Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Artificial Soul 61

“Can you explain the current situation to me?” Kui Xin said with a headache, “It seems like I’ve really forgotten a lot…”

“I can definitely answer your questions, but before I do that, you need to answer mine first,” Schalit said calmly. “It’s too incredible; you’ve forgotten everything yet still managed to complete the mission to kill Lin Xinji.”

“You don’t remember the task assigned by the organization, nor do you recall meeting with them, but you still killed the target.”

“But I remember the imagery of the ‘Angels,'” Kui Xin stated, trying to build Schalit’s trust. “When I entered the brain machine, I saw this. The necklace around your neck somehow feels familiar…”

Schalit pondered, “That may be due to a mental seed planted in your mind.”

“Was this mental seed planted by an ‘Angel’?” Kui Xin asked, “Are you an ‘Angel’?”

“I am not,” Schalit replied. “The Angel is someone else’s alias.”

“Do you have your own alias then?” Kui Xin guessed, following her lead.

“Yes,” Schalit said, “My alias is Mandala. Do you remember yours?”

Kui Xin answered, “… Not at all.”

Schalit was speechless, “Have you never felt anything odd? Have you ever felt memory disarray? Was there any period where your memories were blank?”

“The sense of memory disorder indeed exists… Mechanized Dawn implanted many memories that aren’t mine in my mind, saying it was to prepare me for interrogations. Sometimes, I feel fragments of memories jumbling in my head…” Kui Xin said half-truthfully.

“What about earlier times?” Schalit asked further.

“Since I replaced the metal skull,” Kui Xin carefully answered, probing Schalit’s reaction.

Schalit frowned but did not speak.

She seemed to be considering something and then asked, “What motivated you to kill Lin Xinji?”

“Because I felt he posed a threat to me,” Kui Xin lied, also speaking the truth, “A strong intuition and premonition appeared in my heart. I felt that I must kill him, otherwise, he would bring significant trouble to me in the future. This feeling was very intense, driving me—driving me to kill him.”

Schalit scrutinized Kui Xin’s expression intently. “Hmm…”

“Could you look at me without that kind of expression? What I said is true,” Kui Xin remarked, “Are you still suspecting that I betrayed?”

“No. It doesn’t matter whether I believe you or not; it’s crucial who decides based on the reports from above. I don’t have the authority to make the decision,” Schalit looked away, pondering, “The presence of a mental barrier indicates that the mental seed planted by Angels is taking effect on you. Maybe you acted under mind manipulation, or perhaps your subconscious was influencing you. Even though your memory has problems, the desire in your mind was so strong that you gave yourself a subconscious suggestion.”

In summary, “Your memory issues started several weeks ago, causing you to forget everything related to the Resistance. Thus, under the influence of the mental manipulation, you completed the missions assigned by the Resistance while in a state of amnesia. That’s my personal speculation. Whether it’s correct, we need more verification.”

“It seems… that it’s exactly as you’ve said,” Kui Xin responded.

“Did Mechanized Dawn know that you killed Lin Xinji?”

“No.”

“However, your mental barrier is there. Mechanized Dawn cannot brainwash you, and your subsequent actions show that you didn’t change allegiance,” Schalit remarked. “So, how do you explain your amnesia?”

Kui Xin thought for a moment and said tactfully, “I think you might be overthinking it… I replaced my metal skull because my skull was fractured when I got hit in the head. Think about it, what kind of force would fracture someone’s skull? Being hit that way inevitably leads to brain damage. I don’t think I’m suffering amnesia from mental manipulation but rather physical trauma.”

Schalit paused, almost convinced by Kui Xin’s logical argument.

“Why did you only forget the memories about the Resistance but not those related to Mechanized Dawn…” she questioned, “It doesn’t sound like selective amnesia.”

Kui Xin fell silent for a moment, “Actually, I also forgot some of Mechanized Dawn’s memories. My current alias in Mechanized Dawn is ‘Lady Fortune,’ but before that, I had another alias, which I don’t remember… Also, most of my childhood memories are a blur.”

Kui Xin leaned his head slightly, “I managed to fool them for this long. How did I manage to escape their detection?”

“Infiltrator instincts and precise killing skills… really, no lies,” Kui Xin emphasized humbly.

Schalit took a deep breath, reassessing Kui Xin with new perspective.

“Would my actions in killing Lin Xinji prove my loyalty to Mechanized Dawn?” Kui Xin asked.

“If it doesn’t show loyalty, then let’s rephrase it… I’m not loyal to Mechanized Dawn. You should be aware of this, right? Even if my memory is somewhat disordered, I will not be loyal to Mechanized Dawn. If I have defected from your organization and betrayed them, I would have leaked information to Mechanized Dawn, but nothing like that has happened. It proves I haven’t leaked information and that I’m not trying to deceive you.”

Without betrayal, yet forgetting crucial details, it confirmed that he truly was experiencing amnesia.

Schalit knew a fair amount about Mechanized Dawn’s activities and had a decent understanding of Kui Xin’s background, yet the circumstances left her uncertain.

“Your questioning is complete. I have questions for you,” Kui Xin said.

