Chapter 62

Chapter 62

"Exactly, exactly." Lu Mingxuan, whose wounds had just been cleaned and disinfected, grimaced in pain and quickly agreed with Lin Juan’s words, conveniently omitting that Lin Juan shared half the blame for the holes.

Seriously, if it weren’t for those monsters, would his uncle have randomly smashed so many holes in the ground and walls?

The monsters were entirely to blame, no doubt about it.

"Is it convenient for us to check out the hotel you're staying at?" Su Xingchen turned to ask Zhou Tiantian.

Zhou Tiantian nodded. She was eager to know if there was something wrong with that piece of clothing.

Leaving a few superpower holders to handle the aftermath, Su Xingchen led the group to the hotel.

The hotel was near the sports center, just a ten-minute drive away.

The clothes were stuffed in a suitcase and hadn’t been taken out. Zhou Tiantian was too scared to get close, so Su Xingchen called over a superpower holder to open it.

The moment the suitcase was opened, a strong smell of blood hit them.

Lin Juan covered his nose. "Whoa, that's strong."

How to describe it?

A heavy, metallic blood smell mixed with the stench of rotting flesh—as if the suitcase didn’t contain clothes but a long-dead corpse.

Zhou Tiantian was so freaked out by her own thoughts that her face turned pale. Instinctively, she moved closer to Lin Juan, seeking safety. "There was no smell like this when we left."

Zhou Tiantian was certain about that.

If the smell had been there from the start, they would have called the police immediately.

But since it was just a mysteriously ruined piece of clothing, they hadn’t thought to report it—after all, a set of clothes worth a few thousand wasn't that expensive.

The superpower holder reached in and pulled out the clothes.

The texture felt sticky and gross, and the warm, thick liquid touching his palm gave him the immediate first thought that he wasn’t holding clothes but a piece of human skin.

His face changed a little. After all, he often dealt with anomalies and had strong mental fortitude. Steadying himself, he said, "Captain Su, the texture of these clothes is very similar to human skin."

"The pollution level is very high, almost reaching the peak of a Class C Anomaly," another superpower holder holding a pollution detector stepped forward to check with the device.

"Bag it up and take it back for now."

As soon as the words were spoken, things got weird.

The previously motionless clothes suddenly came to life, wrapping around the nearest superpower holder and slowly starting to cover him.

The superpower holder instinctively struggled.

But the clothes seemed to have a mind of their own, restraining his movements. Starting from his hands, it was as if a new layer of skin was growing on him, spreading upward.

The clothes moved quickly. It happened so fast that before anyone could react, the clothes had already climbed from the superpower holder’s arms to his neck.

Choked by the fabric, the superpower holder’s breathing was cut off. His face turned red from lack of oxygen.

Gurgling sounds came from his throat as he struggled weakly with his legs. The clothes continued to spread downward, and the strength in his legs gradually faded.

Lin Juan, who was nearby, acted without thinking. He grabbed the "skin" on the superpower holder and tore it downward.

A sound of tearing flesh echoed, and the superpower holder screamed in agony, "Aaaaaah!!!!"

It was as if his own skin was being violently ripped off.

Veins bulged on the superpower holder’s forehead, and large beads of sweat rolled down. His mind fought against his body's instincts. He gritted his teeth, refusing to say anything he shouldn’t.

Finally, the entire "skin" was torn off the superpower holder.

With a tearing sound, the "skin" completely came off.

The superpower holder gulped air, collapsing weakly. The pain radiating from his body reminded him that he had just endured torture like being skinned alive.

Yet, logically, he knew that skin wasn’t his.

His mind understood, but his body kept reminding him that his skin had been torn off, his flesh exposed to the air, and even the slightest stimulus brought excruciating pain.

The superpower holder curled up, sweat streaming down his body.

"What’s wrong with him?" Lu Mingxuan, watching the superpower holder as if he had just suffered a severe illness, ducked behind Lin Juan.

Having just awakened his superpower, he still felt like he was an ordinary person most of the time.

"He’s been contaminated," Lin Juan called out to Zhuang Yufeng. "Dr. Zhuang, come take a look at him."

The "skin" in Lin Juan’s hand wasn’t acting up. Taking advantage of Lin Juan’s diverted attention, it twisted and tried to latch onto him.

