Chapter 130: Artificial Souls - Part 57 |
“The gap between your skull and the metal cranial plate has decreased, but there’s no excessive compression,” Dr. Huang said thoughtfully as he put down the instrument. “It may be due to your relatively low superhuman ability level, resulting in weaker bone regeneration capabilities. Consequently, although the metal is being compressed, it hasn’t been fully pushed out yet. Currently, it doesn’t seem to pose a significant issue.”
Kui Xin asked, “Do I need to replace the bone?”
Dr. Huang responded with evident concern, “Indeed, you do need a replacement. However, the key challenge lies in your weak bone regeneration abilities. Even if we remove the metal skull, your bones won’t regenerate spontaneously to fill the skull gap. We would still require installing a small metallic bone fragment, essentially providing a new compatible size. It can be anticipated that the suitable model for your metal skull will continually change. Perhaps in the future, your bone regeneration capability might be able to naturally fill the skull opening on its own.”
“I see… When do you think it would be the best time for me to undergo surgery?” Kui Xin inquired.
“Please visit me every other day for check-ups. I need to ascertain your bone regeneration rate before determining the treatment plan,” Dr. Huang explained. “Your headaches likely aren’t caused by the skull bone regeneration; the situation isn’t severe enough yet. Please describe your headache symptoms to me.”
“Occasionally, I experience shooting pains near my temples and at the back of my head,” Kui Xin said. “They’re sharp pains that subside after a while.”
Dr. Huang asked, “Is your sleep schedule regular?”
Kui Xin honestly shook her head. “It hasn’t been normal for quite some time now.”
With genuine empathy reflected in his eyes, Dr. Huang looked sympathetically at Kui Xin. “I understand.”
After conducting a series of examinations, Dr. Huang prescribed medication to Kui Xin, instructing her to take it before bedtime.
“It’s a nerve-calming drug that will allow you to have a dreamless, peaceful sleep. With a small dosage, there should be no side effects. However, don’t use it frequently, as it can lead to dependency,” Dr. Huang advised. “Try adjusting your sleep routine; these days, more and more young people are dying suddenly due to unhealthy habits.”
Carrying the medication, Kui Xin left the medical center.
What should she do next? Train? Too exhausting—she had already trained in the previous cycle, and forcing herself to train when mentally drained could hasten a sudden death. Rest? There were too many pressing matters on her mind, making it difficult for her to fall asleep.
Kui Xin slowly walked down the corridor, intending to return to her office and store the medication in her personal locker. She planned to retrieve it after the Special Operations Division’s interrogation was complete.
She approached the elevator lobby and pressed the button. The elevator, ascending at that moment, conveniently stopped upon reaching Kui Xin’s floor.
The elevator doors opened, revealing a woman dressed in gray formal attire inside. With black hair and blue eyes, her mixed-race features were unmistakable—it was Annie Shalit, the awakened member of the Special Operations Division.
Kui Xin paused briefly before entering with an unflinching expression, greeting her, “Hello.”
“Hello.” Shalit scrutinized Kui Xin. “I remember you; aren’t you Kui Xin?”
“I am. May I ask who you are?” Kui Xin displayed just the right amount of confusion.
“I’m Annie Shalit from the Special Operations Division, responsible for interrogating you and Wei Zhi,” Shalit said cordially. “The interrogation will begin in approximately one hour; the brain-machine interface is currently being assembled.”
The Investigation Department’s elevators moved swiftly. Just as they exchanged a few words, Shalit reached her destination floor.
Kui Xin told her, “Well then, see you later, Officer Shalit.”
Seemingly pondering for a moment, Shalit smiled at Kui Xin. “This hour is idle time. Why don’t we head to the break room and chat? There’s much I’d like to understand about that mission.”
“If this is a necessary part of the interrogation process… alright,” Kui Xin agreed.
“Don’t be too tense. It is indeed an interrogation, but you and Wei Zhi aren’t suspects; you’re merely unfortunate witnesses and firsthand participants.” Shalit stepped out of the elevator. “Please follow me, Kui Xin.”
“Okay,” replied Kui Xin.
The Investigation Department seemed to have prepared a dedicated room specifically for Shalit and her team. She opened the door and entered, finding the room furnished as a break area.
“Please take a seat,” Shalit said.
Kui Xin had already sat down on the sofa, facing her.
Lady Shalit unbuttoned her gray blazer, leaning back casually against the sofa with one arm draped over it. A bronze pendant chain peeked out from around her neck.
“I imagine you must be quite exhausted,” Kui Xin offered proactively. “When I finished work yesterday, personnel from the Special Operations Division hadn’t arrived yet. But this morning, I was told to come to the building on standby. You must have rushed here overnight, right?”
Shalit momentarily paused before smiling. “Indeed it is. Duty calls, and there can be no delay.”
She brushed her hair aside with one hand, revealing the pendant chain as her fingers caught hold of it. A bronze-colored angel hung at the end of the chain.
Kui Xin’s gaze sharpened, fixating on the angel pendant.
“I received the information sent from the Investigation Department and know that you just graduated this year,” Shalit said. “Have you awakened your superhuman ability?”
“Yes, my ability is accelerated self-healing,” Kui Xin replied.
Shalit pondered for a moment. “What do you think about Mechanical Dawn as an organization?”
“Cold, precise, and unfathomable,” Kui Xin said. “The fact that they deployed liquid nitrogen bombs speaks volumes about their capabilities. How many terrorist organizations can manufacture such bombs? Behind them must lie substantial technological support and financial backing. The scale of this organization may far exceed our imagination.”
