novelraw Chapter 48: Sea of Darkness - (48)
Chapter 48: Sea of Darkness - (48)
Finally managing to dismiss Night Cicada, Kui Xin sat down at her desk and rubbed her temples.
Mechanical Dawn, Wei Haidong, Androids, Rick Technologies.
Based on her one-hour tour findings, it seemed indisputable that Rick Technologies was merely a front company created by Mechanical Dawn; they operated as a unified entity. During her visit, she frequently encountered the Rick Technologies logo, and similar markings appeared on various materials.
Kui Xin had previously searched online for information about Rick Technologies and learned that it was a new company that emerged within the last twenty years.
In the First World, a company operating for two decades could already be considered a well-established giant. However, in the Second World, Kui Xin broadened her understanding and gradually realized that in this consortium-dominated world, a company enduring for just twenty years was merely a “youngster.” There were numerous “elders” far older than it.
The various regional consortia have stood unchallenged for at least fifty years, serving as undisputed local powerhouses and dominant forces. Even different consortiums and companies across industries often collaborate, collectively monopolizing the region’s manufacturing, services, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and other sectors. They exert pressure on emerging companies through suppression, acquisition, or obtaining stakes.
These established entities wield significant influence over their respective domains, shaping market dynamics and stifling competition from new entrants.
Over time, it became increasingly difficult for new companies to emerge and succeed. The consortium, which fed off the lifeblood of ordinary citizens and emerging enterprises, grew stronger under the protection of the Federation, transforming into an invincible giant.
For Rick Technologies to have survived amidst the encirclement and suppression by numerous financial elites, expanding to its current scale, was practically unimaginable.
Kui Xin noticed that Rick Technologies operated with remarkable discretion. Apart from organizing occasional product launch events, there were hardly any news reports about the company online. Its owner, Wei Haidong, remained hidden behind the scenes, rarely making public appearances. In an era when the media frenzy was rampant, no newspaper could secure an interview with him.This behavior starkly contrasted with Kui Xin’s Trash Dad in the First World.
Kui Xin vividly remembered when her trash dad achieved success in the city and returned home in grand style. Months ahead, he purchased an exceptionally impressive luxury car, and drove it back to his hometown. Even villagers gathered on the road during his journey to witness this extravagant vehicle.
Her mother had always said not to flaunt wealth, as it easily attracts envy.
However, Trash Dad boasted proudly, “I want them to see just how much money I’ve made! The cost of this car alone is more than they could earn in three or even five lifetimes.”
He was all about saving face and showing off.
The Trash Dads from the First and Second Worlds were strikingly similar—physically alike, with similar tones of voice, gestures, and expressions… Consequently, Kui Xin couldn’t help but compare them, seeking both their commonalities and differences.
Her sense of incongruity grew stronger.
“Is he pretending?” Kui Xin thought, bewildered. “He’s masking his true self… But why would he do that? Is it out of caution, or…”
A seed of suspicion took root within her heart, nurtured by her strong intuition and the unsettling feeling she couldn’t quite pinpoint, causing it to sprout and grow.
“Or perhaps… someone guided him to act like this?” Kui Xin shuddered.
Trash Dad had become successful, yet he remained grounded. Not only did he avoid becoming arrogant, but he also steadily developed his company, operated discreetly, quietly amassed influence, and transformed Mechanical Dawn into a tightly-knit organization hidden in the shadows.
Could he have accomplished this on his own?
If he didn’t possess such capabilities, how did he manage to achieve all this? Could someone be guiding him? Driving his actions? And if so, what purpose does that person wish to accomplish by utilizing him…?
Mechanical Dawn resembled a fathomless, deep pool—calm and serene on the surface. Just scratching the surface might give the illusion of understanding its entirety, but in reality, there is much more concealed within the depths beneath.
During her visit to Mechanical Dawn’s Headquarters, Kui Xin encountered two main questions.
The first mystery revolved around Wei Haidong himself, while the second concerned Kui Xin’s own identity.
In this world, there are three versions of Kui Xin.
Kui Xin No. 1 is the daughter of Wei Haidong from the Second World, a key member of Mechanical Dawn, and a meticulously trained undercover operative.
Kui Xin No. 2 is a student at Black Sea Academy, a newcomer who secured an internship with the Investigation Department through internal recruitment.
