Chapter 97: Initial Objective Achieved

CCG personnel gradually withdrew from the Bronze Tree outpost after clearing the battlefield.

Su Xiao sat inside an ambulance; his wounds had been sutured and bandaged. Though the wound on his lower abdomen had bled heavily, it had not damaged any internal organs.

Given his resilience, this injury required only suturing, bandaging, and proper rest to heal quickly.

“Good, neither wound hit a vital area. Remember to take your medicine on time.”

After carefully bandaging Su Xiao’s wounds, a young nurse handed him several types of medication.

“Search officers are such a dangerous job—you’ve been injured twice in less than half a month.”

The nurse smiled at Su Xiao.

“Who are you?”

The suturing and bandaging had left Su Xiao drenched in cold sweat; the nurse’s delicate face grew increasingly familiar, triggering unpleasant memories.

When he first entered the ghoul world, he fought Kuzen Izumi, and it was this same nurse who stitched his wounds afterward.

Recalling the piercing pain just now, Su Xiao’s cheek twitched.

“...”

Su Xiao, who had faced no fear in battle against Kuzen Izumi, had no desire to see this nurse again.

Beneath her angelic, sweet smile lay a devil’s heart—pink on the outside, black within.

The nurse’s brutal wound-cleaning technique was etched deeply into Su Xiao’s memory.

“So you remember me. My patients rarely forget me.”

Su Xiao nodded silently and got out of the vehicle.

“Remember to take your medicine. Don’t stop.”

Su Xiao paused, then finally muttered, “Understood.”

Sirens blared all around; breathing the fresh night air, a faint scent of blood drifted by.

“My hands—where are my arms?”

“Hurry! Someone’s lost a lot of blood—get a blood bag!”

The cries of the wounded never ceased. Though CCG had won, they had paid a heavy price.

“Doctor, can I still stand? Answer me!”

A search officer, whose spine had been pierced through, gripped the doctor’s arm in panic—his lower body had lost all sensation.

The doctor turned his head, signaling other medical staff to load the patient onto a stretcher.

The officer’s face turned ashen as he lay on the stretcher, staring up at the starry sky.

Compared to CCG’s wounded, the Bronze Tree ghouls were far quieter—they were all sealed in body bags.

CCG’s convoy withdrew one by one; around 1 a.m., Su Xiao returned to the 20th District branch.

His combat intensity tonight had been high; heavy blood loss left him exhausted.

After arriving at the quarters arranged for him by Marushiro Sai, Su Xiao collapsed into bed and slept. When he woke again, daylight streamed through the window.

He picked up the alarm clock by his bedside—it was already 10 a.m.

After washing up, Su Xiao went to Marushiro Sai’s office.

“How was your rest? I saw how badly you were injured yesterday.”

Marushiro Sai set down the stack of documents in his hands; he already guessed Su Xiao’s purpose.

With the war against Bronze Tree over, Su Xiao needed to return to the 24th District—he was, after all, a member of Zero Team.

“The wounds are healing well. I estimate full recovery within three days.”

Before fighting Jin Muyan last night, Su Xiao had consumed his last [Salt Rice Ball], significantly accelerating his recovery.

Under normal circumstances, his injuries would have taken at least half a month to heal.

“Good. Ready to leave now?”

“I’m leaving now.”

“I’ll arrange a vehicle for you.”

Marushiro Sai picked up the phone beside him, dialed a few numbers, and within minutes, a woman in a professional suit pushed open the door.

“Mr. Baiye, the vehicle has been arranged for you.”

After bidding farewell to Marushiro Sai, Su Xiao boarded the vehicle bound for the 24th District.

Soon, the vehicle arrived outside the 24th District’s temporary branch. Su Xiao stepped out and entered.

The temporary branch looked exactly as before—ordinary staff members went about their duties.

Su Xiao walked straight to the logistics department, where the thin, elderly man with round dark glasses lay slumped lazily behind the counter.

Su Xiao tapped on the glass counter. The nearly asleep old man lifted his head.

“Who is it? Hmm? Oh—it’s Mr. Baiye. What do you need?”

“I’d like to exchange some items.”

The old man immediately perked up.

“Let me see—you’re listed as a Provisional Special-Class Officer. Please select your desired items.”

As the old man spoke, an exchange list appeared before Su Xiao.

[Human Gene Enhancement Serum]

Exchange Condition: 15,000 CCG Contribution Points, Provisional Special-Class Officer rank.

[Shatter Sprite (Premium)]

Exchange Condition: 13,000 CCG Contribution Points, Provisional Special-Class Officer rank.

……

Su Xiao selected [Human Gene Enhancement Serum]. Immediately, his CCG Contribution Points began plummeting, ending at: [Provisional Special-Class Officer: Contribution Points 4,823/130,000].

To be promoted to Special-Class Officer required 130,000 CCG Contribution Points. Su Xiao had no need for that rank—he chose instead to spend his points directly to boost his strength as swiftly as possible.

Spending CCG Contribution Points would not lower his rank—he had confirmed this with the Cycle Paradise.

After the exchange succeeded, Su Xiao held in his hand a vial of emerald-green serum. The glass vial was reinforced with fine metallic threads embedded along its outer surface.

Holding the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum], Su Xiao couldn’t help but smile. He had once ventured deep into the 24th District for this vial, then later fought in the 11th District.

All of it had been worth it. After consuming this serum, his strength would rise significantly.

After exchanging for the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum], Su Xiao hurried toward his room.

“Mr. Baiye...”

A staff member tried to call out to him, but Su Xiao had already climbed the stairs.

The staff member hesitated, then decided not to disturb him.

Back in his room, Su Xiao locked the door and drew the curtains. Though these actions seemed suspicious, the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum] carried no warning about side effects after ingestion.

It only stated: “No side effects, attribute enhancement.” Nothing about what would happen during consumption.

Out of caution, Su Xiao placed his Zhanlong Flash within easy reach.

He uncorked the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum], sniffed it—it carried a fresh, plant-like scent.

Taking a deep breath, Su Xiao downed the entire vial.

An indescribable taste flooded his tongue; he frowned tightly.

“What the hell is this flavor?”

Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the bed, waiting for changes. But long minutes passed—he felt nothing unusual.

He checked his Strength and Stamina attributes—no increase.

Had he bought a fake?

As Su Xiao pondered, a warm sensation spread through his body.

The warmth was gentle, gradually diffusing throughout his body until he felt as if submerged in warm water.

His blood flow accelerated; muscles across his body began to twitch subtly.

Su Xiao clearly felt his body growing stronger—his heartbeat grew more powerful, his breathing smoother, his thoughts sharper.

The injuries he sustained during the 11th District battle were healing at a visibly rapid pace.

The [Human Gene Enhancement Serum] was indeed a Blue-Rarity enhancement agent—its effects were obvious, and the process was remarkably calm.