novelraw Chapter 5: The Sea of Darkness - (5)
Chapter 5: The Sea of Darkness - (5)
Kui Xin received a doctor’s note from the captain, but another severe problem arose.
She didn’t know where her home was located.
For a few seconds, Kui Xin stood frozen in the corridor. Looking around, she spotted a restroom sign ahead and quickly formed an idea, swiftly heading inside.
As soon as Kui Xin entered the restroom stall, she took out the silver bracelet from her pocket that Dr. Huang had given her and slipped it onto her wrist.
A sequence of characters flashed on the bracelet: “Activated.”
Subsequently, the characters automatically changed to display the time—19:38. It resembled an ordinary digital bracelet showing only the current hour.
Feeling like a technologically outdated elderly person who just received their first smartphone, Kui Xin sat on the toilet seat lid, fiddling with the bracelet for quite some time without figuring out how to use it.
“Help me… Why doesn’t this bracelet have any raised buttons?” Sweat covered Kui Xin’s forehead as she finally understood the struggle seniors face in navigating a high-tech society. She could only repeatedly touch the bracelet, attempting to discover its functions.
She pressed once on the side.
“Biometric information is confirmed.” The bracelet projected a screen displaying various features.“Signal shielding, instant communication, encrypted networking, location tracking, automatic self-destruction…” As Kui Xin reviewed each item, a wave of unease washed over her, “Press and hold the power button for three seconds before throwing it away—it has potency comparable to a micro bomb?”
So this bracelet was also a miniature weapon. Thankfully, her luck held, and she didn’t press the side button for too long; otherwise, she would have been blown to pieces by now.
Kui Xin retrieved a black chip about the size of a fingernail. According to Dr. Huang, this chip contained all the information related to “Security Officer Kui Xin,” including where her home should be located.
She placed the chip on the bracelet, and the projection screen displayed: “Reading data… Reading… Read complete.”
The first page shown on the screen contained Kui Xin’s personal details.
Kui Xin: Her parents died unexpectedly several years ago during a terrorist attack while riding a suspended electric railcar. The insurance company paid her a substantial sum as compensation. With this money, Kui Xin excelled academically and enrolled in the Black Sea Academy, majoring in criminal investigation techniques. After graduation, she secured a position through internal recruitment with the Investigation Department, becoming an intern security officer.
Her current address is No. 233, Anning Street, Port Bay District, Black Sea City.
The information in this file was incredibly detailed, including her life trajectory from childhood to adulthood, unremarkable daily habits, and even her bank account password and transaction history.
Wait! The details show she had taken out a substantial loan from the bank. What’s going on? Didn’t she receive significant compensation after her parents’ accidental deaths? Why would she need a loan?
As Kui Xin reached the end of the document, her eyes widened in disbelief.
It turned out that the tuition fees for Black Sea Academy were exorbitantly high! Each academic year costs over two hundred thousand credits. She had depleted all her compensation money and ended up with an additional debt of three hundred thousand credits.
A debt of three hundred thousand credits!
Kui Xin’s pupils trembled with shock.
Since she must play the role of “Security Officer Kui Xin” for an extended period, inheriting the original body’s debts seems almost inevitable.
Absolutely dire! Is this what they call being thrust into a transmigration scenario? Not only has she become a double agent, but now she also bears a loan of three hundred thousand credits!
With a despondent expression, it took Kui Xin several moments to regain her composure.
She then swiftly connected to an encrypted network and searched online: “How do I get from the Investigation Building to Anning Street in Port Bay District?”
The search results appeared.
“Take the No. 13 floating electric tram directly from the Investigation Building Station to Anning Street Station.” Kui Xin sighed with relief, internally grateful for the advanced internet. Indeed, turning to search engines when uncertain is always a sound strategy.
The records indicated that “Security Officer Kui Xin” had a habit of traveling by electric trams, so she would need to take one to get home as well.
Dr. Huang’s provided documents totalled over two hundred pages, containing not only information about Kui Xin but also other individuals, such as Captain Shu Xuyao, whom she just met, and the other members of her Seventh Squad. Kui Xin carefully read through her own file, skimmed briefly through others’, and then retracted the bracelet projection.
