“Chapter 100”

"Chapter 100"

"The elevator stopped at the 188th floor, which housed the central tower’s intelligence database, encompassing intelligence analysis and archival storage."

"Ark guessed that her presence on this floor was due to her passing the earlier test, and now she was here to access information about herself."

"Following Feixing, they stepped out onto this floor, stopping right at the entrance, with no chance for her to explore further."

"Entering the room, which was set up as a typical conference room, the person responsible for retrieving and explaining the data to Ark wasn’t the floor’s manager but an intelligence officer named Liu Zhen."

"Unlike Livai, the manager of the intelligence layer is essentially a walking database of information, possessing many core secrets, and naturally would not appear before someone of my minor rank."

"As Ark entered, the intelligence officer was gathering the paper documents on the desk. A fleeting glimpse of a photo on one of the documents seemed familiar to Ark, but the officer gathered them up too quickly for her to take a closer look."

"This time, Feixing didn't leave but stood beside her."

"'Hello, I am Liu Zhen,' the officer said listlessly, with a deadpan expression, 'This time, it's mainly to inform you about a certain individual's information.'"

"'Please remember, the information you are about to hear must not be disclosed to anyone outside of the participants of this mission, or you will bear the consequences.'"

"With such seriousness from the officer, Ark feigned a scared demeanor: 'Okay, I understand.'"

"After receiving her response, Liu Zhen began to relay information about Ark. The details weren't too elaborate, providing only a general overview of her abilities, with a particular emphasis on explaining her 'Imprisonment on the Spot' ability."

"'As Captain Wu Yuanbo said, you can locate enemies in space.'"

"'That is possible, but...' Ark feigned appropriate surprise at his description, 'There are such people in this world?'"

"Ark found it surreal to hear information about herself from someone else, having to adjust her expressions according to the situation."

"Honestly, it was a bit tiring to keep up the act."

"What puzzled Ark was that she had expected them to introduce Number One, her imminent target for tracking. However, after finishing with her, Ark waited a moment, confirming Liu Zhen had nothing more to add."

"Ark hesitantly said, 'This is too difficult for me, how can I help? You don't seriously expect me to risk my life, do you? If I had known I’d be facing such dangerous enemies, I would have preferred to stay in prison until death.'"

"Hearing such a defeatist response, Liu Zhen's face briefly showed a hint of contempt, as if thinking Ark, this newcomer from Gang Harbor, was foolishly ignorant. Regardless of her willingness to 'sell her life,' having come here and learned this information, the only option before her was a forced choice."

"Internally, Liu Zhen understood the important role Ark played here. Without intimidating her, he offered a direct incentive: 'If this operation succeeds, you'll be a top contributor. You can work inside the tower. Money and power will flow to you like water. This is the highest you can reach as a citizen of Gang Harbor.'"

"'Oh?' Ark feigned being enticed, 'From what you say, I might just want to try my luck. Who doesn't love those two things?'"

"'I will assist you,' Feixing suddenly interjected, 'You just need to bring me to her.'"

"Ark glanced at him and exaggerated, 'Oh my! Then you must protect me, Commander Feixing. You must be very capable to work here. I can only track people and want nothing more than to stay alive.'"

"'I...' Feixing was momentarily speechless, his expression turning oddly animated – the most lively Ark had seen him in the past half-day."

"Compared to Miko Le and the others, he truly knew nothing but capturing people. He relied on a bunch of support equipment for self-defense in combat. Miko Le always told him not to lag behind. How could someone actually need his protection?"

"Liu Zhen: '...'"

"Closing his eyes briefly, Liu Zhen said, 'That's the situation. Do you understand? Follow the instructions from the Defense Bureau. They will coordinate with you. Your main task is just to bring Feixing to her.'"

"His job was merely to inform Ark of the procedure. After understanding these details,"

"Feixing took her back to the elevator, which finally stopped ascending and began descending, eventually reaching the first floor, marking the end of Ark’s 'tower journey.'"

"After bringing her down a level, Feixing didn’t leave. Ark asked curiously, 'Why are you still following me?'"

"He hesitated before responding, 'The mission has already started. We now need to go to Qianjiang City.'"

"Ark: '...'"

"Just then, Wu Yuanbo's call came through. Ark answered and heard his calm voice, 'You and Feixing are to go directly to the Qianjiang City Defense Bureau. Someone will meet you there.'"

