The Moon of That Time

"How often does the Blood Moon appear? And what's its range of effect?" Sun Hang asked.

"The frequency isn't fixed... sometimes there are seven or eight Blood Moons in a year, and sometimes it won't appear for several years," Yang Qi replied. "As for the range, the entire Xiazhou Continent, anywhere the moon can be seen, will be affected."

"The entire Xiazhou Continent?" Sun Hang was taken aback. If the Blood Moon's influence was that widespread, it should be common knowledge. Why did he have no recollection of it at all?

Had this part of his memory also been lost?

"Then why haven't they recalled us?" Sun Hang looked at Wang Xiyi. "Your current condition, being exposed under the Blood Moon, should be very dangerous, right?"

"...I'll make a call to ask." Yang Qi took out her phone.

Less than ten seconds after the call connected, Yang Qi's expression turned grim. After repeatedly saying "Understood, got it," she covered the mouthpiece with one hand and looked up at Sun Hang and Wang Xiyi. "The news from the Research Institute is... at this very moment, no Blood Moon phenomenon has been observed anywhere across the Xiazhou Continent."

"Then what is that in the sky?" 0401 exclaimed in shock.

"I think I understand what's going on..." Sun Hang pondered for a moment, then said, "Yang Qi, have the people at the Research Institute check if there are any records of Blood Moon observations within two years after January 10th, year 4653 of the old calendar."

Yang Qi's eyes changed, clearly understanding the hidden meaning in Sun Hang's words.

"Checked. In those two years, there was only one instance... that Blood Moon appeared on September 15th, year 4654 of the old calendar," Yang Qi said slowly.

Sun Hang looked up at the blood-red full moon in the sky. "So, what we're seeing now is the Blood Moon from sixty-five years ago... Ha, a fine 'The Moon of That Time'."

"The Federation Council and the Tianfu City Administration Bureau have rejected our request to suspend operations," Yang Qi said, putting down her phone. "According to them... we must continue the search and rescue, even under the influence of the Blood Moon."

"Damn it!" 0401 couldn't help but curse. "In the eyes of those in charge, their lives are precious, but ours aren't?"

"Don't get agitated. Since this Blood Moon isn't a normal Blood Moon within our spacetime, we just need to figure out its range of influence, and we should be able to minimize the risks it brings," Yang Qi said. "Moreover, the range of the Blood Moon's influence is also the area where spacetime anomalies occur in the Cemetery. This is good news for us."

"This is considered good news?" 0401's eyes widened.

"We could never determine the boundaries of the anomaly zone before, but it's different now," Yang Qi said, looking up at the Blood Moon in the sky. "We just need to pay attention to when the Blood Moon disappears. That will tell us when and where we crossed the boundary of the anomaly zone. Then, by connecting these points, we can outline the entire anomaly zone."

"Good idea," Wang Xiyi stated concisely.

"Tell everyone to stop searching aimlessly like headless chickens. Gather everyone, split into teams, and spread out. Keep an eye on the Blood Moon in the sky while expanding outwards from the Cemetery as the center point. Record the locations after the Blood Moon returns to normal, and compile the data... One thing we should be thankful for is that this anomaly zone doesn't seem to have communication interference," Yang Qi said to the people from the Investigation Bureau.

"Additionally, each survey team must be equipped with armed personnel... Over sixty years ago, this was a wilderness inhabited by many wild beasts. Under the influence of the Blood Moon, these beasts will become extremely aggressive," Yang Qi added.

The total number of people participating in the search and rescue operation was over a thousand. As Yang Qi requested, they were divided into dozens of groups of eight, slowly fanning out towards the outer areas of the Cemetery.

"So, are you planning to stay put, or go out and take a look?" Wang Xiyi asked, glancing at Yang Qi.

"Sun Hang has been here for so long without triggering 'Resonance'... I plan to take him through the entire anomaly zone to see if we can find anything," Yang Qi said.

"I'll go with you," Wang Xiyi said, slinging two assault rifles over her back. Even without her abilities, her combat prowess as a normal person was far superior to that of the city defense guards.

"Did you bring enough Inhibitors?" Yang Qi asked.

"Brought eight units, more than enough," Wang Xiyi replied. "If things go south, I just need to run out of the Blood Moon's coverage."

"Then be careful," Yang Qi said, returning to her SUV.

"I... I'll go with you too!" 0401 ran over, saying nervously, "I have a feeling that following you... uh... will be safer."

He was originally assigned to the data analysis team that stayed put. But in reality, Temporary Investigators like him were just there to make up the numbers during operations; they couldn't help much. In other words, "one more or one less doesn't make a difference."

"Get in," Yang Qi said, not being particularly harsh towards the Temporary Investigator. "Since you want to come, you'll be in charge of watching the Blood Moon in the sky."

Yang Qi had to drive, and both Sun Hang and Wang Xiyi were infected with the Anomalization Virus. Yang Qi worried about negative effects if they stared at the Blood Moon for too long. Since 0401 volunteered to come along, this "tool" position was naturally his.

"You got it! I'll complete the mission!" 0401 agreed very loudly.

"There's something I need to tell you first. Although there are two Hunters in this car, in the Blood Moon environment, this combination isn't the safest; it might even be the most dangerous... I hope you're mentally prepared."

"Two Hunters?!" 0401 was stunned, then immediately turned his gaze to Sun Hang, stammering, "Zero... 0420, have you... become a Hunter? An Anomaly Hunter?"

"Mhm," Sun Hang nodded. "I inexplicably became an infected, and then inexplicably became a Hunter... The result is, I don't even know what my abilities are right now..."

"Awesome!" 0401 gave Sun Hang a thumbs-up. "When I was a kid, I also dreamed of becoming a Hunter, but then I grew up and stopped wanting to... The risk is too great, it's practically a one-in-a-million chance. You can handle it, that's truly amazing!"

Yang Qi stepped on the gas, and the SUV's engine let out a deep roar.

"Where are we going now?" Sun Hang asked.

"Let's check out the Back Mountain first," Yang Qi said, turning the steering wheel sharply, the car's front slowly turning.

"Back Mountain?" 0401 blinked slightly, then looked at Sun Hang. "Big brother, can you give me a gun? That place has a lot of wild beasts..."

Sun Hang glanced at Yang Qi, about to speak, when Yang Qi interjected first. "You decide. During operations, Hunters have the authority to temporarily equip non-armed personnel with weapons."

"Big brother! No, Godfather!" 0401 exclaimed excitedly to Sun Hang.

"You'd better focus on watching the Blood Moon. If it really comes down to you using a gun, it's likely the gun won't be of much use," Sun Hang said, immediately deflating 0401. "Why don't you apply for a shooting test after we get back? If you pass, I might consider giving you a gun during future operations."