The Worm (Thanks to Tang Sumu, the Alliance Leader)

In the collapsed factory, smoke and dust filled the air.

Amidst the siege of dozens of ghouls, Wen Wen strolled forward as if taking a leisurely walk, waving her hand casually to hang the blocking monsters one by one upon a tree of sharp crystals that rose from the ground.

Facing her interrogation, the voice on the phone continued, devoid of any irritation or displeasure, as if possessing an eternal good temper, patiently facing the questions and accusations of every patient.

After all, the consultation fee of 160,000 Federal Currency per minute would not be a cent less; any fraction of a minute was billed as a full minute.

Caller—[Hope Hospital · Lab Department]

"The analysis report for the viral sample from patient Zhu Hong, submitted by you yesterday under reference r54447, has been completed."

The physician named Muller said slowly, "We regret to inform you that this is not a standard sample of the No. 109 Blood Thirst Syndrome seen previously, but a new strain that has mutated and iterated upon the foundation of Blood Thirst Syndrome."

Wen Wen asked, "What does that mean?"

"Well, in terms a layman can understand, it is an upgraded, specialized version even stronger than the original!"

Muller explained, "As everyone knows, the original version of Blood Thirst Syndrome originated in Central Earth, a plague created after the Sacrificial King of Central Earth lost control and succumbed to Sin Corruption. I will not elaborate on its specific clinical manifestations here; the final result is the complete alienation of the host into a β-type Ghoul among the Sin-Corrupted creatures.

"However, the strain you provided is completely different.

"Its alienation of the host is merely a facade; it is more like a modification of a tool. The blood, life, and even the Aberrant Spirit Essence consumed by the host will ultimately belong to the strain itself.

"Much like a parasite, the focus is not on the host, but on the strain.

"In the end, even the host will be entirely consumed by the strain, leaving only the strain itself behind for the controller to retrieve and utilize. If used properly, gathering massive amounts of life and spirit essence within a few short days is no difficult task."

Speaking of this, Muller could not help but sigh with emotion, "As a tool, such a strain is truly simple and convenient; it is highly cost-effective."

"Wait—"

From the other party's tone, Wen Wen keenly sensed a discordance and subconsciously gritted her teeth, "Why are you people so clear about this? Don't tell me you bastards are in contact with them too?"

"Of course, this is our hospital's patent! It is a classic variant cultivated forty-one years ago by Director Yan of the Infectious Disease Department!"

Muller replied proudly, "Although limited by the T5 Protocol and unable to be applied publicly on a large scale, not a single partner who has purchased the corresponding technology has failed to offer unanimous praise for our hospital's technical level!"

"You motherf—"

Wen Wen almost crushed her phone. Although she knew in her heart that for these research maniacs at [Hope Hospital], morality and ethics were less useful than a diaper, she still couldn't help but want to hit someone.

Why on earth didn't I choose that Matrix that could slap people through a computer back then?

Otherwise, would I still have to put up with this nonsense?!

"However, please rest assured. Our hospital does not yet possess the qualifications or permits for off-site consultations, so naturally, we will not interfere with sovereign territories outside our campus.

"According to the Cooperation Agreement with the Security Bureau, we will certainly cooperate fully in the event of such terrorist attacks."

Muller added quickly, "According to our hospital's regulations, all achievements and products rated C1 Level and above are strictly prohibited from being disseminated to non-partners, and all those who come into contact with them will have traces left in the archives of the Visitor Reception Center.

"According to records, there are currently forty-one people who possess and know how to utilize this strain.

"Among them, the only one with ties to the Dragon Offering Society is 'Andreas Lawrence,' a former assistant physician in the Emergency Department who was expelled from our hospital sixteen years ago for academic misconduct."

"Or, perhaps you are more familiar with his other title..."

Muller spat out the name: "[Aberrant Worm]."

A wanted criminal with a bounty on both the Federal and Imperial lists, an escapee from the Northern Mountain Prison, and a cultist who once single-handedly orchestrated the Empire Flower Moon Massacre.

One of the sixteen shepherds of the Dragon Offering Society, the Aberrant Worm.

"If it is him, you must be careful."

Muller offered a final warning, "That guy always likes to stir up a big mess when he's at work..."

Wen Wen did not speak.

She turned back in silence, gazing into the distance from the foothills... at the scattered, slowly rising crimson lights in the North Mountain District.

That was the Aberrant Spirit Essence, invisible to the naked eye of ordinary people. It rose into the sky as if it were tangible, exploding with a roar. Thousands of crimson threads extended and converged, like a giant tree woven from blood vessels.

Amidst the shrill laughter, it danced bewitchingly.

Ten minutes ago, Jici Hospital, Inpatient Building.

"Rounds, rounds."

The nurse in a hurry walked at the front, knocking on doors one by one, preceding the chief physician's inspection: "Everyone, please tidy up your clutter. Do not eat instant noodles in bed. Ma'am, put your underwear away; you can't hang it by the door!"

As she spoke, she pulled down a pair of giant, saggy underpants that were stunningly large and threw them back to their owner. Ji Jue, standing nearby, was stunned; he had gone in and out so many times that he had actually thought it was an old man's undershirt!

Then, he watched as the old woman reached back... and hung it right back up!

Ji Jue couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

Truly, unyielding and persistent!

