On the Ark.

"What exactly happened?" Lin Ye asked Aesop loudly, "How did Yilan get infected with the virus?"

Aesop himself wasn't quite sure, only saying that a few days ago when he and Ilan were out on the street, they encountered a group of people handing out candy.

"Giving out candy?"

"Hmm, they say it's a new type of candy, and we can try it," Aesop said softly.

Lin Ye sensed a conspiracy: "Did you and Yilan both eat it?"

“I ate one, but it was too sour, so I threw it up,” Aesop said. “My sister ate two…”

"Damn it!" Lin Ye cursed, "Didn't anyone tell you not to eat food from strangers?!"

Chapter Seven: The Chernobog Riot (Part Two)

Lin Ye had already guessed some of it.

The military and police who suddenly appeared on the streets were definitely not there to find Ilan. According to Aesop, Ilan most likely ate the so-called "candy" and thus contracted the virus. Aesop vomited it out, thus escaping infection. If those candies were virus carriers, then it's clear that someone deliberately spread the virus in Chernobog. This would explain the actions of the military and police; obviously, Ilan wasn't the only civilian infected with the virus.

Just how many people have been infected... you can get a rough idea by looking at the number of military and police personnel.

Moreover, along the way, they discovered that many shops had been vandalized, probably while Lin Ye and Shining were talking at home.

The infected people rioted.

While infected riots weren't as commonplace as eating and drinking in Chernobog, they weren't exactly unusual either. He usually stayed home, locking the doors and windows, adhering to the principle of not venturing out until the riots subsided. But this time was different; because of Aesop and Ilan, he was forced into the riots.

"That's why children shouldn't eat food from strangers!" Lin Ye shouted at Aesop. "Didn't your parents teach you that?"

Aesop panicked and stammered, "No, no."

Lin Ye shook his head, not wanting to speak anymore. He didn't know if the problem lay with the education system in this world, or with Aesop's parents' upbringing. In any case, when he was a child, every adult reminded him, "Don't eat food from strangers." Moreover, this world was far more chaotic than the real world. The thought of a minor girl mingling among a group of thugs gave Lin Ye a headache, and he didn't dare to think any further.

"Where did your parents go looking for Yilan?" Lin Ye asked, gripping Iso's shoulders. "Where is Yilan most likely to have gone?"

"I...I don't know." Aesop's face was pale. "Mom and Dad went to the school to look for my sister. They just told me to stay home because of my sister, my sister..."

"what happened?"

Aesop's eyes were filled with fear: "My sister isn't like a sister anymore."

...Were they affected by the Originium and lost their minds? Infected individuals who have lost their minds certainly don't seem human; they're more like wild beasts. Lin Ye had seen many such infected individuals before, but he still patted Aesop's head and said, "What are you thinking? Your sister will always be your sister. She's just lost; we'll go find her."

The moment Lin Ye's hand touched Aesop, Aesop felt his restless, panicked heart suddenly calm down. He didn't know why, but Lin Ye's words easily made him feel at ease, even more so than his parents. So he wiped away his tears and snot, and nodded heavily: "Yes, let's go find my sister!"

The little boy regained his enthusiasm, as if no difficulty could stop him.

But in reality, aside from chanting slogans, Lin Ye really didn't know where to look for Ilan. The government had completely taken control of the streets, with riot police with shields at every major intersection. They stopped them as they passed by and forcibly checked whether they were infected. Time simply passed meaninglessly, and as night fell in Chernobog, they still hadn't found Ilan.

“We’ve searched everywhere we can.” Lin Ye turned to look at Aesop. “Are there any other places? Do you know where your sister might have gone?”

Aesop just shook his head.

Lin Ye was already feeling quite annoyed because military police kept coming over, ordering them to go back. But he really didn't feel comfortable leaving Ilan in the hands of these military police. Having spent two years in Chernobog, Lin Ye knew very well how these military police dealt with rampaging infected individuals. They would absolutely not let her go just because she was a child, and with Ilan's physique, she couldn't possibly withstand even two blows from a police baton.

Think about it, think about it again carefully.

Lin Ye forced himself to calm down.

Where would a young girl, who is not yet an adult, go after discovering that she has been infected with the Mineral Virus?

Where will it go?

……

Shining stared at the dog biscuits on the table, lost in thought.

I've never tried dog biscuits before. What do they taste like? The vet said they're pretty good. Should I give them a try? I've looked at the recipe, and it's completely within the standards for human consumption.

But wouldn't it be a bit strange for humans to eat dog biscuits?

Well, as long as no one finds out, it'll be fine. Just one piece, and no one will know.

Thinking this, Shining picked up the bag of cookies, but the door suddenly opened at that moment. Shining turned around, looking at the person who entered, somewhat surprised.

"Ningguang? What are you doing here?"

"Because I located your phone." Nearl walked into the room, looking down at Shining, her beast ears twitching slightly in her blond hair. "What are you doing?"

Shining glanced down at the cookie bag before replying, "I'm going to feed it to the dog."

Lin Guang frowned: "Where are the dogs?"

"do not know."

“…I don’t understand you.” Nearl sighed. “Also, remember to bring an extra battery next time you go out. You’re always like this. Okay, now come back with me.”

Shining was somewhat surprised: "You've come to pick me up?"

“What else?” Nearl said. “Let’s hurry. On my way here, I found out that the infected in this city seem to have rioted. There are military and police everywhere. They almost found me. I don’t want to deal with them at this time. Before the police cover the whole city, let’s get back to Rhodes Island quickly.”

Shining shook her head: "I'm waiting for Lin Ye to come back."

