Chapter 1: Guide
“The test results are out, Miss Song. I’m honored to inform you of the result — you’ve differentiated into a Guide.”
The doctor delivering the results was visibly excited. In this era where Guides were desperately scarce, he had personally detected the emergence of one — what an honor!
Over a decade ago, the apocalypse descended. Plants and animals mutated, countless lives were lost, and humanity was forced to flee, doing everything it could just to survive.
Eventually, whether due to the harsh environment or the evolution of humanity itself, a portion of people began to differentiate.
One group became Sentinels, with combat abilities maxed out, the other became Guides, who, apart from being able to soothe Sentinels, seemed to have no other use.
Song Nanxi, a young woman who had lived a slack and idle life in the base for eighteen years, suddenly transformed from an ordinary human into a Guide on the day she came of age.
The doctor handed the test report to Song Nanxi. “Your report and personal data have already been uploaded to the White Tower. Within a week, someone from the White Tower will come to pick you up. Further testing for your Guide classification can only be conducted there.”
The doctor was beaming. He patted her shoulder. “Time to enjoy a good life.”
Song Nanxi glanced down at the test report in her hand.
This single sheet of paper guaranteed a worry-free life from now on. As long as she stayed alive, she’d never go hungry or cold again.
Here, anyone could starve — except a Guide.
The severely imbalanced ratio between Sentinels and Guides had elevated Guides to a position of supreme importance.
She had spent the first half of her life lying flat in an orphanage in the base — now she could lie flat in the White Tower.
How nice.
“Do I need to prepare anything? Like luggage?” Song Nanxi asked the doctor.
“No need. Absolutely no need. You don’t have to prepare anything at all. Just follow them to the White Tower — they’ll provide everything you need! You’ll also receive a generous monthly allowance. Guides are treasured, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Alright. Thank you.” Song Nanxi carefully put away the test report and left the hospital.
Under the leadership of the former national authorities, the base had gotten back on track over the past decade. As long as you stayed inside, it was a relatively peaceful and stable life.
She stood at the hospital entrance, watching the stream of pedestrians passing by. Here, 80% of people were ordinary humans, 18% were Sentinels, and only 2%… were Guides.
This means… Song Nanxi’s sluggish brain finally snapped fully awake, her eyes lighting up.
She never had to work hard again! No more slaving away in the fields from dawn to dusk just for a few contribution points! No more scrimping and saving just to afford a slice of cake!
With that thought, she walked lightly back to the orphanage.
The orphanage was where she had grown up. It didn’t support them forever—she had started working at sixteen. Nowadays, the currency had changed to contribution points. Farming, labor, and going out to hunt mutated creatures were all ways to earn them.
Even if she hadn’t differentiated into a Guide, she could have survived—it just wouldn’t have been a happy life.
—
“Hello, Miss Song Nanxi, correct? I’m a Sentinel from the White Tower. My name is Fang Yinnian, and I’ll be escorting you to the White Tower.”
The Sentinel at the door was tall, broad-shouldered with a slim waist. His tight combat uniform faintly outlined his muscular build. Combined with his handsome face and calm voice, he was the kind of person who easily left a good impression.
He was at least a head taller than Song Nanxi—probably around 1.9 meters.
Song Nanxi asked, “When are we leaving?”
“Right now, of course. If you need time to pack, we’ll wait patiently. But the White Tower will provide housing and all-new daily essentials, so there’s no need to spend too much time preparing anything.”
Besides Fang Yinnian, four other tall men stood behind him. They looked like a small team.
Song Nanxi immediately said goodbye to the head of the orphanage and followed them.
Inside the off-road vehicle, she was surrounded by men, but they were all very disciplined and kept a respectful distance, so she didn’t feel pressured.
“Is the White Tower far from here?” Song Nanxi asked.
Fang Yinnian, seated beside her, answered seriously, “About 60 kilometers—it’ll take about an hour. If you get bored, feel free to take a nap. You can rest on my shoulder.”
Song Nanxi looked at his broad shoulder. “I really can?”
“Of course. Sentinels are born to serve Guides.”
“What will I need to do once I get to the White Tower?”
Fang Yinnian began explaining, “First, you’ll need a medical check-up. The White Tower prioritizes the health of every Guide. Then, you’ll undergo a mental power assessment. Different levels of Guides are assigned to different levels of Sentinels.”
“Once your level is assessed, you’ll be assigned a residence and a personal soothing room. In the future, any emotional regulation sessions with Sentinels will take place there.”
“Before you officially begin your duties, there will be a one-week training course. It will teach you how to use your mental power, and… how to protect yourself.”
When Song Nanxi heard that, she looked up at him. “Do Guides face danger?”
“No—but in this world, accidents can always happen. A Guide can’t just be a delicate flower.”
“I like that philosophy. But… I really don’t want to suffer anymore…” Song Nanxi sighed deeply. She had suffered enough in her life. Was it too much to ask to just be a salted fish now?
“It’s a gradual process—it won’t be too hard, I promise.”
“You promise? So you can plead with my instructor for me?”
Fang Yinnian looked down at her and chuckled softly. “I’m your instructor.”
Song Nanxi laughed too. “Then go easy on me, please.”
“I will.” Fang Yinnian nodded, agreeing to her request.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. As long as the request from a Guide isn’t unreasonable, I’ll do my best to fulfill it,” Fang Yinnian said with a smile.
The conversation ended there. Fang Yinnian wasn’t the type to keep the mood lively, and Song Nanxi didn’t have much else she wanted to ask.
She stared out the window at the scenery rushing by, letting her thoughts wander chaotically. Her mind was like winding vines, hooking onto whatever it touched and spiraling outward.
Fang Yinnian had actually just completed a mission. After clearing out a contaminated area of mutated creatures, he’d started feeling a dull ache in his head. He thought to himself, he needed to schedule a soothing session with a Guide.
But before he could do that, his superiors had sent him to pick up this new Guide.
The vehicle fell into silence, only the sounds of breathing could be heard. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the pain in his head.
There was an inexplicable sense of calm. He didn’t know where it came from—he assumed it was an illusion, maybe a symptom of overexposure?
It was his first time spending so long in a contamination zone. Maybe even one session of soothing wouldn’t be enough?
Fang Yinnian let out a sudden laugh. This feeling was like being on a ticking clock toward death. Most Sentinels didn’t live long. The stronger their abilities, the faster they died.
Ultimately, it was because there were too few Guides—especially high-level ones.