Kui Xin No. 3 is herself, a player from the First World—an unfortunate soul barely scraping above the poverty line, soon about to start university.
All three Kui Xins share the same name and appearance, yet their family backgrounds and origins are similar yet distinct. Among them, No. 1 and No. 3 have analogous fathers, both named Wei Haidong. Theoretically, Nos. 1 and 3 could be considered alternate counterparts from different dimensions.
But what about No. 2? No. 2 had a complete life trajectory, interacting with numerous colleagues after joining the Investigation Department, and these colleagues distinctly remembered her. The issue lies in the fact that when No. 1 entered the Investigation Department, she did not undergo any plastic surgery; she used her original appearance—the face of Wei Haidong’s daughter. So why do No. 1 and No. 2 look exactly alike?!
There must be something peculiar about No. 2’s identity. Perhaps No. 2’s existence itself is false, a setup orchestrated by Mechanical Dawn. However, No. 2’s presence feels so genuine, with traces at the Black Sea Academy, the Investigation Department, and the house on Anning Street in Port Bay District—undeniable marks left behind from where No. 2 lived.
This is akin to a chilling suspense story, featuring three versions of Kui Xin coexisting simultaneously in the Second World:
No. 1 replaced No. 2, and then No. 3 replaced No. 1.
After undergoing purges, power struggles, and inexplicable changes beyond scientific explanation, only No. 3 remains in the world! The Kui Xin from the First World!
Kui Xin shuddered involuntarily.
She suddenly felt as if she had ventured onto a dark highway, unknowingly progressing along it while hidden eyes in the darkness silently watched her. Those icy gazes watched her walk forward, waiting for her to reach the end of the road and fall into a pre-set trap.
“Haha, day shifts are great—so comfortable!” Lan Lan stretched lazily.
Shu Xuyao took a sip of coffee and continued organizing files with his head bowed. “Of course it’s comfortable; you don’t have to endure the sun.”
Members of the Field Operations Team assigned to the coastal security force did not perform patrol duties on a daily basis. Patrolling is an energy-consuming task, and continuously doing it without rest would strain one’s health. Therefore, within the coastal security force, there was a rotation system for shifts such as daytime, nighttime, patrol duty, and standby duty. When their squad was on standby at the office, they only needed to engage in routine file organization and training activities within the security office.
Today happened to be the Seventh Squad’s day for office duty, leaving them idle except when occasional alerts prompted them to notify the patrol teams for handling. It was a rare moment of leisure.
“Drinking tea while getting paid feels somewhat unusual.” Liu Kangyun uncomfortably shrugged his shoulders.
Jiang Ming suggested, “If you’re bored, why not go down and practice shooting with Kui Xin? From what I’ve seen, she looks quite lonely training by herself on the range.”
“Sure, you want to join?” Liu Kangyun asked.
“I’ve already exceeded my training quota for today. I ran ten kilometers this morning,” Jiang Ming replied.
“All right then.” Liu Kangyun rubbed his closely cropped hair, got up, and headed downstairs.
Lan Lan approached the window and watched Kui Xin below, practicing her marksmanship skills amidst the sweltering heat at the open-air training ground.
“Still going? She really doesn’t mind the heat,” he marveled, astonished by Kui Xin’s endurance.
“Perhaps that’s the difference. While you’re idly sitting in the office, she’s striving hard,” Jiang Ming said. “I’m confident that during our annual shooting and combat evaluations, Kui Xin will emerge as a remarkable dark horse.”
“I haven’t been idle either. I trained this morning; I’m not outside now because I’m helping the captain organize files,” Lan Lan replied. “However, I agree with your assessment. Although I haven’t witnessed Kui Xin’s combat skills firsthand, when it comes to shooting, she’ll undoubtedly rank among the top five.”
The reason Lan Lan hadn’t seen Kui Xin’s combat abilities was simply because there was rarely a need for them—suspects were usually dispatched with a couple of well-placed shots before they could get close.
During their days handling various disputes at the port, Kui Xin’s decisive approach caught the attention of Shu Xuyao and others. If any suspect ventured within a five-meter radius of her, she would invariably draw her gun and issue a warning. Failure to heed the warning and approach within three meters guaranteed a bullet.
