Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Dark Boundless Realm 55

“They… who on earth are they?” Su Rong said in fear. “Just by using that ability, all our extraordinary abilities become useless. I’m not skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and my gun skills are terrible. All my combat power comes from my Shadow Double… Are they enemies of The Shadowless?”

“They belong to an organization called Mechanized Dawn, a vast and well-organized group with branches and members everywhere. Their members include ordinary people, fighters, awakened ones, and bioroids,” Kui Xin replied. “This is the largest group I’ve come across so far. They are very formidable.”

Su Rong was shocked. “Are they even more frightening than the Popov Clan?”

“Yes,” Kui Xin looked at her. “They came for this interview to test us. However, we weren’t completely empty-handed; we learned about their individual’s ability triggers.”

“Indeed, they didn’t come alone. My Shadow Double saw several of them approaching before it dissipated. He has teammates.” Su Rong shuddered. “Thankfully, it was my Shadow Double that conducted the probe; losing it had no impact on me. Otherwise…”

She trembled, then asked, “If only we could lure him into the Spatial Vortex, teleport him elsewhere, perhaps…”

“No, you saw it yourself, his companions were closely on his heels.” Kui Xin said. “Do you remember why I set twelve different coordinate points in that vicinity, each opening a Spatial Vortex to a different location? I wanted to confuse Mechanized Dawn’s members, making them unsure where my Spatial Vortex would lead. Assuming our interference strategy is successful, Mechanized Dawn won’t know where you have taken the applicants. Thus, they won’t know about my critical ability. Also, I suspect even if the Spatial Vortex is opened, he won’t enter it because doing so would trigger his own ability. He’s smart and knows I might want to kill him, and wouldn’t risk going solo.”

“That’s right! Concealing one’s abilities is also important.” Su Rong understood. “Maotoufu, you’ve thought this through meticulously… Is this a tactic?”

Mechanized Dawn probably guessed that Kui Xin assassinated Nightingale, but guesses are just guesses; they couldn’t be certain unless it was over eighty percent sure. Similarly, they couldn’t be totally sure Kui Xin was Remover 233. But revealing the Spatial Vortex would change their certainty to absolute. They would immediately identify Kui Xin as Remover 233, allowing them to deduce her extraordinary abilities and refine their precise tactics.

The distinction between guessing and being sure was colossal, and the tactical implications were significant.

Kui Xin could not simply disclose herself because of speculative threats. Instead, she seized every opportunity to deceive her adversaries, even if it tipped the scales of victory minutely in her favor.

From Kui Xin’s meticulous thinking, Su Rong felt immense pressure.

She was assisting in this interview session, marking her first formal involvement in organizational affairs. Future engagements and learnings lay ahead.

Kui Xin trusted her with critical tasks, hence her dedication to excel.

Her attitude now rivaled her high-stakes college entrance exam prep, the gravest situation she had faced until this point.

Su Rong felt strange, almost stiff, her face having recently undergone facial surgery. Her new features, while harmonious, still required adjustment.

Her voice changed, the整形 surgeons adjusting her vocal cords.

Given the extensive modifications required, her fingerprint and palm-print transformations were delayed. She wore contact lenses to hinder iris recognition.

Previously conspicuous, her new appearance was unremarkable yet pleasing.

“Right! I recall! I’ve seen information about this group on forums. Players mentioned that the Mechanized Dawn killed the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Investigation and Order Maintenance in Black Sea City. The news played for days.” Su Rong gasped, “Why…”

She almost asked Kui Xin why Mechanized Dawn targeted her specifically. Yet, she hesitated, keenly aware the question posed a danger—she’d ask later if safe to do so.

“Any suggestions on how we should handle this issue?” Su Rong asked seriously.

“A good question. I have limited ideas. For now, decapitation is the way forward,” Kui Xin stated, “Eliminate the individual with nullification ability first—he poses the greatest threat to everyone.”

Su Rong nodded solemnly.

“We should also be cautious of their ambush tactics. Their technology is advanced, easily leading to entanglements. The core combat squad includes mainly awakened ones.” Kui Xin summarized succinctly.

“I know some of them, understanding their abilities somewhat… but what if they’re sent stronger adversaries, like the individual with the nullification skill? I’ll compile their files and send them over for your perusal.”

