The medical and expert teams in Jing City conducted a thorough examination of Xu Huo at the hospital, confirming there were no major issues with his body. The reason he hadn’t awakened might be a side effect of the evolution. Concerned about these circumstances, the medical team did not dare to administer any medication, as using drugs could not only interrupt the process of evolution but also possibly lead to death.
"It’s best to draw some blood for testing," proposed Professor Lan, whose hair was white with age yet who appeared vigorously spirited, "We’ve brought the only two doses of the brain evolution potion we have. Let’s wait for the results of the blood test before deciding whether to use them."
His words irritated Chief Song, "These are the only two evolution potions we currently have. The Special Defense Department has five pioneer players applying for the potion, with their success rates over seventy percent. Does Xu Huo have such high chances? We don’t even know if he will survive."
"That’s none of your concern," Professor Lan, with his head buried in the documents before him and without lifting his gaze, retorted, "The orders I received were to determine whether Xu Huo could use the potion. If he can, then we administer it. Everything else is not within my purview to consider."
"There is one matter I’ve already reported," Chief Wu interjected at this point, "Xu Huo’s friend will not allow hospital personnel to draw blood, so..."
He did not finish his sentence before Professor Lan interrupted, "How you draw his blood is your concern. I have experiments to conduct, so I’m leaving."
True to his word, Professor Lan took the documents and left, leaving several Special Defense Department chiefs exchanging glances. Chief Liao spoke with slight embarrassment, "The old professor sure has a big temper."
Chief Song glanced at him, "The state protects its talents. No matter how big their temper, it’s not our place to comment. You’d better think about how to get that blood."
Chief Wu couldn’t help but sigh at the mention of the matter. Besides Yan Jiayu, there were now two more people, standing like gatekeepers in Xu Huo’s hospital room, ready to erupt and cause harm at the slightest disagreement. They couldn’t take forceful actions with Xu Huo there.
"Although I don’t hope those two potions are used on Xu Huo, Chief Wu, you’re too soft. A few players can easily push you around," Chief Song said with a slight edge of sarcasm, "You need to show some of the authority you have within the Special Defense Department."
Chief Wu’s face fell, "Do you know how many players are gathered outside the hospital?"
If Xu Huo were just an inconspicuous ordinary person, dealing with Yan Jiayu and the others wouldn’t be a problem, but the trouble was that Xu Huo had previously caused a stir by standing up for evolvers. That news had not yet faded; the internet didn’t have such a short memory. If there were the slightest commotion in the hospital, those players, intentionally or not, could blow it out of proportion!
It used to be that the rare few who caused trouble and threatened national security would also threaten the safety of ordinary people, naturally garnering support for the state and vigorous efforts to suppress those troublemakers. But now, with the number of players increasing, they were watching the state’s stance, which also related to their interests and safety. It’s not just independent players; the Special Defense Department had a considerable number of players too. How many pioneer players died in the previous invasion incident from the outskirts? People spilled their blood and lost their lives; don’t they desire fair treatment?
"Conflict won’t solve any problems," Chief Wu said, looking at him, "You also have players with you when you move around, don’t you feel a chill on your back when you say these things?"
Chief Song’s complexion changed slightly, but he still responded with firmness, "They are challenging the authority of the state. Such behavior cannot be tolerated; otherwise, today one person makes trouble, tomorrow two have grievances, and the day after, three make demands. Won’t the country be thrown into chaos? Right now, we may need to rely on players, but we can’t let them act with impunity or foster the illusion that they are above ordinary people!"
Chief Wu appeared slightly fatigued, "Things are different now."
If we can’t manage things well during the initial surge in players’ numbers, such conflicts will only become more acute in the future. When armed force can no longer threaten the players’ safety, we will face an entirely uncontrollable situation.
So, the important thing now is not about making players abide by the law or moral norms but to make them trust the state and join us. Only by strengthening the ranks of the pioneer players can order be maintained in the long run.
"I’ll go check on the others," Chief Wu stood up and left the conference room.
Of the Special Defense Department members who had entered the Mist Area together, only sixteen had returned. The rest had disappeared along with the Mist Area; it was unknown whether they were trapped there or had used their tickets to go to other instances.
But among those who had come out alive, four were still in a coma. Despite various methods, the medical team had not been able to awaken them. Their situation was different from Xu Huo’s—their brainwaves were very normal, and their state was more akin to deep sleep.
"The chances of these few waking up are very slim now," Professor Lan told the doctors nearby, "unless they can be brought out like the others in a short period; otherwise, they will eventually weaken and die."
There were specialists here as well, "They won’t wait until the day they weaken and die; in less than a month, they will be transported to the station... How is Xu Huo doing?"
"Professor Tang is carrying out psychological intervention," one doctor said.
Chief Wu present at the scene was stunned for a moment, "He can undergo psychological counseling while in a coma?"
"Given the activity level of his brainwaves, it’s not out of the question," Professor Lan said, "To us, he seems to be in deep sleep, but he might be in the process of self-rescue. Let’s go over and take a look."
Xu Huo had been moved to a fully enclosed ward, where Tang Guangbo sat beside his bed talking to him. According to the monitor, Xu Huo was responding to external speech; it just wasn’t obvious amidst the overly active brainwave patterns.
"Any improvement?" Professor Lan inquired.
Tang Guangbo turned his head with a smile, "I think there’s no need to worry at all. He can respond to my words, which means his consciousness is clear. As for why he can’t wake up, it might be because his body can’t keep up with the evolution."
Professor Lan looked toward the doctor next to him, who immediately said, "He was injected with purified Evolution Potion ten minutes ago, but it had no effect."
Professor Lan frowned, "This isn’t normal. According to the timing of his evolution, such a large dose of the Evolution Potion should at least burden the body somewhat; there shouldn’t be no reaction at all... His case is different from other Evolvers."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the breathing rhythm of the doctors present immediately changed.
Yan Jiayu walked swiftly to the bedside, kicked Tang Guangbo’s chair away, swept a serious glance over the retreating crowd, and said, "I’ve said it many times before, no blood should be drawn."
The others in the ward were helpless, but it was Professor Lan who spoke, "Since he is conscious, let’s try medication first. Bring the potion."
Just as Chief Song, who had just walked in, heard this and hadn’t voiced his opposition, he suddenly saw the hand of the patient on the bed shake out from under the covers. "Is he awake?"
Everyone turned back just in time to see Xu Huo’s hand rise and strike his own abdomen. Just when the others thought he was about to wake up, Yan Jiayu lunged forward to pick him up, kicked the bed aside, and ran towards the door. The moment she jumped away, the wall beside them was smashed through, and a large truck aggressively charged in!