Chapter 9 The Guardian

Chapter 9 The Guardian

Sentinels are no good.

Fang Ran knew this.

After boarding the return hovercar, he casually opened his terminal and noticed several unfamiliar IDs appearing in his private account's contact requests.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

When he first transmigrated, he didn’t understand the importance of keeping his distance from Sentinels.

After a Purification, there were always some arrogant Sentinels who would ask for his personal ID, approaching him with all sorts of ridiculous excuses—it was a total nuisance.

Fang Ran used to ignore them, but this time, without batting an eye, he blocked every single one.

He didn’t know if Fu Zhangzhou was among them, but it would be best if he was.

Fang Ran was now frustrated and unable to speak up.

He had no direct evidence, but the sudden emergence of his scent gland was likely connected to Fu Zhangzhou.

But he couldn’t just run up to the Sentinel and yell, "You bastard, you turned me into an Omega!"

Besides, that man was far too dangerous—calm on the surface but crazy inside that day.

He wasn’t some mad dog; he was a wolf in fox’s clothing!

Keeping his distance was the smart move.

Unlike most transmigrants, Fang Ran had no big ambitions nor any desire to save the world.

This transmigration was indeed an accident, but his original life had been a mess too. After discovering he’d arrived in a new world, he even felt a faint sense of anticipation.

He could start a new life here.

In this world, strength meant authority.

Others might jump at the chance to connect with such a high-ranking Sentinel, but he just wanted to stay as far away as possible.

The Guide identity left to him by the original owner granted him protection from the center, a decent salary, and the chance to live a stable life even in this apocalyptic world.

Fang Ran thought, this is enough—he was already quite satisfied.

Suddenly, his terminal vibrated, and a message popped up.

「Wanqing: 800,000 Alliance Coins」

Below it was noted as a friends-and-family discount.

Fang Ran: "......"

So much for being satisfied!

Where the hell is that bastard Fu Zhangzhou?!

......

That figure nearly made Fang Ran scream.

Though he had expected it, he was still shocked.

A wave of suffocating frustration welled up in his chest, and his fingers gripping the window turned white.

That damned Fu Zhangzhou!

He cursed the Sentinel over and over in his heart, then silently stared at those zeros for a long time.

Just then, the center AI suddenly sounded in his earphones.

「Guide Fang Ran, DR002 alert issued by the West District Subcenter. Will you respond?」

DR002 again?

Fang Ran raised an eyebrow—this was a warning indicating a A-class or higher Sentinel was on the verge of going berserk.

Could it be Fu Zhangzhou again?

He glanced down.

The alert was issued by the subcenter.

But alerts of this level usually didn’t come from subcenters.

Unlike the headquarters, subcenters only provided Purification services, and even the Sentinels on duty were assigned on rotation from the headquarters.

Of course, Class S Sentinels would never be assigned guard duty.

So what was going on?

The scenery outside the window rushed past.

After a moment of thought, Fang Ran decided to cut his leave short and report for work.

He was already close to the subcenter, and emergency tasks like this offered the highest subsidies. Right now, what he needed most was Alliance Coins.

"Respond."

「Acknowledged, Guide Fang Ran.」

After the system confirmed, Fang Ran transferred to another hovercar mid-journey and arrived at the subcenter’s entrance in ten minutes.

As soon as he stepped out, he could tell the atmosphere was different from usual.

A black hovercar was parked outside, larger than the ones usually used by the center and with a different emblem.

The Sentinels usually stationed outside were nowhere to be seen—a very rare occurrence.

Fang Ran stepped into the hall with questions in mind and found it in complete chaos.

"Where should the injured be taken?"

"Where are the healers?"

"Guides! Where are the Guides!?!"

"This Sentinel is about to go berserk!!!"

The scene was utter pandemonium.

The originally spacious, bright hall was now densely packed with people.

Fang Ran could tell from the uniforms of some individuals that they weren't sentinels from the Center.

Black with blue stripes—these were the "Guardians."

The Sentinel and Guide Center was the first organization to begin recruiting sentinels and guides.

Although affiliated with the state, it remains relatively independent.

In recent decades, as the battle against monsters has grown increasingly deadlocked,

the Center's influence has grown significantly, arousing covert dissatisfaction in the military.

Starting a few years ago, they began forming their own sentinel and guide teams.

The "Guardians" are one of their most renowned forces.

At the same time, it is also where the story's main characters rose to prominence.

Something isn't right.

Why are the "Guardians" here?