TIC Chapter 56

 Chapter 56

Xiao Yan accessed the terminal and uploaded the entire sequence of Wen En’s combat maneuvers against the zombies into the system. It had taken Wen En a mere minute to dispatch every single one of them. Xiao Yan then entered a set of pre-designed code to finalize the configuration.

From that moment on, Xiao Yan could utilize the system to simulate Wen En’s combat style; every movement and split-second reaction would be reproduced within the system with absolute, millimeter-perfect precision.

Another half-hour passed, after which Wen En hand-picked several soldiers from the regular armed forces—none of whom had yet been formally inducted into the Special Missions Unit—to serve as sparring partners for Xiao Yan.

“Xiao Yan, up until now, you’ve only ever faced off against Mark and me. But you know that we are fundamentally different from you; given your physical constitution, it is simply impossible for you to ever match our level of speed or reaction time...”

“Which meant that you and Mark were forced to slow down to accommodate my training, all while having to tread carefully to avoid accidentally injuring me.”

Wen En had intended to soften the blow of the truth rather than stating it too bluntly, but Xiao Yan’s composure in the face of it took him completely by surprise.

“True enough. The Military Department’s requirements for us researchers are merely that we be capable of defending ourselves when confronted by a single zombie—or perhaps a small handful at most. Still, I’d like to see for myself just how wide the gap is between my current capabilities and those of the regular armed forces.” Xiao Yan flexed his wrists, eliciting a series of audible pops and cracks, his expression radiating an eager readiness for the challenge ahead.

Wen En chuckled. “The gap is going to be massive.”

“Naturally. After all, I’ve only had a few months of training under my belt.”

However, it soon became apparent that the “massive gap” Wen En had spoken of was the exact opposite of what Xiao Yan had envisioned.

Over the course of that morning, Xiao Yan went head-to-head against twelve soldiers from the regular armed forces—and emerged overwhelmingly victorious. Aside from a developing bruise around one eye socket and a solid punch to the corner of his mouth, he was left utterly astounded by his own combat record.

A crowd of Special Forces operatives gathered around to watch the spectacle, murmuring amongst themselves as they speculated—many had assumed that Xiao Yan was merely a fresh recruit whom Wen En was in the process of scouting for the Special Missions Unit. “This guy is pretty impressive; I wonder which squad he’ll get assigned to later on!”

“Major Wynn is the one who took him under his wing! Who knows—maybe he’ll end up serving right alongside Colonel Burton, just like Mark and Liv!”

“Wait... really? I could have sworn he was a researcher at the Central Academy of Sciences! I’ve never heard of a technical specialist volunteering to join the Special Missions Force...”

Wynn wore a smug smile; after all, Xiao Yan was someone he had personally groomed from the very start.

Having left the arena, Xiao Yan gazed at his own hands, still finding it hard to believe what he had just accomplished.

“There are three main reasons for the impressive performance you delivered today,” Wynn said, holding up his fingers.

“And what are those three reasons?”

“First: the person who trained you was the elite of the elite within the Special Missions Force.”

Xiao Yan smiled. “True enough. Not only did Mark invest a tremendous amount of effort into my training, but every single night, I also used *you*—Major Wynn—as my simulated opponent for mental practice. Why, even...”

Even Hein Burton himself had personally mentored him. “The second point I want to make is that you possess a remarkably sharp mind. Factors such as experience and reaction speed—qualities you could never acquire as long as you remained in the Shire—you managed to gain nonetheless. You designed for yourself that... well, how shall I put it? That truly incredible system, conducting combat simulations entirely within your own mind. Although your fists may lack the raw power and speed of soldiers trained in the armed forces, in a certain sense, you are even more experienced than they are.”

“Thank you for your affirmation of my work. And the third point?”

“The final point—and perhaps the most cliché one of all... you have never given up.” Wynn draped an arm over Xiao Yan’s shoulder, lowering his head to meet his gaze with an expression of absolute respect. “I’ve never held much admiration for technical specialists; they tend to be arrogant, constantly immersed in their own little worlds, measuring everything against their own unrealistic standards. Xiao Yan... I have a hunch that you are destined to reach heights far greater and go distances far beyond anything they could ever achieve. My only hope is that you remain exactly as you are now—that you won't let success change you.”

“Whether I succeed or what the future holds, I cannot say. But you are my mentor and my brother—and that is something that will never change, no matter what happens.”

Wynn rubbed his nose; for the first time, the young Major wore an expression that actually befitted his age. “Come on! I’m starving! Let’s go grab a good meal.”

