Chapter 22
“The nursery didn’t have any incidents?” Su Ci asked.
Hearing his question, 4586 paused its movements and gave a detailed report of what had transpired in the nursery after the Blood Rain alert.
It turned out that the activity room was equipped with a teleportation platform connected to the cubs’ individual rooms. The moment the Blood Rain alert was issued, 4586 had carried the cubs one by one to the teleportation platform.
The platform’s AI had pre-registered the cubs’ information. A quick scan of the detection light was all it took to automatically transport each cub to their designated room.
The entire process took only three seconds, so even with only 4586 present, the task was completed swiftly.
The rooms where the cubs were housed were specially designed. Even adults in a beastified state wouldn’t necessarily be able to break through, let alone cubs who had yet to fully master their bloodline powers.
“So, during extreme weather conditions, transporting the cubs to their rooms promptly not only minimizes their exposure to pollutants but also prevents them from going berserk and acting irrationally, which could hinder the action teams’ work.”
4586 added helpfully, “Su Su, this is one of the key points of your job to remember.”
Su Ci nodded. If that was how things worked, it explained why the nursery had remained so calm.
“Were there any abnormalities during the rain?”
4586 continued its report. “After the cubs were placed in their rooms, only Number Six, Number Seven, and Number Eight exhibited berserk episodes. Number Six and Number Seven have already calmed down thanks to sedatives.”
Su Ci frowned. “What about Number Eight?”
“Number Eight used the JH05493 sedative model last night,” 4586 explained. “Since it hasn’t been 24 hours yet, there’s still residual sedative in his system, and per medical instructions, it can’t be administered again. As a result, he is still in berserk mode.”
Images of the defiant green eyes of the young boy flashed through Su Ci’s mind.
Frowning slightly, he glanced at 4586, who had returned to its tasks. He reluctantly offered, “Need any help?”
“I’m preparing lunch for Number Three and Number Five,” 4586 replied as it scanned behind Su Ci. “Number Two and Number Four didn’t return with you?”
Su Ci replied, “No, their condition was unstable, so they stayed in the medical ward.”
“Understood,” 4586 said in its usual straightforward tone. “I can handle making and delivering lunch for Number Three and Number Five. There’s nothing else for you to do right now, so you can take a break.”
“This afternoon at 3 o’clock, you’ll have your onboarding training. I’ll take you on a tour of the nursery, introduce you to the facilities, explain the cubs’ daily routines, and outline the caretakers’ responsibilities. Be sure to bring your employee handbook!”
The employee handbook…
Su Ci recalled the Caretaker’s Handbook stored in his space button, still holding a fragment of spider silk within its pages. He paused briefly before nodding.
“Oh, okay.”
With that, Su Ci didn’t linger any longer and left the kitchen with Number One, intending to return to his dormitory.
However, once inside the elevator, he reconsidered. Closing his eyes, the interior of Room 503 in the nursery appeared in his mind.
The room’s ceiling sensor light was on, illuminating the chaotic scene within. Furniture that had once been neatly arranged was now in disarray, and even the bed had collapsed.
The young boy with wolf ears and a tail lay on the floor, his head bloodied and his clothes torn in several places. He looked utterly miserable.
It seemed he had worn himself out, as he was now sprawled on the ground, panting heavily.
Considering he was alone in the room, it was unclear how he had managed to create such chaos and inflict so much damage on himself.
Su Ci hesitated for a moment before glancing down at Number One.
“You should head back to the dormitory,” he said.
Number One blinked and grabbed the hem of Su Ci’s clothes with his small hand, shaking his head pitifully.
Seeing that Number One wanted to follow, Su Ci didn’t object and let him come along.
Su Ci arrived on the fifth floor and stood outside Room 503 with Number One, completing the identity verification process.
[Beep—Identity Verified.]
