Deep Within the Living

Chapter 43: Transformation

Like a starving infant who had drunk its fill of milk, the blade ceased its restlessness. It no longer thrashed or trembled but instead lay quietly, as though entering a deep slumber, ready to absorb the nourishment it had received and grow stronger.

The invasive neural patterns embedded in Luo Di’s arm began to retract, taking with them the zombification effects. Not even a suppressant injection was needed.

The blade itself became more docile than it had been before the blood infusion.

The eerie skin and neural patterns that had once covered the blade's surface receded, transforming into strips of bandage wrapped around the hilt to enhance grip. The zombie blade reverted to its original form—a simple machete, indistinguishable from when Luo Di had first purchased it at the supermarket.

Even the ominous Corner aura it once emitted had vanished entirely.

Director Wang, his eyes wide, leaned closer, adjusting his glasses to examine the weapon carefully.

“Stealth and concealment… Could it have inherited the Spider’s traits? What a treasure you’ve stumbled upon. I didn’t expect the zombie’s blood absorption to work so well. Normally, Impersonators can’t devour each other. Could this be a side effect of the cancerous transformation?

How do you feel?”

Luo Di, brimming with excitement, spoke more than usual. “It’s much easier to control now. I no longer have to sacrifice blood. I can trigger the blade’s ‘on-and-off’ functions just by conveying my thoughts to it.”

“Can you demonstrate? Let’s see its true form.”Director Wang’s typically stern expression was replaced with the eager curiosity of a novice researcher.

“Sure.”

Luo Di focused his mind, directing a mental command for slaughter toward the blade's pituitary core as he gripped it tightly in his right hand.

Buzz!

The bandage-like skin around the hilt began to move, spreading upward to envelop the blade once again. This time, the blade’s transformation took on a different appearance.

Wisps of sinister black hair sprouted from the back of the blade, giving it a lifelike aura.

More strikingly, two white, fang-like protrusions resembling baby teeth emerged on the blade’s edge—"zombie fangs," likely enhancing its blood-draining properties during combat.

Black hair, decaying flesh, and white fangs—these grotesque, living traits made the weapon appear almost sentient. Simply looking at it stirred unease, as if the blade might bite at any moment.

“This… this is beyond our expectations,” Director Wang murmured, struggling to process the scene before him.

“This blade is incredibly valuable. With its stealth feature, you can carry it without attracting attention. If you prepare adequately for your next encounter with an anomaly, you might even seriously wound it.”

“Thank you, Director Wang,” Luo Di replied.

To others, the grotesque weapon might seem horrifying, but to Luo Di, it was the embodiment of his aesthetic and inner desire. From the first vial of blood that touched the blade’s surface, he had never looked away.

The transformation and enhanced lethality brought him closer to his ultimate goal.

Although he was eager to test the weapon’s combat effectiveness, he restrained himself, knowing that wielding it here might unsettle his companions.

“Retract,” he whispered mentally.

The blade’s zombie traits receded once more, leaving it in its initial machete form. To be safe, Luo Di wrapped it in the shroud cloth and placed it back into his backpack. With this, their business at the Research Bureau was concluded.

As they were leaving, Director Wang couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts.

“I’m not in charge of recruitment, nor do I like breaking protocol, but I want to say this: if you’re interested in your post-graduation options, consider applying to the Research Bureau.

I can secure you special entry privileges, allowing you to pick any department.

Even if the Bureau isn’t your end goal, it could serve as a stepping stone to the capital. As a city-level institution, we have direct connections to the E.I.A. World Bureau.”

Luo Di didn’t respond directly. He nodded politely before leaving.

One of the lab technicians, who had brought the blood earlier, watched Luo Di’s departure with a complex expression. He recalled the immense effort it had taken for him to secure a spot at the Research Bureau.

“Director, this young man…”

Director Wang sighed. “It’s no surprise. He’s better suited for the Investigation Bureau or one of the major corporations in the capital. Our research facility isn’t the best fit for someone like him.

