The Only Human

1Cancer - Year 3027

Shiyan wandered aimlessly down the busy street, holding the white medical folder, his mind blank. Just yesterday, he was celebrating his promotion, but today, he had received the diagnosis.

Yes, he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. At 23, diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer. How absurd and ridiculous. Yet such an absurd and ridiculous thing had happened to him.

The doctor said he only had three months left to live. Ha, he hadn’t even had the chance to appreciate life, and now it was already ending. Was this the will of fate, or had he done so many bad things in a past life that he was now cursed to face such a fate? Sigh...

Shiyan's face was lifeless, as if he would collapse and die any moment. Among the bustling crowd, everyone’s face seemed to be smiling, except for him... He alone wore a bitter expression, having forgotten what a smile even was.

He walked over to a nearby bus stop bench and sat down, wanting to take one last look at the street he passed every day on his way to work, to see the beautiful world he had always loved...

Suddenly, a cold wind blew, swirling the dust and paper scraps in the air.

A tattered newspaper was blown onto Shiyan’s face. He squinted his eyes, removing the paper from his face. As he was about to toss it into a nearby trash bin, he glanced at the headline: "Cryogenic Program."

He withdrew his hand from mid-air and sat back down on the bench, opening the worn-out newspaper.

“The first batch of human cryogenic programs has been launched. The first batch of volunteers is now being recruited. Requirements: 1. Diagnosed with incurable cancer. 2. No family. 3. Voluntary participation in the cryogenic program.”

Cryogenic program??? Wasn’t this the scientific breakthrough reported in the news a few months ago? They were already recruiting volunteers now?

Shiyan still remembered, back then, he had joked with his colleagues about how difficult it would be to achieve this research because no one would actually be willing to freeze themselves. Even if they could be revived in a few years, so what? By then, all their family and friends would be gone, so what’s the point of being revived?

But now, the reality was: he really wanted to live, no matter whether he could be cured in the future.

He clenched the newspaper in his hand, his eyes locked on the address printed at the bottom, his mind racing.

Maybe participating in this program would give him a slim chance of survival. Not participating... well, he would just slowly wait for death.

Would cancer always end in chemotherapy? Would everyone lose their hair? He didn’t want that, it would be too ugly.

Before his hair started falling out, he decided to join the program. Even if he didn’t make it, at least he’d still have hair. At least he could die with dignity.

Having made up his mind, Shiyan took out his phone and snapped a picture of the research institute’s address and contact number.

He had originally planned to enjoy his last days like the characters in novels, but after checking his bank account balance...

Forget it, he couldn’t afford it. There was hardly any money left.

Shiyan quit his job, packed a few clothes, and took his identification and diagnosis report to the research institute.

Outside the desolate research institute, there was only one person standing. Shiyan stared at the institute’s door, deep in thought. Why was there no one here?

He began to doubt whether he had taken the wrong path. After repeatedly checking the address, he confirmed it was indeed the right place.

He stood at the entrance of the institute, unsure whether to enter. Fortunately, a staff member passed by and noticed him.

"Hey, are you coming in?" The staff member came out and looked at Shiyan a few times.

"Uh... yeah, I didn’t see anyone inside, so I didn’t dare to go in," Shiyan explained.

"Are you... looking for a friend?"

Shiyan shook his head. "I... I’m here to volunteer for the cryogenic program."

"What did you say?" The staff member widened his eyes in surprise, clearly in disbelief.

His voice was so loud that Shiyan was startled, and he wondered if he had said something wrong.

"I... I’m here to volunteer," Shiyan repeated.

"You mean the cryogenic program?" The staff member grabbed Shiyan’s hand in excitement.

"Yes, isn’t this the place?" Shiyan said, confused. The address on the newspaper matched this place.

"Yes, yes! Come with me," the staff member said, pulling Shiyan inside the institute.

"Wait here. I’ll go find the professor," the staff member instructed as he led Shiyan to a seat.

"Okay," Shiyan nodded slightly.

The staff member quickly disappeared, and Shiyan could still hear his excited voice calling out for the professor down the hallway.

About ten minutes later, the staff member returned.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to the professor."

"Okay," Shiyan picked up his materials and backpack, following the staff member.

The research institute was large, but it seemed there weren’t many people around. In the ten minutes he sat there, Shiyan had only seen two people.

After a long walk, they finally stopped in front of a room marked "Cryogenic Experiment Meeting Room." The staff member knocked gently on the door. After hearing someone inside respond with "Come in," he pushed open the door.

"Professor, this is the volunteer for the human cryogenic program."

Everyone inside looked at Shiyan with excitement, but once they saw his appearance, their expressions turned to disappointment.

The oldest researcher in the room immediately scolded Shiyan: "You’re so young. Why are you here making trouble? This is not for people like you. Shen Ci, show him out."

