He couldn't help but pick up the item to examine it:

The soft alloy was severely corroded, the model was small, clearly meant for a child just starting to undergo modification, and there was black residue not yet fully decomposed in the crevices.

The scan results showed some kind of sugar-containing mixture.

[Mission Objective Updated:]

[Go to Whistle Community and find Qiao. (Not Achieved)]

John knew a kid from the Whistle Community.

Baseball Bat.

He was an online friend of Gino and Tinfoil, a member of the Wanderer Alliance, considered a very talented young hacker, and one of the first on the internet to uncover the Pandora serum clues.

He re-hid the Black Spider and equipment, and to be safe, he didn't keep the Special Inhibitor on him—Internet Surveillance had eyes everywhere in the city, and without Eden's protection, the consequences of carrying evidence could likely be deadly.

[Eden City-Whistle Community]

Baseball Bat was wearing a loose hoodie today.

This kid with Columbia blood welcomed John in an adult manner, introducing him to friends nearby, a stark contrast to when he was knocked out and kidnapped before.

He had a natural confidence in this community, and the wild-looking metal accessory on his earlobe was even shinier than usual.

After some small talk, John brought up wanting to find someone named Qiao.

Baseball Bat was a bit surprised but went ahead with the introductions.

"He's a pure American, uh, that skin color is quite rare in Whistle Community. He used to be a Wanderer and has a good relationship with the administrator. Now he sometimes substitutes at the community school."

"Is he a hacker?"

"Probably not. Doesn't have any hacker equipment, mostly talks about useful survival skills, like how to fight on the streets, how to keep oneself alive when injured, that sort of thing."

"Wow~"

John showed slight surprise.

Eden City had many communal areas like the Whistle Community, where groups with common traits huddled together for warmth.

He saw graffiti of varying styles.

Various modified South American strongmen crossed their arms and positioned themselves around buildings, watching John with wary eyes.

Baseball Bat led him to the community administrator's residence.

This house was no different from others, in fact, the frequent comings and goings had severely damaged the steps, and the lawn had turned into uneven muddy ground.

There was a row of stalls in front of the door.

Adults and children lined up obediently:

Among them were tattooed bald men, heavily modified mechanical addicts, women dressed in mesh fetish wear, foul-mouthed kids, and thin-bodied hacker junkies…

"Today is candy distribution day, a community welfare event."

Baseball Bat introduced to John, pointing at the large pink block on the stall.

[Food: Mexican Cane Sugar]

[Ingredients: Synthetic Honey, Lemon Concentrate, Cane Juice, etc.]

Roaring came from inside the administrator's house.

An old, skinny man with a wrinkled face complained as he walked out.

"The idea of books is really too stupid, even if you're the most trusted teacher in the community. The funding is limited, obviously, it can be replaced by chips with higher information storage!"

He wore an old olive-green uniform, like a boy scout who hadn't left the team willingly even at eighty.

Baseball Bat said that was the administrator.

The respected elder of the Whistle Community, not even the most vicious criminal dared offend him on this land.

Soon after, a girl followed him out.

She wore a biker jacket, with oil stains on her grey T-shirt, appeared slightly strong, but her height and build, paired with her brown long hair, were flawless.

"That's Qiao."

"Huh?"

John was a bit stunned.

Qiao, who had chased after the administrator, spoke with a magnetic voice, like a sexy radio host.

Her tone, however, was very assertive.

"Traditional books have meaning. The kind of education relying on electronic components will ruin young people; physical items carry a sense of heritage, that kind of atmosphere unites us."

Qiao was still vocalizing her theories.

The administrator couldn't outargue her and had to look for a printing factory, to see if any small workshops were willing to take the job.

Qiao took a puff from her e-cigarette, ready to leave.

Baseball Bat timely stood in her way.

Qiao kept her brow furrowed, exhaled a puff of smoke, then squinted her eyes and laughed.

"Wow, John."

"OK, I'm getting used to this feeling now, it wouldn't be surprising if you suddenly called me."

John shrugged, skipping the hassle of introducing himself.

Qiao stood with a rough posture, paying no mind to the privacy of her ample chest—her tight T-shirt stretched to the limit, even exposing the tattoos around her navel.

John noticed the Damascus emblem.

"Do you know Nando?"

"Used to, but I've left the family for a while now. I heard he's doing well, most must be newcomers, not many keep in touch with me."

"Why did you leave the camp?"

"Wow, that's a bit intrusive, John, even though I've heard your stories from old friends, everyone has some privacy, right?"

Qiao patted Baseball Bat's head.

She went to the administrator, reached out for a piece of candy to hand directly to Baseball Bat, as a reward for leading the way.

Some in the queue shook their heads.

But no one said a word.

Qiao removed her volunteer service vest badge and returned it to the administrator, then began strolling along the community paths with John.

"What do you want with me?"

"I received a special commission; you might have a clue."

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