Simple Thoughts (Chapter 138)
Back at the base research institute, the experiments on the transformation potion were conducted on a select few. Therefore, even if there were deaths, it was nothing like the current free distribution pilot site.
One by one, the dead were carried away like livestock.
After being moved out of the service hall, they were casually thrown into the back of a truck. Once the truck was full, they were taken away for cremation to prevent the outbreak of plague...
Witnessing this scene firsthand, Ye Sheng couldn't help but furrow her brows.
She had never been able to understand it.
In this post-apocalyptic wasteland era, human survival was already difficult, leading to a continuous decline in population. The number of newborns couldn't keep up with the death rate!
Now, with the promotion of the transformation potion, the number of surviving humans was plummeting. This was not a good thing!
Ye Sheng knew she wasn't from this wasteland world, so her perspective might be skewed. Therefore, she chose to ask the local beside her: "Gu Luoyu, the mortality rate of the free transformation potion is so high. If many people in the base die, wouldn't that defeat the purpose? After all, the potion is supposed to ensure the base's safety and combat crises... But if the population decreases, wouldn't that make things even more dangerous?"
Hearing Ye Sheng's concerns, Gu Luoyu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in amusement, her crimson eyes glinting with mischief.
Sometimes, Ye Sheng acted as if she wasn't from this apocalyptic world, her naivety almost endearing.
But perhaps it was precisely this quality that made her different from others and caught her attention...
Gu Luoyu said in a low voice, "Ye Sheng, do you know how many mercenaries or ordinary people a single Esper can match in terms of strength?"
"..."
With just a few words, Ye Sheng felt as if a veil had been lifted from her mind, and her thoughts became much clearer.
After that, Gu Luoyu didn't continue the topic and instead said, "Although the transformation potion has some side effects, it can grant ordinary people special abilities. Whether it's offensive or supportive abilities, they can all serve the base and provide assistance."
"So, the base has no need for ordinary people who can't even lift a chicken."
"Even if only a few out of a thousand survive, it's still worth it for the base... because ordinary people can't create more value. As for the jobs that can be easily replaced, there are other arrangements. Moreover, the promotion of the transformation potion isn't mandatory, it's voluntary."
Unlike Ye Sheng, who had come halfway, Gu Luoyu had been active on the front lines since childhood.
For her, death was a common and ordinary occurrence.
When Gu Luoyu operated under the name of Erensu, there were various rumors in the safe zone, including that she was cruel and enjoyed torturing and killing... Of course, it wasn't entirely wrong, but the rumors about the deaths of the mercenaries following her weren't true.
It was just that Gu Luoyu enjoyed challenges and often ventured into the more dangerous depths of the wilderness. Even she would suffer severe injuries and be on the brink of death, let alone the mercenaries...
Psychic abilities could somewhat ensure survival in dangerous situations, but the mercenaries who followed her weren't so lucky.
Basically, every time they fought contaminated creatures in the depths of the wilderness, the mercenaries in the team suffered heavy casualties.
The base didn't feel any regret about this, displaying a cold attitude of "if you're not strong enough, just die."
This clearly showed the base's stance, so Gu Luoyu wasn't surprised by the promotion of the transformation potion.
In fact, the base might be streamlining the population, getting rid of the useless!
"This is too ruthless..."
Ye Sheng had a good understanding.
But precisely because of this, she felt a chill in her heart and became even more aware of reality.
Compared to the peaceful era, the wasteland era was extremely cruel.
"When facing increasingly powerful enemies, human wave tactics are no longer useful, it's more like serving yourself up on a platter... In that case, it's better to make use of the 'waste' and extract some who can still be useful."
As Gu Luoyu spoke, her expression remained unchanged.
Her matter-of-fact demeanor made Ye Sheng take a deep breath.
Her hands clenched at her sides, her nails unconsciously digging into her palms until the skin turned white, her cute face tense.
Though she wasn't used to such coldness, she knew she had to adapt to local customs.
Since she had come to this wasteland world, she had to learn to change gradually... As for the kind of bravery and righteousness that would lead to rebellion, Ye Sheng felt she didn't have it. She just wanted to live a steady life.
It might be difficult, but she was trying.
Her desire to become stronger was also to ensure her safety in dangerous situations, to keep her life secure.
Perhaps sensing Ye Sheng's discomfort, Gu Luoyu glanced down at her and didn't continue the topic, quickly shifting to something else: "Many have died, but there are also some lucky ones."
Hearing this, Ye Sheng instinctively looked toward the far left corner of the service hall, where several rows of chairs were placed, with a dozen or so people sitting scattered about.
Some looked bored, while others were excited.
As Ye Sheng watched, she quickly forgot her earlier reflections and became curious.
Although she had been selected as Sen Lan's assistant at the research institute, Ye Sheng had only heard about Sen Lan's special abilities and had never seen them in action...
This meant that the first time she saw someone using a special ability was Chen Yuan, who manipulated shadows right in front of her.
She wondered what kind of special abilities these people had awakened?
"Want to go take a look?"
Gu Luoyu, noticing the curiosity in Ye Sheng's eyes, thoughtfully asked, making Ye Sheng's dark eyes light up. But they quickly dimmed again as she hesitantly asked, "Is that okay?"
After all, they were all strangers. Suddenly going up to someone and saying, "Show me your special ability"... Even if phrased politely, it still meant the same thing. Wouldn't they get chased out?
>_<
Unlike the conflicted Ye Sheng, Gu Luoyu nodded calmly: "Of course, it's fine. The commission hall has invited me to ensure the safety of the scene, and I have the authority to act first and report later. If they don't cooperate, I'll just beat them up."
"..."
Such a simple and straightforward approach!
It also showed her confidence in her own strength. Anyone else wouldn't dare to be so bold.
However, Ye Sheng glanced at Gu Luoyu and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly... This kind of assurance that allowed her to act freely was, admittedly, incredibly satisfying.
Gu Luoyu's efficiency was top-notch. Seeing that Ye Sheng didn't object, she immediately led her over.
Randomly selecting someone, Gu Luoyu directly asked, "You there, what special ability did you awaken?"
"Who are you, I..."
The 'lucky' person chosen was a young man with a colorful hairstyle, his face full of arrogance as he refused to even look at them.
But before he could finish his sentence, his eyes finally landed on the person standing before him, and he immediately choked on his words.