This was the first time Jiang Qiuqiu had faced death since arriving in this era.
He hadnāt died right in front of her, but he was someone she had met beforeāher āpatient.ā
And just like that, he had vanished without a sound.
It wasnāt her fault, but a sense of emptiness lingered in Jiang Qiuqiuās heart all afternoon.
She didnāt snap out of it until Sister Mingmei sent a message saying Little President Qian was fine.
After prepping the ingredients for the next dayās livestream, Jiang Qiuqiu got into bed early and began searching for topics like āgene collapseā and ābeastification in retired soldiers.ā
Unlike her previous searches, which yielded endless answers, this query returned very little content on the Star Network.
Gene collapse was believed to be a consequence of humanityās incomplete evolution.
Over the long course of history, in order to survive in the interstellar age and fight the Insect Race, humanity had instinctually awakened the Genes of many animals from the era of Ancient Blue Star within the New Federation Star System.
People gained immense power, stronger physiques, and greater spiritual power, enough to pilot Mecha and contend with the Insect Race and other Aliens, ultimately becoming the dominant force in the New Star System.
But this power came with a downside.
Not everyone could obtain this āperfectā power. Those chosen by its imperfect form were the ones who suffered from gene collapse.
The final fate for those with gene collapse was always more or less the same.
It was only a matter of time, and almost no one could intervene. Over fifty years ago, a beloved and highly talented young noble of the Imperial Family had contracted the disease. Dozens of the most powerful Spirit Healing Masters of the era took turns treating him, but his condition never improved.
His death became the final āverdictā on the illness. If even he couldnāt be cured, an ordinary person who contracted it could only wait to die.
...
There was also a small community on the Star Network, a group formed by an alliance of those with gene collapse.
Jiang Qiuqiu hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should enter.
But in the end, she clicked on it.
It was a forum with very simple posts.
āItās over. How could I be diagnosed with this? Iām only forty-seven. I wanted to dedicate my life to the battlefield, to fight for the Federation...
āIām sick. With *this* disease. Why couldnāt they have found it sooner? Iām already married, I have children. Iād rather have died on the battlefieldāat least there wouldāve been a death benefit. How am I supposed to tell my wife and kids? Is there something wrong with my Genes? Is it hereditary?
āIām in the early stages. I saw a post here before from someone who also had it. She had a positive outlook and lived for twenty years without any issues. So donāt worry too much, everyone, try to relax. And for us veterans, donāt worry. The Federation wonāt forget us.
I am documenting my condition here: Iām a Tibetan Antelope Genetic Hybrid with A-level spiritual power, diagnosed with gene collapse at the age of thirty-one.
Month One: I feel like Iām in excellent condition.
Month Two: Still doing pretty well.
Month Three... Damn it. I met a really sweet and cute girl at the relief center. She was there to donate natural food and she kept trying to add me on my terminal.
Year One: I couldnāt resist such an enthusiastic girl. I went to the Military Department hospital for a check-up, and my condition was still excellent. Itās making me wonder if I was ever sick at all.
Below the post, a group of fellow patients congratulated him.
He replied with a smile, wishing them the same happiness.
Reading this, Jiang Qiuqiu couldnāt help but smile.
-Year Three: My symptoms are still very mild. She isnāt married yet and says she wants to be my girlfriend. Iām terrified, but also excited. Should I say yes?