novelraw Chapter 104: Artificial Souls - (31)
Chapter 104: Artificial Souls - (31)
Wang Feichi regained his balance and stood up.
His face showed no anger but rather a thoughtful expression. The severed stump of his right arm was encrusted with frost, freezing the blood and temporarily suppressing his Black Flame due to the extremely low temperature.
“Prepared indeed, even utilizing ice? Was it a cryogenic gun, liquid nitrogen, or an Extraordinary Ability User controlling ice?” Wang Feichi murmured to himself. “So your target was me… How peculiar. From where did you obtain this information?”
The frost on the stump of his severed right arm began to melt, yet despite the thawed wound, there was no bleeding. Instead, a burst of black flames emerged, reconstructing flesh and muscle. A brand new arm swiftly grew back, identical to the original.
Similar abilities were possessed by Silver Mask and Kui Xin as well. Silver Mask could transform his body into transparent water when necessary; in this watery state, he was immune to most physical attacks and could conceal himself during rainy weather. When Kui Xin maintained her Shadow Shuttling mode, her body would turn into black mist, similarly resisting some physical damage and even allowing her to pass through walls.
Wang Feichi’s Black Flame Body was a passive trait, only activating when he sustained harm. The black flame filled his form, repairing his wounds instantly.
From start to finish, this entire affair was a setup, a bait. The enemy’s true target had always been him alone; they wanted his genetic information and orchestrated this elaborate scheme for that purpose.
They dispatched more than a dozen Extraordinary Ability Users capable of controlling water to divert his attention, with space ability users providing precise coordination. They even knew the characteristics of his superhuman ability, temporarily suppressing his Black Flame using extremely low temperatures.
When Wang Feichi’s arm and legs were caught in the spatial vortex earlier, he felt an exceptionally low temperature, as if the vortex connected to a region filled with liquid nitrogen.
His identity while carrying out missions for the Special Operations Division was known to very few, and in recent years, he had even stepped back to a secondary role. Through what channels did the enemies learn about his abilities?Furthermore, the hidden space ability user, even if not rated S-class, must have been incredibly close to it. In Wang Feichi’s early mission experiences, whenever his limbs were severed, they would instantly transform into flames and return to reattach themselves, repairing his body. There exists a unique connection between his detached limbs and his main body, which he could perceive distinctly.
Wang Feichi was relentless; with his colleagues’ assistance, he had conducted tests to determine the limits of his body’s self-repair capabilities but failed to ascertain the maximum distance at which severed limbs would transform into flames and return to him.
Now, part of his limb had been severed, and the connection between it and his body vanished, indicating that the severed limb was too far away from its origin.
How great is the teleportation range of that space ability user? Wang Feichi also had colleagues with spatial abilities, but their maximum teleportation distance was typically only ten kilometers, already classified as A-grade… What is the limit of the spatial ability user targeting him?
If Kui Xin knew what Wang Feichi was pondering, she could provide a definitive answer—over 300 kilometers.
During the mission on The Kraken, Night Cicada performed numerous spatial jumps while they were on a small island amidst the ocean. The cargo ship sailed across the vast sea, significantly distant from Black Sea City, yet Night Cicada effortlessly teleported them swiftly to their destination.
His superhuman ability was practically astonishingly powerful! At one point, Kui Xin suspected him to be S-ranked, as Red was already an A-rank, and Night Cicada clearly held a higher standing than Red. Later, after obtaining the Eyes of Perception, Kui Xin ruled out the possibility of Night Cicada being S-ranked.
Wang Feichi remained stationary, scanning his surroundings vigilantly for the unpredictable appearance of spatial whirlpools.
Wei Zhi proactively closed the gap with the enemies; previously, they were too far apart, beyond the range covered by her space restriction. Now at closer proximity, once a spatial vortex emerged, Wei Zhi could immediately attempt to counteract it.
With a flick of his hand, Wang Feichi conjured a fiery whip that snaked towards the clones like an enraged dragon. Any clone touched by the flames was entirely consumed by the Black Flame. Just as it seemed about to engulf Red and Silver Mask, the fire whip was swallowed by a blue spatial vortex appearing mid-air.
Wang Feichi remarked, “That white-haired one and the man in black clothing are likely the core targets being protected.”
