"No!" Ninzhe shouted as he tried to reach for his falling brother.
Even he could tell that the blood is peculiar if the researchers keep harvesting it. Whether it was a cure or a poison, or something else altogether, one should avoid touching anything unknown with bare hands.
This is the world where technology can replace magic itself, yet, even so, the never-ending problem of waste products was never sold. The law of conservation of energy pulled through even at this age.
Besides, what if they also turn into blood factory corpses like the two floating in the room.
Ninzhe did not have to think twice and stretched his hand. However, due to his rush, his step caused a splash that hit his outstretched arms.
Immediately, he could feel his arms burning. Even so, he persevered.
Grabbing Zhenin's chest pocket, Ninzhe was able to stabilize his twin brother.
Unnoticed by the twins, Zhenin's necklace began to glow strangely.
Behind the screen, Jack had an unsightly expression.
That is because some blood splashed to the stone too. Similar to when Zhenin bounded his blood with Jack, then his body turned red, then orange, then yellow.
At that moment, he began to feel pain. The blood was tearing him apart.
"A blood that does the exact opposite of what blood should do..." Jack mumbled.
"It's an anti-blood..." Hjuutza continued Jack's words.
"I've always thought that the only difference between matter and anti-matter is that they can't coexist. Jack sighed.
"Mmhmm, that's one of the earliest theories about anti-matter. Once we had a high enough level of technology, we found out that depending on its basic function, it doesn't necessarily do the opposite of what it does. Or at least the "opposite" relative to our language.
"I see, so blood actually helps nourish the soul too."
"Yes."
DING
[Mission Updated]
[Urgent Mission]
[Escape now at all cost, Ninzhe had been splashed by the anti-blood, and his soul is slowly corroding.]
[Time Left: 00:27:32]
[Reward: A secret, a cure for Ninzhe.]
[Punishment: Ninzhe's death, lost of the "secret."]
With an astonished expression, Zhinen read through the updated mission. When he read the content, his face immediately turned grim.
"Where did you get splashed on?" Zhinen asked sternly.
"I.. I'm fine big brother, let's just leave here." Ninzhe stuttered as he acted tough in front of his brother.
Zhinen suddenly grabbed Ninzhe's wrist forcefully. As he turned it around, he noticed a purple mark in Ninzhe's forearm. The mark had the shape of a splatter.
The Leiman twins had no idea what the blood actually does, but because of Jack, Zhenin knew it was bad news. Ninzhe subconsciously knew that it was terrible, too, due to his brother's disgust towards it.
The twins began to dash out.
"How are you feeling?" Zhenin asked in concern.
"I feel fine, it just feels like it's burning mildly. I don't feel anything different, I think."
Zhenin just nodded. If the effect is this vague, then it must be worse than he thought. The necklace isn't connected to his brother, so the punishment here won't probably be because of the stone, but because of the blood.
As Jack was able to hear Zhenin's thoughts, he couldn't help but feel surprised. His deductions were spot on.
There are no nerve connections that directly connects the soul to the brain. Even under attack, one would just feel unsettled without reason.
Over time, pneumatology lost its connection with the faithful. Researchers finally found evidence of a soul when they acquired a wisp, which is essentially a spirit lifeform. Because of that discovery, the practice became more scientific and produced staggering results.
Besides defining one's persona, it also takes half a second before the soul disperses when the vessel dies. If Jack knew of this before the Leiman couple's death, he could've saved Zhinen's mother and let her live inside the endless white space.
Yet, he was only able to save a part of her soul. And because the woman wasn't bound to him by blood, he had to intervene in the laws of the world and snatch her away with his bare hands.
As Jack saw that the twins reached the elevator, he couldn't help but fall into a dilemma.
Running took 3 minutes since they already knew the way and weren't looking for anything in particular.
Second, going down using the mechanical wheel took over 10 minutes; climbing up would be a little harder and take longer.
"How would you heal the boy?" Hjuutza suddenly asked.
Hjuutza was able to see the omnipotence of Jack in the white space. And the only reason that the other souls in the space remain broken is due to Jack not knowing the underworkings of a soul just yet.
"Something I learned after I saved the boy's mother. And the reason why I need Zhenin to make a blood bind with me." Jack answered vaguely.
Hjuutza stayed silent. Pneumatology is one of the branches of supernatural science that had little progress in terms of understanding.
If he ever had a breakthrough in the study of souls, it would've been one of his top achievements in life. So even without his physical brain, he should've remembered it. But he doesn't.
Besides an actual miracle, what could Jack do? Hjuutza can't help but feel intrigued. His former scientist's habits kicking in.
Jack remained his poker face. While he would love to smile at Hjuutza's curiosity, he really only has one chance to heal Ninzhe.
*CLACK*
As if hitting something, the wheel that Zhenin kept turning stopped. Locking the elevator in place, the twins rushed out.
Looking at his twin brother, he could feel how terrible Ninzhe's state currently is. During the elevator ride, Ninzhe dropped his dagger thrice. First, he picked it up while apologizing to Zhenin.
The second time, he paused for a good minute before picking it up as if recalling what the thing in front of him was.
For the last time, he didn't even look at it. It was only until they reached the top that Zhenin picked it up and kept it to himself.
Zhenin's heart began to throb in worry. Ninzhe had this lost look in him as his face began to show wonder as if it was his first time seeing the place.
For some reason, Ninzhe seems to be inflicted with dementia with that blood.
Once they reached a room labeled "Break Room," Zhenin had to force Ninzhe to sit. While drooling, Ninzhe looked around the room, making sounds like a toddler.
*DING*
[Mission Completed]
Other than those lines, nothing else appeared. But Zhenin had his mouth wide open.
Even Hjuutza was astonished. He really underestimated the man who saved him. Besides astonishment, a new hope appeared in his eyes. For the first time in years, it looks like research for technology beyond the natural would begin to progress.
Because right in front of Zhenin right now, is a man in a 21st-century spacesuit. His glowing, translucent form calls for an ultimate command of respect.
With golden glow in his hand as he reached for Ninzhe's forehead.
Looking at the man, Zhenin could feel something deep within his blood. An impulse to kneel. At that moment, he could tell that Ninzhe would be fine no matter what.
It was none other than the newly awakened god, Jack Hemmons.