Chapter 24 The Fool Has Nothing (24)

Chapter 24 Fools Possess Nothing (24)

"This is the building schematics of the research station," Number Six said. "Look."

He raised his hand, his fingers elongating into slender, writhing tendrils that undulated slowly in the air.

Transparent filaments, thin as floating silk, secreted from their tips, swiftly and precisely weaving an intricate three-dimensional map. Drawing from the architect's memories, Number Six marked their current location on it.

Xu Jiu was made to sit on his lap, squirming uncomfortably.

Though Number Six had often held him before, wrapping him tightly with his prehensile limbs, that had been before he took on a humanoid form. Now that Number Six had "evolved to greater perfection," acquiring human features—albeit grotesque limbs—Xu Jiu found it increasingly awkward to remain seated on his lap.

Xu Jiu was thin but still of average height for a young man. Yet, cradled in the arms of the now-humanoid Number Six, he felt doll-sized, as if he could be reshaped at will.

"What's wrong?" Sensing his discomfort, Number Six lowered his head, his neck stretching like a serpent, his face curving close to Xu Jiu's cheek as he studied his expression. "Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

Xu Jiu: "..."

He had wanted to say, "You being like this already makes me very uncomfortable," but seeing the pure, innocent look in Number Six's eyes, along with his hopeful anticipation, how could he voice such words?

"N-no... I mean," he struggled for words, "I was just thinking, could we maybe change positions? Sitting like this is just... awkward."

Number Six's eyebrows leapt up in panic, his expression turning anxious.

"Why?" he asked urgently, tightening his grip around Xu Jiu. "Haven't we always been like this before? Don't you like me anymore? Did I do something wrong?"

Xu Jiu opened his mouth, speechless.

Before this, he had never been so intimately close to anyone—or any creature. Though he considered Number Six both an accomplice and a close friend, what exactly was the proper way for friends to interact? Xu Jiu didn’t know. This wasn’t knowledge one could learn from books; he could only feel his way forward, adapting as he went.

But seeing Number Six's reaction—how desperately he clung to their bond, how anxious he became over Xu Jiu’s slightest hesitation—Xu Jiu couldn’t help but soften. He shouldn’t make Number Six worry like this.

"That’s not what I meant," he sighed, deciding to brush past the issue and focus on something more important. "Where did you get this map? It’s incredibly detailed."

Number Six paused. He wouldn’t lie to his creator, but after assimilating Shi Yesheng, he had learned to phrase things more tactfully.

"From the human architects," *I devoured them, cross-referencing multiple memories to ensure the map’s accuracy.* "They guarded the blueprints closely, but I still managed to obtain them."

Xu Jiu marveled. "That’s amazing!"

Number Six preened, tightening his embrace around Xu Jiu before pointing out a route fluidly. "Right now, the humans have sealed off this area. According to their protocols, the research station is no one’s allowed out. But supplies from the outside have never stopped coming in. Look, here—beneath the tundra, Mobius has established a transport tunnel. We can use it to escape."

Xu Jiu listened in awe, murmuring, "You’ve really become... so..."

He struggled for words. Number Six no longer spoke in halting, fragmented phrases as before. Instead, his speech was smooth, his logic coherent—far surpassing most humans.

Number Six put on a human-like smile, pressing a kiss to the top of Xu Jiu’s head before marking another location. "If we take this route, we’ll likely encounter guards at these points. If we’re lucky, I’ll eliminate them all. If not, we might draw the attention of the Biomechs, which would be much more troublesome to deal with."

"How troublesome?" Xu Jiu asked hesitantly.

"It’ll take a lot longer," Number Six said. "Also, they taste bitter. Not exactly tasty."

He made a darkly humorous remark, then quickly checked Xu Jiu’s reaction.

Number Six had learned that humans were deeply empathetic creatures. They had idioms like "shedding crocodile tears" for mourning their own. If his creator showed signs of distress now, he would immediately apologize and explain that he had misspoken.

But Xu Jiu didn’t react negatively. He only frowned slightly and asked, "Any other issues?"

