Chapter 136

Chapter 136: Artificial Soul 63

Kui Xin stood by the roadside, looking at the advertisements for a while.

Apart from advertisements for mechanical prosthetics, there were also various types of advertisements, including old-age home services, vocational training programs, luxury goods… It turned out that Su Rong’s image was projected on one of the advertising screens. Her beautiful face, enhanced with makeup, shone brightly on the screen, surrounded by colorful spotlights; she looked like anything but a child. She remained fragile as ever, having never endured the harsh realities of storms.

Kui Xin pulled down her hood and walked away with her head down.

During his time studying in the First World, his politics teacher would frequently show them news during class. The teacher had extensive knowledge, explaining policies’ purposes and international events in great detail. Kui Xin observed how media projections could often indicate future trends and policy changes—an observation true in both the First and Second Worlds.

On her way back, she took out a communicator and searched the term “mechanical prosthetics.” She discovered that this new technology was developed by an organization called Qiaotu Tech, which was backed by several wealthy financial conglomerates. Its advancement had gone through numerous stages of testing and was soon to enter the civilian market phase, currently being marketed for mass production.

Kui Xin noted that major conglomerates in the Second World always had unclear relations with the federal government; they supported each other mutually.

Therefore, Qiaotu Tech’s promotional activities were essentially underpinned by the federal government’s support. The promotion of mechanical prosthetics was another sign that the Second World’s official policies aimed to broaden their use.

In the age of big data, privacy was non-existent—a fact especially evident in the Second World. This could give the federal government more control over the people, and in some ways, would also benefit artificial beings like Eve, as information-driven societies would provide fertile ground for them.

It was unclear what role Mechanized Dawn played in the push for mechanical prosthetic普及化进程。

Kui Xin spent over an hour returning to the employee dormitory.

She wandered aimlessly around the streets, observing the architecture of Hei Hai City, weaving through the steel forest, and looking up at the huge black buildings.

Except for the initial days after crossing over, she rarely approached the world with such curiosity again.

When she returned to the dormitory around nine in the morning, she was taking off her shoes by the shoe cabinet when she suddenly received a transmission from Wei Zhi:

“All security officers need to participate in a unified test. I require you to be there.”

“Okay.” Kui Xin replied, then asked, “Didn’t I just request some leave?”

Wei Zhi seemed quite helpless about it, saying, “Think of it as a pre-interview test. We’re selecting individuals for the Special Affairs Department, and Director Schalit can only stay in Hei Hai City for two more days, so the testing schedule is very tight.”

“What does the test cover?” Kui Xin said while putting back the shoe she just removed.

“We have a written exam first, followed by shooting and combat tests,” Wei Zhi explained. “The exam starts promptly at ten, come as quick as possible.”

“Understood, team leader,” Kui Xin left the apartment.

Her theoretical knowledge had been somewhat advanced, but catching up to all the four years of crime investigation knowledge in just a few weeks seemed unrealistic, and might reveal her lack of readiness. Luckily, she had Augus by her side.

Kui Xin arrived early at the testing location, waiting in the lounge.

There were already some other security officers in the lounge, either standing or sitting. As Kui Xin entered the room, everyone turned to look at her for a second before bowing their heads briefly.

There were only four people in the room, both males and females; their ages were under twenty-five, and each possessed extraordinary abilities, mostly ranked between C and D.

Security personnel meeting the recruitment standards of the Bureau of Investigation and Order Maintenance, Black Sea City Branch, were quite rare.

When the time came, the mechanical voice of Augus announced:

“Please head next door for your tests.”

All of the security officers stood up and went to the examination hall.

The exam was a digital one, so there was no hand writing.

Kui Xin calmly connected to Augus’s portal and started filling in answers.

She easily answered sixty percent of the questions. For the particularly specialized ones, she required Augus’s hints. She purposely controlled her accuracy so her score would stand out but not too much.

“Does Group Leader Rong Wei have any concerns about my interview?” Kui Xin asked Augus while doing the test.

