49 Apocalypse Rules

Chapter 334: Chapter 311: News and Birthday

"Hello everyone, this is a North Star News flash."

On the drive to the Banzhen Public Security Headquarters, the investigation team watched the in-car television, where a news anchor was delivering an emergency broadcast with a grave expression.

"The fourteenth Apocalypse Rule, Outer Heaven Parasite, ended today at 9 AM. According to the latest information from the Strategy Research Room, although the Rule is over, the threat it poses to humanity continues."

"Those with deep-stage infections have, after the end of the Rule, become Parasites for the Alien Spores. These Parasites still retain their human appearance and even their memories, but the host’s individual consciousness has been hijacked and replaced by the spores."

"Relevant government agencies are urgently researching how to identify Parasites among the population. Until a solution is found, please remember: if you discover anyone spreading spores by any means, contact the authorities immediately."

The passengers in the car had various expressions as they listened to the emergency broadcast.

Chen Na’s face filled with worry. "How can there still be spores after the Rule has ended..."

"After the Rule ended, the remaining spores should only exist within the bodies of the Parasites," Guan Tong speculated. "I’m afraid these Parasites... have the ability to spread and create more of their kind."

Even Silver Fox, who usually loved to joke, was frowning. "Even if North Star has locked up most of the deeply infected in quarantine zones, some were inevitably missed. Even if it’s only a small number, they’re extremely dangerous hidden among the populace."

"Exactly."

"Your North Star has been strict enough in its management, but other countries are probably at risk of losing control," Shangyuan Zi said.

She was right. From the start of the Rule to its end, some other countries had never established quarantine zones, leaving the deeply infected completely unchecked.

Some lacked the resources to build them, while others simply didn’t see the need.

But regardless of the reason, these countries now had to face a perilous situation.

Things would be manageable if a method to identify the Parasites could be developed quickly. But if one wasn’t found soon, who knew how much destruction these hidden Parasites would cause.

"I don’t think we need to be too pessimistic," Guan Tong said, seeing their solemn expressions. "Think about it. Even during the Rule, when spores were everywhere, it still took a whole month to turn from infected to a full Parasite."

"Now, the spores in the outside world have vanished, leaving only the ones inside the Parasites. Even if they can spread the infection, the rate of creating new Parasites will surely be much slower, possibly taking several months or even longer... Humanity isn’t likely to suffer a flash collapse."

Silver Fox nodded. "That’s true. Humanity still has time. It’s just... this is still a latent threat that has to be resolved."

"And now for today’s other top stories."

The news program continued. After the anchor had stressed the issue of the Parasites several more times, the broadcast moved on to other stories.

"We have reports that at 10 AM, Sisiya Country’s Governor, Gutman Konia, officially stepped down. He will be succeeded by his daughter, Yelena Konia. Her official inaugural address will be held at 3 PM..."

Guan Tong’s heart stirred upon hearing the news.

From the end of September, when Yelena had left the academy, to today, January 1st of the following year, when she became the Governor of a country—just a little over three months had passed.

As her teacher, he hadn’t contacted her at all after seeing her off.

Her becoming Sisiya’s Governor now undoubtedly meant she had ultimately won the competition against her brother.

Besides being happy for her, Guan Tong couldn’t help but feel a sliver of concern.

’Once things are settled with Sakura Prayer, I’ll have to make a trip to Sisiya sooner or later to collect a debt from her brother.’

’When the time comes, it’s not certain whether Yelena, as Governor, will even allow me to do that.’

However, Guan Tong didn’t dwell on it. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it. When the time came, he would just play it by ear.

The news report went on about Yelena for a bit before moving to the next story.

"...The manned rocket launch program, postponed due to the Apocalypse Rules, has now been reactivated. North Star Country’s Dream Ship One and the Sisiya Empire’s Imperial Pioneer are scheduled for launch on January 12th."

Chen Na’s eyes filled with anticipation. "The rocket is finally going to launch! That’s wonderful."

"Launching during the interval between Rules is a good move. Otherwise, we’d have a new Rule announced on the 15th," Silver Fox sighed softly. "Hah, it’s the first month of the new year, and we only get half a month of breathing room. That Fire Thief is a real bastard."

She then shook her head. "Wait, no. This investigation is still work. If we finish this just in time for the next Rule to start, we’ll have had no break at all!"

Guan Tong offered a friendly reminder, "It’ll be even worse if the investigation isn’t finished before the next Rule is announced."

"...No! We have to hurry! I really don’t want this investigation bleeding into the next Rule!"

The others all nodded in agreement.

Guan Tong felt the same. ’Just dealing with the Rules is mentally exhausting enough. Piling other troubles on top would leave a person completely drained, body and soul.’

"Ah..."

Chen Na suddenly thought of something and looked over at Guan Tong.

"Guan, I remember your birthday is in January, right? I think I heard you mention it when we were chatting during that Great Snow Rule."

Guan Tong paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, January 6th."

"Wow, doesn’t that mean your 20th birthday is in just five days, Guan!"

"Tsk, tsk." Silver Fox clicked her tongue. "Only twenty... It’s nice to be young. If I were a few years younger, maybe I could’ve tapped into more of my potential."

Shangyuan Zi and Suzuki also looked at Guan Tong, somewhat surprised.

Guan Tong certainly looked young, but they had all assumed it was just a youthful appearance. Judging by the way he spoke and acted, they figured he was actually in his late twenties, maybe even approaching thirty.

They never expected he was only just turning twenty this month.

"Guan, what are you planning to do for your birthday? If I’d known sooner, I would’ve gotten you a present in advance!"

"Thanks, Na, but there’s no need. I haven’t celebrated my birthday in a long time. Besides, I doubt many people are in the mood for celebrations in times like these."

But Chen Na, who usually agreed with Guan Tong, shook her head repeatedly. "That’s not the right way to think about it. My mom celebrated my birthday with me the year before last and last year. She told me that the harder things get, the more important it is to do something happy. That’s how you find the courage to overcome the hardship."

Guan Tong hadn’t expected Chen Na to say that, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Silver Fox, however, heartily agreed, laughing. "Haha, I think Na is absolutely right! The more difficult and desperate your situation is, the more you need to find ways to have some fun. Otherwise, everyone would just get depressed in the long run."

Although Shangyuan Zi and Suzuki remained silent, their expressions showed they also thought Chen Na had a point.

Guan Tong sighed. "All right. But no gifts. A ’happy birthday’ or a card will be more than enough."

Seeing that Guan Tong had agreed, Chen Na clapped her hands. "Okay! I’d better get started, then. It’s only a few days away!"

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