[Welcome, Trainee Caretaker Su Ci. Upon inspection, Cub Number Eight is emotionally unstable and currently in a berserk state. No immediate life-threatening danger detected. Does not meet the criteria for room access.]
[Would you like to forcibly open Nursery Room 503?]
[Note: This action will be logged and reported to the supervisor. Proceed with caution.]
Without reading the full text, Su Ci tapped “Confirm” and stepped into the room.
Number Eight, who had been lying on the ground gasping for air, immediately perked up at the sound of the metal door opening. His slit-pupil eyes darted sharply toward the entrance.
When he realized it was Su Ci entering, the boy froze momentarily before baring his teeth. He scrambled to his feet and, without hesitation, launched himself at Su Ci like a blur.
Thud!
At the last second, Su Ci sidestepped, causing Number Eight’s head to slam squarely into the now-closed metal door. The impact left him clutching his forehead in pain, grimacing as tears welled up at the corners of his eyes.
Once he recovered from the shock, Number Eight glared at the door in frustration before turning to Su Ci with a seething, hateful gaze.
Awoo! Awoo!
The boy growled ferociously at Su Ci, his childish voice lending an oddly endearing tone to his aggression. Despite the savage expression on his face and the blood oozing from his forehead and lips, his tiny figure resembled nothing more than a paper tiger—Or perhaps, a paper wolf?
Su Ci’s gaze drifted to the boy’s large, fluffy tail swaying behind him, and he silently corrected himself.
Though consumed by his beastly instincts, Number Eight didn’t immediately charge again. He crouched low to the ground on all fours, circling Su Ci cautiously like a predator sizing up its prey.
His slit-pupil green eyes held not just hatred but also wariness and scrutiny.
Sensing the danger radiating from Su Ci, his animal instincts warned him to tread carefully. However, this prudence didn’t last long.
Awoo!
Unable to suppress his urge, the boy lunged at Su Ci once more with startling speed, like a black streak of lightning ready to sink its teeth into his throat.
But someone else was quicker.
A broken table leg nearby suddenly rolled into the boy’s path. Just as he pushed off the ground, his foot landed squarely on the obstruction.
Thud—!
Before reaching Su Ci, Number Eight tripped and crashed face-first onto the floor in a graceless heap.
The room fell silent except for the boy’s groan of pain.
After a long pause, Number Eight struggled to lift his head, blood dripping from his nose and forming a crimson splash on the white floor. Tears brimmed in his defiant, green eyes.
Meanwhile, Su Ci stood motionless.
He frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to the small figure glaring protectively at Number Eight. Despite his tiny, frail frame, Number One stood resolutely, exuding an air of unwavering determination.
Noticing Su Ci’s gaze, Number One turned his head, his large, round, black-red eyes wide with innocence. His small face barely larger than a palm seemed utterly guileless.
He had only been trying to protect the caretaker—was that wrong?
Moreover, the boy had displayed remarkable intelligence, knowing how to use his surroundings to gain an advantage instead of resorting to brute force. For someone his age, such cleverness was truly rare.
Thinking this, Su Ci gave Number One an approving look.
The boy, initially nervous under Su Ci’s scrutiny, was momentarily stunned. Then he broke into a delighted grin, his expression unexpectedly endearing.
Before them, Number Eight managed to push himself halfway up, only to collapse back onto the floor, exhausted and unable to move. His furry ears and tail drooped limply, and he lay sprawled like a puddle of melted wax.
Squatting down, Su Ci observed him for a moment before gently placing a hand on his head.
Despite being utterly drained, Number Eight still mustered the energy to lift his chin, glaring stubbornly at Su Ci. He bared his teeth like a wolf pup, full of resentment.
Su Ci remained unperturbed. A faint golden light shimmered from his palm, softly merging into the boy’s body.
As the light infused him, Number Eight’s icy green, beast-like eyes began to widen, gradually regaining their normal human appearance. His tense expression eased as the bloodline’s ferocity was soothed and suppressed.
