Chapter 106: A Body Attaining Sentience

"An Anomalous Walker who doesn't trust themselves?"

Replacement's statement caught Qi Chen by surprise. In his understanding, Anomalous Walkers should be the core assets of any faction in this world of fog. Logically speaking, it would only make sense for such individuals, gifted with special abilities, to be the trusted confidants of their respective organizations. Otherwise, how could any work be accomplished if you had a group of super-powered subordinates you couldn't rely on?

At this moment, Warm Man kindly stepped in to enlighten Qi Chen.

"Not all Anomalous Walkers are like us. Don't forget what I told you—City Three is a special case. In other cities of the Alliance and out in the fog, the public opinion of Anomalous Walkers is far from positive," Warm Man said, unhurried. "To most people, the only difference between an Anomalous Walker and an Anomaly is that the former is still technically human. Besides, the operating style of most Anomalous Walkers in the fog is nothing like our Department of Anomaly Handling. They are far more reckless. The Anomalous Walkers in Yellowstone Town were likely just hired help."

Replacement, who was leading the way, nodded. "Exactly as Warm Man says. The Mayor of Yellowstone Town merely hired a group of Anomalous Walkers using money and resources. There is no subordinate relationship between them; it was purely a transaction. At first, the Mayor suspected that the very people he hired might have been the ones to sabotage him, but we have already ruled out that possibility. Wait a moment, I'll contact Yan Yan and have him inform Elder Li that you have arrived."

...

"Oh, I see. Then I'll just bring them both over."

Replacement ended the communication and turned to Qi Chen and Warm Man. "As it happens, Yan Yan and Elder Li are currently with the Mayor and the other affected individuals. We’ll go straight over to take a look. I’ve heard that Face’s mental fortitude is exceptionally high; perhaps he can perceive something we cannot."

The trio navigated through the Mayor's mansion, heading straight for the top floor. Upon exiting the staircase, they saw a dense crowd of special task force members guarding the hallway. Their tension eased only when they spotted Replacement in the lead.

"It's in the room at the very end," Replacement said, pointing toward the end of the corridor before walking ahead. Qi Chen and Warm Man followed closely, reaching their destination in a flash.

*Knock, knock!*

"I've brought Warm Man and Face," Replacement announced softly.

A deep, resonant male voice echoed from behind the door: "Come in."

The door was pulled open from the inside, and Qi Chen, trailing behind Replacement, instantly caught a glimpse of the scene within. Several medical beds were lined up, each occupied by a person tightly bound with restraints. Some had their mouths stuffed with thick fabric, presumably to prevent self-harm.

Beyond these "patients," the room contained several doctors in white coats and a few armed task force members standing guard. Most striking, however, was a burly man with an exceptionally stern demeanor, dressed in a military-green jacket. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was clear that an elderly man with white hair, partially obscured by the burly man’s frame, was the true center of the room.

"Greetings, Elder Li!" Warm Man said as he walked into the room with Replacement, smiling and nodding at the old man beside the burly guard. Qi Chen followed suit, standing a bit awkwardly.

His gaze, however, was drawn irresistibly to Elder Li—the Administrator who had always been described in such glowing terms by Warm Man. The soul of City Three, Li Taixing.

...

"Come, take a look," Elder Li said with a chuckle, stepping out from beside Yan Yan. He had the appearance of a kind, neighborly old man; his back was straight, his hands clasped behind him, and he showed no signs of being a man nearing seventy. Even in the era before the fog descended, Li Taixing would have been considered remarkably robust.

Seeing the two Anomalous Walkers who had come from City Three to provide support, Elder Li showed no airs of a Chief Administrator. He cheerfully picked up two plump oranges from a nearby table and handed one to each of them.

"Thank you for your hard work. Have an orange first, and let Yan Yan explain the situation to you."

Qi Chen felt quite flattered. Elder Li’s approachability was beyond his expectations—it was as if the lord of the city were personally offering him fruit. While he stood there stunned, Warm Man had already peeled his orange and popped a slice into his mouth.

"So sweet! As expected of an orange from Elder Li!"

"Ahem!" Qi Chen coughed awkwardly, realizing that his estimation of Warm Man's lack of shame had been far too conservative. The more he observed, the more he realized the vast difference between this guy’s appearance and his true character.

As they pondered, the burly man in the military-green jacket, who stood well over six feet tall, began to explain the situation regarding this anomalous event.

"The abnormalities they are currently exhibiting are not yet fatal. According to our threat assessment, they don't even reach the 'Community' level. As for the specific manifestations... it appears they have all lost control over a certain part of their bodies."

After speaking, Yan Yan gave a signal to Replacement, who walked over to one of the medical beds.

"This is the first person from the task force to experience this. His symptom is that his heart goes on strike periodically."

"Huh?" Qi Chen and Warm Man looked at each other, confused. If the heart goes on strike, wouldn't the person be dead?

Replacement explained further, "This strike of his isn't a loss of function. According to the doctors' examinations, his heart is perfectly normal. However, after working continuously for two hours, it just stops on its own, as if it’s tired of working... as if it’s slacking off."

After describing this officer's symptoms, Replacement moved to another patient, looking helpless. "His problem lies in his ears and mouth. He can't hear a word we say, but his eardrums and related nerves have tested fine. Later, we discovered... if we curse at him, he can hear it, and then he opens his mouth to curse back."

Seeing the dark lines of frustration on Replacement's forehead, Qi Chen could guess that he had likely been on the receiving end of a very colorful tongue-lashing.

"And this one..."

"No need to say it! We can see it!" Warm Man interrupted, not even waiting to swallow the slice of orange in his mouth.

There was no helping it; the tent-like protrusion under the officer’s pants said it all. To say it aloud would simply be indecent. The officer in question was bright red, unable to speak, and with his limbs restrained, he could only shut his eyes tightly as if resigned to his fate.

Unexpectedly, Warm Man quipped, "Brother, you've got potential. When you get back to the city, find a woman in her fifties or sixties to talk to; it might help your future."

Qi Chen glanced cautiously at Elder Li, only to see him casting a thoughtful look at Warm Man. *Hiss...* It looks like someone is going to have to write a formal apology letter when they get back.

"What about the Mayor of Yellowstone Town?" Qi Chen asked.

Replacement walked over to the final bed, staring with pity at the person who was wrapped the most tightly and emitting muffled whimpers from behind a gag.

"This," he said, "is the Mayor."