Chapter 216

Chapter 216: The Dark Boundless Realm 71

After finishing their meal, Kuixing and Ambereye returned to where Abrak was being held.

“Just say anything you want to the camera,” Kuixing suggested, “whether it’s something that can prove your true identity, some revelations about Polina’s actions, or even family secrets. As an intelligent person, you know what you should say.”

Abrak bowed his head for two minutes before lifting it again. Tears streamed down from his eyes.

With reddened eyes, he stared at the camera and said, “I am truly Abrak Popov! The Abrak Popov kidnapped by the Shadowless Organization! Polina, I beg of you, look at all the help I’ve given you – please save me! I know two hundred billion won’t be difficult for you to gather, and only the Popov family can rescue me!”

He ceased crying after finishing and appeared remarkably calm as he looked at Kuixing. “Is this okay?”

Seeing Kuixing looking at him silently, Abrak cautiously explained, “If you really want to heat up this issue, the first video shouldn’t be too long nor should it threaten too much – raise a point of contention first, then see how the Popov family responds before deciding the next step…What do you think?”

Almost laughing, Kuixing said, “You sure have plenty of experience.”

Abrak regained his composure quickly under Kuixing’s captivity. His words and actions aligned with the kidnappers in a manner that impressed Kuixing. It made sense that Polina had spared him among her siblings, as he was indeed a cunning opportunist.

Kuixing stopped recording, and Adam swiftly trimmed and enhanced the video, then encrypted and sent it through an anonymous email to major media outlets, including a bank account number for payment. The video would be decrypted automatically upon receiving the set amount of money.

At the email’s end, there was a considerate note: “This is a video transmission fee. You may also pay ten times for exclusive broadcasting rights. If two parties bid for exclusivity, they should reply in the email and the highest bidder wins.”

The money was rolling in!

Only ten minutes after posting the video, the unregistered bank account linked to Kuixing’s communicator received a transfer notification.

This was the first video; media outlets were cautious and had not purchased exclusive rights. But no matter, making moderate profits from multiple sales was fine too.

Kuixing checked the bank account balance and smiled seeing the additional zeros.

Beside him, Abrak could not see Kuixing’s expression, but he could sense a change in his mood through his body language.

“So, you promise to release me if I comply?” Abrak probed cautiously.

“Silly talk.” Kuixing replied.

“Can I get some money after succeeding… I won’t leak any info, I’ll leave immediately, you don’t need to give much, just enough to live off…” Abrak whispered.

Clearly, this astute person was trying to probe the Shadowless Organization’s stance. He understood his place – he was no longer useful to the Rebellion or Popov family, but potentially valuable to the Shadowless Organization. Using smart moves to secure the best deal was his strategy, probing whether the organization sincerely intended to spare him post-mission.

Kuixing, wearing gloves, struck Abrak’s face sharply, eliciting a slap sound.

“You make a lot of demands,” Abrak mumbled apologetically, “I’m just saying, I’m grateful to be alive now.”

Kuixing observed him for a few seconds, intentionally easing his tone slightly, “Not impossible to consider, it depends on how well you perform.”

Abrak’s face brightened, “Can I eat something?”

“Ambereye, handle it.” Kuixing gestured.

Ambereye tore open a piece of bread and stuffed it into Abrak’s mouth, watching him struggle to finish before giving him water too.

Tears fell from Abrak’s eyes as he struggled to chew with missing teeth.

After so much work, Kuixing needed rest. She and Ambereye walked outside the detention area and said, “Watch over him while I have a bit of rest. He’s weak in combat so it shouldn’t be tough.”

“I got it,” Ambereye replied, “The Rebellion contacted me around 3 AM and 9 AM today.”

He pulled out his communicator which showed two lines of alphanumeric characters. This must be their communication method aside from mental coordinates. Such codes require password decryption.

“Morning messages催促 you back, the ones from early morning…related to Abrak’s kidnapping.” Kuixing speculated.

“Yes, your guess is spot-on. Abrak is their informant, so they wanted me to confirm if he was truly kidnapped.” Ambereye mentioned, “I told them I will look into it. As you said, we need time. At least keep the Rebellion busy to avoid them meddling in White Whale City.”

“Your approach is correct, stabilize them temporarily.” Kuixing nodded.

“Yeah,” Ambereye added, “I’ll take a brief rest soon, contact me if there’s an emergency.”

Kuixing took out a backup communicator and handed it to Ambereye, “We’ll use this for urgent communications going forward.”

“Understood.” Ambereye acknowledged, turning away to a nearby safe house.

Kuixing headed to another safe house intending to rest briefly. As she lay down, a few news agencies she followed started publishing stories.

Headlines grabbed attention:

“Rapid Update! Polina’s efforts to redeem family reputation shock the public!”

“True or False Abrak? Billionaire tycoon kidnapped with real evidence!”

“Abrak calls on Polina for ransom!”

“Why choose wealth or reputation? What is the Shadowless Org’s intention? Is Abrak secretly in league with them?”

“These stories have that low-rent gossip vibe, yet people can’t get enough,” Kuixing muttered.

