Talent

As a Plague Exterminator, the most important thing wasn't powerful Plague Extermination Art or outstanding medical knowledge.

When facing Pestilence, keeping the hand holding the scalpel steady and the mind from wavering was what mattered most.

At least in that regard, Zhou Zhi thought Yu Jinhai had something going for him.

Rumble.

Spiritual energy split the skin, and Yu Jinhai's blade let out a metallic shriek.

The sudden impact sent a shock through Zhou Zhi.

The towering [Pathogen: Meng Ling] actually shuddered for a moment.

But at the same time, thick liquid seeped from Yu Jinhai's mouth, tinged with blood.

[Yu Jinhai's Pathogenization level has risen].

As Zhou Zhi sliced apart the Mucus Men that Lei Heng and the others had become, his expression turned grave.

"The reason Pathogens rank above Disease Seeds is that their ability to contaminate and cause Pathogenization is significantly stronger."

Fighting Pestilence raised the Pathogenization Index.

That much Zhou Zhi knew for certain.

And the more advanced the Pathogen, the more sharply the index rose.

After that single exchange, Yu Jinhai's Pathogenization Index had risen by more than fifteen percentage points.

Without his Plague Armor, it might have climbed even higher.

"Damn Pestilence!"

Yu Jinhai gritted his teeth and swung his blade through the air.

He slipped through the gap.

"We're going too!"

Zhou Zhi raised his scalpel.

Mucus Men lay scattered across the floor, their revolting, contaminating presence making Xia Yu deeply uncomfortable.

But Zhou Zhi wasn't worried about that. He was worried that [Bai Xiu]'s scalpel was about to crack.

It wavered on the brink, just like Bai Xiu's talentless life.

Xia Yu held her breath and ran ahead.

Roar!!!

Yu Jinhai was so fast that he vanished into the stairwell leading to the third floor in an instant.

The towering Pathogen—Meng Ling—seemed furious. Its expression remained numb, but in an instant, it locked onto a new target!

Zhou Zhi!

"This is getting tricky."

Zhou Zhi's expression shifted.

Only when you experienced it firsthand could you feel how terrifying a Pathogen was.

The feeling of being drenched in contamination clogged his nose and throat.

Threads of blood writhed.

[Pathogenization Index rising]!

[Pathogenization Index rising]!

It was happening too fast.

A hand lifted Zhou Zhi straight off the ground.

He didn't panic. Raising the Ash Box in his left hand, he forcefully flipped open its latch.

An exotic fragrance to Zhou Zhi, but a stench of decay to everyone around him, filled the air.

Rotten flesh fell, landing right on the Pathogen's face.

"Ah-woo?"

The Pathogen—Meng Ling—stared blankly, then began to chew.

It made a sound of satisfaction.

"That works?"

Xia Yu stared in disbelief from the right.

Zhou Zhi landed steadily and ran forward.

Behind them was another Plague Exterminator, Lin Rui. She looked surprised too, but the expression vanished in an instant.

Only sorrow remained.

She'd thought it was just an ordinary training assignment. She'd never imagined things would turn out like this.

That something like this could happen within Xuanyuan's borders, beneath the radiance of the Medical Department.

That the classmates who had formed a team together would end up like this...

Lin Rui shook her head.

"Why am I thinking about all this now?"

Lin Rui came back to herself a little.

Her nerves felt sluggish.

She wasn't in good shape either. What was going on...

"Mr. Zhou Zhi... over there..."

Standing at the entrance to the stairs leading to the third floor, Xia Yu shakily pointed to the other side.

Zhou Zhi's expression changed.

The female Plague Exterminator was already in trouble.

Because...

[Lin Rui].

[Pathogenization Index: 67.3 percent].

At some point, Lin Rui's Pathogenization Index had begun to soar.

A crackling electric buzz sounded.

Pathogenization contamination spread.

"What... is happening..."

Lin Rui spoke as she looked at the enormous Pathogen ahead.

Her tongue seemed to be tying itself in knots, and an increasingly murky sensation swelled inside her.

Her vision doubled.

Had she... undergone Pathogenization?

When had it started?

When...

Zhou Zhi watched as a mass of organs resembling windpipes writhed and spread across Lin Rui's petite frame.

Mucus flowed from the female student's nostrils and eye sockets, and her gaze gradually went vacant.

The source was...

The [Communicator], still crackling with static.

"Go."

Zhou Zhi didn't look back.

As expected.

Anything could undergo Pathogenization. Anything could become a source of contamination.

Although Lin Rui had already undergone Pathogenization, Zhou Zhi still wanted the Plague-Slaying Blade at the female Plague Exterminator's waist. Unfortunately, with two monsters in the way, getting his hands on it was practically impossible now.

And then there was...

The [Pathogen—Meng Ling] seemed to be afraid of the third floor.

Even when it saw Zhou Zhi and Xia Yu running toward the third floor, Meng Ling only roared as it pursued them to the entrance.

It seemed to be guarding that spot and nothing more.

Third floor.

Xia Yu gasped for breath, leaning against the wall.

Her nerves were stretched to the limit.

Death came far too easily.

Even Lei Heng, who had been at odds with her the whole way, had undergone Pathogenization with ease.

In the face of disease, life was worth so little.

Zhou Zhi climbed the stairs.

Not far away, Yu Jinhai was catching his breath with the Plague-Slaying Blade in his arms. He turned to see the two of them, his eyes shifting.

"Where's Lin Rui?"

"Why are you two the ones who came up?"

Zhou Zhi's expression didn't change.

"The Plague Exterminator... underwent Pathogenization."

At those words, Yu Jinhai's face turned ashen.

"How... how is that possible!"

He couldn't believe it.

"She had an Epidemic Prevention Suit. When did it start?"

Zhou Zhi had no reason to lie to him.

And they were only one floor apart.

Yu Jinhai had no choice but to accept reality.

Zhu Xie, Meng Ling, Lin Rui...

They were all dead.

That was the truth.

Why had they died in a place like this?

What had happened?

Even Yu Jinhai's eyes filled with despair.

No!

They could die!

I had to live!

I had to become a Plague Exterminator!

I wanted to live!

Yu Jinhai gripped the Plague-Slaying Blade.

"You two, get out in front!"

Xia Yu protested, "Plague Exterminators are supposed to protect the people. You can't—"

Zhou Zhi thought Xia Yu was being unbelievably stupid, but said nothing.

"Shut up!"

Yu Jinhai was frantic. "You talentless wastes, shut up!"

"I'm useful to Xuanyuan, to humanity. I'm a pillar of the future!"

"You people should be protecting my life!"

"I'm ordering you now: you're going in front!"

"Otherwise, I'll kill you right here."

Yu Jinhai's voice was cold and crazed.

"I'm a medical student specializing in [heart] surgery. It'd be easy for me to do it."

Now his Plague-Slaying Blade wasn't aimed at Pestilence.

It was aimed at Zhou Zhi and Xia Yu.

Zhou Zhi raised his hands.

"I understand, sir."

Zhou Zhi spoke calmly. "For the future of humanity, for the seed of the Plague Exterminators, it's our honor."

With that, he led Xia Yu forward.

A few large characters came into view.

Black and burnished gold, like twisted serpents.

[Dean's Office].