Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Yang Shu initially thought the Omega might make some excessive demands, such as immediate execution of Anjie Lie, but to his surprise, Qiuqiu's request was quite simple.

Relieved, he turned and drew the blue and white curtains, "No trouble at all."

Knowing that the young Omega came from a far-off planet and was unfamiliar with common knowledge in the Empire, Yang Shu patiently explained, "The origin of genetic diseases, as you know, is the aftermath of the star system explosion. Every citizen of the Empire carries the genetic disease from birth, a consequence of the radiation from the explosion, and no one is exempt. However, whether it manifests depends largely on the individual's genetic level."

Qiuqiu recalled the genetic tester on the Elisabeth and what Jin Li had said about all Empire citizens undergoing genetic testing. From then on, he knew that people in this world were categorized based on genetic levels.

And the result he got from the Elisabeth was, "non-compliant."

Before he could get lost in thought, Dr. Will continued, "Regardless of being Alpha, Omega, or Beta, the higher the level, the more likely the genetic disease is to manifest. However, most Omegas carry plant genes and those with plant genes never develop the disease in their lifetime. Moreover, those with plant genes also possess the same healing abilities as plants. They can soothe and alleviate genetic diseases through physical contact, pheromone connection, mental guidance, and other means."

So that's how it is.

These were the answers to his two questions.

"So, healing-type Omegas carrying plant genes can cure genetic diseases, and that's why they're so highly esteemed?"

Dr. Will nodded, "In the Empire, the status of Omegas, especially healing-type Omegas, is evident. The laws of the Empire are mere scraps of paper before them. They are governed by specific Omega regulations."

Yang Shu added, "Every healing-type Omega is an invaluable treasure of the Empire, capable of saving countless Alphas and Betas throughout their lives, and are thus highly respected by the people."

"And what about ordinary Omegas?" Qiu Autumn asked.

Dr. Will replied, "Though not as valuable as healing-type Omegas, ordinary Omegas still possess certain privileges. After all, not every Alpha can be soothed by a healing-type Omega, and ordinary Omegas can, to some extent, alleviate the onset of genetic diseases."

No wonder on the Ailibiz, although ordinary Omegas were treated cautiously, it was nothing compared to the extreme care given to Dong Kui.

After all, out of so many Omegas undergoing tests on the Ailibiz, only one healing-type Omega carrying plant genes was identified.

Qiu Autumn understood but didn't quite agree.

In his view, all plants are plants, whether it's the fresh and charming daisy or the rich and beautiful rose; whether it's the creeping, modest sorrel or the tall, stately Chinese parasol tree. They all bask in the same sunlight, bathe in the same rain, and listen to the same wind.

They are no different.

But the people of this world are.

Moreover, being treated specially just because of their healing abilities sounded more like being used as a cure for genetic diseases rather than being valued as individuals.

Therefore, Qiu Autumn didn't think that the privileged status of healing-type Omegas was something to be envied.

However, Qiu Autumn also noticed certain words in Dr. Will's explanation, such as "alleviate" and "guide."

Qiu Autumn asked, "Does this mean genetic diseases cannot be cured?"

Dr. Will and Chief Yang Tree exchanged a look, both showing signs of difficulty.

Dr. Will shook his head: "The reason it's called soothing and alleviation is because the healing ability of Omegas with plant genes can only prevent genetic diseases from manifesting, keeping them dormant. But once a genetic disease erupts, the damage to the individual is irreversible. Even high-level healing-type Omegas are powerless then. Alphas afflicted with genetic diseases mutate rapidly into ferocious beastmen, losing their human rationality and cognition, driven only by a murderous instinct, even towards their kin. And the destructive power exhibited by these mutated beastmen, due to the genetic disease, is terrifying."

"A normal Alpha's ideal lifespan should be 200–300 years, but due to the high incidence of genetic diseases among Alphas, the actual average lifespan in the Empire is only 50–80 years."

"And many Alphas don’t even reach the average lifespan once the genetic disease strikes; they just..."

"At this point, Anjie Lie, hidden behind the curtain, groaned in his coma, seemingly enduring immense pain."

"Yang Shu Street, with his world-weary eyes filled with sorrow, sadly said, 'Just like what you see in Anjie Lie... But actually, before the genetic disease struck, Anjie Lie was a kind and cheerful young man, always eager to help others. Like Dodd, he was one of the most popular young people on Duocao Street. Unfortunately, now…'"

"He couldn't continue."

"Queqiu thought of the honest and simple Dodd, and his shy smile when facing him, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart."

"He couldn't help but voice his doubt: 'If there's no cure after the genetic disease strikes, what happens to altered beastmen like Anjie Lie?'"

