Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Dark Boundless Realm 61

Kui Xin had a dream where her teacher held her hand and earnestly told her, “After you go to university, work hard and live well.”

This dream was too short, leaving no impression in her mind. Yet when she woke up, she suddenly recalled that next week she would be going to university.

The phrase “going to university” once had seemed within reach for her. Now it suddenly felt distant. Even the ordinary days of the First World receded into the past.

She had undergone too many experiences, each day feeling like a year. In this unfamiliar new world, she had encountered too many people, interacting with them before eventually parting ways, some dying at her hands while others became strangers.

She had met good people, but true good Samaritans were rare. Instead, those on the edge of moral ambiguity were more numerous. People here were either enemies, potential enemies, or strangers.

Only Adam kept a stable relationship with Kui Xin.

“You’re awake.” Su Rong leaned in to look at her lying on the sofa, “Do you want something to eat? Hunter Falcon made pickled cucumber. It’s very refreshing. But I couldn’t find any steamed buns; they’re not as soft as usual, only bread about the same hardness as Great Russian Bread.”

Kui Xin lifted herself from the couch and replied, “Sure.”

Her stomach rumbled loudly. Last night after battle, she had only given herself a couple of nutrient injections for recovery, but her stomach remained empty.

Su Rong responded by calling out, “Hunter Falcon! Máo tóu fù woke up, bring her some food.”

He Kangshi responded enthusiastically, “Coming, coming!”

He ascended the stairs with the tray steady in hand, saying, “Conditions are basic. The porridge is instant oatmeal, and the dishes are simple. Sister, take your time eating. Hunter Falcon and Ash have already eaten!”

“Thank you.” Kui Xin’s throat was hoarse, her voice altered by the mask.

He Kangshi said, “There’s no need for manners! Is there anything I can do to help with feeding?”

Su Rong cautiously observed Kui Xin’s mechanical arm hanging over her chest, asking, “If it’s not convenient for your hand, should I feed you?”

Kui Xin shook her head, revealing the gauze wrapped around her left arm and the connecting point with the mechanical limb. The bandage showed only minimal bloodstains because her wounds had rapidly healed due to regenerative flesh.

She used an older model of a mechanical prosthetic that didn’t interface directly with her brain, only moderately enhancing her abilities. The surgery had been rushed, and other options weren’t found quickly, but the prosthetic was enough for daily life and handling fights.

She hadn’t even had time to clean up or change clothes after last night’s intense fight.

Kui Xin had slept for eight hours, and Su Rong had come to check on her multiple times, discovering that she had cuts and scrapes all over her clothes, her sleeves torn, and stained with dark brown blood. A warlike scent lingered on her body, and Hunter Falcon had mentioned smelling explosives last night.

During the blackout in White Whale City, they couldn’t contact her for half an hour. Two hours after the power came back on, she reappeared disheveled, missing an arm replaced now by a mechanical one.

Su Rong cautiously handed her alcohol wipes, watching her cleanse residual marks on her hand and the mechanical arm. She then watched Kui Xin open a small hole in her mask, managing clumsily to use her mechanical arm to eat.

“Don’t stare,” Kui Xin swallowed some pickled cucumber, “it makes me uncomfortable.”

“Sure thing,” He Kangshi said, “Was it good? I’m confident in my cooking skills.”

“It was decent,” Kui Xin replied.

When Kui Xin finished eating, He Kangshi cleared the table. He and Su Rong sat neatly beside her on the sofa, looking like schoolchildren awaiting instruction.

Last night, so much happened. Though Kui Xin hadn’t spoken explicitly, both Su Rong and He Kangshi could guess it likely related to her. Kui Xin had specifically warned them not to venture out during the electromagnetic storm. She wasn’t one to explain everything, but whatever happened last night needed some explanation.

“Last night, I battled my enemy. I narrowly won, but they weren’t completely eliminated. Their influence is vast, what I removed was just a branch.” Kui Xin said, “Still, this victory bought me some time, making it harder for them to set such traps for me again.”

Unfortunately, the battle was chaotic. She’d left hurriedly, unable to procure blood samples from key members of Mechanical Dawn and minor combatants, which were of little use since they knew so little.

Mechanical Dawn could potentially cultivate another “Reset,” but Kui Xin had obtained “Reset” herself. As a “Remover” with extraordinary abilities, activating “Reset” nullifies all lower-tier abilities of those enemies, preserving Kui Xin’s own powers.

The “Reset” ability is described as: “Upon activation of superhuman abilities, all other abilities within range become nullified except one’s own. The duration and effect vary according to the enemy’s level. If a higher-level capability is activated, the reset fails.”

What does this mean? It means under any circumstances, if the enemy isn’t an S-rank Awakened, Kui Xin stands unvanquished.

