ICAWZ Chapter 4

[I am still searching for the way home, inadvertently gazing at the stars, only to realize that I have long transcended time and the cycle of life and death.]

 

Countless celestial fragments drift in the universe, and in an era predating the flourishing of the Zerg race, the planet Salaranfa had experienced a catastrophe. Millions of years ago, a massive meteor collided with the planet, causing the ground to rupture, wildfires to erupt, and nearly wiping out the entire Zerg civilization.

Most female zergs were brave and skilled in combat, their bodies constantly evolving and strengthening due to the harsh environment, allowing them to survive. The weaker male zergs, however, suffered extensive casualties, and their numbers sharply declined. Only a few fortunate survivors remained.

Currently, on the planet Salaranfa, the ratio of males to females is extremely imbalanced, with females giving birth frequently, while males become increasingly scarce. As a crucial link in the reproductive chain, male zergs naturally receive preferential treatment and admiration from the empire, nothing short of elation when they venture far and find a mate.

“Female zergs can grow wings and sharp claws for flying in combat mode, making it easier for us to fight and kill. However, males lack these abilities, you see.”

As Yulejia spoke, he flicked his wrist, and suddenly, his right hand was covered in a dark exoskeleton. His nails swelled and lengthened, their tips gleaming with a metallic cold light, capable of easily tearing through flesh and blood.

Observing his surroundings impassively, Lu Yuan felt as if he were in a sci-fi movie, increasingly convinced that he was on an extraterrestrial planet. He calmly surveyed the area within the cabin and noticed that in the “non-metamorphosis” state, all zergs looked similar, with only differences in body color and eye color, making it impossible to distinguish between males and females. “Is this how you differentiate genders?”

Yulejia was momentarily stunned by the question, evidently not expecting Lu Yuan to ask such a thing. He quickly responded, “Your Excellency, female zergs have zerg markings on their necks from birth, while males do not. If you want to differentiate between genders, just look at the neck.”

In reality, there were other methods, such as the fact that males were generally shorter and weaker, with less refined appearances compared to females. However, these criteria clearly did not apply to Lu Yuan.

Upon hearing the mention, Lu Yuan subconsciously touched the back of his neck—

There seemed to be a tattoo on his neck.

However, Yulejia didn’t notice Lu Yuan’s unusual reaction and continued, as if reminded of something, “Your Excellency, when we arrive at the medical center, the doctor will conduct a blood purity test for you. Even if you don’t have a residence permit, it doesn’t matter. The Empire offers generous subsidies to males. If your blood purity is high enough, you can enjoy the privileges of a first-class citizen.”

Lu Yuan heard another new term, “Blood purity?”

“The meteor that collided with the planet years ago was actually a special source stone, containing a radioactive contaminating energy. Prolonged exposure would cause genetic mutations. Due to their weak constitution, male zergs suffered varying degrees of radiation pollution, leading to a decline in reproductive abilities. Although purification has occurred through generations, blood purity has improved significantly. However, the highest blood purity among males is only 56%, held by a male zerg currently granted a royal title by the Empire and treated as an esteemed guest.”

This particular male zerg under the crown was likely very popular, similar to the status of a popular public figure. Lu Yuan noticed that when Yulejia mentioned this individual, his face displayed a fervent expression akin to a starstruck fan, and even his tone involuntarily became more animated.

Lu Yuan finally seemed to grasp the situation, saying, “So, the higher the blood purity of a male zerg, the stronger their reproductive abilities?”

Yulejia shrugged, “In a sense, yes. However, the male under the crown is an exceptional case. The majority of male zergs have a blood purity of only around 30%.”

He finished speaking and gave Lu Yuan a subtle glance, his gaze mixed with a hint of sympathy. Internally, he speculated that the blood purity of the gentleman before him probably wasn’t exceptionally high—

Lu Yuan had spent a full five days in the Solitiam Forest, the most heavily polluted area in the entire empire.

Lu Yuan was oblivious to Yulejia’s inner thoughts, and in the next half-hour, he underwent an all-encompassing indoctrination from Yulejia. When Lu Yuan learned that there were no females on the planet Salaranfa, half of his worldview shattered. When he discovered that the Zerg race relied on female zergs to lay eggs for reproduction, his astonishment reached its peak.

