Chapter 224
"I command you to answer me, servant!"
Sensing the voice in her mind, Kal'tsit gradually regained her composure:
"The Doctor was injured a few years ago and is currently recuperating in the Stone Coffin. I recently discovered a group that appears to be from Outside the Starry Sky, and I'd like to verify this with you. Besides the Doctor, have any other people left the underground fortress?"
Upon hearing this, the guardian fell into a long silence.
It is a personality-simulated AI shaped by Pre-Civilization, which has been guarding the dark hall of the underground fortress and the cold bodies of hundreds of thousands of its compatriots for tens of thousands of years.
"No."
After hearing this, Kal'tsit understood everything. That man truly came from a race Outside the Starry Sky.
Whether Zhongli, like the Doctor, represents the demise of civilization itself, or its final survival, Kal'tsit will do everything in her power to awaken the Doctor from his frozen state this year. She wants to seriously discuss with him how to face the impending catastrophe on this planet.
She alone cannot fight against the civilization Outside the Starry Sky.
At this point, it's no longer advisable to have any direct conflict with Zhongli. It's best to use Amiya as a buffer to reduce friction between the two sides. At the very least, we shouldn't be his enemy.
The Doctor, please wait a little longer.
This land needs you to save it!
March 23, 9:15 am
The next morning, Shi Lei and others visited Ifrit at the Rhine Lab Structure Department.
Perhaps influenced by the world he had traveled to before, he even specifically...
The door was filled with fruit.
Naturally, Texas paid for it.
Hemo went home to sleep yesterday afternoon and was fully recovered after a night's rest.
She arrived at the Structure Department shortly after seven o'clock and waited outside the observation room, earlier than her colleagues.
Upon seeing the Rhodes Island group arrive, Hemo stood up and stepped forward to greet them:
"Doctor Zhongli, you've arrived."
"Um."
Shi Lei nodded and stopped outside the observation room. He looked through the glass at Ifrit, who was still lying on the bed, and tilted his head to ask:
"Is she still asleep, or is she not awake?"
"Going to sleep. I tossed and turned all night."
Hemo also went outside the observation room and looked inside:
"Director Parvis was very satisfied with the results of the Chimera surgery experiment. So yesterday afternoon, he gave her several extra injections of catalyst. He wanted to enhance the absorption effect of the special Originium fragments and see if he could restore Ifrit to a mildly infected state."
But when she woke up, she was very resistant to her colleagues in white coats. It was said that Director Parvis, having exhausted all other options, ultimately resorted to an anesthetic spray. Only then was Ifrit subdued, and the catalyst successfully injected.
What's the use of a catalyst for farts?
Shi Lei silently complained to himself, but did not reveal that he was the one who had come to the rescue:
"Since Ifrit is still asleep, don't wake her up. Let the child rest well."
Here's some fruit, I just bought a little. Let Ifrit choose for herself when she wakes up."
When Texas handed him the fruit basket, Hemo froze, not reaching out to take it.
"Doctor Zhongli, you're too kind."
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei turned his head to look at the Liberi Doctor, feeling somewhat puzzled:
"I'm giving it to her, not to you. What does this have to do with being polite?"
"..."
Hemo opened his mouth, then froze in embarrassment.
288 Extraterrestrial Visitors (Part 1)
Fortunately, Saria arrived at that moment.
Her appearance saved Hemo from an awkward situation.
Saria had never met Shi Lei and his group before, and out of habit developed in the Defense Department, she secretly sized them up.
She caught sight of a Female Lupo carrying a basket of fruit, presumably there to visit Ifrit. She turned to Doctor. Hemo and tentatively asked:
Are all these patients' family members?
"No, Director Saria. They are all Rhodes Island Operator."
Before Hemo could explain further, Amiya, who was traveling with them, introduced herself, showing a bit of social interaction:
"Hello, I am Amiya, the leader of Rhodes Island. We just established a long-term Cooperative Relationship with your company yesterday. We have extensive experience in the treatment and care of those infected with Originium-related illness. I am here today to accompany Doctor Zhongli to take a look, nothing else."
Having said all she could say, Shi Lei had nothing more to add. After handing the fruit basket to Hemo, he left the Structure Department with the other Operator.
Since Ifrit is still sleeping, I'll visit her later.
After walking out of the Structure Department, Amiya's ears drooped, and a faint smile played on her lips.
"Mister Zhongli, Miss Zilan told me that thanks to your help, we were able to establish a cooperation with Rhine Lab so smoothly this time. She is very grateful."
Ah?
Shi Lei didn't think he played any key role in this collaboration. The work of connecting the dots was all thanks to Miss Zilan.
Thinking of this, he glanced back.
But they found Zilan walking at the end of the line, deliberately lowering her head, as if she didn't want to accept the praise.
If you steer the conversation toward her at this point, it will make her feel very awkward.
