novelraw Chapter 87: Artificial Souls - (14)
Chapter 87: Artificial Souls - (14)
“Kui Xin!” Holding his gun, Yu Liang sprinted towards her, followed by a group of security officers.
“Captain Yu.” Kui Xin raised her weapon and pointed it at the woman curled up in the corner. “A live captive.”
Yu Liang turned and gave instructions to the people behind him: “Take her away and escort her to the Bureau’s detention center for interrogation.”
“Taking only her might not be enough,” Kui Xin said. “The Variant Blood we were chasing is likely a dwarf disguised as that woman’s child. They must have been in contact for a long time. Many people live in the landfill; some may have seen them together and have insights. We need to bring along this woman’s neighbors for joint interrogation; perhaps we can glean some information.”
“That makes sense.” Yu Liang raised his eyebrows and looked at the assisting security officers. “Did you hear that? Go carry out the task.”
After those security officers handcuffed the woman on the ground and escorted her away, Yu Liang said, “So that Variant Blood had superhuman abilities? Tell me about it in detail.”
“Her ability was quite peculiar. At the time, since we couldn’t locate the Variant Blood we were chasing, I suspected that either it had escaped or it was disguising itself. The only one who hadn’t undergone the wound test was the child, so I planned to have the child inflict a self-inflicted cut for testing, ensuring no suspect would go unchecked,” Kui Xin calmly explained. “But just as I was about to make that ‘little girl’ perform the test, she suddenly played up her pitifulness, and foolishly, I believed her… It felt like my mind was clouded by something. Only after the ‘little girl’ had walked far away did I come to my senses.”
“Psychic-based superhuman abilities are truly unpredictable; their activation is often very covert,” Yu Liang said. “It’s somewhat unfortunate that we didn’t leave any survivors for interrogation. However, given the circumstances at that moment, it wasn’t possible to spare anyone.”
“Her ability must have had flaws; I was misled for only a brief period,” Kui Xin remarked. “If I had managed to overcome her influence quicker, our companions wouldn’t have died.”
“You lack experience in countering psychics, so this isn’t your fault,” Yu Liang calmly stated. “Deaths are quite common occurrences.”Kui Xin re-read Deception’s description once more.
“You have a certain probability of making the other party unconditionally believe your lies within a limited timeframe and be influenced by your emotions. Deception’s success rate is random, and its duration is affected by factors such as the target’s willpower and the credibility of the lie.”
These descriptions were highly worth analyzing.
“Unconditionally believe your lies”—unconditional!
In other words, regardless of the lies Kui Xin told, deception has a certain chance of being effective. Even if she claimed, “My true identity is actually the child of Krypton,” as long as the success probability was triggered, the other party would believe her lie.
The success probability of Deception is entirely random, while its duration is influenced by other factors.
“Success probability” and “duration” are described separately, indicating they exist independently. If Deception fails to trigger successfully, there’s no need to consider the issue of duration because it simply hasn’t taken effect. Only when the deception succeeds should one account for its duration.
For instance, if Kui Xin lied to someone, claiming she was an alien, this lie would be highly implausible. Additionally, if her listener had a strong will, then the duration of the lie would be very short.
In Kui Xin’s case, just minutes ago, the lie’s duration was indeed brief. It could only suggest that the Variant Blood individual was lucky, triggering the success probability at the right moment and ensnaring her effectively.
To summarize, Deception is a skill heavily reliant on luck. The success probability might function similarly to drawing cards in games—some players consistently get fortunate outcomes, while others remain perpetually unlucky. Whether it succeeds or not seems entirely based on chance, with no guaranteed fallback.
If it took effect, it would be a divine skill; even if not fully successful, it could still slow down the opponent’s thinking for a few seconds. However, if it didn’t work at all, there would be no impact whatsoever, making it practically equivalent to having nothing.
“Based on this training session, you’ve proven yourself as a competent fighter,” Yu Liang said. “Although you’re somewhat inexperienced in certain areas, overall, you’re doing well. Once we capture the Variant Blood, our mission will essentially be complete. Ah, remember one more thing: the blood that forms after a Variant Blood’s death is also a sample and must be collected.”
