Trading Embarrassments

"There's an eighty percent chance that anyone who drinks it will die outright, and only a twenty percent chance they'll achieve the effects the radical protest organization claims."

"However, even after we've published this data, the potion is still sought after by many people. They even call it a 'miracle drug' and will drain their life savings to buy a single bottle."

"At present, the extremists have sold the miracle drug across forty-two states of the Federation."

"Recently, all forty-two states have reported sightings of superhumans. But when other departments investigated these individuals, they discovered that after gaining their abilities, these people lose their sense of self and can't control their power. The beast within them is fully awakened, leaving them with only one thought: to destroy everything they see."

"These superhumans pose a grave threat to the Federation. They've already caused severe damage in various regions, and the lives and property of innocent citizens are in serious jeopardy."

"State Executive Department guards have been deployed across the board to capture the superhumans and the extremists secretly brewing the miracle drug. Unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with superhumans who possess special abilities, the guards are stretched thin, and their casualties are mounting."

"To reduce their own squad's death toll, they often resort to heavy weapons and suppressive fire against the superhumans. Not only does this lead to the deaths of countless innocent civilians, but it also leaves the superhumans' bodies mutilated beyond repair, making them unusable for the Research Institute's dissections."

"So, to minimize unnecessary casualties and to preserve intact specimens—or even capture superhumans alive—the higher-ups have jointly decided to deploy our Pioneer Team."

Xie Zhao's gaze swept the room, pride and satisfaction evident in his voice. "All of you have spent years dealing with anomalous creatures and have extensive experience in this area. Working in coordination with the Executive Department, I'm confident we can resolve these issues quickly."

"The Pioneers who came before you have already completed part of the work. Yesterday, they returned from the forty-two states and headed into the Threshold to carry out their mission. Today, you take over the unfinished task."

Tu Ran inwardly sighed at how efficiently the higher-ups used their time—they wouldn't grant a single day of rest.

"We'll still use random grouping to determine mission locations."

Xie Zhao lowered his head, his fingers swiping across the electronic screen.

"This batch of Pioneers numbers five hundred and eighty-one. Three are confined to the Medical Department with severe injuries and cannot participate in this mission."

"The remaining five hundred and seventy-eight will be divided into forty-two groups. Aside from the Federation Center, each group will have thirteen members. Since the Federation Center has the densest population and the highest sales of the miracle drug there, it will be covered by a group of forty-five."

"The random groupings have been sent to your communicators. Take a look."

A cacophony of dings rang out simultaneously.

Tu Ran looked down.

"Congratulations. Your mission location is the Federation Center, and your team members have been assigned."

Tu Ran's heart lifted—her luck had finally turned.

Being stationed in the Federation Center meant she wouldn't have to travel back and forth, and she could visit Xi Chunzhi every day.

It was the most ideal assignment, better than anywhere else.

Sure enough, she heard the disappointed sighs from those who hadn't been assigned to the Federation Center.

Tu Ran pressed her lips together, her mood light.

She tapped open her team's group chat.

She wanted to see who her teammates were.

Any heavy hitters?

A name jumped out at her.

Though it was the same black font as all the others, Tu Ran spotted it at once.

Zhao Yan!

She was actually on the same team as Zhao Yan!

Tu Ran pressed a hand to her forehead. Couldn't her luck stay good for once?

Now she'd have to constantly keep an eye on whether she was more than ten meters away from Zhao Yan.

Exhausting.

"Alright, the groupings are done. Zero will send out the detailed work assignments shortly. Everyone, go pack your gear and prepare to set off." Xie Zhao stood up, smiling at the crowd.

Tu Ran rose reluctantly and followed the flow of people toward the equipment room.

The equipment room was packed. Those heading to other states scrambled to find their teammates and hastily gather their gear, all the while envying those who could stay in the Federation Center.

Some people were grumbling.

"I was hoping to attend the juniors' graduation party tonight! But no, I got assigned to Tuya State—a round trip takes a whole day. How am I supposed to make it back? I don't know how Zero does the randomization!"

Tuya State was the farthest from the Federation Center; a straight line drawn between them would pass straight through the planet's core.

"Compared to you, I got off easy. A three-hour round trip. I might be able to sneak back, but it depends on how things go over there—if it gets busy, I might not make it back at all."

"Ugh, I envy those staying in the Federation Center."

Tu Ran stood in the corner by the door, waiting for the others to finish packing before she gathered her own gear. She was close by, so there was no rush.

Just as she was getting into eavesdropping on their complaints, she caught sight of Zhao Yan heading her way from the corner of her eye, with Ding Naiqing walking beside him.

She was tucked in the corner with nowhere to hide.

Tu Ran immediately cleared her mind and fixed her gaze on the two of them.

"Ran Jie, what a coincidence—we're both covering the Federation Center group!" Ding Naiqing's voice was as warm and enthusiastic as ever.

Tu Ran gave a slight nod. "Yeah, what a coincidence."

"We're really lucky." Ding Naiqing stopped in front of her, grinning.

Tu Ran's inner voice: Lucky my ass! This is the worst luck imaginable!

Someone who could hear her inner thoughts: "..."

"Yeah, really lucky," she said aloud.

"Ran Jie, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Yan—he was with us guarding the floor at the Inpatient Building that time. Remember him?" Ding Naiqing grabbed Zhao Yan's arm and introduced him with eager enthusiasm.

Tu Ran cast a blank, expressionless glance at Zhao Yan and gave a brief nod. "I remember. He even complimented me."

"Really?" Ding Naiqing looked at Zhao Yan in surprise, then clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Nice! I didn't know you talked to girls."

Tu Ran had been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed the whole time. At that, she tilted her head up and shot Zhao Yan a teasing look.

Inner voice: Ooh, quite the innocent boy, huh.

Zhao Yan: "..."

"A-Yan, let me properly introduce you too. This is Tu Ran—I call her Ran Jie. You must know her; she's the best one in our batch."

Zhao Yan shot him the same expressionless glance. "Of course I know her. You used to have her photo plastered on your dorm wall, and you'd bow to it before every assessment."

Ding Naiqing's face suddenly flushed crimson. He jabbed Zhao Yan in warning with his elbow, then turned to Tu Ran with an embarrassed look. "...Ahem... Well... Ran Jie, you were my role model back then. I admired—admired you—so that's why I did it."

This round was, unmistakably, a mutual roasting session.