"They seemed to be in quite a hurry, as if all preparations were already in place. She was the final piece in this chess game; once she was confirmed to be reliable, the entire strategy was set, only execution remained."

"'Understood, Captain Wu,' Ark replied."

"The simulated rain had stopped, leaving the sky clear with a somewhat artificial-looking rainbow hanging high."

"Feixing drove her straight to the Qianjiang City Defense Bureau. The two cities were close; it took less than an hour to reach their destination."

"The person who came out to meet them was the red-haired captain Ark had seen before while locating Number One."

"She still looked lethargic, speaking in a lifeless tone, 'You two got here pretty fast.'"

"'I am the captain of the special squad at the Qianjiang City Defense Bureau, Rue Pan.'"

"'Hello, hello, Captain Rue, I'm Yinshui.'"

"'Come in with me.'"

"Ark and Feixing followed Rue Pan into the Defense Bureau."

"The layouts of the Qianjiang and Mingang City Defense Bureaus were similar, but Mingang City’s decor, located in a central area, was somewhat superior."

"Strangely, she didn’t see many other officers along the way. Was it because the Qianjiang City Defense Bureau was understaffed, or had they been dispatched elsewhere?"

"While observing, Ark followed Rue Pan into the office of the special squad."

"'What do I need to do?' Ark asked straightforwardly."

"'The specifics should have already been explained to you at the tower, so I won’t go into detail,' Rue Pan said, turning to another team member, 'Xiang Meng, take her to the armory to select some suitable weapons.'"

"'Okay, Captain Rue,' Xiang Meng turned to Ark, 'Follow me, please.'"

"Ark followed Xiang Meng, with Feixing trailing closely behind them. It seemed his role was not only as a partner but also as a watchdog."

"Leaving the office, Xiang Meng glanced back at Feixing, then couldn't help but ask Ark, 'I heard you're from Gang Harbor? Just joined the Mingang City Defense Bureau a few days ago? And today you went to the central tower?'"

"Ark saw a hint of Geng Yi in her and replied, 'Oh, you know about that? Yes, that’s right.'"

"Xiang Meng gave her a thumbs-up, genuinely impressed, 'Impressive.'"

"Compared to the discrimination Ark faced in Mingang City from its residents towards Gang Harbor, the atmosphere in Qianjiang City was much more favorable."

"'Do you know what our mission is about?' Ark asked Xiang Meng."

"Xiang Meng shook her head, 'No idea. The higher-ups haven’t told us anything, just to follow orders.'"

"Ark's eyes deepened in thought. The more people knew about her ability in this world, the more likely it was to stir up trouble. She guessed not many were privy to it yet."

"She followed Xiang Meng through several layers of identity verification into the Defense Bureau's armory. The array of weapons was dazzling, far more extensive than what she had seen in Shelter 001."

"Unfortunately, Ark’s mind wasn’t on the weapons. She selected a few life-saving auxiliary equipments and a lightweight gun."

"'That’s all for now.'"

"Passing a restroom, Ark stopped and told Xiang Meng, 'I need to use the restroom.'"

"'Okay, I'll wait outside for you.'"

"Feixing moved to follow, but Ark smiled, 'Are you going to follow me into the restroom too?'"

"Feixing: '...'"

"Ark entered the restroom with the weapons, securing the gun in her waistband. She inspected the facilities, checking for any devices, and after confirming everything was clear, she took out the blood sample vial she had brought with her."

"Raising her hand to the vial's opening, the wire vipers emerged from her palm, forming droplets around the object. As Ark aimed at the vial, the vipers opened their grasp, allowing a drop of blood to fall into the storage tube."

"This was the blood sample she had licked during the test at Livai's, which she had stored in her body using the wire vipers."

"The number 0728 caught her attention too much. If it was a date, it coincided with the day she left the White Whale District and the day Fang Xunjiang was captured."

"Coincidence or not, Ark took the initiative to bring the blood sample with her."

"After completing these steps, she used the wire vipers to wrap the storage tube and carry it with her as she walked out of the restroom. Feixing immediately followed her back to the special squad's office."

"Rue Pan had already brought the blood sample over. She opened the storage box and handed the vial to Ark."

"'Just to clarify, I can only track the same person once per day, with a duration of three hours,' Ark emphasized again."