"Juanjuan, be careful!" Lu Yanzhou, who had been watching closely, shouted.

He had originally been standing beside Lin Juan but stayed back when Lin Juan went to deal with the "skin," keeping a certain distance between them.

Seeing the "skin" lunging at Lin Juan, attempting to repeat its earlier trick, Lu Yanzhou instinctively rushed forward.

Unnoticed by anyone, faint tendrils of energy seeped from the "skin" and were absorbed by Lu Yanzhou’s body.

Even Lu Yanzhou himself was unaware of it.

The "skin" froze mid-movement.

Alerted, Lin Juan lifted the unruly "skin," frowning slightly. "It seems like it’s about to die."

Lu Yanzhou had already reached Lin Juan’s side. He glared at the "skin" before turning his gaze back to Lin Juan, his eyes filled with concern. "Juanjuan, are you hurt?"

"No, it can’t hurt me."

The "skin" completely lost its vitality, hanging limply in Lin Juan’s hand like a rag. Lin Juan shook his hand, but there was no response.

"It’s dead?"

Su Xingchen stepped forward with the pollution detector. "The pollution level has dropped."

"I didn’t even do anything," Lin Juan said, puzzled. "How did it die?"

"Of course, it’s because you’re strong enough, Uncle," Lu Mingxuan replied without hesitation.

Lu Yanzhou, whose entire focus was on Lin Juan, ignored the faint sense of fullness that suddenly washed over him and nodded. "Mingxuan makes a good point."

The other superpower holders also wore expressions of agreement.

Perhaps the other party attacked her and got hit with backlash.

Lin Juan accepted this setup.

After receiving treatment, Xiao Ling woke up from her coma. The mutations on her body had lessened significantly but hadn’t completely disappeared, especially her hand.

The young girl sat on the bed, staring blankly at her hand without saying a word.

One of her hands was normal, while the other was a bluish-skinned claw—something that had no business being on a human.

"Have I turned into a monster?" Xiao Ling murmured after a long silence.

"Not at all," Zhou Tiantian interrupted her spiraling thoughts. "Dr. Zhuang said you’re just infected with a virus. Once the toxins are cleared, your hand will recover."

Xiao Ling’s pollution level was very high. To ensure her safety and that of those around her, the Paranormal Special Affairs Office moved her to a specialized ward. Zhuang Yufeng visited daily to cleanse the pollution in her body.

Perhaps due to the severe trauma, Xiao Ling had lost all memory from the moment she discovered her clothes were inexplicably destroyed to when she lost consciousness. To avoid distressing her further, Zhuang Yufeng and the others decided to keep the truth from her for the time being.

Besides the claw, Xiao Ling had many other mutations. The lines on her wrist had faded significantly and were barely noticeable unless examined closely. The toughest problem to fix was her hand.

Zhuang Yufeng told Lin Juan, "According to Zhou Tiantian, Xiao Ling’s hand was ripped off during the monster outbreak. The current hand grew back after contamination. She’s struggling to come to terms with it. The nurses have seen her staring at it multiple times. I understand her struggle. I tried to cleanse the pollution on her hand to restore it to normal, but I failed."

Xiao Ling’s original hand had been torn off. This new hand only exists because of the pollution. If they completely removed the pollution in her body, this hand would undoubtedly be lost. Given Xiao Ling’s unstable mental state, they didn’t dare tell her the truth outright, fearing she might break down. They could only maintain the status quo for now.

But this couldn’t continue indefinitely.

In the short term, it might be manageable, but over time, the hand would become a new source of contamination. If left unresolved, Xiao Ling would inevitably turn into a monster.

"Have you considered asking Chu Jifan if there’s a solution?" Lin Juan suggested.

Chu Jifan wasn't living at the Paranormal Special Affairs Office anymore. One evening, while Lin Juan was curled up on the sofa browsing the Revelation Forum, he suddenly received a DM.

[Chu Jifan: Mr. Lin, are you planning to hire anyone recently?]

Lin Juan stared at the name at the beginning of the message several times, confirming he hadn’t misread it, and replied.

[LIN: Chu Jifan? Is that your real name?]

[Chu Jifan: I doubt anyone would impersonate me.]

It seemed genuine.

[LIN: How do you have a forum account?]