“If the enemy doesn’t want to abandon their companions, they’ll inevitably use space transmission abilities to extract them,” Kui Xin whispered softly. “Officer Wang, attack the enemies to force them into using their abilities. Once the vortex appears, Group Leader Wei employs the space restriction, and I will coordinate my attacks accordingly…”
“Wei Zhi, can you ensure preventing the spatial vortex from closing?” asked Wang Feichi. “Physical means are ineffective, and even my flames cannot hinder its opening or closure. Tch, nothing annoys me more than space ability users… except our teammates, of course.”
“I don’t have absolute certainty, but since we both possess spatial abilities, it’s worth a try,” Wei Zhi said. “To attack the whirlpool, you’ll need to wait until my space restriction ends; otherwise, there’s no way to penetrate the spatial barrier. Kui Xin, act accordingly when the opportunity arises.”
“Electromagnetic device preparing to activate,” Wei Zhi issued the command without showing any emotion.
“Acknowledged, the countdown begins,” Adam announced. “Three, two, one… Electromagnetic shockwave has dispersed.”
The intangible electromagnetic shockwave spread out, causing Kui Xin’s entire body to tingle momentarily. A piercing electrical noise crackled through her headset before quickly fading away.
Although their equipment had built-in anti-interference mechanisms, it still experienced some impact.
Time was slipping by rapidly.
In the very next instant, another spatial vortex suddenly opened directly above them. The deep blue whirlpool resembled an abyssal pool with seemingly no bottom as if something terrifying were about to emerge from within.
Silver light descended from the dark blue vortex—it was a massive artillery shell, approximately four meters long and around one meter in diameter!
Wang Feichi lifted his head, expression cracking with disbelief. “Holy shit!”
Kui Xin also stared dumbfounded, blurting out an expletive, “Damn!”
This was the most powerful nuclear bomb known in the First World, measuring eight meters in length and 2.1 meters in diameter. Just one detonation could level an entire city! The artillery shell before their eyes, although only half the size of the nuclear bomb, undoubtedly possessed formidable explosive power.
Has Mechanical Dawn gone insane?!
At this critical moment, Wei Zhi made a sudden dash forward and reached close enough before the shell exploded. Activating space restriction, she immobilized it, causing the massive silver shell to halt mid-air.
The Black Flame isn’t invincible; if black flames come into contact with unstable substances like explosives, they would directly ignite them. No matter how strong Wang Feichi’s regenerative abilities were, he couldn’t withstand such a close-range explosion from a colossal artillery shell!
What further shattered Wang Feichi’s expression was that after one shell emerged from the spatial vortex, another vortex opened up immediately!
A second silver shell fell outside the range of Wei Zhi’s influence and promptly detonated!
An intensely cold storm swept through, hurling Kui Xin several meters away with its shockwave.
These shells did not contain gunpowder or conventional explosives; instead, they were filled with liquid nitrogen! They were liquid nitrogen bombs! The Mechanical Dawn used these bombs to create near absolute zero conditions, suppressing Wang Feichi’s Black Flame.
The explosion of the liquid nitrogen bomb triggered a chain reaction. Wei Zhi, lacking flesh regeneration capabilities, instantly lost consciousness upon facing the extreme chill, causing her space restriction to fail. Consequently, the other liquid nitrogen bomb previously under her control also detonated! A second wave of freezing storm swept across the area.
Instantly, a layer of frost formed on Kui Xin’s eyebrows and hair, causing her exposed skin to suffer immediate frostbite. She coughed up a mouthful of blood, with both her nose and mouth bleeding as well. The icy cold air during her breaths damaged the mucous membranes of her nasal passages and windpipe, triggering a violent coughing fit reflexively. Blood gushed profusely from her nose, freezing instantly upon contact with her face. Droplets of blood turned into ice shards mid-air, falling with a pattering sound onto the ground.
The two bombs detonated almost right next to Wang Feichi. Not only did he endure temperatures nearing absolute zero, but he also directly faced the shockwaves from both explosions. Compared to Kui Xin, his condition seemed even more severe. He lay prone on the ground, covered entirely with white frost, while tendrils of Black Flame surged forth to repair his body, indicating that he was still alive.
The raindrops falling from the sky struck people like hailstones. If not for the goggles protecting Kui Xin’s eyes, they would have been frozen blind long ago. Nevertheless, her vision appeared tinted red, suggesting that the capillaries in her eyes had ruptured.
More terrifying than superhuman abilities is human technology, and even more fearsome is the combination of superhuman abilities with advanced technological equipment.
No wonder researchers from Mechanical Dawn possessed such arrogance and ambition, viewing themselves as “Gods.” They were adept at creating life, but even more skilled at destroying it. Individual power could not withstand the collective wisdom of humanity.