I just mentioned it on a whim. Still, this year’s graduation season should be interesting.”

Outside the Research Bureau

The class leader skipped cheerfully at the front of the group. When she reached the last step, she spun around dramatically to face her companions.

“I’m so satisfied! Getting to see such a Cornerized tool before graduation—it’s incredible. Luo Di, your performance at this year’s admissions tests will definitely shock everyone. Even the elites from First High might not be able to match you.

Alright, you guys go grab dinner. I need to head home for tutoring.”

Luo Di asked, “Class leader, did your suit arrive?”

“Oh, right! It did, but that kind of outfit isn’t exactly suitable for wearing out in public. I’ve kept it at home for now. I’ll wear it to school after the winter break ends. You’ll see it then.”

“How does it feel?”

“Better than expected! I’ll be wearing it for the admissions tests too. Don’t lose to me, Luo Di!”

Their conversation didn’t escape Anna, who trailed behind. She wrinkled her nose as if catching a whiff of something foul and quickly covered it. “Thank goodness I don’t go to the same school as you two. I’d suffocate from all this sickly sweet banter.”

She glanced at Gao Yuxuan, who stood nearby, only to find him watching the interaction with an approving smile. There was even a hint of satisfaction in his gaze.

After the class leader left in a rideshare, the three of them found a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Without the class leader’s presence, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter at first. But as Anna downed several beers, the mood gradually lightened, and laughter filled the air.

As Winter Break Ends

The final semester of senior year began, marking the last leg of their high school journey.

Although university was an option for those with high enough grades, most students—including Luo Di—chose not to pursue higher education, especially if their physical education scores were above average.

Before the New Semester, at No. 4 High School

Faculty members had already returned to work, preparing for the students’ arrival and ensuring everything was ready for the first day of classes.

In the shared office for the senior year teachers, a thin, mild-mannered male teacher, who didn’t seem built for sports, was quietly organizing his materials at the farthest desk.

A towering stack of books and documents, the largest in the entire office, sat atop his desk. Among them were numerous non-teaching-related volumes, adding to the clutter.

Suddenly, sharp, hurried footsteps echoed through the office.

A pair of deep black high heels, each over ten centimeters tall, strode directly to the slender male teacher’s desk. With a loud slam, a document was thrown onto the table in front of him.

The mid-aged woman wore a badge identifying her position as the Director of Academic Affairs. Not that the badge was necessary—her stern demeanor and commanding presence said it all.

She jabbed a finger forcefully at the document, her words shooting out like nails. Her voice was sharp and grating. Original content can be found at novelꜰire.net

“Mr. Guo, care to explain this? Your class ranked second-to-last in academic performance last semester, and dead last in student satisfaction.

I’ve spoken to you about this teaching issue more than once, haven’t I?”

Faced with the director’s harsh reprimand, Mr. Guo, thin and frail, said nothing. He quietly continued organizing the books on his desk.

His silence, however, was like a match striking the fuse of the Academic Affairs Director’s temper.

Her eyes scanned the books cluttering his desk, most unrelated to teaching, and with a huff, she reached out, ready to sweep them all to the floor in one go.

But before she could,

Smack!

A strong arm shot out, grabbing her hand mid-motion.

A man in a military uniform, his face firm and resolute, had stepped in to stop the conflict.

“Mr. Guo’s teaching methods may be unconventional, but he has his own approach. I trust he’ll make adjustments moving forward,” the uniformed man said calmly.

“Mr. Ruan? Let go of my hand this instant!”

Although the Academic Affairs Director was still fuming, she realized her actions had been too impulsive. “Fine! It seems I can’t deal with you myself. I’ll be bringing this issue to the principal.”

With that, she stormed out of the office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

As the door closed behind her, the tense atmosphere in the office dissipated.

“Thanks,” Mr. Guo said quietly, still tidying his desk.

Mr. Ruan, the military-dressed teacher, simply waved off the thanks and returned to his own workspace. As a homeroom teacher, he had plenty of tasks waiting for him.