Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Dark Boundless Realm 60

In the dimly lit room, countless glass tubes and wires crisscrossed. The greenish liquid inside the tubes congregated into a large glass container at the center of the room. This container was large enough to hold a full-grown adult.

And in fact, it did contain a person.

The person floating in the greenish liquid looked as pale as a plaster statue, with shriveled muscles throughout his body. His skeletal frame was emaciated, his vertebrae prominent, and his hands and feet were bony and somewhat grotesque, with teal-colored veins appearing fragile beneath the thin skin.

Suddenly, the figure curled up inside the glass container twitched, causing the tubes and wires floating in the water to wobble lightly. He mimed coughing, blood spilling from his oxygen mask’s gaps.

The blood trickled down, mingling with the greenish liquid, quickly blending in.

“Ghost,” a blurred and ethereal projection appeared out of nowhere. “What happened?”

Floating within the giant glass container, Ghost opened his eyes and gazed at the projection.

“It seems you failed; your physical self has been affected by the aftermath.” The shadow examined Ghost. “How unfortunate… I suggest that you no longer use your extraordinary abilities recently. Otherwise, you will die even faster. Your lifespan was already limited to a few more years.”

As water sloshed, the greenish liquid inside the container was drawn out through tubes, causing Ghost’s floating body to sink slowly. The cylindrical glass wall then cracked open. A robot arm reached over, lifting Ghost out onto a prepared wheelchair beside him.

“It really pains me…” Ghost’s voice was weak and hoarse. “Night Cicada and I both underwent the Federation’s transformative experiments, his cost was negligible, his body remains healthy, yet I sacrificed greatly for mine.”

His eyes gazed despondently at his skeletal body, “I can barely walk, relying on others to gain temporary freedom.”

“The uniqueness of your ability prevents replication; this might be the price,” the shadow said. “When the Mechanized Dawn bioroid technology becomes more mature, we could steal their tech to provide you with an artificial vessel.”

“But transitioning to an artificial body is only theoretical. We can’t guarantee the success rate. How do I ensure my extraordinary abilities remain after my transfer to another body? I don’t know if they stem from my physical form or my spirit—I doubt even the final test at the switch stage will clarify,” Ghost stated. “Angel, the mission isn’t going smoothly—Ferryman wasn’t simply betraying us; she was replaced… She possesses multiple abilities, do you understand what that means?”

“That’s unexpected yet understandable,” Angel nodded slightly. “What about Amber-eye?”

“He’s quite agile, his skills versatile, unlikely to have been found by Mechanized Dawn.” Ghost replied. “Find me a body; I must return once more to White Whale City.”

“No,” Angel replied flatly. “I’ve told you, if you die again, it will reduce your lifespan. Are you sure you won’t perish again?”

“What should be done with her?” Ghost asked.

“What? You’re resentful about her killing you and wish to take personal revenge?”

“It’s hard not to.”

Angel said, “Tell me about what happened in detail, every detail must be explained.”

Ghost showed a complex expression, recounting every minute detail from his journey to White Whale City.

After he finished, Angel remained silent for several minutes.

“What should be done with her?” Ghost repeated.

Angel paused for a few seconds, “The situation is complicated. Not just Ferryman versus Mechanized Dawn, there could be other forces. A city-wide blackout… Could outsiders do that? Even if they possess future power, they’re not ready yet.”

“I also considered this…” Ghost added.

“In any case, Ferryman’s objectives include both Summer-ve and Mechanized Dawn. Her power is significant,” Angel stated. “Keep watching her, approach carefully; let them fight and weaken each other—we might gain an advantage.”

Ghost muttered darkly, “Spare her for now?”

“Not until we ascertain which force supports Ferryman. I am deeply concerned that it might be… another ‘Summer-ve’,” Angel pondered…

…

Silverface woke up lying in the infirmary, wrapped tightly like a mummy.

His chest throbbed intensely, his entire body felt as though it had been run over by a car. He tried to lift himself up and noticed his pristine bandages showing faint redness.

“You’ve got quite a life,” Night Cicada remarked casually, “To be struck by a burning blade and still live.”

“Am I truly alive?” Silverface touched his face and body, feeling the throbbing pain in his chest, knowing this wasn’t a dream.

Kui Xin sliced him with a lava-filled blade from the right shoulder to the abdomen nearly slicing open his torso. The scorching blade grazed his heart, blood smearing the hot blade, emitting white smoke. The air smelled of burnt protein when she pulled back.

“How could I still be alive?” Silverface asked incredulously, looking at his trembling hands.