"A flicker of pain crossed Yang Shu's eyes: 'If the altered beastmen with the disease are not dealt with in time, there's a high chance they will trigger the disease in others carrying latent genetic illnesses, leading to a collective outbreak. So, so…'"

"At this point, he seemed unable to continue, his robust voice choked with emotion."

"Doctor Will, having seen much of life and death, was more emotionally stable than Yang Shu Street when facing such situations."

"He removed his reading glasses, wiping them as he spoke gravely, 'So, we act before Anjie Lie affects other healthy people. We take him to the cliff at the Gobi Center, block the exit below, and let him perish there alone.'"

"Queqiu's fists clenched for a moment—"

"Having spent a brief night in the Gobi, he knew all too well that an ordinary person couldn't survive in the dark star's Gobi, especially not at its center."

"Rather than leaving him to his own devices, it was more like waiting for death."

"Doctor Will cleaned his glasses and put them back on. Queqiu keenly noticed that even this elderly doctor with graying hair had tears in his eyes."

"'Young man, do you think our way of dealing with Anjie Lie is particularly cruel? But it's for the best, as most Omegas, when facing companions suffering from the disease, would just scream and hasten to dispose of them.'"

"Yang Shu seemed to have regained his composure, speaking softly, 'If we don't deal with Anjie Lie in this way, allowing him a peaceful rest in the Gobi of his hometown, without too much suffering before death, then the security team from the main city would capture Anjie Lie, either shooting him dead and throwing him into the incinerator, or burying him alive in the sandpits. Rather than letting him face a more cruel fate due to our leniency, as his family and friends, we should end his pain ourselves.'"

"The kind-hearted street chief, who kept Duocao Street in perfect order, lifted his head as if in a sigh, 'If Anjie Lie were still conscious, knowing he harmed his companions after mutation, he would also choose to end his life.'"

"Queqiu released his fists, his fair fingers relaxing one by one, still resting on his thighs."

"He lowered his head, his thick black eyelashes casting a shadow over his eyes."

"'Your choice isn’t wrong,' Queqiu said softly, 'neither is Anjie Lie.'"

"Who exactly is at fault here?"

"Queqiu, for a while, couldn't find the answer."

"Dr. Will sat beside him, gently patting the disheartened little Omega: 'Don't be afraid, genetic diseases usually don't manifest in Omegas, even if you don't carry plant genes.'"

"Queqiu looked at him, his golden eyes filled with an indiscernible emotion: 'Then why did Anjie Lie suffer an outbreak?'"

"Dr. Will explained: 'As mentioned before, the higher the rank, the more likely a genetic disease will manifest. For Omegas like you, and Betas like Yang Shu Street Chief and myself, being of a lower rank, we are actually less likely to experience an outbreak.'"

"'Alphas are the most susceptible to genetic diseases,' Queqiu added."

"'Exactly,' Dr. Will nodded approvingly at the smart Omega, 'More specifically, military Alphas.'"

"'Although genetic diseases are terrifying, they are difficult to trigger without sufficient conditions. Generally, bloodshed, death, prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation, and other such factors are triggers for a genetic disease outbreak. Military Alphas, fulfilling the conditions of high rank and burdened with heavy responsibilities, often have to fight on harsh planets like frontier stars. It's manageable when they are resting at military bases or still in military academies, with healing Omegas for psychological and physical relief. But during combat operations, the precious yet fragile Omegas cannot accompany them. All these factors combined lead to the high incidence of genetic diseases among military Alphas.'"

"Following Dr. Will's words, Yang Shu added: 'Dark Star, located at the empire's frontier, has always been the front line in resisting the Zerg. Anjie Lie, being an Alpha, volunteered for the military as soon as he came of age. And so…'"

"He didn't continue his sentence."

"But Queqiu already knew everything."

"Anjie Lie, an Alpha from the lower strata of Dark Star, must have faced the true front lines and likely never received guidance from healing Omegas. Perhaps he had never even seen an Omega's face in his lifetime."

"This is a world where the strong prey on the weak, where Alphas are treated as expendable commodities, all sharing a similar fate of inevitable destruction; and Omegas, as precious resources, achieve a higher status. However, any way you look at it, it's a world grotesquely out of balance."

"Before leaving to attend to more matters, Street Chief Yang Shu asked Queqiu if he had any other requests."

"Queqiu glanced at the white, cloud-like curtains and softly said, 'I would like to visit Anjie Lie.'"

"Street Chief Yang Shu and Dr. Will exchanged a glance. Although not entirely in agreement, they considered that Queqiu, being an Omega, could provide some final comfort to Anjie Lie before he was sent to the center of the Gobi, even if he lacked healing abilities."

"Thus, they silently nodded, consenting to Queqiu's request."

