Chapter 7: My Family and I

Since The Red Moon Appeared

"Psyche diseases can spread too?"

Lu Xin listened to Chen Jing's words, thought of his own state, and his heart suddenly began to race.

"Indeed, this is the definition of corruption.

"Depending on the source of corruption, the symptoms also vary, but each of them is scary and tricky. On the surface, they may look no different from normal people, but internally, an irreversible change has happened, and more importantly, they are different from the crazy people outside the walls. They live with us, but nobody knows when they will break out and corrupt others around them."

Chen Jing nodded and slowly explained, "Just like the people you saw at the cafe.

"The initial mutation time of the psyche monster in the Corner Cafe could not be determined. When found him, 15 people had developed extreme depression after being corrupted by him and had chosen to commit suicide. These suicides allowed us to detect the existence of this monster. However, when we found him, 37 people had already been deeply corrupted.

"These 37 people were severely corrupted. If they were given a physical examination, you would find that all their vital signs are normal. However, if a psychological assessment is done, you will find that they have all suffered serious to irreversible damage. They're alive, but they are completely different from normal people. Therefore, we have no choice but to seal this street to prevent them from corrupting others."

Lu Xin was slightly shocked when he heard this. "So, their fate is…"

"Death!"

Chen Jing said softly, "If they were only corrupted slightly, they would fall into depression and might be able to notice that something is wrong occasionally. Although the mortality rate of such a degree of corruption is still very high, after all, there's still a chance of recovery. For the people I mentioned earlier on, they're too deep in contact with the monster and have completely lost self-awareness, so there's absolutely no possibility and need for treatment…

"The plan is such that they are all targets to be cleaned up!"

"…"

Lu Xin said in shock, "We can't even solve it by killing the monster?"

"Eliminating the source of corruption does not mean that those corrupted can be immediately cured."

Chen Jing paused and looked at him. "The psyche monster is merely the source of corruption, all other corrupted people or things have the risk of being corrupted. The thing you killed in the high-speed rail station earlier on is the original source of that corruption, and after its death, those deeply corrupted will flee in all directions. As long as one managed to escape, that person may develop into a new source of corruption.

"By then, the source of corruption will still exist, which makes no difference whether the psyche monster died or not!"

Chen Jing smiled and said, "However, rest assured, the residents around the area have already evacuated. Moreover, we have arranged for a large number of armed forces and guarded every major road. None of the severely corrupted have escaped. As compared to the original form of the psyche monster, their power is insignificant and can be killed by ordinary weapons. Similarly, it's harder for them to corrupt others."

"…"

Lu Xin finally understood why, after the waiter's death, the other "customers" suddenly realized the need to run.

Could it be that the psyche monster realized that it was bound to die, so it let the other corrupted individuals escape so that they could prepare for rebirth?

If that was the case, why didn't it leave an corrupted individual outside to help him with the rebirth when necessary?

"The intelligence of a Level One psyche monster is not that high."

Chen Jing seemed to know what he wanted to ask and explained while smiling, "They will only subconsciously corrupt others, and the heavily corrupted will also subconsciously gather around him. Like a whole, governed by his consciousness, until the main body is killed. Only because of the loss of the main body's influence, they develop a certain amount of autonomous consciousness. However, by then, it's often too late."

"I see!"

Lu Xin nodded and calmed down gradually. However, he couldn't resist the temptation to ask something he had always wanted to know.

"Since it's so dangerous, then when you arranged for me to enter, weren't you afraid that I would be… corrupted too?"

"…"

Faced with this question, Chen Jing wasn't surprised at all. In fact, she was a little surprised that Lu Xin only asked it now.

"You won't be corrupted!"

She extinguished the cigarette and looked at him. "Or rather, you've already been corrupted!"

Lu Xin was instantly confused. "What?"

"Our test was not to send you to your death. We had two motives."

Chen Jing answered carefully, "First, to determine your ability. Second, to see if you will lose control!

"The Red Moon event brought about some psyche mutations.

"And the psyche mutation led to two consequences, one of which is the emergence of psyche monsters. They cannot control their psyche power and will affect the people around them. They threaten the tall walls and the surviving humans.

"The second consequence is that the mutants who have mastered psyche powers possess psyche abilities!"

"…"

Then, she took the document over, flipped a page, and shoved it back at him.

Lu Xin saw a large pile of complicated data on the document, as well as the assessment of various matters. In this confused state, he looked through the document and could only see his own photo, address, age, and huge words such as "Spider Style".

…

Chen Jing lit another cigarette and waved her hand to disperse the smoke in front of her. She said, "You're a psyche mutant.

"Amongst the analysis of the abilities you possess, the first ability is the precise control of the mind over the body!

"After the Red Moon event, some people's minds became more powerful. With this powerful force, they are able to control their bodies better and can control every single muscle and bone in their bodies. This is a terrifying ability!

"Before the Red Moon event, the best athletes in the world had only about 10% of body control.

"However, now, there are more people who can better control their bodies.

"Among our team, there's a person with the alias 'Gecko'. His body control has reached 80%, which gives him strength beyond the ordinary. He can dodge bullets and can almost perfectly control all kinds of firearms. He's able to pass through a hole as big as a teacup and can also climb the wall while defying gravity!"

"…"

"After observation, you also possess similar abilities!"

Chen Jing explained, pointed to a part of the document, and said to Lu Xin, "This ability is termed the Spider Style. Individuals with this ability can control their muscles like a spider and their bones, enhancing their speed and reaction, doing things that ordinary people can't do.

"With this ability, your ability to deal with crises and abnormalities will be greatly enhanced.

"And since all of you are mentally abnormal, you also tend to detect the presence of psyche monsters easily, avoiding danger."

After saying that, she looked at Lu Xin seriously and said, "Therefore, you are very suited for the job of corruption cleanup!"