FI CH 18

Chapter 18: Cohabitation (I)

Bai Hua woke from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.

He had dreamed of being endlessly hunted alongside Kurosawa in the rainforest. Sometimes it was a pack of ravenous wolves, sometimes a mob of savage monkeys, sometimes endlessly entangling vines, and sometimes rain that pierced like needles. But no matter what they were up against, he knew they were still trapped inside the Captor’s mental landscape, unable to find a way out.

Staring up at the white ceiling, Bai Hua slowly came to the realization that they had already returned from the tropical rainforest. Only then did his breathing begin to calm. He sat up and looked around, discovering that he was in a hospital designated for sentinels and guides.

Just then, He He pushed the door open and entered. Glancing at Bai Hua, he asked, “You’re awake. Want something to eat?”

Bai Hua didn’t answer and instead asked, “Where’s Kurosawa?”

“He’s fine. He’s in the isolation ward next door. But you’re not allowed to see him yet.”

“Why not?”

He He gave him a look and said, “Did you forget that you two nearly triggered a heat? Your bodies are both extremely weak right now and can’t handle any excessive stimulation.”

Bai Hua gave a soft “mm” in response and didn’t say anything else.

“Even though the boss told me to notify him immediately once you woke up… based on our friendship, I still want to ask first: You and Kurosawa, are you two…?”

Bai Hua glanced at him but didn’t reply.

He He spread his hands. “Alright, fine. If you don’t want to talk, so be it. I’ll find out sooner or later anyway.”

“It’s not like I’m hiding anything. I just don’t know what to say. We’re just partners, nothing more.”

He He chuckled. “What kind of ordinary partner would be willing to throw himself in harm’s way to save you? I saw it with my own eyes. Besides, you’re a sentinel—your physical endurance is way above that of a normal person. There’s absolutely no obligation for a guide to protect you.”

“I don’t know either… what he was thinking…”

“Do you still remember what happened when you went berserk?”

“…Yes.”

“I think, whether it’s instinct or fate, maybe you don’t dislike him as much as you think. Don’t rush to distance yourself—just go with the flow for now,” He He said seriously for once. “I think he… might not be indifferent to you either…”

Bai Hua looked at his friend and once again fell silent.

“Anyway, let’s set that aside for now. Get some rest. I’ll let the boss know to come by later.”

Bai Hua, seemingly reminded of something, suddenly said, “I’m feeling a bit tired… maybe tomorrow instead.”

“Alright then.”

After giving a few more reminders, He He turned and left. Bai Hua lay back down and stared up at the white ceiling.

Late into the night, he still couldn’t stay put. He got out of bed and quietly made his way to the isolation ward next door.

At this hour, the hallway was empty. Bai Hua wasn’t sure if Kurosawa was still awake, so he knocked politely on the door. He planned to go back if there was no response.

But before long, he heard Kurosawa’s voice from inside: “Come in.”

As if wanting to give Kurosawa a moment to mentally prepare, he didn’t open the door all the way but instead pushed it just slightly ajar to peek in first.

Sure enough, once Kurosawa saw it was him, he said, “Just a second.”

He pressed a switch, drawing down the transparent privacy curtain around the hospital bed, then said to Bai Hua, “Okay, you can come in now.”

The main function of the curtain was to block scents or the smell of pheromones. Though it couldn’t completely eliminate them, it made it easier for the two of them to talk.

Bai Hua walked forward. Before he could say anything, Kurosawa spoke first: “I knew you’d come.”

Bai Hua glanced at Kurosawa, who was sitting on the hospital bed, then shifted his gaze to Kurosawa’s injured shoulder.

“Is your wound alright?”

“It’s fine. I just can’t move much and have to stay like this for now,” Kurosawa replied casually.

Not knowing how to continue the conversation, Bai Hua asked, “How did you know I’d come?”

Kurosawa didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “Did you remember who that sentinel was?”

Bai Hua looked at him in surprise.

