"Sir, I've been infected by the parasite."

Perhaps it was seeing Zhang Can turn into that form and still be able to speak like a normal person.

When the man said this, Cheng Ye was not particularly surprised.

"But I've sought out the Wish Grass voluntarily for infection, it's harmless, you don't need to worry!"

Wish Grass?

Cheng Ye felt a stir in his heart, then opened the quarantine door, signaling the man to drive in.

This is an extremely special source of infection, not uncommon in the Wasteland, where it's possible to find clusters of hundreds of plants in the wild.

After crushing it and soaking it in hot water until the water turns black, taking a sip will induce the Wish Grass infection.

Once infected, no matter how severe the injuries, the Wish Grass will maintain human normalcy.

Until forty-eight hours later, or... the wish is fulfilled, the host will immediately die without any chance of rescue.

Even more peculiar, according to the inspector's manual, the wish of a person infected must be positive.

If negative thoughts are involved, like wanting to eliminate an enemy, the Wish Grass would not work; instead, it would turn into a toxin.

In summary, after the outbreak of the S-4 virus, this is one of the rare plants that retains special abilities.

Rather than a source of infection, it's more like an Extraordinary plant with its potency reduced innumerable times.

The man's eyebrows also matched the characteristics of Wish Grass, but Cheng Ye had never seen it and did not think in this direction.

"Thank you for your understanding."

The short man drove the car inside, bowing respectfully to Cheng Ye, then took out a piece of black-green stone from a leather pouch at his waist.

About the size of a baby's fist, its surface glistened with a dim shine.

"Sir, this is a piece of Extraordinary Ore, earned by our squad at the cost of our lives!"

What?

Extraordinary Ore?

Cheng Ye's eyes immediately locked onto the stone, his pupils slightly contracted.

"They are all dead, and so am I." The short man's voice trembled, yet carried a peaceful resignation. "But I am always cautious; every time I go adventuring, I hide a sprig of Wish Grass in my bag, just for this moment!"

"Sir, sir!"

As he spoke, he suddenly burst into tears and kneeled heavily on one knee, "I can feel it, my wish is about to be fulfilled—this is the wish of all our 'Merry Boots' squad. Our families are still in the Buffer Zone, they... are still waiting for us to return."

The man fished out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, with half a page of names scrawled in messy handwriting.

"We are willing to donate 70% as compensation to the inspection station." He raised the paper high, his voice pleading, "Please, in light of our efforts to bring back the square brick transport vehicle even in death, distribute the remaining 30% of the benefits to those still alive on this list."

Wow.

Everything happened too suddenly; Cheng Ye had never faced such a situation.

During the man's speech, delicate green shoots began sprouting from his body.

Almost with each word he said, the shoots grew madly, and in no time, tender blades of grass emerged across his body, cheeks, and arms, as though the man was being devoured by a plant from within.

"I, Cheng Ye, promise to fulfill your request."

Almost instinctively, Cheng Ye stood up, their eyes locking suddenly.

The man's left eyeball had been punctured by the green shoots, but his remaining right eye shone with intense gratitude.

Thud.

He fell heavily to the ground, his mouth barely opening and closing, squeezing out the last breath of life.

"Cheng... Chief Cheng, please... help... thank the bureau... Director Willie!"

"We, let him, down..."

Before the words were finished, the last tender shoot sprouted from his brow.

Under Cheng Ye's gaze, the shoot's color quickly faded, turning from fresh green to withered yellow in an instant.

Then, the yellow turned ashen gray, and as a gentle breeze blew, it scattered like ashes, drifting into the sky to an unknown destination.

Faintly, a chorus of sighs echoed.

Everyone in the queue outside Quarantine Zone A, both drivers and passengers, got out of their vehicles simultaneously.

Everyone placed their right fist heavily on their chest, looked up, and gave a solemn farewell with their gaze to the ashes of the man, until that grayish-black cloud completely vanished in the wind.

This world.

Some people disregard all rules, exploiting every opportunity solely for maximum profit.

But there are also those who exhaust their last breath, even at the end, fulfilling their promises.

Cheng Ye's gaze stayed fixed on the stone left on the ground and the intact Big Golden Cup, as waves surged in his heart.

He suddenly understood why the Big Golden Cup in the supply exchange was so expensive, so costly that even a third-class merit could not exchange for it. Even the cheapest version required nearly ten thousand points to purchase and drive out of the Buffer Zone.

Yet so many cash-strapped caravans could own such a vehicle and dare to drive it into the Wilderness.

Why?

Because even if it cost their lives, they would bring that car back!

That belief, more precious than gold, and that promise, firmer than stone, have transcended the value measured by contribution points and third-class merits.

And these are the true foundations supporting Happiness City, ensuring it stands unshaken in the Wasteland!

...

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