“It’s a wide selection, all security officers fitting the criteria must participate; she has nothing more to say,” Augus explained. “For Rong Wei, it’s acceptable if you’re transferred to the Special Affairs Department, but she cannot accept someone telling her personal assistant what to do.”

At the end of the test, Kui Xin and the rest of the security officers were led below-ground to the training ground.

Schalit was the examiner and interviewer. She did not appear when the written test was underway but observed closely during subsequent testing.

First up was the shooting test. Kui Xin stood next to four other security officers, the metal desktop in front them automatically deploying, revealing a standard firearm in her sight, the same with others’ desks.

Kui Xin loaded a magazine into the gun and cocked it.

In the distance, targets rose from the ground. She held her pistol and aimed at the center, the gun fired with one sharp sound. Kui Xin rapidly pulled the trigger several times, firing all the bullets in the magazine within seconds.

Kui Xin set the gun down, listening to the scores. It was clear she shot accurately, fast, and precisely, each bullet hitting their mark. After almost a minute, the other security officers also stopped shooting, looking at her in surprise.

The shooting test was not done; they tested rifles, snipers, machine guns, even throwing melee weapons.

Next came the gun assembly test.

Testers raced against the clock to assemble their firearms, and by the end, Kui Xin’s fingers were permeated with oil from maintenance.

The next test was martial arts, and the use of extraordinary abilities was allowed.

C and D rank abilities weren’t highly effective in combat. Knowing this from Investigative Eye, Kui Xin wasn’t too worried. There was no reason to be overly cautious. If she was chosen, Eve’s reaction would be hard to predict.

They engaged in paired combat. Her opponent was named Wang Jiaming, security officer, wielding Optical Camouflage—twisting light around himself to become hidden but without offensive power.

Immediately, Wang Jiaming charged at Kui Xin without hiding.

C-grade abilities were limited; while he could hide his body, shadows betrayed him. The arena lights made hiding impossible. Rather than evade, charging was the better strategy.

Wang Jiaming was tall and imposing, a head taller than Kui Xin, putting her under strain.

He launched a swift punch, strong base, but Kui Xin dodged twice with grace, only for the third attack to follow swiftly—a feint to draw her in!

A sudden wind blew past Kui Xin’s ear, she raised her arm to parry, but it was another feint!

Seeing his leg aimed at her waist, Kui Xin swiftly avoided the sweep, caught his leg in the motion, and controlled it.

Kui Xin dropped her shoulder and drove forward, hitting the soft spot under Wang Jiaming’s chest, making him spit vomit and bend in pain from the force.

With a twist of his leg, Kui Xin threw him down and pinned his wrist. She kneed his back, locking his limbs.

But Wang Jiaming struggled, Kui Xin gripped his arms, locking both wrists with a dislocating pop.

Victory was decisive. Wang Jiaming stopped struggling, and Kui Xin emerged victorious.

Examiner Schalit stepped forward, appraising Kui Xin, “Well done.”

After releasing her grip, Kui Xin helped Wang Jiaming up with a pained expression from a relocated wrist.

“You’re used to it; I’ve dislocated before,” Wang Jiaming shrugged.

Kui Xin observed her, “Director, do we need more rounds?”

“One round is enough. The focus is on your basic combat foundation,” explained Schalit. “Extraordinary ability applications vary by scenario.”

The test continued with more pairs, and Kui Xin’s results were consistent.

After the exams concluded at noon-thirty, Schalit dismissed them to wait for further notice.

Back at the cafeteria, Kui Xin lingered for a bit before heading to Rong Wei’s office.

Rong Wei wasn’t there but sipping tea by the window, a ceramic teapot unfamiliar to Kui Xin but now sitting on her desk.

Kui Xin noticed this, realizing Rong Wei never used this style of tea ware.

“Kui Xin, why are you here? Aren’t you on leave?” Rong Wei questioned.

“Regarding the special department test, I want to talk to you,” Kui Xin observed her expression.

“Talk?” Rong Wei responded skeptically.

Disappointment surged through Kui Xin at the unusual interaction.