Kurosawa helplessly lifted the inhibitor strapped to his wrist and smiled.

“No need to look at me like that. I can’t even use my mental power right now.”

“Sorry, I just…”

“It’s alright. Anyone would have doubts,” Kurosawa said. “I asked you that because, as I’ve told you before—I can sense your emotions through your pheromones. During the fight, there were a few moments when I could feel that you had a strange mix of familiarity and doubt toward that sentinel. Those feelings were strongest just before we left the rainforest. And from the looks of it, that sentinel seemed to be the core figure among their group. If you already realized who he is, you wouldn’t keep it from me. So… you came here to tell me about that, right?”

Bai Hua nodded, silently thinking how terrifying it was to have a guide who could read your mind so easily.

Kurosawa suddenly smiled again.

Bai Hua didn’t bother guessing whether Kurosawa had read his thoughts again. He had indeed come not just to check in on him. After giving it some thought, he finally said, “Have you ever heard of the name Lin Yuan?”

Kurosawa nodded.

“A legend in the Sentinel Guild.”

“That brown-haired sentinel—he’s Lin Yuan.”

After Bai Hua said this, he clearly saw Kurosawa’s expression change.

“You’re sure?” Kurosawa asked.

“I’m sure.” Bai Hua continued, “I don’t know much about what happened ten years ago and will have to go back and check the records, but if I’m remembering correctly, he should’ve died ten years ago. And he died… during a rebel army battle.”

Kurosawa followed up, “I remember that too.”

Ever since the term rebels started being used over a decade ago, there had been ongoing conflicts among ability users. The battle that took place ten years ago was the largest in scale and had the most devastating casualties. It was later referred to collectively as the Rebel Army Campaign. The one who led the charge at the time was Lin Yuan. After successfully eliminating all the rebels, he himself died from his injuries, leaving behind a legendary tale.

Both of them knew very well—if that brown-haired sentinel had been fighting seriously, they never would’ve stood a chance.

But now that they had confirmed his identity, things were becoming even more complicated.

If that man truly was Lin Yuan, then there were only two possibilities: The first was that he faked his death back then and was later absorbed into a rebel faction. The second was that he had been brainwashed—something similar to what happened with Jing He.

After Bai Hua spoke of this, Kurosawa had already considered several possible explanations.

“What should we do now?” Bai Hua knew very clearly that this matter didn’t concern just him anymore—it involved Kurosawa too. No matter how things had been in the past, the moment their derived abilities were exposed in front of the enemy, they were inevitably tied together—a shared fate.

Kurosawa said, “I’ll report this up through the highest confidential channel. Until then, don’t mention it to anyone.”

“I understand.”

Kurosawa suddenly added, “Also, if…”

“What is it?”

Kurosawa shook his head. “No, it’s nothing. Let’s wait and see when the time comes.”

They didn’t have to wait long. Within a day, both of them received summons from the higher-ups. Since they were still hospitalized, a special soundproof hospital room had been prepared for the meeting.

When Bai Hua entered the special ward, Kurosawa was already inside, still sitting upright in bed, unable to move. But what surprised Bai Hua even more was that, aside from the leaders of the Sentinel Guild and Guide Guild, a high-ranking official from the Sentinel-Guide Association was also present.

He glanced at Kurosawa, who nodded at him—signaling that these people could be trusted.

As for the rainforest mission, these three individuals had already learned most of the details through the four other teammates, so there was no need to rehash the basics.

The head of the Sentinel Guild was the first to speak: “An Shi and Wei Yang said that during the mission, when the team was split up, the two of you acted together the entire time.”

Bai Hua answered, “Yes.”

“They said the three enemies had targeted you two specifically?”

Bai Hua hesitated briefly, then still replied, “…Yes.”

“We’ve already heard the full story. Jing He was just bait. But even if Kurosawa had analyzed their abilities, that still doesn’t explain why they’d suddenly change their objective and shift focus to you. Why?”

