Chapter 61 Can’t Control

Chapter 61: Losing Control

A major incident recently rocked the Federation's Fifth Security Zone.

A violent explosion at the research institute of the Sentinel and Guide Center obliterated half of the building.

The institute, located right next to the Zone 5 headquarters, saw a large number of Sentinels and Guides fleeing the scene, according to witnesses. Online rumors even claimed that a Guide had perished in the incident.

The research institute, already plagued by a poor reputation, was instantly thrust into the harsh glare of public scrutiny.

Several factions, long opposed to the Center, began subtly fanning the flames, leading to a flurry of online speculation.

Some attributed the explosion to a Sentinel going berserk, while others suggested the institute was conducting secret, botched experiments on Sentinels and Guides.

Naturally, there were also suspicions that the Free Sentinels were behind the chaos.

Though no concrete evidence had yet surfaced, the Center's credibility had undoubtedly suffered a severe blow.

Fang Ran sat in a hovercar, scrolling through the past few days' news on his terminal.

The United Government had just issued a top-pinned announcement, vowing to handle the incident with utmost seriousness.

It seemed the online rumors, though speculative, might not be entirely unfounded after all.

That research institute must have been involved in something illicit.

Fang Ran sighed, gazing out at the passing scenery.

Human greed knows no bounds.

Even in this post-apocalyptic world, as long as people drew breath, factionalism and political infighting continued to proliferate.

If he recalled correctly, this research institute was backed by Hua Yan Pharmaceutical, the Federation's largest pharmaceutical group.

This powerful group, however, didn't boast a long history.

It had been founded just over thirty years ago by a married couple.

Fang Ran followed the clues, conducting an online search.

Information about the couple was scarce; even their exact names were missing, as if someone had deliberately erased their traces.

One confirmed detail, however, was that one spouse was a high-ranking Sentinel, and the other an exceptionally brilliant scientist.

A comment Wanqing had once made flashed through his mind.

"They say Fu Zhangzhou has a complicated relationship with Hua Yan Pharmaceutical..."

Fang Ran hadn't paid much attention to it at the time.

But later, during a mission, Zheng Mingyu had hinted at it several times.

Fu Zhangzhou is a monster.

A monster?

Fang Ran recalled the colossal beast that had descended from the sky to save him that day.

In a way, the protagonist wasn't entirely wrong.

But what exactly was Fu Zhangzhou's connection to Hua Yan Pharmaceutical?

If he truly had such deep ties to Hua Yan Pharmaceutical, why would he endure such prolonged, endless suffering rather than take those purification drugs?

Should he find an opportunity to ask Wanqing and her husband about it again?

Fang Ran's fingers mindlessly scrolled through the webpage when the music in his headphones abruptly paused.

The AI assistant's voice then chimed in.

"Guide Fang Ran, three messages have been received in the Center's system. Would you like to view them?"

Fang Ran paused.

Probably just more announcements.

"View."

He responded casually.

"Sentry 97: Are you there?"

"Sentry 97: What are you doing?"

"Sentry 97: Darling, why are you ignoring me?"

Fang Ran: "..."

He froze.

Hearing the AI assistant read these messages word for word in its emotionless voice sent an immediate shiver down his spine.

He had almost forgotten.

He had previously unblocked Fu Zhangzhou.

The two of them hadn't even exchanged private communication IDs yet, and he hadn't expected this guy to message him through the Center's internal system.

But this was the Center's system!

It was meant solely for work-related communication and important announcements.

There were people monitoring the content of backend messages!

Was this guy insane?

Fang Ran instinctively covered his face, taking a deep breath.

He could already picture the backend technicians struggling to suppress their laughter.

Maybe he should just re-block him?

His terminal vibrated once more.

"Guide Fang Ran, two more messages have been received in the Center's system. Would you like to view them?"

"Delete... no, view."

Fang Ran opened his eyes, staring at the message box on the screen.

He had to see what this guy was up to.

"Sentry 97: I've transferred some Alliance credits to you. Your authorization is required."

"Sentry 97: Dear Guide Fang Ran, what is your private communication ID?"

Fang Ran had finally reached his limit.

He immediately elevated Fu Zhangzhou's account permissions and initiated a voice call.

The call connected almost instantly.

Before the other side could react, Fang Ran spoke:

"Fu Zhangzhou, withdraw that transfer right now."

"Huh?" Fu Zhangzhou's voice sounded somewhat languid. "So this is what your voice sounds like over a call."

The Sentinel chuckled softly. "Sounds good."

Fang Ran gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to curse.

"Fu Zhangzhou, did you hear me? Withdraw that transfer immediately!"

"Why? Don't you have debts?"

The Sentinel's voice was drawling. "Fang Ran, I have a ton of Alliance credits. From the very beginning, I wanted to..."

"Fu Zhangzhou, shut up," Fang Ran interrupted him.

"Haven't you read the Center's code of conduct?"

"It explicitly states that, to ensure fairness in purification procedures, private Alliance credit transactions are prohibited for everyone except already-marked Sentinel-Guide pairs!"

"Do you want to get me fired from the Center?!!"

Fang Ran was agitated, his voice involuntarily rising.

The metal wristband on his terminal creaked under his grip.

Passengers in the hovercar cabin clearly heard the commotion, and several turned to look.

Feeling their gazes, Fang Ran had to lift his head, offering an apologetic smile.

Once everyone had looked away, he lowered his voice and repeated himself to the person on the other end of the terminal.

"Fu Zhangzhou, hurry up and withdraw that transfer right now."

"Do you hear me?"

The Sentinel on the other end seemed to be deep in thought. After a long silence, he leisurely replied:

"Fang Ran, when are we getting marked?"

"......"

Fang Ran's mind instantly buzzed.

Marking?

What marking?

What on earth was this guy thinking???

What kind of utter nonsense filled his head?

Fang Ran's face flushed crimson all at once.

He had taken AO physiology classes and read the Guide handbook.

The marking between Sentinels and Guides differed slightly from AO marking, but the process was largely similar.

Equally... indescribable.

Such an intimate topic was tossed out so casually.

Especially since Fang Ran was an Omega, and highly sensitive to such matters.

That shameless bastard, Fu Zhangzhou!

"Fu Zhangzhou," Fang Ran said through gritted teeth. "Take back your insane words, and withdraw your transfer."

"And no more messaging me through the Center's system!"

"Huh?" The Sentinel's voice carried a hint of a whine. "But I can't help myself."

"I don't have your private communication ID."

"......"