The boy’s exhaustion grew heavier, pulling him toward sleep. His eyelids drooped lower and lower, though he fought to keep them open.
In the end, he managed only a single deep look at Su Ci before finally succumbing, closing his eyes as fatigue overtook him.
The large, fluffy tail behind him faded away along with his bloodline’s beastly power. However, the pair of soft, dark-gray ears atop his head remained.
The boy’s fur was fine and smooth, his ear cartilage soft and springy to the touch. They were not just pliable but had a velvety texture that was unexpectedly pleasant to feel.
Su Ci couldn’t resist rubbing Number Eight’s soft, fluffy ears a couple more times.
Seeing this, the little boy at his side curiously leaned in for a closer look. Noticing his interest, Su Ci withdrew his hand and gave him a look of encouragement.
Number One blinked, hesitating for a moment before cautiously reaching out. His small hand gently rested on one of Number Eight’s furry wolf ears.
The unfamiliar, soft texture startled him at first, and he instinctively pulled his hand back. However, he couldn’t resist and soon reached out again, stroking the wolf cub’s fur-covered ear.
It was soft, warm, and oddly comforting.
The boy’s wide eyes sparkled with amazement. He turned to Su Ci, his gaze filled with pure delight.
Su Ci’s lips curved into a small, approving smile.
A newly born spirit could learn clever combat techniques and crush its enemies without hesitation, but it also needed to recognize the beauty of the world. Only by appreciating such moments could it resist malevolent influences and hold steadfast to its true nature.
After Number One finished his exploration and obediently withdrew his hand, Su Ci bent down to pick up the now-unconscious Number Eight and carried him to the bed.
The boy, whose face had once been clean and cute, now looked pitiful—his skin covered in bruises, smudged with dried and fresh blood that trickled slowly down his cheeks.
Despite his battered appearance, the wolf cub’s vitality was astounding, burning like a small furnace in the dead of winter, far more robust than Number One’s.
The sight of his dirty, bloodstained face irked Su Ci. He walked into the bathroom and returned with a basin of water.
Due to the effects of the Blood Rain, the water from the tap contained pollutants so concentrated that Su Ci couldn’t ignore it. He frowned slightly and casually cast a purification spell into the basin.
Had Gu Qingchen been present, he would have been shocked to see that the purification energy Su Ci released was not only identical to his own but also hundreds of times more potent.
Number One stared at the basin of water now infused with purification energy, his gaze transfixed. Remembering the sensation of being enveloped by that energy, he found himself longing for it again.
So… was the caretaker also a purifier? He wondered. Could the caretaker work at the medical purification center in the future? Recalling how fiercely the adults competed for Su Ci’s attention, Number One resolved to be even more well-behaved.
Standing quietly to the side, he watched as Su Ci cleaned the blood off Number Eight’s face.
The boy remained silent and still. Though he didn’t like Number Eight, he understood that the caretaker wasn’t just his alone.
Before long, the water in the basin turned red, and Number Eight’s face was finally clean. Thanks to the purification energy in the water, his skin appeared especially smooth and tender after the cleaning.
Unable to resist, Su Ci poked the boy’s plump cheek, then set the towel aside and retrieved the medical spray Guan Zhishu had given him. He sprayed it over Number Eight’s face.
Whether it was due to the spray’s remarkable effectiveness or its calming properties, Number Eight’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and he fell into a deeper sleep.
The eruption of his bloodline’s power had drained him immensely, and he would need plenty of rest to recover. However, when he awakened, his control over his bloodline abilities would likely be even stronger.
How fascinating.
Su Ci looked at Number Eight. Though he outwardly resembled a human, his beast-like traits set him apart. Calling him a half-monster would be an exaggeration given his diluted bloodline, but compared to pure humans, his innate strength made him far better suited to survive in this world.
Rising to his feet, Su Ci carried the basin of bloody water away for disposal.
