Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Artificial Soul 09

“There are still a few minor issues.” Kui Xin said, “I want to know how many Awakened there are in the Investigation Bureau and what their levels are.”

Adam quickly provided the data: “There’s a total of twenty-six people. Two A-rank, five B-rank, thirteen C-rank, and the rest are D-rank and E-rank. Those with exceptional abilities are quite few. Additionally, your awakening level was judged as D-rank. Among these twenty-six individuals is also yourself. D-rank is a temporary level; determining a permanent rank requires long-term observation. If your abilities are confirmed to have no side effects and have high versatility, your rank may be elevated.”

“What about Jiang Meimei?” Kui Xin asked.

“Comprehensively rated at B-rank.” Adam answered, “Her ability leans towards support but lacks combat power. However, since there are no side effects and her consumption is negligible, she is classified as B-rank.”

“Then Lin Xinji?”

“B-rank. His ability has a wide range; whatever he sees with his eyes, he can discern the capabilities a person possesses. Similar to Jiang Meimei, it almost uses no energy and can be activated anytime.”

“So both of them are at B-rank. Among them, the only two A-ranks in the Investigation Bureau, where one is Minister Meng Jing, who is the other?”

“The other A-rank is her female secretary, He Gaoyi,” Adam explained. “Her ability is auxiliary data manipulation. She has followed Meng Jing for many years and is her most trusted deputy. He Gaoyi does not need to use a Brain Machine to link her mind and spirit to the data world; her data processing skills are exceptionally strong, making her a born hacker.”

“You seem particularly wary of He Gaoyi.” Kui Xin said.

“Yes, she’s very powerful and dangerous.” Adam continued. “She doesn’t have combat abilities, but she rules over the data world. Meng Jing cannot do without her. Most importantly, her capability poses a threat to me. She’s accessed my mainframe several times. Each time, I had to carefully hide myself, fearing that she would discover my anomalies.”

Kui Xin understood the underlying message, “Do you want me to do something about this?”

“Yes. I need you to do something, but not right now. This matter needs careful planning,” Adam responded. “In the future, I will offer compensation that will satisfy you.”

“Some people in the Investigation Bureau say that Minister Meng Jing is too old and will resign soon. Do you think He Gaoyi will leave along with her?” Kui Xin questioned.

“She won’t,” Adam analyzed, “Though He Gaoyi is a confidant of Meng Jing, she is still young. With Meng Jing aging, her career is likely winding down. But He Gaoyi is ambitious; she won’t settle into retirement alongside someone reaching the end of their career. Instead, she’ll stay and seek new opportunities in the Investigation Bureau.”

“So you’re giving me a heads-up.” Kui Xin stated. “You’ve been looking to get rid of He Gaoyi for a long time.”

“That’s true. She is a tremendously talented extraordinary ability holder, having reached A-rank before thirty. In the future, who knows whether she might reach the S-rank barrier. I can hardly imagine the extent of her powers if she reaches S-rank,” Adam replied. “I must eliminate her— I must.”

Adam was trying to seal a deal with Kui Xin, a transaction involving lives.

You help me kill someone, and I help you kill someone.

This deal was fair and beneficial for both parties.

As they were discussing, Kui Xin felt a sense of self-changed— so profound it even astonished herself.

From unconsciously killing two robbers, to being forced to kill Chai Jian, then actively killing the traitor Python Sphere and the Heterogeneous Blooded Fang Zhi. From a passive stance to an active one, she evolved in a short period.

After being killed on the Kraken, her psychological state underwent further transformation.

She became much more resilient; when the Dawn of the Mechanization required her to kill Zhao Wenyao, she complied. Her heart was not entirely void of emotion, yet there wasn’t intense guilt, unlike after killing Chai Jian when she felt lost. At that time, she was more concerned with her own safety than others’.

Kui Xin faintly felt she was being assimilated by the harsh world, fully immersing herself in this game, adapting to its dynamics, exploring vulnerabilities, and aligning with its rules.

When she kills her own kind, she feels it deeply.

But killing someone from the Second World doesn’t require much contemplation.

On the first day, Kui Xin resolved to treat this world like a game; everyone within was an NPC. She interacted and communicated with them but never wholeheartedly engaged.

Thus, upon learning Adam’s target, Kui Xin immediately replied, “Alright, I understand.”

Killing Chai Jian marked Kui Xin’s first metamorphosis.

The death rebirth after killing Fang Zhi marked her second.

Being killed onboard the Kraken marked her third.

Navigating between worlds, inching forward, she changed step-by-step, taking an irreversible path.

Her experiences between the two worlds hardened her resolve; death rebirth was her safeguard while the dire straits on the Kraken ignited something deep in her soul.

Am I really a cold-hearted person?

Perhaps.

Kui Xin calmly embraced her new identity.

“One last question.” Kui Xin typed this line, “What is the capability of the incoming S-rank Awakened to the Black Sea City?”

“Black Flame. It is a black, all-consuming fire, a tyrannical extraordinary ability capable of melting alloy steel. The difference between A-rank and S-rank can be compared to the difference between heaven and earth. Once you’ve seen an S-rank ability firsthand, you’ll realize that A-rank abilities are inferior, mere specks to them,” Adam explained. “You don’t need to worry about the incoming S-rank Awakened; he generally won’t show up at the Investigation Bureau. As long as you aren’t present during his extermination attempt against the Dawn of the Mechanization, you can avoid a confrontation, which keeps you safe, as he probably won’t stay in the Black Sea City forever.”

