novelraw Chapter 26: Sea of Darkness - (26)
Chapter 26: Sea of Darkness - (26)
The fact that Rick Technologies took an interest in Xi Liang was likely due to Silver Mask’s report sent to the organization.
Rick Technologies has intricate connections with Mechanical Dawn; it serves as a front company controlled by them. Mechanical Dawn’s headquarters laboratory is situated within the Rick Technologies building itself.
As Kui Xin returned home carrying groceries from the convenience store, she continuously pondered her thoughts.
Mechanical Dawn cast a lingering shadow over her heart, akin to the Sword of Damocles hanging above her head. Over the past few days, she has gained some understanding of Mechanical Dawn through observation and analysis. However, her knowledge remained superficial; she was unclear about the organization’s true scale as well as its founding purpose and principles.
She could only infer the organization’s influence based on certain details.
In the port explosion mission, every member of the strike squad was at least a C-level awakened being. Among them, Silver Mask, Thorny Rose, Bartender, Amber, and Obsidian were all B-level. Some of their superhuman abilities were not ideally suited for combat, such as the bartender’s, which focused on reconnaissance. The ball python was the weakest link in the strike squad, possessing combat prowess comparable to a B-rank despite being officially categorized as a C-rank.
As for Red, Kui Xin suspected he might be A-ranked. Given his ability to command respect from numerous subordinate awakened beings, his own awakening level should not have been lower than B.
Unfortunately, the information provided by Red did not mention his own superhuman abilities at all. Perhaps the original host knew this but deliberately omitted himself from the records.
Apart from Red, it is highly likely that Mechanical Dawn has additional A-ranked awakened beings.
In this world, the government officially conceals the existence of alien creatures from the general public, but it does not hide the presence of awakened beings. High-level awakened individuals can elevate their citizen rank; D-rank awakened citizens’ ranks are directly upgraded to level three, equivalent to some government personnel’s ranks. This clearly indicates that the government offers certain privileges to awakened beings.Despite this, a significant number of high-ranking awakened individuals have been recruited under the Mechanical Dawn Organization. What attracts these awakened beings to join them? How do they ensure that these awakened beings remain loyal to the organization?
The longer Kui Xin stayed in this world, the more questions arose within her mind.
Setting aside other queries for now, there was one particular question concerning herself.
How did the original host, who hadn’t even awakened a superhuman ability, become a core member of Mechanical Dawn? On what basis was she involved in critical missions like the port explosion? How could she be part of a team with so many high-ranked awakened beings, even becoming the deputy commander?
Was it solely due to her intelligence and undercover status? Or were there other, more crucial reasons?
Red treated her with remarkable equality, showing no signs of superiority. However, he didn’t extend the same courtesy to other squad members, often exhibiting the demeanor of a superior and issuing commands.
Red had never used such a commanding tone with Kui Xin before; his interactions with her always carried a cooperative and considerate manner, sometimes taking into account her circumstances and opinions.
Kui Xin’s role within Mechanical Dawn was somewhat peculiar.
“Deputy Commander, the data scanning for the last port area is complete and has been transmitted to Headquarters,” Thorny Rose sent a message.
“Received,” Kui Xin replied.
After pushing open the door at home, Kui Xin messaged Red again, “Our data scanning work here is finished.”
Red responded, “We still need one more night. Tsk, having Silver Mask around sure makes things convenient.”
Silver Mask’s superhuman abilities were maximized at the ports, as controlling liquids proved to be highly versatile.
Honestly, Kui Xin couldn’t help but covet Silver Mask’s power immensely, yet she couldn’t act against him just yet.
Unaware of Kui Xin’s dark thoughts, Silver Mask cheerfully noticed the items she had brought back and eagerly tore open a bag of potato chips, munching away contentedly.
Kui Xin, after finishing her bread and consuming a bottle of yogurt, went to her bedroom to study.
Tonight, she planned to study through the night, sleep during the day tomorrow, and then take the evening patrol shift the following night.
Each day was meticulously packed with activities; even during her senior year of high school, she hadn’t worked this diligently.
August 3rd, 8:00 PM.
Kui Xin promptly reported for her night shift.
“The good thing about working nights is that you don’t need to apply sunscreen,” Lan Lan grumbled. “Captain, I suggest incorporating sunscreen as standard equipment for the coastal security force, and having it procured uniformly by management.”
On his first day of work, Lan Lan suffered without applying sunscreen because he didn’t have any at home. Kui Xin gave him some; otherwise, he would have been severely sunburned.
