From the Abyss of Stars

14. Rebirth: Living Freely in the Hospital

 

After activating his gene potential, Li Aozi's mind quickly cleared, his body temperature returned to normal, and although still weak, his health began to recover slowly. He estimated that he would be back to normal by tomorrow morning.

 

He glanced around: Assistant Anna and others were still busy monitoring his health, with armed security personnel standing nearby. If any problem arose, they could immediately form a crossfire net to prevent any incident.

 

"Quite experienced in handling situations."

 

Li Aozi was somewhat surprised. These humanitarian doctors in the outer world were even more cautious than the Emile Medical Group on Tianhuan.

 

The latter often had accidents due to careless operators or experimental leaks, leading to runaway bio-beasts and high-risk test subjects, causing players no end of trouble with their "proudly produced" monsters.

 

In contrast, the Abyssal team was well-trained and had a serious attitude, making Li Aozi wish he could throw a bomb at Emile Pharmaceuticals' headquarters.

 

With people outside monitoring his health, Li Aozi decided not to interact and instead closed his eyes to review his personal information.

 

"Getting the specialty immediately boosted my attributes."

 

【Gravity】 isn't a highly aggressive Aoneng. It's not very powerful in terms of damage, has a short range early on, and is difficult to master, requiring long-term exploration to understand.

 

But Li Aozi didn't care.

 

Strength? Just a capitalist fiction!

 

【Gravity】 Aoneng is one of the universe's four fundamental forces and a requirement for becoming a 【Starfall Master】.

 

Although the early stage is tough, once he enters the universe, those cosmic soldiers will understand what 'ship breaker' means!

 

"Unfortunately, the Gene Awakening Agent can only be used once. Now, my gene fragments have started to leak, and my lifespan might only be about 20 years."

 

Li Aozi didn't mind; it was a necessary sacrifice. As an experienced person, he knew there's no such thing as a free lunch, and what seems free is often the most expensive.

 

"A person shouldn't carry too many Aoneng; otherwise, the genetic pressure will be too great, leading to collapse. Similarly, the 【Esha Test Agent - VI Type】 from Abyssal, although theoretically possible to obtain three doses, might awaken some unexpected Aoneng without special methods."

 

Li Aozi pondered for a moment. Initially pressed for time, he hadn't considered the issue of gene collapse. Now it was different; he still had some points in his account, but he needed to save them for exchanging resources with NPCs.

 

So, what should he do next?

 

"I need to increase the faction favorability with Abyssal and accumulate contribution points."

 

Li Aozi didn't hesitate.

 

After all, he wasn't playing a game; he was a living person. Getting the 【Gravity】 Aoneng was already lucky.

 

Abyssal Humanitarian isn't the game official; quality control issues must be considered.

 

The worst-case scenario is using three doses of 【Esha Test Agent - VI Type】 without getting a single Aoneng needed for 【Starfall Master】, instead receiving three useless ones.

 

But Li Aozi didn't plan to waste the opportunity. He calculated that his constitution was 5 points, theoretically allowing him to use up to 15 gene potential release agents.

 

This isn't the universe. Azure Star's technology is still at the boiling water level, with no capability for gene adjustments or targeted gene optimization.

 

Essentially, both the 【Esha Test Agent - VI Type】 and 【Omega-grade Gene Awakening Agent】 are means of breaking down gene sequences, differing only in the extent, location, and gene fragments released.

 

Some are born in Rome, others as mules.

 

Most advanced civilizations have gene optimization projects, and some geniuses are born with awakened Aoneng, equivalent to having the prerequisites for becoming a 【Psion】.

 

"I should prepare for the worst. I'll directly aim to get a constitution-related specialty to boost my constitution attribute. If not in 15 tries, then 25 or 30! I can't believe I won't get a chance."

 

The reason for Li Aozi's determination wasn't lofty ideals.

 

It was because the Galactic Civilization would bomb Azure Star in version 2.5.

