The blood collection was completed quickly, and the drop of blood was immediately placed into a strange square device.

A few minutes later, the inspector said, “You have not contracted the contamination disease. If you experience fever, discomfort, or any other symptoms during this period, you can contact our Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center at any time. We will provide the necessary assistance.”

Adam Carter stared into his eyes and asked, “Is contamination disease really just an infectious disease?”

“Of course contamination disease is an infectious disease. It’s just a new type of genetic mutation. Contamination disease is highly contagious. A few years ago, it caused tens of thousands of deaths abroad, but thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists around the world, the disease has been brought under control. Now, contamination disease patients only appear in small areas, so there’s no need to be overly anxious.”

In Adam Carter’s mind, the system let out a disdainful sneer: [That’s only because it started with low-level contaminants. A Class C contaminant can destroy a city; countless lives were lost in that disaster back then. But weakness has always been humanity’s original sin.]

[By the way, let me remind you, you’d better send the people away quickly. Unless you want to be taken to the research institute.]

Sensing the awkward silence, Adam Carter asked, “Thank you for answering my questions. Is there anything else?”

“…No. Wish you a pleasant life.”

“Thank you.”

A moment later, the two staff members from the Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center left Adam Carter’s home.

David Harris spoke first: “Obsessive cleanliness is one of the most common clinical manifestations of OCD. The living environment is normal, no contamination sources.”

Inspector: “Adam Carter, father was among the first batch of contamination disease patients ten years ago, previously imprisoned for fraud, with multiple records of domestic violence. Mother committed suicide by jumping off a building when he was six.”

“Adam Carter was long subjected to imprisonment and abuse by his father, rescued at age twelve. Diagnosed with photophobia, claustrophobia, and dissociative identity disorder. The alternate personality is antisocial and highly aggressive.”

“At sixteen, Adam Carter recovered and was discharged. That same year, the father became a contaminant and was detained at the research institute, designated number 18.”

“In 2117, contaminant 18 escaped from the research institute. This was the only Class A contaminant escape incident. Although 18’s mutated area was the brain, it led researchers to conclude that contaminants, in their later stages, can possess intelligence no less than humans.”

David Harris: “Yes, that’s why the institute monitored Adam Carter for a long time, to see if 18 would make contact with Adam Carter.”

“Captain Lin, you know my ability. I sensed a dangerous aura from him,” the inspector said solemnly.

He was an auxiliary-type Awakened, [Talent – Precognition], able to detect danger to a certain extent.

“The test results are out: spiritual power threshold 0, mutation degree 0. Ordinary human. I thought he might become an Awakened.” David Harris took a military-grade sedative from his pocket, lit one for himself, “Let’s go. Time to head to the other side.”

According to the Academy of Sciences, organisms with a mutation degree between 0 and 100 are still considered human. Awakened are those who have been contaminated, possess talents, but have a mutation degree below 100. The strength of an Awakened is determined by their spiritual power threshold.

If the mutation degree exceeds 100, they are no longer human, and like those animals, plants, or even inanimate objects, are called contaminants.

And Adam Carter is 0.

*

Kevin Thompson had been waiting for Adam Carter’s call. He sat on a park bench, growing colder and colder. The world before his eyes gradually faded, turning into a gray haze.

The weather grew more humid, and a mist began to spread around him.

A high fever blurred Kevin Thompson’s consciousness.

It wasn’t until he suddenly sensed someone approaching that he snapped to attention and looked up.

Two people nearby—strangers.

His instincts told him they were coming for him.

He would be taken to the prevention center, and just like those bizarre patients he’d seen before, he would disappear into a crematorium burning at thousands of degrees!

Without any hesitation, Kevin Thompson turned and ran.

The two people, who had just been reaching for their work IDs, were stunned for a moment, then immediately gave chase.

Kevin Thompson wasn’t in great shape; even a few hours of surgery would leave him exhausted, let alone now, dressed like a penguin. Yet, his speed kept increasing, like a gust of wind.

As he ran, his hearing became exceptionally sharp—he could even hear those people cursing from far away—

“Isn’t this a parasitic contamination? Why has the host mutated?”

Mutation…?

That’s right, when an ordinary person contracts contamination disease, the abnormal conditions their body exhibits are called mutations.

Kevin Thompson hadn’t run for long when the sound of a helicopter came from above.

He looked up and saw the helicopter’s hatch open. At the door, secured by a safety rope and fully armed, David Harris raised a sniper rifle.

Through a loudspeaker, his voice carried far: “The person ahead, stop immediately, put your hands on your head and squat down. We are staff from the Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center. Preliminary analysis shows you have been infected by a parasite. Please stop moving at once! We will take you for specialized treatment!”

“If you refuse to cooperate with the investigation and treatment, we will implement emergency special handling measures.”

However, Kevin Thompson ignored them and continued to run frantically.