“The city half restored its power. I opened a spatial vortex, dropping a missile from high altitude. She must have feared its explosion, leaping away through space without finishing you off. But with her gone, I retrieved the missile—it didn’t detonate,” Night Cicada sighed. “She uses my ability well, very proficient.”

The missile used an electrical detonator, ineffective in an electromagnetic storm. Eve learned from this, commanding the researchers to develop mechanically-powered explosive devices.

“I mean, am I not nearly disemboweled?” Silverface asked, pressing his heart.

“When she struck, she used a fiery blade, surely painful. But it roasted the flesh around the wound, stopping excessive bleeding, holding on,” Night Cicada slapped Silverface’s chest, eliciting cries of pain.

“How’s your heart?” he asked.

“It’s… fine…” Silverface replied tearfully.

“A mechanical heart replaced your original, unusable one,” Night Cicada said.

“Okay…” Silverface lowered his head.

He continued after a moment, “People say their feelings come from here”—he tapped his chest—”but a researcher said feelings originate from the brain…”

“If this mechanical thing still lets my heart beat faster when happy or slower when sad?” he wondered.

“It cannot,” Night Cicada responded bluntly. “The heart only adjusts its rhythm based on blood pressure and oxygen levels, not emotions.”

Stunned, Silverface covered his chest, “Oh, so mechanical hearts aren’t better than human ones.”

Mechanical hearts aren’t better? Night Cicada looked at him curiously.

Despite knowing Silverface lacked deep thoughts, Night Cicada mulled over his words further. Was Silverface implying pure logic couldn’t match emotional thought, that artificial freedom wasn’t genuine, and fabricated truth wasn’t true?

Silverface hung his head, silent.

Night Cicada intended to leave but noticed Silverface’s bandages were soaked with tears.

Silverface wept unexpectantly, not understanding why.

“What are you crying for?” Night Cicada asked, surprised.

Silverface seemed equally confused.

“Because of Fortunate Lady’s betrayal? Or did losing Reset upset you?” Night Cicada speculated.

“I don’t know,” Silverface tilted his head back. “Just… miserable.”

Previous injuries or starvation made his heart feel heavy, but this time, his heart felt nothing, discomfort came from elsewhere—where, unknown.

Night Cicada watched thoughtfully, “Curious, why did Black Obsidian背叛?”

Silverface looked up, eyes wet.

“Shall we ask him directly?” Night Cicada suggested, “He is in detention at one of the branches.”

“Will they let us?” Silverface questioned, amazed but confused.

“They will,” Night Cicada answered, “Permission granted. Come after recovery.”

“Alright…” Silverface lay back, head flat. Suddenly remembered something crucial, then looked up, “Is anyone alive?”

“No, everyone died,” Night Cicada lifted his eyelid.

“Everyone? But I remember some were alive when I passed out, they must have perished?” Silverface said.

“Indeed,” Night Cicada’s eyebrow raised slightly, “They did not survive.”

Fortunate Lady conveyed, “Tell Eve, I won this time.”

“Who’s Eve?” Silverface asked.

Night Cicada froze, “That information was delivered by those combat personnel before their demise.”

Silverface insisted, “But… about Eve…”

“At the moment, you lack clearance for this matter,” Night Cicada concluded.

He left the medical facility, locking in determination.

…

Kui Xin returned to the safe zone with her arm suspended. Her attending physician was mediocre, cutting away healed tissue at the left shoulder joint before attempting to attach her severed left arm. But her body healed too rapidly, requiring multiple attempts before finally securing the arm.

Due to rapid regrowth, the surgery was unsightly, disfiguring her arm. Tired of the inconvenience, she requested the doctor fit her with a new mechanical limb. The severed arm was packed in an ice medical box, preserved for long-term storage in the advanced Second World’s facilities.

Adapting to the new limb would take time. When she appeared with her arm in a sling, Su Rong and He Kangshi were taken aback; they immediately attended her instead of delving into the massive blackout event.

“I’m fine,” Kui Xin replied exhaustedly, collapsing on the couch of the rest room. “Wait until later to question, I’m drained.”

Her mind was overloaded, leaving little room for contemplation.

Su Rong and He Kangshi exchanged glances, stepping out.

Before drifting off, Kui Xin softly questioned, “August, how are you?”

“Some systems damaged, data routing challenging. Busy,” August responded. “Sleep, tonight’s a night of victory.”

“Goodnight,” Kui Xin closed her eyes.

“Communication restored during your battle. It couldn’t wait till now.” August spoke in her earpiece, “Delighted to hear your voice again, Kui Xin.”