Chapter 451: Tang Tingting at the Starry Base - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

The apocalypse has arrived! The events unfolded so abruptly that no one was prepared. In the beginning, many hoped for rescuers, but after waiting a long time, there was no news. Eventually, through intermittent phone signals, word got out that the rescuers had perished on their way. Tang Tingting knew that no one was coming. She had to leave with her mother since they had been without water and food for a long time. But with the entire city submerged in floodwaters, how could they leave? Staring at the vast expanse of floodwater, Tang Tingting felt despair. If only she had superpowers. Just as she thought that, she found herself rising into the air. Standing mid-air, Tang Tingting was overjoyed. She was so thrilled that she fell from the sky. Luckily, it wasn't high enough to injure her. She tried several more times and managed to fly again. How should she explain it? As long as she wanted to fly, she would start soaring. Not only that, she could also control distant objects to come to her. After conducting several experiments, Tang Tingting described her ability as "telekinesis," though she still needed to explore the full extent of her powers. Additionally, using her powers drained her energy rapidly, leaving her extremely hungry. Nevertheless, she now had a way to escape with her mother. With this new ability, Tang Tingting could brave the rainfall to forage for food. Days later, Tang Tingting discovered an abandoned hotel. It had once been inhabited, but due to a food shortage, conflict broke out for the remaining supplies, leading to mutual destruction. Well, actually, someone had emerged victorious, but the victor was heavily wounded and succumbed without medical help. When Tang Tingting arrived, she unexpectedly found two boxes of biscuits, a few bottles of wine, and several crates of mineral water. "Mom, I've found a safe place. I'll take you there now," she announced. "Won't it be dangerous with the heavy rain outside?" her frail mother asked worriedly. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm strong now!" Tang Tingting said confidently, though on her way out, she had encountered some powered individuals and nearly lost her life. Quick thinking had allowed her to retaliate and eliminate a few. This battle provided Tang Tingting with greater insights into her capabilities. Her mother, still concerned, asked, "Are you sure it will be safe, my daughter?" "Trust me," Tang Tingting replied. Without waiting for refusal, she strapped her raincoat-clad mother onto her back and flew into the rain towards the hotel. With the hotel as their base, their lives improved significantly. Occasionally, powered individuals came by to explore, but Tang Tingting successfully repelled them. Before long, the presence of a powerful inhabitant in the hotel became renowned in the area. Not long afterwards, the extreme cold set in. Realizing staying put might lead to freezing, Tang Tingting sought out information, learning about several private bases accepting people. She preferred an official refuge but found none nearby. "Guishan Base, Starry Base, Tianhe Base, Jinshan Base, Wujin Base…" she explored her options. At Guishan Base, the lecherous leader harbored ill intentions toward Tang Tingting. She unleashed her powers, killed several guards, and escaped. This experience made her relieved she hadn't brought her mother along—things could have turned dangerous otherwise. Considering Tianhe and Jinshan Bases, she encountered numerous mutated animals and insects en route. While manageable alone, bringing her mother would be too risky. She noticed many heading towards Starry Base. "Powered individuals can bring family members to reside," she read from the recruitment guidelines, her heart swelling with excitement. Additionally, Starry Base offered a special proposition: "Starry Base possesses the technology to enhance powers. Powered individuals can voluntarily participate." "If I become stronger, I can better protect Mom!" With this resolve, Tang Tingting decided to join Starry Base with her mother. The Starry Base personnel were very welcoming, quickly processing paperwork for Tang Tingting and her mother. They were even allotted two separate residences. The rationale, they explained, was that powered individuals might frequently go on missions or have other engagements; living separately could be practical. However, they were free to live together initially if they preferred. Within the base, Tang Tingting was happy, and so was