 

"If I don't reach level 60 before version 2.0 arrives, I absolutely have no chance of surviving."

 

This was no joke. Li Aozi knew better than anyone the fate of Azure Star. When the brilliant fireworks bloom, even players won't be spared. Players who didn't evacuate in time had their Azure Star accounts forcibly deleted and transferred to the new server after seven days.

 

In version 2.1.7 of 《Abyss of Stars》, a fatal bug appeared in the Azure Star server. Initially ignored, it grew until version 2.4.8, when people realized it would render the game almost unplayable. The official seized the opportunity during the 2.5 update, introducing the Galactic Civilization not supposed to appear in this version as a patch to permanently eliminate the bug—at the cost of humanity's homeworld civilization.

 

Players might complain and regret, curse the developers for being unkind without compensation, but for Li Aozi on Azure Star, among the 56 players operating the Galactic Fleet's star-destroying cannon, he was one of them!

 

"I don't know if players will descend. Maybe another 'Li Zi' will appear... damn, I better not end up with an achievement like 'I killed myself'!"

 

Thinking of this, Li Aozi couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

 

—————————————

 

"By the way, health monitoring shows he's out of danger now."

 

The professor pushed aside the tablet, took off her glasses, and looked at the two standing before her, smiling slightly:

 

"In that case, Anna, Nordri, why did you come to me?"

 

"Professor—"

 

"It's because of that guy that we came to you!"

 

As soon as Anna spoke, Head Nurse Nordri immediately stepped forward, facing the professor's gentle smile, and said solemnly:

 

"Professor, he's only been here a few hours, yet he's already wasted a lot of our manpower and resources. We don't know what benefits we can get from him. If he keeps having these difficult issues, we'll spend a lot of time and effort handling them... Over time, this will not only put tremendous pressure on our internal treatment and containment but also affect Abyssal's external missions..."

 

Nordri talked for several minutes while the professor listened quietly, smiling and motioning for her to continue.

 

Anna stood aside, holding the report, waiting silently for Nordri to finish.

 

"In summary, I don't think we should continue investing so many resources in monitoring and treating Li Aozi."

 

As soon as Nordri finished, the professor immediately nodded and asked:

 

"So, according to Head Nurse Nordri, how should we handle Li Aozi?"

 

"Treat him as an ordinary infected person. He's already shown his danger. Even as a warrior, I could be knocked down if he loses control. Therefore, he must be physically restrained, limit his freedom, wear a full-body restraint suit, and undergo regular sampling—"

 

"In other words," the professor said slowly, "you believe that a restraint suit that can't even contain a level 3 infected can restrain someone who, in a frenzied state, can knock down a warrior, suspected to be level 5 infected?"

 

"No, I mean strengthen the materials..."

 

"Li Aozi hasn't awakened Aoneng yet. What if he does?"

 

The professor asked seriously:

 

"The four nations don't dare claim they can stably control a transcendent with awakened Aoneng. If we can completely restrain an infected with awakened Aoneng, doesn't that mean we're stronger than the four nations?"

 

"No, that's not what I mean, Professor..."

 

"If Abyssal is stronger than the four nations, why are we stuck in an abandoned shelter instead of going out to save all the suffering people in the outer world?"

 

The professor frowned and sighed:

 

"Having strength far beyond the four nations, yet not helping the world, hiding in a corner, and secretly conducting taboo experiments—it's understandable that the world sees us this way."

 

Head Nurse Nordri was stunned. How did a discussion about containing an Esha-infected patient turn into a PR crisis for Abyssal Humanitarian?

 

If the professor continued, Nordri felt she was bearing an immense guilt.

 

"Actually, I understand. After all, Esha infection is just my personal conjecture. Abyssal has become what it is today because of my opinion. One could say that Abyssal Humanitarian's image degradation, talent loss, and public misunderstanding are all my fault..."

