Chapter 18: The Millennium Mutation

On December 21, 2000, in the Western calendar, scientific research institutes across various countries simultaneously reported the same phenomenon—multiple unidentified high-energy light sources were detected in Blue Star’s near-Earth orbit.
These mysterious light sources passed through the near-Earth orbit at the speed of light, then vanished without a trace.

At the time, the phenomenon ignited widespread discussion in the scientific community, with countless theories emerging.
However, no one could have imagined how profound an impact this event would have on the future of humanity—nor did they expect the consequences to arrive so swiftly.

Before the world could react, the long-standing peace was shattered by a world-shaking cataclysm.

First, vast amounts of high-energy matter began to accumulate on the surface of Blue Star.
Scientists later named this material Odegaard ore.

At the same time, various animal species began to mutate after exposure to this high-energy substance.

According to eyewitness records, the first animal to show signs of mutation was a carnivorous predator known as the Tiberian Snow Tiger.
After mutation, the flesh of the Tiberian Snow Tiger hardened, and in cases of advanced mutation, it was no exaggeration to describe them as having steel bones and iron flesh.

Their body size also underwent gigantification.
Mildly mutated individuals became one size larger, while severely mutated tigers nearly doubled in size.

Soon after, other tiger subspecies exhibited the same mutation characteristics.

For research convenience, the academic community grouped these creatures under a new classification: Iron-Toothed Tigers.

But the “Iron-Toothed Tiger” was merely the prelude.

Soon, various other mutated beasts emerged, including the terrifying Corpse Hound—a creature that could continue attacking even after its central nervous system was destroyed.

The appearance of these mutated beasts had a massive impact on the structural stability of human society.

After tens of thousands of years of progress—armed with high-tech weapons like firearms—humanity once again experienced the primal fear of beasts, creatures they thought they had long since domesticated or banished to the wilderness.

Of course, while these changes were terrifying, they weren’t enough to collapse humanity’s foundations.
After all, the world still had firearms and military technology.

What truly made people despair was the cataclysm that came from within.

At the same time that the first mutated beast appeared, humanity itself underwent mutation.

A highly contagious disease called “Hemolysis” began to spread on a massive scale among the human population.

This disease worked similarly to cancer, triggering uncontrolled cell mutations, but it was even more terrifying because it was an incurable genetic disease—and worse, it was highly contagious.

“…The mutated cells, referred to as ‘hemolytic cells,’ possess extraordinary vitality, differentiation ability, and aggressiveness. They continuously self-divide and assimilate healthy cells, infecting surrounding tissues and eventually metastasizing throughout the body.

The early-stage symptoms of Hemolysis include chest tightness, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and extreme fatigue. These symptoms are subtle and often mistaken for the aftereffects of sleep deprivation.

Once the disease progresses to the middle and late stages, patients develop distinct signs—dark, blood-red spots on the skin, bleeding from the five sense organs, and ultimately, organ failure…”

Luo Yan paused on a page illustrating the symptoms.

The image showed a horrifying human figure, covered in red splotches, with blood streaming from the eyes, nose, and ears.
The body was locked in a frozen, agonized expression, eyes wide open from unimaginable pain—an image of visible despair.

“From the earliest stages, Hemolysis exhibited intense contagiousness.
Normally, contagiousness and severity are inversely related in diseases, but Hemolysis broke this rule, becoming an incurable nightmare surpassing cancer.

Hemolysis is mainly transmitted through direct contact and bodily fluids.
The mutated cells excreted from the patient’s body can survive at room temperature for at least 24 hours, and in high-temperature environments of 60–100°C, they can still survive for more than 6 hours.

Fortunately, the disease cannot be airborne transmitted…”

“In the year 2001, that is, after the ‘Millennium Anomaly,’ the world’s order began to collapse day by day. Humanity had to regain its faith and courage to fight against the absurd reality…

A chill crept down Luo Yan’s spine.

High mortality rate. Strong contagiousness.
Either of those factors alone would be terrifying, but Hemolysis had both.

Its destructive power was beyond imagination.

Even though she had not personally lived through that era, she could feel the despair and fear of those times just from the text and images.

What’s more, it wasn’t just the disease—there were also the mutated beasts…

Although she had mentally prepared herself for how harsh this world was after hearing Nico describe it as “a world in ruins,” the sheer cruelty of reality still exceeded her expectations.

“…The interconnected human world was forcibly torn apart by the mutation.

Later scholars divided the world into three environmental zones:
Contaminated Zones, Wastelands, and Order Zones.

The world fell into chaos; nations collapsed.
Under the impact of the global mutation, many countries disintegrated and were left behind as names in the pages of history.

Limited by the new territorial environment, independent cities became the new mainstream social model.

Countries fell apart due to the mutation, but people gathered together again under the banner of shared survival.
Order was rebuilt amidst pain and despair.

Aonan City, too, welcomed its new light.
From that day on, Aonan City became history, and Neo Aonan began a new chapter…”

The next page featured a comparison map of the world before and after the Millennium Anomaly.

Luo Yan studied it carefully.

Many nations had collapsed and disintegrated as a result of the catastrophe.
The global environment had changed drastically, making large countries difficult to sustain—the pressure of maintaining vast borders was too great.

Only a few major powers survived in some form: the Republic of Asia, the Europa Union, the US-Canada Federation, and about twenty medium-sized nations.

Most of the remaining countries had splintered and reorganized into independent cities.

So that’s how the independent city of Neo Aonan came to be…

Luo Yan felt a sudden sense of realization.

Then, her gaze was drawn to the title of the next chapter.

The Light in the Darkness—Ability Users

Here it comes.

Luo Yan took a deep breath and sat up straight, her attention fully focused.

The origin of ability users, and the detailed descriptions of how they came to be—these were the things she most wanted to understand, second only to uncovering this world’s historical background.