The Weight of Responsibility

–Director… the newcomer you mentioned, they probably can’t be saved.

Listening to Chu Annian’s slightly trembling words, the other end of the line fell into a prolonged silence.

–This is related to the Sinister Domain of the Lip-Stitching Hospital, isn’t it? After all, she escaped from it through unconventional means, so it’s only natural for the Sinister Domain to target her.

The voice on the other end of the phone was noticeably older than before, laced with profound reluctance and regret.

For the Special Incidents Investigation Bureau, an individual capable of escaping an Extremely Dangerous Sinister Domain, regardless of their methods, represented a groundbreaking advancement.

Prior to this, their only recourse when confronting an Extremely Dangerous Sinister Domain had been to flee and pray.

–What a pity. Is it truly a case of heaven envying talent? Regardless, you should withdraw first. As for that child… she can only pray for her own good fortune now.

A long sigh echoed from the other end of the line.

–Director, I want to try and approach the Lip-Stitching Hospital. I want to rescue Bai Wanwan from the Sinister Domain.

Chu Annian clenched her fists. After much deliberation, she decided she couldn’t simply survive while others suffered.

As Bai Wanwan’s senior, if she were to abandon her now, what kind of senior would she be?

Chu Annian had always considered herself someone who had already died once. Her continued survival, beyond mere luck, was largely due to the support of the seniors who had guided her in the past.

Each narrow escape from a Sinister Domain investigation had come at the cost of her seniors’ sacrifices. She had walked over their bodies to reach where she was today.

This was also a tradition of the Special Incidents Investigation Bureau: sacrifice and legacy.

Sacrifice was inevitable. Yet, to advance by any means necessary, even the greatest sacrifice had to be embraced without hesitation.

Now, she too had become a senior. Though it had only been for a few short hours, Chu Annian didn’t believe she could simply ignore her responsibilities as one.

At the very least, compared to Bai Wanwan, she had escaped death from Sinister Domains many times and understood their rules far better.

–Are you insane? That’s an Extremely Dangerous Sinister Domain. Once you enter, there’s no coming out.

–The Special Incidents Investigation Bureau has suffered severe personnel losses recently, and experienced individuals like you are even rarer! The organization forbids you from throwing your life away. This is an order!

Anyone with even a slight understanding of Sinister Domains knew the sheer hell that lay within an Extremely Dangerous one.

If mere passion alone could resolve them, there wouldn’t be thousands of Extremely Dangerous Sinister Domains left across the country.

The devastation these Sinister Domains wrought upon the nation each year was unimaginable. While property loss was significant, the most unbearable toll was the loss of life.

Facing such Sinister Domains, the Special Incidents Investigation Bureau had no recourse other than isolation and containment.

As for passion, who within the Special Incidents Investigation Bureau lacked it? Which of those who died investigating Sinister Domains hadn’t been filled with fervor?

Yet, passion was no reason to die in vain. Who wouldn’t want to eradicate an Extremely Dangerous Sinister Domain?

But the truth remained: ever since the authorities discovered the phenomenon of Sinister Domains, entering an Extremely Dangerous one meant certain death, with no exceptions.

Even a rare individual like Bai Wanwan, who had miraculously escaped death through unconventional means, ultimately couldn’t avoid being dragged back into a Sinister Domain.

–But…

At that moment, Chu Annian’s heart was torn. She worried for Bai Wanwan, who had entered the Sinister Domain, yet she couldn’t disregard the organization’s orders.

Entering the Sinister Domain would be for Bai Wanwan; not entering would be for the sake of the Special Incidents Investigation Bureau. From beginning to end, Chu Annian seemed to have never considered herself.

In fact, if she could achieve both, she would willingly sacrifice her own life.

–There are no ‘buts.’ Obey the order. I’m sending someone to pick you up immediately!

–…

Chu Annian gritted her teeth, ultimately managing only to utter a slow, ‘Yes.’

Ding-dong!

Just as Chu Annian’s fists tightened, a sudden clang of steel pipes echoed from downstairs. The sound was so loud it seemed the entire hospital building could hear it.