94: Interview

[Consciousness Space]

Everything outside returned to silence. The System's azure data streams flowed steadily, forming a stark contrast to the frenzy that had just occurred in the outside world.

[Crisis resolved. Aptitude Holder's vital signs are stable. Due to complete energy depletion, they have entered protective unconsciousness and have automatically reverted from their transformed state.]

"Finally... we made it through." Han Chengyu's consciousness also breathed a sigh of relief, but then a new doubt surfaced. "However, System, that form he displayed at the end... seems a bit different from the blueprint I originally designed for the 'Explosive Combustion Form'? The propulsion structure I envisioned should have been more... orderly, but what I saw just now looked more like an out-of-control beast."

[Analysis confirmed.] The System responded calmly.

[The final manifested form was deeply contaminated by the Aptitude Holder's extreme rage. The evo factor, in its rampage state, prioritized 'destruction' and 'power,' overriding part of the predetermined design and undergoing a dangerous, Breakthrough evolution biased toward biological instinct expression. Its appearance exhibits more biological violent aesthetics rather than a purely technological creation feel.]

"So, because he completely lost his rationality at that moment, the direction of evolution also became... more ferocious?" Han Chengyu understood.

[Correct.]

The System affirmed.

[This rampage form can be considered an extreme record of a 'safety valve Breakthrough.'

When the Aptitude Holder transforms while maintaining rationality, the Second Form will more closely resemble your original design blueprint—based on a humanoid form, retaining the streamlined armor main body, with enhanced energy conduits and miniaturized propulsion nozzles integrated at key locations for a more technological aesthetic.

Its appearance will better align with the concept of 'controllable power' rather than pure 'biological violence.']

"I understand." Han Chengyu's consciousness sketched out the form that should have been—still the silver warrior, but now adorned with crimson patterns and propulsion structures representing ultimate explosive power, handsome yet lethal, not monstrous like before.

"Next time, as long as he retains his rationality, we'll be able to see its proper appearance."

[Records updated. Subsequent form evolution will be calibrated based on this.]

Han Chengyu watched as the Logistics Team from the outside quickly arrived at the scene, expertly beginning to handle the chaotic battlefield. When he saw the figures of Zhan Yong and Chen Xing appear, his consciousness relaxed slightly.

"It's Zhan Yong and the others... It seems they'll handle the follow-up matters properly."

His perspective followed Lu Jianchuan, who was carefully lifted onto a stretcher by Chen Xing and medical personnel and swiftly transported away. Zhan Yong remained at the scene, directing personnel to seal off the area and heading toward the direction where the Heartbinder and Bone Chime had been sent flying.

[Real World]

When Lu Jianchuan regained consciousness and slowly opened his eyes, what greeted him was the distinctive, gently curved ceiling of the GUPA Medical Department—one he had seen just a few days prior. His throat was painfully dry, and his entire body felt as if his bones had been taken apart and hastily reassembled, aching and heavy. Especially deep in his abdomen, there was an overwhelming sense of emptiness and weakness.

"Water..." he instinctively groaned, his voice so hoarse it startled even himself.

Almost simultaneously, a gentle female voice sounded beside him: "Awake? Don't rush, take it slow."

He turned his head slightly and saw a young Nurse with a gentle face standing by the bed, wearing a Nurse's cap. She skillfully supported his head and brought a cup of lukewarm water with a straw to his lips. The cool water moistened his parched throat. Lu Jianchuan greedily took a few sips before feeling somewhat revived.

"Th... thank you." He caught his breath and whispered his thanks.

"You're welcome." The Nurse smiled, gently laying him back on the pillow, then picked up an electronic thermometer. "Here, let's check your temperature again." She glanced at the reading. "39.5 degrees, still feverish, but much more stable than last night. When you were brought in, it was like there was a little furnace inside you—we were really worried."

As she spoke, she brought over a bowl of warm nutritional paste emitting a faint grain aroma and several solid-looking energy bars from the bedside table. "Your body has undergone tremendous exertion; just water isn't enough, you need to replenish energy. Try eating a bit of this first—it's easy to digest. If you feel uncomfortable or need anything, be sure to press the call button, okay? Don't push yourself." She pointed to the call button by the bed, her tone carrying undeniable concern.

"Mm, understood. Thank you for your trouble." Lu Jianchuan nodded. This meticulous care allowed his tense nerves to relax slightly.

The Nurse watched him begin to eat slowly before turning to leave with relief, gently closing the door behind her.

Lu Jianchuan forced himself to sit up a bit and began spooning the tasteless but essential nutritional paste.

Not long after, the door opened again, and in walked the Researcher who had previously conducted his combat capability test. The Researcher's face held a mix of concern and extreme excitement, and he was holding a tablet.

"Thank goodness, you're finally awake!" The Researcher approached the bed, his tone filled with emotion. "Our monitoring equipment recorded unbelievable data peaks! Not only were you severely energy-depleted, but your core body temperature once soared into the danger zone. This is clearly due to... well, that 'high-intensity propulsion phenomenon' causing internal thermal load to go out of control. Simply put, you almost 'burned' yourself out from the inside." He paused, his eyes gleaming brightly, and lowered his voice slightly. "However, this also proves that you seem to have unlocked another form? Was it another evolution?"