As Yu Liang spoke, he pulled out two thin glass tubes from his pocket and retrieved a pair of sterile gloves from a sealed bag, putting them on. He then demonstrated to Kui Xin how to take samples.
After completing the sampling, Yu Liang stood up and securely stored the glass tubes.
“Do we need to search the house where the Variant Blood resided?” Kui Xin asked.
“Certainly,” Yu Liang replied. “Let’s go back to that place.”
The two of them approached side by side in front of the dilapidated tin shack.
Inside the tin shack, everything was clearly visible—a few battered boxes used for storage, a wooden plank bed, a chair, and a table with worn-out corners.
Kui Xin sniffed and detected a very faint scent of decay in the air. It was almost imperceptible at the doorway; only upon entering the room could she discern it.
“It’s the odor of decaying corpses,” Yu Liang said, drawing from his extensive experience. “The smell of decaying bodies. Have you encountered it before?”
“In my brief career so far, I haven’t come across highly decomposed bodies. Is this how they smell?” Kui Xin asked. “I’ve seen fresh corpses and smelled the metallic tang of blood, but this scent…”
“Remember this odor. The stench of decaying corpses is distinct from other forms of decay. When hidden amidst garbage piles, it can be difficult to distinguish, but experienced individuals can identify it,” Yu Liang explained. “Take a few more sniffs and commit it to memory.”
“One more whiff and I’ll throw up last night’s dinner,” Kui Xin grumbled sarcastically.
“That just means you’re not yet accustomed to it,” Yu Liang replied.
He sniffed around, then kicked aside the wooden bed frame in the room.
As expected, beneath the bed lay a corpse, tightly wrapped in several layers of plastic sheeting secured with ropes. Surrounding it were various items haphazardly placed for deodorizing purposes.
Kui Xin frowned in disgust.
“Judging by the size of the shroud, the deceased was a child,” Yu Liang said, his brow also furrowed. “Did the Variant Blood kill the woman’s child and then use psychic abilities to control her while living as its substitute in this room? Couldn’t the people around the landfill notice?”
“The woman seemed mentally unstable,” Kui Xin remarked. “Is it possible that her child had already died, she couldn’t accept the reality, and thus became mentally disturbed, allowing the Variant Blood to take advantage of her vulnerability? Based on my experience, the Variant Blood’s ability doesn’t have such a profound impact as to induce mental instability. Perhaps she was already mentally disturbed beforehand.”
“Anything is possible before performing an autopsy. Interrogating the living should help to clarify some aspects.” With one hand, Yu Liang lifted the shroud, expressing disdainfully, “Damn, I hate moving corpses the most… Kui Xin, you carry it.”
“… Just because you dislike it, does that mean I enjoy it?” Kui Xin retorted.
“Heh,” Yu Liang chuckled. “But I’m your captain! Your instructor, your superior—you have to listen to me. There’s no one else available right now, so you’ll have to do the carrying.”
Well, as a newcomer with a lower rank than Yu Liang, what could she do? She simply had to carry it.
Expressionless, Kui Xin gripped the rope tied around the shroud and hoisted it onto her shoulder, following Yu Liang away.
As they climbed into the hovering police car, Kui Xin felt a lingering stench of decay on herself, eager to return to the Investigation Department’s rest area for a shower.
From the driver’s seat, Yu Liang asked, “Task accomplished. Any thoughts?”
“Not really. It’s just like previous tasks; completing them is all that matters,” Kui Xin said. “Captain Yu, your teachings may be straightforward and brutal, but I understand that executing missions requires this simplicity and assertiveness. Otherwise, the ones suffering would be ourselves.”
“As long as you get it.” Yu Liang pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his combat suit pocket, extracted one, and placed it between his lips.
“Don’t smoke inside the vehicle,” Kui Xin reminded him.
“I know, I won’t light it up,” Yu Liang gnawed irritably on the cigarette. “I’ve quit smoking, but having this in my mouth feels comforting. Every time I completed a mission, I used to have a smoke.”
“Why did you suddenly quit?” Kui Xin asked, noting his apparent heavy reliance on cigarettes.
