Chapter 199

Chapter 199: The Dark Boundless Realm Part 54

Ghost did not sense Kui Xin’s mental coordinates nearby, indicating she was not present at the scene.

She gathered all those undergoing “interviews” in the same building; now, this place had become a giant breeding ground for some sort of larvae. Each individual had their own motives and different backgrounds. Everyone was abnormally cautious, treating each other as potential hostile entities, as if any moment might explode into chaos.

Eden whispered beside Ghost’s ear: “Samantha Miller, wanted fugitive by the Federation… Wei Mao, wanted fugitive by the Federation…”

Eden reported everyone whose identities could be scanned. Many were either wanted criminals or bounty hunters, and there was a sense of weariness around them, suggesting that they weren’t easy to deal with.

All were here for an interview, hoping to join the Shadowless Organization. The dark web recruiting post stated that Awakeners were preferred… some of those present might be Awakeners indeed.

Ghost couldn’t quite figure out what the Shadowless Organization ultimately intended.

There were twelve individuals on site. This densely packed gathering remained silent, only the sound of breathing could be heard; it seemed no one was planning on speaking.

After a long silence, once they confirmed no immediate action would be taken, someone finally spoke up:

“The interviews start at twelve, there are still ten minutes left.” said a man with an Asian face.

All eyes turned towards him, but nobody spoke.

Through Eden’s scan, Ghost identified this man as Scalpel, a bounty hunter with some fame underground.

“Don’t look at me like that, let’s just chat.” Scalpel said, “Who knows? We might end up being colleagues.”

“This organization isn’t right.” A woman near the corner who leaned against the wall said, “Having mass interviews—how are you not concerned about leaks? Or maybe this group is just playing us?”

“It’s not that extreme.” a nearby white man with a slight accent responded, “We’re all here because of this organization’s reputation, remember they kidnapped the son of the Popov family. An entity able to do that wouldn’t betray us, right?”

“You all have an interesting take.” said someone with dark skin, grinning, “Some hesitate, some are nervous, some look completely untrusting, yet no one leaves. Why?”

“We need to see what the Shadowless Organization actually is.” Scalpel pointed out first, “To willingly accept an invitation from them takes courage. Think about it, the adversaries of the Shadowless aren’t easy to face—like the Federation magnates—who would dare provoke them like that?”

Those present were all bold and ruthless, and confident in their abilities.

At this moment, Samantha Miller, the person Ghost paid special attention to, said with a teasing tone: “Together, we could be worth over twenty-million in bounties. That’s a great sum, huh?”

“One member’s bounty could be twenty-million,” someone else added.

“Could there be investigators or TQC agents hiding among us?” Weimao also said.

“They must be,” Samantha stared at each person’s face in the room. Most obscured their features, their voices and faces perhaps not even real.

“They wouldn’t let Shadowless go unpunished; if I were in their shoes, I’d seize the chance to infiltrate.”

The crowd’s vigilance heightens further.

Before the interviews began, someone already exposed the presence of a traitor amongst them.

After a brief chatter, the scene fell silent again.

Not long after, Scalpel glanced at his digital watch, stood upright, and proclaimed, “It’s exactly twelve o’clock.”

Everyone lifted their heads, looking around to see who would conduct the interview.

After about half a minute, a black, shadow-like figure materialized through the walls and took on human form.

The Shadow Double had arrived.

As a focal point, the Shadow Double moved forward and walked straight among the group. Those attending the interview cast curious glances at it while making way, keeping a safe distance from it.

From a dark pocket in its body, it pulled out a small broadcasting device and pressed a button.

The processed voice came out: “You need to draw lots to decide the interview order.”

Then, the Shadow Double pulled out a specialty die. It was an electronic die commonly used in bars, displaying random characters when rolled.

The voice echoed, “Who will roll the die first?”

Scalpel stepped forward first. The Shadow Double casually rolled the die and tossed it. The number 3 popped up on the display.

“It seems it’ll be a while before my turn,” Scalpel stepped back.

Someone took the initiative, and the draw lots process proceeded smoothly.

Samantha was next, he rolled the dice and got 1. He was going to be first!

“Kind of lucky, can get it over with sooner,” Samantha smiled.

Others followed suit, each rolling the dice. Ghost did not want to be the last, so seizing the right moment, he also rolled the dice.

The die showed 12, and he became the last to undergo the interview.

Fixated on the die’s number, Ghost thought perplexedly, “Rolling such an electronic device for fairness? They must have intentionally placed me last to be interviewed with the Reset.”

Everyone had finished rolling their dice, they all stared at the Shadow Double standing in the center.

The Shadow Double pressed a button on the broadcasting device: “Anyone with 1, follow me.”

