Deep Within the Living

Chapter 50: Reform

Spring turns to summer.

The thick clothing everyone wore was replaced by short sleeves and shorts, the best attire for physical activities.

Graduation exams were just around the corner.

The high-intensity training for the final semester of senior year had concluded, leaving just a few days to maintain their peak condition. Latest content published on novel fire.net

Class advisor Ruan Zhijun, rarely seen in casual attire, walked into the classroom wearing a military-green shirt and holding a book. It was hard to associate him with teaching when he appeared like this. However, the book in his hands wasn’t a regular textbook—it was material related to the graduation exams.

Using the multimedia podium's scanner, he projected the material clearly onto the blackboard.

“Today’s lesson is about the physical fitness test for graduation and this year’s temporary reforms.”

He glanced sternly at the students.

“Everyone, sit up straight and take detailed notes! During the next PE class, I will randomly select five students to answer questions based on today’s lesson. For every word missed or mistaken, you’ll run an additional 500 meters.”

A wave of tension swept through the class, and suddenly, everyone became more attentive than they usually were during PE lessons.Ruan Zhijun began.

“The speed and strength tests remain unchanged. Stick to the methods you’ve been practicing. Today’s focus is on combat and the reforms that affect this section. This year, the opponents you face won’t be played by PE teachers, external instructors, or assessment officials.”

He paused, his tone turning grim.

“Instead, you’ll engage in actual combat, thanks to advanced technology developed by the Research Bureau. What I’m about to explain is entirely new. It’s not just about your graduation—it might even put your lives at risk.”

It had been nearly a year since Luo Di and his friends participated in the Simulated Practice provided by the Research Bureau. The technology had since matured and was rolled out to high schools across the country several months ago. Most students were aware of it and could even book practice sessions directly through the Bureau’s app.

However, booking was notoriously competitive, with only 0.3–1% of top-performing students selected due to the intensive resources required.

When Ruan Zhijun mentioned this, everyone immediately speculated whether Simulated Anomalies would be introduced to campuses, where students would handle anomaly events directly.

But what Ruan Zhijun revealed next was completely unexpected.

“The E.I.A. World Bureau, specifically the National Research Bureau represented by the letter ‘A,’ has reached a long-term cooperative agreement with a unique Impersonator detained within their facility. To be precise, this entity surpasses the category of an Impersonator. It’s a being of extraordinary vitality that exceeds the limits of modern biology, possessing traits like targeted infection, possession, and non-standard replication.

By extracting complete somatic cells from this entity and stabilizing them, a cluster of fewer than 100 cells can be injected into qualified corpses to create a low-grade derivative.

Testing has shown these derivatives are equivalent to Impersonators no more than six months old. A large number of these derivatives have been created and will be deployed in high schools nationwide during the graduation period for combat assessments. You will be the first batch of students to experience this reform.”

The class erupted in an uproar. Worries about the difficulty and dangers of these combats spread quickly. Ruan Zhijun allowed the discussion to continue, acknowledging the suddenness of the change. However, he emphasized that this “suddenness” was necessary, as students might face unexpected events upon graduating and entering society.

Luo Di, unlike his classmates, was more curious about something else entirely.

He wondered what kind of entity could generate derivatives comparable to regular Impersonators from just a hundred cells. It had to be an advanced being, likely a Monster capable of surviving in the depths of the Corners.

When the discussion reached its peak, Ruan Zhijun raised his right hand.

“That’s enough! Time to wrap up the discussion. Now I’ll explain the specifics of the combat. Groups will be determined by class-based random draws, with each group consisting of five members.

You will need to analyze the target’s nature and eliminate it within a set time. The rules for medication, equipment, and tools remain unchanged.

Final scores will be based on four criteria: individual performance, injuries sustained, elimination efficiency, and intelligence analysis. If you have questions, now is the time to ask.”

The class leader was the first to raise his hand.

“Can you disclose the targets’ characteristics or abilities?”

“Absolutely not!

You’ll only see the target’s appearance once you enter the Combat Space during the exam. Sharing any information afterward will result in your score being voided.”

“Not even a hint?”

“I can share one detail: the detained entity at the World Bureau is connected to a certain horror mythology.”

“Horror mythology?”

The students eagerly jotted down this important clue.

Gao Yuxuan raised his hand next. “What about the risk assessment for this combat exam? Is there a chance of accidents?”

“The risks are higher than in previous years when facing teachers but lower than actual Impersonator encounters. According to the Research Bureau’s simulations, if the average senior student cooperates reasonably, gathers intelligence, and identifies the derivative’s weaknesses, the mortality rate drops to 0%.

Since these derivatives have undergone rigorous evaluations and hundreds of tests, there’s no need to worry. In case of emergencies, our staff will intervene immediately.”

More questions followed, reflecting the students’ anxiety about the upcoming challenges. Ruan Zhijun, uncharacteristically patient, addressed every concern thoroughly.

“Time’s up.

Today marks the final day of classes. The next three days are for self-study, and you can arrange your time on campus as you see fit. Avoid strenuous activities and focus on adjusting your mindset. That’s all.”

The bell rang just as Ruan Zhijun finished speaking. Before leaving, he gave Luo Di a glance, signaling that their “blade technique training” would continue over the next three days.

As the students filed out, the sudden reform remained the hot topic of discussion. Some even began praying they’d be grouped with either the class leader or Luo Di during the exam.

Luo Di, however, stuck to his routine. Before the bell even finished ringing, he was already doing push-ups in the back of the classroom. Gao Yuxuan followed suit, sneaking glances to compete with Luo Di.

In fact, at least eight other students in Class 5 had also taken up positions for push-ups. The “post-class push-up tradition” had quietly become a signature activity of their class.

“Luo Di,” Gao Yuxuan called out mid-push-up.

“Yeah?”

“Can you train with me for the next three days? Since the target is a derivative Impersonator, I want to try something different that might give us an edge.”

“Sure. Vice Rep, are you planning to go to university after graduation?”

“If my tactics work, I might score high enough to boost my PE results. My top goal for now is the City Research Bureau. What about you?”

“My family wants me to work for a big company.”

“One of the top five in the capital?”

“Yeah. They say if I make it into the city’s top 100 during the exams, I’ll get a chance to take their internal test. I want to give it a shot.”

“With your skills, top 100 is a given. Even top 10 is likely. If I do well at the Research Bureau, I might get transferred to the National Bureau in the capital. Let’s aim to meet there.”

“Deal.”