Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 262 - 245 Rescue Mazao

Chapter 262: 245 Rescue Mazao

Fufeng’s words took me by surprise.

"Is the state planning to use this opportunity to acknowledge the existence of the abnormal world to the public?"

I think, if anyone is least willing to expose the abnormal world to the public eye, it would have to be the current ruling class.

"It’s not going to happen all at once though. As with eating a meal one bite at a time, so will be the disclosure of the abnormal world. However, official forces are at least planning to admit to the public that phenomena that science cannot explain do exist in society, and that this unknown is gradually spreading throughout society," Fufeng said. "Of course, this will cause a considerable amount of panic and will accelerate the public’s understanding of the abnormal world, although they probably have no choice but to do this.

"The number of soul-loss patients is increasing, and the frequency of strange events is growing higher. Rather than having some schemers collect all the evidence of the abnormal world’s existence and disclose it all at once, it’s better for them to admit it themselves. This will cause relatively less backlash for them."

This is the same logic as me admitting my true feelings to Mazao myself. Since lies are bound to be exposed, it’s better to honestly admit to the lies rather than being called out. It’s an unexpected disappointment to find that I agree with politicians on such matters.

However, their movements were much faster than I anticipated. Although the exposure of the abnormal world before public eyes wouldn’t be a surprise at any time, based on my previous exchanges with Zhu Shi, the official forces would have delayed for at least another half year before entering the phase of acknowledging the abnormal world. Is the current pace this fast because Zhu Shi and my estimates were too naïve, or is it because of the social impact caused by my fierce battle with Yinyue?

"Moreover, the nuclear explosion that Yinyue released also had a decisive impact."

Fufeng continued as if he could hear my thoughts, but his next statement was beyond my comprehension: "After all, it’s possible that the number of soul-loss patients may surge as a result of it. Other than admitting it first, what else could they do?"

"Wait a minute..." I said, "I don’t understand, how could there be a cause-and-effect relationship between Yinyue’s nuclear explosion and the increase in the number of soul-loss patients?"

Fufeng was startled at first, then came to a realization, and said apologetically: "Sorry, it’s my fault for not explaining beforehand. There is indeed likely a causal relationship between these two incidents. Hmm... where should I start?"

He pondered for a moment, then said: "First, you should know that, like the increasing frequency of strange events, the rise in the number of soul-loss patients is also climbing steadily. The former started four years ago, while the latter is generally believed to have begun three years ago, coinciding with the Fantian incident.

"This statement is actually inaccurate. Strictly speaking, the frequent occurrence of strange events, like the soul loss incidents, started four years ago. It’s just that the trend was within the margin of error at that time, and wasn’t taken seriously until three years ago.

"Even the Fantian incident was the same; though it only started to be recognized publicly by Luo Mountain from three years ago, in reality, it was sensed in a small range from four years ago. Or, it was perceived by the Impermanence and us, the Great Success Rank. It’s just that we did not intend to make a scene at that time, wishing to investigate the truth behind the events quietly."

"Four years ago... that sounds like a very key point in time," I remarked.

At the same time, I thought of myself. My superpower also emerged four years ago. To be precise, four and a half years ago. Although there’s a half-year difference, it’s quite a close timeframe. Could there also be some kind of inside story here? I wanted to delve deeper but could only grope through a fog.

"Because of the coincidence in time, we usually believe that the frequent occurrence of strange events, the Fantian incident, and the soul loss, fundamentally have the same origin. Among them, the soul loss is thought to be more of a byproduct of the former two," nodded Fufeng. "As we delve deeper into investigating soul loss, and combining various mystical and scientific research, we believe there is a correlation between the curve of the increase in soul-loss patients and the curve of the frequency of strange events. That is, the more frequent the strange events in society are, the more the number of soul-loss patients will randomly increase...

"However, some have proposed a seemingly unfounded hypothesis, suggesting that what causes the increase in soul-loss patients is not so much the frequency of strange events, but the fusion of the mundane world with the abnormal world.

"This hypothesis posits that the more the secular society becomes aware of the true existence of the strange... or rather, the more common people know the existence of the strange, the easier it is for the number of soul-loss patients in the society to increase. And soul-loss patients do not emerge from the informed group but later appear randomly from the entire society."