*He’s so good to me!*

Number Six immediately felt the preferential treatment and cheerfully continued, "At the tunnel entrance, we'll encounter three checkpoints and four newly added protective measures. Humans have deployed a fortress system called 'Sentinels.' I haven't fully figured out what it is yet, but human firearms and bullets are nothing to me."

"But I won't let you get hurt," Number Six added earnestly. "So, I'll capture a patrolling human beforehand, peel off their face, drink their blood, and use it to disguise you."

Xu Jiu couldn't quite picture the process and asked in stunned confusion, "How would that work?"

Number Six raised his hand, his shape-shifting bones rapidly dissolving as his skin stretched, extended, and fused into perfect human skin.

Soon, depressions and raised ripples appeared strangely on the skin, followed by deep-set eye sockets, a sculpted nose bridge, and full lips... Above his wrist, an uncannily realistic human face had already formed.

"Just like this," Number Six said eagerly. "I'll cover your head with it. Humans won't recognize you. You'll pass the checkpoint while I grab the pass. Once we swipe open the tunnel gate, we'll be free. Humans can't match my speed."

Xu Jiu's heart pounded wildly. He couldn't tell if it was excitement at the prospect of freedom or unease at the eerie abilities Number Six had just displayed.

"Besides this, we'll need some more preparations," Number Six withdrew his hand. "I need to eat more humans because the outside temperature is around minus forty degrees. I must grow larger to create a warm space inside me for you..."

His voice gradually softened, his eyes lowering in shame.

Even as the fusion of two powerful Homoforms, he couldn't guarantee the safety of his partner in the natural environment. This filled Number Six with unbearable humiliation—that he couldn't make all of Xu Jiu's wishes come true.

All he hoped was that his mate wouldn't be sad or disappointed in him.

Sensing Number Six's sudden mood change, Xu Jiu turned and saw his guilty expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently, cupping Number Six's face and brushing his fingers over the cool, silken hair at his temples. "Why the sudden melancholy?"

Number Six's lips trembled slightly, his eyelashes fluttering as he mumbled, "I'm still inadequate..."

Xu Jiu froze. After a moment of processing, he truly didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.

"What kind of nonsense is this!" He quickly straightened up. "We have time. I know this is difficult. Let's not rush—being safe is better, isn't it? How could I blame you?"

Seeing his brows still drooping unhappily, Xu Jiu had no choice but to mimic him, giving a quick kiss to Number Six's equally cool forehead.

Number Six immediately lifted his gaze, gazing up shyly at Xu Jiu through thick lashes.

The youth's lips were warm and soft, pressing twice against his skin—where they touched, it felt like it was burning...

Number Six asked in a small voice, "Really?"

Seeing him like this, Xu Jiu's heart melted. He knew that Number Six, like him, was just a big jellyfish who didn't know how to interact with friends.

So, he kissed him twice more and said firmly, "Of course. I'll never blame you."

Number Six remained expressionless, slowly clenching and locking the crop hidden behind his esophagus.

Ravenous hunger burned like scalding water, tormenting his body and mind. Number Six stared obsessively at the human's lips, every inch of his flesh vibrating, swollen nearly to bursting. The burning sensation spread like wildfire, drowning him in an endless sea of desire.

How could he resist the allure of his mate?

Though Xu Jiu found Number Six's gaze unsettling, making his skin crawl, he reasoned—how could Number Six ever harm him? So, he dismissed it as his own overthinking.

"The shift change is coming up this afternoon. I'm heading to work. Are you going to look for food?" Xu Jiu asked.

"No," Number Six replied. "I'll follow you."

Number Six, wearing Shi Yesheng's face, turned transparent again and trailed behind Xu Jiu, helping him clean the area and move heavy objects. Though the work was demanding these past two days, it wasn't as tedious as before—manageable, at least.

Four uneventful days passed. On the morning of the fifth day, Xu Jiu was unusually assigned to the office area. As he leisurely sorted discarded documents, feeding them into the shredder, he suddenly heard voices in the hallway.

