Chapter 43: Another Fellow Enthusiast

"So, you went on a date with Chris yesterday? At sea? Riding a giant beast?" Feng Liancheng clicked his tongue repeatedly, speechless. "Your romantic display was quite a spectacle; you nearly scared the Ark Country Coast Guard to death! They thought it was a giant beast attack."

"What? Did they capture anything?" Yang Yi was startled.

"Don't worry, the commotion was too great, they didn't dare get close, and the night was too dark; they didn't catch your figures—probably didn't catch them anyway, the released footage is just a blur..." Feng Liancheng said uncertainly.

Yang Yi let out a breath. "That's good."

She looked down at the documents; these were compiled by the United Nations, traces of the Divine Punishment Organization's activities around the world, which would be of great help to her in finding Wade.

Feng Liancheng looked at her, wanting to speak but holding back.

"Just say whatever is on your mind, don't hesitate," Yang Yi said calmly.

"Are you and Chris in a relationship?"

"What, can't employees of the Awakened Management Bureau date foreigners?"

"That's not it."

"Then are you afraid I'll be turned? You don't trust my loyalty to the motherland?"

"No, no, no, that's not the case at all." Feng Liancheng quickly waved his hands. "I absolutely trust you."

"Why?" Yang Yi was actually curious.

"Isn't it obvious?" Feng Liancheng winked at her. "I know all your files, and I understand your ideological leanings. I believe that if Xia and Ark go to war, you will immediately stand on Xia's side."

Yang Yi thought of how he had dug up her past and her dark history, her face darkened, and she turned her head, ignoring him.

"So... regarding your relationship, should you report it yourself, or should I report it to the Director for you?" Feng Liancheng asked hesitantly; he was usually straightforward, rarely so indecisive.

Yang Yi was puzzled. "Do I have to report dating?"

"Not exactly, but the person you are dating is quite special, and you yourself are even more special; you hold great significance for our country..."

"—A strategic-level weapon, a crucial national strategic resource, right? Alright, alright, go report it, yes-man!"

Yang Yi felt it was understandable rationally, but emotionally she felt awkward, her words coming out somewhat sharp. But after saying "yes-man," she felt a bit regretful; why do people treat strangers with politeness but speak harshly to those close to them?

"I'm doing this for your own good, how can you call me a yes-man?" Feng Liancheng protested repeatedly. "What if your relationship is exposed? What if your information is leaked? This could cause a major incident! For instance, if your whereabouts were leaked, certain forces might set traps specifically for you..."

"That seems a bit exaggerated; what benefit would targeting me bring them..." Yang Yi said, then suddenly stopped speaking; many thoughts occurred to her.

"Not to mention, if they get your genes and create several clones, if they can awaken abilities like yours, wouldn't that instantly add several strategic-level weapons? Even researching why you specifically became an S-class would be of immense significance... Otherwise, do you think why your hotel room is cleaned by our dedicated staff? That hair, toothbrush, urine—ahem, all of that contains genes!" Feng Liancheng said. "The new phone you switched to is also a classified model developed specifically by us..."

Yang Yi realized that the obstacles between her and Chris were not just hunger, but much more.

Suddenly, she sneered again; there wasn't even a single stroke of the character 'eight' between them yet. Perhaps once this infatuation passed, when dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphins, phenylethylamine, and posterior pituitary hormone all passed their secretion peaks, she would naturally grow cold toward him.

Was there any future between them?

As Feng Liancheng was about to leave, Yang Yi called him back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called you 'yes-man' just now..."

Feng Liancheng paused, then suddenly smiled. "It's fine; you never call strangers that." He shook his head with a smile and left on his own.

At this meeting, reports were given on the significant activities of anomalous creatures worldwide yesterday, including the report on the abnormal activity of giant beasts in Ark Country's waters yesterday.

Feng Liancheng suppressed his laughter and looked at her; Yang Yi remained expressionless, as if it had nothing to do with her.

The next key work priorities, besides continuing to resolve frequent anomalous creature incidents worldwide, were to capture Wade Davis, thwart the Divine Punishment Organization's conspiracy, and uncover the plans of those behind them.

The United Nations also announced two new types of anomalous creatures and corresponding solutions.

Currently, anomalous creatures are roughly divided into five categories:

One is the intelligent species; so far, only the Fire Demon has been discovered.

One is the beast category; most giant beasts live in the sea, such as the octopus sea monster Yang Yi initially introduced into the ocean, the giant crab that destroyed several ships of Xia and Ark, and the giant beast Yang Yi forcibly rode last night; there are also other land beasts.

