Chapter 9 Departure

Perhaps because it was the first time he had swallowed an object as large as a ping-pong ball,

perhaps because the forthcoming event would determine life or death,

or perhaps it was the sensory enhancement brought by the small flesh ball,

Yi Chen could distinctly feel the digestion happening between his stomach walls,

The crystalline surface, round like an embryo, bubbled and decomposed continuously under the erosion of stomach acid... These digested surfaces transformed into nutrients absorbed by the stomach,

eventually exposing the pathological material within the core of the crystal,

a "green striped body" somewhere between a worm and root,

entered the intestines via the mouth, and was ultimately broken down and absorbed by digestive enzymes and bile in the intestines, flowing into the bloodstream.

In an instant,

Yi Chen's entire bloodstream turned a fluorescent green,

and the structure of the blood vessel walls began undergoing a plant-specific 'secondary growth,' akin to embedding vascular bundles within the blood vessels,

The whole process was incredibly painful as if it was trying to peel the blood vessels and other tissues from each other,

far exceeding the intense pain he had felt when his foot was pierced and withdrawn,

Just as his consciousness was about to be scattered by this pain,

the essence of the pathological transformation within the blood officially penetrated deep into the brain, leading his thoughts to a peculiar memory.

This was a discontinuous signal memory stored between plant cells,

With Yi Chen's brain integrating and processing it, it was finally projected into the memory area for an 'immersive experience.'

He could feel a tree going through the whole process of seed germination, seedling growth, and trunk formation.

Experiencing the roots growing downwards, sucking moisture from deep within the soil, and forming a symbiotic structure with the bacteria in the soil.

Feeling the distinctive photosynthesis of plant cells, breathing in the carbon dioxide from the air.

Experiencing periodic transformations—primary growth and secondary growth, establishing a complete, robust plant system, becoming an unnoticed guardian in the cemetery.

Until finally being infected by an unknown pathogen, transforming through mimicry into a living corpse.

What Yi Chen did not know was that, while he was reliving the plant memory,

his real body in the operating room was undergoing bizarre changes,

Emerging from the pores, nascent green stems grew out through the cuff, collar, or waistband of his clothes.

Wriggling filaments sprouted from the corners of his mouth, nostrils, and ear canals,

his dilating pupils turned green, constantly shrinking and expanding abruptly.

It was unknown how long this state lasted,

but when the browsing of memories ended, and his thoughts returned to reality,

"Did I survive?"

Yi Chen quickly checked his whole body and found no structures of bark or branches (they had already retracted into his body)... His body was the same as before, only he vaguely felt his physical condition seemed slightly improved.

The Cemetery's manager, Mr. Wilbert, displayed a satisfied grin,

"I knew you could do it."

He seemed to have anticipated that Yi Chen would survive

and brought unprocessed, raw vegetables prepared in advance,

Upon seeing the vegetables, Yi Chen had a déjà vu, a sensation like a vagrant spotting a luxurious feast, and he voraciously ate up five or six pounds of it without any concern for appearances.

During the meal,

the wounds caused from the skirmish with the living corpses were healing at a visible rate, and the fluff provided by the small flesh ball was also being covered by new flesh.

Yi Chen muttered, "My body... has undergone some changes."

The manager explained, "Exactly, you have perfectly accepted the 'Pathological Traits' within the crystal. As for what specific changes your body has undergone, you will need to explore them yourself.

Once you officially become a member of the organization, you will be able to search in detail for these traits."

With that,

the manager took out a particular metal business card from his pocket, entirely silver.

The back was embossed with the logo of organization G&D,

and the front displayed 'Seven-Day' in a flowing italic, representing the current location, the Seven-Day Cemetery.

While handing over the card, he also said:

"Since you've met the 'requirements,' the little guy on your shoulder is also yours to keep."

One thing to note, if anyone asks about the origins of this little fellow, you can choose to ignore them.

If necessary, just show this business card, it can save you a lot of trouble.

The world has become infected,

Even intact creatures have become suspicious by nature, it's best to avoid trouble when traveling alone."

"Thank you."

As Yi Chen was taking the card, Wilbert suddenly remembered an important matter.

"It seems I've started guiding you to join the organization without asking about your own will.

Let us start over... Would you like to be a member of the organization?

If you're not very keen on the idea or somewhat resistant, you can continue to stay working in the cemetery, and you will receive a generous salary once the contract period is met."

Yi Chen answered without any hesitation:

"I want to see the outside world."

"Very good.

Tomorrow at noon, go to the eastern exit of the town.

Show the coachman the business card, and he will naturally take you to the area related to the organization."

Saying this, the manager tossed over a small linen bag filled with heavy coins,

"These are your overdue salary for these few months and a special bonus for this event.

Since your work clothes were damaged in battle,

before you leave, remember to visit the highest-grade clothing store in Easton Town... Show the card to the owner, and she will make you a set of quality clothes that fit your identity.

The organization has certain requirements for a person's dress and appearance.

Don't discard the gentlemanly etiquette you learned at the orphanage... Elegant habits can effectively shield the mind from pathological influences."

"Understood. But..."

Yi Chen looked reluctantly at the silver-plated hand axe in his hand which was exquisitely made and offered notable effects in warding off infection.

The manager waved his hand,

"Take this basic weapon from the organization's craftsmen and the specially made long-lasting kerosene lamp with you. The journey to the organization will not be smooth, and both a light source and a sharp weapon are essential."

"Thank you."

With little time left until the next morning,

Yi Chen said his goodbyes and then returned to the cabin to sleep and rest.

When the sparse sunlight passed through the layers of mist, squeezing through the narrow gaps between branches and leaves into the cemetery,

the young man, carrying a kerosene lamp and hand axe at his waist, gave a deep bow to Grave No. 7 and then set off on his journey...

In contrast,

at the entrance of Grave No. 7,

Cemetery Manager Wilbert watched the young man's departing figure with crow-like eyes, piercing through the cemetery's buildings and trees, his lips twitching slightly,

seemingly very reluctant to part with a certain 'item' the young man had taken.

It was not the high-quality crystal extracted from among the corpses,

but an important product of the cemetery, a small meatball sticking on Yi Chen's shoulder.

"I wonder if such costly investment would prove worthwhile.

The 'Consciousness Maturity' from the Nameless Graveyard hasn't appeared for over a hundred years, has it?

And now it coincidentally appears alongside a potential who could kill the living dead and accept the crystal.

Coincidence? Or some kind of synchronicity?

Nevermind... Let's call it a bold gamble."

Yesterday, during the conversation with Yi Chen, the manager intentionally did not elaborate on this little meatball, merely mentioning it briefly as a 'pet', 'a product of the cemetery.'

What Yi Chen didn't know was,

the division of the cemetery, corresponding not only to different forms of bodies, rule management, and types of tombstones,

but also the significance of the numeration from 1 to 6.

As the number increases, the cycle for the cemetery's yield of corresponding 'products' will dramatically increase, as will the complexity and danger of the bodies buried therein.

This means,

those buried in Grave No. 6, nameless and of unknown origins, the 'Nameless Strange Corpses', are the most dangerous.