Chapter 18

Upon landing ashore, the highly aggressive merfolk swimming in the lake retreated of their own accord. Even though many of their companions had been killed, they showed no intention of chasing us… or rather, it seemed they lacked the privilege to come ashore. After several minutes of intense escape, even the well-trained Edmond and his team were left panting and immediately began checking themselves for injuries. They took out a soft vial from the inner pocket of their coats, applying the liquid from the vial to their skin to clean off the blood and lake water accumulated during the fight. Edmond even offered a vial to Yichen. “William, want some?” “No… thanks.” Edmond shrugged, realizing that Yichen seemed unaffected by the lake water. “It’s only been a day, and we’re already facing trouble of this level. The next two days might be even tougher. I wouldn’t be surprised if some candidates end up dead here.” As he spoke, Edmond gave Yi Chen a knowing look. However, Yi Chen's attention turned to the lake, watching the retreating figures of the merfolk while also examining the bloated corpse of the sheriff. “Can I have this corpse?” “Of course. It’s no use to us… Besides, none of us have the skills of a doctor or the talents nurtured in a clinic. But if you drag that corpse back, it might raise some eyebrows.” “Give me a moment.” Yi Chen jogged to the town’s main street. In just a few minutes, he returned with a large burlap sack and a few small spare knives, packing the swollen body with practiced ease, then dragged it back toward the inn as if handling a bag of trash. With his tall, slightly lean frame and somber attire, he looked like a “corpse collector.” “Hey, Mr. William, looking forward to our next collaboration.” Edmond waved goodbye with a sunny smile. Yi Chen merely raised his left hand over his shoulder, giving a minimal response without turning back. Once Yi Chen's figure disappeared, Edmond deliberately raised an eyebrow. “Did you all see that? This guy has a rare ‘plant-type’ disease mutation. He could very well become a doctor and will be highly sought after in the organization. For this assessment’s prized ‘quality skin,’ William’s sure to claim one slot. Looks like we’ll need to keep our wits about us.” Juliana remarked softly, “He’s got such a gloomy vibe, like he’s from a cemetery, yet he bears a plant disease trait that symbolizes life… What an odd guy.” … However, what they didn’t know was that Yi Chen was still in a heightened state of excitement after the life-or-death battle, though he was suppressing his emotions. “These people have psychological resilience and combat skills far above average… They must have undergone long-term training, fundamentally different from me. Teaming up with them might reduce risks and yield useful information. But it could also expose my ‘rookie’ status. If that happens, I might be used, or even sacrificed as bait in a dangerous situation. Keeping a half-familiar distance is best.” Back at the inn, the owner was still at the counter, engrossed in his fish specimens, barely acknowledging Yi Chen as he returned. As he passed the counter, Clap! The owner suddenly slapped a few white candles onto the counter, muttering without looking up: “Don’t make a mess everywhere. The ‘smell’ might disturb my sister’s rest. Keep the candles burning while you work.” “Got it.” In his room, Yi Chen locked the door, placing the candles in each corner of the bathroom. Once the scent of incense filled the air, he began his “work.” There were a few things Yi Chen needed to understand: 1. Why did this sheriff, after falling into the water, drown instead of transforming into one of those swimming “merfolk” at the lake’s bottom? 2. What kinds of physical changes does the lake water induce in a person? "Exhale…" Having never done anything like this before, he couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous. Before starting, Yi Chen pressed both hands to the sides of his face. Sssss~ Tiny green plant shoots sprouted from his fingertips, intertwining and weaving into a homemade plant mask. Whether it was the stench of corpses or the scent of candles, the mask purified it into fresh air. “This biological mutation ability is truly handy… According to Mr. Wilbert, as long as I pass the assessment, I’ll be able to examine this ability in detail and might even continue developing it further—perhaps reaching a level where roots become spears, tendrils form legs, like those undead creatures.” He found it quite interesting; even if there was a risk of death, it was much better than being stuck in a lab, writing papers day and night. After these recent experiences, Yi Chen felt his true nature gradually being awakened, fully realizing that this world was where he truly belonged. Crunch, crunch~ He continued weaving delicate plant fibers into a pair of natural gloves, took a sharp tool he’d bought at a store, and started working. Perhaps due to the innate talent of “William Behrens,” this body's previous owner, the process of handling the “corpse” felt incredibly smooth, even as familiar as conducting experiments in previous life. Gradually, he immersed himself in it, feeling utterly captivated, to the point that even Little Grape was surprised by his intense focus. After several hours had unknowingly passed, he looked at the corpse before him, now dissected in a way that defied all medical logic. The body cavity was full of mucus, with organs shifted out of place, clinging to each other, and the rib bones had become thin, sharp, with additional bony branches sprouting, piercing through flesh and blood. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet, some areas retained the original human structure; the transformation was incomplete… almost as if it were a “failed evolution.” A clue emerged, potentially connected to the root cause of Green Lake Town’s “scaly skin disease.” “If that’s the case, everything makes sense.” Yi Chen felt satisfied with the dissection results and even bowed in gratitude to the “sheriff.” He packed the remains, quietly dragged them away, dug a hole, buried them, and finished the task as midnight approached. “Let’s try taking a bath~” He turned on the bathroom faucet at full blast, washing off the remaining tissue fragments and sticky fluids. At the same time, he removed his clothes, exposing his body to the cold water, letting it rinse away sweat and fatigue. The reason for bathing was twofold: first, during the battle at Green Lake today, he’d had contact with lake water, confirming his skin could withstand external contamination from it. Secondly, he saw this as a necessary adaptation for possible future encounters with the lake. During the wash, Yi Chen could feel plant roots moving within him, autonomously forming a defense system. “No problem… Even if I face danger and fall into the lake later, I can ensure my body won’t be invaded.” Feeling refreshed, he collapsed onto the bed and quickly fell asleep. However, tonight was far from peaceful. In his sleep, Yi Chen was jolted awake again. Unlike the previous night, it wasn’t due to plant stimuli this time but by the sharp, almost throat-tearing scream coming from outside the door—specifically, from the “sister’s room” at the end of the corridor. Opening his door, Yi Chen stood to the side, using Little Grape hidden in his sleeve to observe. Through the shared visual perspective, he saw the door at the end of the hall had been opened. Intense candlelight spilled from the room, along with a red liquid—a cold, viscous, and bloody-smelling substance. “This is…” After a brief observation, Yi Chen decided to take action. He hung a kerosene lamp at his waist, gripped an ax in both hands, and approached the “sister’s room.” Just as he was about to reach it, the innkeeper’s voice came from within, laced with a hint of urgency. “Either stay away or come in and help.”