"We also didn’t take this hypothesis seriously at first, but it seems that the official forces have employed methods such as social engineering and data analysis, eventually regarding it as the most credible theory at the moment."

I finally understood what he meant earlier: "The nuclear explosion on Yinyue will accelerate the public’s awareness of the abnormal world, so the number of soul-loss patients will surge... Is that so?"

Looking at it now, it seems that the official forces announcing the existence of soul loss in advance might not have been a wise move. However, given that the existence of soul loss would be exposed anyway due to the sharp increase in the number of patients, perhaps it makes no difference in the end.

No wonder Fufeng said that Governance Ideology might spread rumors because of my fight with Yinyue, even though I’m not the one responsible for the nuclear explosion. But that battle indeed had an extremely adverse effect on the increasingly chaotic world, saying it added insult to injury is putting it lightly.

"You don’t need to carry such a burden; what’s more important now is how to solve the increasingly serious soul-loss incidents. If we let this strange phenomenon continue, social order will inevitably completely collapse."

Fufeng spoke calmly as if he was used to dealing with significant crises, then he changed tack: "So... can we have Miss Mazao cooperate with our research afterward? Unlike those Extraordinary Fanatics who disregard ordinary human lives, we from Governance Ideology are very sincerely and urgently seeking clues to cure soul loss. Please be sure to provide us with assistance."

Mazao had been listening to our conversation silently the whole time, and now her gaze showed hesitation and change. That old fox Fufeng laid out so much groundwork before, he was waiting for us here all along.

"Even Impermanence can’t solve soul loss? I heard that as long as Impermanence makes a move, soul loss incidents are a trivial matter," I said.

"That’s just a common misconception on Luo Mountain. Most demon hunters have unconditional confidence and blind faith in Impermanence, only those of us with the Great Success Rank can vaguely perceive the limits of Impermanence," Fufeng spoke, "The soul loss incidents are likely disasters closely related to the frequent occurrence of the Fantian and abnormal events, and both are phenomena that even Impermanence can’t comprehend, thus it’s very likely that soul loss is also beyond the reach of Impermanence. We can’t pin our hopes on God for everything."

"As long as Mazao herself is willing, I’m not opposed to cooperating with you, but as her partner, I have one non-negotiable condition: you must first tell me which Impermanence is behind the Divine Spear. If you can’t root out the Impermanence endangering Mazao from the shadows and figure out the true motive behind Impermanence’s coveting of Mazao, I can’t rest assured letting the people of Luo Mountain get in close contact with her," I said.

Even Governance Ideology, in my eyes, is untrustworthy. Mazao might harbor hopeful thoughts and cooperate with their research, but that kind of idea is likely a large part her of world-weary tendencies.

And, perhaps I might sound hypocritical, but precisely because Mazao could be key to curing soul loss, I definitely cannot rashly hand her over to potentially scheming individuals. Perhaps Fa Zheng and the Impermanence behind the Divine Spear share the same intentions, seeking to kill Mazao for some reason. Just the thought is unforgivable.

"Sorry, I don’t have the authority to tell you," Fufeng said regretfully.

"Then let’s wait until Fa Zheng arrives before discussing further," I spoke firmly.

"...Very well," he sighed.

Thus, we finished touring the last area of Fufeng Base, and Fufeng escorted us back to the residential area. After a brief farewell, he turned and left first. Mazao and I then returned to our room to rest.

Mazao sat down on the bed, deep in thought over the recent discussion. In the presence of others, she tends not to talk, leaving the "diplomatic" aspects entirely to me, but that certainly doesn’t mean she is a puppet without her own thoughts or just a tool to provide convenience.

She must want very much to save those soul-loss patients. Saving the world is such an unreachable goal, yet saving soul-loss patients seems within reach. She has said as long as the ultimate goal is to cure soul loss, she would cooperate even if there’s foul play involved. But to what extent is she planning to comply? She might even consider agreeing to it at the cost of her own life.

I want to save her. Not only do I want to rescue her from those who are plotting against her life, but I also want to save her depressed and sorrowful soul. I want to tell her that I am the one she has long hoped for, the person who can take on all her misfortunes and bad luck.

And now, I finally have her alone.

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