The plant category, such as the strangler vine discovered in the Brazilian rainforest.

The insect category, such as the zombie parasite discovered in Xia Country.

The fungal category, such as the 'Smiling Mushroom Incident' in Congo, Africa. Fungi are relatively rare but also the most unpredictable; even Awakened ones can only last a few days longer than ordinary people upon encountering them. Researchers must study their infection mechanisms to eliminate them fundamentally.

Overall, with the arrival of dark matter, the number of new species discovered on Earth has now reached over a dozen. If this trend continues, one day, as Wade Davis said, "the apocalypse will arrive," and there will be no place for humanity to survive on Earth.

After work in the afternoon, Yang Yi and Director Zhou returned to the room together, only to find an unexpected person there.

"It's you?" Yang Yi said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

A girl with straight bangs stood there excitedly, looking as if she couldn't wait to rush over and hug her; she was the fellow enthusiast sister Yang Yi met the day she saved Chris, having witnessed her save Chris and discovered her identity as an Awakened.

"I... I'm an international student, and I'm also an Awakened... That day I saw you save Chris with my own eyes; I wanted to save him too, but the distance was too far... You are so amazing! I admire you so much!" She stood before Yang Yi, stuttering, her face flushed.

"What? Do you know her?" Director Zhou asked.

Yang Yi's face flushed slightly; she nodded, feeling a bit awkward. "We met on the day of the United Nations explosion; she saw me save Chris."

It turned out the girl's name was Zhang Zhang Ningning, an international student at Xincheng University in Ark Country, and also an Awakened. Since the United Nations officially announced the existence of Awakened ones, Zhang Zhang Ningning, who had always hidden her identity, felt she had finally found an organization and wanted to join the Xia Country Awakened Management Bureau to serve the country.

So she proactively contacted the Xia Country Embassy in Ark Country; since Director Zhou was leading a group to attend a meeting at the United Nations, the embassy referred her here.

"Oh, Zhang Zhang Ningning, when did you awaken? What ability did you awaken? What is your maximum control range?" Director Zhou gestured for Zhang Zhang Ningning to sit opposite him and asked kindly.

Zhang Zhang Ningning's face turned even redder. "I awakened four months ago; it's a force-type earth control ability, with a maximum control range of about 8 meters; it should be C-class."

"Excellent, excellent; awakening at C-class right away means there is still a lot of room for growth." Director Zhou's expression didn't change, showing no sign of disappointment. "I heard you are an international student at Xincheng University; what year are you in? Are you planning to return home after graduation?"

"Yes! I am already in my fourth year; I can apply to graduate early and return home immediately to serve the country."

"Do you know that joining the Awakened Management Bureau means facing dangerous anomalous creatures?"

"Of course I know; I watch our country's news every day. Anomalous creature activities are becoming increasingly rampant; I want to go back and do my part! I might be scared at the beginning, but..." Zhang Zhang Ningning took a deep breath. "I will definitely work hard to overcome it!"

This was the normal mindset of a patriotic youth with ambition; Yang Yi felt a bit ashamed of herself for a moment.

Yang Yi coughed and spoke to comfort her. "I was very scared at the beginning too; with more practice, you gradually get used to it. Chen Chen Yushu in our bureau was also C-class when he first awakened, and now he is already B-class."

Zhang Zhang Ningning's eyes sparkled, and she quickly nodded.

"Alright, then we will wait for you to graduate and return home to report to the Capital Awakened Management Bureau." Director Zhou nodded.

"Great! I will apply to graduate as soon as possible!" Zhang Zhang Ningning clenched her fists excitedly, looking as if she wanted to jump up.

Director Zhou's secretary, Zhang Keyuan, led her out; before leaving, she hesitated for a while, as if there were unfinished words she wanted to say.

"Sigh, still a young girl!" Director Zhou sighed. "Full of passion, definitely worth cultivating. Everyone thinks Awakened ones are glamorous, but they don't see how many people die on the front lines of anomalous creature handling; this is not a child's game."

Yang Yi nodded; she had read the bureau's report, and almost every incident involving anomalous creatures across the regions had resulted in casualties, with awakened ones not being few in number.

"After returning to the country this time, assign me a few more missions," Yang Yi said. The Misty Town incident was only four days ago from today; these past few days had been filled with back-to-back meetings. She felt it was more relaxing to go fight anomalous creatures.

"Good!" This decision hit Director Zhou exactly where he wanted; he agreed at once.