[Chu Jifan: Director Liu gave it to me. I occasionally post some research findings there.]

Lin Juan clicked on the user’s profile and, sure enough, found many research papers with high download counts. There were also questions from others, some of which Chu Jifan had answered selectively.

[LIN: Are you free to go now?]

[Chu Jifan: I want to jump ship. There are too many idiots here; it’s a pain to deal with. I heard your company is full of smart people. I’d like to work there.]

Lin Juan was confused.

[LIN: Wouldn’t your skills be mismatched here?]

[Chu Jifan: That’s not important. Mr. Lin could always branch out into new business areas.]

Chu Jifan seemed determined to switch jobs, blowing up Lin Juan's DMs daily for several days in a row.

When Lu Yanzhou came out of the shower, Lin Juan tugged at his bathrobe.

The man stopped. "What’s up?"

"Get over here," Lin Juan said, pulling lightly on the fabric.

Fortunately, Lin Juan restrained his strength, or else Lu Yanzhou’s bathrobe might not have survived the tug.

Lu Yanzhou walked over and sat beside Lin Juan.

Lin Juan leaned closer.

It’s often said that the "boiling frog" strategy is effective. Under Lu Yanzhou’s careful nudging, Lin Juan had grown accustomed to close contact with him. When Lu Yanzhou leaned in and placed an arm on the sofa behind Lin Juan, enveloping him in his personal space, Lin Juan didn’t even notice how close they were.

Their heads nearly touching, Lin Juan clicked on Chu Jifan’s forum avatar. "Look, Chu Jifan keeps saying she wants to join Yaoxing Technology. But we’re a tech company, and she’s in biology. Her expertise doesn’t match."

They were so close that Lu Yanzhou could smell the faint scent emanating from Lin Juan.

They used the same toiletries, but Lu Yanzhou felt the fragrance stood out more on Lin Juan.

"Did Chu Jifan mention her reason?"

"Yes, she said the Assistant Director Liu assigned her is too stupid, and she can’t stand it."

Lin Juan found the reason ridiculous.

Assistant Chu Jifan’s identity was special. Being her Assistant meant learning a lot, but the risk of contamination was also high. Those selected needed not only rock-solid expertise but also absolute trustworthiness—especially the latter. Otherwise, if someone with ill intentions slipped in, the consequences would be dire.

As a result, the pickings were slim. Director Liu had done his best to meet Chu Jifan’s demands, but the selected candidate was an old professor. While his expertise was undeniable, he was rather set in his ways. After becoming an anomalous entity, Chu Jifan’s personality had changed significantly. After working with the professor for a while, she couldn’t take it anymore.

Too rigid and stubborn. She’d rather work with younger people.

"Yaoxing Technology hasn’t ventured much into biotechnology before," Lu Yanzhou pondered, "but it’s not impossible to expand. Compared to the research institute, the Paranormal Special Affairs Office clearly trusts you more. How about you agree to her request, Juan?"

"Ah?" Lin Juan scratched his cheek. "Just directly muscle in on their turf?"

"If they’re incompetent, how is it competing?" Lu Yanzhou tapped Lin Juan’s forehead. "Otherwise, why didn’t Chu Jifan ask to join the institute directly?"

Lin Juan nuzzled his palm. "You’re right. A talent—no, a supernatural whiz—delivered to our doorstep. Why not make use of her?"

Once convinced, Lin Juan replied to Chu Jifan.

The next day, a new section was carved out in the experimental base to build a new laboratory. Unlike the others, this lab utilized the base’s latest technology, with enhanced pollution-blocking capabilities. Any anomalous entity entering would have its contamination suppressed immediately.

This laboratory was built specifically for Chu Jifan.

Director Liu and the others were pleased with Chu Jifan’s initiative to work under Lin Juan. Given Lin Juan’s formidable strength and his authority over anomalous entities, they no longer had to worry about Chu Jifan causing trouble. If she stayed at the Paranormal Special Affairs Office, they’d always be on edge. Under Lin Juan’s supervision, that concern vanished.

If Chu Jifan wanted to stir trouble, she’d have to consider Lin Juan’s terrifying power.

Anomalous entities weren’t entirely devoid of fear.

They had witnessed multiple times how anomalies feared Lin Juan.