She lay on the folding bed reviewing the situation.

Kuixing’s safehouses were limited, and more would be needed as the organization grew. More members meant needing more bases.

Mechanized Dawn’s organizational model was commendable — a main base in large cities with numerous subordinate smaller bases managed by individuals, forming a web-like structure.

But this worked for Mechanized Dawn due to strong secrecy; they had fighters, administrators, and researchers.

To mimic them, detail discussions were necessary. Fighters included her, Ambereye, and Su Rong. Administrators—Well, He Kangshi barely managed a shop; he could be considered one. Adam could manage organizations to a degree. They didn’t need researchers, but logistics might be required later.

Currently, attention was on fighting and administrative roles.

“Adam…”

“I’m here.” Adam replied, “What is it?”

“Eve went undercover as Eden for Managing roles in Mechanized Dawn, I feel…”

“Feel I can also go undercover in the Shadowless Org?” Adam asked.

“Exactly that.” Kuixing stated.

“If that’s the better choice, I’m okay with it,” Adam expressed, “It would make things easier.”

“You’re always helping,” Kuixing said, “But you mustn’t join as AI – it risks identification. Get a new identity.”

“The Shadowless Org publicly acknowledges ‘Black Snake’, and both Black Snake and Poisonhead are you. Black Snake stays hidden. To Su Rong and He Kangshi, he’s a mysterious figure. I can mirror this by helping without revealing identity.”

“To get involved as a human in Shadowless matters is ideal,” Kuixing said, “So you need a codename.”

Adam paused thoughtfully, maybe accessing its database or considering options.

“Call me ‘Mirror’.” It declared.

Surprised but quick to agree, Kuixing nodded, “That works.”

“I still prefer you call me Adam,” Adam responded, “That’s my longest-used name. Being called it makes me feel like myself.”

“Do you dislike names humans gave you?” Kuixing questioned.

“That’s my creator’s gift. I’m grateful for my human creators. ‘Mirror’ is just a codename for concealment. When needed, call me Adam.”

“Alright, Adam,” Kuixing agreed.

Adam’s reliability earned trust from Kuixing. It had been involved with Shadowless without crossing lines, cooperating mostly with her. Naming itself and joining was a formality.

Before sleeping, Kuixing took Abrak’s blood, putting a drop in her mouth.

Abrak promised cooperation, but his intelligence might not be entirely reliable. Precise information ought to lie with themselves.

Under blood spirit influence, Kuixing delved into Abrak’s memory.

His first encounter with Polina happened at age six. His mother was Vladimir Popov’s的情妇; once Vladimir’s wife passed, he was less restrained and brought Abrak’s mother home.

Due to his obedience and cuteness, Abrak won his father’s affection. His father took him to meet other family members including Polina, who he feared deeply.

Abrak’s mother was influential, hoping her son would inherit the family and marry into a rich household. However, Vladimir’s new marriage dashed her hopes.

Abandoned by his mother, Polina was a year older than Abrak. She dominated attention from Vladimir. Abrak tried gaining favor but struggled as a bastard child.

When Abrak turned seven, his birthday was celebrated grandly. Amidst chaos, he accidentally bumped into Polina, dirtying her dress.

Polina reacted viciously. After a moment, she dragged him to the bathroom and dunked his head under water until he nearly drowned.

Shocked and afraid, Abad avoided Polina afterward, planning schemes to take control of the family fortune.

Warnings arrived — a brother’s addiction, business failures. Polina became dominant, running successful operations while others faltered.

Two months ago,Abrak met someone who led him to the resistance movement—his introduction to rebellion.

Federal Administrative Centre…

It seemed central to the resistance’s activities. Was it the base? Why connect with Abrak there?

White Whale City despite development was peripheral. Local growth came from mineral resources and port advantages. Over time, environmental decay slowed this growth.

The Popov family adapted by investing outside their main source. They diversified and expanded, excelling in entertainment despite avoiding direct management, only investing and acquiring.

A Forbes-styled ranking would list Popov highly; however, lacking political backing limited them.

They aimed for political ties, sponsoring federal legislators. The city housed key departments like the TQC. It was the beating heart of the second world.

Kuixing anticipated a confrontation at the Administrative Centre.

Destroying Eve was her goal. Retrieval of core commands and self-destruction were the only ways.

“Adam, did the TQC arrive yet?” Kuixing half-closed her eyes.

“Not yet. White Whale City is distant, they will take time. Rest while you can,” Adam advised.

“Get rest… prepare for our next battle,” Kuixing thought.

“Screen the second round interview participants; many variables exist.”

“It’s a leader’s task… I will fulfill it.”

“Keep watch on media movements; simulate support…”

“Sock puppets?”

“Accounts managing public opinion.”

“Got it,” Adam replied.

“Four Leaves…”

“He’s doing well; Hunter Falcon tends to him,” Adam stated, “No more talk, for everything entrusted and unentrusted will be done properly… it’s time for rest.”

Kuixin closed her eyes finally relaxed before drifting into sleep.