Rong Wei usually didn’t behave this way; as secretary, she should have addressed future plans regarding the potential relocation. Now she seemed unaware.

“Can you tell me if I get reassigned-” Kui Xin probed.

“I’ve noticed your concerns about this,” Rong Wei smiled faintly, “It’s not a problem. Excellent people should rise higher. You shouldn’t be constrained to small places.”

Seeing Rong Wei smile made Kui Xin feel even more uncertain.

Rarely smiling, Rong Wei usually displayed a stern demeanor that softened around Kui Xin after shared dangers, though their relationship remained distant.

“Really? I thought you didn’t want me to leave,” Kui Xin said.

“It’s fitting for outstanding individuals to advance,” Rong Wei repeated.

Silence filled the room, Kui Xin unsure of Rong Wei’s intentions.

“Tea isn’t something you typically enjoy,” Kui Xin attempted to make conversation.

“I noticed some good tea,” Rong Wei responded, “I’m fine, thank you.”

Kui Xin sensed the disconnect, “Do you want me to leave?”

Rong Wei hesitated, “Fine, go.”

Kui Xin left, then paused as Rong Wei approached unexpectedly, grasping her wrist tightly.

Kui Xin recoiled but Rong Wei held firmly. Her heart raced; instinctively, Kui Xin tried to escape but couldn’t.

Rong Wei released her hand, smiling kindly, “Goodbye.”

Confused, Kui Xin stepped backward, “Goodbye, boss.”

“Hold on,” Rong Wei halted her, “Let’s walk together. There are things I need to discuss with you privately.”

“Alright—” Kui Xin agreed reluctantly.

Standing in an elevator, Kui Xin felt uneasy.

“Why the change in behavior?” Kui Xin wondered aloud.

“She can’t be possessed by a player…” Kui Xin pondered the bizarre scenario.

“What do you mean ‘possessed’?” Augus inquired.

“If Rong Wei is no longer herself, who could she be?” Kui Xin pondered.

“Notice,” Augus pointed, “Rong Wei showed clear abnormalities after the TQC’s visit. She sat unmoving for hours by the window with her teacup. But she gave no indication of her altered state…”

“Is it related to Shadow Transition?” Kui Xin considered.

“It doesn’t match the known patterns,” Augus noted, “Yet her behavior raises concern.”

“Should we trust her?” Kui Xin asked.

“There’s risk,” Augus warned cautiously, “We need to proceed with caution.”

“Perhaps,” Kui Xin muttered, “Let’s see where she takes us…”

Kui Xin and Rong Wei arrived at Hei Hai City Bridge.

“You’re not Rong Wei,” Kui Xin stated straightforwardly.

“The silver pin…” Rong Wei pressed the button, cutting Kui Xin’s data access and isolating her from Augus.

“This device blocks communication,” Kui Xin realized.

“Am I guessing correctly?” Rong Wei teased.

“Ghost,” Kui Xin revealed.

“Yes, I am,” Ghost confirmed.

“Male or female?” Kui Xin queried.

“I was originally male, but my gender doesn’t matter. I possess no fixed form,” Ghost clarified.

“Your ability?”

“It’s the essence of being a phantom, able to take over bodies but not indefinitely. Each taken body is temporary,” Ghost elaborated.

“Could this be part of what Schalit mentioned?” Kui Xin speculated.

“Yes. They’re all players now. Even I find this confusing,” Ghost sighed.

“Schalit mentioned a test. Does she mean this situation?” Kui Xin asked.

“Just be careful,” Augus advised. “Something isn’t right with her.”

Kui Xin glanced at the gun in the man’s hand.

“Why target me specifically?” Kui Xin asked, stepping back slowly.

“I know about you,” Ghost replied calmly.

“I don’t understand,” Kui Xin replied confused.

“You have unique abilities. I can feel it. You shouldn’t underestimate me,” Ghost warned.

“Is she trying to trick us?” Kui Xin inquired.

“Unlikely. Better to assume the worst,” Augus cautioned.

“This is more complicated than I thought,” Kui Xin reflected.

“Focus,” Augus reminded.