These people were all sharp—hitting the crucial point right away. To explain it in detail would mean having to discuss the derived abilities he and Kurosawa possessed.

As Bai Hua was still trying to figure out how to explain it, Kurosawa took the initiative and began to speak. He explained the entire mission in clear, logical order. When he reached the part about rescuing their teammates and mentioned their derived abilities, the three people opposite them all fell silent.

A mental landscape does not exist in the real world—it is a construct of the mind, created solely by one’s will. In principle, no one but the creator can perceive its true form. Which meant that being able to see another person’s mental landscape… was a terrifying ability.

It meant you didn’t need to step into danger to identify a weakness in the enemy’s constructed space. On a battlefield where everyone else was walking blind, you’d be the only one who could truly see.

And if that ability fell into the hands of the enemy…

The three finally understood why the enemy had changed their objective and focused on capturing Kurosawa and Bai Hua. When they recalled what happened to Jing He and his brainwashing, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Since Kurosawa had taken the lead in speaking, Bai Hua felt there was no reason to keep anything hidden anymore. He told them everything about Lin Yuan—including the man’s appearance, how they fought, the techniques he used, and other specific details.

The more he spoke, the more he noticed the three leaders’ faces turning pale. Although he and Kurosawa hadn’t lived through that chaotic era, that didn’t mean there were no witnesses left. Anyone who could reach a high position in the Sentinel or Guide Guild must have achieved it through merit or battlefield accomplishments.

Judging from their reactions, Bai Hua could almost confirm—it was Lin Yuan.

This was yet another major incident following the reveal of their derived abilities. The higher-ups could no longer ignore the matter.

The important meeting wrapped up quickly, as the two guild leaders needed to verify the facts and prepare follow-up plans.

But just then, the always-silent head of the Sentinel-Guide Association suddenly spoke.

“What about the two of them? Their safety is of utmost importance.”

The heads of the Sentinel Guild and Guide Guild exchanged a look.

Although the two were currently within the protection zone of the United Forces, everyone understood that in these times of constant conflict, no place was truly safe. If they were protected too openly, it might actually paint a target on their backs. Not to mention, both of them were still injured—Kurosawa’s wounds weren’t going to heal anytime soon.

To avoid the three leaders making any more complicated arrangements, Kurosawa suddenly spoke up.

“Bai Hua and I will live together—we can look after each other.”

Bai Hua was completely stunned—he hadn’t expected Kurosawa to say something like that at all.

“That’s perfect,” the Sentinel-Guide Association head clapped her hands cheerfully, as if she had been waiting for this moment. She immediately made a call to the Registry Office to prepare the necessary documentation.

Only then did Bai Hua realize what Kurosawa’s earlier hesitation had meant. He must have already anticipated that this situation might arise.

After the two guild leaders issued additional protection arrangements, the group finally left the ward.

It was only then that Kurosawa said, “Sorry, I didn’t get your permission before… If what you’re concerned about is… I’ll make sure to remind you to take your guide suppressants regularly.”

Bai Hua shot him a look, his expression clearly saying, “Who said I was worried about that?” Then he asked, “When can you be discharged?”

“After the metal pins are removed, and completing the observation quarantine period, probably around one week.”

Bai Hua nodded. According to protocol, after returning from an undeveloped region, an isolation period of three to seven days was required depending on the individual’s condition to ensure no unknown pathogens were brought back. Although his injuries weren’t as serious as Kurosawa’s, the surface area of his wounds was extensive, so for safety, he’d also need to stay the full seven days before being released. That meant they could be discharged at the same time.

“In that case, I’ll come get you in a week.” Although Bai Hua was somewhat helpless about the whole situation, compared to being monitored by three different organizations at once, he’d much rather live with Kurosawa. If it were him, he couldn’t think of a better solution either. So this response was already a subtle way of agreeing to the cohabitation arrangement.

Kurosawa understood his meaning and nodded, replying, “Okay.”

(To be continued…)