Title: I swear I didn't see it wrong, something is definitely wrong with that abandoned chemical plant in the East District!
Poster ID: Huang Pao Jia Shen
Content:
"OP, this news is absolutely guaranteed to be true! I'm a late-night food delivery driver. About half a month ago, around two in the morning, I passed by that unfinished chemical plant in the East District. I heard a sound inside... how should I put it, like a giant dog gnawing on bones, a crunching sound that makes your scalp tingle.
I was curious and took a peek inside. As a result, I saw a shadow by the second-floor window. It looked like a human, but those hands... those hands were ridiculously long, almost reaching the ground!
I was so scared I twisted the throttle to the max and bolted. The next day I heard the place was sealed off, supposedly to investigate a hazardous chemical leak. It still hasn't been unsealed. Why would a simple investigation take so long? There's definitely something fishy going on here!"
Attached Image: A blurry nighttime photo with a lot of noise. One can only barely make out the dark silhouette of a distant factory, looking like a crouching giant beast, with a few eye-catching yellow warning lines faintly stretched around the perimeter.
"Chemical plant? Long-armed monster shadow?"
Cyrene stared at the text on the screen, her finger lightly tapping the desk in a rhythmic clatter.
She quickly switched windows, opened the mapping software, and entered the approximate location.
The sound of typing was exceptionally crisp in the quiet room. Soon, the screen jumped, and a red landmark dot named "Hongda Chemical Plant" appeared on the edge of the East District.
"There is currently only this one chemical plant in the East District, and Quede Maps also shows that the plant has recently stopped production and is in a state of 'maintenance'."
Cyrene propped up her chin, her azure rhombic pupils narrowing slightly.
"The timing matches, the location coincides. That delivery guy didn't lie."
Immediately after, Cyrene skillfully opened the browser and typed "Hongda Chemical Plant" into the search bar.
The moment she hit enter, a bolded news headline jumped out, occupying the most prominent position on the screen.
"Emergency! Serious Chemical Leak Occurs at Hongda Chemical Plant in East District; Emergency Controls Implemented in Surrounding Areas"
Cyrene clicked on the news, her gaze quickly scanning the paragraphs filled with official rhetoric.
"Reporting: In the early morning of Month X, Day X, a storage tank valve rupture occurred at the Hongda Fine Chemical Plant located in the East District of our city, leading to the leakage of some irritating gases and industrial waste liquid.
The environmental protection department rushed to the scene immediately for disposal. According to the official report, the leaked substances may cause respiratory irritation. To ensure citizen safety, temporary closed management has been implemented for the factory area and the surrounding 500-meter radius. The unsealing time is to be determined.
The police remind the general public: Do not listen to rumors. It is strictly forbidden to enter the cordoned-off area without authorization to avoid inhaling residual harmful gases and causing irreversible physical damage."
Looking at the information, Cyrene leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, her face written with an "official-do-you-think-I-believe-that" expression.
"What kind of leaked substance can remain unevaporated after being sealed for half a month? I could understand if it were nuclear radiation, but chemical gas?"
She gave a light snort and tapped her finger on the words "do not listen to rumors."
"Furthermore... emphasizing 'rumors' like that is just a dead giveaway. It seems the official authority knew there was something there long ago; they're just suppressing the heat to prevent panic."
Seeing this, Cyrene already had a good idea of the situation.
There was a high probability that a xenogeneic was entrenched there, and its level might not be low. Otherwise, the official authority wouldn't still be unable to clear it after half a month of blockade, even needing to maintain such a large-scale control.
"Since the official authority is having a headache, it means this monster's experience points... oh no, yihen value, must be quite a lot."
Cyrene glanced at the time displayed in the bottom right corner of the computer—[00:14].
A wave of fatigue surged up right on cue. She couldn't help but yawn, two physiological tears squeezing from the corners of her eyes.
"Forget it, visibility is poor late at night, and since that place is cordoned off, there must be guards. I'll go during the day to scout the path with the radar. I'll rest and build up my strength today."
Cyrene muttered softly and reached out to press the power button on the computer tower.
As the sound of the fan gradually ceased, the screen went black, and the room returned to silence.
Cyrene stood up and took a long stretch, her bones letting out slight pops.
