The Heartthrob Guide: Dodder of S-Class Sentinels

Chapter 200 Wilderness
In this world, besides the central white tower, there is a local tower in each of the other thirty-six regions.

The local branch towers serve the same function as the central white tower; both release sound wave radiation to resist the intrusion of pollution sources and protect the safety of all life in the area.

However, the world is so vast that there are always some places that the White Pagoda's sound waves cannot reach; these places are usually called "the wilderness."

The wilderness is the most diverse and chaotic place, the boundary between civilization and chaos. Unlike human settlements, it is not clearly defined, nor is it occupied by purely alien species like polluted areas. In the desolate wilderness, where there are few signs of life, some indefinable beings roam year-round.

As soon as the green train entered this area, it activated comprehensive protection. The dilapidated body was covered with a high-level protective shield activated by energy stones. This shield was sufficient to ensure that the entire train could pass through safely.

Lin Nan looked out the window of the car.

Then she slowly saw a magical sight.

In the distance, beneath the hazy sky, countless glowing spores floated, drifting slowly with an eerie rhythm.

These spores seem to be alive, sometimes gathering into a translucent jellyfish-like cap, and sometimes scattering into fine stardust.

They emitted a cold, bluish light and sparked tiny electrical sparks the moment they came into contact with the train's protective shield.

Further away, a large cloud of spores was twisting and deforming, gradually coalescing into a blurry human-shaped outline, but that outline lasted for less than three seconds before disintegrating into millions of points of light.

"Sister, don't look at them for too long," the little boy beside her reminded her. "Those are 'mirage spores,' looking at them too much will cause hallucinations."

But Lin Nan couldn't look away. She clearly saw that a certain spore cluster resembled her childhood home, with even the old wind chime on the porch clearly visible. It was as if the sound of that wind chime would signal that her parents were coming home...

Lin Nan has been here for more than half a year, and she has never cried no matter what happened, but this time she couldn't hold back anymore.

She missed home so much, missed her parents and Lin Nian. Her life ended in a car accident. She died so irresponsibly. She didn't know how sad they would be if they found out.

At least—she should be allowed to say goodbye properly...

The train suddenly entered the tunnel, and darkness swallowed all light and shadow.

In the absolute darkness, Lin Nan finally let the tear fall.

It hit the back of my hand, hotter than the spores outside the window, heavier than the shadows of the tunnel.

In a corner where no one was watching, Number Five peeked out and silently patted her head.

Once the surrounding light returned, Lin Nan had composed herself.

"Kid, you're from District Nine. Do you know a place called 'Rongcheng'?"

“Rongcheng?” The little boy tilted his head. “I’ve never heard of this place.”

"Oh, I see." Lin Nan was disappointed. That's right, even if the location on the map looked similar, more than 500 years had passed, how could anyone still remember?

The massive pollution outbreak that year destroyed the foundation of human civilization overnight, almost wiping out the ancient Blue Star inhabitants.

Those who live on Earth now are survivors who survived the genetic mutations. Humanity stumbled and staggered, eventually evolving into what it is today.

Those humans who failed to complete the transformation were left forever in the contaminated area.

"But this name sounds familiar, like a place name from the ancient Blue Star era. By the way, there's a place called 'Centipede Land' in District Nine, have you heard of it, sister? It's a forbidden area in our area, and the adults never allow us to go there. But I heard my older brother say that a long, long time ago, it was called something like 'Rong'..."

Lin Nan's breath hitched.

"really?"

"I don't know either. Why don't you come home with me and ask my older brother?"

This was the third time this boy had invited her to his house. Lin Nan calmed herself down.

You shouldn't have gone.

Even though she had a very clear answer in her heart, Lin Nan secretly clutched the hem of her clothes. At this moment, her longing for her hometown made her previously unwavering rationality begin to waver for the first time.

[Honey, have you gone into the wild?]

The school told me which bus you took, and I'll pick you up at the terminal station in Zone 9. Come find me as soon as you get off the bus.

Remember, never talk to strangers, and don't feel sorry for ordinary people and casually offer them your sympathy.

Those who still have the ability to travel long distances these days are no pushovers.

[There's been a lot of unrest in District Nine lately, with many young women going missing. Honey, you need to be careful while you're alone...]

【…】

Since Lin Nan's terminal was no longer protected by the White Tower's privacy policy for guides, it has been flooded with countless messages.

The account that posted the most messages was one with a lion head icon.

Lin Nan hesitated for a moment, then sent a brief reply to Caesar.

【okay, I get it. 】

As soon as she sent her message, the other end seemed to be stimulated and kept sending her countless messages.

[Sweetie, did you receive the message?!]

You'll arrive in 10 hours, right? I'm already here waiting for you.

It's getting dark soon. Remember to put on your protective suit. There are quite a few roaming mutants in the wild, and they often launch surprise attacks at night.

Ah, I miss you. We haven't seen each other in so long. When we do see each other, you have to touch me...

[You marked Lan Yin, didn't you? That's not fair. I was the first to discover you, why did you let him get away with it first? Mark me too, I'll be more obedient than him...]

Lin Nan: ...

Seeing that these messages were getting increasingly suspicious, Lin Nan couldn't help but add the lion icon to her blacklist again.

The thought of having to face that madman Caesar in the days to come made her feel utterly exhausted.

"Sister, who is this person sending you so many messages?" The little boy had been observing her the whole time. Although he couldn't see Lin Nan's terminal screen, he knew from the speed at which the messages were scrolling that they were from the same person.

"No, I'm talking to a friend about something."

"Oh. So, sister, do you agree to my suggestion? If you think it's okay, I'll tell my brothers now and have them get ready."

"No, no, thank you for your kindness, but there's no rush. I'll come back to see you in a few days after I've settled in..."

Before Lin Nan could finish saying "you," something suddenly slammed into her brain!
With a "whoosh," she felt dizzy, and then all the strength in her body seemed to be instantly drained away, causing her to slump into the chair.

What happened?

Someone has hacked into her!

(End of this chapter)