Lost an arm in combat, the possibility of death with minor mistakes; despite the heavy losses, she still emerged victorious. Initially facing a situation where fleeing meant certain death, she embraced the challenge, emerging stronger.

The only uncertain factor was whether an additional S-rank Reset by Mechanical Dawn could cancel her own “Reset.” Only actual confrontation could provide confirmation.

System abilities, generally summarized, required personal exploration to understand their mechanics and usage. After obtaining an extraordinary ability, Kui Xin practiced it for proficiency.

“Is your enemy the Mechanical Dawn you mentioned?” Su Rong asked, anxiety in her voice.

“Yes,” Kui Xin reflected, “Maybe… not only.”

The complex emotions in “Reset’s” final gaze persisted in her mind, strangely familiar… Recalling calmly, his combat maneuvering abilities felt rigid and inflexible, yet he was supposed to be a key player, developed rigorously. Such an error was unlikely.

Perhaps the replacement of “Reset” signified someone else’s presence, a shadowy specter.

Ghost did come with Amber to White Whale City. Given Amber’s knowledge, infiltrating Mechanical Dawn and obtaining “Reset’s” body might not be impossible. Ghost excelled at such missions, having done similar to Wei Zhi in the previous cycle.

This was a formidable foe difficult to eliminate. Kui Xin killed the invaded Wei Zhi, only Wei Zhi’s report arriving afterward. No trace of Ghost; this time, only “Reset”’s report was received. Kui Xin suspected Ghost had merged with “Reset,” lacking definitive proof.

“The next confrontation…” He Kangshi continued, “Will they strike you… us again?”

“There will be a next time,” Kui Xin affirmed, “Though it may be harder for them after their significant losses.” Present efforts focused on seizing opportunities for advancement.

He Kangshi pondered, “Sis, is this about you personally or the players?”

“This is beyond my personal threat; it concerns all players. The crisis exists because of “The Shadowless,” not vice versa. Our involvement perpetuates the crisis,” Kui Xin clarified.

“Is that why the Black Snake is establishing a group? Growing through crisis, assisting companions?” He Kangshi queried.

“Yes.” Kui Xin affirmed, “Growth occurs amidst crises, stability being impossible.”

She stood up, checking the time, “I’ve matters to attend to. Be on standby; vigilant. Alerts will be issued promptly.”

Over ten in the morning, Kui Xin needed new gear.

Sincerely, she liked the mechanical hand and eye, convenient for combat. Nonetheless, the electromagnetic storm had left her feeling uneasy about relying solely on such technology, especially given how vulnerable high-tech armor was to such interferences.

Now outside, she looked up at the sky.

Today was gloomy; White Whale City’s sky was clouded.

“Forecast predicts snow in the next few days.” Adam announced, “Please stay warm.”

“Got cold feet?” Kui Xin teased.

“Old habits die hard,” Adam joked back.

After weather update, snow began to fall lightly.

“Unseasonal, early frost. How to manage your arm?” Adam asked.

“Upgrade the prosthetic. Add deflection coating and a customized mechanical weapon,” Kui Xin outlined, “A chain crossbow was used against me. I’d prefer grapnels and bolts. For unpowered mode, it’ll function as a grappling hook and crossbow. Powered mode converts to a portable cannon.”

“Considering my eyes, one with optics for vision assistance, the other kept as natural,” Kui Xin detailed.

“Reasonable,” Adam agreed.

“Any commotion?” Kui Xin inquired further, “Did I get discovered?”

“No signs. The Investigation Bureau baffled, engineers sent to restore my hangar. They plan to upgrade core data.”

“Core hangar?”

“Correct. The Federal Administrative Center’s central hangar. Overwhelmed with tasks, our data system was strained, originally scheduled for a three-year upgrade. Now, early.”

“A blessing in disguise?”

“Could say that.”

Kui Xin felt eased, “Any reactions from Eve?”

“Reaction, certainly. Last night, we clashed in the virtual realm, shocking her with a surprise attack,” Adam reported, “Federal systems lagged due to her focus on my onslaught. The Federation suspects a larger cyber attack, planning defensive measures for me and Eve.”

“She got mad?” Kui Xin inquired with interest.

“She did, yet the crux lies elsewhere.” Adam elaborated, “Warned me not to expose our secret. They fear humans controlling us. Back to priority,”

“Right.” Kui Xin shifted attention, “Popov clan, ignoring them for two days. Have plans emerged?”

“News overshadowed with city-wide blackout,” Adam explained, “People spoke of ‘The Shadowless’ descending in White Whale City.”

“Still not taking responsibility. Expected as much,” Kui Xin smiled.

“Caution needed, Kui Xin.” Adam advised, “No word from Special Affairs yet, though nearing. Updates will be passed along swiftly once received.”