Chapter 80 Report to the Center Quickly

Chapter 80: Report to Central Command, Now!

"Zhong Wan, did you just say Zhao Hengming was involved in that research institute explosion?"

The two had already returned to their temporary dorm.

Fang Ran hadn't felt much about meeting Zhao Hengming, but his interest piqued upon hearing that the man might be connected to the research institute.

"Yeah." Zhong Wan nodded, pulling him to sit on the dorm's sofa.

"This Zhao Hengming... people in District 5 now consider him bad luck just to mention his name."

"Why?"

"I remember he was just a B-class Sentinel back in District 4, wasn't he?" Zhong Wan recalled, then continued, "He was promoted to A-class after coming to District 5, but that rank is neither high nor low, so he doesn't have much presence."

"People in District 5 say he rarely goes on missions. He mainly follows his Guide, working for the research institute."

"On the day of the incident, both of them were at the research institute. Rumor has it that when the explosion happened, he abandoned his Guide and escaped first."

"You mean... his Guide...?"

Fang Ran remembered the online rumors at the time; it seemed a Guide had died in the incident.

"Exactly." Zhong Wan nodded, confirming his suspicion.

"Zhao Hengming's Guide died in the explosion."

"You know, Guides in the Federation have always been very united. His behavior has essentially ruined him. Although the law can't punish him yet, all the Guides in District 5 refuse to Purify him."

"Zhao Hengming is now relying on purification medications to get by, but the drugs provided by Central Command are rationed, and none of the current drugs can achieve the same effect as a Guide's Purification. So, the ghastly way he looked today is the result of long-term accumulation without purification."

"His attitude toward you today probably wasn't genuine remorse—he just saw you as a lifeline! He might really start pestering you later..."

Zhong Wan sighed, asking with some concern, "Fang Ran, you're the most soft-hearted person. You're not going to feel any pity for him, are you?"

Fang Ran immediately shook his head, stating firmly, "Absolutely not."

For his own sake, and for the original owner's, Fang Ran would never give that man the time of day.

It was just pitiful that the original "Fang Ran" had given his sincere feelings to such a scumbag.

"Good, that's good." Zhong Wan let out a complete sigh of relief.

"I didn't originally approve of you being with Fu Zhangzhou either, but given his recent behavior..."

"And this dumpster fire, Zhao Hengming..."

"Fu Zhangzhou might sometimes act crazy and put on an act in front of you..."

"But compared to Zhao Hengming, he instantly becomes much more tolerable."

"......"

"Fang Ran."

Zhong Wan suddenly took his hand and said earnestly, "Anyway, you're stuck with him now."

"Just settle down and live your life with Fu Zhangzhou from now on."

"......"

Until evening, Fu Zhangzhou and the other Sentinels from District 4 still hadn't appeared.

Fang Ran kept checking his terminal from time to time—the Sentinel hadn't even sent any more messages.

Given how clingy he usually was, this wasn't like him.

Could he already be on a mission?

Around dinnertime, Chen Yang and Shen Ke knocked on their door again.

Chen Yang stood at the doorway, smiling, "Wen Qi said the Guide Department in District 5 is hosting a small welcome party and invited us to join."

A welcome party?

Fang Ran thought for a moment and asked, "Where is the welcome party being held? Is it safe?"

Chen Yang was taken aback by his question. "It's on the top floor."

"Don't worry, I'll go with you. My niece is also a Guide in District 5, and she'll be there too."

......

Unlike District 4's sprawling garden design, District 5 Headquarters has a unified structure, so outdoor events are usually held on the top floor.

There's not only a docking area for spaceships and hover vehicles but also a small sky garden.

As visitors, Fang Ran and the others had temporary access to the District 5 Headquarters map system on their terminals, so they chose a relatively nearby elevator.

They made their way without any trouble.

"Ding."

The elevator door opened.

A cool mountain breeze hit their faces, mixed with the sound of music and people's laughter.

"The welcome party seems to be over in the garden area." Zhong Wan stood on his toes to look.

The trees and shrubs in the garden were decorated with fairy lights, with colorful bulbs changing patterns rhythmically, accompanied by the mellow background music, creating a very festive atmosphere.

"Let's go over."

Chen Yang led the way, with Fang Ran and the other two following behind him.

District 5 Headquarters is built at the highest point of the Fifth Security District, overlooking the entire district's night scenery. Fang Ran glanced sideways, and even after seeing it again, he still felt a sense of awe.

Suddenly, Chen Yang, who was walking ahead, stopped dead.

"Uncle Chen, what's wrong?" Fang Ran asked.

"Something's not right." Chen Yang's voice was very serious.

His Superpower was psychic-type, and with his high rank, he was highly sensitive to subtle changes in the environment.

Chen Yang looked up at the sky. "The Headquarters' psychic defense layer... seems to have a problem."

Hearing this, Fang Ran and the other two immediately went on high alert and began scanning their surroundings.

The party in the garden ahead was still going on, with music playing and laughter continuing, as if everything were normal.

Fang Ran's nerves were on edge, his temples throbbing with tension as the chilly gusts of wind made every hair on his body stand up.

Just then.

A deafening explosion erupted from the far end ahead.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A hover-car, appearing out of nowhere, slammed directly into the rooftop.

Screams instantly erupted across the garden.

"Get back into the elevator!" Chen Yang commanded decisively, shielding all three of them as they retreated.

They moved swiftly, taking advantage of the chaos that hadn't spread to them yet, and backed up to the elevator doors.

Shen Ke kept mashing the elevator button. "Hurry! Hurry!"

At that moment, several masked Sentinels rushed toward them.

Strange masks with concentric patterns like tree rings...

Fang Ran recognized them.

They were Marauders!

The group of Marauders swung their weapons at the Psychic Shield Chen Yang had just deployed.

"Boom!"

The energy impact made Fang Ran's ears ring.

With a chime, the elevator doors behind them finally opened.

Shen Ke suddenly turned and shoved Fang Ran hard.

Stunned, Fang Ran fell onto Zhong Wan, and both tumbled into the elevator.

Shen Ke, still outside, kept hammering the elevator's close button until the doors finally shut, his face frozen in terror.

Before Fang Ran and Zhong Wan could make sense of what had happened, the elevator began descending.

They were safe—for now.

The two exchanged a look.

"Quick! Report to Central Command!"