"Queqiu delicately parted the curtains and quickly approached Anjie Lie's bedside."

"The upper body of the bear Alpha, already transformed, was now peacefully asleep under the influence of anesthesia. He looked serene, free from the wildness of the genetic disease's outbreak in his waking moments, and harbored no thoughts of harming anyone."

This might be the only good sleep Anjie Lie has had after days of torment.

Qiuqiu couldn’t articulate what he was feeling; there really was no need for this gesture – he had only been in this world for a few days.

Yet every person in Duocao Street had shown him immense kindness and warmth. It was only right to reciprocate such goodwill.

Thus, his pale fingers touched Anjie Lie’s chain-wrapped chest, feeling both the cold and warmth. His delicate Omega palm was so close to the Alpha's chest, it seemed to sense the slow, steady heartbeat of a different kind of body.

"So what if he’s a monster? Even monsters have a heartbeat like humans," Qiuqiu silently thought.

With a thought, a faint golden light sparkled at his fingertips, gathering like tiny glowing dots into a stream of gold, flowing gently into Anjie Lie’s heart.

The gold, matching the hue of Qiuqiu's eyes, resembled the color of canary roses, bright and brilliant, like the first rays of morning sun, warm and comforting. It enveloped the existence rejected by the world, soothing the pain despised by all.

Even in his mutated, half-bear form, Anjie Lie’s expressionless face seemed to relax, as if the demons tormenting him in his nightmare were dispelled by that gentle force, allowing him to finally rest peacefully.

Before long, Anjie Lie’s previously heaving chest, even in his coma, began to stabilize after Qiuqiu’s healing.

As Qiuqiu infused his energy, he carefully observed Anjie Lie, who responded well, easing Qiuqiu’s concern.

After completing the healing, Qiuqiu didn’t linger in the clinic and left without looking back.

He didn’t know if his Earthly powers would help Anjie Lie survive this ordeal; it was just an attempt to clear his conscience.

The rest was up to Anjie Lie’s fate.

The young Omega appeared exhausted after leaving the clinic, wilted like a plant parched by the harsh sun. Seeing Qiuqiu's listless state upon returning home, Mao Mao, who had been anxiously waiting, immediately became flustered.

"What's wrong, Mommy? Did something happen?"

The concern on the little one's face was evident, and even his two feather-like antennae twisted nervously together, clearly reflecting his inner turmoil.

Qiuqiu, seeing Mao Mao's worried face, suddenly remembered: Mao Mao is also an Alpha.

A fragile, vulnerable Alpha, easily destroyed by anyone.

His thoughts drifted to Anjie Lie, who had suffered a genetic disease outbreak.

Does this mean that one day, Mao Mao might, like Anjie Lie, selflessly fight for the empire, his hometown, and even for him, only to embark on a path of certain death?

He'd leave with pride and glory, but return not to a hero's welcome but to death, disdain, and fear.

And he, in this world, is an "Omega," fortunately not having to face the same fate, as Dr. Wei said.

But wasn't he also discarded on the dreaded Dark Star by the Elibeth ship, deemed defective?

Suddenly, Qiuqiu squatted down and hugged Mao Mao tightly.

He closed his eyes where no one else could see, his golden hair fluttering slightly in the breeze, each strand glowing like translucent gold in the backlight.

Mao Mao's neck tickled by the soft hair, struggling to hold back laughter, then heard Qiuqiu's voice, fractured with emotion: "This world is really terrible..."

Mao Mao's heart clenched in that moment.

"Mao Mao, I don't like this world."

I dislike treating Omegas as precious "commodities" due to their rarity;

I despise how Alphas give everything to this empire, yet meet unkind ends;

I loathe a world devoid of a warm sun, a bright moon, and a gentle breeze;

And even more, I detest the inequality ingrained in everyone’s marrow.

Dislike, everywhere and everything.

It’s a soil I detest, unwilling to take root in.

Given the choice, Qiuqiu would undoubtedly return to Earth without hesitation, never wishing to glimpse this world again.

Mao Mao only recalls that day on the edge of the Dark Star's desert, being tightly held by a slender and beautiful Omega. Feeling his subtle warmth, inhaling his gentle fragrance, their hearts pressed so close, in that moment, the Omega's unintended vulnerability evoked in him an unprecedented sense of heartache.

So he said to him, "If you don't like it, I will change this world for you, Mommy."

You finally arrived in my world like a deity, plainly stating its utter awfulness.

Then I must, for you, change it.

Transform it into the perfect world you desire and love.

In that world, there will surely be brilliance just like yours.

Author's note:

Other romance protagonists: "Even if the whole world opposes you, I will stand before you, fighting against the world together with you."