Deep in the Living
Chapter 281 - 269: Identity

Chapter 281: Chapter 269: Identity

While following Luo Di back to the rest area, Fei Spine got lost because it saw a candle.

As a Recruitment Spine, it possessed a wealth of stored knowledge, but was completely unaware of such white wax candles.

None of its memory or intelligence had any connection with this candle, and the only thing it knew was that such candles seemed to appear only in Upper Nest, or even higher areas—regions that a Recruitment Spine like itself had no right to touch.

The appearance of the candle caused it to become completely lost, flying aimlessly through the corridors.

In this nearly endless wandering and waiting.

Suddenly, it smelled a scent, a scent that made its body tremble and instinctively wanted to bow and kneel.

Following the scent quickly, it unexpectedly found Luo Di standing in the corridor, holding the source of the scent in his hand.

When it landed on Luo Di’s shoulder and saw the symbols on the parchment,

a unique mission was immediately implanted into its consciousness, taking precedence over everything else, even above the most basic physiological needs.

Fei Spine had never encountered, nor heard of such a thing since its creation.

A new soldier completing the service assessment does not need to join the military but is directly granted the special privilege of "messenger" status.

It is known that the status of a messenger among the Chaos Nest Cities is very high, even qualified to go to Upper Nest, far beyond the reach of a new soldier.

"Messenger Luo Di... What exactly has happened?"

The words and attitude of Fei Spine subconsciously became respectful, feeling as if there were several hierarchic levels suddenly separating it from Luo Di, resulting in a superior-subordinate relationship.

Luo Di neatly folded the parchment in his hand and tucked it into his outfit, and then briefly recounted what had just happened.

Fei Spine listened with its wings tightly clenched and even trembling slightly—if it had gone to the changing room too, it likely would have been killed like those other Spines.

"This... In the past, I’ve led more than thirty soldiers through service assessments, but I’ve never seen a soldier’s assessment carried out like this, never expected an ambush as part of such an evil play, and it was even inserted among the regular Spines in advance.

Messenger Luo Di, you are truly powerful! I will always follow you."

This respectful address made Luo Di feel a bit uncomfortable, "Just talk to me as you did before, there’s no need to change because of the messenger status, and you can simplify the way you address me too."

Fei Spine was very obedient; since it was Luo Di’s request, it immediately switched out of the tense superior-subordinate state.

"Calling you by your name always feels a bit off~ The status of a messenger is still very high, far above that of a soldier, and far above me.

Let’s simplify it then, I’ll call you Mr. Di."

Luo Di nodded; he seemed to like this address, "Hmm, so do you already know what you have to do next?"

"I do... The parchment has issued the mission to me, we need to add the [Messenger’s Outfit] for you before we leave the city.

Three items in total.

The first, and most important, is to ’color’ your spine. This will directly denote your status as a messenger, as most external forces dislike, even hate the Spine bearers.

If you don’t have the protection of a messenger status, we could be killed or even eaten by some secret organizations or groups.

The second is to have a set of enforcer outfits custom-made for you that best suits your status as a messenger, to further highlight your status and prevent being killed before they realize you’re a messenger.

The third is to choose a mount capable of carrying us on the long journey to the Sequence Group’s territory."

"Let’s go."

An inexplicable excitement rose in his heart,

This new path of choice seemed more intriguing to Luo Di than endless War and strife.

He could also roughly guess the intention of that mysterious existence, and what the ultimate goal of this messenger’s journey might be.

[Coloring Core]

A special institution set up in the military area, where at least a few Spines emitting a special aura come and go.

Fei Spine explained it immediately:

"The coloring of the spine is an affirmation of the Spines’ identity. Those who have made military achievements in War or made significant contributions to the development of Chaos Nest City will come here for coloring.

A single act of valor corresponds to a segment of the spine being colored.

When colored to a certain extent, one can gain the opportunity to ascend to the Upper Nest area.

But we are different; you are a messenger granted by special privilege. When the time comes, the Dyeing Master will dye your entire spine black."

"Hmm."

Entering an area similar to a government hall, there was a heavy odor of bone marrow in the air.

When Luo Di presented the parchment at the front desk, it immediately alarmed the highest supervisor there, who promptly arranged for the best dyeing master to come over.

A surgery room was also specifically cleared out just for Luo Di.

As per the requirements, he lay prone on the surgery table, his back slightly arched to highlight the spine.

This elderly dyeing master had handled the coloring of over a thousand spines, but it was the first time he had seen such a metallic spine,

Next, he needed to use a scalpel to separate the skin and flesh around the spine, exposing the entire spine by itself.

This process was uncomfortable for any Spine, but the young man before him showed no basic change in breathing, and even seemed to be enjoying it.

On the other hand, the dyeing master felt a piercing pain each time the scalpel came into contact with the metallic spine during the separation, and it was very painful.

The painkillers originally prepared for the person being dyed, he ended up taking himself.

After completely separating the spine from the flesh, he applied a tube of ’Envoy Pigment’ that had just been approved by the Upper Nest along the central line of the spine.

What came next was the most important deep coloring.

The dyeing master activated his own spine trait, and the tips of his fingers grew a structure resembling a hot iron hoof, reaching temperatures of nearly 1000°C.

The high temperature would activate the dye, allowing it to permeate the spine.

This process was extremely painful for most Spines, as such high temperatures exceeded the basic tolerance, and the surrounding flesh would be severely burned.

The situation was no different for Luo Di.

The surrounding flesh, which had been separated in advance, was somewhat scorched, but he still did not show any response.

The dyeing master intended to ask if he needed painkillers, only to be surprised to hear snoring.

Luo Di had fallen asleep, using the time to recover the physical strength spent during the service assessment.

Since Luo Di did not move due to pain, the entire dyeing process went quite smoothly, and the pitch-black dye had penetrated the interior of the spine, giving the metallic spine the secret black of an envoy.

Just as the dyeing master was about to finish his work,

His sharp eyes suddenly glimpsed a tinge of foreign color that should not have been there, and this mixed color was not just a small patch but flowed over the entire surface of the spine.

An incongruous gray.

However, when he turned back, took out the detection device, and re-examined the spine, he found that the dye saturation of the spine was 100% with no trace of impurity.

"Respected envoy! Your dyeing request is complete. Please ensure the display of your spine during your time outside the city as much as possible, to avoid unnecessary chasing and killing."

"Okay."

As Luo Di sat up from the surgery table and began to dress,

The dyeing master, turning back to clean up his equipment, caught a glimpse of that strange gray again with the corner of his eye, and when he suddenly turned his head, the color had once again disappeared.

If it happened once, he could chalk it up to a trick of the light,

But the second occurrence could not be a coincidence, and he felt compelled to ask for clarification.

"Respected envoy, you seem to harbor a special color in your body that can even cover your spine?"

"Yes."

"But, gray?"

"Yes."

"Be careful not to dye your spine gray during your travels, as such a color is the complete opposite of an envoy’s status. That is the color of Exiles, Unclean, those who are spurned.

It is the color of those cast out by the Spines, and if seen by others, you would certainly be treated as Hell fodder."

"Okay, thank you."

"Safe travels, envoy."

Walking back onto the main street, Luo Di did not directly showcase his black Spine,

There was no need to attract unnecessary attention within the safe confines of Nest City, and he had no intention of pausing, continuing with his envoy-related preparations.

Since leaving his apartment, he had been wearing only this thick coat, without even a pair of trousers, and beneath the coat was nothing but his bare legs, making him look somewhat perverse.

"Fei Spine, take me to get custom clothes."

"Okay."

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