Chapter 177: The Role of an Ability User’s Crystal Core
Kill Tan Yong!
Ability users have crystal cores?
Su Tao was utterly shocked, unable to recover for a long time.
Meng Qian, noticing her lack of response, called out in confusion, “Boss Su? Is there something wrong with the list?”
Su Tao snapped out of it and shook her head. “No, nothing. How has your father been these past few days?”
Meng Qian smiled. “The first two days were tough for him, but last night, it was like he suddenly figured things out. He wrote up this list and even went to meet Director Qi this morning. He’s officially joined the Security Department now.”
Su Tao nodded. “And you? I still see some red inside your mouth from time to time.”
Meng Qian shrugged casually. “It hurts a little, but it’s nothing serious. I can’t just stop talking, right? I’m not that delicate—it’ll pass in a few days.”
Su Tao admired her resilience and told her in detail about three different job opportunities and their requirements.
“Which one interests you?”
Meng Qian’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I can work in Taoyang too?”
“Of course. You can take some time to think about it or discuss it with your father before deciding. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the work—someone will train you.”
Meng Qian’s eyes lit up. If her legs weren’t still recovering, she would have jumped with excitement.
“Boss Su, I never expected this! My father and I have caused you so much trouble, yet you’re still giving us the chance to stay and work. I… I can’t believe it. Am I dreaming?”
Su Tao chuckled. “Go back and sit quietly for a while. If it still feels like a dream, you can come find me later—I won’t go back on my word.”
Meng Qian laughed and then firmly declared, “I’d like to choose administrative management.”
“Are you sure? Our planner, Mr. Mei, is highly knowledgeable and professional.”
Meng Qian hesitated before replying shyly, “I don’t have any talent for drawing, so I don’t want to trouble the professor. Besides, I’d personally prefer to work by your side…”
Su Tao agreed immediately. “Then welcome aboard! Come to the Taoli Building tomorrow after 9 AM to meet Manager Zhuang and me.”
After seeing Meng Qian off, Su Tao couldn’t stop thinking about the ability user crystal cores. She quickly called Shi Zijin.
“You’re near Qingpeng River, right?”
Qingpeng River was a defensive line shared by five major bases, including Dongyang, Shou’an, and Yuncang.
Shi Zijin answered immediately, sensing her urgency.
“We got delayed for two days but are almost there. What’s wrong?”
Su Tao bit her lip and asked, “Do ability users also have crystal cores?”
Silence.
A suffocating silence.
Su Tao felt uneasy. “So it’s true?”
Shi Zijin took a deep breath. “How did you find out? This is Hekang Base’s top research secret. Changjing Base has even ordered a complete information blackout on this.”
“Did someone tell you?”
Su Tao hesitated. “…No, I figured it out from another source. What’s the difference between an ability user’s crystal core and a zombie’s?”
After a moment of silence, Shi Zijin said gravely, “Su Tao, this is serious. You must not spread this information.”
“I swear I won’t tell a soul.”
Shi Zijin sighed. “Yes, ability users have crystal cores. And if you absorb their energy, you can temporarily acquire that person’s ability. The duration varies—it could be as short as two to three minutes or as long as three days.”
Su Tao was dumbfounded.
That’s terrifying!
Shi Zijin’s voice was stern. “The news that crystal cores can help ability users evolve has already leaked, and it’s driving people insane. Within two weeks, there will be a surge of people hunting evolved zombies, risking their lives for it.”
“Killing zombies is one thing. But if people find out that their fellow humans contain something even more valuable than an evolved zombie’s core, it will be a disaster.”
Su Tao felt a chill crawl up her spine.
She had already guessed something when the system issued the hidden mission.
But she hadn’t expected human crystal cores to be even rarer than zombie cores!
Even if it only granted temporary powers, in certain situations, that could be a life-saving miracle.
It was like being able to wield multiple abilities at once, drastically enhancing both survival and combat capabilities.
Was this yet another cruel “gift” from the second apocalypse? A way to make humans kill each other?
She felt sick. “I understand. I won’t breathe a word of this.”
“Good.”
After hanging up, Su Tao remained unsettled. She chugged half a bottle of ice-cold soda to calm herself, then called Jiang Yu to accompany her to the gate to meet Hekang’s people.
“Dad, do we really have to go? It’s too hot, and we just want to stay in the guesthouse. Besides, how much better can Taoyang be compared to this place? It doesn’t make a difference.”
Ji Caizhe complained as he took a big gulp of cold soda, sighing in satisfaction.
To be fair, Dongyang’s guesthouse was quite nice—it had air conditioning and unlimited soda. He was too comfortable to bother moving.
Ji Boda was furious. “You have to go! You need to learn how to handle business negotiations. If we can establish a deal with Taoyang, we’ll gain plenty of benefits.”
Ji Caizhe still resisted. “You’re the base leader, isn’t that enough? Why do I need to learn?”
Ji Boda’s expression darkened. “Get up. I won’t repeat myself.”
Ji Caizhe, knowing his father’s temper, reluctantly got in the car, sulking the entire way. He had no interest in this Taoyang place—he just wanted to go back to the guesthouse and enjoy the AC.
Su Zhenglan had been lurking near Taoyang for a week but still hadn’t seen Su Tao leave the compound.
Just as he was about to give up, she finally appeared—standing at the gate as if waiting for someone!
Su Zhenglan’s heart pounded. If he didn’t find work soon, he would be completely out of options.
His money was running out, and he had nowhere to stay. The scorching weather was unbearable…
Just as he rushed forward, a business van pulled up at Taoyang’s entrance. Five men and women stepped out.
But Su Zhenglan didn’t care about them. The moment he saw Su Tao, she was like the last lifeline in his desperate struggle. Red-eyed, he charged toward her.
Jiang Yu reacted first. In a flash, he moved through the shadows along the wall and appeared in front of Su Zhenglan, kicking him to the ground.
“Who are you? What are you trying to do?”
Su Tao had just been about to shake hands with Ji Boda when the commotion erupted. Everyone turned to look.
Su Zhenglan, wincing in pain, struggled to lift his head and pleaded, “Little sister… help me.”
Little sister?
Jiang Yu froze.
Ji Boda and the others were equally stunned.
This disheveled, skeletal vagabond was Boss Su’s older brother?!