After she and Director Zhou finished eating and came out, they saw Zhang Zhang Ningning lingering outside the door. Seeing her emerge, Zhang Zhang Ningning hurriedly stepped forward to greet her.

"Yang... Yang Captain..." she called out hesitantly, lacking the ease she had on the day they first met.

"Just call me Yang Yi," Yang Yi smiled. "Is there something you need? Waiting for me specifically?"

"Yes, I... I want to ask you for a favor," she bit her lower lip, seeming unsure how to begin. "My best friend Amy... she... she seems to be possessed by a demon. I want to ask you to help her!"

Yang Yi was surprised. "Possessed by a demon? I don't know how to exorcise demons; shouldn't you find a priest for that? —Unless it's some kind of anomalous creature?"

"Yes, I suspect it's some kind of new anomalous creature! Amy and her boyfriend went hiking a few days ago. When they returned that day, something was off; she became... I don't know how to describe it... Her boyfriend's family found an exorcist, but it was completely useless. His family had no choice but to contact the Anomalous Creature Research Institute of the Aka Country. As a result, he died less than two days after being sent in. Amy's parents dared not contact the Anomalous Creature Research Institute again. They found several exorcists, but all of them were scared away. I went to see her. When she had an episode, the dark matter energy around her fluctuated violently, so I suspect it's some kind of unknown anomalous creature!"

As Zhang Zhang Ningning spoke, her eyes inevitably turned red. "You are the most powerful awakened one I know. I can only come to beg you..."

"Is this because of your friend Amy, or do you yourself want to join the Xia Country Awakened One Management Bureau?" Yang Yi suddenly asked.

Zhang Zhang Ningning was stunned, then hurriedly explained: "Of course, I want to join myself! This has nothing to do with Amy's matter; I just want to help her!"

Zhang Zhang Ningning's red eyes touched Yang Yi. She had never had a true friend from childhood to adulthood; this kind of emotion was strange to her. She was somewhat curious about what pure friendship between two girls was truly like.

"Then fine, I'll go take a look," Yang Yi said. "But I dare not guarantee I can really succeed in 'exorcising' her."

"Thank you, thank you so much," Zhang Zhang Ningning was overjoyed and immediately led Yang Yi to depart.

After getting into Zhang Zhang Ningning's car, Yang Yi remembered to notify Director Zhou and the others. She sent a WeChat message to Feng Liancheng, and Feng instructed her to contact them at any time.

Although she received extreme attention from the bureau, the organization had never restricted her freedom. Regarding this point, Yang Yi was very grateful and usually informed them of her whereabouts.

Zhang Zhang Ningning's classmate Amy was a local of Xincheng and lived in a middle-class community.

Two hours later, they arrived at Amy's house; it was already pitch black.

Amy's father opened the door. He only opened it after seeing Zhang Zhang Ningning through the peephole. Yang Yi saw his face was haggard and vigilant.

"Uncle John, I brought a friend to see if they can help!" Zhang Zhang Ningning said, stepping aside to reveal Yang Yi behind her.

Yang Yi took off her mask. An uncontrollable scream rang out. She looked up to see a middle-aged woman rising from the living room sofa, covering her mouth and staring at her in disbelief.

"Yang... Yang Yi!" The woman was awkward yet excited: "You are Yang Yi!"

"Yes, I am," Yang Yi smiled. "Let me see Amy!"

John hurriedly led her upstairs, unable to help but sigh: "Thank God, my Amy is saved!"

We should at least thank me or Zhang Zhang Ningning. We two put in the effort; why should all the credit go to God?!

Yang Yi maintained a calm smile, following them into Amy's room, while constantly complaining in her heart.

She originally had no feelings toward religion, but after the Misty Town incident occurred, she developed some aversion.

Opening the door, a chaotic wave of dark matter energy rushed toward her, mixed with indescribable fluctuations, stirring the hunger within her body.

Yang Yi's vigilance rose.

Before they could introduce themselves, she walked to Amy's bedside and observed the situation of the girl on the bed.

Amy's golden hair was messy, her face was ashen, her eye sockets were deeply sunken, and the cheekbones on her face protruded.

According to Zhang Zhang Ningning, she was only twenty years old, an age like a flower, yet she had been tortured until she looked decades older. Her body was incredibly thin and weak; she lay quietly on the bed like a corpse.

What kind of thing could make a person rapidly wither away, as if their life force had been drained?

Except for the lack of a dazed, satisfied expression on her face, she was just like those corpses beneath the altar.