Chapter 47: The Minister’s Offer and an Unexpected Debt

“Well, your escort has arrived. Come in.”

The revolving door swung open, and a white-haired woman wearing glasses stepped inside, her gaze immediately fixing on Liu Xingluo.

‘Hmm, unlike Bailu, while she’s dressed professionally, her attire accentuates her lovely figure, all while exuding the aura of a capable career woman. She’s definitely the competent type!’

As the woman scrutinized her, Liu Xingluo, too, assessed her.

Considering the aura she projected and her impeccably tailored ensemble, Liu Xingluo arrived at this conclusion.

“Her examination is complete; take her to the Minister.”

“I will compile her report shortly and send it to her.”

“Understood. Very well, Liu Xingluo, follow me. I will take you to meet our Minister, who will determine your next course of action.”

“Alright.”

The prospect of meeting such a high-ranking official immediately put Liu Xingluo on edge.

She wondered if this Minister would be an unapproachable type, and how she would be treated if she expressed her unwillingness to take on a Superhuman’s (TL Note: 超能力者, referring to an individual with extraordinary abilities) duties.

“There’s no need to be so tense; you can relax a little more,” the woman reassured her, “Our Minister is a very amiable person.”

“Thank you. I’ll try my best to relax.”

Though told not to be nervous, how could such emotions be easily controlled?

Even as Liu Xingluo consciously took deep breaths to calm herself, she found complete relaxation elusive.

Soon, the woman led Liu Xingluo to a door, verified her identity, opened it, and ushered her inside.

Within the room, another woman was already waiting for their arrival.

“Minister Li, I have brought Liu Xingluo.”

“Ah, thank you for your trouble. You must be Liu Xingluo, correct? I am Li Bai, the Minister responsible for this region—yes, that Li Bai, sharing the same surname and given name as the famous poet. Come, have a seat. We have much to discuss.”

As Li Bai settled into her own sofa, she gestured for Liu Xingluo to take the one opposite her.

The conversation they were about to have promised to be lengthy, and standing was simply not an option.

“Ah, alright.”

Liu Xingluo obediently sat down.

Even though she now knew Li Bai was an amiable person, a flicker of tension still remained within her.

Li Bai was aware of this, but it didn’t concern her; once they began to converse, such minor nervousness would quickly dissipate.

“I’ve already heard about your situation from Bailu, and I understand that you’re not a Superhuman, but rather a human who has merged with an Evolved Beast.”

“Frankly, it’s difficult to categorize you alongside other Superhumans.”

Initially, upon hearing Liu Xingluo’s account, Li Bai had harbored doubts about its veracity.

However, since the doctor’s scan results had conclusively proven Liu Xingluo was indeed a human merged with an Evolved Beast, then no matter how incredible her story seemed, it had to be true.

“Ah, indeed. So, do you intend to place me under house arrest?”

After all, given what she had just said, and the fact that she was still a half-Evolved Beast, it seemed highly improbable they would simply let her walk free.

According to the doctor, there was always a possibility of her losing control, so being confined was almost a certainty.

“How could that be? Even if you’ve merged with an Evolved Beast, you’ve gained immense power while still retaining your sanity, haven’t you? There’s no need to confine you then. Rather, we need someone like you, who has unexpectedly acquired such power. So, Liu Xingluo, would you be interested in becoming like other Superhumans, fighting to protect humanity as a…”

“I apologize, but I’m not interested.”

Before Li Bai could finish, Liu Xingluo flatly rejected her invitation.

As she had stated before, she held no interest in combat; all she desired was to return to a normal, everyday life with her sister.

“You’re quick to refuse, aren’t you? But perhaps you’d consider listening to me first before making a final decision? After all, we don’t expect Superhumans to work for free.”

The government was not so naive as to expect Superhumans to willingly fight Evolved Beasts purely out of a sense of collective honor.

To maximize the recruitment of Superhumans for battle, the government had prepared a comprehensive package of benefits.

These included social insurance and housing provident funds (TL Note: 五险一金, ‘wǔxiǎn yī jīn,’ referring to China’s mandatory social security contributions including pension, medical, unemployment, work injury, maternity insurance, and housing provident fund), allocated housing, priority medical care for family members with all expenses covered by the government, and a three-year maternity leave for those who became pregnant, providing ample time for childbirth and childcare.

And, of course, the most crucial aspect—their salaries—would certainly not be meager.

With such generous benefits on offer, it was only natural that many Superhumans were willing to join the government and fight to protect humanity.

“What you’ve described is certainly tempting. However, I regret to say, I have no need for any of it.”

As for social insurance and housing provident funds, the company where she had successfully interviewed was already providing them.

Allocated housing was entirely unnecessary; while the apartment she and her sister currently shared was small, it was perfectly adequate for their lives together.

Priority medical care for family members with all expenses covered… that was indeed quite appealing.

However, both she and her sister were currently in excellent health, so they had no immediate need for such a benefit.

As for pregnancy and childbirth, this was the most unnecessary of all; ‘I’m a man, after all.’ How could I possibly get intimate with another man and then become pregnant with a man’s child? The mere thought made Liu Xingluo nauseous enough to vomit. ‘What a joke! I’m not gay.’

Regarding salary, Liu Xingluo felt that money was simply something one needed enough of.

While she certainly wished to earn a great deal to provide her sister with a better life, it wasn’t as if this particular path was her only option.

“Is that so? Well then, there’s nothing more to be done. If you’re unwilling, that’s fine; let’s discuss another matter then.”

‘Another matter?’

‘Wasn’t she just here to recruit me? What else could she want to talk about?’ Liu Xingluo felt a surge of confusion.

“Liu Xingluo, when you emerged from the rift, you severed the hands of the Evolved Beast task force members, didn’t you?”

“Ah… that was my companion’s doing. It wasn’t my… fine, blame it on me then.”

After all, Lain had acted on her orders to sever their hands, so taking responsibility for it was acceptable.

But why bring this up now, of all times? Was she expected to pay for their severed hands? But how could she possibly compensate them?

“Indeed. You admit it, then? Let’s continue. Reattaching their hands requires a substantial amount in medical fees—500,000 for a single hand. There were a total of twelve pairs of hands severed, which amounts to a grand total of six million in medical expenses. If you still intend to return to a normal life in society, then these six million in medical fees will have to be your responsibility.”

“Nani?! Ho-how much? Six million?!”

Upon hearing that figure, Liu Xingluo’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Six million—that was six million!

Even if she were to sell herself, it would take countless years to pay that off.

“That’s right, six million. And that figure is even after we’ve already subsidized a portion of it. If you were to carry a debt of six million, life would undoubtedly be arduous, and you’d see no hope, wouldn’t you? But, if you’re willing to join us, it’s not impossible for us to cover that sum for you.”

‘Damn it, no wonder this woman gave up so readily. She had a backup plan prepared for me all along, didn’t she!’

‘I don’t want to join, I really don’t want to join! I just wanted to live an ordinary life with my sister!’

But if she refused, she would be burdened with a six-million debt, and if her sister found out, she would surely collapse.

‘Damn it, isn’t it obvious that I have no choice but to sell myself and join them as a government Superhuman!’

“Say no more, say no more! I’ll join, alright? Where’s the contract? Bring it over, I’ll sign it now.”