Senior Sister Xin knew that organization deeply… Su Rong pondered, sensing their adversarial relationship.

“You both underwent transformations to hide identities from the Mechanized Dawn; that’s immensely risky. The organization is ruthless, torturing and brainwashing players.” Kui Xin explained, “Be vigilant these days.”

Su Rong couldn’t stay hidden forever. Continuous exposure was necessary for growth.

“When I went out with the Shadow Double, I marked the hidden trails. I’ll be careful,” Su Rong assured.

Kui Xin felt relieved, “Ashes, you need to meet Hunter Falcon soon. Under critical scenarios, you must work together.”

Su Rong smiled. “We won’t use our original faces.”

Realizing Kui Xin’s intent after speaking, Su Rong understood deeply.

Kui Xin didn’t let them meet openly until they transformed. Regardless of context, Kui Xin referenced them with code names, never real names, ensuring dual safety—no risk of identity revelation in either world.

Within The Shadowless, membership details were top-secret.

“I know Hunter Falcon must be trustworthy to join The Shadowless,” Su Rong mentioned.

“Indeed,” Kui Xin responded.

Kui Xin chose not to mention the Resistance Army at present. Similarly, earlier yesterday, when He Kang Shi returned to base, she had informed him regarding Mechanized Dawn.

Although startled, He Kangshi didn’t retreat. Upon hearing the cruelty towards players, he retorted through red eyes, “Dogged them. We’ll make them pay someday.”

It wasn’t good to divulge everything. Understanding enough threats was sufficient.

Enemies were lethal—this was essential knowledge for both Su Rong and He Kangshi.

Their goal was to utilize limited resources, avoid hindrance, and aid this nascent organization. Further reliance on them wasn’t feasible for now.

Fortunately, both Su Rong and He Kangshi were diligent—despite immaturity—but they strived earnestly within their capacity, contributing and not hampering efforts.

Kui Xin and Su Rong left this temporary outpost. Su Rong was to find He Kangshi.

She traveled extensively with the Spatial Vortex, expending considerable energy. Not wanting to exhaust herself entirely, she reserved some strength for unexpected situations.

Kui Xin retrieved custom glasses from her pocket.

Electronic eyes usually don’t require glasses for adjustments, capable of automatic tuning. Yet, the current pair had specially designed lenses to assist the electronic camera in discerning elements beyond conventional capabilities.

The room for interviewing employed special additives.

Kui Xin sprinkled a tasteless transparent fluorescent substance and fine dust around the area. Anyone entering would leave marks visible via the custom glasses.

Fluorescent signs would mark floors, and fluorescent dust particles would cling to others, helping her trace individuals accurately.

Kui Xin intentionally prevented Zero from participating to strategically pressurize Mechanized Dawn.

The sudden attack on Zero confirmed ties between Zero and Kui Xin or The Shadowless—why else would they intervene?

Mechanized Dawn craved specific interview data, actions, words, and the interviewer’s identity. Zero’s failed infiltration meant gathering clues from outside.

Who might they pursue?

Other interviewees were likely targets.

Without data, interrogation is an option.

Such was the Mechanized Dawn’s conduct.

All participants were Kui Xin’s bait, including herself.

“Augus, did they depart?” Kui Xin queried.

“Seems so, they discovered your hidden cameras and removed them,” Augus responded.

“As anticipated…” replied Kui Xin unsurprisingly.

“In the last couple of days, you destroyed about thirty surveillance and listening devices, costing fifty thousand Federal units.” Augus clarified.

“Get disguised before purchasing such items again; we wouldn’t want the boss to recognize you,” Augus added.

“Okay,” said Kui Xin.

The black market boss, upon seeing a big spender like Kui Xin, became ecstatic—making a day’s profit was three months’ worth for him.

Kui Xin stealthily returned to gather the interviewers, patiently waiting. Verifying safety, she examined the area with the special glasses, soon spotting multiple tracks.

Marking the locations, she took from her backpack a small mechanical case, activating it to extend into an ultra-miniaturized reconnaissance drone. Quiet, discreet—bought this morning for ten thousand Federal units—quite costly for Kui Xin.

Connecting the controls, she guided the drone aloft, along the marked routes.