To cite a recent example, the "Forest Cabin" that always stayed by Lin Juan’s side as his weapon was a perfect illustration.

The "Forest Cabin" in Lin Juan’s possession was tame, unlike any typical anomaly.

Hearing Lin Juan mention asking Chu Jifan, Zhuang Yufeng pondered for a moment: "I hadn't thought of that, but we should ask her."

Putting aside Chu Jifan's identity as a paranormal entity, she is considered one of China's top experts on anomalies.

Because she herself is an anomaly, she has a deeper understanding of anomalies than others, which actually helps her research.

Chu Jifan became supernatural because of her obsession; aside from seeking revenge, her remaining obsession lies in research. Sometimes, to observe the effects of her studies, she even experiments directly on herself.

Under her leadership, the newly established laboratory at the base has made rapid progress, coming up with several discoveries in just over ten days.

For example, the contamination suppressant developed from the mutated centipede that Lin Juan previously captured has significantly reduced the risk of people with superpowers losing control on missions.

With such useful developments coming from this side, naturally, some at the research institute aren't happy, especially the few researchers who had previously had their eyes on Lin Juan.

"I’ve figured it out—the higher-ups are always playing favorites with them. Clearly, we were established first, but now all the good stuff goes straight to them. Whenever we apply for materials, we have to file reports over and over, and every time something new comes in, the Paranormal Special Affairs Office sends it directly to them. What do they think we are?"

"Exactly, and this time it’s even worse. That Professor Chu quietly snuck away with several capable researchers from our institute. Is she deliberately doing this to spite us?"

"Maybe we should agree to their offer to collaborate?"

As soon as this was said, everyone went quiet.

Professor Zhou, who had spoken, continued to persuade them: "The people at the Paranormal Special Affairs Office already have it in for us. They’ve supported a tech company, and now they’re setting up a lab specifically to rival us. Right now, we still have some use, but think about it—once the lab they’re supporting is fully operational and no longer needs us, won’t they just kick us aside?"

Professor Lu, who was already on the fence, became even more uncertain: "Let me think about it, I need more time."

Professor Zhou knew that Professor Lu had been swayed and said nothing more.

Lin Juan and Zhuang Yufeng arrived together at the experimental base. Lin Juan stopped by every few days, and the base seemed to look completely different each time. This visit felt very different from the last.

The entire base had expanded, protected by cutting-edge technology, giving it a super high-tech look. Entering required passing through three security checks.

These checks included an additional contamination screening, meant to prevent unaware or intentionally contaminated individuals, as well as anomalies disguised as humans, from entering.

"Every time I come here, I feel like I’m entering some super-secret facility." Witnessing the construction of this massive technological base firsthand, Lin Juan couldn’t help but feel moved, especially since this base was pretty much his own private facility.

"The security level here is no lower than anywhere else," Zhuang Yufeng said, feeling complicated as he looked at this structure that hadn’t existed in his previous life. "The higher-ups are thinking about boosting the base’s security level again. The next level would likely be S-class."

This place continuously kept making tools to help humans deal with anomalies. Whether in this life or the previous one, the number of people with superpowers remained small. Zhuang Yufeng had quietly hinted at this to the higher-ups, who had decided to find ways to help regular people survive anomalous events.

Technology was the greatest weapon ordinary people could rely on.

In his previous life, China had prepared too late, and it cost them dearly to barely secure a place for humanity in a world full of supernatural threats.

This time, everything was different.

He would do whatever it takes to prevent the tragedies of his past life from recurring.

Lin Juan first did his usual walkthrough of the original experimental area. The researchers had gotten used to their boss visiting every few days. Initially, they had worried he might give ignorant instructions—every employee’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, in areas he didn’t understand, the boss never weighed in but often provided new ideas for their research.

"Mr. Lin," one researcher approached, "we’ve produced the first batch of products from the spider silk you sent last time. Would you like to take a look?"

"You’ve already made it?" Lin Juan was really excited.

"Yes," the researcher replied, unable to hide his smile. "The fabric made from this spider silk is highly elastic and can block strong attacks. It also has some contamination-resistant properties. We’ve decided to incorporate it into the new versions of protective and combat suits."

Lin Juan went with the researcher to see their latest results, receiving a small sample. He decided that once this special fabric could be mass-produced, he would have suits made for each member of the Lu family.

