Future's Edge

Chapter 3: Jiangnan City

"Once the RR virus emerged, it spread rapidly across the globe, infecting all forms of life... whether human or animal, any creature that breathes became a host to the virus."

"By the time humanity discovered the presence of the RR virus, it was already too late."

"The mortality rate from the RR virus was alarmingly high, nearing 30%. In just three months, as post-event statistics would later reveal, the global population was reduced by nearly two billion, in addition to the massive loss of animal life. Those three months were a nightmare. Scientists around the world were helpless in the face of this virus."

"Of the nearly five billion human survivors, each of them naturally developed antibodies in their bodies!"

"After this dreadful three-month period, the world was enveloped in endless grief."

Luo Feng spoke slowly. "During this process, the survivors noticed that their physical conditions had greatly improved. Almost every person saw an increase in strength, speed, cellular vitality, and skin elasticity—surpassing even double the previous levels! Even an average individual could easily break world records in weightlifting and the 100-meter sprint."

"However… the true disaster was only beginning!"

"Having lived in comfort, the humans now found their physical prowess greatly enhanced. Similarly, the animals, also survivors of the RR virus, had evolved according to nature's law of survival of the fittest. This transformation granted them far greater strength than that of humans. In fact, some terrifying creatures even gained intelligence!"

"In September 2015, the first attack came from the ocean’s endless creatures. Countless transformed 'monsters' emerged, beginning their assault on human settlements!"

"Bloodshed and madness ensued!"

"In the war between humanity and these monsters, it was shocking to discover that the once-proud firearms were only effective against lower-level beasts. The formidable avian and terrestrial monsters were completely impervious to bullets and gunfire. Bullets would barely pierce their scales! Missiles were easily dodged by monsters with faster reflexes and greater speed."

"Even when humanity resorted to nuclear bombs, they were met with an unexpected revelation…"

"The monsters' defense was so strong that only those within the core impact zone of the nuclear blast were killed. In the larger affected area, most of the monsters remained unharmed. The nuclear blast's power was far less than humanity had anticipated. While it killed many creatures, the radiation birthed even more terrifying monsters. The most infamous of them was the 'Blood Demon Sky Wolf,' which not only had the ability to fly but also slaughtered over a million humans. This was when humanity realized… nuclear radiation could cause mutations in some monsters, giving rise to even more horrifying entities."

"Among the monsters, there were creatures of unimaginable terror, but humans too began to see the rise of powerful beings. The Blood Demon Sky Wolf, for instance, was eventually heavily injured and driven away by a human super-strong individual, one of the world's top-ranked 'Thunder God.'"

"These strong beings saved countless ordinary citizens in critical moments, assisting the military in fighting the monster hordes. In the process, countless heroic stories emerged."

"Meanwhile, human scientists, led by Croden Senna, used the remains of monsters and the 'Blue Gold' metal discovered on the moon to invent an alloy harder than diamond—Crodon Alloy! This allowed human super-beings to wield terrifying weapons capable of slicing through the tough hides and scales of monsters."

Luo Feng recalled the history recorded in his books with clarity.

"During the war, many cities were destroyed."

"In China, the nation urgently constructed six major bases to relocate vast numbers of people. As for the super-strong humans… our country, along with India, which reveres ancient yoga, boasted the highest numbers. Meanwhile, America, the EU, and the Soviet Union led in technology."

"Because the oceans were teeming with monsters, nearly every island nation was wiped out!"

"Even now, the ocean remains the domain of the monsters."

"In the war between monsters and humans, only China, India, America, the EU, and the Soviet Union managed to protect their territories. All other nations were fragmented. In the crucial moments, the five powerful nations formed the Earth Alliance, which then assisted in establishing numerous human bases worldwide."

"The war between monsters and humans, which began in September 2015, finally came to an end after the successful development of the ultra-high-frequency laser cannon in March 2021. With this weapon, humanity killed over a dozen S-level monsters and two SS-level ones."

Luo Feng sighed deeply.

"Five and a half years of war—the most terrifying conflict in history! Nearly one billion humans perished in this war. Only five countries preserved their 'national' system, while the survivors from other nations were relocated to various human bases, blending together in mixed communities."

"To this day…"

"On land, humanity holds the advantage. But the ocean, still teeming with monsters, remains their territory!"

"From 2013 to 2021, these eight years marked humanity's Great Rebirth!" Luo Feng sat back on the couch and spoke slowly.

Dong… dong… dong…

The sound of the clock echoed through the room.

The clock on the wall chimed five times—it was already five in the afternoon.

"The Great Rebirth," Luo Hua sighed. "Brother, honestly, it's hard for me to imagine that before this Great Rebirth period, the world had over 200 nations and regions. At that time, the population was just 7 billion. Some of those smaller nations were so minuscule… it’s hard to believe that a single powerful monster could have wiped them off the map."

Luo Feng nodded. "And now, the world consists of just five major powers and 23 cities."

Across the entire planet, there are five major countries—China, India, America, the European Union, and the Soviet Union. In addition, there are 23 human bases, or 'cities,' formed by regions like South America and Africa.

China has six human bases, which now form the six major cities!

Luo Feng's home is in the Yangzhou District of the eighth satellite city, one of Jiangnan City's eight central regions.

Jiangnan City has a population of nearly two hundred million, and Yangzhou, one of its eight satellite cities, has a population exceeding ten million. The human base in Jiangnan City primarily consists of people who migrated from the original provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, along with some from Anhui.

"Such a distant memory," Luo Hua remarked, glancing at the clock. "Now it’s 2056, more than 30 years since the Great Rebirth. The human society has strengthened so much in these past three decades."

Luo Feng nodded.

"Thirty years... the number of strong humans has indeed increased, and technology has progressed. But monsters have also evolved, giving rise to even more terrifying beings."

…

Click!

The door to the room opened, and a middle-aged couple walked in. The man was drenched in sweat, with paint and other stains on his clothes, looking fatigued. The woman was of average height, carrying a basket filled with vegetables and meat.

"Dad, Mom." Luo Feng immediately stood up—this couple was his parents.

Father Luo Hongguo, mother Gong Xinlan.

"Ah, Little Feng, don’t mind us. You focus on your studies," Luo Hongguo said with a smile, knowing his son was preparing for the college entrance exam.

Luo Hongguo looked down and noticed a large plastic cup of cool boiled water on the table, his heart warmed. Every time he returned, a cup of water was always ready for him. After a long day of work, he eagerly grabbed the cup and drank it all in one go, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Go take a bath, you’re drenched in sweat," his mother, Gong Xinlan, said with a smile.

"Haha," Luo Hongguo laughed and immediately went to change into fresh clothes, heading towards the narrow bathroom that the family had used for many years.

Gong Xinlan smiled at her two sons. "Little Feng, Little Hua, I made braised pork for you today!"

"I love braised pork!" Luo Hua exclaimed immediately.

Luo Feng also smiled, watching his mother tie her apron and prepare for dinner. He knew very well… his mother always went grocery shopping after work in the evening because...