Chapter 48: Chapter 48
The descriptions related to [Open Source] involuntarily reminded Yi Chen of past events at the lake and the terrifying entity he had encountered in the Fish Scale Abyss.
However, based on Yi Chen’s recollection of that scene, the entity dwelling in the abyss appeared to be at a tier far beyond Open Source—a more profound, ancient, and unique level.
It seemed to bear some connection to the origin of diseases.
The supervisor snapped his fingers, signaling the end of the hourglass timer and sealing the documents.
“As you’ve seen, the 'False Moon Incident' was orchestrated by a Open Source patient. Their pathogenic characteristics were closely tied to the 'moon,' marking them as a rare and unique case.
Possessing extraordinary concealment abilities, this patient could fully integrate among humans, eventually causing a near-catastrophic event that almost destroyed an entire city.
That said, the Open Source patient has been eliminated, and the False Moon Incident was resolved two months ago, with cleanup completed just last week.
Watching the four figures fade into the distance, he muttered under his breath:
“The First Gentleman’s chosen candidate, alongside three excellent new recruits holding blue letters... How far can they go, I wonder?”
Adjusting the tilt of his top hat, he turned and re-entered the Gentlemen’s Hall.
As the supervisor ascended to the upper levels, Professor Chamberlain, a white owl perched on his shoulder, was already waiting for him.
“Oh? Isn’t this the renowned White Owl? What brings you here? Are you looking to take on a dark-tier mission?”
Chamberlain didn’t respond to the banter and instead went straight to the point:
Of course, considering the minuscule potential risks involved, I'll arrange for some free high-ranking gentlemen to observe in the shadows. If danger exceeding the mission's scope arises, we'll do everything possible to ensure their safety."
"No need for arrangements; I'll take care of it... wait a second!"
Chamberlain suddenly realized something. "You brat, you predicted I’d intervene from the start, didn’t you?"
Edge raised his hands quickly, feigning innocence. "Huh? I didn’t say anything! Since Professor Chamberlain happens to have time, I won’t need to assign anyone else."
A claw-like hand gripped the supervisor's shoulder.
"Edge, you seem pretty free these days too, don’t you? Even making time to personally greet the new gentlemen downstairs... How about we both guarantee the safety of these kids? After all, they’re just heading to the Twilight Clinic to retrieve a bottle of secret medicine—it won't take much time."
Edge, who had planned to decline, suddenly felt a wave of killing intent.
"Uh... sure! I’ve been quite free lately anyway.
These kids won’t be leaving until tomorrow, so... how about letting me off tonight, Professor Chamberlain?"
As soon as he finished speaking, only a single white feather was left drifting onto the supervisor's shoulder—Chamberlain had already disappeared.
"Sigh~ Miscalculated a bit.
I didn’t expect that old white owl to value this student so highly. Looks like that young man, who’s been on leave for half a year, might indeed possess some hidden characteristics I failed to notice.
Oh well~ To satisfy my own curiosity, I might as well tag along and play with these young ones."
Edmund personally spent his own money to prepare essential supplies for the squad's journey beyond the city walls, such as various potions, compressed food, camping tents, and so on.
Just as he was about to buy replacement fuel for a kerosene lamp, Edmund noticed that the kerosene lamp strapped to Yi Chen's waist was merely a standard civilian model, unsuitable for a gentleman in combat.
"William! You need to replace that kerosene lamp of yours.
These old-fashioned kerosene lamps are easily damaged in battle... Plus, the place we’re heading to has been entirely abandoned, so we’ll often need kerosene lamps for prolonged lighting."
However, Yi Chen, deep in thought about the mission, only snapped out of it after a moment.
"Huh? Kerosene lamps... Is there more to them than meets the eye?"
"Of course! In this messed-up world, any investigation into the outside could plunge us into complete darkness. A kerosene lamp is an essential item.
It’s also one of the officially recognized necessities for gentlemen.
There are plenty of shops in Zion specializing in kerosene lamps. We still have time today; let’s pick one out together."
"High-quality kerosene lamps must be expensive, right?"
Edmund patted his chest. "No problem~ If you’re short on cash, I can cover the rest."
Yi Chen didn’t refuse. From the moment he was born in the cemetery, he understood the importance of a kerosene lamp. Looking at his own rusty, oversized lamp that creaked while running, it indeed needed replacing.
They walked into a lamp shop named 'Helios’s Sacred Flame.'
As Yi Chen’s eyes scanned the price tags beneath the lamps, his hand unconsciously reached for the meager amount of silver coins left on his belt.
The thought of escaping quickly surfaced in his mind.