Then, she turned her head and looked at the figure who had been sitting quietly on the living room sofa.
Phainon was holding a phone, the faint light of the screen reflecting on his well-defined profile. He was focused on searching for data regarding this world.
"Phainon!"
Hearing Cyrene's call, Phainon's movements paused. He put down the phone and turned to look over.
The focus in his eyes instantly turned into gentleness.
"Cyrene, what is it? Did you find something?"
Cyrene walked to the bedroom door and pointed to another door across the hallway.
"It's nothing big, it's just late and time to rest. You can sleep in that room tonight. Anyway, it's the 'parents' bedroom' fabricated by the system; the bed and bedding are already prepared."
However, hearing Cyrene's arrangement, Phainon showed no intention of getting up.
He shook his head gently, his tone level:
"No need, Cyrene. Although my power is temporarily limited, my physical fitness as a warrior remains. For me, sleep is not a necessity."
As he spoke, he stood up, but instead of walking toward the bedroom, he went straight to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. He scanned the outside vigilantly through a gap in the curtains, then sat back down on the sofa.
"I will keep watch in the living room and continue searching for information about this world. This world's technological network is very interesting and contains a huge amount of information; I need to master it as soon as possible. You go to sleep first. I will ensure the safety of this place."
Seeing Phainon's dutiful appearance, Cyrene's brow furrowed slightly.
She walked quickly to the side of the sofa, hands on her hips, looking down at Phainon.
"How can that be? Even if your body can take it, what about your mind? You were just summoned and went through a battle. How could you not be tired?"
Phainon looked up, meeting Cyrene's gaze. He shook his head slightly, attempting to explain:
"There is no need to worry about the mental aspect. Back in Ochema, I was used to long-term..."
"Stop!"
Before he could finish, Cyrene raised her hand to interrupt Phainon.
"Phainon, this isn't Okhema, nor is it that hopeless Amphoreus."
Cyrene's voice softened. Looking at the youth before her who was always used to carrying all responsibility on his shoulders, her eyes became a bit complex.
"You said before that you originate from my memories, so you know everything. Then you should also know, through my memories, what happened over there later, right?"
At Cyrene's words, a ripple appeared in Phainon's eyes, which were usually as calm as still water.
He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his voice becoming somewhat low:
"I know. That side... has been saved."
"Yes, it has been saved."
Cyrene leaned down, her gaze level with Phainon's, her tone incredibly serious:
"You gave too much for that. In those countless cycles of samsara, you never lived even a single second for yourself."
She reached out and lightly patted the back of Phainon's hand resting on his knee.
"So... take a rest, okay? There aren't that many bitter fates here, and you don't need to keep your nerves taut as a savior at all times. Rather than letting you continue to burn yourself out to fight, I hope that you, and the other companions who will arrive later, can all live a peaceful life in this world."
Cyrene's words were like a spring breeze, gently brushing away the faint layer of cold, hard armor around Phainon.
He looked at the girl before him whose eyes were full of concern. In a daze, he seemed to see that figure at the end of his memory, smiling and reaching out a hand toward him.
No longer needing to bear the eternal samsara, no longer needing to be that sword that only knew how to kill.
After a moment of silence, Phainon's tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
He stood up and gave Cyrene a warm, pure smile. There was less divine detachment in that smile and more of a "human" softness.
"My apologies, Cyrene. It was my fixed mindset; I made you worry."
His voice was clear, like lake water warmed by the sun.
"You are right. Currently, I indeed should learn to live like an ordinary person."
Having said that, Phainon turned around and stepped toward the "parents'" bedroom.
Reaching the door, he stopped, grasped the handle, and turned to look at Cyrene, who was still standing in the living room:
"Then, I will go to rest. Cyrene, you should sleep early too. Staying up late is not good for your health."
Seeing this, the worry on Cyrene's face vanished instantly. She gave Phainon a brilliant smile and waved her hand energetically.
"Okay, I will! Goodnight, Phainon!"
"Goodnight."
With a soft click, the door closed, shutting out the living room light.
Looking at that closed door, the weight in Cyrene's heart finally lifted.
"Phew... I finally managed to persuade him to go to sleep."
She rubbed her somewhat aching cheeks, turned to switch off the main light in the living room, and fumbled her way back to her own room in the darkness.