That night, Xiao Yan stayed in the research lab until very late once again.

When he finally logged out of the terminal and removed his neural interface, the man sitting squarely before him made him gasp in shock.

“Burton... Colonel...”

*Oh, trouble.* Hein Burton was extremely strict regarding sleep schedules; to ensure optimal training quality, he did not approve of Xiao Yan pulling all-nighters.

At this moment, his gaze was so icy that the very air seemed to crackle and freeze around them. His dark eyes held Xiao Yan captive, paralyzing his every thought, while the sheer intensity of his presence bore down relentlessly—crushing against Xiao Yan’s chest until he could barely endure it, feeling as though his very vision were about to snap under the crushing weight of the man’s pressure. “What happened to your face?”

“Ah...” Xiao Yan reached up to touch the corner of his mouth, only then realizing what he was referring to. “It was this morning—with a few soldiers from the armed forces...”

It had been quite some time since he had last seen Hein. Xiao Yan had fought desperately to suppress the urge to ask Wynn about Hein’s recent well-being; he had filled every waking moment with training and research. Yet, when the man suddenly appeared before him, the sensation of his blood surging was so vivid that Xiao Yan found it impossible to suppress.

Hein’s fingers reached out; the moment his knuckles brushed against Xiao Yan’s chin, Xiao Yan’s vision was filled with the sight of Hein’s profile slowly drawing near.

Gentle brows and eyes, eyelashes fluttering down like the delicate wings of a cicada—the interplay of light and shadow created a beauty of profound stillness.

As his upper lip was gently caught between Hein’s, and the tip of the other man’s tongue slowly slipped inside, Xiao Yan’s breath hitched in his throat.

His tongue was ensnared; as the pressure intensified, Xiao Yan instinctively tilted his head back, swallowing the other man’s saliva. Every cell in his body quivered, every sensory nerve was roused, and Xiao Yan found himself instinctively yearning for the man standing before him.

Although the kiss itself felt almost mechanical—imbued with an air of ascetic detachment—Xiao Yan sensed within it a fervent impulse: a passion constantly held in check, threatening to self-destruct if it failed to find a response.

Drawn by an irresistible force, Xiao Yan instinctively rose to his feet, cupping Hein’s face in his hands. It was as if, parched for ages, he had finally discovered a source of water; losing all sense of reason, he drank greedily—yet the more he consumed, the thirstier he became. He kissed Hein with fierce intensity, sucking relentlessly as if to extract everything he could from the depths of Hein’s mouth.

Hein retreated step by step, while Xiao Yan clung to him, kissing him with a frenzied desperation. Finally, Hein’s back pressed against the cold, unyielding wall; Xiao Yan’s kisses grew even more forceful, pressing the back of Hein’s head so hard it seemed almost pinned against the stone.

Xiao Yan’s arms wrapped around Hein’s shoulders. When Hein turned his face slightly, attempting to bring the encounter to an end, Xiao Yan immediately followed suit—as if Hein’s mouth were his own exclusive territory, a domain he refused to relinquish for even a single moment. Hein’s brows slowly furrowed; his arms, which had hung calmly by his sides, gradually clenched into fists. Then, in a sudden motion, he raised a hand, gripped Xiao Yan’s shoulder, and abruptly shoved him away.

Gasping for breath, Xiao Yan’s racing thoughts gradually settled back into place. When he finally looked up and met Hein’s eyes, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

What had he done?!

“I... I’m sorry...”

Good heavens—he had actually kissed Hein Burton! That time he was drunk, he had only kissed his cheek and palm; but this time... this time he had actually slipped his tongue inside... and let it linger there for quite a while!

Yet, in this moment, Xiao Yan felt no fear. He no longer worried—as he had in the past—that Hein might snap his arm; instead, he felt a growing trepidation regarding how this man would react.

Hein released his grip on Xiao Yan’s shoulder.

Only then did Xiao Yan recall that it was Hein—not himself—who had initiated this kiss.

The pain at the corner of his lips had vanished; he could no longer even feel the swelling from the bruise around his eye.

It turned out that this entire episode was just like that time he had nearly been killed by an assassin: Hein Burton had simply utilized the X-virus within his system to accelerate Xiao Yan’s healing. Xiao Yan had to admit that, deep down, he felt a faint... inexplicable sense of disappointment.

“I’m fine now.”

“You should get some rest.”

“Yes, Colonel.”