her mother. Those days were the happiest times for them. Meanwhile, Tang Tingting observed others participating in power-enhancing experiments and saw them emerge stronger. "Mom, I want to become stronger and plan to participate in the experiment," she told her mother. Her mother replied, "I've heard it can be risky, daughter. I may not understand these things, but as our ancestors wisely said, natural growth is best, and forcing growth can be unwise." Tang Tingting reassured her, "Don't worry, Mom, I've seen others getting stronger with no issues." Her mother added, "In that case, before you go, let me prepare a good meal. I've found some wild greens—soon we may not have any left with the snow outside." Tang Tingting embraced her mother and agreed. At the cozy dining table, she ate with delight, though her mother was filled with worry. "Perhaps you shouldn't go, dear," her mother hesitated to plead once more. Tang Tingting assured her, "It's alright." The following day, despite her mother's objections, Tang Tingting entered the Starry Base's hall. Many powered individuals were present; they exchanged glances, laughing and wishing each other well. Seeing so many people assuaged Tang Tingting's worries. They lay into the experiment chambers, gently lulled by a mysterious voice into sleep. "Something's wrong—this is hypnosis!" Tang Tingting realized, attempting to resist, but the opposing power was too strong. More than one, she faced a collective force. "Sleep, sleep, and awaken stronger," the eerie tone crooned. The hall's ambient music, tailored to break resistance, pulsed in waves across her mind. "Ah!" Unleashing all her strength, Tang Tingting exploded the chamber. Opening her eyes, she saw a massive jellyfish in the hall center, its tendrils flailing. Hum! An inaudible pitch struck Tang Tingting like a physical blow. "Human girl, you are the strongest ability user I've met. Outside, you might best me, but here, I reign supreme," the jellyfish declared. "Here, I control everyone. Every time you resist, a group dies because of it." She witnessed as each chamber opened to reveal deceased powered individuals—all killed by her own abilities. Tang Tingting's eyes widened in shock. "You—" "Rest easy," the jellyfish continued, "sleep and awaken stronger. Your mother will continue her life comfortably at Starry Base—we'll care for her till her natural end." "Is that a threat?" she challenged. "Not at all," it replied. "This is goodwill and a promise upheld." "No chance!" Tang Tingting defied. "Unfortunately, you've lost your window of opportunity," the jellyfish mused. "Human sayings about villainy through verbosity come to mind. In your eyes, I am the villain—but you are mine." Glancing down, Tang Tingting noticed small jellyfish sprouting on her. They latched on during her time in the experiment tank, a deception while the ominous jellyfish distracted her with talking. "Asleep, you will be, and then reborn. Your prowess will echo throughout this world." "I won’t accept it..." Tang Tingting’s defiance culminated in a final telekinetic strike. A mind's invisible arrow struck the jellyfish, sending it tumbling into the pool, "You—" Simultaneously, Tang Tingting fell to the ground, succumbing to parasitism by a mutated jellyfish. Seven days later, a new Tang Tingting emerged from the lab. She briefly met her mother before heading out on a mission. Sensing the change in her daughter, the mother wept quietly, too fearful to voice her concerns. Good news: my daughter is alive. Bad news: my daughter is no longer herself... No, believing my daughter is alive might just be self-deception. The mother began observing other families with powered individuals and increasingly confirmed her suspicions. "Yes, my daughter is gone..." She made an important decision—hoping someone would one day destroy this demon base, or at the very least, not be fooled by it. That day, as she was out, she noticed a girl approaching. The girl was beautiful and kind-hearted. Seeing her reminded the old mother of her own daughter. With a basket of wild greens, she quietly approached Su Miao and murmured, "Oh dear, you should leave. Everyone in there is a demon—don't come here." The man guarding the checkpoint banged a metal pipe against the large cart nearby, casting a stern gaze, shouting, "Old woman, what nonsense are you spouting now? Want me to tear your mouth apart? Get back to gathering wild greens, and if you don't find any, don't bother returning!" Tang Tingting’s mother immediately turned back with a forced smile, cheerfully walking away. ...(End of Chapter)