Yu Liang’s eyebrows drooped. “I got married; I have kids now. The child doesn’t allow me to smoke and complains about the smell.”
No wonder he showed mercy toward children. Kui Xin recalled how recently he had prevented the kids from undergoing wound tests. Apart from the reason that they couldn’t handle Divine Blood, this might have been another factor.
“Kui Xin, do you have any plans for your future?” Yu Liang suddenly asked.
“I wouldn’t have expected Captain Yu, with his rough demeanor, to discuss life aspirations with his subordinates.” Kui Xin raised an eyebrow, mimicking Adam’s manner of speaking. “Perhaps I shouldn’t view you through stereotypes; deep down, you’re quite sensitive.”
“Kui Xin,” Adam interjected, “do you have any grievances or criticisms regarding me?”
Kui Xin ignored Adam.
“You’re taking a jab at me, aren’t you?” Yu Liang glared at Kui Xin. “If you don’t want to talk about it, fine then.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, just that I’m somewhat surprised,” Kui Xin said. “I find it difficult to make long-term plans because there are too many immediate issues before me… If we’re talking about long-term goals, I only have one—to earn money.”
“Your family situation isn’t good, right?” Yu Liang commented. “It was written in your personal profile, mentioning debts amounting to hundreds of thousands?”
“Yes, that’s true,” Kui Xin acknowledged. “Owing money means slowly paying it off, but life will eventually improve.”
“Wanting to improve your living environment?” Yu Liang asked.
“Yes.” Kui Xin nodded. “Recently, I’ve been considering moving into the Investigation Department’s employee dormitory. My home is on Anning Street in the Port Bay District, which is quite far from my workplace. Commuting daily takes up a lot of time; staying at the employee dormitory would be more convenient.”
Yu Liang said, “That’s easy to arrange. Just write an application, and since you’ve been fully employed for some time now, why haven’t you moved in yet?”
“Well, because a few days ago, my assignment was patrolling the Port Bay District, making it actually closer to my home,” Kui Xin explained. “I’ll fill out the application form once I get back.”
Yu Liang stopped speaking further.
However, Adam spoke into Kui Xin’s earpiece, “He’s testing you, Kui Xin. This is a rather clumsy attempt, as Yu Liang isn’t known for his intellect. He has been with Lin Xinji for a long time, rising swiftly alongside him to reach his current position. If you show clear desires, vulnerabilities that can be exploited, or ambition to climb higher, it becomes much easier to recruit you.”
Yes, Kui Xin had also noticed Yu Liang’s probing, so she subtly revealed her longing for money and desire to change her living circumstances.
As for moving into the employee dormitory, this was Kui Xin’s devised solution to break free from constraints.
Long ago, Shu Xuyao had told her about the poor security situation in the Port Bay District and suggested she move into the employee dormitory, but Kui Xin never found an opportunity to relocate.
Living at her home on Anning Street meant constant interaction with Silver Mask, making it difficult to find time for personal activities. If she didn’t return home by curfew, Silver Mask would undoubtedly become suspicious. Moving into the employee dormitory would be much more manageable; Kui Xin could evade Silver Mask, escape Mechanical Dawn’s surveillance, distance herself from Eve’s sphere of influence, and remain within Adam’s territory.
Adam could help cover Kui Xin’s tracks and assist her in eliminating individuals on the death list.
As long as their partnership continued, Kui Xin would remain safe.
Upon returning to the Investigation Department, Kui Xin swiftly went to the rest area to take a shower.
The pervasive, foul smell was truly unbearable. Only after washing up did Kui Xin feel that her sense of smell had returned to normal.
The morning passed quickly. During the lunch break, Kui Xin filled out the application form for the employee dormitory and submitted it to Shu Xuyao.
“The approval should come through tomorrow. You can start packing your belongings today,” Shu Xuyao said. “Moving here is a good idea and much safer. The employee dormitories are located in an apartment building right next to the inspection building, very close and with decent surroundings.”
“Finally, I can move away from that rundown place,” Kui Xin said, relieved. “The streetlights on Anning Street are all broken, and nobody comes to fix them. Captain, how much money would it cost to buy a small house near the city center? I dare not even dream about the actual city center.”