"But it took so long to find someone..." the staff member who had brought Shiyan in protested reluctantly.

"Nonsense. Have you forgotten the recruitment criteria for volunteers?" the professor snapped.

"I meet the criteria!" Shiyan hurriedly spoke, afraid he would be kicked out.

"What did you say?" The professor looked at Shiyan with complicated eyes.

"I’ve just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctor said I only have three months left to live. And I’m an orphan, no family left. If you don’t believe me, I can show you the diagnosis report." Shiyan walked up to the desk and placed his materials on it.

"Professor, you can take a look. There are no other volunteers here," Shen Ci added in support.

The professor stared at the materials on the desk for a long time before finally picking them up to examine them.

The first page was the diagnosis report. The professor looked at it, his expression complicated, furrowing his brows, his face solemn. After a moment, he flipped through the rest of the materials.

Shiyan nervously observed the professor’s expressions. The professor sighed softly and said, "Such a young person suffering from this illness... It’s so unfair."

Hearing the professor say that, Shiyan almost broke down in tears. He felt it too. It was unfair. He was so young. Why did he have to endure this?

"Our technology is still only in the stages of freezing and unfreezing. We can only freeze people temporarily. In the future, we’ll have to see if someone can find a cure. Are you still willing to participate?" The professor’s gaze softened.

"I... I’m willing. After all, I’m going to die anyway. Being frozen gives me a chance of being cured later."

"You should think it over for a few days. Don’t make any hasty decisions. Who knows what the world will be like in the future?" The professor handed Shiyan back his materials.

Shiyan didn’t take the materials. He said firmly, "No need. I’ve thought about it for many days already. I don’t want to wait any longer."

He was actually afraid of regretting his decision. He was a weak person.

"Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? The institute will do its best to help you fulfill them."

"No, just..." Shiyan hesitated, unsure if, as a volunteer, he could make such requests.

"Feel free to say," the professor said.

Shiyan, "After being frozen, if no cure is found, can I not be thawed? Just let me sleep forever, at least I won’t have to endure chemotherapy."

"That’s fine," the professor nodded.

"Then I’m all set."

"Good. Shen Ci, take him to the rest area. We still have a meeting to attend," the professor instructed the assistant.

"Sure, Professor. Sir, please follow me." Shen Ci smiled at Shiyan.

"Okay."

On the way, Shiyan couldn’t help but ask Shen Ci, "Are there really so few people here?"

"This is the country’s most authoritative institute, the only certified cryogenic research institute. The researchers here are the best in the field, and only those who are highly qualified can work here. That’s why there are fewer people."

"You’re amazing, working here." Shiyan envied.

"I’m the worst here, so I’m just an assistant."

"Even that is impressive. Others can’t even get the chance to sweep the floor here, but you’re an assistant."

Shen Ci laughed, "You have a great attitude. I’d be really upset if I knew I had cancer. But you can still laugh."

Shiyan’s eyes dimmed. He forced a smile. "I’m really upset too. I don’t want to die, so that’s why I came here."

Shen Ci stopped, surprised. "Did you

not know? The cryogenic program is like a death sentence. No one can guarantee you’ll wake up, and there’s a chance you might die during the freezing process."

"Is that so? It doesn’t matter. I’m going to die anyway, right?" Shiyan shrugged, forcing another smile.

They continued walking.

"Since recruitment began, no one has volunteered. You’re the first. You’re very brave." Shen Ci’s eyes were filled with admiration.

"Thanks." Only Shiyan knew, he wasn’t brave. He was just afraid of dying, and even if it was a slim chance, he wanted to try.

"We’re here," Shen Ci suddenly stopped.

"Already?" Shiyan looked around. In front of them was a door marked "Rest Room No. 3."

"Yeah, go ahead and rest here. I’ll come get you when it’s dinner time. You can think about it some more." Shen Ci entered a password and opened the door.

"Thanks." Shiyan entered the room, which was simple, with just a bed, a desk, and a flat-screen TV on the wall.

"The door code is 112233. If you’re bored, feel free to walk around."

"Okay, you’re busy. Bye." Shiyan waved at Shen Ci.

2Food?

The next day, Shiyan woke up at noon, only when someone knocked on his door did he stir from his sleep. It had been so long since he had slept well.

The knocking continued. Shiyan rubbed his eyes, got out of bed, and rushed to the door. He thought it was Shen Ci, but to his surprise, it was the professor from yesterday.

"Good afternoon. How did you sleep?" The professor asked with a warm, caring tone, like a family elder, completely different from his serious demeanor yesterday.

"I slept very well. Thank you for asking, Professor." Shiyan quickly responded.