"'We're already aware of that.'"

"Ark licked the blood sample, closing her eyes to sense the target's location in her mind. As the location solidified, she nearly lost control of her expression, her fingertips trembling. She forced it down, curling her fingers and lowering her hand."

"—This was not Number One's blood sample, but her own!"

"When exactly had it been taken?"

"Had they been investigating her true identity these past few days? How did they conclude that the chaos in the White Whale District was caused by her, a supposedly useless old human?"

"No wonder Liu Zhen at the tower hadn't provided any information about Number One. The target of this blood sample wasn't him at all!"

"Ark knew this day would come, but it had arrived too soon. The enemy's proximity urged her to hasten her steps."

"The sudden revelation of her true identity forced her to first understand why."

Ark opened her eyes, looking at the map of Qianjiang City, her mind racing as she tried to recall any slip-ups in her identity and potential entry points for them.

In a flash of inspiration, she remembered the attempt to clean Number One's marks, the attempt to track the psychic imprint that bit her, and the sudden headache she experienced yesterday at noon.

Previously, Ark’s psychic imprints and suggestions on others had never been cleaned, so she was unsure if touching the imprint would alert the owner.

Only now did she realize that her sudden headache was due to her suggestion imprints being cleaned.

Whose psychic imprint was cleaned?

There weren't many characters she had used psychic control on, it couldn't be Lei Qie or the examiners from the Joint Defense Bureau.

To deduce she was Ark from cleaning the psychic imprint, it had to be someone she had used her powers on and who had seen her real face.

She left no traces in the White Whale area, having destroyed the helicopter's surveillance before using her abilities on Meng Xihen, so this aspect of her powers never entered their purview.

But there were two exceptions before she entered Shelter 004.

One was Caesar from Shelter 001, whom she had psychically controlled. However, from previous indications, it was clear that Caesar had not reported her information to the Central.

From the forum information, she knew that the Central didn't even know that Lu Feilan had joined Shelter 001 after leaving Shelter 004. The records she left in Shelter 001, with Fang Xunjiang's help, were all falsified.

The other instance was in Shelter B-021, where she subdued the Motherface Demon. There, she used the Vine Insect’s psychic control to blur the memories of those team members.

At that time, her means were limited, and she inevitably left this more apparent vulnerability, but she didn’t leave any visual evidence there, and the Night Watchers couldn’t even clearly remember her disguised appearance.

Under those circumstances, they wouldn’t find much and wouldn’t focus too much on a small shelter like B-021.

Paradise wouldn’t overly interfere with matters outside of it. Even if they knew there might have been psychic influence, a high-ranking Governor wouldn’t bother with such minor, unnamed incidents, likely burying the information deep and forgotten.

Since her A-class ability of the Vine Insect could receive feedback, let alone the opponent's S-class.

The Governor could have sensed these, and at that time, would have known that the faction which abducted Number One included a psychic. Her subsequent self-staging linked with Number One made it logical to associate her with psychic powers.

With this premise, those analyzing intelligence would dig up all the reports from the past few months suspected of psychic control.

"This included the risks left behind at B-021."

"Ark realized who the familiar document on the 188th floor belonged to; it was Jiang Qi, the Night Watchman who had led her into B-021."

"She must have met the Governor, who could erase memories and obliterate self-awareness, and perhaps even retrieve memories."

"That night, Ark had switched between Tunguska Vine's disguise and mental control. In the face of detailed memories, even the fastest switch was insignificant."

"Having figured out the reason for her identity exposure, Ark felt relieved. If it was based on old information, the exposure wasn’t unexpected."

"Knowing her true identity, it was within Ark's expectations that they would have her blood sample, given her numerous cooperations in old human research experiments at the central tower."

"'Where is the location?' After a prolonged silence, Rue Pan took the initiative to ask."

"'Here, in the basement,' Ark pointed to a location on the map, right at Leite's headquarters."

"If Jin Xie were there, he would probably curse at her all day for exploiting him to the fullest, utterly shameless!"

"Seeing the location Ark pointed out, Rue Pan felt it was both expected and unexpected. They had thoroughly investigated and searched Leite, thinking the target wouldn't return to the previously discovered location. Were they still under their noses?"

"'You two go first. If you can take the target away quietly without letting them use their abilities, that would be ideal,' Rue Pan coughed slightly, 'Of course, I know the likelihood of this is slim.'"

