"Is the frequency of the blood moon high? How large is the affected area?" Sun Hang asked.
"The frequency isn't fixed... Sometimes the blood moon appears seven or eight times in a year, and sometimes it doesn't appear for several years." Yang Qi replied, "As for the range, the entire Xiazhou Continent, wherever the moon is visible, will be affected."
"The entire Xiazhou Continent?" Sun Hang was momentarily stunned. If the range of the blood moon is this vast, it should be common knowledge. So why doesn't he remember anything about it?
Could this part of his memory also be lost?
"Then why hasn't the top brass recalled us?" Sun Hang looked at Wang Xiyi, "In your current state, being exposed under the blood moon is probably very dangerous, right?"
"...I'll give them a call to find out." Yang Qi took out her phone.
Within ten seconds of the call connecting, Yang Qi's face turned grim. After repeatedly saying "Understood, got it," she covered the receiver with one hand and looked up at Sun Hang and Wang Xiyi, saying, "The news from the research institute is... at this moment, no blood moon phenomenon is being observed anywhere on the Xiazhou Continent."
"Then what's that in the sky?" 0401 exclaimed in astonishment.
"I think I've figured it out..." Sun Hang pondered for a moment and then said, "Yang Qi, have the people at the research institute check if there's any observational record of a blood moon from January 10, 4653 in the lunar calendar and onwards within two years."
Yang Qi's eyes shifted, clearly understanding the implication in Sun Hang's words.
"They checked, and there was only one occurrence in those two years... that blood moon appeared on September 15, 4654, in the lunar calendar." Yang Qi said slowly.
Sun Hang looked up at the blood-red full moon on the horizon: "So, we are now seeing the blood moon from sixty-five years ago... Ha, what a 'moon of that time'."
"The Federation Council and the Tianfu City Management Bureau rejected our request to pause the operation." Yang Qi put down her phone, "According to them... even under the influence of the blood moon, the search and rescue must continue."
"Damn!" 0401 couldn't help but curse, "To those people at the top, their lives matter, and ours don't?"
"Calm down, since this blood moon isn't one from the normal timeline, we just need to figure out its affected range, and the risk it brings should be minimal." Yang Qi said, "Moreover, the range of the blood moon's influence is the same as the area where the cemetery region's time anomaly occurs, which is good news for us."
"That's considered good news?" 0401's eyes widened.
"Earlier, we couldn't determine the boundaries of the abnormal region, but not anymore." Yang Qi looked up at the blood moon in the sky, "We just need to note when the blood moon vanishes to know when and where we crossed the boundary of the abnormal region, then connect these points to outline the entire abnormal region."
"Great idea," Wang Xiyi said concisely.
"Tell everyone to stop wandering around aimlessly like headless chickens, gather everyone together, split into teams, and expand outward from the center of the cemetery region while keeping an eye on the blood moon in the sky. Record the locations as soon as the blood moon returns to a normal moon and compile the data... At least we can be thankful that this abnormal region doesn't hinder communication." Yang Qi instructed the Investigation Bureau personnel.
"Also, every survey team must be accompanied by armed personnel... Roughly sixty years ago, this area was a desolate mountainous region with many wild beasts. Under the influence of the blood moon, these beasts will become exceedingly aggressive." Yang Qi added.
A total of over a thousand people were involved in the search and rescue operation. Under Yang Qi's request, they formed teams of eight and gradually fanned out to the outskirts of the cemetery area.
"So, are you planning to stay here, or go out and take a look?" Wang Xiyi glanced at Yang Qi and asked.
"Sun Hang has been here for so long without triggering 'resonance'... I plan to take him around the entire abnormal region to see if we can discover anything." Yang Qi said.
"I'll go with you." Wang Xiyi slung two assault rifles over her back— even if she couldn't use her abilities, as an ordinary person, her combat skills were still much better than those City Defense Guard soldiers.
"Did you bring enough inhibitors?" Yang Qi asked.
"I brought eight units, which should be enough." Wang Xiyi said, "If something does go wrong, I'll just make a run for it out of the blood moon's covered area."
"Then be careful." Yang Qi returned to her off-road vehicle.
"I'll go with you too!" 0401 ran over, a bit nervously, "I just feel like following you guys... uh... seems safer."
He was originally assigned to the data analysis group staying behind, but in reality, temporary investigators like him were basically just there for show, hardly contributing anything useful— in other words, "having him doesn't add much, not having him doesn't lose much."
"Get in the car." Yang Qi wasn't particularly harsh towards the temporary investigator, "Since you're coming along, you can be responsible for keeping an eye on the blood moon."
Yang Qi had to drive, and both Sun Hang and Wang Xiyi were infected with the Deceit Virus. Having them stare at the blood moon continuously might have negative effects... given that 0401 volunteered to join, he naturally took on the role of the extra pair of eyes.
"Alright! I'll make sure to complete the task!" 0401 agreed loudly.
"There's something I should tell you first. Although there are two Hunters in this vehicle, under the blood moon, this combination might not be the safest, actually it could be the most dangerous... I hope you're mentally prepared."
"Two Hunters?!" 0401 was momentarily stunned, then quickly turned his gaze to Sun Hang, stammering, "Zero... 0420, you've become a Hunter now? A Mysterious Creature Hunter?"
"Yes." Sun Hang nodded, "I somehow turned into an infected person, and then somehow became a Hunter... and now I'm not even sure what abilities I have..."
"Impressive!" 0401 gave Sun Hang a thumbs up, "When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a Hunter, but after growing up, I gave up... too risky, practically a life-and-death situation. You've managed it, that's really impressive!"
Yang Qi floored the gas pedal, and the engine of the off-road vehicle roared with a deep growl.
"Where are we heading now?" Sun Hang asked.
"First, let's take a look at the back mountain." Yang Qi turned the steering wheel sharply, slowly changing the car's direction.
"Back mountain?" 0401 was slightly taken aback, then looked at Sun Hang, "Bro, can you lend me a gun? There are plenty of wild beasts in that area..."
Sun Hang glanced at Yang Qi, about to speak, but Yang Qi had already spoken first, "It's your decision. During the operation, Hunters have the authority to temporarily equip non-combat personnel with weapons."
"Bro! No, godfather!" 0401 called out excitedly to Sun Hang.
"You should just focus on keeping an eye on the blood moon. If it comes down to you needing to use a gun, it probably won't do much good anyway." Sun Hang's words instantly dampened 0401's spirits, "You might as well apply for a shooting test when you get back. If you pass, I might consider giving you a gun for future operations."