"Not at all, Miss Amiya. This collaboration was made possible thanks to everyone's hard work."
The group chatted amongst themselves and soon arrived outside the headquarters building of Rhine Lab.
Shi Lei's team had a similar mission to her squad: to find companies in Trimont City that were still conducting human experiments, only their methods differed.
"Miss Amiya, we have some things to take care of, so we'll be leaving now. If you encounter any trouble, please remember to contact me."
"Okay, Doctor Zhongli."
Shi Lei is efficient and decisive; after leaving Rhine Lab, he went straight to the Melander Foundation office.
March 23, 11:45 AM
Ifrit, who had been tossing and turning all night, finally woke up. She sat on the bed, her eyes remaining alert.
The Chimera surgery was very effective, and she recovered to the level of moderate infection in just a few days.
However, we should not take this lightly.
Especially for this first-ever clinical trial, an observation period of at least one month is required to ensure that Ifrit does not suffer from any sequelae or develop any new symptoms after the Chimera surgery.
Even if her Originium-related illness is cured, Chimera surgery cannot be widely promoted. To pass the approval process, medical institutions will recruit infected volunteers for a fee. More cases will be needed to obtain definitive data. If the results do not meet expectations, the surgery may be banned.
While Hemo was in the restroom, two colleagues from the Structure Department came over to give Eve her medication.
After the Chimera surgery, regular injections of a special drug are required. This is done to activate the Originium fragments within the infected individual's body to monitor the stability of their condition.
The two had just opened the observation room
As soon as the door opened, a white pillow flew towards her. Ifrit clenched her fists into claws, striking a frightening pose.
A blazing fire erupted from her hand. But the flame was unstable, as if it were without gas.
That's... Originium Arts?
Saria, who was observing the scene outside, widened her pupils slightly upon seeing this and quickly pushed the door open and entered.
The panicked researchers saw her as a savior and immediately cried out for help:
"The director asked us to give Ifrit her medication, but she's not cooperating at all."
"Director Saria, please, please help me!"
"Leave it to me."
Saria took the pills and a glass of water, approached Ifrit, and spoke somewhat stiffly:
"Here, take your medicine."
Ifrit recognized Saria as her Savior from that day, so she didn't attack. But Saria also refused the medicine, turning her head away in protest.
During the stalemate, Hemo returned.
She heard the details of Ifrit's arson from her colleagues, and then called Saria outside:
"I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell you. When she's nervous, she uses fire-based Originium Arts and is extremely hostile towards almost everyone."
Due to Originium-related illness, Ifrit suffers from chronic physical pain. This may explain her irritability, restlessness, and deep-seated insecurity. Furthermore, the process of Originium crystal after taking the special medicine is extremely painful. This pain cannot be relieved or alleviated by medication, which is why she resists taking it.
Saria stood by the window, staring at Ifrit in the observation room, her expression somewhat grave:
"That night, I was sent to Haydon Laboratories by the city government. There were countless charred corpses of researchers at the explosion site, with Ifrit being the only survivor. I'd like to talk to her later to get some information about what happened so I can give my superiors an explanation, is that alright?"
Upon hearing this, Hemo looked troubled.
"Director Saria, Ifrit has a strong Stress Response, and I'm worried you'll ask her these questions..."
"But this matter needs to be resolved."
"Okay, then could you help me give her the medicine? That way she won't be so hostile towards you."
Saria nodded, took the pills and water glass, and returned to the bedside, spreading her hands:
"Here, take your medicine."
Ifrit turned her head away, completely ignoring her.
"Director Saria, you have to coax her."
Saria really had no experience in this area, and her movements were still so stiff:
"Here, take your medicine. It will make the pain go away."
Ifrit glanced at him upon hearing this, perhaps knowing it would cause her trouble. She actually took the pill, swallowed it, and then drank some water to finish it.
"Eve is so good!"
Hemo smiled and patted her head before leaving the observation room, giving Saria time to ask questions.
But not long after, Ifrit's scream came from inside the house:
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
Hemo looked horrified and quickly pushed open the door.
Ifrit looked pained, huddled in the corner of the bed with her arms crossed, clearly having just gone through something:
"Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!"
"Ifrit scared, but she'll be fine."
"I told you, don't come any closer!!!"
Seeing the crimson flames rising in her hand, Saria did not force her way closer, but turned and walked out of the observation room.
Hemo chased after them, her tone very stern:
"Director, what did you do to her?!"
Saria stood outside, looking through the window at Ifrit trembling inside, and explained:
"At first, she answered my questions by nodding or shaking her head. But when I mentioned the Haydon Laboratories, she suddenly changed like this."
I'm sorry, Doctor. Hemo, I was too hasty. I didn't expect Ifrit's stress response to be more severe than anticipated. Perhaps she suffered great psychological trauma in Haydon Laboratories.
"Take good care of her. I'll try to investigate the truth behind the bombing through other channels."