Communication

Cloudy, overcast, temperature -1℃, 15:00

[Jupiter City Research Bureau]

The bus stopped, and a young man with black hair, carrying a schoolbag, got off from the back door.

As his gaze fell upon the Research Bureau building, a girl wrapped in a pure white down jacket was standing on the steps in front of the door. The girl was waving at him, holding a newly applied one-time pass in her hand.

However, there were two other people standing beside the girl, and their voices carried over:

"Heh heh~ I explained the situation to Anna and Little Gao, and they rushed over immediately. But I have to get home before dinner, I have tutoring tonight, so you three will have to handle dinner yourselves~"

The class monitor walked ahead, arm in arm with Anna, while Gao Yuxuan walked behind with Luo Di, discussing the events that happened between the resettlement communities. The two were no longer as unfamiliar as they were half a year ago; they were now quite familiar "push-up buddies."

Just as Gao Yuxuan was about to inquire about the details of the Anomaly Event, Anna moved closer.

"Little Gao, you and Wenwen go verify your identities first~ I have something to ask him."

Gao Yuxuan didn't mind and immediately agreed to the "role swap."

Luo Di immediately felt a sense of pressure. Anna's muscular build and frame, even when wrapped in a thick down jacket, made her about twice as wide as Gao Yuxuan. Standing next to her felt completely different, like being next to a Siberian brown bear.

"Luo Di, I heard from Wenwen that she encountered the Anomaly Event because she went to find you. Before the encounter, she seemed to have been staying at your place?"

"Yes."

"Then, has your relationship changed now?"

"Relationship? I guess so."

"Huh?" Luo Di's answer stunned Anna. She had already imagined what might have happened when the two were alone in the same room, and her entire face turned bright red.

After a long silence, Anna seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, she only managed to utter a short sentence: "Treat my Wenwen well. If you do anything to let her down, I'll definitely beat you up."

"Anna~ What are you guys talking about? Come in quickly."

The entrance to the Research Bureau had already opened, and the class monitor was waving them in from inside. Gao Yuxuan, standing nearby, seemed to have noticed something and secretly gave Luo Di a thumbs-up.

The four of them returned to the pure white room where they had received their rewards half a year ago. Director Wang was already waiting for them, with three documents placed on the table.

"We need the three of you, who are unrelated personnel, to sign a letter of responsibility. If the subsequent handling of the Corner-transforming item has any direct or indirect impact on you, the Research Bureau will not be held responsible."

Since they had come this far, they were mentally prepared. Luo Di and Wu Wen had both survived real Anomaly Events. Now, they were just dealing with the blood within the skull of an Imposter. If even this affected them, it would be too pathetic.

After signing, Director Wang informed the laboratory staff that they could proceed with the blood collection.

"Place your blade on the table first and remove the seal of the Shroud."

Luo Di complied and didn't have to wait long. A researcher walked in carrying a test tube rack, containing ten test tubes, each filled with 10ml of fresh blood. Unlike ordinary blood, the blood stored in the test tubes appeared restless, occasionally forming soft masses and sticking to the surface.

As Director Wang had promised, this was cranial blood that had flowed through the "Pituitary Gland," the purest blood that could best represent the nature of an Imposter.

When these test tube racks were placed on the table, even from more than ten centimeters away, the nerve veins on the surface of the Zombie Blade began to twitch slightly. Everyone was seeing this for the first time, and they were all somewhat apprehensive.

Director Wang began his explanation: "This blood has a 'corner age' of over one year, and Ms. Wu Huazhen was already able to form a pseudo-corner space. The pituitary gland in her brain has already cracked open on a biological level, forming a 'flesh corner.' It's purer than a jiangshi's. Therefore, this is a case of the weak absorbing the strong. 100ml is already the theoretical maximum we've simulated. Furthermore, there's a possibility of item damage during the absorption process, which Luo Di needs to be aware of beforehand. The jiangshi pituitary gland inside the blade might explode if it cannot withstand blood of this age, turning the blade into scrap metal. To reduce the possibility of this happening, we will proceed with segmented feeding. If any instability occurs, we will immediately stop the blood supply."

Luo Di's main concern was not the failure of the blood absorption. In his opinion, since Director Wang proposed this reward, it meant the matter could be successful. In the six months he had spent with the Zombie Blade, he knew very well how thirsty it was. Moreover, the 'cancerous diseased' nature of the jiangshi pituitary gland itself could greatly increase its tolerance; it wouldn't be so easy to completely eliminate malignant tumors. Luo Di was more interested in what the blade would eventually become.

"What will happen if it absorbs all the blood?"

"It will inherit the age. The 'age' of this jiangshi pituitary gland will increase, and it might even approach maturity. Correspondingly, your Corner-transforming item will become more lethal, and its external form might even change. If you're lucky, you might even inherit a part of Ms. Wu Huazhen's fear attribute."

"Shall we start now?" Luo Di was already getting impatient.

"Mm."

Director Wang personally picked up the test tube, tilted it gradually, and aimed the opening at the blade on the table.

It could be seen that the blood in the test tube didn't flow down completely, but moved slowly in a manner resembling crawling.

Finally, it gathered at the mouth of the test tube, forming a blood clot-like mass, and then splashed onto the blade in one go.

The moment they made contact, A chilling aura swept through the room. The surface of the blood actually sprouted structures resembling spider legs, struggling and trying to escape, but in the end, it was absorbed by the zombie skin. The blade emanated waves of sinister energy.

Continue, The second tube, The third tube, ...

By the seventh tube, Clang, clang~ The zombie blade, lying flat on the table, actually began to vibrate on its own.

The nerve-like veins attached to the blade turned bright red, branching out further, even lifting the entire blade.

"Are we almost at the limit..."

Just as Director Wang was about to stop the blood supply, Luo Di suddenly reached out and gripped the hilt. This action startled everyone. Director Wang gave him a surprised look but didn't stop him.

However, as Luo Di tightened his grip, the zombie blade gradually quieted down, and the redness on its surface faded slightly.

It was as if the two could communicate internally, and Luo Di had soothed the blade's emotions.

"Let's continue."

Director Wang stared into Luo Di's eyes. "Are you sure? Doing this not only risks shattering the blade but could also affect you, possibly crippling one of your hands."

"Mm."

Luo Di's gaze was exceptionally firm.

Having experienced the incident in the residential complex, he clearly understood the gap between himself and a mature Imposter. To close that gap, daily training was not enough. This zombie blade was the only way to bridge the distance at the moment.

The blade before him was the same as before.

Moreover, Luo Di, gripping the hilt, could feel that it was still in a bloodthirsty state.

Luo Di wanted to see a different change in it, to ensure that when he faced a similar situation again, he could attempt to kill it alone.

The seventh tube, The eighth tube, The ninth tube, Various scarlet nerve-like veins danced on the blade's surface. Some even pierced Luo Di's palm, and his entire arm began to undergo a zombie-like transformation.

"Do you want to continue?"

"Wait a moment."

Luo Di closed his eyes, using his senses to feel the blade in his hand, to understand the thoughts of its zombie essence.

Give me blood...

After receiving this response, Luo Di nodded in affirmation, "Continue... the last tube."

As the last tube of blood was poured onto the blade's surface, it was quickly absorbed by the skin.

Luo Di's entire right arm had completely become sinister, rotten, and stiff like a zombie's. Some areas even showed extreme hardening.

However, this time, he heard a different voice from within the blade.

I'm full...

After receiving this different response, Luo Di unconsciously clicked his tongue and revealed a satisfied smile.