Wang Feichi was S-ranked, but he wasn’t an unstoppable human nuclear bomb. Against A-rank ability users, he effortlessly dominated, killing Silver Mask’s clones like chopping vegetables. However, when confronted with a genuine “nuclear explosion,” he was rendered powerless.
“Kui Xin… Kui… static…” Adam’s voice crackled intermittently through her earpiece. Kui Xin couldn’t clearly hear what it was saying; after a piercing burst of electrical noise, the communication cut off!
This time, the disruption to communications was not due to electromagnetic pulses, but rather the extreme cold.
Extremely low temperatures can cause electronic devices to malfunction or fail completely. The Investigation Department’s equipment was designed to withstand temperatures down to minus seventy degrees Celsius, but the current temperature on the scene was far beyond that—no less than minus two hundred degrees Celsius, approaching the point where molecular motion virtually stops, known as absolute zero.
Ice is the solid form of water, and the “Silver Masks” also had control over ice.
The clones collaborated to manipulate ice particles, enveloping Wang Feichi’s body engulfed in Black Flame, akin to constructing a tomb of ice and snow for him.
Shivering uncontrollably from the cold, Red’s nostrils dripped with snot that even froze into icicles. He reached for a backup device at his waist, pressed the communication button, and reported their coordinates through the communicator. Afterward, he cursed, “Damn it, the electromagnetic pulse equipment malfunctioned. Luckily, I was prepared. Night Cicada, hurry up! We’re about to freeze to death!”
On the other end of the communicator, Night Cicada weakly responded, “R-received…”
Wang Feichi’s fingers twitched; despite sustaining such severe injuries, he regained consciousness in less than ten seconds. However, a deep blue spatial vortex opened above him, and liquid nitrogen poured out like a waterfall, cascading onto his body. It generated billowing white vapor, obscuring Kui Xin’s view.
The Black Flame extinguished as yet another spatial vortex emerged beneath Wang Feichi.
He plummeted into it, vanishing without a trace.
Kui Xin’s vision began to double… With stiff limbs, she struggled to crawl away, trying to escape the area enveloped by extreme cold.
Silver Mask anxiously rushed over, first removing Kui Xin’s personal gear and crushing it underfoot. Then, huffing and puffing, he picked her up and moved her several dozen meters away. “Rich Lady, are you okay? Ah, you’re so icy!”
Kui Xin opened her mouth, exhaling a stream of icy white mist, followed by another cough that brought up blood mixed with ice shards. She found herself unable to speak.
Fortunately, her Combat Suit was made from insulating materials; otherwise, she would have already turned into an ice sculpture.
The superhuman ability of Flesh Regeneration had saved her life numerous times. As she regained her composure, Kui Xin slapped Silver Mask’s face and whispered hoarsely, “I’m undercover right now, what are you doing getting so close?!”
“But those two who came with you are doomed, aren’t they? Once they’re dead, your cover won’t be blown. Do you still need to maintain the act at this point?” Silver Mask murmured softly. Seeing Kui Xin’s face covered in blood, he impulsively reached out to wipe it away.
Annoyed, Kui Xin swatted his hand aside.
Just thinking about it infuriated her—Wei Zhi was going to die before even assuming her position. Where would Kui Xin find such a suitable superior to help her climb the ranks?
Red raised the tranquilizer gun and administered a dose to Wei Zhi, ensuring she remained unconscious. Finally, he dragged her out of the area enveloped by extreme cold as well.
Red placed a hand on his waist, panting slightly, “Night Cicada says he’ll open the teleportation gate soon.”
“What should we do with Wei Zhi?” Kui Xin asked.
Red replied, “She becomes our captive, following the usual routine. Take her, interrogate her, then brainwash her.”
“And what about me?” Kui Xin asked. “I was on this mission with two significant figures, and now the weakest one survives?”
“So you’re our captive as well,” Red replied with a grin. “Let’s go, just follow the process.”
Kui Xin’s legs were frostbitten and immobile. Red instructed Silver Mask to continue carrying her while he dragged Wei Zhi.
Not far away, Night Cicada had already opened a teleportation portal.
The surviving clones stood neatly in line nearby, waiting for them to enter first.
“Is this the organization’s objective?” Kui Xin stared at the back of Red’s head. “To achieve multiple goals in one fell swoop?”
“Don’t ask me; I genuinely didn’t know until the end. Even I was kept in the dark about this operation… Perhaps everyone was deceived.” Red chuckled bitterly. “It’s best not to speculate too much on the boss’s intentions.”