 

The professor's eyes reddened slightly, becoming misty. The beautiful white-haired woman spoke with a hint of self-reproach and frustration:

 

"I didn't want this either. It's all my fault... My ability is insufficient, unable to protect you all, leading to Abyssal's current situation where everyone wants to attack us!"

 

"I should have resigned in 201 and entered the third hospital."

 

"That's not true!"

 

Nordri felt deeply guilty and quickly clarified:

 

"Professor, you bear no responsibility. Without your wise leadership, there would be no Abyssal Human

 

itarian. The continuation of humanity's noble qualities would be impossible, and Abyssal Humanitarian's leadership, especially our ideals and principles, rely on you to maintain."

 

"Nordri... thank you for saying that."

 

The professor wiped her eyes, speaking bitterly:

 

"Being trusted feels wonderful."

 

Her forced smile, rubbing the corner of her eyes, felt like a knife cutting through Nordri's heart. The once imposing head nurse now felt a tremendous guilt weighing on her.

 

Though only three people were in the professor's office, Nordri felt as if she was exposed to countless eyes.

 

The imagined pointing and judging pressurized her spine, an overwhelming shame erupting uncontrollably, mingling with regret and self-blame.

 

'The professor is under such immense pressure, and I'm still questioning and doubting her.'

 

Nordri's heart roared like waves:

 

'I'm truly despicable. As a superior, she forgives and understands my impulsiveness and defiance.'

 

As a somewhat accomplished warrior, her face reddened, bowing deeply to the professor who sat in her wheelchair, crying and comforting herself, sincerely apologizing:

 

"I'm very sorry! Professor! I regret my irrational words and apologize to you."

 

"Nordri, get up; it's not your fault."

 

The professor's eyes were slightly red, her voice hoarse:

 

"I want to bring a better tomorrow for everyone. You know... level 5 infected might really prove the existence of the Esha theory. I was too anxious, not considering you all..."

 

"My vision was too narrow, Professor."

 

Nordri inhaled sharply, her body trembling, barely controlling her facial muscles, tears welling up:

 

"We were too selfish, only thinking of making our positions easier, forgetting that Abyssal Humanitarian has been pursuing the Esha theory for decades without substantial progress... Yes, you're doing it for our sake. We know that; how could we doubt you..."

 

Her body, stronger than a bodybuilder's, seemed like a child admitting guilt before the professor.

 

"Nordri... you've suffered."

 

"Professor, please give me another chance; I won't make a mistake again."

 

"In that case," the professor, blushing slightly, sobbing quietly, pretending to be stern, said: "There are still some barriers between you and patient Li Aozi. I know he severely hurt you before being contained and consumed a lot of resources."

 

"However, facing the unknown, even if we exhaust all efforts, it's futile. Just making contact with the unknown is a huge progress."

 

"Missing the level 5 infected means waiting a long time for the next chance to prove the theory's authenticity."

 

"I don't want Abyssal's predecessors' and volunteers' blood to be in vain. I've always encouraged myself to make achievements, prove the Esha virus's existence, and use the theory to end the outer world's people's suffering."

 

"Professor..."

 

"Please continue to cooperate with the research. The patient's body is still very weak. If yesterday's sudden situation occurs again, we might lose such a valuable opportunity..."

 

The professor said solemnly:

 

"Everything will proceed as planned. I will remove any obstacles, bearing the cost. This is the ideal and belief of all humanity; for this, we will pay any price!"

 

Her tone became increasingly passionate. Nordri, excited, straightened her chest, full of determination.

 

The professor said:

 

"The light of humanity, remembered forever."

 

"The light of humanity, remembered forever!" Nordri repeated firmly.

 

"I will remember everything and complete the training responsibly."

 

"That's the spirit; this is our Nordri."

 

Nordri, full of spirit, her gaze resolute, seriously promised: "I'll prepare the training plan now. I won't disappoint."

 

"Wait a moment..."

 

The professor suddenly called her back.

 

"Professor?"

 

"Nordri."

 

She reached out, touching her neck, concernedly asking:

 

"...Does your neck still hurt?"