"Is it the ability to extract the life essence from corpses?"
The abilities of awakened individuals are as diverse as they come, but the most sought-after ones are naturally combat-oriented. After all, in a world full of danger, sheer combat power is often the key to survival. However, apart from combat abilities, there are many other types of awakeners, whose powers can be just as invaluable.
For instance, some individuals, upon awakening, can catalyze plant growth. In a world where land is scarce, this ability is an especially precious resource—almost a guarantee of survival. Others can communicate with the elements, control the weather, or even sense the slightest changes in the air…
Gu Chen took a deep breath, staring at the last crystal stone in his hand. This crystal was slightly larger than the others, radiating a much stronger energy wave. He didn't swallow it immediately but paused to think. He decided to absorb it.
He instinctively felt that this crystal was more important than anything else. While keeping it to feed Mu Xiaowan could provide her with some temporary relief, they were currently in an isolated zone surrounded by danger. Two infected individuals were roaming nearby, and Gu Chen knew that strengthening himself was far more critical. To protect his sister and ensure their survival, he had to become stronger.
Gu Chen recalled that this particular crystal had come from the "scarred" man, who was an awakened individual of a lower tier. He had relied on his modest powers to survive, but now, the energy contained in this crystal was stronger than any he had ever encountered.
"Hm?" Gu Chen frowned. He could clearly feel that this crystal was offering him much more energy than the previous one. This was a significant clue—apparently, the strength of the crystal was linked to the power of the deceased. The stronger the individual had been in life, the more potent the energy the crystal could provide after death.
At this moment, Gu Chen's sharp mind caught an important question: Was this extraction ability only effective for people he had killed with his own hands, or did it work on any corpse?
But there was no opportunity to verify this question at the moment. He had no choice but to push it aside and focus on the immediate situation.
Suddenly, a strange breathing sound came from outside. The noise was eerie, almost as if it were coming from a broken windbox, accompanied by the pungent stench of blood wafting into the room through the window. Gu Chen and Mu Xiaowan exchanged a glance and stood up at once.
Infected!
"Shh."
Gu Chen made a silent gesture to Mu Xiaowan. Though his powers had been somewhat enhanced by absorbing the crystal, he was still no match for awakened individuals who had mutated into infected beings. His chances against a true infected were slim, especially with Mu Xiaowan's uncontrollable thirst for blood.
The breathing sound grew closer, more distinct, as if the infected were approaching their door. Gu Chen and Mu Xiaowan held their breaths, trying to remain as still as possible.
"The smell of blood."
The voice, sounding like it came from deep in the chest, echoed ominously in their ears. Gu Chen held his breath and carefully peered towards the door, realizing that the infected had already arrived.
"Knock, knock."
The light knocking echoed faintly, but each sound felt like a death knell. Mu Xiaowan's eyes were becoming more and more crimson, and Gu Chen instinctively drew his knife from his boot.
Seconds stretched like an eternity. The heavy footsteps stopped, then suddenly quickened, fading into the distance. As the sounds grew fainter, both of them finally exhaled in relief, but their hearts still raced.
Just when they thought the danger had passed, a voice suddenly came from outside again.
"It came through here, but now it's escaped. Not sure where it went."
Gu Chen's pupils contracted. He recognized the voice. It was the one who had warned him earlier not to go outside tonight—a member of the Jiangcheng Enforcement Bureau.
"It's been severely wounded, so it shouldn't have gotten far. Let's search around here."
Another woman's voice followed, cool and composed.
"Alright, I'll check if this family is alright."
Gu Chen's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at the white cloth in the room. Though his actions were in self-defense, killing was no trivial matter, and the bloody needles and bowls in the room were definitely things they couldn't allow anyone to see.
Without another thought, Gu Chen sprang into action. He reached the door in an instant, flung it open, and stepped out first.
"Did the infected leave?"
The two members of the Enforcement Bureau seemed momentarily stunned when they saw the young boy in front of them. Liu Zhenhai, one of the officers, squinted at him and then glanced inside the room. He saw a frail little girl huddling by the door, shivering, her eyes vacant and dazed.
The room was dark, and there was no one else inside.
"Are you scared? Don't worry, we're here to protect you."
Liu Zhenhai smiled and reached out as if to pat Mu Xiaowan's head, but she seemed to shy away, quickly retreating and closing the door, leaving only a small crack to peer out at them.
Liu Zhenhai and Chu Hongxiu both chuckled at her actions.
"Xiaowan, don't be afraid. These two are big shots from the Enforcement Bureau. They'll protect us."
Liu Zhenhai seemed to appreciate this comment and, seeing that the two were safe, nodded before asking, "You two are alone? Where are your parents?"
Gu Chen's gaze darkened for a moment. He didn't answer directly, but the look on his face gave Liu Zhenhai and Chu Hongxiu a silent understanding. In the slums, orphans like this weren't uncommon. Though the slums were close to the city walls, they led directly to the wilderness, where people occasionally ventured only to be killed by mutated beasts.
Liu Zhenhai patted Gu Chen's shoulder and turned to continue his investigation when suddenly, the radio crackled.
"Captain, I've checked the area. No sign of the second infected. It seems to have fled quite a distance."
"Hmm?" Liu Zhenhai frowned, sensing that something was off.
The infected they had been chasing was a level-one awakened mutant, not very strong. It should not have been able to escape so far after being wounded.
Just then, Gu Chen raised his head and looked into the distance. From the sound of the footsteps, he had a pretty good idea of where the infected had fled. And then, he made an astonishing discovery:
A strong green light was flickering several hundred meters away, coming from the abandoned church that had once stood in the slums.
The color of the light was identical to the light that had appeared after the death of the scarred man.
And oddly enough, Liu Zhenhai, Chu Hongxiu, and even Mu Xiaowan seemed completely oblivious to the glowing phenomenon.
"Where could it be?" Liu Zhenhai furrowed his brows deeply. He was focused on tracking the remaining infected, hoping to handle it swiftly so they didn't have to split their forces.
Gu Chen's heart stirred with a sense of urgency, but his gaze remained firmly fixed on the distant green glow.
That light, it could be the opportunity they had been waiting for.