“It indeed seems incredibly hard to believe—a massive force has risen right under the Federation’s nose, yet the Federation was completely unaware,” Shalit mused.
After a brief pause, she asked, “In the end… how did Commander Wang look?”
Noticing Kui Xin’s puzzled gaze, Shalit apologetically said, “Sorry, I had a close personal relationship with him, so calling you here alone to ask about it was somewhat driven by emotions. There are certain things I couldn’t discuss in formal settings, which is why I brought you privately to this place.”
Kui Xin hesitated for a moment before responding: “He collapsed, and liquid nitrogen poured out from the vortex of Deep Blue, extinguishing his flame just like that. Since he lost consciousness, he didn’t say anything or leave any instructions.”
Shalit lowered her eyes, remaining silent for a long time.
“Those in our line of work should always be prepared for death at any moment,” Kui Xin remarked.
Shalit lifted her head, composing herself as she looked at Kui Xin. “Are you also prepared for such an eventuality? You’re still so young.”
Kui Xin shook her head sincerely. “No. Even on the brink of death, one would likely still feel regret, wouldn’t they? The only preparations beforehand would be setting up a will and final words.”
“People who constantly navigate the edge between life and death develop a distinct demeanor. You were previously a security officer on the Field Operations Team, correct?” Shalit asked.
“Yes,” Kui Xin replied.
“And what’s your university major?” Shalit inquired further.
“Criminal Investigation,” Kui Xin answered.
“Hmm… Since your tenure is short, you may not know the Special Operations Division-Investigation Department relationship. These two divisions have close ties; many agents of the Special Operations Division are selected from the ranks of the Investigation Department,” Shalit said. “After reviewing your records, I noticed that you align well with the selection criteria for Special Operations Division agents.”
A storm of shock raged within Kui Xin’s mind.
Annie Shalit unexpectedly issued a direct invitation to her—this wasn’t how it happened in the previous cycle! According to Adam, it was only after speaking with Meng Jing that Shalit added Kui Xin’s name to the list of potential candidates.
Based on what Adam had revealed during their first cycle, Shalit didn’t consider transferring Kui Xin to the Special Operations Division until after her conversation with Meng Jing. However, this time, Shalit brought up the matter bluntly without any prior discussion. What could have caused this change? Following the normal timeline, Shalit shouldn’t have even discussed the candidate list with Meng Jing yet.
Unless… talking with Meng Jing was merely a facade.
Regardless of Meng Jing’s recommendation, Annie Shalit would have recruited Kui Xin to the Special Operations Division!
What was she concealing? Why were there irregularities in her reported superhuman ability level? Who exactly was she?
In the first cycle, Shalit never had the opportunity for a private conversation with Kui Xin. However, in this second cycle, they encountered each other, leading to their current exchange. Was this change the reason behind Shalit’s different approach?
“This is truly unexpected,” Kui Xin feigned surprise, masking her true emotions. “I mean, I’m still under interrogation…”
“Of course, you would only be admitted after completing your interrogation period and passing certain evaluations. It merely involves adding you to the provisional candidate list; not everyone can join the Special Operations Division,” Shalit explained. “I just wanted to bring it up, but ultimately, you might not even be selected.”
She offered a gentle smile.
Although Shalit provided an explanation, the seeds of suspicion within Kui Xin rapidly took root and grew.
Kui Xin began suspecting that Shalit’s discussions about Mechanical Dawn and Wang Feichi were actually a facade, a diversionary tactic. The purpose of those conversations seemed to be to segue into proposing her recruitment into the Special Operations Division.
This was Annie Shalit’s carefully crafted discourse!
“All right, my apologies for taking up some of your time. You can now attend to your own affairs,” Shalit nodded at Kui Xin. “I’ll notify you once the brain-machine interface installation is complete.”
Feeling heavy-hearted, Kui Xin had no choice but to maintain a composed expression as she stood up.
Shalit courteously rose to see her out, and the angel pendant around her neck swung momentarily. Once again, Kui Xin’s gaze was drawn to the angel pendant, subtly furrowing her brow. She cautiously probed, “The pendant is beautiful. Where did you purchase it?”
“Oh, it’s custom-made. Someone gifted it to me; it holds great significance,” Shalit said. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Kui Xin.”
Kui Xin returned to the corridor, briefly pressing her hand against her forehead.
She had seen that angel-shaped pendant before—when Eve accessed memories through the brain-machine interface, images of angels repeatedly appeared in her dream realm, reminding her that it was a dream, not reality.
Now, the angel pendant has surfaced in reality.
A thin layer of cold sweat broke out on Kui Xin’s back. Involuntarily, she used Data Manipulation to connect with Adam and asked, “Is this place real, Adam?”
“Which reality do you mean—the First World or the Second World?” Adam responded, perplexed.
“The Second World,” Kui Xin said.
“Then naturally, where you are must be reality. What’s wrong?” Adam asked.
“There’s something off about Annie Shalit. The pendant hanging around her neck appeared in my dreams,” Kui Xin stated. “What is her ability?”
“Charming Melody, B-grade,” Adam replied.
“My eyes of perception indicated she was A-grade!” Once again, within this cycle, Kui Xin revealed this information to Adam. “I feel that Shalit is targeting me. There’s no mistake; this intuition is very strong. My guesses rarely deviate from the correct answer. She approached me with some specific purpose… What does she intend to do?”