Cat 325: A Face of Despair

Chapter 325: A Face of Despair

Yan Jiyun’s display of power instantly established his status among the ability-users; his abilities were simply too extraordinary. They had expected the battle to last half a day—or perhaps to return empty-handed. Who could have predicted that in less than ten minutes, victory was at hand? The remaining ordinary zombies, no longer under the control of the tier-three zombie, posed little threat to the ability-users and were swiftly exterminated.

The journey back was nothing like the way there. Even Yuan Chuang was surprised—Qi Feng hadn’t lied to him; his younger brother really was daring, bold as a tiger. But then, he could afford to be; his abilities were formidable.

Yuan Chuang exclaimed, “Dr. Jiang will be thrilled to know we have two such great assets as you! Later, once we’re back, I’ll introduce you both.”

A faint smile flickered across Qi Feng’s composed features. “We came to the base because we’d heard of Dr. Jiang’s work.”

Yuan Chuang responded, “All the better! When you meet Dr. Jiang, you’ll see he’s a truly remarkable person. You won’t regret joining Base No. 1.”

Yan Jiyun asked softly, “Why is it called Base No. 1?”

Now, Yuan Chuang looked at Yan Jiyun as if a dragon had spotted a mountain of gold. “It’s a simple story, really. Dr. Jiang named it. Mainly, he wanted people to remember the base easily. I’ve heard that ‘No. 1’ holds particular significance for him.”

Qi Feng remarked, “Dr. Jiang must be a man with quite a story.”

Glancing at Qi Feng, Yuan Chuang said, “He is, indeed.”

Upon their return to the base, Yuan Chuang phoned Dr. Jiang in advance, requesting permission to bring guests into the lab zone. Before long, approval came through.

Yan Jiyun observed, “They keep tight security here—it shows that Dr. Jiang is quite afraid of death.”

Qi Feng said, “That’s possible.”

Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng followed Yuan Chuang straight into the lab area.

The laboratory had once been a pharmaceutical company; it was spacious and divided into several sections. Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng were only allowed in the public areas, not the labs themselves. With Yuan Chuang leading them, they didn’t stray.

Yan Jiyun had already probed for some information with his mind.

All around, researchers in white coats and face masks bustled about, whether truly occupied or merely fostering a sense of urgency.

Many greeted Yuan Chuang with the familiarity of old colleagues.

As they approached Dr. Jiang’s private wing, Yan Jiyun suddenly heard a faint, piercing cry. He frowned instinctively.

He pressed close behind Qi Feng and whispered, “Something’s off. I’ll bet Dr. Jiang is experimenting on ability-users.”

Qi Feng nodded almost imperceptibly, then casually chatted to Yuan Chuang, testing him. “Dr. Jiang is truly impressive, able to earn so much trust, and manage an entire base as well.”

“Actually, Dr. Jiang only oversees the lab sector, not the base itself. His skills are plain for all to see; it’s remarkable that a regular human could earn the admiration of so many ability-users.” Yuan Chuang gave a thumbs-up as he spoke.

While their praise echoed, one of Dr. Jiang’s assistants was already waiting for them at the door.

The vast entrance to the lab area was, in fact, a reception desk.

The assistant said, “Captain Yuan, Dr. Jiang will be here shortly. Let me take our two esteemed ability-users to the lounge to wait.”

Yuan Chuang replied, “Alright.”

Since he wasn’t in charge of the lab section, Yuan Chuang didn’t have the necessary access card and could only rely on the assistant’s guidance.

Led by the assistant, Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng proceeded onward. Passing through several sectors, they spotted numerous zombie specimens displayed in glass cases—disturbing rather than lifelike, and thoroughly frightening.

This Dr. Jiang was something else.

Feigning fear, Yan Jiyun shrank behind his older brother. “Brother, this is so scary!”

Yuan Chuang: “…”

Had he not witnessed Qi Feng hurl a tier-three zombie from the fifth floor bare-handed, he might have believed the act.

Thanks to Yan Jiyun’s consummate performance, his impression became firmly imprinted on Yuan Chuang’s mind.

Five minutes later, they finally met the most elusive figure at the base: Dr. Jiang.

Yuan Chuang had just finished recounting the story of how Dr. Jiang had become a legend.

Dr. Jiang was, in fact, the persona Yan Jiyun once played—a man who, throughout the zombie outbreak, spearheaded the development of a serum that saved many on the verge of zombification. Through tireless work, he won the populace’s reverence as Dr. Jiang. Those coming to Base No. 1 did so for his serum and the methods that could strengthen ability-users.

The latter detail Yuan Chuang had let slip by accident.

Dr. Jiang finally appeared.

His laugh came before he did. “Yuan Chuang, I hear you’ve recruited two most capable helpers.”

Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng turned toward the voice. A man very much like the one they’d seen in photographs entered their view.

As Yan Jiyun studied the man, Dr. Jiang’s eyes lingered on him—Qi Feng observed the gaze fixed squarely on Yan Jiyun.

Dr. Jiang, undoubtedly young in appearance, nonetheless kept his focus on Yan Jiyun.

“You’re a lightning-type?”

Yan Jiyun hid behind Qi Feng, but still “summoned his courage” to respond, barely louder than a mosquito: “Yes.”

Dr. Jiang, smiling, walked up to him. “May I see just how powerful your lightning-type ability is?”