“Laying eggs? You guys?!”

Lu Yuan was completely stunned. His gaze first fell on Yulejia, then lingered on Yusto for a moment. His eyes passed over their robust and smooth body contours, making it difficult to imagine that they could lay eggs and give birth.

Clearly, they looked no different from men…

Yusto remained on the outskirts of the conversation. As if sensing Lu Yuan’s overly “intense” gaze, he lazily lifted an eyelid, casting a sidelong glance at him. With a smirk that was more teasing than anything, he said, “Your Excellency, I must remind you that staring at an unmarried female zerg like that is rather impolite.”

He sat with crossed legs, causing a few wrinkles on his compliant military pants. His knee-high black boots appeared cold, rigid, and dangerous, mirroring an air of danger. In any case, they seemed completely unrelated to anything as soft as “pregnancy.”

Lu Yuan suddenly became aware of the gravity of the situation. As a 100% pure human, he lacked the pheromone glands used by male zergs for communication and the wings used by female zergs for combat. It was akin to an Earthling having neither breasts nor genitalia. He couldn’t help but worry: if he went to a hospital for a checkup, would he be mistaken for an unknown creature and subjected to research?!

Biopsy? Blood draw? Cremation?

The more Lu Yuan thought about it, the colder his spine became. His brain started working rapidly, contemplating how to avoid the hospital. He glanced at the wound on his leg, which was already bandaged. Seizing on this, he said to Yulejia, “My injury isn’t actually severe. Just find a place to put me down somewhere, no need to go out of your way to take me to the hospital.”

Yulejia was somewhat surprised, “You’re not going to the hospital? But we’ve already reported to the medical center. Why not get a check-up, especially considering the high pollution index in the Solitiam Forest…”

Lu Yuan lowered his head, flexing his fingertips and wrists, “Thanks, but my body doesn’t seem to have any issues at the moment. If something comes up in the future, going to the hospital won’t be too late.”

Yulejia realized something, “Do you not like going to the hospital?”

Lu Yuan was about to respond when a slow and leisurely voice sounded from above, “Don’t like going to the hospital? While it’s true that male zergs are always infallible, Your Excellency, I suggest you’d better make a visit.”

Lu Yuan subconsciously looked up and saw that the silver-haired man had approached unnoticed, with arms crossed and casually leaning against the cabin wall.

Lu Yuan frowned slightly, “Why?”

However, Yusto answered with a question unrelated to his own, “Do you feel numbness in the injured leg and a chilling sensation throughout your body?”

Lu Yuan carefully assessed, “Well… yes, a bit.”

Yusto continued, “And have you noticed drowsiness and a heavy feeling in your brain?”

Lu Yuan had an ominous premonition, “What are you trying to say?”

Yusto shrugged slightly, smiling, “Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to say that the snake that bit you is a new mutated species. Regular antivenom won’t work. We can only temporarily use injections to suppress the spread of the toxin. If you want a complete cure, you have to go to the medical center.”

Damn!

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan’s vision blurred, and he nearly tumbled off the medical bed. Whether it was due to the effects of the medication or something else, not only his leg but also half of his shoulder now felt numb. Shivering, he asked, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

Seeing Lu Yuan almost falling off the bed, Yusto, unusually benevolent, grabbed his shoulder and helped him back, saying without a hint of sincerity, “Sorry, consider it my negligence. But you better not move randomly; it’ll accelerate the spread of the toxin…”

As he spoke, he suddenly fell silent, his expression turning strange as he stared at the back of Lu Yuan’s neck, reaching out as if to grab his clothes.

Lu Yuan was already worried about a medical examination, so he acted swiftly, gripping Yusto’s wrist as he looked directly into his eyes, questioning with his gaze: What’s the matter?

He had endured this white-furred red-eyed trickster for quite a while.

Yusto raised an eyebrow, “Your Excellency, it’s not quite appropriate to hold the hand of an unmarried female zerg like this.”

“Really?” Lu Yuan, refusing to back down, echoed his words with a reminder, “But tearing clothes doesn’t seem like something an unmarried female zerg should do either, right?”

