Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of the Sea Without Light 07

Shu Xueyao looked at Kuixing sitting opposite him and sighed helplessly.

“Captain, are you working overtime?” Kuixing made conversation.

“Yeah, I’m working overtime. I was supposed to be off three minutes ago, but because of you…” Shu Xueyao paused and said, “Explain what happened.”

“When I went home from work, I encountered a robbery on the way. Then, I lost control and… killed them.” Kuixing struggled with his words. “Will I face some kind of punishment?”

Shu Xueyao pondered for a moment. “No, because those two men had criminal records, and you acted in self-defense. You’re part of the Investigation Bureau, even though you’re an intern, you have the benefit of immunity. In the course of performing your duties, if any casualties occur, you don’t bear legal responsibility. This matter doesn’t need to be referred to another department; we can handle it internally. Otherwise, the process would be overly complicated.”

Kuixing said: “Captain, but I wasn’t…”

Shu Xueyao gave her a stern look. “Yes, you were.”

Kuixing responded, “I understand…”

Shu Xueyao wanted to resolve this incident using his official power.

“Captain Shu, the autopsy report has been delivered.” Augus reported.

“Show it,” Shu Xueyao said.

The holo-projection device in the office changed angles, revealing two corpses laid out on the dissection table in great detail.

One man’s facial bones were sunken in hideously, the head so mangled it could be blurred, the other had a faint knife wound on their chest, blood all over.

Kuixing lowered her head to avoid the sight.

“Liugao Yang, death by cranial fracture, hit on the temple with a blunt object, broken skull pierced through the brain leading to his demise. Death occurred less than an hour ago.”

“Songyuan, death due to the penetration of a sharp instrument through the chest, the blade piercing through the third and fourth ribs of the left chest and hitting the heart directly, killing instantly. Death also occurred within an hour.”

Shu Xueyao raised an eyebrow in surprise as he saw Kuixing’s pale face. He chuckled, “I thought you really didn’t feel anything. If I remember correctly, this is your first time taking a life.”

“How could I not feel something?” Kuixing covered her forehead; she felt nausea welling up inside.

Fortunately, she hadn’t eaten much in the past few hours or she might have vomited.

At the beginning, she didn’t feel much, thinking it was unreal; things were happening beyond her expectations.

However, listening now to Augus recount their autopsy reports made her brain replay the scenes from when she committed the act repeatedly, making her realize the reality of it.

“Don’t throw up here; the bathroom is just to the left of the door,” Shu Xueyao said. “You seem to have done well with the basics at school. I reviewed your internal examination scores, and your tracking, combat, investigation, and shooting practices are almost perfect. Kuixing, you are among the most outstanding newcomers we’ve seen in recent years.”

He poured Kuixing a glass of chilled water. “Drink this and calm down.”

Kuixing drank the water in one gulp, the icy sensation slightly clearing her mind.

“Initially, you were supposed to go to the detective unit. I brought you into the field team. The field team works harder than any other department; we face danger directly, confront criminals face-to-face, and deal with many emergencies and risks during inspections.” Shu Xueyao explained. “If you can’t adapt to such work, you can apply for a transfer after your probation ends.”

Kuixing remained silent.

“Think about it. Personally, I hope you’ll stay. We lack new members in our field team,” he added. “By the way, your family lives in Harbor Zone, Peaceful Street?”

“Yes,” Kuixing replied.

“It’s a bad location there. There are too many gangs, and they’re hard to manage, with murders each month. Harbor Zone has the most illegal trade spots.” Shu Xueyao advised. “Move somewhere safer.”

“But I can’t afford it.” Kuixing said sadly. “That house was left to me by my parents. I had to take a loan for college and I owe the bank 300 thousand… It will take me ages to pay it back.”

Shu Xueyao was speechless for a moment.

“After you become permanent, you’ll get an employee dormitory.” He said. “And you’re one week away from your application being approved. Take your time. Also, it seems that your personal communicator was damaged during the last patrol. Did you…”

“Can losses be reimbursed? My property loss was due to the mission.” Kuixing whispered.

Shu Xueyao smiled. “No.”

He bent down and took out a box from the drawer of his desk. “This is the communications device the Investigative Bureau provides to full members only; it’s a basic model for now.”

Kuixing took the box and thanked him. “Thank you, Captain.”

She couldn’t resist and added, “Do the captains of other squads care about their team members and their personal lives like you do? If they weren’t as gentle and considerate as you, I wouldn’t think about transferring from the field team.”

Shu Xueyao didn’t respond.

He cleared his throat, acting as if he hadn’t heard.

“If you still can’t get over killing someone, visit the Psychological Therapy Office.” Shu Xueyao concluded. “Director Yang, who runs it, is an excellent therapist. He will help alleviate your troubles.”

…

Xi Liang stood dazedly in the front hall of the Inspection Building waiting for someone to arrive.

The interrogation had long ended; as a witness, he had limited information to contribute. After getting interrogated, a high-tech instrument similar to a lie detector was used on him, and he was asked several questions before they let him go.

He waited in the reception area of the first floor for Kuixing.

Ten minutes passed, the number indicating the current floor dropped, and the elevator doors opened. Kuixing walked out.

“You haven’t left yet?” Kuixing exclaimed with surprise.

“I’m waiting for you,” Xi Liang replied.

“Well, then hurry home; electric tram services stop at midnight,” Kuixing said.

Xi Liang nodded hurriedly, inwardly relieved she had suggested leaving together.

The Second World had already moved to a cashless economy. He didn’t know how to pay with cash since he was new to the place and couldn’t find his way back home. What would happen if he got lost?

Xi Liang had thought of Kuixing. They both lived in Peaceful Street of the Harbor Zone. Once she finished her business here, they could go back together.

Kuixing led Xi Liang swiftly to the station.

Xi Liang glanced around curiously. When he saw an ad floating midair projected by a hologram, he let out a small gasp at the dazzling display and marveled at the full-screen technology.

“What year are you in?” Kuixing subtly started gathering information.

“Freshman—I received acceptance this morning, admitted to the mechanical engineering department.” Xi Liang scratched his head.

“The tuition fees at Black Sea Academy aren’t cheap, have you found ways to finance your education?” Kuixing probed further to ease off her directness, “I went through many trials myself to attend university. Consider this a heads-up; stay away from high-interest loans.”

“Okay.” Xi Liang asked, “How expensive is the tuition exactly?”

Kuixing recollected what she read, “Twenty million units per year, not including living costs.”

“What!?” Xi Liang nearly cried. “They might as well rob people! Isn’t a university for nurturing talent? How can such high tuition fees deter many brilliant students?”

Kuixing examined Xi Liang curiously. He lowered his voice and continued in a weaker tone, “The tuition fees are absurdly high—completely outrageous!”

“The rules are set as they are,” Kuixing replied.

Xi Liang mumbled, “Well, I’ve learned something today…”

This was the reality in the Second World—a monopolized educational system, great wealth disparity, and social stratification. The rich attended universities and received higher education. Ordinary people couldn’t afford high-quality education and thus only performed low-paying jobs, perpetuating the wealth gap and hardening societal class divisions.

Education in the Second World served not to breed talent but to maintain the elite class’ interests.

“Study