi Yijiang believed that if Yan Ping’s earlier speculation was correct, the base wouldn’t be peaceful for much longer. Having someone like Su Ci as a teammate could mean not having to worry about him dragging them down in dangerous situations. In fact, he might even lend a hand during critical moments.
As for his physical fitness? That could always be trained.
Hearing Shi Yijiang’s suggestion, Yan Ping’s expression became subtly complicated. Surprisingly, Sun Si wasn’t about to be left behind either.
She moved closer, nudging Shi Yijiang aside.
“You know, I didn’t expect someone who looks as mild-mannered as you to have such guts,” she said to Su Ci. “If you ever need help, I could put in a word for you with Administration.”
Even Luo Shengfei, who was still incapacitated, nodded in agreement with a faint smile.
On the other hand, Xia Jingming’s expression darkened as he watched the sudden shift in everyone’s attitude.
He didn’t believe his suspicions about Su Ci were unwarranted. The caretaker was suspicious, plain and simple. But for now, he had no evidence to prove it. And more importantly, Yan Ping had already spoken in Su Ci’s defense.
Suppressing his displeasure, Xia Jingming forced a smile and remarked, “Well, the Research Institute wouldn’t work for someone without professional skills.”
His words didn’t seem to bother Su Ci, but they caused the others to frown slightly.
That tone… wasn’t it just a little too condescending?
Even Number One, standing quietly beside Su Ci, couldn’t help but glare at Xia Jingming. Though he didn’t want Su Ci to leave the incubator, he disliked seeing anyone treat him poorly even more.
He could sense the ill will the Research Institute man held toward Su Ci.
*
At that moment, the rain outside abruptly stopped.
Just as suddenly as it had begun, the rain ceased, and the blood-red clouds in the sky dissipated swiftly. Soft light filtered through, illuminating the earth once more.
The red mist that had permeated the base vanished in an instant, leaving behind pools of blood-red rainwater laden with high concentrations of pollutants.
The sounds of fighting outside gradually died down.
We survived…
The thought crossed everyone’s mind, and the tension from their earlier disagreements faded. Looking out at the brightening sky, they finally felt a sense of safety return.
Just then, Yan Ping’s communicator buzzed. He answered the call, though with privacy mode enabled, the others couldn’t hear the conversation. Judging by the way his tense expression softened, it seemed to be good news.
The team members Yan Ping had sent to check the rest of the logistics building also returned one by one. They reported no anomalies, and the staff hiding in the underground warehouse and offices were all unharmed.
After the mist cleared, some of the logistics personnel made their way to the first floor. When they saw the shattered glass in the lobby and Luo Shengfei’s injuries, their faces turned pale with fear.
“Shi Tou (a.ka. Luo Shengfei), are you okay?”
“What happened to Xiao Fei? He’s so badly injured—he needs to get to Medical Purification right away!”
The group quickly gathered around Luo Shengfei upon seeing his injuries. They called for a hover stretcher and carefully transferred him onto it to be taken to the Medical Purification Center for treatment.
“Captain Yan, are you heading there with us?” Shi Yijiang asked.
Yan Ping shook his head. “We still need to wrap things up. The rain has stopped, and the red mist has dissipated. You should be safe on the way.”
To be cautious, Yan Ping assigned Guan Zhishu to accompany them. After a glance toward Su Ci and the possible location of Number One, he led his team members away swiftly.
Su Ci, intending to head to the medical center to pick up the children, joined Guan Zhishu and the others as they left the logistics building.
The moment they stepped outside, they saw the hover bus that had brought them. Its windows were shattered, with glass scattered everywhere, and the vehicle’s body had been pierced by something sharp, leaving gaping holes in the roof and sides.
Judging by the size, the holes seemed to match the front limbs of the giant spider.
“Ah!”
A sudden cry came from behind, and the group turned to see Xia Jingming, who had been at the rear, tripping on the stairs.
The ground was soaked from the recent blood rain, and his fall left him completely drenched.
Whether due to high levels of pollutants or simple frustration, Xia Jingming began to curse angrily, claiming someone had pushed him.
Everyone frowned and instinctively stepped back to keep their distance from him.
Su Ci raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the little one beside him.
Number One, who had just flashed back into place, stood with his small hands clasped behind his back, looking innocent. Fortunately, Su Ci wasn’t angry. He gave the child a brief glance before looking away.
Number One turned to glare at the soaked and flustered Xia Jingming, letting out a tiny huff before trotting after Su Ci like an obedient little shadow.
The group used a teleportation platform to arrive at the Medical Purification Center.
With the rain just having stopped, injured personnel were being brought in one after another, making the center a bustling hub of activity. Fortunately, guards were present to maintain order, preventing any chaos.
The blood rain had struck suddenly, and when the monsters attacked, a maintenance team was unfortunately working outdoors inspecting equipment. They narrowly escaped disaster, thanks to the swift intervention of the operations team, which escorted them to safety inside a building.
Though some were seriously injured, there were no fatalities.
Those like Luo Shengfei, who were severely hurt, were taken directly to medical pods for treatment. Those with minor injuries waited their turn in hospital rooms.
In addition to the injured, there were people like Sun Si who had come for purification due to excessive exposure to the blood rain.
Among them, Su Ci stood out—he was the only one there to pick up children. Nevertheless, he was taken to the purification floor along with the others.