"...Yeah, yeah, you're right. I'll take care of it right away... Oh! Got it, I'll remember that."

The tone was the usual bootlicking of a low-ranking employee, and the content was nothing special. Yet, for some reason, the voice made Xu Jiu frown involuntarily.

It sounded so familiar—had he heard it somewhere before?

The owner of the voice finished the call and walked toward the room where Xu Jiu was. Xu Jiu hadn’t planned to pay much attention, but after rummaging through the room for a while, the man turned around with a stack of files in his arms and suddenly exclaimed, "Xiao Xu! Hey, isn't this Xiao Xu... No. 6?"

Xu Jiu jerked his head up.

"Wu Zhiqiang?"

Someone from his past stood before him—the former No. 10, the only cleaner at the polar station who could be considered an acquaintance of Xu Jiu’s. Now, dressed in the uniform of a research assistant, Wu Zhiqiang stood before him, looking sharp and well-dressed.

Xu Jiu’s mouth fell open, and for a moment, he felt dazed.

That morning conversation with Wu Zhiqiang, trading dried fruit to clean oil barrels—though only a few months had passed, it now felt like a lifetime ago. Wu Zhiqiang had set him up, leading to him being kicked by the fat supervisor. In turn, Xu Jiu had taken Wu Zhiqiang’s place, sent down to the underground lab, nearly dying there, and ultimately meeting No. Six, who would change his fate forever.

"You... What are you doing here?" he mumbled.

Wu Zhiqiang let out a loud laugh and moved to slap him on the back. Xu Jiu quickly grabbed one of No. Six’s tentacles to stop him from doing something reckless.

After fully assuming human form, No. Six had developed an overwhelming possessiveness toward him. Over the past few days, Xu Jiu had seen it clearly—No. Six wouldn’t allow anyone to touch him. Even the cleaners who had merely brushed against him provoked undisguised hostility from No. Six, who seemed eager to eliminate them on the spot.

"Come, come, let’s talk over here, Xiao Xu!" Wu Zhiqiang, now full of himself, threw an arm around Xu Jiu and steered him toward a corner.

No. Six held back his venom. Though his expression had turned downright scary, since his partner had given the order, he had no choice but to endure for now, glaring darkly at the human who dared touch his partner so freely.

"To be honest, I did feel a little bad about what happened back then, haha... Ah, let’s not dwell on unpleasant things from the past, alright?" Wu Zhiqiang grinned smugly. "Look at me now—I’m somebody now… huh?"

He tilted his head back and proudly displayed his uniform. "Not bad, right?"

Xu Jiu found the man rather amusing, but he kept it to himself and only asked, "Brother Wu, how did you end up down here too?"

Wu Zhiqiang explained triumphantly, "Of course, it’s because your Brother Wu has good luck! A few days ago, I helped a researcher with something—don’t ask what! I won’t say. Confidentiality is key in our line of work. Because of that, the researcher took a liking to me, so he arranged for me to be his assistant and brought me down here. What do you think? Now I’m somebody!"

"Yeah, yeah," Xu Jiu held back a laugh and flattered him a little. "Congratulations on the promotion, Brother Wu."

Wu Zhiqiang first gave him a quick glance, then, noticing something off, scrutinized him more carefully.

After being well-fed and cared for by No. Six, Xu Jiu had put on some weight, his face no longer gaunt, his frame more balanced and pleasing to the eye—far from the skinny runt he used to be.

Wu Zhiqiang was baffled. What kind of magic potion had this kid taken?

"Perfect timing," Wu Zhiqiang continued. "My boss assigned me a task—see these files? Every afternoon at four, they need to be delivered to the main lab building aboveground, handed to the guards, processed—a pain in the ass... but there’s money in it! I know you can’t use money, so I’ll trade it for food for you. How’s that?"

Xu Jiu wasn’t sure if this sudden offer was good or bad. He held no fondness for Wu Zhiqiang—the man had set him up, though in the end, that misfortune had led to unexpected fortune. Still, subconsciously, Xu Jiu wanted to stay far away from him.