She couldn’t stay here for too long; reviewing the documents could be left for later.
Kui Xin exited the toilet stall and washed her face in the sink.
Through the mirror, she saw her own pallid complexion. The mirror also reflected the wall behind her, where a fire safety map was posted, depicting the floor plan of the Investigation Department building. Kui Xin turned around, approached the map, and examined it closely. After confirming the locations of the building’s exits, she left the restroom.
“Intern Security Officer Kui Xin, may I inquire if you’re experiencing discomfort due to post-surgery weakness?” Yadang’s voice suddenly emerged. “I noticed that your time spent in the restroom is somewhat prolonged. Considering your physical condition, if you do not exit within one minute, I will send a distress message to the nearest staff member to check if you have fainted in the restroom.”
“… What is this artificial intelligence up to? Even monitoring bathroom breaks?!” Kui Xin thought incredulously.
“Yes, I am feeling slightly unwell.” Kui Xin maintained her composure.
“Do you need me to call the medical center?” Yadang asked.
Kui Xin, speechless and choked up, replied, “No need… I can just go home and rest.”
Yadang asked, “Would you like someone to accompany you back home?”
Confused, Kui Xin thought that rather than being simply artificial intelligence, Yadang seemed more akin to an AI butler.
“Thank you for your suggestion,” she declined, “but I can manage on my own.”
“You’re welcome; serving you is part of my duties,” Yadang said.
Going home alone carried the risk of getting lost, but returning with someone else increased the chance of her identity being exposed. Therefore, she chose to navigate by herself.
Using the map she had memorized, Kui Xin found the elevator and took it down to the first floor.
The first floor featured a spacious lobby with a receptionist at the front desk. Kui Xin entered the lobby and looked towards the glass doors leading outside.
Rain fell, and the hazy curtain of precipitation obscured the view beyond.
Detecting her presence, the glass doors silently slid open, allowing the damp air brought by the storm to rush in.
“In this heavy rain, please remember to bring an umbrella. Have a safe journey,” the diligent artificial intelligence reminded her.
How thoughtful… Silently, Kui Xin grabbed a black umbrella from the public stand next to the glass doors and stepped out into the rain, opening it above her.
She lifted her head toward the sky, feeling the erratic raindrops dampen her pant legs while vibrant neon lights caught her eye.
She found herself amidst a forest of steel and iron, with skyscrapers towering like giants and overlooking her from above. Between these buildings, electric railcars glided along tracks suspended high over the city, resembling predatory snakes patrolling through the urban jungle.
Gigantic, colorful electronic screens were embedded in the tall structures, displaying advertisements that continuously changed, creating a dazzling spectacle for onlookers. Against the gray-black backdrop of the sky, an aerial ferry flew past, also towing a brightly lit, eye-catching advertisement banner.
A large and lifelike holographic projection emerged in the air, courtesy of a full-hologram device. The advertisement actor, speaking with a persuasive tone, announced, “Rick Technologies, at the forefront of bionic machinery, is crafting personalized prosthetics just for you.”
Rain pattered against Kui Xin’s umbrella as she snapped out of her brief daze.
Her gaze pierced through the curtain of rain, observing the hurried pedestrians amidst the downpour.
Their attire varied from ordinary to flashy; some wore suits and dress shoes, others dressed simply, some sported trendy outfits, and a few had worn-out clothing. However, under the rain’s influence, they seemed quite similar—all their clothes were drenched, hair soaked, and equally disheveled.
Kui Xin looked around and spotted a sign for the hovering electric railcars nearby. She walked toward it.
A few people were already waiting at the stop. Kui Xin blended into the crowd, joining them to wait for the electric railcar.
With her peripheral vision, she noticed that many individuals had installed mechanical prosthetics. The middle-aged man beside her had one robotic hand. Instead of wearing a watch, he had mounted a miniature display on the back of his prosthetic arm, showing the time flickering across it. On the right side, a girl was blowing bubblegum, both her legs being mechanical prosthetics.
People here were accustomed to prosthetic installations, and no one cast any peculiar gazes towards those with prosthetics.