Although diluted, he could still sense faint traces of energy lingering in the bloodied water—energy that would likely be highly nourishing for the monsters in the Blood Mist.
This suggested that the monsters’ attacks on humans weren’t simply about hunting for food.
Among the events of the day, one detail stood out to Su Ci as particularly intriguing—what Yan Ping had mentioned: The monsters didn’t actively destroy buildings.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to—it was that they couldn’t. During the Blood Rain, Su Ci had sensed a force of rules blanketing Base 24.
Unfortunately, whatever had generated this force was now weakening for some unknown reason.
As this force continued to dissipate, Su Ci speculated that in the future—when the Blood Rain or other extreme weather events returned—the accompanying Blood Mist would no longer remain outdoors.
The creatures birthed by the Blood Mist would not only multiply but also become more reckless. They wouldn’t just attack buildings—they would infiltrate them, preying on the inhabitants within. For the base’s human population, especially the beastified warriors whose blood and flesh were particularly enticing to the monsters, this would spell disaster.
And that wouldn’t even be the worst of it.
Once the protective force completely disappeared, the Blood Mist would no longer be confined to periods of extreme weather. This amalgamation of twisted, negative energy would invade every corner of the planet, unleashing the monsters without restraint.
At that point, all life on the planet would lose its last layer of protection.
And…
Su Ci tilted his head back slightly as if peering through the ceiling to the Blood Mist-filled sky above.
He could sense that the same force binding the Blood Mist to this planet was also tethering the mist in place.
If that force were to vanish entirely, the Blood Mist from the Prison Star could very well spread to other planets. If that happened, life beyond this planet would also be at risk.
I wonder… have those humans who fled to other worlds made adequate preparations?
Su Ci’s expression was difficult to read. He shrugged after a moment, lowering his gaze to dispose of the bloody water and thoroughly washing his hands before drying them with a towel.
What comes, comes.
For now, there was still time—no need to rush.
After ensuring the wolf cub was settled, Su Ci left Room 503 with Number One in tow.
As he walked down the hallway, Su Ci figured he might as well check on the other cubs.
Number Three and Number Five hadn’t gone berserk. One was crouched in a corner, happily clicking a metallic ball against the wall, while the other sat at a small table, diligently drawing.
As for Number Six and Number Seven, who had been sedated…
Su Ci glanced toward Rooms 501 and 502.
Sprayed with sedatives during their berserk episodes, neither cub had been attended to further due to regulations, leaving them both unconscious on the floor.
This time, Su Ci finally committed their appearances to memory.
Number Six appeared only slightly older than Number Eight, with short, gleaming golden hair—a soft, pale gold that was exceptionally striking.
At the moment, his beastified traits weren’t very pronounced. He hadn’t grown ears, but a thin, long tail extended from his lower back.
The tail’s fur was a tawny gold with a faint golden sheen, glimmering faintly under the light. Its quality was unmistakably good.
The boy sprawled on the ground, limbs akimbo, snoring contentedly. His slightly open mouth even had a suspicious trail of drool at the corner.
As Su Ci watched, Number Six wiped the drool from his mouth with the back of his hand, smacked his lips, rolled over, and wrapped his tail around his neck like a scarf before continuing to sleep without a care in the world.
Su Ci turned his attention to Number Seven’s room.
Number Seven was smaller in stature, about the same age as Number Five. He had silver-white hair and beastified ears that resembled halved leaves, their tips pointed and delicate.
Deer ears?
In addition to the soft, furry ears, two round, velvet-covered nubs protruded from his forehead—tiny budding antlers.
Unlike his usual lively and mischievous demeanor, the boy was curled up amidst a pile of scattered items, his eyes tightly shut and hands drawn close to his chest. His sleeping posture radiated insecurity.
Su Ci observed him for a while, noting that the boy remained motionless in this position.
When he opened his eyes again, the vision faded from his mind.