Like a wandering wraith, Xiao Yan followed Hein back to his room. Yet, the moment he lay down on his bed, he found himself wide awake.

The reason he had lost control to such an extent—becoming so reckless that he no longer even feared being killed by Hein—was that the X-virus had exponentially amplified his senses. But Hein had been fully lucid; why hadn’t he stopped him? Why had he allowed him to act so brazenly...?

Pressing a hand against his forehead, Xiao Yan sighed; he realized he was finding it increasingly difficult to read Hein Burton. Xiao Yan was certain that this was not the first time he had crossed Hein’s boundaries; yet, just as Maya had observed, Hein’s tolerance toward him extended far beyond the limits of anything Xiao Yan had ever known. And Xiao Yan believed—with absolute certainty—that this was not merely wishful thinking on his part. Xiao Yan turned to the side and caught a glimpse of the hermit crab on the table; it sat there—small and quiet—exactly where it had been left. Suddenly, it all became clear to Xiao Yan.

He raised the back of his hand to shield his eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh.

Ultimately, in Hein’s mind, he was just like that hermit crab—forced to hide within a fragile shell, held ever so carefully in the palm of a hand.

Even if this man—who appeared so formidable and awe-inspiring—wished to hold him close, he was likely even more terrified of crushing him in the process.

*Xiao Yan, you cannot simply hope to find a hard shell to hide behind; you must become truly strong yourself.*

As his thoughts drifted and scattered, blurring the edges of reality, another idea took shape in Xiao Yan’s mind: What if he could design a mechanism that mimicked the human body’s own processes to induce metabolic decay in the X-virus? If the attenuated virus were then injected into a human host, perhaps it could retain the X-virus’s extraordinary potency while simultaneously minimizing the harm inflicted upon the body. However, the X-virus remaining within Hein’s system was still highly active; why, then, had the virus found specifically within his *semen* undergone such a drastic attenuation?

Pondering these questions, Xiao Yan drifted off to sleep.

The following day, Xiao Yan sought out Wynn once again; he needed to re-collect Wynn’s combat data and significantly ramp up the difficulty parameters. Wynn, sensing Xiao Yan’s urgent desire to enhance his own capabilities, readily agreed—though he certainly hadn't anticipated that Xiao Yan would go to such extremes, releasing a staggering twenty zombies into the training room.

"Hey, buddy—don't you think you're going a *little* overboard?"

"Given that you hold the rank of Major, I have absolute faith in your abilities."

Admittedly, Xiao Yan harbored a touch of dark curiosity; he wanted to see exactly what level of combat prowess a Major like Wynn truly possessed.

Wielding no weapons—relying entirely on his bare hands—Wynn faced down the zombies. Creatures that would appear terrifyingly swift and unpredictable to any ordinary person seemed utterly clumsy and sluggish in his presence. In less than three minutes, Wynn had twisted the heads off every single one of them.

The young Major leaned casually against the wall, blew a playful air-kiss in Xiao Yan’s direction, and flashed a dazzlingly bright smile.

*Pity he’s not a beautiful woman; otherwise, I would have pounced on him ages ago.* “Did you get it all recorded? I really pulled out all the stops and showcased my most spectacular combat techniques!”

Xiao Yan smiled as he uploaded all the data into the system for editing. Indeed, within a mere three minutes, Wynn had broken the arms of—and even killed—every single zombie in a completely different manner each time; this was absolutely crucial for establishing the combat models. Xiao Yan would have to run through thousands upon thousands of simulations before his brain could finally keep pace with Wynn’s speed—allowing him to assess situations and take action with the same level of experience as Wynn.

In the training sessions that followed, Xiao Yan’s sparring partners consisted exclusively of zombies; eventually, he reached a point where he could emerge victorious even when facing two zombies simultaneously.

Even Mark couldn't help but remark with admiration, “I’m starting to feel a bit embarrassed calling him a ‘rookie’ anymore.”

Wynn gave a cold snort. “Well, look who taught him!”

“True enough. Did you see the way he used his elbow to snap that zombie’s neck? He’s a real chip off the old block!”

Wynn wore a look of smug satisfaction, though it quickly gave way to deep contemplation.

“What’s up?” Mark nudged Wynn with his elbow.

“I... I just find these researchers a bit unsettling. All the experience we had to earn through countless battles—often at the cost of our very lives—they’re able to acquire just as effectively, yet without any of the risk...”