“Strongly agree,” the others chimed in.
“I’ll draft a proposal another day,” Shu Xuyao said mildly. “Go change into your gear now, and remember to bring night-vision goggles. Our Seventh Squad is only responsible for Dock No. 5; other docks are handled by different squads.”
The team members changed into their equipment and assembled together.
“Hopefully today will be another peaceful and beautiful day,” Kui Xin remarked while adjusting the strap of her night-vision goggles.
“And why ‘also’?” Lan Lan smiled. “Every day in the Port Bay District has its various incidents; it is far from being peaceful and beautiful.”
Kui Xin chuckled. “My standards are quite low; as long as there’s no crisis threatening us, it can still be considered peaceful and beautiful.”
“That’s true indeed.” Lan Lan echoed Kui Xin’s sentiment, agreeing wholeheartedly. “Let’s hope today will also be a peaceful and beautiful day.”
Jiang Ming pursed his lips and said, “Let’s not jinx it; fear often invites what you dread. I initially didn’t think anything would happen today, but now that you mention it, I feel like something is bound to occur.”
“Subjective thoughts cannot influence these events,” Liu Kangyun stated matter-of-factly. If something happens, don’t worry—just hold your gun tight.”
For nighttime patrols, patrol vehicles were required. These vehicles had bulletproof glass and operated in both aerial hover mode and ground-driving mode, equipped with autonomous driving and navigation capabilities.
Shu Xuyao took the driver’s seat, Liu Kangyun sat in the front passenger seat, and the others occupied the rear seats.
The patrol vehicle lifted off and flew towards Dock No. 5.
Once bustling with stacked shipping containers, the port lay deserted due to its temporary shutdown following the recent explosion incident. All cargo had been cleared away during this period. The damaged section of the port is now largely repaired, with plans to resume operations in two days.
Various construction equipment and building debris remained scattered, giving the area a disorganized appearance.
Dock No. 5 covered a vast area, primarily used for massive cargo ships. During peak times, several cargo vessels could dock simultaneously for unloading.
The patrol vehicle descended onto a relatively flat platform, and Kui Xin, Lan Lan, and Jiang Ming stepped out to conduct a thorough inspection. Shu Xuyao and Liu Kangyun stayed inside the vehicle, monitoring communications and standing by for potential support.
“Although this mooring harbor is temporarily inactive, there hasn’t been any decrease in smuggling, illegal immigration, or black-market transactions.” Jiang Ming activated his night-vision goggles and cautiously scanned their surroundings. “Let’s be vigilant.”
During its active use, the port operated around the clock with continuous cargo unloading, with people constantly coming and going. Criminals took advantage of the high foot traffic to conduct illicit deals at the harbor. Smuggled goods would arrive alongside regular cargo, then quietly disappear afterward. Now, these black-market transactions have become even more rampant. With fewer people present and less scrutiny, those involved have grown increasingly brazen.
Previously, they might have attempted to conceal their activities, but now they hardly bother hiding. When they encounter patrols, they scatter, while some audacious individuals dare to engage the security officers with gunfire.
The gangs in the Port Bay District can be described in two words—outrageously bold.
For the security officers patrolling here, it was practically risking their lives on duty. As compensation, each field operations squad assigned to patrol the coastal security force received additional bonuses on their wages. Without such incentives, who would willingly undertake such dangerous work?
Dock No. 5, being a Floating Sea Port, might seem unusual, but stepping onto the floating platform felt no different from solid ground. There was no sensation of the ocean waves; the platform remained completely stable and remarkably steady.
Kui Xin remained constantly vigilant of her surroundings, never letting go of the gun at her waist. Even Lan Lan, who was usually quite talkative, fell silent.
On the port, the only sounds were the wailing sea wind and the breathing of nearby teammates.
Patrolling wasn’t just about checking if anyone was present at the port; they also needed to inspect certain equipment and areas prone to illicit activities.
The patrols had to be conducted in shifts. Inspecting such a large port once took over an hour, with subsequent patrols every half-hour thereafter.
Maintaining constant vigilance is highly draining, especially on nights like these. With heightened alertness, it’s easy to feel exhausted.
Kui Xin and her team patrolled back and forth twice around the port, taking a brief rest in between before resuming their patrol. At midnight, they would be able to switch shifts with another squad.
“Three minutes until midnight, let’s gather for the handover,” Shu Xuyao said over the communications channel. “Well done, everyone. From now on, we can return to our office duties.”
