The quick station is not extravagant enough to equip each quarantine area with a containment squad.

After more than ten minutes, the isolation doors of Quarantine Area A began sliding open.

A team of eight people, all dressed in custom-made, off-white protective suits resembling modern bomb suits, with honeycomb buffer layers over the joints, walked in.

"So serious?"

He initially thought it would be as "simple" as the Central Inspection Station, haphazardly gathering the infection source and carrying it away.

This formation left Cheng Ye feeling surprised.

At the same time, he noticed that the containment isolation box had also been replaced with a new type.

No longer the common tempered glass container, it was instead a special material box that looked ceramic, embossed with dense anti-permeation patterns on the surface.

"On-duty Inspector?"

The containment team leader stepped forward, a trace of surprise flitting across his eyes when he saw Cheng Ye's face.

Such a young inspector, he looked even younger than the youngest member of the containment squad!

"That's me."

Cheng Ye nodded, directly pulling out his inspector badge.

The other party took it, swiped it across the Defense Communication slot on his arm, and exclaimed, "You're still an Intern Inspector?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"No, just a bit surprised. Unknown infection bodies are usually difficult for even Second-Phase Inspectors to detect. We often come to contain them only after an outbreak."

The containment team leader quickly shook his head. "Hello, Inspector Cheng. I am Qin Feng, a Level 2 Researcher at the Infection Source Research Institute."

"Infection Source Research Institute?"

Cheng Ye was momentarily stunned and immediately recalled the explanation of this term from his memory.

Happiness City has three research institutions.

[Happiness Research Institute]: Oversees the research and development of civil technology, from nutrient paste formulations to water circulation systems.

[United Arsenal]: Specializes in the development of weapons and equipment, including various armed vehicles.

[Infection Source Research Institute]: As the name suggests, monopolizes the research on infected bodies.

Although the administrative levels of these three are equal, their treatment is vastly different.

The Infection Source Research Institute's projects are directly related to human survival, with a level of funding and resource allocation considered exaggerated, and recognized as the "invisible leader" among the three major institutions.

A Level 2 Researcher in this institute has an organizational status equivalent to a Second-Phase Inspector, a full two levels higher than his intern status!

"Since it's an unknown infection source, I need to make a simple research record, which we'll reference later. Is that okay?"

"Go ahead and ask."

"Please describe the entire process from discovery to the killing of the infected body. You can omit how you identified it since I know every inspector has their own methodology. Just talk about the infected body's performance and abilities."

"Hmm..."

Qin Feng's clear boundary created a very comfortable feeling.

Cheng Ye pondered for a moment, intentionally adding information about the deceptive nature of the Rotting Vine's disguise being fire-averse and its ability to learn and evolve after being shot, in addition to its attack pattern.

"Huh?"

Initially dazed, Qin Feng sharply raised his head and his eyes widened under the protective mask, "Are you saying that after it was hit by a bullet, it proliferated denser fibrous tissue around the bullet hole as resistance?"

"I saw it with my own eyes." Cheng Ye first nodded and then added, "But I'm not sure if this is active learning or a biological instinctive reaction."

"Inspector Cheng, please wait for a moment!"

Realizing there might be a significant discovery, Qin Feng immediately turned to signal his team members, "Prepare the sample box. We need to on-site verify this infected body!"

Disguise and learning are not new discoveries; many infection sources exhibit similar traits.

But being able to immediately start learning after being hit, this ability is something seen for the first time.

The eight-person team rushed into the isolation chamber. Cheng Ye instinctively wanted to remind the guards to be vigilant to prevent any accidents.

Unexpectedly, Raven spoke first in a low voice, "Don't worry, sir. Researchers are treasures of the Inner City, and with that 'shell' they're wearing, even if they were to let the infected body chew on them while standing, it might not be able to break through."

"That strong?"

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow, somewhat intrigued.

The Collector can search for items, but he wasn't sure if it could locate these protective suits.

If he could wear this thing on a field assignment, wouldn't his survival odds increase substantially?

Unfortunately, the charging value is depleted, and he has to wait until tomorrow to recharge it.

"But there's no rush; there will be more opportunities in the future."

Cheng Ye calculated inwardly. Almost half an hour later, Qin Feng returned with his team.

When they went in, the containment box was carried by one person, now it was being carried by four, suggesting the containment was successful.

"Inspector Cheng, congratulations, this infection source is top quality, worth three of its kind!"

Qin Feng said, removing his mask to reveal a mature square face.

Seeing Cheng Ye's puzzled look, he suddenly slapped his forehead, "Oh, I forgot, you're still in your intern period and wouldn't know about these things."

"What is Captain Qin referring to?"

"Give me your ID badge. The inspection station has many internal rules, but the research institute doesn't bother with these, there's no restriction on what an intern inspector can know."

