Fantasy Game: Infinite City

Chapter 602 Pollution Aura

"Okay, I'll be there right away."

After reinstalling the upgraded contractor equipment, Han Zu spoke with γ4 for a while. During their conversation, Han Zu used the new equipment again and contacted Gloria, informing her of the new equipment upgrade. Shortly after this notification was sent, Gloria sent a video call, stating that Christina was looking for Han Zu regarding Bastionburg.

After the call ended, Han Zu and γ4 finished their previous conversation and said goodbye to γ4, preparing to head to the transport center to Gloria's base. While riding the transport vehicle, Han Zu felt a little bored and opened the experimental report γ4 had sent him.

However, he and γ4 had already discussed most of the contents, so after a quick glance, Han Zu was about to close his eyes and rest. However, just as he closed his eyes, a message appeared on the upgraded contractor's equipment. It was from one of the laboratories during his recent experimental tests. It was also a test report.

The first half of the report contained data on energy forms. There was nothing interesting about this part, and Han Zu was not interested in it. However, Han Zu found some interesting situations in the subsequent text, which made him feel a lot more energetic.

"Experimental Project Number: Z712."

"Experimental content: Detect the target energy's form and range of action, as well as its impact on energy and organisms."

"Record θ: The energy within the target has stabilized. The energy storage form is roughly consistent with the initial data, but the energy's form of use has undergone a unique change. According to the experimental results, the energy within the target will automatically diffuse outward, eventually forming and maintaining a sphere with a diameter of 15 meters. In this state, the target itself will not increase its energy consumption level. The energy field within this sphere is very stable. Without other energy stimulation, or if the target itself is not stimulated, the energy field will not change. The energy flow and flow rate are smooth, without noticeable fluctuations."

"Record w: We attempted to stimulate the spherical force field with other energies. Experiments have shown that when the input energy level is lower than the spherical force field's level and the experimental target does not actively influence the spherical force field, the spherical force field's energy does not change significantly. The energy flow and flow rate remain the same as normal. However, when the input energy leaves the spherical force field's range, a small amount of it is passively absorbed by the attractive force generated by the spherical force field's energy, but this amount is almost negligible. When the input energy exceeds the spherical force field's normal energy level, the spherical force field's energy activity rapidly increases, attempting to absorb the excess energy. If the energy absorption process goes smoothly, the spherical force field's energy will return to its initial calm state after the remaining energy is absorbed. If the energy absorption process is not smooth, or if there is energy resistance, causing other energy to escape from the spherical force field's range, the spherical force field will increase its required energy output before the other energy leaves the spherical force field's range, integrating some of the energy into the escaping energy, resulting in contamination of its cleanliness."

"Record β: Other energies that have been contaminated will lose their stability within a short period of time, causing them to lose their core support. However, the contaminated energy will not explode. Instead, it will disintegrate, breaking down into dissipated energy in the air or vacuum. When the spherical energy field generated by the target comes into contact with the already decomposed energy again, its absorption rate will accelerate several times."

The records of these experiments showed that Han Zu could now automatically generate a spherical energy field capable of contaminating other types of energy. Beyond basic energy conversion, he could also use his own energy to contaminate energies that were temporarily unabsorbable, causing them to passively decompose. This provided Han Zu with a new idea: if he encountered an enemy he couldn't fight head-on, he could use the properties of his spherical energy field to contaminate their energy, destabilizing it. Even if the contaminated energy didn't disintegrate immediately, it would certainly disrupt their energy output, giving him an opportunity or a respite.

"This feature is worth further research. I'll try it out when I get a chance."

At the end of this data report, a feature was also recorded, that is, when the spherical energy field exists, one's own actions will also affect the direction of energy flow and the way it works inside the energy field. However, Han Zu and other contractor researchers did not conduct in-depth experiments and research on this at the time, so the specific use of this feature was not explained in the experimental report. Han Zu, who had just completed the transformation not long ago, naturally did not know this.

"Forget it, I'll find out when I get a chance to try it."

Han Zu wasn't currently concerned about these conditions, which would take time to understand, as there was no point in rushing. He was more concerned with the impact of this transformation on his flight ability, and the benefits and effects of the mist state. Previous experiments and tests had shown that his flight ability, which was solely related to his energy reserves, remained unchanged. At least, no unusual issues had occurred during the flight experiments during this period. However, due to the lack of results from some experiments, Han Zu's energy consumption while using his flight ability seemed to have decreased significantly.

As for the misty state, it reminded Han Zu of his previous ability to transform into soul-grabbing miasma. There were some similarities between them, but it had been nearly two years since Han Zu lost the ability to transform into soul-grabbing miasma, so he couldn't remember whether these similarities he thought were true similarities, or whether his memory was distorted because too much time had passed.

Han Zu also conducted experiments on the fog state, but based on his own experience and the experimental reports produced by contractors, this state was not as useful as Han Zu imagined, and was even a bit useless.

First, Han Zu, once in the mist, was unable to move normally. It wasn't that he couldn't move at all, but his movement was extremely slow. Most awkwardly, his range of movement wasn't free; it was confined to the roughly spherical energy field. While Han Zu was immune to nearly all physical attacks, including a significant portion of energy attacks, the restricted movement and the speed of his movements while in the mist made this ability ineffective as an offensive tool.