"Uncle, if it hurts, you can only take painkillers. This is rheumatism, and you have gout, too. Surgery can only treat the symptoms; drink less alcohol, drink less soup, and keep your diet light."

"The wound shows signs of inflammation. Communicate with the family; to avoid suppuration, you still need to change the medicine... Paying a few dollars more is better than amputation. Make sure the situation is communicated clearly."

"It has almost healed; you can be discharged soon."

Accompanied by a faint sound, heavy footsteps reached the doorway. It was a doctor leaning on a crutch, his leg fitted with a brace. In the sweltering heat, a thin layer of sweat coated his forehead, yet his expression remained eternally gentle and warm. After checking on the old man and the lady in the neighboring beds, he finally looked toward Ji Jue, who was in the innermost bed.

After flipping through the medical chart at the bedside, he reached out to press on the bruises on Ji Jue's body and the healing burn marks on his back, nodding with satisfaction. "Recovery is going well, and you're lucky—no acute renal failure or nerve damage. We'll observe you for two more days and adjust your endocrine and hormone levels."

"Just take your medicine on time."

He waved his hand, and a nurse stepped forward to place a standard paper bag into Ji Jue's hands.

"Huh?"

Ji Jue was stunned for a moment, looking down at the paper bag in his hands. "This medicine wasn't here this morning."

"Mecobalamin. It's for nerve nourishment and vitamin B supplementation."

The doctor pushed up his glasses and smiled. "It promotes nerve healing."

From the tilted paper bag, two pills—together not even half the size of a pinky fingernail—rolled into Ji Jue's palm. They were dark red and smelled as foul and bitter as any ordinary medicine.

"I'm a bit afraid of bitter things."

Ji Jue hesitated. "Do I have to take it now?"

The nurse handed him a cup of warm water and urged, "There's another dose tonight; you'll recover faster if you take your medicine on time."

Ji Jue fell silent.

He looked down at his palm, at the two pills that had grown slightly sticky from his sweat, and the faint, scarlet glow burning within them. And then, there were the wristwatch pop-ups that had been flashing incessantly since a moment ago.

[Detected external active Aberrant Spirit Essence. Warning: Large active Aberrant source detected. Sin Corruption risk rising steadily. Warning: Unknown Aberrant entity detected. Warning, warning, warning, warning...]

Warnings, warnings—it's nothing but warnings all day long.

Why the hell don't you call the police for me instead!

Ji Jue sighed and was about to speak, but he couldn't help but glance toward the door, freezing in place.

"Feng Ge? When did you get here?"

Unfortunately, there was no Feng Ge.

The doctor and nurse turned their heads; outside the door, there was nothing but empty air and a pair of oversized boxers flapping in the breeze.

Bad news: there would be no divine intervention this time.

Good news: I have a divine weapon!

Ji Jue's other hand had already pulled a pistol from beneath his pillow. He aimed it at the doctor's forehead, flipped the safety off without hesitation, and with all the speed and strength he could muster in his life, he pulled the trigger.

A roaring sound erupted in an instant, overlapping and cascading. The spray of muzzle flash danced and dispersed, fleeting yet lingering in the wake of the deafening blast.

In less than a second, Ji Jue could barely feel his own fingers anymore.

But there was no time to worry about that.

The moment he fired, he vaulted from the hospital bed and leaped backward. His back shattered the window as he plummeted from the fourth floor.

Four floors, twelve meters, and there was a shed for electric scooters down below.

If he was lucky, he wouldn't die on impact.

As long as he didn't die, he could crawl onto an electric scooter and make a run for it.

At the very least, if he caused a big enough scene, the other party would have to worry about...

Worry about what, again?

In the wind rushing toward him, his mind went blank, and he suddenly hit a snag, forgetting the rest.

Because the fall came to an abrupt halt!

Ji Jue was left hanging upside down in mid-air, clutching the red-hot pistol in his hand. He struggled frantically, but he couldn't break free... from the eerie tentacle entwined around his ankle.

Then, another tentacle reached out from the window and wrapped around his right foot.

Then, his hands.

They didn't even bother to take the empty pistol from his hand, which was now just clicking uselessly as the firing pin struck nothing.

Just like that, gently, slowly, and cautiously, they dragged him back into the hospital room.

And placed him on the bed.

In the dead silence, it was as if even the sound of breathing had vanished. Only the people in the surrounding beds and the nurses looked at him with hollow eyes.

Like lost souls.

Right before him, the doctor's face, skull, neck, and chest still bore the bullet holes, with blood slowly oozing from them.

Through the tears in the flesh, one could vaguely see clusters of wriggling tentacles pushing out from the cracks in his face, dancing about.

"You actually discovered it? How strange."

The face, torn apart yet still maintaining its smile, slowly lifted, emitting that raspy voice that seemed to come from a nightmare, full of admiration. "As expected of a Chosen One who has endured the curse for ten years and still managed to awaken on his own!

This level of insight and intuition is truly eye-opening. No... even more impressive is the resolve to draw a weapon on a stranger the moment you sensed something was wrong."

"I'll [beep] your mother!"

Ji Jue struggled in vain, but was eventually bound layer by layer with zip ties until he couldn't move. A nurse, moving like a walking corpse, stepped forward and jabbed a needle into his neck.

Then, his vision blackened.

He blacked out.

In his final moment, the phone screen beneath the blanket lit up. A text message interface popped up, sending a final message to Wen Wen in his contacts.

--Help help help help help help help!!!!