Chapter 28 Can’t Wait

Chapter 28: Impatiently

Shen Ke???

The name sent a jolt through Fang Ran's heart.

Isn't that the name of the protagonist *shou* in the book?

But the protagonist *shou* is clearly a Guide!

Fang Ran secretly studied the person's face—a youthful countenance still bearing a hint of boyishness, with a cute smile that revealed two small canine teeth.

But the Shen Ke in the book was clearly a radiant beauty with a signature teardrop mole under his left eye, nothing like this person at all.

Could it just be a coincidence?

"Guide Fang Ran?" Shen Ke noticed his dazed expression. "Please give me your hand."

Fang Ran took another look at him, thinking it must just be a coincidence.

The book never mentioned this DT332 area at all; the protagonist *shou* first appeared during a mission in District 5.

By then, he was already a Guide for the Guardians.

Superpower users generally only awaken one ability, so...

It couldn't be this person in front of him.

Thinking this, he let out a small sigh of relief.

"I appreciate your help."

Fang Ran extended his hand to Shen Ke.

The healing process was somewhat similar to Purification. Although Healers didn’t possess a Spiritual Sea, they had soothing healing energy.

A warm, gentle sensation flowed from their clasped hands, giving rise to a giddy feeling.

It was as if his entire body had become lighter, and his previously chaotic Spiritual Sea had relaxed considerably.

Fang Ran half-closed his eyes, seemingly resting, but in reality, he kept observing the person in front of him.

Innocent, harmless, enthusiastic.

This was the overall impression Shen Ke gave him.

Although he had just dismissed the idea that this person was the protagonist, he still felt something was off.

"Is Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou the match for Guide Fang Ran?" The person across from him suddenly brought up the topic.

"Yes," Fang Ran replied softly, "but it's only temporary."

"Is it very taxing to Purify a Class 3S Sentinel?"

"It's manageable."

"I’ve heard that Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou... does he hit people for no reason?"

Fang Ran looked up and noticed curiosity in Shen Ke's eyes.

He felt a renewed sense of caution.

This person seemed to keep steering the conversation toward Fu Zhangzhou.

"He treats me quite well," Fang Ran replied without directly answering the question.

Shen Ke nodded thoughtfully.

"I feel much better now. You can end the treatment," Fang Ran said to him.

"Alright," the young Healer let go of his hand.

"Please feel free to come find me anytime if you need anything."

Shen Ke's smile was natural and charming.

......

On the way back, Fang Ran continued to think about Shen Ke.

Based on appearance, this person couldn’t be the protagonist *shou*.

But if it were about personality...

The Shen Ke in the book, though a great beauty, had a pure and innocent personality but was also cunning and calculating.

Whether it was an illusion or not, the Shen Ke just now gave him the same feeling.

But wasn't the male lead of the book Zheng Mingyu?

If he were the protagonist *shou*, why would he be so interested in Fu Zhangzhou?

Fang Ran was still full of doubts as he reached the tent, but his attention was quickly diverted.

"Fu Zhangzhou, why are you in my tent?"

The Sentinel was lying on the bed with his hands behind his head. Seeing Fang Ran lift the tent flap, he gave him a lazy smile.

"This is my tent too."

???

Fang Ran took a step back. Sure enough, two numbers were hanging outside the tent.

「Guide No. 86」

「Sentinel 97」

!!!!

How had he not noticed that earlier??

"What’s wrong?" Fu Zhangzhou emerged from the tent and leaned in close to him.

"Afraid you won’t be able to control yourself and pounce on me?" The Sentinel smirked.

Fang Ran forcefully pushed his approaching face away. "In your dreams!"

Fu Zhangzhou took the opportunity to kiss his palm. "I really am dreaming quite beautifully."

"We just had a mission briefing. I’ll be leaving the camp for two days."

Fang Ran awkwardly averted his gaze.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Afraid you’ll miss me."

"Ahem."

"Interrupting you two."

Lu Wenchuan appeared behind the two of them at some point, his tone slightly cold as he looked at the Sentinel behind Fang Ran.

"Fu Changzhou, it’s time for us to depart."

"Alright."

The Sentinel reluctantly let go of Fang Ran’s hand.

"Wait for my return."

Faced with his expectant gaze, Fang Ran finally responded with a soft, noncommittal "Mhm."

......

By evening, a thin mist began to rise around them.

By then, most of the Guides had awakened, and Fang Liyu got everyone together.

A bonfire was lit in the camp; its flickering flames seemed to dispel the day’s fatigue as everyone chatted and laughed together.

Fang Ran even felt it was like a university team-building event.

But this mist...

It was just like the one in the tunnel—eerie and mysterious, as if something hidden lurked behind it.

