Chapter 12: The Doctor Must Take Action Personally
Chapter 12: The Doctor Must Take Action Personally
The harsh environment and expensive supplies of the wilderness settlement, or perhaps Miss Hongyun’s tight finances, forced her to seek work here—to join a battle that was unnecessary. If these people had no intention of paying her, she would be powerless.
As Migru drafted the temporary contract, countless thoughts stirred in her mind. She had seen how infected individuals struggled to survive in the wilderness, living in utter destitution. Even the infected containment centers established by several major powers around the world, as well as the infected communities along national borders, only managed to keep them alive at the bare minimum.
Moreover...
Migru glanced at the deep night outside. The nearest settlement was some distance away; Hongyun had traveled a long mountain path and must have been prepared in her heart. Even if it was a fruitless endeavor, she came to see for herself—a truly determined wilderness hunter.
“Miss Hongyun, would you like some canned food? We’re having canned yellow peaches and canned mountain pheasant for dinner. Have a bit of both?” Yanrong pulled two dark green tin cans from the supply truck. She noticed the hesitation flickering in Hongyun’s eyes—a clear sign she wanted to taste but was reluctant to admit it.
“You know, eating military rations on the front lines is quite cool. A specialty from Longmen. Give it a try.” She spoke as she pried open a can with a knife and placed it before Hongyun, uttering a maxim the Doctor often used—one impossible to refuse: “No wasting. I’ve already opened it.”
“Sit down, sit down. Since you’re here...”
“Just once is enough to be fooled, since you’re here...”
“Don’t waste it, since you’re here...”
Watching Hongyun seriously bite into the canned meat, a satisfied expression unconsciously appearing, Yanrong sighed inwardly. Why did that scoundrel Doctor always say such wise things?
She recalled another famous saying: “A true warrior dares to face a bleak life.” It was said to be from a Treeborn. But weren’t Treeborn clumsy and slow fantasy creatures? It seemed illogical for them to utter such a profound phrase.
At that moment, Migru approached with the temporary contract, handing the paper to Hongyun and quietly watching her read it.
The remuneration on Rhodes Island’s temporary contract was generous—both Longmen currency and medicine. The Wolper girl’s heart fluttered with excitement. With so much money, she could maintain her prosthetic limbs, repair her weapons, replenish her arrows, and still have enough left over to live without worry for a while, no longer trudging harshly through the wilderness.
But was this contract genuine?
She had encountered unscrupulous clients before—those who reneged on payments or promised rewards but withheld parts when the time came.
She had heard Rhodes Island was a mysterious pharmaceutical company with many eccentric operatives, but no negative rumors about their honesty. So...
Torn—she had come resolute to find work, the other party’s attitude was good, the contract looked formal without loopholes; her only concern was whether they might renege at the end.
Sigh, even if they did, what could she do? Discrimination against the infected was normal.
Her young face shifted through emotions before she finally signed her crooked name under the client section, thinking that if she was deceived, she would treat it as a lesson.
The canned meat, though delicious, now tasted bland in her mouth. She set aside the mountain pheasant, picked up a piece of yellow peach with her fork, and popped it into her mouth. The sweet flavor spread through her palate—the tart and sweet fruit stimulating her taste buds. It was wonderful.
So sweet. Rhodes Island’s meals were really good.
She sincerely thought to herself.
...
In the corridor outside Rhodes Island’s central hall, Zhou Jinru squatted on the ground, happily slurping instant noodles from a cup. Despite Amiya’s repeated warnings not to bring food in, how could the Doctor be defeated by such a trivial matter? Squatting down to eat noodles was normal in college dorms.
Moreover...
Amiya showed no anger, indicating she wasn’t upset; nor surprise, meaning "he" had done this before. Judging by "the Doctor’s" deeds and habits from May 1st when the game opened until he quit at the end of July—the day the Doctor disappeared—it was indeed him.
He decided not to dwell on it. It was what it was. Rhodes Island’s Doctor never cared about such things; all he cared about was Longmen currency.
“Doctor, the A4 operation team has departed.”
“Noted.”
“Doctor, you can’t rest yet.”
“...”
Zhou Jinru tossed the noodle cup into the trash and turned to Amiya’s youthful face. “Last time, we discussed the activation level of the Originium vein at distant dates. What happened while I was away?”
“Have you heard of the Infected Containment Centers and the Infected Communities?”
Uh-oh, walls? Just from the names, Zhou Jinru guessed the gist. Which genius came up with this half-hearted scheme? It implied two separate races inside and outside the walls. Building walls wouldn’t help—it would only deepen division quickly. Over time, greater conflicts were inevitable, and “strong individuals” like Talulah would soon emerge.
“What is Doctor Kelsey’s stance on this?”
“Doctor, we are a pharmaceutical company. Most of the Originium raw materials for constructing stations come from Syracus and Bolivar. All orders for Originium come through Sherlog’s Karan trade. Injection raw materials come from Yan and Ursus, with Colombia having the best sales. So…”
Thus, Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Company maintains neutrality, doesn’t spout empty words or take sides, and prioritizes research. Treating infected and non-infected equally is the principle Doctor Kelsey upholds.
In this light, Zhou Jinru suddenly realized Doctor Kelsey ran everything at Rhodes Island. Aside from being the nominal commander, he was essentially living off Kelsey.
Kelsey truly was another “strong individual.” Without more backbone, Zhou Jinru could easily think not everyone could afford to be supported by Kelsey.
Amiya twitched her rabbit ears, about to speak more, when the control room’s communication channel brought the latest news.
“The A1 reserve team leader, Finn, is returning to base with a convoy full of site laborers. It has been confirmed that the Originium vein has been agitated by distant-date Originium dust, causing an uprising. The other A1 reserve members are forming a defensive line at the site to contain the spillover of Originium larvae.”
Zhou Jinru’s expression shifted slightly. “Did Finn’s convoy encounter the support squad?”
Amiya looked down and blurted, “No. Why didn’t they?”
“No ‘why.’ The original route back takes less than four hours, but Finn took a detour. That means something else was on the road she couldn’t handle. But the support squad didn’t know this—they ran straight into it.”
Zhou Jinru murmured, “I have to head to the front line. Which commander waits at the rear base for victory? Bring Javial and Mody.”
“Doctor, I’m coming too.”
One defensive vanguard, two single-target healers, one single-target caster—all well-trained. This lineup was ready.
As for Amiya, at elite second level, her normal attacks were enough. If she tried using Chimera as a suicide truck, Kelsey would probably strangle her on the spot.
(End of chapter)