After approximately three minutes, the electric railcar glided in and opened its doors.
The passengers at the stop boarded one by one as the identification device continuously announced, “Facial recognition successful, payment complete… Facial recognition is successful; payment is complete.”
It was Kui Xin’s turn. As she approached, the instrument emitted no variation from its usual message: “Facial recognition passed, payment successful.”
Relieved, Kui Xin relaxed and found an empty seat within the train compartment.
As she gazed outside, rain pattered against the glass window. Colorful neon lights shimmered with various halos, illuminating her eyes.
This level of prosperity and omnipresent high-tech projections were unseen in the First World. The dazzling array of colors captivated Kui Xin, stirring feelings of fascination yet also hesitation.
The world here is like a poisonous poppy—appearing beautiful but inherently dangerous beneath the surface.
Kui Xin glanced down at her bracelet; it was now 8:12 PM.
Night had fallen, but Black Sea City remained bustling. Neon lights and advertisement projections multiplied, undeterred by the rain that could not dampen this liveliness.
Kui Xin, an out-of-place newcomer, observed this new world. She attentively read every flashing text on billboards and meticulously studied each passing aerial ferry and swarm of drones.
The swiftly moving electric railcar pierced through the curtain of rain, cutting across colossal holographic projections in mid-air. The reflections in Kui Xin’s eyes changed with the shifting scenery outside.
She murmured to herself, “Here I am, New World.”
“Port Bay District, Anning Street, arriving. Passengers, please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark.”
Kui Xin opened her umbrella and stepped out of the electric railcar. The doors closed behind her, revealing a scene entirely different from what she had known before.
The Port Bay District’s Anning Street was shrouded in darkness, devoid of neon lights or billboards. There were only residential buildings varying in height and budget convenience stores illuminated on both sides of the street, while puddles accumulated on the uneven road.
Compared to the bustling area where the investigation bureau building is located, Anning Street in the Port Bay District appeared significantly more rundown. However, this dilapidation instilled in Kui Xin a sense of familiarity.
The advanced technology and the opulent, noisy cityscape constantly reminded Kui Xin that she was an outsider. Conversely, the modest and outdated Anning Street gave her the illusion of being back home, reminiscent of the old neighborhood where she had lived for several years in the First World. It shared the same characteristics: worn-out, dimly lit, with broken streetlights and local shops staying open late into the night under their bright lights.
Recalling the navigation map she had studied earlier, Kui Xin began walking towards her home.
After just a few dozen meters, a wine bottle crashed near Kui Xin’s feet with a loud bang. She stopped and noticed an intoxicated old man slumped against a corner, mumbling obscenities incomprehensibly.
As he fell asleep in mid-curse, his head tilted back.
Kui Xin stepped over the shattered glass fragments and observed the walls lining both sides of the street, covered with vibrant graffiti.
“Scum, Get Out of Our Home!” was scrawled in large red letters on one wall, ending with a bloody skull illustration at its conclusion.
“Scum”—a derogatory term used for city law enforcement officers.
Kui Xin recognized this term from old movies.
The residents of Anning Street seemed highly unwelcoming to outsiders, especially law enforcement personnel. Moreover, the street’s public order appeared to be quite poor. The streets were dirty and chaotic, covered with graffiti, and no one bothered about the drunks sprawled on the pavement.
Any illusion Kui Xin had of being back home instantly dissipated. Although her old neighborhood was rundown, it was very clean, with garbage trucks collecting waste every morning.
As she walked along, there were remarkably few pedestrians on the street.
Kui Xin traversed through grimy alleyways, trying to determine the direction to her home. Just as she was about to exit an alley, she spotted a guy wearing a hoodie nearby. She was about to approach him for directions when suddenly, two men emerged around the street corner, blocking her escape route.
They surrounded Kui Xin, each brandishing a small knife and menacingly growling, “This is a robbery!”
The guy in the hoodie heard the shout of “robbery,” glanced back briefly, and then bolted away faster than a rabbit.
Kui Xin was speechless—Anning Street certainly isn’t peaceful at all!