New Humans

Biodata

Background / History

New Humans did not exist in the old world, according to Yao Wei. By the current era, they live alongside Old Humans, but their origin remains unresolved: Lu Xi'an questions whether they emerged before or after the catastrophe, through natural mutation, or through artificial intervention. Neither he nor Yao Wei knows the answer 48 49.

Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei identify themselves as New Humans while uncovering the buried Tan Village Shelter. Their abnormal strength enables them to remove stones that ordinary people could not move, and Yao Wei links their youthfulness and physical changes to being New Humans 17.

The wider classification becomes known when Luo Ping identifies himself as a Type B New Human. He claims that Types A, C, and D also exist, but provides no details about them 39.

Physiology and Abilities

Enhanced Strength

New Humans possess strength far beyond that of ordinary humans.

• Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei move heavy storage shelves steadily while clearing the Shelter 20.
• They can excavate stone-blocked entrances and widen a reinforced wall opening large enough for a car 17 31.
• Two New Humans can lift a loaded car when terrain prevents it from being driven normally 31 44.
• Lu Xi'an pulls open a heavy iron basement door whose failed support rods add considerable resistance 45.
• Their strength allows them to clear a mountain road of fallen rocks without equipment beyond a shovel for debris 44.

Enhanced Mobility and Endurance

New Humans demonstrate superior balance, core strength, breath-holding ability, and climbing capability.

• Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei can hold their breath long enough to inspect the contaminated Shelter cold-storage room safely 20.
• Lu Xi'an’s strength, flexibility, and balance let him switch from the back of a moving car into the driver’s seat with ease 27.
• He descends and climbs a cliff face by repeatedly embedding an axe into the rock and using his waist and legs to propel himself 49 50.
• New Humans do not seem to develop fevers easily 50.

Adapted Survival Traits

Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei exhibit traits that reduce several hardships of post-apocalyptic survival.

• They sweat very little and require less frequent cleaning to maintain basic hygiene 17.
• They do not produce body odor, reducing the chance of attracting people or creatures by scent 17.
• Their condition does not remove all ordinary human biological needs; Yao Wei still menstruates and has developed practical ways to manage it while traveling 37.

Type B New Humans

Type B New Humans possess an extreme food-dependent recovery ability, represented by Luo Ping.

• Luo Ping becomes near death from starvation and insists that he will die without food 39.
• After consuming only a small amount of instant noodles, he rapidly returns to full vigor despite severe prior injuries and exhaustion 40.
• Luo Ping describes this recovery as the ability he relies on to survive repeated confrontations 40.
• Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei believe a Type B must be thoroughly restrained or dismembered to prevent recovery through feeding, though this is their proposed countermeasure rather than a confirmed rule 42.

Known New Humans

• Lu Xi'an — A New Human of unknown type whose enhanced strength, agility, and endurance repeatedly support his survival and exploration 17 44 49.
• Yao Wei — A New Human of unknown type; she recognizes New Human traits in herself and Lu Xi'an and often applies their strength pragmatically 17 31 44.
• Luo Ping — A Type B New Human whose body can recover rapidly after eating; he is aware of the broader type system 39 40.

Relationship with Old Humans

Old Humans are portrayed as physically disadvantaged in the post-catastrophe environment. Yao Wei notes that they age quickly and face greater survival difficulties, while New Humans were absent from the old world 49.

A New Human trader warns Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei that Old Humans are often hostile toward New Humans and may target them for their supplies, regardless of whether the New Humans initiated conflict 28.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Recognition at Tan Village — Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei explicitly identify themselves as New Humans after their abnormal strength allows them to uncover a concealed Shelter entrance 17.
• Shelter exploration — Their physical advantages let them move heavy supplies, open blocked routes, and secure the Shelter for later use 20 22 31.
• Luo Ping encounter — Luo Ping reveals the existence of Type B New Humans and the possibility of Types A, C, and D 39.
• Adopting “New Human thinking” — Lu Xi'an realizes he must think beyond ordinary physical limits after Yao Wei matter-of-factly proposes moving rockfalls or lifting their car over collapsed roads 44.
• Unanswered origins — While investigating Fang Shuxin’s Shelters, Lu Xi'an continues questioning how New Humans originated and what their types mean 48.