“Is it *all* researchers you find unsettling, or just *this* guy?” Mark’s playful grin faded, replaced by a look of quiet seriousness.

“...Who knows? Perhaps—whether it’s Xiao Yan specifically, or just one among the multitude of researchers out there—someone, someday, will finally be able to lift the veil shrouding the X-Virus.”

At that moment, Xiao Yan let out a deep breath. As he turned his head, his eyes caught sight of a figure standing by the door—arms crossed, watching him with a cold, steely gaze.

“Colonel?”

Only then did Wynn and Mark turn around.

Hein slowly pushed himself away from the wall he had been leaning against. “He’s scheduled to take his final proficiency test next week.”

“Xiao Yan will pass with flying colors,” Wynn stated with absolute confidence.

Hein walked over to stand directly in front of Xiao Yan, then beckoned him forward with a gesture of his right hand.

Was this Hein Burton’s own personal test for him?

Xiao Yan felt a sudden surge of nervousness.

Wynn gave Xiao Yan a reassuring nod. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. He knew he was no match for Hein, but the opportunity to spar with him was truly precious; typically, the guy wouldn't deign to cross fists with a rookie like Xiao Yan.

Mustering his courage, he charged at Hein. With every step, he felt as though he were approaching an unscalable, towering peak of ice. He threw a punch, but checked it mid-swing, pivoting to strike at Hein’s neck with his elbow instead.

Hein merely raised a hand ever so slightly, caught Xiao Yan’s elbow, and jerked it upward, instantly spinning him around.

"Ugh..." Xiao Yan winced in pain, and Hein slowly released him.

"Again."

Xiao Yan shook out his shoulders; Hein’s control over his strength had been flawless—he hadn't injured Xiao Yan in the slightest.

For the next attack, Xiao Yan drove his knee toward Hein’s abdomen. Hein, however, sidestepped and—with a reverse motion—twisted Xiao Yan’s thigh, instantly flipping him onto the ground. Xiao Yan found himself pinned down, unable to move; Hein’s knee was pressing against his lower back, and his wrists were twisted behind him.

With his face pressed against the dirt, Xiao Yan lifted his eyes just enough to see Mark squatting nearby, grinning with a look of utterly lewd amusement.

That bastard, Mark! Someday, I’ll make *you* get a taste of this, too!

Hein released him—slowly lowering his wrists just as he had before—and then pulled him back to his feet.

This gave Xiao Yan a strange illusion: that his opponent was terrified of him coming to any harm—even feeling pain. Otherwise, given such decisive, lightning-fast, and potentially lethal attacks, how could Xiao Yan have emerged without a single scratch?

Sure enough, to him, I’m nothing more than a hermit crab he could effortlessly crush...

"Again."

Yet, Hein’s expression remained utterly impassive; Xiao Yan couldn't discern a single emotion on his face.

This time, Xiao Yan’s head was caught and held fast between Hein’s hands. As Xiao Yan replayed Hein’s movements in his mind, he could find no word to describe them other than "astonishing." It had nothing to do with sheer speed or brute force; every single one of Hein’s actions was deeply calculated yet executed with instantaneous reaction—like a precision-calibrated terminal, always predicting Xiao Yan’s trajectory the very instant his muscles tensed, or even before he had a chance to move. "If I were with the Surge Organization, your neck would have already been snapped."

Xiao Yan’s breath caught in his chest; he felt the warmth of Hein’s breath brush past his ear as he spoke—an experience that simultaneously made him yearn to draw closer and feel an involuntary urge to flee. He even harbored a fleeting illusion that the spots on his neck—where Hein had once left bruises with his kisses—were throbbing with a faint ache once more.

Hein released Xiao Yan. "You still have much to learn."

As he did every time, Hein departed, taking the gaze of everyone in the room along with him.

Xiao Yan lowered his head. Each time Hein subdued him, the technique employed was unique; every moment was fleeting—so much so that by the time Xiao Yan managed to fully process what had just occurred, he was left with an urgent, burning desire to catch up to Hein’s pace.

"You’re incredibly lucky. The Boss rarely takes anyone under his personal tutelage." Wynn gazed at Hein’s retreating figure, his expression one of profound envy. "You have to understand: those few moves he just demonstrated would be an experience other special forces operatives would practically beg for."

Xiao Yan acknowledged the surprise he felt deep within. He had assumed that Hein would frequently offer guidance to the other special forces personnel; however, the look on Wynn’s face served as a stark reminder not to doubt the aloof detachment Hein maintained toward everyone else.

