Chapter 6: Mental Aberrant
Chapter 6: Mental Aberrant
“Mental illnesses can also spread?”
After hearing Chen Jing’s words, Lu Xin thought of his own condition and felt his emotions stir.
“Exactly, this is where the definition of ‘Contamination’ originates.”
“Depending on the Source of Contamination, the symptoms of the Contaminated vary, but all are terrifying and challenging. They may appear no different from ordinary people on the surface, but irreversible changes have already occurred within. More importantly, unlike the Maniacs outside the wall, they live among us. We never know when they will erupt, infecting those around them.”
Chen Jing nodded and explained slowly, “Just like those people you saw earlier in that café.”
“The Psychic Entity at the street-corner café, the exact timing of its initial mutation remains unknown. When we discovered it, fifteen individuals had already committed suicide due to extreme depression from its infection. These suicides alerted us to the Monster’s existence. Yet by the time we located it, thirty-seven people were deeply infected.”
“These thirty-seven were severely Contaminated. Physical examinations might show normal signs, but psychological evaluations would reveal irreversible, severe damage. They still breathe, but fundamentally differ from ordinary humans. Hence we quarantined the entire district, preventing them from further contaminating others.”
After hearing this, Lu Xin felt a slight shock. “Then what happened to those people?”
“Death.”
Chen Jing spoke softly, “Mildly infected individuals may sink into depressive Emotion. Occasionally, they even recognize their abnormality. Although the mortality rate remains high, there’s still a chance for recovery. But those prior cases… they had interacted too closely with the Monster, completely losing their Self. Neither treatment potential nor necessity existed…”
“In our plan, they were primary targets for elimination!”
“……”
Lu Xin couldn’t hide his surprise. “Wouldn’t killing that Monster help?”
“Destroying the Source of Contamination doesn’t instantly cure the Contaminated.”
Chen Jing paused briefly before looking at Lu Xin. “A Psychic Entity is merely the pollution’s source; others or objects Contaminated remain hazardous. What you eradicated at the Subway Station earlier was that Contamination source’s original form. Once it died, the deeply infected scattered. If even one escaped, it could evolve into a new Source of Contamination.”
“At that point, Contamination persists—equivalent to the Psychic Entity still being alive!”
Chen Jing smiled slightly. “But rest assured: surrounding residents were evacuated, and we deployed armed units guarding every key route. None of the deeply Contaminated escaped. Compared to the Psychic Entity itself, their strength is minor—they’re vulnerable to conventional firearms and far harder to infect others.”
“……”
Only then did Lu Xin understand why the other “customers” suddenly attempted to flee after the café attendant’s death.
Could that Psychic Entity, sensing inevitable doom, have ordered its Contaminated to escape so it could later resurrect? If so, why not leave one Contaminated outside beforehand to ensure rebirth?
“A Level One Spiritual Monster’s intellect is insufficient for such scheming.”
As if guessing his thoughts, Chen Jing chuckled. “They only infect others instinctively, and those deeply Contaminated instinctively gather around them, forming a collective governed by its will. Only upon the host’s death do their individual senses emerge, yet by then… it’s far too late.”
“So that’s how it is!”
Lu Xin nodded and gradually settled his nerves, then voiced the question burning within him:
“If that’s this dangerous… when sending me inside, didn’t you fear me also getting… Contaminated?”
“……”
Chen Jing showed no surprise at this question, even seeming puzzled he asked only now.
“You won’t be Contaminated !”
She snuffed her cigarette out, looking straight at him. “Or to put it more accurately—you’ve already been Contaminated!”
Lu Xin froze momentarily. “What?”
“Our assessment served a dual purpose, neither aimed at your demise.”
Chen Jing elaborated carefully: “First: determining your capabilities. Second: observing potential Loss of Control.”
“The Crimson Moon Incident triggered mental mutations.”
“Psychic mutations caused two outcomes: First—Psychic Entities manifesting. Unable to control their Mental Power, they influence others, posing immense threats inside High Wall and humanity’s surviving remnants.”
“Second: Mutants emerged who mastered Psychic Energy—acquiring supernatural abilities!”
“……”
As she spoke, she slid over her file, opening one page toward Lu Xin.
He glimpsed complex data streams and evaluation parameters. His racing mind briefly caught his photo, address, age, plus the prominent classification: “Spider-Type.”
……
……
Chen Jing lit another cigarette, waving aside drifting smoke. “You are a Mental Aberrant.”
“In analyzing your abilities—primary: extraordinary mental control over physical form!”
“Following the Crimson Moon Incident, some individuals grew immensely potent in Psychic Energy. Enhanced Psychic Energy enables refined command over one’s body—even down to each muscle fiber and bone segment. This constitutes a form of staggering capability!”
“Before the Crimson Moon Incident, world-class athletes controlled barely 10% of their bodies.”
“But today, people demonstrating greater bodily regulation grow increasingly common.”
“Within our unit, one operative, codenamed ‘Gecko,’ achieved 80% bodily mastery—providing inhuman strength. He evades bullets, perfectly handles any firearm, slips through teacup-sized openings, and climbs sheer walls defying gravity!”
“……”
“Through observation, you share similar capacity.”
Chen Jing pointed at specific content. “We classify this as Spider-Type: enabling spider-like precision over your muscles or bones—heightening speed and reflexes—accomplishing feats beyond humans.”
“Possessing such a power radically fortifies your survivability against crises and Anomalies.”
“And as fellow mental aberrations, Spider-Types easily detect Psychic Entities while avoiding harm.”
Her gaze locked firmly onto Lu Xin. “Therefore—you’re tailor-made for handling Contamination cleanup operations!”