Schalit replied, “Ask me, I’ll respond accordingly.”

“How did you appear in my dreams?” Kui Xin asked.

“It’s through mental coordinates that the Angels implanted, a method for members in the Resistance to contact each other. If two individuals with these implants are nearby and speak certain words, they can activate those coordinates and link their minds momentarily.” Schalit explained.

“A covert method… what extraordinary abilities does one require? If the entire Resistance possessed such mental coordinates, wouldn’t it enable absolutely confidential communication?”

“What is the ultimate goal of the Resistance?” Kui Xin asked.

“To establish a new world,” Schalit stated, “To overthrow the current Federation government, dissolve powerful conglomerates, and undergo social renewal to build a new world of equality and freedom.”

“What an ambitious goal…” Kui Xin mused and then asked, “What’s the meaning of the term ‘Ghost’ you mentioned? Is it an alias?”

“Yes,” Schalit looked directly at Kui Xin. “I will report your matters to Ghost. He will verify the veracity of your statements and decide on your future.”

Kui Xin was surprised by this revelation. “You’re telling me this now? What if I run away after I receive the message?”

Schalit smiled faintly, “Where do you get your confidence to think you could escape us?”

Another familiar feeling of being threatened…

Kui Xin felt his heart sink.

“Just a little joke,” Schalit said lightly, putting the cigarette between her lips, “We don’t turn on our comrades within the Resistance. I can’t confirm you as our enemy and don’t want to mistakenly harm a comrade, so rest assured.”

“Will Ghost meet me? And how does he verify the truthfulness of my words?” Kui Xin dismissed the earlier incident.

“When the time comes, he’ll be there,” Schalit said, “He is truly a ghost.”

“Why did the Resistance send me to kill Lin Xinji?” Kui Xin continued.

“Exactly as you said,” Schalit responded, “His threat is too significant. With just one glance, he can detect dubious identities… That’s alarming and could expose many organization members. Moreover, he’s set to transfer from the Investigation Bureau to a more promising department, thus he must die.”

Kui Xin queried, “Do you know my story, Schalit?”

“Hmm?” Schalit raised an eyebrow.

“Why did I join the Resistance back then?” Kui Xin asked.

Schalit glanced at Kui Xin casually, “Sorry, I don’t know. Ghost knows, you should ask him. He personally recruited you back then.”

In the dreamscape, the sun descended toward the horizon, and the church bells chimed.

“The time is nearing,” Schalit pointed out, “Maintaining mind synchronization isn’t unlimited. Prolonged mental harmony places a strain on our brains.”

Kui Xin suddenly interjected, “I have information concerning you.”

“Information?” Schalit turned her head.

Mechanized Dawn is planning to move against you because I reported to superiors that you wished to recruit me for TQC. They deemed you suspicious and decided to arrest you,” Kui Xin leaned his head, “Upon receiving that mission, I was puzzled. Wasn’t it reasonable for you to want me in TQC? Why would Mechanized Dawn think you were problematic? Perhaps it’s not your desire to recruit me that caused suspicion, but rather, they already suspected something about you. Your approach towards me intensified their doubt, leading them to take action against you.”

Schalit paused, seemingly shaken, losing her grip as the cigarette nearly fell from her fingers, a rare display of vulnerability.

Kui Xin’s statement indicated — Schalit has an insider within Mechanized Dawn! An insider who suspected Schalit belonged to the Resistance and had been observing her closely.

When Kui Xin contacted Eve, Eve mentioned, “TQC is not part of your responsibilities.”

This implied that TQC already had another informant managing it.

Eve surely understood the logic of not placing all eggs in one basket, didn’t she? Federation had numerous departments; it couldn’t infiltrate Investigative Bureau with Adam in control, yet it wasn’t invulnerable elsewhere. Every department likely had an informant planted by Eve.

These informants lay in wait like Kui Xin and Doctor Huang, silently observing everyone, providing intelligence support to Mechanized Dawn’s operations.

“Even though Mech Dawn intends to strike against you because of my report, ultimately, I am just a spark. As long as the explosives remain, both you and I will face threats,” Kui Xin explained. “Apologies, hope you do not harbor resentment towards me; I merely wish to stay alive.”

Schalit looked deeply at Kui Xin with a peculiar smile, “No surprise. A surviving agent through amnesia, you certainly are stealthy and shrewd.”

“Mech Dawn is a shared enemy, and fighting against it, we stand together,” said Kui Xin.

“Very valuable information. Thanks for the reminder,” Schalit responded.

“You disclosed this not only to prove loyalty to the Resistance, but to ask me for help,” continued Kui Xin.

“What can I assist you with?” Schalit asked.

“My metal skull is tampered with, only the Medic Center’s doctor Huang who is an agent for Mechan Dawn, can help me replace it. Your ability can control him,” Kui Xin said, “I wish to break free from Mechan Dawn’s control and gain freedom.”

Schalit sighed, “Metal skull… obtaining their trust came at such a high cost.”

In conclusion, she added, “After meeting Ghost, I will assist you.”

“When will he come?” Kui Xin inquired.

“Soon,” Schalit replied.

With that sentence said, the dream shattered.