Chapter 65

Chapter 65: The Sea Without Light Part 65

The retractable blade cut from the monster’s abdomen to its neck, emerging between the two heads.

Kui Xin took advantage of the momentum and turned the blade to the left, hacking off one of the monsters’ heads with a single swing.

The head, reminiscent of a deformed tumor, rolled to the ground. Its eyes continued to spin, a testament to its frightening tenacity for life.

Blood gushed out from the wound when Kui Xin slit open the creature’s body, but it was not blue; instead, it was red. However, when the blood flowed from the severed neck, it was pure blue. Some mysterious force had forcibly fused this monster with a human, creating a distorted being akin to some abominable combination wrought by an erratic creator—a mammoth and the Loch Ness monster all in one.

The oscillating tentacles paused for a moment, allowing Silverface to seize the opportunity and break free. A splash of water enveloped Tang Guan’s head as his fist clenched, forcefully crushing it into a bloody pulp.

The tentacles suddenly stretched out then went slack, motionless.

The blood at the end of Tang Guan’s neck was not blue; it was human red.

Kui Xin heaved and retched slightly—not from disgust, but because her throat had been squeezed beyond tolerance, suffocation-like pain gripping her. Her right arm, gripping the knife, trembled; muscles and ligaments were strained.

Fortunately, she recovered quickly, regaining her combat readiness in mere moments.

Black Obsidian clutched his throat and coughed violently, crawling out from under a mess of limp tentacles. “It isn’t dead!”

Neither did they need reminding. Despite the tentacles losing their mobility, the monster’s head hit the ground and its eyes ceased spinning, the connecting neck soon bulged into two fleshy tumors, pulsating vigorously, gradually forming vague features and brain contours… the monster could regenerate its head!

Kui Xin gasped, swinging her blade again, slicing off the tumors with a spurt of blue and red blood.

This monster’s regenerative abilities were far superior to hers, impervious to any weapon, almost having no noticeable weaknesses.

Every time two tumors grew on its severed neck, Kui Xin would slice them off in mid-growth, spraying blood, stopping briefly, only for them to quickly restart.

After about five to six successful decapitations, Silverface’s expression grew numb, Black Obsidian’s lips twitched, even Kui Xin nearly laughed out of frustration.

But this approach worked; the rate of tumor growth decreased from just a few seconds to tens of seconds for each new growth. Blood no longer gushed as profusely. Energy is required for regeneration, and excessive use accelerates hunger, necessitating more cell division and energy.

Similarly applicable to the dual-headed monster, its body could not sustain so many head regenerations. Without a head, the monster couldn’t control its body to attack.

Black Obsidian quickly assessed the situation, “Silverface, let us cut off the entire monster’s body.”

He drew a dagger and bent down, slicing off the limbs and tentacles attached to the monster’s body.

By creating more wounds, he sought to consume the monster’s energy, slowing its healing process.

Silverface wielded the knife against the tentacles, crying out, “I’m rescued, I’ll never eat squid or octopus again in my life!”

His voice was also hoarse, this beast nearly costed their lives.

The scene with Kui Xin, Silverface, and Black Obsidian working hard resembled a gruesome dissection site.

Once the limbs and tentacles were removed leaving only the torso, the cruelty of the first world’s penal system was evident—Tang Guan was turned into a living manzhì. Alive yet limbless.

Kui Xin kept a hawk-eyed vigil over the monster’s neck to prevent resurrection. Black Obsidian began carefully dissecting Tang Guan’s torso, seeking the monster’s core—what was it? Not the head, nor the heart, what else could it be? Could it be the torso itself?

Just as Black Obsidian made a cut, Kui Xin heard Kui Haidong’s voice, “Don’t waste time here. Take the monster’s body. It’s a valuable live sample. Don’t interfere once it loses its defensive capabilities, take it back to the headquarters.”

Black Obsidian hesitated, “Yes, Leader.”

Silverface reluctantly glanced at the torso, lifting it up with water, looking at Kui Xin and saying, “Black Obsidian, Lady Fortune…” He struggled with the words before settling on calling her this alias, “Be mindful, don’t let it regenerate.”

“I doubt it has the energy left to regenerate,” Kui Xin said, cutting away the wriggling muscle buds with disdain.

The remaining limbs showed no signs of regenerating, and the head had lost vitality, indicating that they indeed had captured the core.

“Red and the others removed the AI motherboard. We’ve secured a live specimen too,” Black Obsidian added, “We just need to detonate the power cabin now.”

Kui Xin inquired, “Red, how are you doing?”

“Well, we dispatched a multidirectional exploration robot with an explosive device to the power cabin. It’s being installed.” Several seconds later, he affirmed, “We’re ready.”

Silverface said joyfully, “Great! Almost back.”

They reached the deck entrance, feeling sea wind gently blowing them.

Kui Xin relaxed ever so slightly.

This mission went more smoothly than the last. Previous, Kui Xin and the Investigation Bureau team encountered betrayal on the Kraken, realizing unexpectedly that the threat was internal rather than external as they initially anticipated.

The capable Awakened squads were on escort ships—they were isolated, ambushed by enemies, lacking equipment for such incidents. Heavy firepower weapons were all loaded on escort ships. Moreover, the ship exploded barely after thirty minutes, making resistance futile.

Investigation Bureau’s defeat was both a random and inevitable event, due to inadequate intelligence and unexpected enemy preparation resulting in their downfall.

Mechanical Dawn’s members, fully Awakened and combat-capable, understood the dangers aboard the Kraken, equipped adequately for such encounters. They surveilled a small island before boarding the vessel after a fire broke out, raising their vigilance.

