Chapter 124

Chapter 124: Artificial Soul Part 51

Kui Xin held the gun with one hand, pulled the trigger, and several shots rang out; all six bullets from the magazine hit the bullseye.

Her wrist remained stable, smoothly handling the powerful firearm with considerable recoil, her arm barely shaking as each bullet left the barrel.

After firing six rounds, the trajectories were almost perfectly aligned, with only the slightest deviation, so the number of holes in the target far fewer than the six bullets that were fired. Several combined shots had created just a single hole.

“Six shots, 1.28 seconds in speed.” Augus said. “You’re about to break the Black Sea City Bureau of Investigation and Order Maintenance’s record for rapid fire accuracy.”

While replacing the magazine, Kui Xin relaxed her wrist and switched the gun from her right hand to her left, starting another round of training.

After emptying another magazine, Augus commented, “56 points. One-handed shooting isn’t quite steady with your left hand, but it still surpasses most security officers.”

Kui Xin frowned, put down the gun, and began to move her wrist slowly to relieve the soreness.

Her performance was already outstanding. The security officer beside her was surprised and occasionally glanced at her, even giving her a thumbs-up after seeing Kui Xin take a break.

During this rest period, Augus mentioned, “They found the body.”

“Slow,” Kui Xin replied.

“The sanitation worker’s clean-up truck arrived at the garbage alley, where the accumulated garbage was being processed. Once the bags were all scooped up by machines, the body became visible, and the worker alerted the authorities.” Augus continued, “A patrol came around and handled the corpse. They recognized He Gaoyi and brought her remains back to the Bureau. Meng Jing personally went down to the morgue upon hearing the news.”

“I want to know what expression Meng Jing had when she left the morgue,” Kui Xin said.

“Anger,” Augus replied. “She was livid, her heart beating faster, trembling with rage. She even took some medication upon returning to her office.”

“Only anger?” Kui Xin said, feeling regretful.

“Do you think she’d be sad?” Augus asked. “Meng Jing doesn’t feel sorrow over He Gaoyi’s death; they have a purely transactional relationship.”

“Not exactly what I meant… I think Meng Jing likely felt fear,” Kui Xin went on. “Lin Xinji died, her confidante He Gaoyi died, and now a series of unfortunate events are happening within the upper ranks of the Bureau. She hasn’t thought that she could be next?”

Augus paused, “Are you planning to go after Meng Jing too?”

“No, I simply don’t like them being too comfortable,” Kui Xin said. “I’m struggling to get ahead, yet those in power live like kings. It’s unjust. It would ease me somewhat if they suffered.”

Whether active or passive, Kui Xin is steadily progressing towards her goal.

She has experienced despair aboard Kraken and still remembers who caused it. Her desire for vengeance lingers.

“There is indeed some fear,” Augus said lightly, “but hers is very faint. Since she’s been at the top for a long time, an A-Class Extraordinary Ability holder, and has formidable combat abilities, she is very confident and not easily moved.”

“Have they conducted an autopsy on He Gaoyi’s body?”

“They’re doing the autopsy now,” Augus explained, “you covered your tracks well. They won’t find anything useful.”

Kui Xin asked, “Is Zhang Xiaoyun stable?”

“She is stable,” Augus replied. “Despite being no fool and actively learning, Zhang Xiaoyun is fitting in. Nobody has noticed anything wrong, yet given his situation within the Bureau, he’s highly exposed… Now it’s just about how long it will take before he’s discovered or exposed.”

After resting, Kui Xin reassembled her weapon and loaded ammunition.

“Swap out the moving targets,” she said.

“Moving targets have been swapped,” Augus responded.

The damaged target lowered automatically, revealing new targets emerging from a section in the side wall.

Kui Xin swapped the magazines again, raised her gun, and was about to shoot when she heard Augus transmit an urgent message, “Emergency situation, Special Affairs Department personnel are here… They have brought in a brain-machine; it looks like they intend to use it for you and Wei Zhi.”

With this statement, Augus officially announced through the facility, “Security Officer Kui Xin, proceed to Room 2810B on Floor 28.”

A frown formed on Kui Xin’s face; she laid down her gun and turned to leave.

“Brain machine? Wei Zhi’s brain machine side-effects haven’t cleared; can you use it?” Kui Xin conveyed with Augus telepathically.

“They don’t care about Wei Zhi,” Augus stated. “A brain machine reads brainwaves through direct brain access, using electronic devices to interpret and control brain signals. You can resist it, but TQC brought a Psychometric Awakening who specializes in mental hypnosis. Her ability enhances the brain-machine’s effects, suppressing resistance from the subconscious, and they truly intend to extract information from both of you.”

