Chapter 182
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Chapter 182: Another Removal
Ji Yongxing’s expression shifted from excitement to a tinge of disappointment.
“Doctor, I truly appreciate your kindness, but the research institutes maintain rigorous surveillance over key personnel.
“Even under these circumstances, frequent visits here could easily implicate you, and we might all end up facing investigations.”
Exactly!
Lin Qingliu clapped his hands lightly in front of his chest and declared confidently,
“I understand all that, but what if I could get you directly from the research institute to the secret space prepared for you? Wouldn’t that simplify things significantly?”
Is that even possible?
Ji Yongxing’s mouth fell slightly open, struck by his friend’s unconventional thinking.
“I need a set of devices capable of solidifying surveillance footage interference. Can you manage that?”
Ji Yongxing nodded eagerly.
“Alright, Fulan will come to retrieve these devices in a week. Once the modifications are complete, I’ll notify you using my communicator.”
The two discussed the details further, and eventually, Ji Yongxing left Lin Qingliu’s new home, satisfied, carrying his toolbox and [Skydome].
As his gaze swept past the unfinished building less than a hundred meters from the end of the street, a faint, improbable suspicion began to form in his mind.
—
Fulan had once heard Lin Qingliu describe an intriguing experiment: locking a person in an empty room with nothing but a button that delivered an electric shock when pressed. Many would choose to torment themselves just to pass the long hours.
Fulan couldn’t comprehend such behavior. She wasn’t human and possessed far greater patience; even reduced to mere clutter, she could endure for an eternity without feeling the slightest boredom.
Now, she stood atop the cargo in Warehouse No. 2, observing the scene below in the form of a small box of simple glassware.
As for Luke below, he was validating Lin Qingliu’s experiment through his own actions.
At that moment, a blade rested in Luke’s mouth.
It’s said that humans grow increasingly erratic when left unsupervised. That blade, the only mundane object within Luke’s reach, had undergone three stages: being toyed with by his left hand, pricking his skin for amusement, and now being held in his mouth.
At that moment, Luke stared blankly ahead, as if lost in thought.
Fulan withdrew her external awareness and sighed inwardly,
“Humans are truly fragile.”
How long had it been since she lost the light?
Luke didn’t know.
He only knew that of the three tubes of nutritional paste, only one remained.
Absolute silence and darkness could profoundly distort a human’s perception of time.
Luke had seen many cells and prisons, but even the Internal Affairs Clean-up Team’s semi-underground cells had a head-sized skylight to let in a glimpse of daylight, ensuring prisoners didn’t lose their sense of time.
Whether it was the Public Security Team or the Clean-up Team, absolute darkness and cramped cells were common forms of punishment. Many prisoners entered boasting, only to emerge as docile sheep, as if the narrow, dark chamber held some strange power.
Yet, experiencing such punishment now, Luke felt no discomfort whatsoever.
Mental burdens? This darkness was nothing compared to the crushing realization that he was merely a tool being used.
Physical pain? The aching and swelling from the cramped environment couldn’t compare to the pain radiating from the break in his right shoulder.
The darkness, silence, and narrowness provided him with the best environment for thought.
His tongue unconsciously moved the blade inside his mouth, confirming his lucidity with the occasional sting and taste of blood.
He didn’t want to put his fate in someone else’s hands again, nor did he want to abandon his belief in revenge.
If what the leader of the [Cultist] organization said was true, then the council members might indeed become his enemies.
If it was true that the enhancement device in his right arm could kill him at any time, then perhaps he had already freed himself from the council’s control.
But losing his right arm and his abilities meant he was no better than a normal person, and even entering the spire had become a luxury, let alone seeking revenge…
What choice should he make? What should he do?
In the darkness, Luke’s vacant eyes gradually focused as he slowly expelled the blade from his mouth.
“Right, I still have one ability, a suppressed ability.”
He turned his body, lowering his head against the angle formed by the two walls and the floor.
With two fingers of his left hand pinching the blade, he used the remaining fingers to search for the location mentioned by the [Cultist], where the suppressor’s slow-release device was buried in the back of his head.
Holding his breath, Luke calmly pierced the blade into his own skin with unimaginable steadiness.
—
[Response: … After obtaining the twenty-second sample, upon Captain Nian’s suggestion, we began our return journey.
It should have been around noon on the third day since, according to plan, we needed to return to Hope City by the evening of the fifth day, everyone had no objections.
Question: Was there any noticeable abnormal behavior among the team members at that time?
Response: It can be confirmed that there was none. All food throughout the journey was provided by my ability, and the crop seeds came from Councilman Bordeaux, so there should be no issues.
Question: Compared to the journey there, were there any obvious abnormalities in the surrounding environment during the return trip?
Response: I’m not sure; this question should be answered by the gecko, who has the sharpest five senses. But if I had to say, I think there was no difference.
Rather, if it weren’t for the Captain and the gecko, both of whom have strong directional senses, I would actually struggle to tell directions.
Question: Regarding the continually repeating yet slowly changing scenery outside, do you have any personal thoughts?
Response: I believe it is some kind of radiation causing plant anomalies.
Since my ability is somewhat related to plant growth, I have previously asked Lady Infinite Scroll about the Old Era’s research on plants and learned that before the disaster, there existed a type of plant on the planet that exhibited albino anomalies.
Question: Last question, after returning from outside the city, have you felt any degree of anomalies in your abilities?
Hint: The weight of the answer to this question is significant, as it relates to whether you become a prisoner or a hero.
Of course, our only standard for judging the correct answer is honesty.
Response: No, after continuously using my abilities for several days, there is indeed a deep and heavy sense of fatigue, but sleep can alleviate this negative effect. Today, it should already be the twenty-third; I feel my state is almost the same as before leaving the city.
My ability has shown neither obvious degradation nor anomalies or enhancement.
Question: Do you have anything else to add?
Response: No, thank you.
Hint: Please read this statement and confirm if it’s your own response. If there are any parts needing modification, you may directly correct them with a pen. If there are no issues, please sign below.
Signature: Vine]
