Chapter 151

Chapter 151: The Dark Boundless Realm 06

Schalit’s memories spanning over twenty years played in Kui Xin’s mind all at once. It felt as if she was watching a movie, but the playback speed seemed unimaginably fast. The mundane details were blurred, but the significant memories for Schalit stood out starkly; Kui Xin could even perceive Schalit’s emotions in those moments. During the memory playback, Kui Xin experienced everything from Schalit’s first-person perspective, rather than from an omniscient position, reliving her whole life through Schalit.

The overwhelming load of these vast memories quickly overwhelmed Kui Xin.

Kui Xin snapped out of it, clutching her head in pain and kneeling down. Her brain felt swollen, and the scenery before her eyes swirled chaotically. She closed her eyes, and her electronic eye stopped transmitting external images to her brain, easing her distress.

Barely catching her breath, Kui Xin managed to sit straight against the sofa, attempting to organize the memories flooding her mind.

Memories required digestion and sorting. Briefly reviewing Schalit’s minutes of memories did not reveal any specific details. Important intelligence often hid within subtle phrases. To digest Schalit’s twenty years of memories in just a few minutes seemed utterly unrealistic.

Boris’ memories could be roughly skimmed through; knowing the overall situation was enough. But Schalit’s memories were different; Kui Xin had to spend time analyzing each key memory, savoring the nuances in Schalit’s interactions with each member of the Resistance Army and interpreting every conversation.

First, there was the manner of communication within the Resistance Army.

Every time Schalit received a mission, “Angel” would reach out to her directly. Schalit was unaware of the exact abilities of the Resistance Army member referred to as “Angel,” only knowing that he was a spiritual Awakening. Angel held a high status within the Resistance Army, but he wasn’t the leader.

The Ghost was elusive, serving as Schalit’s guide, yet he too denied being the leader of the Resistance Army.

Did Schalit ever see the leader of the Resistance Army? Kui Xin meticulously sifted through those memories but found nothing conclusive eventually.

Wrong… No, not entirely fruitless; there were some hints.

Schalit had always been curious about the identity of the Resistance Army’s leader. She had asked both the Ghost and Angel, but their replies were consistent: “Wait for the right moment. You will meet him when the time is right. Your current rank is not sufficient.”

Like Eve, the leader of the Resistance Army remained hidden behind the scenes.

In Schalit’s memories, there was one detail that deeply troubled Kui Xin.

Angel had once assigned Schalit to participate in eliminating a defecting member of the Resistance Army. Schalit participated, successfully killing the defector. Schalit had wondered how the Resistance Army tracked defectors, but received vague responses.

Subsequently, any instances of defections within the group were resolved efficiently, causing no disturbance.

It seemed the Resistance Army possessed special means to track traitors—this was Schalit’s inference.

Kui Xin was solely worried whether the Resistance Army had tracking mechanisms to find her even after her defection?

Feeling heavy-hearted, she touched her head.

Angel had once planted a mental coordinate in her mind, leaving it undisturbed. However, she had already inquired from Augus during her previous cycle. Based on the data of Spiritual Awakening in the Federation, mental coordinates typically lacked tracking capabilities.

One should never take risks, Kui Xin’s heart stirred again after a few days of calm.

Mechanized Dawn and the Resistance Army formed two vast shadows hanging over her.

As long as they existed, she could never rest easy.

Grabbing a bottle of ice water from the fridge in the underground rest room, Kui Xin opened it and took several gulps, finding relief from the cold water cooling down her overheated mind.

Once the feeling of brain congestion subsided, the headache vanished. Kui Xin raised her hand, examined her fingers for a moment, then picked up a knife and made a cut on her index finger. Blood oozed out but healed rapidly.

Now that the environment was relatively safe, Kui Xin intended to read her own complete memories without further delay.

She placed her bleeding finger in her mouth, activating “Blood Spirit.”

Dense memory fragments surged deep in her mind. Long-dormant memories emerged like seashells washed ashore by ocean waves, revealing themselves gradually. The process was not as intense as capturing others’ memories; instead, it felt like a slow stream, where fragmented details slowly became clearer—like these were inherently her own memories, merely forgotten temporarily. This process was both smooth and natural.

…

Before Kui Xin was five years old, she lived an ordinary life. Her father was busy and rarely came home; he mostly entrusted her care to a nanny. She didn’t have a mother; the latter had died while birthing her.

Kui Haidong treated raising her like taking care of a pet dog or cat. Finding a nanny, paying her adequately, he assumed his responsibilities completed. Luckily, this nanny cared genuinely and managed Kui Xin’s upbringing impeccably.

While their financial status was impressive, it hadn’t reached extravagantly wealthy levels yet. Following her fifth birthday, Kui Haidong’s business expanded, establishing multiple branches across various cities. Ricktech Co., Ltd stabilized its footing amidst the new generation of tech enterprises. She would even catch the evening news featuring her father’s company, where journalists spoke highly of how the company’s CEO could become a major technology mogul, a “new aristocrat” in the business world.

Despite this, Kui Xin felt indifferent. Though blood-related, their relationship was barely better than strangers’.