It was then that Su Ci realized the term “Medical Purification Center” referred to two separate facilities. The doctor and purifier who had contacted him the previous day, Gu Qingchen, worked here.
Inside the purification room, Sun Si questioned Gu Qingchen in dissatisfaction.
“Dr. Gu, why is my contamination level higher than that of this newcomer, Su Ci, even though I followed all the protective measures and avoided direct contact with the rain?”
Gu Qingchen adjusted his glasses and replied nonchalantly, “Each person’s body reacts differently to pollutants. Individual tolerance levels vary.”
Hearing this, Sun Si immediately grew tense. She hadn’t been at her job for long and had never heard of the term “pollutant tolerance” before.
“So, does that mean my tolerance to pollutants is low? Is there any way to improve it? Is having low tolerance a big problem?”
She asked urgently, clearly consumed by anxiety.
“No need to worry.”
Gu Qingchen, wearing medical gloves, placed his hand on the back of Sun Si’s hand. A faint white glow emanated from his palm—a soft, subdued light that radiated a sense of peace and purity.
As the light seeped into her skin, Sun Si found herself involuntarily relaxing. The unease and anxiety on her face gradually faded.
“As long as you come in for purification sessions promptly, there shouldn’t be any major issues aside from mood swings. Besides, having a low tolerance isn’t entirely a bad thing…”
Gu Qingchen’s calm and soothing voice was reassuring. However, his last sentence, spoken in a softer tone, wasn’t clear to Sun Si. Sitting in the waiting area, Su Ci couldn’t help but glance over at them.
“What is a purifier?” Su Ci turned to Shi Yijiang and asked.
Shi Yijiang began explaining.
A purifier is someone capable of cleansing pollutants, specifically the blood mist particles found in the Blood Rain. It’s thanks to purifiers that the Prison Star’s defense forces have the confidence to resist its pollutants. Their abilities significantly reduce casualties when combating the blood mist and its accompanying monsters.
Su Ci nodded. “So, purifiers’ abilities appeared alongside the blood mist?”
Shi Yijiang hesitated at the question.
This was a semi-public secret. While widely known, it wasn’t something openly discussed, especially with new base members, to avoid alarming them.
After a brief pause, Shi Yijiang seemed unsure, but Xia Jingming, now in a change of clothes with his hair still damp, sneered. “That’s right. The abilities of purifiers only emerged after arriving on the Prison Star.”
“The longer you are exposed to pollutants and the higher your contamination level, the more likely you are to awaken latent potential in your bloodline and gain superpowers.”
“Many in the operations teams come from ordinary bloodlines, incapable of even partial beast transformations. But once they awaken superpowers, they gain tremendous strength.”
Xia Jingming glanced at Su Ci, his tone faintly goading. “Caretaker Su, you seem to have a high tolerance to pollutants. If you’re interested, you could give it a try.”
Shi Yijiang frowned deeply, perplexed by Xia Jingming’s apparent hostility toward Su Ci. Before Xia Jingming could say more, Shi Yijiang quickly added, “While there’s indeed a chance of awakening abilities, the probability is very low.”
“Most people exposed to pollutants over a long period go mad or suffer irreversible organ mutations, often life-threatening.”
“That’s why we should strictly follow the base’s safety protocols and regularly visit Dr. Gu for purification. Health and life are paramount.”
Su Ci nodded thoughtfully. So, Captain Yan Ping’s “Eye of Truth” was also obtained within the Blood Mist?
Interesting.
The Blood Mist, essentially a fusion of distorted and negative energies, could be better described as malice or resentment. Acquiring abilities under such stimuli resembled the path of demonic cultivation. While it offered rapid short-term power gains, the lingering negative energies would eventually become a major obstacle in one’s journey.
That said, nothing in the world was absolute. Yan Ping was a prime example.
Then there was Gu Qingchen, here in the purification chamber. The ability he gained from the Blood Mist was the power to purify malice—a trait likely influenced by his personality and strong will.
Meanwhile, Xia Jingming didn’t argue after Shi Yijiang intervened. Though his expression was sour, he refrained from further prodding. No matter how much he disliked Su Ci, he wouldn’t risk disciplinary action by pushing his provocations further.
Before long, after Sun Si and Xia Jingming completed their purification sessions, it was Su Ci’s turn.
“So, you’re the new caretaker?”
Gu Qingchen studied Su Ci’s face and chuckled. “Indeed, you’re quite good-looking.”
The doctor appeared to be in his thirties, younger than Yan Ping, dressed in a pristine white uniform with gold-rimmed rectangular glasses. He exuded an air of refinement.
Su Ci nodded politely, extending his hand in the same manner as the others. Simultaneously, he discreetly held Number One’s small hand with his other hand.
Number One curiously observed the process but didn’t resist.
“Thank you,” Su Ci said.
Gu Qingchen smiled warmly. “No trouble at all. It’s my duty.”
The contamination levels of today’s visitors were relatively low, with Su Ci’s reading at just 15—a breeze for Gu Qingchen.
He began releasing his purification ability, placing the light orb on the back of Su Ci’s hand.
However, as time passed, the purifier’s gentle smile began to falter.
Huh? What’s going on?
The energy he had expended was already enough to purify two or three people with Sun Si’s contamination level. Yet, the purification process for Su Ci, who had a much lower level, still wasn’t complete.