Qin Feng's cryptic words left Cheng Ye confused, so he handed over his ID badge.

Qin Feng swiped the badge again on the Defense Communication, then tapped the screen a few times and handed it back.

"Try sticking it on your Defense Communication, and you'll be able to see it."

"Can my Defense Communication device be used too?"

Only devices with special permissions can read the identity badge. Cheng Ye's own Inspector Defense Communication device had been tried before, but it didn't respond at all.

But following Qin Feng's advice, he attempted to stick it on.

The screen of the Defense Communication device suddenly flickered, and it automatically switched to a brand-new interface.

[Module: Happiness City Infection Source Research Institute Task Board]

[Affiliation: Cheng Ye (Intern Inspector)]

[Current Permission Status: Unlocked]

[Current Unlocked Task: Unknown Explorer (S)]

[Unknown Explorer (S): Submit '100' new infection source samples to the Infection Source Research Institute

Current Progress: 3/100

Stage Rewards: 25 (D-level contribution qualification); 50 (C-level contribution qualification); 75 (B-level contribution qualification)]

Completion Reward: 5ml 'Extraordinary' Inducer (Basic version, with a 20% chance to help humans awaken)]

...

"What?"

"Extraordinary Inducer?"

Looking at the text displayed on the Defense Communication screen, Cheng Ye almost shouted out loud.

At this moment, any stage rewards or contribution qualifications became insignificant.

What did he see?

Extraordinary?

Damn, did I see it wrong?

After repeatedly confirming the two words displayed on the Defense Communication screen, it was indeed the Extraordinary he was familiar with.

Cheng Ye felt a rush of blood surging to his head, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably with excitement.

But at the same time, a mix of sudden realization and bewilderment intertwined within him, churning into a tangled mess in his chest.

Because whether it is the books recorded in the Survival Library, or the word of mouth among ordinary people in the Buffer Zone, or even the stories of the wasteland Liu Bi told him from time to time,

Extraordinaries, without exception, all existed only in history.

Since the beginning of the New Era, there has never been any specific record of newly born Extraordinaries.

But...

"Don't be so surprised. Once you pass the internship period, you'll naturally know. Not opening it up now is also a way of protection, as there are always some people who overestimate their own abilities and are easily tempted by benefits to take risks. This kind of thing has happened quite a bit at your inspection station..."

As if guessing Cheng Ye's state of bewilderment, Qin Feng showed no surprise, revealing a subtle smile.

"The inspection station and our research institute are of similar levels, they also have similar tasks."

"Otherwise, why do you think inspectors need to come to the quick inspection station? This place is not good, with a high mortality rate year after year, not to mention the field tasks that require running to dangerous places..."

"The inspection station also has similar tasks?"

Cheng Ye caught a key piece of information and instinctively asked, "Do we have Extraordinaries in Happiness City?"

"Of course, every Shelter City has Extraordinaries, otherwise how would we deal with massive infection waves."

Perhaps seeing Cheng Ye's youth, and the abilities that did not match an Intern Inspector,

Qin Feng patiently explained, "These things don't need to be made too clear to ordinary people, because in their eyes, the rampage of S-4 isn't over yet. Extraordinaries aren't heroes; instead, they might be seen as a curse, a plague."

"If you want... yes, tasks above S-level will reward you with an inducer, with increasing difficulty granting larger doses and better quality."

"Has anyone completed them?"

"Of course..." Qin Feng chuckled, "Nine years ago, someone at your inspection station completed one, but unfortunately, they didn't successfully induce Extraordinary abilities."

Nine years ago?

Sounds like a long time. Cheng Ye no longer pursued the matter, realizing the difficulty from just the timeframe.

"What about this contribution qualification?"

"It's for buying things, many strategic restricted items need it. For example, if you want to buy a spare energy battery for personal use, or modify a combat vehicle, you'll need contribution qualifications."

"Any other questions?"

"None."

Cheng Ye shook his head gently, still digesting the flood of information in his mind.

"None?"

Qin Feng raised his eyebrows, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Above the wasteland, you can only survive by suppressing the desires deep in your heart, only then are you qualified to complete these tasks."

"Your standard rewards will be issued to your personal account in a few days after verification, remember to check it."

"My Defense Communication ID is 16571. If you discover unknown infection sources or new clues related to infection sources in the future, you can contact me. I will settle with you with an additional 10% reward based on the normal standard."

"Thank you."

Cheng Ye took out his Defense Communication device and added the ID as a contact.

Yet, even as he watched the eight figures fade away down the passage, he remained absorbed in thought.

He had thought that the superordinary metamorphosis triggered by S-3 was far away from humanity now, but he didn't expect it to be so close, and even to become a reward visible on the surface.

That once unattainable Extraordinary, was actually... right beside me?

...

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