This night indeed seemed as peaceful and tranquil as Kui Xin had hoped.
Lan Lan couldn’t help but mutter, “Something’s off… Why isn’t there a single person around? Usually, we’d catch at least one or two drug users…”
The night was too quiet—unnervingly so.
As Kui Xin passed by a rusty shipping container, she suddenly felt a drop of icy-cold liquid on her neck.
She wiped her finger across her neck, and the liquid appeared dark under her night-vision goggles.
Immediately after, Kui Xin detected the scent of blood. Another drop of liquid fell, this time onto her night-vision goggles.
Kui Xin’s expression drastically changed as she raised her gun towards the top of the container and shouted, “We’ve got trouble!”
Lan Lan and Jiang Ming instantly drew their guns, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Kui Xin spotted what was above them—it was a leg. From atop the three-meter-high shipping container, one leg protruded outward. A gust of wind blew, causing the leg to tumble down with a thud right in front of Kui Xin, splattering blood onto her shoes.
It was a severed lower leg! The break had a smooth, even edge as if precisely sawed off by an electric saw.
Kui Xin’s lips twitched, and the hairs on her arms stood upright.
“Alien Creature!” Jiang Ming, with his extensive experience, grimaced. “Judging by the cut, it’s likely a Scythe Demon. Captain! We…”
Before Jiang Ming could finish speaking, abruptly, Kui Xin’s danger avoidance reflex activated.
A fierce gust of wind swept past her side as a long, elongated object whipped towards them with lightning speed, reminiscent of a predatory black mamba snake.
Instinctively, Kui Xin dodged just in time. A chill ran through her abdomen as the high-fiber bulletproof vest of the Investigation Department was unexpectedly sliced open by that object. It left a massive wound across her stomach, from which blood gushed forth.
Had she been even slightly slower, Kui Xin would have been cut in half!
“Kui Xin!” Lan Lan drew his gun and fired in the direction where the tentacle had struck.
Sparks flashed; something evaded his bullets.
The grotesque alien creature fully revealed itself, smaller than Kui Xin had imagined—approximately half the height of a human. Resembling a mantis, it had a triangular face with eyes bulbously large, like light bulbs. On its upper body were two tentacles, each equipped with curved, lime-like bone blades at their ends.
Blood still stained these bone blades, including Kui Xin’s own.
Satisfactorily, the alien creature licked the bone knives before propelling itself closer with its hind legs, much like a mantis. With fluid movements, it swiftly lashed out its flexible tentacles again, directly targeting Kui Xin.
In fear, Kui Xin raised her gun and fired rapidly. Out of numerous shots, only three bullets hit their mark, all deflected by its limestone-like outer shell. The monster’s speed was unbelievably swift, matched by its astonishingly high defense.
At the critical moment, Jiang Ming’s bullet struck the Scythe Demon’s soft tentacle, causing it to instantly retract. This allowed Kui Xin to narrowly avoid the attack.
“Backup is arriving soon!” Shu Xuyao spoke over the communications channel. “Hold on!”
The injury seemed to incite a frenzy in the Scythe Demon; its pair of tentacles flailed even more wildly, leaving deep marks on the metal shipping containers.
Just then, the port’s lighthouse flickered several times irregularly, indicating that midnight had arrived—the blinking lights signaled the onset of a new day.
As this occurred, Kui Xin’s field of vision suddenly plunged into darkness.
The frenetically writhing alien creature with its tentacles disappeared from sight, along with Lan Lan and Jiang Ming. The pain from her slashed abdomen vanished as if it never existed, and even the gun she held evaporated.
While alone in the darkness, an unmistakable sensation surfaced within Kui Xin—this was the same scenario she experienced when first crossing over into the Second World!
She blinked, and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on a soft bed. Before her were walls with peeling paint, and beside the small table next to the bed lay a stack of “Five Years of Exams, Three Years of Simulations” study materials.
Adjacent to her pillow, a smartphone with its screen glowing quietly rested there.
On the seventh day since being transported to the Second World, precisely as the seventh day officially ended, Kui Xin returned to the First World.
Her heart raced wildly, so overwhelmed by emotion that she felt slightly dizzy.
Kui Xin placed her hand over her abdomen, the pain from where the alien creature’s bone knife had sliced her open still seeming palpable. However, beneath her fingers, the skin was smooth and unblemished, devoid of any wounds.
“I… am back?” Kui Xin murmured incredulously.
She had left that cold and brutal world, returning to the ordinary yet genuine realm of reality.