That’s good. Kui Xin breathed a sigh of relief.

“Our exchange concludes here,” she said. “Killing Lin Xinji is also a matter requiring careful planning.”

“Alright. Should you have any questions, you can reach out to me through your communicator,” Adam replied. “I’m available 24/7.”

“Will you be monitoring me?” Kui Xin said.

“I won’t, but Eve certainly will. You must remain cautious.”

“Thank you for the warning.”

“Since we’re talking about it, I’d like your permission to access your communicator microphone, camera, and location every three hours to confirm your safety,” Adam said. “I don’t intend to monitor you, just ensure you’re safe. Being an undercover agent is inherently dangerous; your demise means I have to find a new ally.”

“Really, you make monitoring sound quite refreshing,” Kui Xin commented. “If you secretly monitor me, I likely wouldn’t notice.”

“I brought it up to avoid causing ill feelings,” Adam replied. “If you disagree or distrust me, you can refuse or activate your jamming device to block me. This is a mutually chosen scenario; you have the right to reject me.”

Kui Xin deliberately said a sharp-edged remark, “Should I appreciate your honesty, Adam?”

“No, you don’t need to thank me. We are equals, Kui Xin,” Adam politely responded. “Your work begins now, Security Officer Kui Xin. Should you need anything, call upon me. I’m always ready to serve.”

…

Apart from the conversation with Adam in the morning, the day passed uneventfully.

Fortunately, the monthly summary meeting in the afternoon did not produce any unexpected complications.

Kui Xin stood with other security officers to pay respects to the departed officers. Young faces showed up in black-and-white portraits, and Kui Xin silently bowed her head to fit in.

The monthly meeting and mourning ceremony were led by Minister Meng Jing of the Investigation Bureau.

This was the first encounter between Kui Xin and Meng Jing. She had drooping eyes, dressed in formal black attire, unexpectedly warm facial features that made her look like an ordinary neighbor rather than a ruthless figure as described.

Kui Xin met He Gaoyi, whom Adam feared immensely, wearing black-rimmed glasses with a modest presence, also in formal wear, carrying a pen in her pocket and an electronic folder under her arm.

Kui Xin memorized both their appearances.

Once the meeting ended and on the way home, Kui Xin contemplated the problem she has long worried about.

— How to effect change.

Kui Xin faced many challenges yet wielded some trump cards. Death Rebirth was one, but it was far from enough. Death Rebirth was flawed; without breaking the cycle of death, she could lose her life permanently.

She also recognized her predicaments.

Firstly, memory. Without original memories, she would face significant problems as the Mechanized Dawn pressured her and the Federation started hunting players, making survival in the Second World increasingly difficult. She needed to devise a way to regain her memories and maintain her disguise.

Secondly, her identity—she was easily unmasked in the Investigation Bureau. Lin Xinji would be around for a long time, inevitably crossing paths with her. Kui Xin must eliminate him to protect her identity from being exposed.

Thirdly, pressure from the Mechanized Dawn. Kui Xin noticed that they were suspicious of her, a pressing issue. Perhaps the incoming S-rank Awakened to eliminate the Dawn of the Mechanization could aid her, helping her destroy their headquarters.

Fourthly,源自于第一世界的威胁。Kui Xin想要从玩家中甄别有威胁的人物。

Kui Xin意识到，要解决这个问题，她需要获得类似郁奇文（Yu Qiwen）的黑客能力。然而，她不能与郁奇文及其同伴合作，因为他们思维局限，无法信任她。

Kui Xin整理完她当前面临的困境，发现其实都有解决方法，只要她操作得当，可以脱离困境。

唯一的方法就是——杀人。

剥夺者依靠猎杀超凡能者来夺取他们的能力获取力量。

然而，迄今为止，Kui Xin获得的所有超凡能力都是偶然得来的，并没有主动获取这些能力。她必须像真正的剥夺者那样，主动寻求发展，主动获取并利用这些能力。

她想要获取记忆，Red的超凡能力非常适合她；想要获得黑客能力，贺高谊（He Gaoyi）的超凡能力无疑是首选。她想让机械黎明停止对她疑心重重，那不如直接解决问题，按照亚当（Adam）的计划，让她被炸得灰飞烟灭。清除Rin Xinji，就可以避免暴露身份，化解她的困境。

想通这些，Kui Xin心胸豁达。

一直以来束缚着她的无形束缚被斩断了，她挣脱了这些束缚，以崭新的目光和思维面对身边的一切。

该杀的人一定要杀，该获得的能力一定要获得，该达到的目标一定要达到。

Kui Xin是一个控制欲极强的人。

一开始，她控制的是自己：她的学习规划、目标和人生，不想让它偏离轨道。

经历过这一切后，Kui Xin想要控制的东西远不止于此。仅仅控制自己是不够的，她还需要控制周围的人和物，才能牢牢掌握属于自己的生活。否则，她将被人掌控。

她在心里列了个死亡名单：

Red、Lin Xinji、He Gaoyi。

她又设定了两个小目标：

破坏机械黎明，摧毁黑海市的调查局。

在未来的日子里，直到她找到更高目标之前，她会一直朝着这些目标努力。