After a rare moment of hesitation, Su Ci stepped into each of the boys’ rooms, pulling blankets over them before returning to the elevator with Number One.
Though he could have used a short-range teleport to cover the distance, Su Ci refrained. Such actions might draw attention, and he wasn’t ready to reveal himself yet.
There were still many things he didn’t fully understand, and he needed his current identity as a cover.
Besides, he found the caretaker’s life unexpectedly interesting.
The elevator stopped on the third floor.
When the doors opened, Number One glanced outside and lowered his head in disappointment. He followed Su Ci out of the elevator, his steps heavy with reluctance.
His mind lingered on the small patch of clean soil and the peculiar little object Su Ci had shown him earlier. Beyond its novelty, the soil gave him a sense of familiarity and warmth.
Unlike most of the land on the Prison Star, which was laced with the blood-red substances referred to as “pollutants,” that tiny patch of soil was untainted.
Number One had visited the cultivation garden before, where bagged soil imported from other planets was stored. Yet, none of it felt as pure or inviting as that small patch of earth.
What fascinated him the most was the object buried within the soil—something that kept “speaking” to him, sending waves of messages his way.
This was unlike anything Number One had ever encountered.
He suspected it might be a seed, though he wasn’t entirely sure. He had seen plenty of seeds before, especially in the cultivation garden.
There, seeds were stored in transparent glass containers or nutrient mediums. Immersed in clear liquids, they would sprout golden-brown roots and pale yellow leaves.
During this process, cultivators frequently replaced the liquid until the seeds matured into edible vegetables.
For a time, Number One had been fascinated by these plants, spending hours in the cultivation garden. Yet, none of the seeds or plants there had ever “spoken” to him.
So, he couldn’t be certain if the buried object was truly a seed.
Although he wanted to return to check on it, Number One couldn’t bear to leave Su Ci’s side. He reluctantly suppressed his curiosity, reasoning that Su Ci would likely revisit it. When that happened, he could follow along, satisfying his curiosity and staying close to the caretaker.
Besides, in the logistics office earlier, he had seen Su Ci exchange points for solid fertilizer and multi-purpose nutrient solution—items Number One had only ever seen in the cultivation garden.
This further solidified his belief that the buried object was likely a plant, if not a seed.
With these thoughts, Number One clung closely to Su Ci as they returned to Dormitory 303.
Su Ci’s dormitory had open windows, making it brighter than the cubs’ rooms even without the lights on. However, this also made it slightly more vulnerable during extreme weather.
To Number One, however, this dormitory was the safest and most comforting place in all of Base 24.
Being near the caretaker already reduced the omnipresent red specks of pollution that constantly surrounded him. Inside this room, the oppressive sensation disappeared entirely.
Standing at the doorway, Number One waited for the metal door to close behind them. Only then did he take a deep breath, finally feeling at ease.
Meanwhile, Su Ci headed straight to the kitchen to boil water and prepare lunch. He hadn’t eaten enough in the morning, and his entire body now screamed for sustenance.
Though the water on the Prison Star was filtered and purified, trace amounts of pollutants still remained—low enough to evade ordinary detection.
Su Ci had tolerated it until now, but at this moment…
Since Su Ci had mastered purification spells, he figured he might as well put them to use!
Though the effect wasn’t as potent as directly using his divine soul power, the targeted nature of the spell was sufficient for water sources with low levels of contamination.
He filled a large kettle with hot water, then cast a purification spell into it. As the lingering malevolent energy dissipated, only pure spiritual energy remained.
Under his control, this spiritual energy didn’t disperse but instead merged with the water. Drinking such purified water regularly would nourish the body and cleanse impurities.
Still, having to repeat this process every time was inconvenient…
Su Ci tilted his head thoughtfully. With a flick of his fingers, he traced a glowing pattern in the air. A miniature golden magic array appeared, radiating faint, intricate lines imbued with a mystical aura.
Thank you for the chapter!!!