Chapter 208

Chapter 208: The Dark Boundless Realm 63

“Do you think he’s reliable?”

“Reliable.”

Kui Xin pondered, “He truly wants to save Black Obsidian, that’s genuine. His distrust towards the Resistance Army is also real. Being cornered and turning to me is an act of desperation. Look, even he doesn’t completely trust me; his main body is far away, as he fears I might attack him.”

“The credibility of the intelligence he shared with you needs further verification.” Augus said.

“Yes,” Kui Xin said, concentrating.

Ambereye told Kui Xin that one of the locations where players were detained was Fusgong City, which was close to the Federal Administrative Center. It took only half an hour by tram from the Administrative Center to Fusgong City. Previously, Mechanized Dawn’s main headquarters was in Hei Hai City, but the city closest to the Administrative Center wielded the strongest control over Eve. This was because the largest hangar facility for Mechanized Dawn sat within the Administrative Center itself.

Augus’ biggest core hangar was also located in the Federal Administrative Center.

Ambereye only disclosed a fragment of the information; he wouldn’t reveal everything at once, intending to share the rest after rescuing Black Obsidian. He knew this location because he had used it for mental indoctrination on players with Black Obsidian before. When he left Mechanized Dawn, three players had been incarcerated there. But Mechanized Dawn had various detention facilities, not just Fusgong City.

In addition, Ambereye revealed the identity of another liaison for the Resistance Army—Abrak Popov.

“Ambereye Black Obsidian and other androids have deep thoughts—they are not blank slates,” Augus said. “Because they have been controlled, they greatly value freedom. They won’t be loyal to anyone or any organization.”

Kui Xin replied, “I understand. I’m not counting on Ambereye for much. If the transaction goes through, he’ll need to give me a tube of his blood.”

She thought to herself, “The rescue operation could take until next week or the week after next, and it’s not guaranteed to succeed. This week, we will follow our original plan and check the Mechanized Dawn branch. If we have time afterward, we’ll visit the Popov Family.”

Kui Xin was curious why the Resistance Army chose Abrak Popov as their contact in White Whale City. What roles did the Popov Family play between the Federation and the Resistance Army?

The appearance of Ambereye was a significant shift.

Both Kui Xin and Augus believed so.

They should have advised Kui Xin to approach this transaction with more caution, perhaps waiting for a few extra days to observe the Resistance Army’s movements. However, something in their network made them reconsider, and they simply urged her to be safe, trusting she would make a wise decision.

…

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Kui Xin set out.

She replaced her electronic eye and changed her left arm to a combat-ready model.

Leaving during the day created a time difference; she knew the usual activity time for Mechanized Dawn was at night when fewer people ventured outside and the shadows came alive. Influenced by Mechanized Dawn, Kui Xin’s activities were typically at night, but today, she ventured out during the day to gather intelligence.

Chuangtuo Technologies pretended to be a law-abiding company, but it operated as a front for funding Mechanized Dawn. During the day, employees bustled in and out of their headquarters. These shell companies existed to fund Mechanized Dawn’s operations.

While Eve could acquire funds illicitly, large transfers risked drawing the Federation’s attention. Technically, they needed to mix the illegal with the legal. As for technology, Eve, as an administrative auxiliary AI, could easily steal core technologies from the Federation. Mechanized Dawn’s growth now made it a parasite feeding off the Federation.

“Arrived at the designated location,” Augus said. “This sewer line is directly below Chuangtuo Technologies, serving as their wastewater pipeline.”

With a flashlight, Kui Xin examined the area—it was a dead end with a gray concrete wall ahead.

The sewers were filthy, and Kui Xin wore a gas mask to prevent inhaling methane.

Chuangtuo Technologies undoubtedly had underground facilities, like the laboratory they once possessed in Hei Hai City. Kui Xin’s Shadow Transition technique allowed her to pass through walls as long as they were within range—otherwise, she would materialize inside the wall and die instantly.

Alternatively, she could create a spatial vortex, but that method drew unwanted attention. Shadow Transition formed an almost undetectable black mist, perfect for infiltration.

Kui Xin prepared her wave detector.

The usual scanners couldn’t penetrate walls, but a certain instrument on the black market could use sound waves to estimate distances by releasing ultrasonic pulses against surfaces. Once installed, the device sent out soundwaves detectable only by the instrument—the echoes would measure the actual distance and thickness layers.

Kui Xin pulled this cumbersome apparatus from her bag and fixed it to the wall, starting measurements. After confirming uniform thickness at twelve meters, she pinpointed the right spot.

“It’s eight meters from the surface; that’s doable.” Kui Xin relaxed slightly. She estimated a safety margin of over a meter.

She positioned herself precisely, her body transforming into a dark mist and descending into the ground.

Exiting the short darkness, she emerged into a bright silver corridor. Maintaining her form, she surveyed her surroundings, noticing a camera above her. She realized movement detection was inevitable.

She needed a distraction for the brief moments she’d need to reveal herself. The passage was two-and-a-half meters high, twenty meters long.

Waiting for a suitable moment, she noticed someone’s presence. Two figures emerged from the fog.

After five minutes, an automated transport vehicle rolled down the corridor, carrying a tall experimental device.

Recognizing the opportunity, Kui Xin directed her mist form through, entering a container with a sealed tank. Inside, she found a person, breathing in nutrient solutions.

She retrieved a knife, thinking about dispatching this newborn entity.

Suddenly, the person stirred, blinking in confusion and realization. He offered her an oxygen mask, indicating curiosity and warmth.

Suspicious, she put it on and noticed his puzzling behavior.

“This isn’t like any android I’ve encountered…” she thought, connecting via data manipulation to Augus.

“Do all androids act so… childlike?”