"Lin Ye? Is that the man you mentioned in the report?"

"Ah."

Nearl's face darkened: "Shining, you've had enough fun, haven't you?"

"Play?"

"Look what you're doing!" Nearl shouted. "You're in a strange man's house!"

“He’s not a man,” Shining said. “He’s a doctor.”

"what?"

"Doctors don't see gender."

"Are you trying to say that you are his patient?"

“If he goes to Rhodes Island, we can all be his patients.”

Linguang, unable to bear it any longer, slammed his shield into the ground, instantly creating a crack in the wooden floor.

"The Shining!" Nearl shouted, "There's a limit to jokes!"

Shining didn't reply immediately. She just silently looked at Nearl's shield and then said softly, "Nearl, you're becoming more and more deeply affected by Originium. You wouldn't have gotten angry so easily before."

Nearl's expression froze. She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, before slowly saying, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you, but you were really wrong, Shining."

“I understand your concerns, Nearl,” Shining said. “I know your past, and I understand your deep abhorrence of healing methods…”

"So I'm very clear now that there are no drugs or methods that can cure the infected," Nearl said coldly. "Neither Originium nor tranquilizers will work."

Shining stood up and looked directly at Nearl: "I didn't say he could cure the Infected, but I think he has a chance to save you right now. You should also know very well that if things continue like this..."

“I know my physical condition very well, Shining,” Nearl said coldly. “I also know that no one can save me, and even if someone could, it shouldn’t be a veterinarian.”

Shining listened to Nearl's words and then calmly replied, "Why not give it a try? If he can really help you, so what if he's a veterinarian? Rhodes Island is a place that doesn't care about where you were born, don't you think?"

Chapter Eight: What a Mature Traveler Should Do

The two remained deadlocked.

Nearl looked at Shining with a slight headache. She and Shining were old friends of many years, having been together before joining Rhodes Island. Nearl often felt helpless about her partner. In her eyes, although Shining appeared mature, she was a little girl at heart, always full of naive ideas. So, she had been badly tricked in the past, yet still hadn't learned her lesson. While Shining would listen to her on most issues, she possessed an unusually stubborn streak when it came to some strange matters.

For example, right now.

"Are you really going to this extent for that boastful veterinarian?" Lin Guang asked in a low voice.

“You’re just spouting nonsense,” Shining said. “I’ve verified his abilities, and I’m certain Rhodes Island shouldn’t abandon him.”

"Shining, you..."

“What if it’s true?” Shining stared at Nearl. “You’ve always categorized Lin Ye as a fraud, so naturally you have a grudge against him. But have you ever considered that it might be true? You should know very well that there are still so many things in this world that we don’t know and so many secrets that have yet to be discovered.”

“That’s just wishful thinking on your part,” Nearl said. “Ultimately, you’re the only one who acknowledges him. Everyone else, not just me, but even the Doctor and Amiya on Rhodes Island, know that such an ability is impossible.”

“That’s why I said you’re wrong, and besides, I’m not the only one who approves of him.” Shining turned around, picked up the “Save My Dog’s Life” banner from Lin Ye’s bedside table, and showed it to Nearl. “Look, he has a very good reputation among other people as well.”

"...I really want to study how your brain is structured."

“I’ve lost control,” Shining said.

Lin Guang was stunned.

Shining looked down at her bandaged hands: "I've been a doctor on Rhodes Island for too long, and I haven't fought in ages. I never imagined that just dealing with a few out-of-control infected would cause my sanity to crumble like an avalanche."

Nearl stared blankly at Shining, her voice trembling: "You, you've become an Infected too?"

“No, not yet. You know my constitution; I probably can’t become an Infected.” Shining shook her head. “But perhaps I’ve been too deeply affected by the Originium, so my emotions aren’t as stable as before. I understand that feeling now, Nearl. I can understand your pain now.”

Seeing that Shining wasn't infected, Nearl finally breathed a sigh of relief, her expression softening somewhat. But then, as if remembering something, she looked up at Shining: "Who pulled you back from the brink of madness? Yourself? Or..."

“You should have already guessed the answer,” Shining said calmly. “I’ve said before that I’m not just imagining things about his abilities; I’ve truly experienced them. He may not have realized it himself, but he definitely saved me, and I hope he can save you and everyone else on Rhodes Island.”

Lin Guang remained silent.

In the dim light, she looked directly into Shining's eyes, and Shining's clear eyes reflected her own image.

“You’re not infected after all. What he can do to you may not work on us,” Nearl said softly. “But you’re right, I should go see him. So where is he?”

The Shining smiled.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Shining reached out to Nearl.

"A cell phone? What do you want my cell phone for?" Although Lin Guang was a little confused, he still handed over the phone.

Shining took the call and immediately dialed Rhodes Island.

“Fin? This is Shining. Please help me locate a mobile device, in Chernobog,” Shining said. “It’s a cell phone, the number is…”

Nearl looked at Shining in surprise: "You wrote down his phone number? Where is he now?"

"He's currently undergoing a crucial test—a test to see if he can be accepted as a member of Rhodes Island." Shining smiled confidently. "As for his phone number, a mature traveler should anticipate potential future events and take precautions. That's why I noted down his number, just in case you arrive and I go to find him. Using Rhodes Island's technology, locating him will be a piece of cake."

Lin Guang was silent for a moment, then said, "While I appreciate your consideration, have you thought about whether it would be more convenient to just call him directly?"

Shining's confident smile froze on her face.

In the awkward atmosphere, Fen's voice rang out: "This number could not be found."

"Nothing found? How could that be?" Shining felt that things were getting out of her control.