Strangely, Lan Lan noticed a peculiar quirk about Kui Xin: when aiming, she preferred targeting her adversaries’ left or right eyes.
Two days ago, they encountered a port robber who had just committed murder while fleeing. Kui Xin verbally warned him once; when it proved ineffective, she promptly shot him in the head, aiming for his left eye.
Yesterday, Kui Xin came across a wanted gang member. When she fired her gun, she again targeted the eyes—this time, the right eye.
Lan Lan, puzzled, had asked Kui Xin why she aimed at either the left or right eye when shooting. Kui Xin responded, “Hmm. Maybe it’s some kind of obsessive-compulsive habit?”
Lan Lan was baffled, unsure how this qualified as obsessive-compulsive behavior.
The truth was that Kui Xin’s past experiences made her overly cautious. She feared others might also have hidden iron skulls, preventing a fatal one-shot kill and allowing suspects to retaliate on their deathbeds. Thus, she specifically aimed for the eyes to ensure direct penetration into the brain with a single bullet.
She valued her life dearly.
An hour later, Kui Xin finished her shooting training and returned to the office with Liu Kangyun.
As they ascended the stairs, Shu Xuyao, already working in the office, received an email from Headquarters.
Yadang prompted, “Captain Shu Xuyao, your team leader Wei Zhi has sent a mission notification letter. Please review it promptly and inform the Seventh Squad members about the task.”
“Understood.” Shu Xuyao opened the email.
Jiang Ming turned and asked, “What kind of mission?”
“I remember there were rarely additional missions needed during our time with the coastal security force.” Lan Lan rubbed her chin. “Is there some emergency situation?”
“Don’t rush; I’m reading it now,” Shu Xuyao said, carefully scanning the beginning of the email. “Just as Kui Xin and Liu Kangyun finished their training,”
Soon, the office door opened.
“Remarkable,” Liu Kangyun exclaimed admiringly as he entered the office. “It’s pure talent, a true sharpshooter!”
Kui Xin picked up a bottle of electrolyte water from the table, twisted it open, and slowly sipped. “Your compliments make me embarrassed… Have there been no emergencies today? It’s almost been a full day without any calls for help.”
“There were a few minor disputes, but the patrol teams handled them promptly.” Shu Xuyao looked up at Kui Xin’s slightly flushed face, which was sunburnt. “Take a seat and rest for a moment. We have a new mission to undertake.”
Kui Xin raised an eyebrow. “I thought life would continue peacefully without any disruptions.”
“We’re already quite busy with daily patrols and resolving conflicts. What more turbulence do you expect?” Lan Lan sounded incredulous. “Of course, fewer incidents are always better. Weren’t your frequent words recently, ‘How wonderful, yet another peaceful and beautiful day’?”
“Just some random musings.” Kui Xin sat down on her chair. “Captain, let’s discuss the mission.”
Today was August 6th.
It marked the fourth day since her return to the Second World and also the day when the installation of detonators at Mooring Harbor was completed, with preparations set for the planned explosion.
Theoretically, the blast would occur either tonight or tomorrow night—neither too early nor too late. If detonated too early, it would allow time for the port to be repaired, enabling the Kraken to still dock there. Conversely, if delayed too long, insufficient time would remain to handle contingencies such as the explosive mission’s failure.
Mechanical Dawn’s demolition operation had reached a critical juncture; its success or failure hinged upon this moment.
With a wave of his hand, Shu Xuyao enlarged the holographic screen projection before him, displaying the mission details to all members of the Seventh Squad.
“Our mission this time is maritime escort,” Shu Xuyao said. “The Kraken, carrying valuable cargo, is expected to dock at Black Sea City within the next week. Its captain claims their cargo ship frequently encounters pirate harassment and other illegal activities, requesting that Black Sea City’s Investigation Department dispatch a coastal security force for reception and escort duties.”
Kui Xin’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, a foreboding sense spreading within her heart.
“Do we need to board the ship?” Kui Xin asked. “Do you want to embark on the Kraken for the escort mission?”
“Yes, that’s what the mission description states,” Shu Xuyao replied. “Alongside us, there will be four other squads and several awakened beings executing this task together. It’s quite urgent; our departure time is tonight. We’ll take a helicopter to board the Kraken and provide defense, coordinating with the work of the escort ships.”