"That's good to hear. I saw you hadn't come out, so I brought you some lunch." The professor handed him a lunchbox.

It was only then that Shiyan noticed the professor was holding something. He was flattered and quickly took it, bowing repeatedly while thanking him, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Professor."

"There's no need to thank me. Actually, I should be the one thanking you. May I come in and sit for a while?" The professor's eyes glanced inside Shiyan's room.

Shiyan froze for half a second before realizing what was happening. He quickly stepped aside, flustered, and said, "Of course, please come in, Professor."

The professor sat down by the desk next to Shiyan’s bed, gesturing for Shiyan to sit as well. Shiyan walked over and sat on the other side of the bed, placing the lunchbox beside him. He awkwardly asked, "Professor, is there something you need to tell me?"

"Don’t worry, eat your lunch first. After you finish, I’ll take you for a walk around the lab," the professor said, pushing the lunchbox in front of Shiyan.

Under the professor's watchful eyes, Shiyan finished his lunch.

The research institute was large, but there were few laboratories, and most of them were related to the cryogenic program.

Walking behind the professor, Shiyan couldn’t help but ask, "It seems like all the experiments here are related to freezing technology?"

The professor nodded. "Yes, you’ve probably figured it out by now. This institute was established for the ‘Cryogenic Program.’ I started researching it more than twenty years ago, but before me, there was my teacher. My teacher spent his whole life researching human cryogenic technology. Once the technology matured, we gained national recognition and began recruiting volunteers. But in the few months since, no volunteers have come forward. You’re the first."

At this point, the professor stopped, turned to look at Shiyan, his eyes filled with both gratitude and regret.

"Uh... I... I... hehe..." The professor’s words left Shiyan unsure of what to say. He really just wanted to live a little longer; he hadn’t thought this much about it.

"I understand," the professor said softly, patting Shiyan’s shoulder. "Let’s go inside and take a look."

Shiyan followed the professor into the laboratory. Inside, several researchers were performing a cryogenic experiment on a live pig. It was placed in a transparent biological chamber. Just a second ago, the pig was kicking its hooves and resisting, but the next moment, a mist of white gas was quickly injected into the chamber. After the mist cleared, the pig had been frozen.

Shiyan stood dumbfounded, unable to describe the shock he felt. The whole freezing process took only a few seconds. He didn’t even blink.

The professor spoke slowly beside Shiyan, "As you can see, the freezing process is very brief, almost painless. But to prevent volunteers from feeling fear or anxiety before freezing, we will inject an anesthetic to put you to sleep during the freezing process."

Shiyan hadn’t yet fully processed what he had just seen, and after a moment, the professor continued speaking. It wasn’t until the professor had said a few more words that Shiyan finally began to respond. He quickly replied, "Okay."

The professor was a bit surprised by his answer. He asked, "Aren’t you going to regret it?"

"Ah? Why would I regret it?" Shiyan was confused.

The professor scoffed and patted Shiyan’s arm. "It’s nothing. Let’s go. Time to sign the paperwork."

"Oh." Shiyan followed the professor, but as he walked, he couldn’t help but glance back at the biological chamber with the frozen pig, thinking: Will I end up like that? Quietly sleeping forever?

The professor took him back to the meeting room from yesterday, where only Shen Ci was waiting.

"Are all the materials ready?" The professor asked Shen Ci.

"Yes, everything is ready." Shen Ci nodded and placed a stack of documents on the table.

The professor flipped through the documents and then pushed them toward Shiyan. "Take a look first. If everything’s fine... sign your name."

"What’s this?" Shiyan asked curiously as he took the papers.

"The report materials and the risk waiver," the professor explained.

"Do I need to sign a risk waiver for this?" Shiyan asked.

"Of course," the professor said. "Even though we’ve had countless successful experiments, there are still occasional failures. There’s always some risk, no matter what it is. The cryogenic program is no exception. We can’t guarantee the freezing process will succeed 100% or that we can successfully thaw you later. There are other risks as well. Take a good look."

"I’m not looking anymore. I agree." Shiyan immediately signed his name.

"Sigh... You’re too hasty," the professor sighed.

Shiyan shook his head. "No, I just think it’s unnecessary. I’m going to die anyway, so the risks don’t matter to me. I just want a chance at life in the future."

The professor helplessly said, "Alright, this experiment will be reported to the government. We need their approval before we can freeze you. So, you’ll have to wait a few more days. In the meantime, Shen Ci will show you around."

"Okay. Thank you, Assistant Shen, for your trouble." Shiyan smiled at Shen Ci.

For the next few days, Shen Ci stayed with Shiyan. They became more familiar with each other as they spent time together. From Shen Ci, Shiyan learned that the experiments weren’t only conducted on live animals but also on bodies donated from various places. However, those weren’t living bodies, so the data was always incomplete.