He had to take a courageous step forward—or, at the very least, strive to reach a vantage point from which he could truly perceive and comprehend the guidance Hein was offering him.

That night, Xiao Yan sat alone in the research lab. Rather than logging into the simulation system, he sat idly turning a small vial of solution over and over in his hands.

This particular solution represented the culmination of his journey—from his very first introduction to the field of virology, through countless subsequent encounters with...*Zombie Clash*—it was the culmination of countless analyses performed on the X-virus. It was not perfect; in fact, it marked merely the beginning of yet another exploration. For a long time, Xiao Yan had been plagued by doubts, but in this moment, he found the courage—the absolute necessity—to push forward.

As if having steeled his resolve, Xiao Yan loaded the solution into an injector gun, donned his sensor gear, and headed toward the training room.

Two special forces soldiers followed close behind him; this time, however, Xiao Yan instructed them to wait outside the training room door.

Pressing the tip of the injector gun against his thigh, Xiao Yan closed his eyes and pulled the trigger. His heart pounded furiously; if the experiment failed, the soldiers waiting outside wouldn't have nearly enough time to save him. Yet, if he had told them he was about to undertake such a dangerous experiment, they surely would have stopped him.

Opening his eyes, Xiao Yan’s expression was resolute and cold. He flipped a switch, and five or six zombies came surging out through the doorway.

In that instant, his mind became crystal clear. The faintest sounds were amplified manifold; clenching his fists, he could even feel the blood coursing from his heart all the way to his fingertips.

He began to mimic Hein’s movements. Suddenly, the zombies seemed incredibly fragile; Xiao Yan was able to swiftly snap their limbs and twist off their heads.

Glancing at the timer, he saw that it had taken him a mere thirty-six seconds to kill all six zombies—a feat that, in the past, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of achieving.

Just as he exhaled a breath of relief, someone violently slammed him against the wall. The force of the impact—charged with a ferocity bordering on murderous intent—was so intense that it felt as though his very bones were being driven into the concrete.

Within those icy-blue eyes burned an emotion of extreme rage.

"What have you done?"

The voice was outwardly level, yet it carried an undertone of such extreme suppression that it threatened to erupt at any moment.

Xiao Yan’s collar was seized, and he was hoisted high into the air. Looking down, his gaze locked with the seething fury in the other man’s eyes—a look that made him feel as though he were about to be killed.

"I..."

"Speak."

Although there were no bloodshot eyes or gritted teeth, the man standing before him was undeniably consumed by rage.

And the man least likely to ever display such emotion was precisely the one standing right there: Hein Burton.

Xiao Yan’s eyes widened in shock, yet he found himself unable to squeeze a single word past his throat. What, then, was the cause of the anger that seized Hein—a man usually so indifferent to everything—in this very moment?

“I… I just wanted to try it out…”

“Try what? The X-Virus?”

“The X-Virus?” Xiao Yan glanced at the zombies he had just dispatched; only then did he realize that Hein assumed his superhuman combat prowess was the result of the X-Virus. Of course, anyone would think the same.

But even if he *had* truly injected himself with the X-Virus, why would Hein be so furious?

“You are a researcher. Tell me: how much life expectancy remains after receiving the X-Virus?”

“Ten years.”

“So you knew the answer, yet you used the virus on yourself anyway. Do you truly believe, deep down, that killing zombies is the *only* honorable thing one can do?”

He was interrogating him. In Xiao Yan’s memory, Hein had always spoken in a cold, matter-of-fact tone, merely stating facts; he rarely posed questions—not even rhetorical ones.

Within the icy-blue depths of Hein’s eyes, it seemed as though a frenzied beast was stirring—barely restrained, ready at any moment to lunge out, tear Xiao Yan apart, and rend him to shreds.

After a long silence, Xiao Yan finally spoke: “Don’t you want us technical personnel to become stronger?… In future missions, I wouldn’t be a burden to you anymore… I could handle dangerous situations on my own. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“It doesn’t matter what happens to the *other* technical personnel—but *you* cannot.”

His voice was so low and deep that it left Xiao Yan breathless. Hein’s gaze felt physically painful to Xiao Yan; and in that moment, this man—who had always seemed utterly unshakable—finally saw his hard, indifferent shell crack and shatter right before Xiao Yan’s eyes, revealing an expression unlike any he had ever shown before.

Xiao Yan wanted to see a little more—to see him lose control like this again; to see him, perhaps… even look afraid.

“Why can’t *I*?”