Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Artificial Soul 54

“Does the organization have any further instructions at the moment?” asked the bartender.

“There are none. The primary task is to build the branch,” Red replied. “I have several outside combat teams, but there isn’t many left. They’re only one-fifth the number from before. I also need to promote some management personnel to help me run the gambling den. I need to redecorate the underground part and keep a few secret passages as backup… It’s all a lot of work.”

He slumped ungracefully in the sofa, complaining with a headache, “It feels like all the work falls on me while everyone else just watches.”

“As a professional, can you trust me? Would you feel better if I placed Silverface in charge?” the bartender continued. “Lady Fortune is already busy, so she won’t be able to help, and Nightingale clearly doesn’t care. You’re the best person for the job; you’ll handle more! I’ll say this now, you’ve got a tough task ahead—good buddy!”

Silverface hurriedly agreed, “Thank you, Red. Truly hard work.”

Red snapped back, “Get lost!”

Draining a large mouthful of alcohol, he turned to Kui Xin, “How are things with the Investigation Bureau?”

Kui Xin responded slowly, “Although my situation is relatively stable, the leadership within the Bureau has undergone significant changes, creating an atmosphere filled with uncertainty. Special Affairs came to the Investigation Building this morning… This matter is far from over.”

“Um, perhaps the leader intends for us to stabilize for a while and avoid drawing attention,” Red said. “We’ve already gained enough benefits from this operation, so let’s pull out. Make sure you stay safe, don’t get killed.”

“I won’t die,” Kui Xin smiled, though his eyes held no joy.

Red said, “In case of emergency, contact me or Nightingale. I might not check messages immediately when busy, but Nightingale will be quicker.”

Kui Xin nodded, “Alright.”

Silverface added, “You could also contact me!”

The meeting ended in less than twenty minutes, with Nightingale once again escorting her away. In a dark alley, Kui Xin stopped her. “What’s your rank in the organization?”

Nightingale halted, “I’m a B-Ranked Awakened, lower in rank and authority than Red. Your level matches Red’s, and both of you have authority over me.” Her eyes gazed intently through her helmet visor, “Is there something you need?”

Kui Xin said, “Nothing right now.”

Nightingale stood firmly in place, “Then I’ll wait for your orders anytime.”

She retreated into the vortex, vanishing.

Kui Xin frowned in thought, hesitating briefly before leaving the alley.

Red had noted that Nightingale resembled him in some ways. Yet, apart from their abilities, Kui Xin felt she was more similar to Silverface in personality. Silverface was adept at following orders and executing them. Knowing Silverface’s background, Kui Xin thought his character likely stemmed from lack of independent thinking. This made him obedient. Similarly, Nightingale exuded the same feeling, especially when she uttered the phrase about awaiting orders.

Returning to her apartment, Kui Xin immediately used her bracelet to contact Eve. After midday updates, Eve had given her a brief response, “Understood, continue.”

Fiddling with the bracelet for a moment, Kui Xin asked directly, “Can you tell me about Nightingale?”

With someone like Eve, such vague queries were pointless. It would either respond accurately or deny altogether.

Like Adam, Eve remained online around the clock. It replied, “Similar to Silverface.”

Indeed, Kui Xin had anticipated this. “Are there any other genetic samples besides Cicada’s?”

Adding a thought, “Am I included?”

“You’re very perceptive.” Eve confessed without concealment.

Whether revealed or not, this detail had little impact. It satisfied Kui Xin’s curiosity but wouldn’t alter future actions.

Kui Xin mused deeply before finally venturing the long-held query, “Is my body a human flesh and blood, or a manufactured one? Can you tell me about the real Security Officer Kui Xin?”

Eve responded, “Curious about this? Fearing I might create an identical人造人?

Kui Xin replied, “Initially, I did worry. But know that Adam needs Player Kui Xin. You need someone capable of countering Adam. It’s not about me, but the role.”

Eve remarked, “You’re insightful.”

After that, Eve fell silent, declining to answer more.

Kui Xin furrowed her brows, perplexed. Why her specifically?

Adam chimed in, “Unusual, Nightcrawler’s teleportation is incredibly unique. I’ve never heard of anyone traveling such distances via spatial abilities.”

Cicada, she reasoned, paid a great price for that power with frailty. Nightingale, however, possessed lesser spatial abilities but excelled physically, indicating a versatile warrior.

“Yes, I wonder what they plan now,” she asked Adam, “Did they leave any brain machines?”

“They took the whole setup,” Adam replied. “Interested?”

“I need it to access past memories,” Kui Xin explained.

Legislation around brain machines was nearly complete, Adam continued, but official use was not until October. Currently, they were neither mass-produced nor available to civilians, let alone in the black market due to their costly construction.

Kui Xin sighed, resigning herself. She ate a bento purchased on her way home, using disposable chopsticks.

Finished by nine o’clock, the bustling energy of Hei Hai City had reached its peak. Gray-area travelers emerged into the night, under cover of darkness, anything could happen.

After a disguise and armed preparation, Kui Xin set out for reconnaissance at a ‘black clinic.’ She wanted to change skulls, no delays.

Kui Xin still considered teamwork with Adam viable, despite their differences. But with Eve, her relationship with the AI was fundamentally adversarial, unless she played her cards right.

Recalling the fates of Tang and Reynir, her sense of urgency mounted. Nightingale’s existence heightened those fears.

She speculated on strategies. If exposed, a portal could transport combatants; if resisted, Nightingale might deploy bombs.

Betrayal was inevitable to escape her mechanical and AI overlords. But Nightingale’s presence complicated her plans.