As for defense, the fogging ability wasn't very useful, as its activation and recovery times were far too lengthy compared to the battles Han Zu normally faced. It took a full three seconds for Han Zu to transition from normal to fogged, and an even longer five seconds to return to normal. While measured in seconds, the speed seemed fast, it was indeed unbearably slow for Han Zu's combat style and methods.

Han Zu's physical prowess meant he didn't need to defend or dodge against ordinary attacks. However, if he encountered an attack requiring active defense or evasion, whether physical or energy-based, the enemy or target launching the attack often possessed a certain speed, depending on the threat level. In such situations, Han Zu needed to respond even more quickly to ensure safety. The long time required for mist activation meant it was unsuitable for such situations; it was too slow. Even if the enemy or target possessed powerful attacks but not great speed, Han Zu could simply use his own speed to close in or out of range, rendering mist useless.

If there's anything special about misting, it's probably that in this state, Han Zu is practically transformed into a body of pure energy, with no collision volume. Furthermore, while in mist, as long as he stays within the sphere's range, his energy consumption is almost negligible. This state can be used to pass through narrow, crowded gaps or corners. However, due to range constraints, this environment can't be too large. After all, if he leaves the sphere's range, Han Zu will automatically recover from misting the moment he leaves the edge, and the sphere will begin to merge with the mist, reappearing only after he has regained his normal human form. Therefore, the misting ability is still too ineffective for Han Zu.

"Perhaps I could use this form for ambushes or reconnaissance... Not really, the startup and recovery time is still too long. Let's think about it..."

Han Zu was at a loss as to what to do with the useless ability of mist transformation. He couldn't think of anything else to do with it. Just then, the transport vehicle arrived at a node near the teleportation center. Han Zu stopped thinking about it, stepped out of the vehicle, and entered the passage leading to the teleportation center.

The teleportation center was deserted today, with only a few contractors performing maintenance work. However, the center itself wasn't experiencing any issues, so the contractors were simply recording data. Data collection and recording were quickly completed, and Han Zu stepped onto one of the teleportation platforms, leaving the facility and teleporting to the military base where Gloria was.

Han Zu had been to this base several times, so he was familiar with the cabin where Gloria usually stayed, but Gloria was not there today, so Han Zu used the contractor's equipment to send a communication to Gloria, telling her that he had arrived.

"I'm here, where are you?"

"I'm leading a team of soldiers to participate in a large-scale operation involving contractors and allied Tigris. I intend to test their combat capabilities. I'm currently on a contractor's gunboat. We've been on the move for over ten minutes."

"Oh, didn't you say Christina wanted to see me about something? Where is she?"

"She was quite cautious. After she learned that I was leaving, she asked me to take her back to your base. She should be waiting for you there."

"Okay, I'll go back now."

Gloria was busy, so Han Zu didn't talk much and quickly ended the call. He prepared to return to his base. His base wasn't a very important facility (compared to the military base Han Zu was currently in), so there was no need to use a dedicated teleportation center. He used the built-in teleportation function of the contractor's equipment and teleported directly back to the original location.

Walking out of the teleportation platform in the base, Han Zu saw Christina not far ahead. She was doing some stretching exercises randomly and looked very nervous.

"Are you looking for me?"

"Bastinburg should be safe now. I can take you there, but it's fine if you want to rest for a couple of days. I heard from Gloria that you've just completed quite a few experimental projects."

"It's not necessary to take two days off. I've rested well these past few days and I can act at any time. But you, you look very nervous. Don't you need to take a break?"

Christina waved her hands and took two deep breaths to calm herself down, but it didn't seem to have much effect.

"That's fine with me. Let's go now?"

"Don't worry, tell me more about Bastinburg."

Christina didn't know much about Bastinburg, and what she said was not much different from before.

"... Anyway, it's still what I said before. I don't know anything more. The situation inside Bastinburg may be changing all the time. Even if we have previous experience, it may not be of much use. Do you need anything else?"

"No need, let's go."

Han Zu changed into a simple pair of tracksuits and stood beside Christina, signaling her to begin teleporting. After Han Zu lifted the base's energy blockade, Christina channeled her own energy and grasped Han Zu's arm. After a brief energy surge, the two vanished from the base. Opening his eyes again, Han Zu saw an unfamiliar place. It resembled a grand, though slightly dilapidated, castle, located at the far northwest corner of the moat's drawbridge, only a few meters from the woods behind.

"How is this going??"

Unlike Han Zu who was admiring the surrounding scenery, Christina's expression immediately changed from nervousness to anxiety and uneasiness. Her voice trembled with excitement. Han Zu noticed this and withdrew his attention from the surrounding scenery and asked about Christina's condition.

"what happened to you?"

"Why hasn't the incident in Bastionburg ended yet?!"

"Huh? Everything around me seems normal. The sun is shining brightly, and there's a gentle breeze. Aside from the castle being a little damaged, everything else is fine."

"I have to go, Han Zu. It's up to you from now on. I'll wait for you back at the base!"

But before Han Zu could ask what was going on, Christina, sweating profusely, said a few words and then teleported away. Judging from the unstable energy fluctuations around her before she disappeared, Christina seemed a little scared.

"No, what's wrong? It looks normal to me."

The environment around Han Zu could be described with adjectives such as sunny, bright sunshine, birds singing and flowers blooming. So when he found out that Christina was scared away, he was naturally confused and had no idea why.