If Kui Xin replaced Silverface and Black Obsidian with Zhou Xueyao and Liu Kangyun… facing Tang Guan transformed into a monster, Kui Xin found it much harder to fight effectively alongside her teammates.

The power of ordinary individuals and Awakened differed immensely—the rich experience of Zhou Xueyao paled compared to the combat prowess and extraordinary abilities of trained Silverface.

Mechanical Dawn came to terminate, Investigation Bureau to protect—therein lay the mindset disparity.

Kui Xin, seeing new tumors grow on the monster, swiftly chopped them off, and similarly cleaned the wound sites.

They retook the deck; Red and others awaited there.

Task teams didn’t heedlessly act—Kui Haidong had cautioned not to disturb objects or peek in Cargo Hold, ensuring curiosity didn’t lead anyone astray.

Curiosity killed a cat, and they all knew better than to indulge.

Ambereye carried an enormous backpack, containing the AI motherboard.

Red noted current time, “Ask Night Cicada to get us home via remote detonation.”

“Ah!” The bartender pointed up, “Look up.”

“Curse it! Investigation Bureau is coming!” Thorn Rose cursed, “Night Cicada, initiate teleportation!”

A night-black sky, the searchlight from armed helicopters appeared, brightening the clouds. Rotors hummed audibly.

A blue vortex slowly expanded. “It’s active now.”

In sync with the vortex’s expansion, machine guns on the helicopter lifted, revealing their muzzles in the dark, fire leapt fiercely.

This weapon was a battlefield staple, firing eight-millimeter rounds through six barrels at six thousand rounds per minute, capable of tearing massive holes in the human body or severing it instantly.

“Damn!” Silverface hastily activated a protective water shield.

Bullets struck sparks on the deck, then ricocheted off the shield, shattering it. Although the shield absorbed significant impact and the armor protected them, visible dents remained.

In mere seconds, the shield faltered. Silverface managed to prolong its lifespan a little.

The blue vortex widened sufficiently; Red led their frantic escape, Silverface covering retreats behind the shield, blocking bullets with the monster’s body.

Blood sprayed everywhere from the battered form held as a shield.

Silverface swung debris aside, bewildered, “Was it our brutalization that exhausted it?”

Night Cicada, on the island, folded arms, “Red, detonate, let’s go.”

Red pressed the trigger button.

“Gurgle!”

Explosions launched, lighting the sky like an underwater volcano eruption, black sea reflecting orange-red glares, resembling a sunrise.

Fragments shattered, hitting helicopters, setting another afire like before.

“BOOM!” Red whistled, “We can wish on meteors.”

“Now, mission accomplished, prepare to leave.” Night Cicada flexed, cracking knuckles.

New blue vortices opened; everyone entered orderly.

Kui Xin and Night Cicada were last through.

Before entry, Kui Xin glanced back: escort ships approached, slower than helicopters, Kraken burning fiercely. She witnessed both demise and rebirth.

“What’s wrong Lady, can’t be missing the ghost ship?” Night Cicada teased, “Did you want to check the cargo personally?”

“No need.” Kui Xin responded, “Not worth it.”

“So be it,” Cicada agreed, uncertain of the outcome from releasing that entity, “Maybe it’s better left in the ocean…”

Kui Haidong, pacing in headquarters, finger drumming nervously.

Red updated, “Mission completed, Kraken destroyed. Lady Fortune brought back a live specimen; Night Cicada locked it securely in containment.”

“Good, cleanse completely. Unknown side effects from those monsters. Silverface’s and others’ contaminated battlefields must be dealt with accordingly.”

“All noted.” Relief flooded as he dialed up Kui Xin.

“Hello Xiao Xin?” he said, gentler, “Well done tonight. Proud of you.”

“Finished?” Kui Xin questioned, “Going to shower, stench of monster.”

Kui Haidong swallowed, “Right then, proceed.”

“And by the way, if they reveal Tang Guan’s identity… let me know.” Kui Xin’s tone remained casual, “Eager to learn the truth, secret cult?”

“Agreed.” Kui Haidong obliged without hesitation.

End call, Kui Haidong contacted another, “Live sample from new capture is valuable. Infuse nutrients, see if it boosts repair, help heads regenerate.”

The intelligent sample, half-beast and half-human, held fragmented consciousness, needed interrogation and experiments. Handling the specimen safely fell to him.

Post-handling, Kui Haidong received further instructions.

“Arrange meeting between her and confined player.”

Cautiously, “Is this part of the test?”

“You could think so.”

“Alright, will handle it.”

Minutes later, Kui Xin emerged fresh, exhaustedly rubbing eyes.

Current time was 3:59 am, yet another night of near continuous work.

Kui Xin called, “Night Cicada, take me back to Peaceful street.”

“Why not rest here?” Night Cicada suggested, “Intense battles leave lasting injuries, you might overlook them despite recovery ability.”

“Must travel to Inquiry Bureau station. Can’t afford suspicions on my movements,” Kui Xin argued, “Prefer waking tomorrow to escort me.”

Night Cicada conceded, “Okay, I’ll transport you then.”

Portal opening, familiar scenes appeared.

Dim room, worn furniture, slippered steps to bed—she collapsed, sleeping instantly.

Three hours later, alert from alarm, determined effort dragged herself awake, preparing breakfast and work.

Stepping out, Silverface arrived with breakfast.

“Done任務，何苦赖在这里?” Kui Xin queried, surprised.

“But Leader mentioned, you’re my task assistant and bodyguard,” Silverface scratched head, adding another duty.