"Well..."

The moment he hesitated, Wu Zhiqiang said, "What, looking down on the job I’m giving you? Relax! For the next few days, you’ll only have to do this one task. I’ll handle things with the supervisor—isn’t that great? If it weren’t for our past connection and me feeling a bit guilty toward you, I wouldn’t even offer you such a good gig!"

With that, Xu Jiu couldn’t refuse. As Wu Zhiqiang had said, he was no longer just a fellow cleaner but a higher-ranking research assistant now. Xu Jiu had no choice but to accept the sealed file bags and nod.

"Alright, thanks, Brother Wu."

Only then did Wu Zhiqiang grin, pleased, and beckon him. "Come on, I’ll show you the route and get your ID badge registered so the guards won’t hassle you."

Following behind him, Xu Jiu whispered to himself, "Was he lying?"

"No," said Number Six, still resentful of Wu Zhiqiang's earlier friendly gesture toward Xu Jiu. "His heartbeat and body temperature didn't change. He's just a foolish human."

After a pause, he added unhappily, "I want to eat him."

Xu Jiu didn't know whether to laugh or scold him, so he could only sigh helplessly. "Hang in there. I won’t get close to him, so don’t be angry."

Holding the documents, he followed Wu Zhiqiang onto the transport vehicle and entered the above-ground area without hindrance. It had been months since Xu Jiu last set foot in the place where he once worked.

"Come here," Wu Zhiqiang beckoned. "Scan your ID badge. From now on, you’ll be responsible for delivering these documents every day, got it? Move fast and don’t slack."

Xu Jiu nodded meekly, registered his information, then walked into the building with the files. Following the directions of two guards, he arrived at a room.

"Put them in the cabinet over there," the guard instructed. "File them properly, and then you can leave."

"Okay," Xu Jiu replied.

Just as he turned toward the safe, while Wu Zhiqiang was still chatting cheerfully with the guard on the left, the two guards suddenly whipped out their guns and fired at Xu Jiu’s back without hesitation!

The gunfire roared, making Wu Zhiqiang scream in terror. In that split second, Number Six oozed out from Xu Jiu’s back like ink, his whiplike tendrils sharp as blades. With a swift flick, the crack of a sonic whip echoed, and sparks scattered—bullets too fast for the naked eye to track were sliced into fragments midair.

It was a trap.

Xu Jiu turned in panic. "Number Six—!"

But before he could finish, the floor dropped from under him.

A hidden mechanism activated instantly. Something powerful seized Xu Jiu’s ankle and wrenched him down violently.

The timing was flawless, the coordination seamless. In the thousandth of a second when Number Six’s attention was diverted by the guards’ ambush, Xu Jiu was snatched away, dragged beyond his protector’s reach.

The floor snapped shut. Number Six violently shattered his human form, melting into a seething nightmare—a howling monstrosity. He lunged at the smooth floor, his lashing tendrils filling the entire room. The two guards still firing, along with Wu Zhiqiang desperately yanking at the door behind them, were instantly reduced to mangled remains, splattering across the ground.

It was a trap!

Everything happened too fast. One moment, his mate had been safely behind him; the next, he had been taken right before his eyes. Only the empty floor remained, a testament to his carelessness, stupidity, and failure.

Number Six was berserk with rage. He ripped apart the floor mechanism, ignoring the wave of backup rushing in behind him, and dove into the escape tunnel—dug long ago, prepared specifically for Xu Jiu.

Author's Note:

The giant jellyfish: *spreads out a map, plotting with gusto* First we go here, then here, and then here...

Xu Jiu: *distracted by the fragrance of flowers, curiously sniffing* Hmm... hmm hmm...

Still Xu Jiu: *suddenly grabbed by a flower that grew arms, crying* Ah, I’ll never like flowers again!

The giant jellyfish: *turns around to find nothing behind him, also crying* Ah, where did my human go?!