Lu Yuan had just heard from Yulejia that Salaranfa was extremely strict with unmarried female zergs. Casual physical contact with male zergs could be seen as a vulgar and improper behavior. Of course, this rule didn’t apply to partners.

Yusto didn’t expect Lu Yuan to use this against him. His face inexplicably turned a bit warm, but he quickly caught on and responded with a teasing smile, “Really? If you find it inappropriate, why not marry me as your female monarch?”

Yusto’s unexpected proposal left everyone on the warship, including Lu Yuan, in a collective state of shock. They all stared at Yusto with wide eyes, utterly incredulous.

Lu Yuan was the slowest to react, while Yulejia and the other zergs experienced a myriad of complex emotions. Their gazes accused, expressed bitter indignation, and their faces seemed to scream, ‘You shameless person! The male zerg clearly belongs to all of us. Even if you’re interested, you should compete fairly. How can you shamelessly seduce him?! Shameless! Absolutely shameless!’

In the midst of everyone’s bewilderment, there was a sudden “ripping” sound. Yusto, with no warning, had torn off Lu Yuan’s clothes, exposing his muscular physique to the open air.

“Hiss—”

A series of gasps resounded in the air. Yulejia and the other zergs couldn’t help but collectively inhale sharply, eyes widening in astonishment. This time, it wasn’t due to Lu Yuan’s unexpectedly revealed physique but because of the black dragon-like marking on the back of his neck.

Among the Zerg race, there was no concept of tattoos. Any marking on the back of the neck undoubtedly belonged to a female zerg. They had always believed Lu Yuan was a male zerg, never expecting that he was actually a female zerg?!

Yulejia clutched his chest, feeling a pang of heartache. He pointed shakily at Yusto, exclaiming, “You, you, you! Didn’t you say he was a male zerg?! I believed you so much, and you actually lied to me?!”

Yusto himself was momentarily stunned. He had glimpsed the marking on the back of Lu Yuan’s neck and wanted to get a closer look, never expecting him to truly be a female zerg?!

But Lu Yuan’s blood undeniably contained pheromones. Could it be that because the other had been bitten by a venomous snake, blood contamination led to his hallucination?

However, the surprise only lasted for a moment. Yusto quickly snapped out of it, tossing the torn clothes aside. He sneered mockingly, “You believe whatever I say? Yulejia, I think you not only need to go to the hospital to wash your eyes but also to clear the water in your brain.”

Such a sharp tongue! Too venomous!

Yulejia, upon hearing those words, rolled his eyes, shuddering all over, almost fainting from the insult.

Yusto was about to say something when he suddenly felt a pull on his clothes. Lowering his gaze, he saw Lu Yuan, who had been fine just a moment ago, collapse at the bedside. One hand tightly clutched onto the fabric of Yusto’s clothes.

Yusto, displaying a notably better attitude towards female zergs, raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. Leaning in, he looked like a military ruffian, “Female zerg, what else do you need?”

Lu Yuan weakly spoke, “My eyes… suddenly blacked out, and my body feels powerless…”

Damn, it feels like heading back to the heavenly realm.

Yusto reached out and felt his neck artery, “Oh, it might be a side effect of the suppressant injection. You’ll be fine once we reach the medical center.”

At a critical moment, Lu Yuan couldn’t care less if he would end up being dissected for research. Preserving his life was more crucial. He gripped Yusto’s clothes, asking a crucial question, “Treatment at the hospital is free, right?”

Yusto pondered for a moment and then nodded, “Yes, but only for male zergs.”

Damn it!

Lu Yuan felt desperate and, clutching onto the last thread of hope, asked, “Do you accept Chinese yuan?”

Yusto furrowed his brow, “What’s Chinese yuan? We only accept star credits.”

Lu Yuan’s vision darkened, feeling like he was about to faint. “I… I have one last question…”

Yusto made a gesture for him to continue, “Go ahead.”

Lu Yuan looked at him earnestly, “Can you help cover my medical expenses?”

Yusto: “…”

 

 

---

Author’s note:

Lu Yuan → Broke.