Samantha stepped out and questioned, “Where am I going?”

“To the final interview location. Others, please wait. Don’t worry; you won’t wait too long.”

The Shadow Double gestured graciously and moved ahead. After a moment’s hesitation, Samantha ultimately followed.

He followed the Shadow Double in the dark alleyways, eventually stopping.

“You need to cover your eyes and remove all personal devices.”

“How do I ensure my safety?” asked Samantha, refusing.

“Then leave. We’re looking for members who will assist in tasks and follow orders—not someone here to indulge themselves.”

Samantha clenched his fists and decided to comply, removing his gear and donning the black fabric handed to him by the Shadow Double.

“There’s no need to panic if any discomfort occurs. You are in a secure environment.”

No sooner had he spoken than Samantha felt weightlessness, falling momentarily before landing safely.

The disembodied voice said, “You may remove the blindfold now.”

Samantha tore off the blindfold to find himself in a dim space with walls around him and no lights or people.

Another broadcasting device sat on the floor.

“Teleportation?” Samantha was astounded.

“Greetings,” a familiar voice came through. “Answer my questions.”

Samantha calmed down and firmly said, “Sure.”

“Why did you choose us?”

“I believe in your name!”

“Be more honest.”

Stunned, Samantha cautiously replied, “I’m a wanted criminal and seek protection. I can also serve you with my abilities. I’m an Awakener, B rank.”

“What else?”

“I oppose the Federation. I admire you for doing what I cannot,” Samantha said simply.

“What do you wish to gain from us?”

“Money, weapons, gear. I value material possessions.”

“Do you have enemies?”

“The Investigation Bureau, TQC… I’ve made many enemies over the years. Even gangsters are nothing compared to your organization.”

“Any principles?”

“No killing innocents, animals included.”

“What’s your Extraordinary Ability?”

“Air compression, launching compressed air.”

A pause before the voice resumed, “Interview complete. Return and await notification.”

“That’s it?” Samantha was surprised.

“Blindfold yourself.”

Samantha reluctantly complied and was once again overwhelmed by the falling sensation but steadied himself.

He removed the blindfold to find his gear scattered and that eerie figure nearby.

Equipped again, but dazed, he departed.

Next was a street punk refused the interview immediately upon learning about the requirement to remove his gear and cover his eyes, walking away under the Shadow Double’s watch.

Scalpel, the bounty hunter, was next.

He swiftly obeyed, handing over his gear and covering his eyes without hesitation, stabilizing himself as the numbness subsided upon removal of the blindfold.

“State your motive.”

“Because of the Black Snake.”

“Just for a code in media reports?”

“Yes,” Scalpel whispered, “But I’m unsure if he is the same Black Snake I know, so I came to confirm. If wrong, it’s a gamble I must take.”

“What do you expect from Noshadow?”

“To do meaningful things with friends. My strength is small, yet I want to contribute.”

“Your principle?”

“Defend home is my principle.”

“Your Extraordinary Ability?”

“Rapid healing,” Scalpel said.

Silence ensued before the voice directed him, “Cover your eyes and you are free to go.”

A sigh of relief escaped as Scalpel tied the blindfold.

Again, numbness hit, but he returned to where he started, checking his surroundings before leaving.

Though short in length, interviews were time-consuming collectively.

Kui Xin reviewed notes with particular attention to suspicious parts.

Su Rong said, “Maotoufu, twelfth.”

“In motion,” Kui Xin responded.

…

Ghost’s turn finally came.

Suspicious that the Shadowless targeted the Mechanized Dawn, rolling last wasn’t a coincidence—they might be plotting something.

Mechanized Dawn’s allies stayed a prudent distance behind. Too close could expose them, too far meant they’d be too late to help.

With extreme wariness, Ghost followed the Shadow Double forward until stopping in a dead end.

Unexpectedly, it turned quickly and charged double blades towards Ghost’s neck!

Ghost was prepared, swiftly stepping back, yet the Shadow Double’s flexible arms stretched ominously. The blades almost pierced his eyes!

In a crisis, Ghost instantly released his Reset ability.

An unseen barrier dropped! The Shadow Double’s blades shattered piece by piece; its body disintegrated in less than a second.

Nearby, Su Rong jumped up exclaiming, “Gone! My Shadow is gone! Maotoufu, the attacker didn’t harm me, but his power… What is that power?”

“Nullification,” Kui Xin analyzed. “I thought it only nullified humans, not Extraordinary Creations. Even if the original form wasn’t in range, it affected his creation.”

“Let’s test if your Shadow Double can re-summon,” Kui Xin said to Su Rong.

Su Rong instantly formed a new Shadow Double.