Sean still showed no signs of waking up after his wounds were treated, so Scott could only have someone carry him back to the Hopkins Gxy Lodge—the safest ce for now.


    At Shadowhawk Alliance, Analise was working on the reagents with Gideon with her protective gear on.


    "Congrattions, Analise! You''ve passed your probation and obtained Mercycore. 800 purification points have been converted into contribution points for Mercycore.


    "Activating Mercycore for you..."


    A sh of green light appeared before Analise and then sank into her chest, eliciting a surge of warmth within her. A faint green glow enveloped her.


    "Ana?" Gideon stopped when he noticed she paused. "Wait... Why are you glowing?"


    He stared at the faint shimmer around her. To his surprise, his Winsh ability somehow allowed him to resonate with Analise.


    "What is this? What is this probation about? What are Mercycore and contribution points?"


    As he bombarded Analise with questions, she flipped her hand over and stared at the faint green glow.


    "Activation sessful."


    The blobs of green light floating around Analise vanished and began gathering on her chest.


    Puzzled by the disappearance of the light, Gideon circled around her with a bewildered expression.


    "Every host bound to the system must go through a probation. The type of probation depends on the world and its environment.


    "In your case, you were put through a test of altruism. The prion virus developed by Ophir wasn''t part of your Purification mission, but you still selflessly contributed your blood and a considerable amount of Purification Potion.


    "Based on our calctions, your contributions have saved 2,756 therians so far, allowing you to pass the test," Echo said.


    "That fast?" Analise gasped, visibly surprised. "Are you saying that 2,756 people have taken 3,000 doses in just one day?"


    She figured she needed to pick up the pace in making more reagents.


    "That''s right, Analise. Your contribution value is currently at 27,560. All these points will be transferred to Mercycore."


    "Mercycore? What''s that?" Analise asked Echo while working on the reagent.


    Apart from the fleeting feeling of resonance he felt earlier, Gideon didn''t sense anything unusual and went back to his work.


    "Mercycore is also known as a Surrogate Heart. It''s powered by contribution value -the more points you have, the stronger it bes.


    "In a life-or-death situation, you can convert Mercycore to a Surrogate Heart, resurrecting yourself or someone you''d like to save."


    Analise paused for a while before resuming her work in silence. Echo had made it clear that Mercycore was essentially a chance at


    resurrection, and she figured itel


    worked like a savings ount-the more she put in, the more she''d gain in the future.


    cing her hand over her chest, she


    re were now two hearts one for the uncertain feand


    One for the presentand


    "What''s wrong, Ana? Are you tired?~ Let''s take a break," Gideon


    l.ne


    suggested. He stopped working as soon as he saw Analise''s hand on her chest.


    "Yeah, I''m a bit tired." She nodded.


    She and Gideon had been working nonstop since the night her blood was drawn.


    Aside from eating and sleeping, she barely rested.


    If Echo hadn''t spoken to her earlier, she''d still be buried in her work.


    "Ana, I saw them," Gideon suddenly said.


    "Saw what?" Analise asked, visibly puzzled.


    "The green blobs of light floating around you."