Chapter 49: A Peculiar Ability and a Troubled Call Home

“Disparity, you ask? To be honest, I truly wouldn’t know, as my stay there was remarkably brief. Yet, from what little I observed, their civilization hardly seemed as advanced as ours. I’d venture to say it still languishes in a medieval state.”

After all, Liu Xingluo’s time in that world was confined solely to the desert landing zone and the imperial palace where the princesses resided.

As for any other regions, she had neither visited them nor possessed any knowledge of them.

However, based on her observations within that palace, the Evolved Beasts’ civilization appeared to be rather rudimentary, certainly not as modern as humanity’s.

“I see. So, their civilization remains in a medieval state, then. Hmm, thank you. Though the information is sparse, it’s still quite useful. I’ll report it to my superiors.”

“Oh, and by the way, I realize it’s a bit late to ask now, but I must. After fusing with the Evolved Beast, was it only your physical attributes that were enhanced? Did you gain any other abilities?”

Both Superhumans and Evolved Beasts, while possessing formidable physical prowess, also command unique abilities of their own.

Thus, it stood to reason that Liu Xingluo, upon fusing and becoming a half-Evolved Beast, would have acquired the abilities inherent to that particular Evolved Beast.

“You’re only asking me about this now, are you? Of course, I have abilities, but mine are… a bit peculiar.”

Liu Xingluo’s ability allowed her to extract and materialize the powers of slain Evolved Beasts, storing them for later use.

When needed, she could retrieve and decompose a stored ability, transforming her right hand into the corresponding part of the Evolved Beast’s body to wield its original power.

The drawback, however, was that each extracted ability could only be used once, necessitating judicious and cautious application to avoid squandering them.

“Extracting and materializing Evolved Beast abilities?! This is the first I’ve ever heard of such a power!”

Having heard Liu Xingluo’s explanation, Li Bai immediately grew animated with excitement.

Such an ability was unprecedented among both Superhumans and Evolved Beasts.

If her power proved genuine, Liu Xingluo’s utility would extend far beyond mere combat; it might even allow for the analysis of her abilities to further develop new weaponry against Evolved Beasts.

“Huh? Is my ability really that rare? I thought there might be other Superhumans with similar powers.”

Given the sheer number of Superhumans and their myriad abilities, Liu Xingluo had simply assumed there would be at least a few with powers akin to her own.

To discover she was the sole possessor of such a gift was unexpected… though, considering her unique fusion with an Evolved Beast, having such a distinctive ability made perfect sense.

“Indeed, your ability is exceedingly rare. In any case, I’ve already documented it in my report. Do you have anything else you’d like to add?”

“If not, I’ll submit it today, and after reviewing it, the higher-ups will decide which city to assign you to.”

“No, that’s all. But could I borrow your phone for a moment? I’d like to update my sister on my situation.”

“My phone? That’s not really convenient. It contains a lot of confidential information. Would a public phone suffice?”

Li Bai, after all, held the rank of a department head, and individuals at her level inevitably possessed knowledge of matters not meant for public consumption.

Thus, lending out her personal phone was generally out of the question, even for Liu Xingluo, who was now a government-managed Superhuman.

“A public phone? That works too.”

After all, she merely needed to call her sister and explain the situation; simply connecting would be enough.

She hoped her sister wasn’t currently at work, or she would have no choice but to await a return call.

–Hello, is this Xiaoluo? Why have you changed numbers again, and on a landline this time?–

Knowing Liu Xingluo didn’t have her phone on her, Liu Ruyan, upon answering the call, surmised with eighty percent certainty that it was her utterly troublesome younger brother calling her.

–Oh, Sister, something’s come up on my end. That’s why I’m calling to tell you all about it.–

–Sister, it seems you might be the only one left at home from now on. While you’re still young, you should really hurry and find a boyfriend.–

–Wait, what do you mean? What do you mean I’ll be the only one at home from now on? Where are you going?–

From Liu Xingluo’s words, it sounded as if she had no intention of returning home in the future. How could that be allowed?

–Me? I haven’t quite decided where I’m going yet. It’s just that I’ve started eating the ‘national meal’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to working for the government or a state-owned enterprise, implying stable employment and benefits). So, Sister, there’s no need to worry about me.–

–Go on and enjoy your life properly; find a good boyfriend and fall in love.–

Listening to Liu Xingluo’s words, Liu Ruyan was utterly bewildered.

‘Had this kid brother of hers (TL Note: Referring to Liu Xingluo, who is biologically female but often addressed as a younger brother by Liu Ruyan, reflecting a common narrative trope) finally lost her mind from all the stress? She seemed completely abnormal right now.’

‘And what exactly did ‘national meal’ mean? What on earth had she done to end up working for the government? No, Liu Ruyan had to get to the bottom of this.’

–Xiaoluo, calm down for a moment. Can you please tell me properly what exactly happened on your end? The way you’re talking, I’m completely lost, I have no idea what you’re saying.–

–*Cough, cough*. Alright, then. I’ll explain it properly to you, Sister. The truth is, it’s like this…–

She succinctly recounted to Liu Ruyan the tragic tale of how she had inadvertently severed someone’s hand, incurred a six million debt, and was ultimately compelled to ‘sell herself’ to the government, pledging her life in service to offset the colossal sum.

–Xiaoluo. I was only gone for a single day, and you’ve managed to stir up such a massive mess? You truly are a magnet for trouble, aren’t you?–

Rubbing her temples, Liu Ruyan found herself at a complete loss for words, unable to even begin to articulate her exasperation over the day’s misfortunes that had befallen her younger brother (TL Note: Referring to Liu Xingluo, who is biologically female but often addressed as a younger brother by Liu Ruyan, reflecting a common narrative trope).

First, she had ventured into the Evolved Beast world, only to narrowly escape back.

Then, by accidentally severing her teammates’ hands, she was forced to take responsibility, joining the government and securing a ‘national meal’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to working for the government or a state-owned enterprise, implying stable employment and benefits).

Just three days prior, Liu Xingluo had been living a perfectly ordinary life alongside her.

–I didn’t want any of this, Sister. But who knew I’d be so unlucky these past few days, encountering so many unforeseen events.–

–Barring any further surprises, I’ll likely be assigned to a remote location, frequently battling Evolved Beasts. It seems I won’t be returning home for the foreseeable future.–

–Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll *never* come back. If I ever get a vacation, I’ll definitely come home to see you, Sister.–

–*Sigh*. Rather than waiting for you to visit me, I’d sooner come see you when I have the time.–

–More than that, I’m quite worried about you. Can you truly handle it? This job of fighting Evolved Beasts.–

–You, who clenches your teeth in pain just from a simple injection—won’t you burst into tears on the spot if an Evolved Beast hits you?–

–There’s no need to worry, Sister. I am a man, after all (TL Note: Liu Xingluo identifies as male despite having a female body, a common trope for transmigration characters). Fighting Evolved Beasts? I can absolutely handle it.–

Though her current body was that of a girl, the fact that her heart was that of a man would never change!

‘It was just fighting Evolved Beasts, wasn’t it? She had fought them before, so what was there to fear!’

‘Mere Evolved Beasts—she’d tear them apart with her bare hands!’

–Oh, you’re quite bold, considering you can’t even stomach onions.–

–Alright, then, I won’t worry about you anymore. But do contact me once you’ve settled in over there. I’ll come visit you when I have some free time.–

–Okay.–