After the tour, Lin Juan headed to the new experimental area.

Zhuang Yufeng had already finished speaking with Chu Jifan, who was indeed developing a drug to control contamination within the human body, soon to enter clinical trials.

"I’ll ask Xiao Ling if she’s willing to participate in the clinical trials," Zhuang Yufeng said, feeling relieved now that a solution was in sight.

This life was truly completely different from the previous one.

"Mr. Lin, your people here are much more efficient. I'm getting more done," Chu Jifan remarked, wearing a lab coat that made her look nothing like an anomaly.

"Just take it easy—don’t overwork my employees," Lin Juan joked.

"Don’t worry, I make sure they work regular hours."

With high efficiency daily, the entire base rarely required overtime, except in special circumstances. And when overtime was necessary, it came with great overtime pay—at least five times the regular pay.

Back at the hospital, Zhuang Yufeng consulted Xiao Ling.

"Lately, I’ve been getting some flashbacks, Dr. Zhuang. Can you tell me what exactly happened to me?"

Zhuang Yufeng hesitated.

When Xiao Ling first woke up, a psychologist had assessed her, explaining that her amnesia was a form of self-protection. It was best not to trigger sudden memories, as too much stimulation could lead to things getting out of hand.

Especially since she still carried a contamination source—if her mental state became unstable, a contamination outbreak could be disastrous.

"I know you’re keeping it from me for my own good," Xiao Ling said, looking down and unconsciously fidgeting with the bedsheet. "But I want to know. No matter what happened, I can handle it."

"It’s not that we’re intentionally hiding it from you. What you went through was severe, and we—"

"Actually, I’ve remembered some things," Xiao Ling said, her face pale. "I remember what happened at the convention. My hand..."

Xiao Ling wore a glove on one hand, bought for her by Zhou Tiantian. Unwilling to see her hand that looks like a monster's claw, Zhou Tiantian had carefully fitted her with a lace glove.

Zhuang Yufeng sighed. "Alright, I’ll tell you."

As he spoke, Xiao Ling grew paler, but perhaps because she was prepared, she didn’t suffer a contamination outbreak from the shock.

"Doctor, to completely remove the contamination from my body, does that mean my hand has to be amputated?"

Could she accept losing a hand?

But it might be the best outcome.

She couldn’t trouble Dr. Zhuang to purify her every day.

Besides, she didn’t want this monstrous claw.

"It’s okay, Dr. Zhuang. I’m ready for surgery whenever."

Losing a hand was a small price to pay for surviving such an ordeal. She was already grateful to be alive.

Zhuang Yufeng monitored her condition closely. Seeing that she was only pale with slight fluctuations in contamination, he relaxed slightly. "There’s no rush for surgery. We’ve developed a new drug that can suppress the contamination in your body. Would you be willing to participate in clinical trials?"

"Our researchers are highly capable. Soon enough, they might find a complete solution for your condition. We’ll do everything we can to restore your hand to its original state."

"My hand... can it really be restored?!" Xiao Ling looked up, her eyes wide with sudden hope.

"Of course, it’s possible."

Xiao Ling agreed to participate in the drug trial.

Apart from Xiao Ling, the other participants in this trial batch were all patients suffering from contamination. Many of them were in worse condition than Xiao Ling.

They were taken from the hospital to a small hospital.

This facility was newly established, not far from the experimental base, and was specifically used for testing new drugs developed at the base.

Besides them, there were many other patients afflicted with contamination-related illnesses there.

Among them were also several supernaturals.

The supernatural individual who had nearly been devoured by the "skin" was also receiving treatment there.

Lu Mingxuan was there as well. His injuries were quite serious. If he hadn't suddenly awakened as a supernatural, he wouldn't have survived until Lin Juan arrived.

The most difficult issue to resolve was the toxins in his wounds.

Although some time had passed and he appeared fine on the surface, the toxins had already seeped into his bone marrow. He might be fine for now, but if not eradicated, they would remain a hidden danger.

After interacting with them, Xiao Ling gradually moved past her trauma and slowly regained her former cheerfulness.

There may be plenty of darkness in this world, but there are always people doing their utmost to patch things up.

Moving forward, everything looks bright and beautiful.