He looked up at the moon, which, like the sun during the day, seemed several times larger.

Just then, Zhong Wan and Nie Fei, sitting beside him, poked his arm. "Fang Ran, look."

They pointed curiously at the skewers of meat roasting over the fire.

"This meat..."

"The marbling looks like wild boar."

"It smells delicious, but why... does it have a green glow?"

Despite the enticing aroma, the skewers seemed weird, and the three of them were hesitant to try it.

Fang Liyu, seeing their dilemma, couldn’t help but laugh.

"Don’t worry, this meat is edible."

She picked up a skewer and took a bite. "This is a Grade-D monster Calydon—essentially an infected wild boar. The mutation actually made the meat tender and flavorful instead of tough."

"The advance team brought it back this morning. It’s fresh."

The bolder Nie Fei also picked up a skewer. "Will we have to eat this kind of food during the mission?"

Everyone around them laughed.

"Hahaha, of course not!"

"It’s just to try something new."

The atmosphere around the bonfire grew lively, and Fang Ran and the other two gradually blended in with the headquarters staff.

With a big group of Guides gathered together, the conversation naturally shifted to Sentinels, and everyone began discussing their experiences entering the cave.

"The pressure in the tunnel was hellish!"

"Who would’ve thought that barrier could absorb a Guide’s psychic energy?"

"Luckily, my Sentinel was up to the task."

"The Sentinel who brought me in almost shattered his Psychic Shield."

Amid the chatter, Nie Fei teased Fang Ran and Zhong Wan beside her.

"Both of your Sentinels are S-Class, no wonder you woke up so early."

Zhong Wan blushed at her words, while Fang Ran simply chuckled.

He didn’t even want to mention how that madman had refused to activate his Psychic Shield at first just to force him to take the initiative.

But listening to everyone discuss psychic energy reminded Fang Ran of the first time he Purified Fu Changzhou.

Back then, inside Fu Changzhou’s Spiritual Sea, their psychic energies had merged.

He had always felt that this might be the reason his gland had suddenly appeared.

In truth, "Fang Ran" hadn’t left him with many memories, and his understanding of the relationship between Sentinels and Guides was rather limited.

Since almost everyone present was a Guide, Fang Ran decided to seize the chance to ask his question.

"Everyone, I have a friend..."

His voice was quiet, but many people stopped what they were doing and looked his way.

"When he was Purifying a Sentinel, his psychic energy merged with the Sentinel’s..."

"Whoa..."

"Wow~"

"Really?"

Fang Ran had only spoken halfway, but everyone’s expressions had already shifted from curiosity to amazement.

Fang Liyu even moved several seats closer to sit beside him.

"Fang Ran, your friend’s psychic energy can merge with a Sentinel’s?"

Fang Ran nodded, wondering what was so remarkable about it.

"Is he also a Guide from a subcenter?" Fang Liyu’s eyes lit up. "Can you recommend him to me? Headquarters could use someone like that."

"Sister Fang, what’s going on?"

"He's an Awakener!" Fang Liyu's tone sounded excited.

"Awakeners don't start at high levels during their first differentiation, but they generally reach S-class or above during their advanced differentiation."

"If he bonds with a Sentinel, both of their abilities will see terrifying improvement."

Now it was Fang Ran's turn to be shocked. "R-really?"

"Yeah, but you said he's already had his spiritual power merge with a Sentinel's... that means he already has a marked partner."

"If we want to bring him over, his Sentinel will have to be brought over with him." Fang Liyu seemed to be muttering to herself.

"Why?" Fang Ran was still a bit confused. "Does merging spiritual power mean they have to bond?"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the Guides turned quite interesting.

"Merging spiritual power inside a Sentinel's Spiritual Sea..." one Guide couldn't help but jab.

"What's the difference between that and (censored) inside a (censored)?"

Another Guide shot him a look.

"What century is this?"

"Who still cares about these things nowadays?"

Fang Ran froze on the spot, too stunned to react.

What???

Zhong Wan, noticing his strange expression and lack of movement, gave his hand a gentle nudge.

"Fang Ran, didn't you know this is a very intimate thing?"

Fang Ran lowered his head, not letting anyone see his flushed face.

No wonder!

That explains his huge reaction!

That lunatic Fu Zhangzhou took advantage of him and still acted like it was nothing.

Zhong Wan now could tell something was up.

"Fang Ran, that 'friend' of yours isn't you, is it?"

He lowered his voice: "You and Fu Zhangzhou?"

Seeing Fang Ran stay silent, Zhong Wan took that as a yes.

"So, do you feel an urgent desire to see him now?" Zhong Wan chuckled, unable to resist teasing him.

Fang Ran's face grew even redder as he kept his head lowered.

Yeah.

A burning urge...

...to strangle him.