Since The Red Moon Appeared

 Chapter 10: Special Unit – Supernumerarys 

Lu Xin on his way back home in Chen Jing’s car scanned through the documents handed to him thoroughly.

Name – Lu Xin

Age – 23

Summary – Level C

Psyche mutate type – Spider-type

Area of service – Qing Gang satellite city 2

The document was mostly talking about how Lu Xin had been hired as a supernumerary and his responsibilities within the unit – investigation, scavenging, disposal of subjects, etc.
It was also worth noting that it said on the document the team would guide and help him to better control his powers, all to prevent him from losing control.

The most attractive part about that piece of paper was where the wage was stated.
Even for a supernumerary, the monthly salary was around $5000.
He would also get a commission every time he go out for a mission, and the commission would be based on the difficulty of the job.

…

“If you have no problems with the recruitment, just sign on the paper.”

One hand on the steering wheel, Chen Jing handed another piece of document to Lu Xin.

“You’ll be part of the unit after signing this document, directly under me.
I’ll ready some psyche disposal work for you.
Don’t forget this is still a temporary recruitment stage, and you’ll still need to pass the examination period.”

“…”

“Damn, can I not go full-time already?”

Feeling a little bit insecure, he took the pen.
The only thing cheering him up was still the “wage” on the document.

Normally with these types of offers, Lu Xin would’ve agreed to the job without a heartbeat.
However, he was still a little bit hesitant about the content of the job.

“So… What do I actually do?”
“Contamination source investigation and disposal.” She answered seriously, “Ever since the red moon, there had been a lot of psyche contamination incidents.
A lot of them spread and a lot remained still.
Your job is basically investigating the sources of these contaminations, eliminating them if necessary.
Though sometimes if you get offers from the outsiders, what you do will depend on the content of the offer.”

“Are there going to be situations where I can refuse the job?” He asked carefully.

The question silenced Chen Jing for a slight moment.

“You’re still a supernumerary, so I believe you can refuse a job if you feel uncomfortable.
You can always take up offers as well, as long as the offer doesn’t have conflicts with your work.
But to be honest, I’d rather you be ready for the job.”

“Any contamination incidents that actually require us to mobilize usually aren’t things that can be glossed over with.
It can be extremely dangerous even for us, let alone normal people who don’t have any abilities.
It would normally be the end of them if they ever encounter any contamination source.
Ever since the red moon, we should cherish every one.”

“…”

“…”

Lu Xin became a little stiff from what she said, but rather than hesitating, he started writing on the paper.

“With all the risks I said, you still decided to join the team?”

“I believe helping people with my gifted ability is what I should do.
The principal in the orphanage I was living in always told me about the world before and after the red moon; the chaos and the failure of civilization in the world, only if the people stop fighting will the world return to its order and peace.
I don’t have any idea what the world was like before the red moon, but I think he’s right.”

“…”

Chen Jing stole a glance from Lu Xin, a little bit perplexed by the word he said – not the content but rather the person who said it.
Still, she just chuckled without making any remarks.
She took the document that Lu Xin just signed and in exchange gave him a box.
In the box was an ID, a black satellite phone, and… a revolver with two boxes of bullets.

“What’s this..?” he asked, confused by the objects given to him.

“The phone’s for communication.
We’ll communicate via the black object, whether for work or anything.
The only number on the phone is mine.
The ID is just for identification, and it can be useful if you need to work with different departments.
The revolver is for yourself and your protection, and its the same goes for everyone in the unit.”

“…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but stare at the gun.
He knew how strict the city is with guns, but the unit gave him a gun straight away? Especially when Chen Jing told him the gun’s for his protection.

So, what? The gun’s not entirely for his job?

It was kind of surprising given that they still have the impression that he was a psyche mutant.
Lu Xin knew how good Chen Jing was at her job, but from her subtle expressions, Lu Xin knew she still imagines him as a schizophrenic person who held the risk of losing control.

Then why did she give me a gun?

“Before you join the action unit, I need to declare something.
If you ever meet any problems or annoyance, I advise you to either: call the Qing Gang City 2 office, call me, or just use the damn gun.
Unless you’re desperate, we don’t encourage you to use your power to deal with troubles.”

“…”

He understood instantly.

Maybe they gave him the gun because he held the risk of losing control.
If he ever reached that point, causing damage with the gun will be so much less significant than if he was to use his power.

They gave me the gun because they fear me.
That’s right, it’s only natural that they’re cautious around me.

…

…

A voice resounded in the earpiece that Chen Jing was wearing,

“As shown from the information, he had been funding the red moon orphanage ever since it was rebuilt.
Maybe due to being an orphan himself, he empathizes with the kids.
But still, do you think it’s a good idea to hire a subject into the unit?”

“Yes.”

She didn’t add anything or explanation.

The only reason she came in close contact with the subject was to make judgements on him on a personal level.
She believes in her own judgement.

“But he has schiz…”

“I’ll report to the professor once I get back.” She said, after which she pulled off the earpiece roughly.

Bunch of armchair strategists!

Why would she ever invite him if she didn’t make sure he was ok to be recruited?

And for everyone in the unit, who dare say they’re completely normal?

Only for his schizophrenic tendencies that they decided that he’s a lunatic? If she was to show them, the people who work behind screens but never the scenes the video recorded on the camera, how’d they react?

On a document that she hadn’t shown the young man, his rick rating was 75%.

Risk of losing control – 80%, unsuitable for recruitment, absolutely not.

Risk of losing control – 90%, disposal work should be readied.

Risk of losing control – 95%, it doesn’t matter no atrocities was done by the subject, extermination is advised! 

…

…

The obstacles in rebuilding society are unimaginable.
The unethical companies, those that wander in the wilderness, the monsters that are infiltrating within the crowd… Including all the other factors, the army and forces within the walls wouldn’t stand a chance if anything great happens… That was why she was not going to even try to convince them.
Only doing what she thinks was right.
They had no choice, and they didn’t have the luxury of choosing from a selection of people.

Only lunatics are able to withstand monsters.

 

Notes – I realized the consistency around Lu Xin’s job in the unit in the previous chapters is a bit faulty, it shouldn’t be “scavenging”, it should be “disposal”