Chapter 167

### Chapter 167: The Boundless Dark Realm Part 22

As soon as Kui Xin saw the information on extraordinary abilities, she quickly looked away and took a few cautious steps back, hiding herself in the crowd behind the girl’s blind spot.

Players often awakened peculiar innate talents. Some, after prolonged training, were exceptionally sensitive to gazes. Kui Xin feared her close scrutiny might alert the girl.

She straightened up, gripping the handrail. Her consciousness quietly interfaced with the subway surveillance system, watching the girl’s face through the cameras. She then transferred the image to her mobile phone for storage. By checking her subway entry records, she successfully obtained personal details of the girl.

In the age of big data, privacy was virtually nonexistent. As a data manipulator, Kui Xin thrived in this digital world. With the gap in technology between the First and Second Worlds, she rarely faced undecipherable firewalls or inaccessible data.

Her expertise in data manipulation was crucial for her survival in the First World. Without such skills, she would be severely constrained, unable to control situations as effortlessly as she did now.

The girl with the language incantation ability was named Song Tingshuan, holding a D-level rank. Her identification showed she was just twenty-one years old. Song Tingshuan could still be in university or have recently graduated.

Arriving alone in Tonglin City was quite bold.

Many players planned to come to Tonglin City, but they constituted only a small fraction of the player base, making them negligible against the overall number of players.

Kui Xin recorded all forum nicknames of those who announced their intentions to visit Tonglin City, finding seventy individuals in total. She was sure there were more unannounced players already there. The game filtered out minors and elderly players, narrowing down the potential suspects.

While the scope was smaller, it was still a large-scale operation.

The subway was about to arrive. Kui Xin decided to prepare for her exit.

After a moment’s thought, she resolved to monitor Song Tingshuan’s movements through the surveillance network without wasting time following her. There were too many people coming to Tonglin City; she could not focus entirely on one person. Knowing Song Tingshuan’s player status and her general activity range was enough.

Moreover, Kui Xin needed to uncover Song Tingshuan’s purpose for being in Tonglin City.

The composition of the player mass was complex: ordinary folks, brainwashed victims from the Second World, and heterogamous beings. Tonglin City was at the storm’s eye, and players had varied agendas. Kui Xin needed to be cautious and identify each player’s category.

“Click.”

Subway doors opened. People poured out and more boarded. Through the rush, Kui Xin and Song Tingshuan passed by unnoticed.

Song Tingshuan pretended to listen to music via headphones, yet her device played no sound.

Soon, the subway stopped. Song Tingshuan dragged her suitcase out and blended with the bustling city, vanishing among the crowds without attracting attention.

“Yes,” Song Tingshuan spoke coolly, watching the old cityscape. “We’ve reached the target’s residence.”

Hearing the voice through her earpiece, she pulled her suitcase toward the place stated, passing the neighborhood shops. She entered a convenience store, bought dinner, and ate it quickly on a stool.

At that moment, a young man wearing a blue shirt with a mask and glasses slipped past the walls nearby, entering the same store.

Simultaneously, Song Tingshuan paused her meal. She adjusted her watch to point at the man, continuing her meal silently afterward.

Observing the man buy a packet of instant coffee, two take-out meals, and an ice lollipop, she realized his actions seemed suspicious — despite walking normally, something felt off…

“Target has just shown up. The hidden camera probably captured him,” Song Tingshuan said in a low tone. “Though he knows to blend into the background and disguise himself, he remains ordinary…”

“Be careful. He’s not ordinary—he has extraordinary abilities.” The other side of the earpiece responded. “Stay vigilant, proceed according to the plan, and don’t act rashly.”

“Okay.” Song Tingshuan agreed.

Dropping her takeout, she grabbed her suitcase and headed to the designated lodging.

…

Kui Xin leaned against a chair, eyes fixed on the computer screen. The footage revealed Song Tingshuan’s journey to the vicinity of He Kangshi’s residence.

They both got food at the same convenience store and passed by each other.

He Kangshi left for home after shopping. Song Tingshuan, however, diverted to a neighborhood barely half a street away from his place. It appeared she intended to stay there.

Initially, He Kangshi was sent to Tonglin City. At the train station exit, officers interrogated him intensely. Kui Xin foresaw trouble ahead, but she hadn’t expected to meet Song Tingshuan this conveniently at the subway entrance.

Cautioning him, she warned, “Be wary of strangers near you. They know where you live but aren’t openly hostile. However, they’re close enough.”

He Kangshi acknowledged the message, understanding Kui Xin’s caution. But, did she need to oversee every detail?

“I get it, boss,” he replied. “I’ll remain low-key, cautious, and careful, okay?”

“Okay.” Kui Xin consented. “Unless necessary, don’t worry about them. They’re likely not after you—they came for the anomaly.”

“Fine by me,” He Kangshi sighed. “Tons of players are coming to Tonglin City, some even organizing teams through forums.”

“I’ve noticed,” agreed Kui Xin, adding, “Tonglin City’s getting murkier by the day.”

“I read forums discussing nightly patrols for the anomalies starting at night…” questioned He Kangshi carefully.

“The idea has its merits.” Kui Xin nodded.

“But is it effective?” He Kangshi pressed further.

“The primary worry is lack of combat power against mutated beasts,” replied Kui Xin.

“I want to join a night patrol.” Urgency colored He Kangshi’s voice.

“Evaluate risks yourself. Don’t look to me for every decision.” Kui Xin advised.

Relief washed over He Kangshi. The thought lingered in his mind for a full day, requiring careful deliberation.

His indecisiveness had been mounting. After awaking a warrior talent ‘Knife Proficiency’ in the Second World, he yearned to step out of his pacifist shell from the First World.

He practiced cooking with precision, slicing vegetables neatly. Such talent for cutting seemed wasted if not used for a higher cause—like slaying mutants.

Energized by Kui Xin’s approval, he fetched a boning knife from the kitchen, strapping on knee pads, elbow guards, and helmet.

If Kui Xin saw his preparations, she might display a mix of understanding and concern. A kitchen knife was the deadliest weapon a civilian like him could obtain.

Polishing the blade, slipping in protective gear, and preparing his nerves, he prepared for battle.

“Time to go… can’t back out.” He muttered repeatedly. “Protect your land!”

Emerging from the room, he felt a chill looking at the empty hallway. Why did his superior leave the choice to him rather than giving him orders directly?

Perhaps because they sought an equal footing and didn’t want to issue commands directly?

Reflecting on the past, Kui Xin’s lack of commands suggested trust. Only minimal guidance had been provided, such as guiding the Venom-Headed Viper or befriending the Remover 777. These tasks held no danger.

Kui Xin, instead, wanted independent action and initiative.

A memory surfaced from the White Whale City days when Venom-Headed Viper asked if he wished to kill the gang responsible for his friend’s death. He hesitated.

“God… what’s the holdup?” He slapped his forehead. “Fearless of death, why hesitate at spilling blood?”

Snatching his blade, he raced down, ready to fight the mutants to the death.

Across town, Kui Xin similarly prepared a chef’s knife for her mission, carrying it behind her waist.

Setting her alarm for midnight, she ventured outside.