When Kui Xin turned eight, Kui Haidong finally seemed to remember he had a daughter.

He brought her to his company, had her undergo a comprehensive medical examination, and assigned a secretary and an unseen subordinate in black clothes to tour her around the entire building complex.

Kui Xin nonchalantly listened to people babble about everything at Ricktech Co. Ltd. While Kui Haidong was proud, his dispassionate daughter left him frustrated.

Until the introduction of a newly developed gun at Ricktech Co., Ltd piqued Kui Xin’s interest.

“What’s that?” Kui Xin asked.

“Firearm.” The man in black responded with genuine interest. “A miniaturized pistol, with minimal recoil. Would you like to try?”

Kui Xin nodded firmly, “Yes.”

The man in black retrieved the mini-gun and handed it to Kui Xin.

“Heads up, get a target ready for the young lady,” the man instructed.

Thus, a shooting range was swiftly arranged, with people carrying in a target.

No one taught Kui Xin how to use firearms, but she instinctively sensed this was a dangerous weapon. Without guidance, she pressed the safety off, placed her index finger on the trigger, and attempted to aim at the target.

“Bang!” The bullet struck the target, sending Kui Xin sprawling backward.

The man in black burst into laughter, but Kui Xin, initially relieved, grew irritated by his mockery.

Kui Xin glared, aiming the pistol at the laughing man.

The man’s laughter abruptly ceased, as though his neck had been clasped.

“Don’t take it seriously.” The man raised his hands slightly. “There’s no need to get mad. I’m Night Cicada, your father’s subordinate.”

Kui Haidong also reprimanded, “Xiao Xin, put the gun down. This isn’t a toy.”

Kui Xin fixed her gaze on Kui Haidong, demanding, “I want to learn firearms.”

Kui Haidong was surprised but considered her request briefly, “Alright.”

Following this, Kui Xin embarked on her new training.

She did not attend school; Kui Haidong hired tutors and coaches solely for her. These instructors specialized in teaching her hand-to-hand combat and shooting.

Other children her age were learning drawing, music, and coding, whereas Kui Xin’s focus was martial combat, demonstrating exceptional talent in these areas.

Kui Haidong encouraged her, showing lenience in these pursuits. When she sought to engage in Ricktech Co.’s affairs, he granted permission. As she matured, Kui Xin started participating in Mechanized Dawn’s internal matters, with his consent.

Kui Xin demanded to undertake tasks as a true organizational member. After deliberating, Kui Haidong approved her request.

Starting with simple assignments, she gradually accrued practical experience, continuing for several years.

She seldom communicated with her father, harboring neither love nor attachment toward him, instead feeling more annoyed than anything else. Kui Haidong had numerous mistresses who feigned love but superficially. His insincerity towards her heightened her frustration.

The ambiguity regarding how Kui Haidong managed to elevate Ricktech Co. and Mechanized Dawn to such heights puzzled her deeply. The presence of numerous capable subordinates only compounded this curiosity.

Her doubts persisted and she intentionally delved deeper, closely observing Kui Haidong’s every move.

At this juncture, Kui Xin received a vital assignment.

“Investigate the Resistance Army?” she questioned skeptically. “I’ve heard rumors, but what exactly do they do? Are they our enemies?”

“They are our enemies,” Kui Haidong replied. “They aim to overturn the corporatocratic-controlled Federation and establish a free and equal world… Hypocritical ideals, just enough to fool naive idealists.”

“Do we stand in conflict with them?” she inquired further.

“Not currently… They have challenged us,” Kui Haidong explained. “They attacked our branch office in Southern city, seizing some documents. The assault was unexpected, with no prior warning. I suspect someone inside Mechanized Dawn had leaked confidential information to the Resistance Army. There are already a few suspects. Take a team, arrest one of them.”

“Understood,” Kui Xin responded casually.

However, this mission went awry. Kui Xin walked into a trap, finding herself unprepared.

Jamming devices were enabled, disabling all her equipment. Her teammates perished, leaving her to fight alone.

Just as she felt certain death was imminent, her target, smiling, spoke, “I know you’re Kui Xin, formally known as the leader of Mechanized Dawn, Kui Haidong’s daughter.”

Kui Xin retreated a step, uncertain, “You…”

“I present myself. I am Ghost, a member of the Resistance Army,” Ghost said. “You can eliminate my host, but I will never die.”

“What do you intend to do?” Kui Xin asked calmly.

“I’m here to give you an opportunity—to understand Mechanized Dawn and your father. I’m offering a chance to know the truth,” Ghost said. “Consider this carefully.”

Kui Xin scrutinized him cautiously.

“Surely you want to know how Mechanized Dawn rose to power? Don’t you wonder about your father, Kui Haidong, and his rise to prominence? Isn’t your heart brimming with questions about whom he truly serves?” Ghost emphasized profoundly.

Kui Xin’s pupils dilated, almost unable to contain the shock within her.

“You can deliberate and hesitate, but you know that you will eventually agree,” Ghost continued. “Fate has chosen you. You will align yourself with us.”