“We’ll have to see what’s what,” Kui Xin said. “It’s unavoidable anyway.”

She entered an elevator that carried her up to the twenty-eighth floor.

Upon arriving and following the direction, Kui Xin swiftly approached Room 2810B. Its door slid open, and she proceeded inside.

“Captain Wei Zhi,” Kui Xin called out.

Wei Zhi nodded, “You’re here.”

Kui Xin scanned the room, noting its unusual setup. The upper level comprised mostly glass panels that were non-reflective, allowing someone to watch without being seen. The lower half was spacious and held two brain-machines.

Kui Xin and Wei Zhi stood in the empty room as employees in white coats silently opened the brain-machine covers. Moments later, a woman with blue eyes and black hair wearing gray formal attire stepped in from a side door.

She exuded a refined appearance with defined features and gentle lines.

As Kui Xin and her counterpart conversed via thoughts, Adam was always present, ready to connect anytime within the digital network.

“The woman is Annie Schalit from the Special Affairs Department, a B-Class Awakening with significance due to having rare mental abilities,” Augus informed Kui Xin.

“You’re certain she’s B-Class?” Kui Xin questioned.

“What’s the ambiguity?” Augus responded. “Within their office, it was clearly stated she’s B-Class. Her personal file states this detail.”

“But I could only see her ability as ‘Hypnotic Sound,’ nothing more,” Kui Xin said coolly. “It means her ability ranks over mine.”

Augus hesitated. “She should know her own capability level, but if she didn’t report it…”

“There is something suspicious about her,” Kui Xin confirmed.

Schalit nodded to Kui Xin and Wei Zhi, “You can lie down in the brain-machines now. Don’t worry, I can help mitigate the aftereffects.”

“Thank you,” Wei Zhi replied, laying down calmly within the device. Staff connected wires and patches, enclosing her head with a helmet.

Though skeptical of Schalit, Kui Xin also positioned herself within the machine.

Surrounded by observers, she found no way to escape. The issues surrounding Ms. Schalit were significant… considering the documents noted she’s a B-Class Awakened and not A-Class, she must be hiding something. What position did she assume within Special Affairs?

Kui Xin lay motionless as technicians attached various connections and patches to her head.

Schalit approached Kui Xin softly, “Close your eyes and rest; don’t resist… don’t resist…”

Her voice possessed a peculiar charm—an extraordinary ability manifesting as an auditory mental power?

Kui Xin felt her thoughts drift as her eyelids failed to remain open. Her consciousness plummeted into deep sleep.

…

Meng Jing asked coldly, “Have any new findings surfaced from their memories?”

“As it stands, similar to previous interrogations, nothing extraneous. Schalit reported seriously to the screen displaying the brain-machine’s output. ‘Organization Mechanized Dawn is deeply covert and highly mysterious. Developing such a vast infrastructure would not happen overnight… such bases, secretive locations, and advanced technology… despite much of the hardware being relocated, the organization’s resilience is evident.'”

“If there’s no issue from our side, then proceed with closing the interrogation,” Meng Jing said, “Our work needs to return to the correct path.”

Schalit asked, “Minister Meng, can I ask, has it been decided that Wei Zhi would be the next Director?”

“Nothing official issued. Hence, it’s undecided.” Meng Jing answered with a slight smile.

“The Special Affairs and Bureau of Investigation collaborate closely in many areas. The selection of leadership is pivotal. The director of Special Affairs is monitoring this closely,” Schalit smiled as she spoke.

“The Minister position will be determined within the week,” Meng Jing stated.

Schalit mused out loud, “Our专员are primarily transferred from various investigation departments. Some of these candidates, you surely recognize. Special Affairs intends to nurture new专员, requiring age under twenty-five and awakened Extraordinary Ability.”

Meng Jing chuckled, “Awakened individuals aren’t abundant. Our department’s fine new recruits are few and far between. Those meeting age criteria and possessing Extraordinary Abilities are scarce… However, suitable talent does exist.”

“Who is it?” Schalit asked eagerly, “Can I receive a copy of their dossier?”

Meng Jing tilted her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes gazing through the glass at Kui Xin in the brain-machine, “She is Wei Zhi’s secretary—a recent Black Sea Academy graduate with excellent grades in criminal justice studies. Her personal capabilities are top-notch. Recently awakened with Superhealing, observations confirm no adverse effects.”

Schalit nodded slightly, “Then place her on the reserve list.”

Were Wei Zhi awake, she’d lose her temper.

Meng Jing was purposefully causing trouble for Wei Zhi. Taking her trusted secretary away, leaving Wei Zhi unsupported.