Lu Jianchuan swallowed the paste in his mouth and nodded wearily. "Seems... so."

"Amazing! I never expected your Second Form to be associated with such violent propulsion and combustion phenomena!" The Researcher excitedly rubbed his hands together, leaning forward unconsciously. "So, can these two forms be switched at will? Or, after evolving to the Second Form, is the First Form no longer usable? What about the energy circuits..."

"I... don't know." Lu Jianchuan shook his head. The immense fatigue and discomfort made him not want to think about these things; he even found the Researcher's voice somewhat grating. "I feel terrible right now, my head is heavy. Can I... rest a bit?"

The excitement on the Researcher's face instantly turned to embarrassment. He quickly straightened up. "Oh, sorry, sorry! Look at me, I got carried away and forgot you're still a patient." He adjusted his glasses awkwardly. "But, please hang on a little longer. There might be some visitors coming soon, and you'll need a bit of energy to handle them."

Before his words faded, the hospital room door was gently knocked. The young couple Lu Jianchuan had saved in the botanical garden walked in, carrying a fruit basket. Their faces showed relief and gratitude after surviving the ordeal.

"Officer Lu! You're awake!" The girl excitedly hurried to the bedside, her eyes slightly red. "Thank you so much! Last time at the botanical garden, if you hadn't reacted quickly and pushed us away during that unexpected explosion accident, we really don't know what would have happened!" As she spoke, she placed the fruit basket on the bedside table.

"Explosion... accident?" Lu Jianchuan was taken aback for a moment, then realized this was GUPA's cover story.

The boyfriend beside her immediately chimed in, his tone full of concern and a bit of lingering fear. "Yes, don't you remember? The explosion's impact must have caused temporary amnesia! It was so terrifying back then; we didn't even react before we saw you rushing over... Regardless, thank you so much. Truly worthy of being a people's police officer!"

Next, the male reporter who had previously interviewed the Police Station and later provided Lu Jianchuan with clues about drug dealers also walked in with a smile, holding a voice recorder and camera.

"Officer Lu, we meet again! It seems you've once again stepped forward in a critical moment to protect citizens' safety—truly admirable!" As he spoke, the camera lens was already aimed at the weakened Lu Jianchuan on the bed and the tearfully grateful couple beside him, quickly pressing the shutter a few times. "Could you briefly tell us about the situation at the time? For example, how did you notice something was wrong, and what belief drove you to rush forward regardless of personal danger?"

Looking at the scene before him, Lu Jianchuan understood that this was clearly a carefully arranged "script" by GUPA to cover up the truth. Physical exhaustion and complex emotions intertwined within him. He could only force a somewhat strained and weary smile, softly saying to the camera, "It's nothing, just my duty... I didn't think much about it at the time."

The couple said many more words of gratitude and repeatedly urged Lu Jianchuan to rest well before reluctantly leaving the room. The reporter stayed behind. He pulled over a chair and sat down beside the bed, wearing a professional yet sincere smile.

"Officer Lu, I've been so focused on the interview that I haven't properly introduced myself." He said, taking a business card from his pocket and handing it over with both hands. "My name is Zhang Wuwei, Wei as in the state of Wei. I'm a reporter for 'City Safety Watch.'"

Lu Jianchuan took the business card, glanced at it, and nodded, his voice still weak. "Reporter Zhang, hello."

"Officer Lu, I'll ask a few more questions if I may." Zhang Wuwei turned on the voice recorder, his expression becoming more serious. "We all know police work is full of uncertainties, like this accident. When you rushed to save people, was there even a moment when you thought... what if? For example, what if something happened to you—what would your family do?"

This question touched the deepest part of Lu Jianchuan's heart. He fell silent for a few seconds, images of his concerned parents flashing before his eyes. He sighed softly, his gaze drifting toward the window, and slowly said, "To say I didn't think about it at all would be a lie. But at that moment, there really was no time to consider so much. Seeing someone in danger, my body just moved on its own... As for family," he paused, his voice soft yet firm, "I believe they would understand and... be proud of me. That's the meaning of choosing to wear this police uniform."

Zhang Wuwei recorded attentively, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "I understand. One last question: after experiencing such danger, do you feel afraid or hesitant about your future work?"

Lu Jianchuan slowly shook his head, answering wearily but clearly. "No. As long as I'm still wearing this uniform, if something like this happens, I'll still step forward."

Zhang Wuwei turned off the voice recorder and nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Officer Lu. Rest well; I won't disturb you further." He stood up, gently pushed the chair back into place, bid farewell again, and quietly left the room.

The room finally fell completely silent. The continuous conversation had drained the little energy Lu Jianchuan had just mustered. An intense wave of fatigue washed over him again; his eyelids were too heavy to lift. He didn't even have time to think much before his consciousness quickly sank into a dreamless, deep sleep.