Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Who Wants to Make It Bigger?

“Ding~”

“Shi Jin, you have a new message, meow~”

When Nia’s message arrived at Shi Jin’s terminal, a slightly mixed-colored, exceptionally graceful kitten lay on her keyboard.

Upon hearing the “ding” sound, she quickly customized it into a more distinctive notification.

Shi Jin had no idea how Fulan had managed to enter the heavily guarded Tower, nor did she understand how the other had confirmed her current location.

But surprisingly, she did not worry too much about it; instead, a sense of calm washed over her.

This mysterious cat had indeed not forgotten about her.

At that moment, Shi Jin did not ponder whether her "indeed" was accurate, nor did she feel any regret about being left behind; she only knew that there were others in the world who remembered her, and that was enough.

Although Fulan did not seem to be human, that was not a big deal.

“…your task this time is roughly this, understood, meow?”

“Okay, that’s not difficult, but…”

“Don’t ask why; when the time comes, you will know.”

“Hmm…”

“Is there anything else?”

“Miss Fulan, may I pet you?”

“…Sure.”

After giving a gentle rub on the cat’s head, Fulan gestured for Shi Jin to check the message she had just received.

It was a schedule, and Shi Jin glanced at the time, then looked at the location, turning to Fulan, who was reading the document with her, in surprise:

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming… you’re quite popular!”

“Hmm, it seems the plan needs a slight adjustment.”

Fulan licked her paw and fell into thought.

Meanwhile, Shi Jin struggled to suppress her urge to complain.

What did being popular mean? That was her job, not something she could just refuse to do…

Moments later, Fulan seemed to have made up her mind and jumped from the table to the floor.

However, the expected sound did not come; Fulan transformed in midair into a swirling mass, and from that indistinct material, a figure began to take shape.

Shi Jin, another Shi Jin, stood directly opposite her at that moment.

One Shi Jin stood while the other sat, engulfed in awkward silence.

Shi Jin looked up and down at this person who was exactly identical in appearance and clothing, feeling a fleeting sense of surprise.

When she had just awakened before, Fulan’s transformations had included items such as weight plates, vests, and thermos cups.

But after such a long time, the other had managed to transform into a human—what a significant leap!

Shi Jin fixed her gaze on the other Shi Jin’s face, as if trying to spot some slight difference.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

In the end, it was the Shi Jin transformed by Fulan who broke the silence.

Yet, her voice still carried that same mischievous tone, and it seemed to emanate from somewhere below.

Shi Jin instinctively reached out to touch the figure that looked exactly like her, but her hand passed right through.

“See? It’s just an illusion.”

Fulan released her ability, reverting back to her kitten form and hopping onto the table.

“Tomorrow, I’ll transform into something on you and take your place for one minute at a critical moment.

“Though one minute might not seem like much, with your current abilities, you likely won’t even need that long if everything goes smoothly.”

Shi Jin paused, then said,

“But there will be many superpowered individuals there tomorrow. I might be discovered when I use my ability.”

“Don’t worry about that. There’ll be an even more explosive scene to draw their attention.”

“But how will I know when to act?”

“You’ll know when the time comes. It’ll be a moment so striking that you’ll understand it instantly.”

“…”

—

The “Blood Puppet” felt his body swaying.

No, not his body—he had collapsed from exhaustion, or rather anemia, and should be lying in a military hospital bed by now.

But as he took in his surroundings, it seemed he was on… a stretcher?

Then, that must mean…

He groggily opened his eyes and twitched a few muscles, confirming he was back in human form. His rationality slowly returned, reclaiming control of his thoughts.

Before him, the ceiling shifted endlessly, and a blood bag swayed above.

“Where… are we going?”

He asked instinctively.

“I’d like to know—where do *you* think you should go?”

A voice, all too familiar to the “Blood Puppet,” replied.

It was one of his teammates from the Second Team.

“Blood Puppet” suddenly understood. His unauthorized actions couldn’t simply be brushed aside. He had defied orders, and if there were no consequences, rules would be treated as worthless.

Now was the time for reckoning.

He tried to lift his arm, but in an instant, he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.

It seemed that any movement beyond a certain point would trigger some pre-set mechanism.

“Don’t move, ‘Captain.’ You know my abilities.”

The man extended a half-closed hand, signaling to “Blood Puppet” that he could exert force at any moment.

But “Blood Puppet” knew his teammate wouldn’t do that.

Long ago—or rather, when he first realized his blood had a mind of its own—he had understood one thing: if he died, his blood might spiral into madness, becoming an uncontrollable monster.

His teammate, of course, knew this too. Otherwise, capturing him wouldn’t have been entrusted to him.

“How long are you planning to keep me?”

“Blood Puppet” stopped struggling, and the superpowered individual subtly loosened his grip.

“Who could’ve guessed you’d do something like this? We set out just an hour after you left… just an hour.”

“Extraordinary beasts are already in the city. We couldn’t wait another minute.”

“Blood Puppet” turned his head away.

“Spare me the explanations. I just want to know what the punishment will be.”

“At least a month. You’ll need to write down everything from the past two days—maybe more than once. Someone will cross-check it with the records.

“Don’t worry, though. Your ability is your lifeline. As long as humanity’s crisis persists, they won’t actually want you dead.”

“Blood Puppet” fell silent for a moment, then asked:

“What about him?”

The man beside the stretcher still held his fist half-closed, clearly understanding who “Blood Puppet” meant.

“Hmm, seems you didn’t hear the broadcast.

“Tomorrow, the honorable council members will personally award him a medal.”

The man’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

“He’s strong—everyone can see that. So instead of worrying about him, you’d better focus on yourself.

“‘Captain,’ this might be the last time I call you that.”