Shiyan didn’t mind. Someone had to be the first live subject, right? He might as well be the one. He was glad that, even before being frozen, he could contribute to the national cryogenic program. Shen Ci admired Shiyan's willingness to contribute and, jokingly, kept saying that if there was a next life, he’d definitely be friends with Shiyan.

Shiyan laughed at him. "What next life? But seeing you so distraught, I’ll agree—let’s be friends in the next life."

More than a week later, the papers finally came through, and everyone at the institute prepared for this sacred moment.

Shen Ci cried again. He reluctantly hugged Shiyan, who was already inside the biological chamber, muttering, "See you in the next life."

Shiyan smiled and nodded. He had expected to be nervous, but when the time came, he found himself more composed than he thought.

The researcher injecting the anesthetic, on the other hand, was trembling with nervousness. Shiyan comforted him, saying, "Don’t worry, I’m not scared."

"Okay," the researcher swallowed hard and nodded. He lightly gripped Shiyan’s hand and inserted the needle.

"I’m going to increase the dosage now," the researcher said, looking at Shiyan.

Shiyan nodded. Actually, his vision was already beginning to blur.

The researcher increased the flow of the anesthetic, and immediately, Shiyan felt a sharp pain in his arm, so intense that he wanted to cry out, to struggle, but he had no strength left. His vision became blurrier and blurrier... until he finally lost consciousness.

A while later:

"It’s a human!!! Look, look, it’s a human, I’m not mistaken, it really is a human!"

"He’s still alive!"

"Ah~ It smells so good, I haven’t drunk blood in so long. I want to drink~ slurp~"

"Watch it, the adults are behind us. Control yourself, your teeth are showing."

"Stop talking about me, your own teeth are showing too. Tsk~"

"This human looks so tender, the blood will taste great, I can’t wait."

The noise was unbearable, constant chattering ringing in Shiyan’s ears. He felt irritated and wanted to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, too heavy to lift.

It was so cold, his hands and feet were freezing. He felt like his heart was cold too. He longed for warmth, for fire, to warm him.

"Hey, he moved! His fingers moved!"

"His lips are so white, is he frozen?"

"He looks so cold, will he freeze to death? Dead blood doesn’t taste as good as living blood. Maybe we should drink his blood before he dies!"

"You’re crazy. The adults are still behind us."

"No, we found him first, and he’s the only human. Even if he's an adult, he can’t be monopolized! This blood belongs to all of us!"

"Exactly!"

"Move aside."

A commanding voice rang out.

"Sir!"

"Sir!"

Everyone parted to make way. A tall man walked through the crowd and stood next to the biological chamber. He reached out and injected a flame element into Shiyan’s body

.

A warm sensation spread from Shiyan’s chest to his entire body. His eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.

The light was blinding after so long in darkness. He squinted, adjusting slowly, then opened his eyes fully.

In front of him was a tall, aloof man with golden hair, his skin so white it seemed unnatural. His cold, proud gaze held golden pupils.

Shiyan stared in shock. Was he… sent abroad? But the man's features didn’t resemble a typical Westerner. Could he be wearing colored contacts?

Just as Shiyan was lost in thought, a deep male voice came from the distance.

"Lord Xuanji, are you planning to hoard him for yourself?"

Other higher-ranking 'humans' arrived at the scene.

"Lord Xuanji wouldn’t be like that, right?"

"This is a shared resource. We should all divide it up."

"Yes, as the leader, Lord Xuanji would think of us first. We haven’t drunk human blood in years."

The more Shiyan listened, the more something felt off. He braced himself against the biological chamber and sat up slowly... What the hell!!! Why do these people have fangs?!

And why is the one over there drooling while staring at him?! Why are they all looking at him?!

Shiyan’s legs went weak, and he stumbled back, clinging to the biological chamber. What is going on?

"What do we do? There's only one person, how do we split it?"

"His blood smells even better now, I can’t resist!" The one drooling lunged toward Shiyan. Lord Xuanji, standing by the biological chamber, waved his hand, and the drooling ‘human’ was thrown aside.

"Wow, that’s amazing," Shiyan thought, eyes wide. He was relieved to see at least one person here wasn’t as crazy as the others.

"I’ll take him. We’ll take turns draining his blood twice a week," Lord Xuanji’s voice rang out slowly.

The words felt like a thunderclap to Shiyan’s ears.

He was stunned, opening his mouth, "Wha-what?"

Lord Xuanji smirked, bending down to lift Shiyan. As soon as Shiyan realized what was happening, he went crazy, flailing and shouting, "Big brother, look carefully, I’m human! I’m a living human, not a cow or a sheep!!!"

Lord Xuanji sneered, "I know, but here… you are our food~"