"She even thought it was somewhat underestimating Eris to suggest such a possibility."

"'What about you?' Ark asked."

"'We have our own tasks to perform.'"

"They still didn't trust her, not revealing the full plan but only assigning her the designated role, similar to Xiang Meng and the others."

"Xiang Meng handed Ark a communication earpiece, saying, 'This is central system assistance. With this, you can contact it and your teammates.'"

"They were well-prepared this time, having upgraded the central system overnight, which could manage Qianjiang City for half a day."

"Ark was curious to see what their real intentions were."

"She nodded, accepting the earpiece and putting it on. A rigid mechanical voice came through, 'Officer Yinshui, hello. Central system Jacob at your service.'"

Ark felt uneasy, saying to Rui Pan, “Then Captain Fei Xing and I will head off now.”

After dividing their tasks, Ark and Fei Xing drove a regular vehicle towards Leight Limited Company.

Following Rui Pan's instructions, they didn’t use a Joint Defense Bureau vehicle to avoid alarming anyone. As Ark and Fei Xing approached the location she mentioned, Rui Pan’s voice came through the communicator, “Don’t enter through the main entrance, find another way in.”

“There’s a side entrance 50 meters to the east that you can use,” Jacob also reminded at that time.

Ark: "......"

They hadn’t reported their location, yet the other side knew her exact actions, showcasing the function of the Central System.

“Got it, Captain Rui.”

Leight Company had already ceased operations due to official pressure in the past two days. The whole building was nearly empty, so Ark led Fei Xing towards its basement.

“What’s the situat…” Rui Pan’s voice was cut off.

The communicator suddenly disconnected, Fei Xing puzzled, said, "Hello… uh!"

Suddenly, he leaned back violently, feeling a choking sensation in his throat.

It was Ark.

Ark rapidly closed in on Fei Xing, using her speed to her advantage. She grasped his neck with her hand, applying force with the Wire Python. Simultaneously, the Wire Python swiftly extended from her hand, instantly covering Fei Xing's remaining eye.

Fei Xing was unguarded against her, and her movements were both sudden and swift. He couldn't react in time.

However, he had numerous auxiliary devices on his body, especially covering both hands. Realizing he was under attack, the devices on his arms immediately activated, intending to launch an attack on Ark.

Knowing Fei Xing well, Ark didn’t overlook this. After covering his eyes, countless Wire Pythons emerged from her, forming strong ropes that restrained and secured his hands behind his back.

Ark gripped the auxiliary devices on his wrists with her hands, applying Lu Feilan's material construction technique to his arm devices.

The structure of Fei Xing’s hand devices became clear in her mind upon her touch, and she swiftly damaged their critical components.

A few sizzling electric sounds followed, and two arm guards fell from Fei Xing’s sleeves.

Many of his devices were protective, so Ark couldn’t attack his hands directly with the Wire Python or other weapons.

"Resorting to material construction, Ark considered directly damaging Fei Xing's hands with Lu Fei Lan's ability to nullify his resistance. However, she still needed Fei Xing for her next move, so she compromised and only destroyed his equipment."

"With his primary hand equipment neutralized, Ark used the Line Python-woven hands to thoroughly search him, confiscating any conspicuous auxiliary devices. Finally, she used some of the Line Pythons to tie him up securely before easing the pressure around his throat."

"Apart from being physically restrained, Fei Xing's remaining eye was also covered, leaving him in darkness. He coughed a few times, gasping for air."

"After a moment, his voice, trembling slightly, asked Ark, 'Who are you really?'"

"Ark didn't answer him. She pulled out her communication device and began communicating with the Beast, sensing its transmitted location information."

"The entire Defense Bureau of Qianjiang City, perhaps even more than just them, had mobilized, encircling the area where Ark had set up her confinement."

"Realizing this, Ark commanded the Beast to expand its territory again. As the area grew, new personnel began surrounding the new perimeter."

"In the air and on the ground, they spread out in circles, continuously converging on her location. With so many people involved, it was clear that it wasn’t just the Qianjiang City Defense Bureau."

"Ark realized their intention. If 'Yinshui' and Feixing failed to capture 'Ark,' they were prepared to confront her directly, determined to force her true self to surface."

"It seemed she needed to take action ahead of schedule."