“A small 40-square-meter apartment would cost three to five million yuan,” Shu Xuyao mused. “I’m not very familiar with these prices, so it might not be accurate.”
Kui Xin sighed, “Never mind; I’ll give up on such lofty hopes.”
“Once you reach my position, your monthly salary will be around fifty thousand yuan, plus commissions based on the number of field missions you undertake,” Shu Xuyao said. “To be honest, for ordinary individuals without any connections or resources, buying a house is indeed a very challenging endeavor.”
“My current monthly salary is just over ten thousand yuan, and reaching your captain’s position would likely take at least two to three years. Security officers retire in their early forties, with physical capabilities declining significantly by their mid-thirties, making it difficult to continue missions. No matter how I calculate it, it seems utterly hopeless,” Kui Xin remarked. “At least I still have a house on Anning Street; once I retire, that’s where I’ll live.”
Smiling, Shu Xuyao responded, “Thinking about retirement when your life has barely begun? You’re an awakened being, Kui Xin. Your future holds infinite possibilities—you won’t be trapped here. I wish you a swift escape from this unfavorable situation.”
“Thanks, Captain,” Kui Xin said. “Lunch break is over; I need to head back for training now.”
“Well done; go ahead,” Shu Xuyao replied warmly.
After work, Kui Xin faced another problem upon returning home.
She needed to explain to Mechanical Dawn why she was relocating from Anning Street to the Investigation Department’s employee dormitories.
Kui Xin contacted Wei Haidong via a communication device.
“Hello, ‘Dad’,” Kui Xin said. “I’m going to move away from Anning Street and relocate to the Investigation Department’s staff apartments.”
On the other end of the call, Wei Haidong frowned. “That’s somewhat inconvenient…”
“Hmm, I’m currently in a phase where my career is advancing,” Kui Xin explained. “My superiors have repeatedly suggested that I move into the staff accommodations, so it wouldn’t be wise for me to refuse too much. Additionally, it seems like the leaders of the Investigation Department are interested in recruiting me; I need to show a more proactive attitude.”
“Leaders? Who specifically?” Wei Haidong’s attention shifted. “Given your background, you would indeed catch their eye easily—an awakened being originating from civilian roots…”
“I’m not certain who it is. Today, there was emergency training, and the instructor overseeing me was a B-rank awakened being. During the session, he repeatedly tested me, leading me to suspect that someone else might be behind his actions,” Kui Xin said ambiguously. “A group leader lacks the authority to command a B-rank awakened being. It’s likely someone of higher rank wants to recruit me.”
“In that case, it’s for the best,” Wei Haidong replied. “This will benefit our operations. Continue gaining their trust and completing the tasks I’ve assigned you.”
“Alright,” Kui Xin agreed.
“Now that you’re moving into the employee dormitory, you obviously won’t be able to visit Headquarters here frequently anymore,” Wei Haidong murmured thoughtfully. “In cases of emergencies, contact Night Cicada for assistance.”
“I understand,” Kui Xin said.
After she ended the communication, Silver Mask, standing nearby, exclaimed in shock, “You’re moving out?!”
“Yes, indeed,” Kui Xin replied.
Even more astonished, Silver Mask asked, “Then where will I go?”
“You’ll need to find your own place to stay. If there’s any work to be done, I’ll contact you; otherwise, feel free to move about as you please,” Kui Xin explained. “This matter is quite straightforward. Why are you so surprised?”
Silver Mask sounded aggrieved. “Since I’m under your supervision and you’re moving away, you should at least make arrangements for me.”
“Now it’s taken care of. Any further questions?” Kui Xin looked at him.
“…None,” Silver Mask replied after a moment.
Kui Xin got up to pack her belongings, but Wei Haidong contacted her again.
“Xiao Xin, come by Headquarters one more time tonight,” Wei Haidong said. “I forgot to mention earlier; there is an additional matter that requires your attention, something very important.”
As Wei Haidong spoke, a deep blue vortex gradually opened in Kui Xin’s living room, indicating that Night Cicada had prepared the teleportation portal.
Kui Xin’s gaze darkened. “Alright, I’ll be right there.”