He was clearly quite taken with Yan Jiyun. Qi Feng sidestepped, placing himself between them, a hint of displeasure on his face. “Dr. Jiang, my brother is rather shy, I hope you’ll forgive him. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.”

Only then did Dr. Jiang look at Qi Feng. “Very well. You’re the most unusual healing-type I’ve ever seen.”

Those who awakened healing abilities typically had weaker builds. Their research suggested ability type was linked to physical constitution, which explained why most healers were women.

Qi Feng responded courteously, “Everyone says so. Perhaps my brother and I are exceptions.”

Dr. Jiang said, “Here’s the situation: as you know, I’m a researcher, and right now my work focuses on ability-users. Our nation still faces many zombies, and soon a new wave will rise. Before that happens, I hope to develop as many useful enhancements as possible for our ability-users.”

Qi Feng replied, “Whatever you require, Doctor, just say the word. We were drawn here by your benevolence and want to contribute to humanity.”

Nodding vigorously, Yan Jiyun echoed his “brother’s” words.

Dr. Jiang did not mince words. “I’ll need to take a small blood sample from both of you for analysis.”

Qi Feng nodded, as though it mattered little. “Of course. We’re happy to cooperate.”

An assistant led the duo to the sampling rooms, where staff awaited their arrival.

Dr. Jiang specifically had them separated. Yan Jiyun acted distraught. “I don’t want to be apart from my brother! Let me go!”

Qi Feng, indulging Yan Jiyun’s theatrics, soothed him. “Yunyun, be good. It’s only five minutes—a simple blood draw, and I’ll be right next door.”

With his brother’s reassurance, the timid younger sibling calmed down.

They were led into separate rooms.

Yan Jiyun quickly sensed that Qi Feng was alone in his sample room with just one attendant. His own situation, however, was clearly different: Dr. Jiang came in person to draw his blood.

Feigning terror and innocence, Yan Jiyun asked, “What are you going to do to me?”

Dr. Jiang gently reassured him, reaching to roll up his sleeve. “Just a blood sample, that’s all. Don’t be scared—your brother is right next door.”

Yan Jiyun hated being touched; he shrank back in fear and made for the door. “I want my brother—I don’t want a blood test, stay away from me!”

Evidently, no one had expected Yan Jiyun to panic so suddenly. The unlocked door flew open.

Before anyone could react, Yan Jiyun bolted from the sampling room—darting off in the opposite direction.

Dr. Jiang’s face darkened. He had thought Yuan Chuang brought him an ideal test subject, but apparently, this one wouldn’t be so easily handled.

He ordered his aides in a low voice, “Bring him back, quickly! Don’t let him run wild!”

The two assistants rushed off at once.

Dr. Jiang waited, but news of Yan Jiyun’s capture did not come; instead, the wail of an alarm began to sound outside.

Next door, Qi Feng heard the sirens and knew Yan Jiyun had made his move. Sliding down his cuff, Qi Feng opened his door just in time to see Dr. Jiang step out of the neighboring room—alone. “Dr. Jiang, where’s my brother?”

With a pained smile, Dr. Jiang replied, “Sorry, I had no idea your brother was so afraid of needles. He slipped away when we weren’t paying attention.”

Qi Feng played his part. “Do you know where he went? My brother doesn’t handle fear well.”

The blaring of the siren grew ever more shrill. Even Yuan Chuang, waiting in the lounge, hurried over to inquire about the commotion.

One assistant called Dr. Jiang, who immediately turned ashen.

Yuan Chuang asked, “What is it, Dr. Jiang?”

Dr. Jiang replied brusquely, “Nothing. Take Qi Feng back to the lounge; I’ll go fetch his brother.”

Indeed, Yan Jiyun, following the screams he’d heard earlier, had reached the deepest level of the lab. But there was no way they’d find him on the monitors—when he hit a camera blind spot, he’d transformed into a tiny black kitten, no bigger than two months old.

[‘Want to Be Human’ Live Stream Chat Room:]

“Wuwuwu, the kitten is adorable. He really knows how to win over his audience.”

“Such a fierce little cub—I love him!”

“I thought he’d turn into a cat, but he became a kitten instead! Can cats now control their size? Did he get some special item? He’s so smooth with his transformations! I remember his last trial card had a time limit—now there’s none at all?”

“Maybe the game bugged, shrinking him from big cat to kitten. Maybe even the kitty didn’t want this.”

“Whatever happened, he’s too cute to bear.”

Following a hidden staircase, Yan Jiyun descended. The faint sounds he’d heard earlier now grew clearer—not quite screams, but angry pounding, groans of pain, and curses.

He must have been at least two or three basement levels below ground.

As expected, he found rows of prison-like cells, each containing people in patient garb. Some were emaciated, some missing limbs, others with twisted faces. Some seemed hollowed out, like their souls had been extracted, leaving behind only empty shells.

Every cell was labeled with an experiment number.

The numbers near Yan Jiyun’s position were sequentially high—the farther in he went, the lower they became.

The place reeked of death.

An energetic black cat drew a few glances from the ability-users, but they only rolled their eyes.

This was not what Yan Jiyun had hoped to see, but he had to explore every corner.

As he walked past each cell, he reached the last one and finally saw a face he could not have been more familiar with.

A face written with utter despair.