radicalducati Chapter 31 Alien 2
Chapter 31 Alien 2
The shuttle "Albatross" traced a ghostly blue trail through the desolate depths of space, heading towards the faint, eerie, unknown signal point, Zeta. Inside the ship, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed as if water could be wrung out of it. The hellish experience on the Surakho was etched into everyone's hearts like a brand, while the unknown darkness ahead was like a gaping maw, waiting to devour everything.
Inside the main control room, Chu Xuan sat in the pilot's seat, his hands moving like phantoms across the control panel, retrieving the shuttle's limited detection data and fragments of encrypted logs downloaded from the Surako in its final moments. His gaze was focused, but a rare gloom hung over his brow. The analysis of the Zeta signal point was progressing slowly, its modulation method constantly changing, as if actively avoiding identification, or perhaps... sending some kind of invitation or warning.
Inside the medical pod, the atmosphere was even more oppressive. Zhang Jie was strapped to the only medical bed, his body connected to various makeshift vital sign monitors (pieced together from the shuttle's first-aid kit). His condition was extremely unstable; the dark red, crack-like lines beneath his skin writhed slowly like living things, sometimes bright, sometimes dim. Each change in brightness was accompanied by an unnatural twitch and a painful groan from his body. His body temperature was alarmingly high, his heart rate was erratic, and his breathing was sometimes rapid, sometimes weak.
Wang Lin sat on a chair beside the medical bed, his face pale, a fine layer of cold sweat covering his forehead. He gently placed one hand on Zhang Jie's forehead, his mental energy cautiously probing into the chaotic and turbulent depths of Zhang Jie's consciousness through the channel of "mental resonance." It felt like navigating a small boat in a storm; the slightest misstep would tear him to shreds. Zhang Jie's consciousness was currently filled with two completely different turbulent forces: one cold, lifeless, and rule-bound, belonging to the authority of the guide, but no longer under control, instead rampaging like a wild horse; the other hot, chaotic, filled with survival instincts and the mark of reincarnation's enhancement, the very foundation of Zhang Jie's existence, now instinctively resisting the erosion of the external force. The two forces clashed fiercely, tearing Zhang Jie's consciousness to shreds.
"No... the conflict is too intense... my mental energy can barely protect his core consciousness from dissipating, but it can't quell the conflict..." Wang Lin's voice was hoarse and filled with exhaustion. The continuous high-intensity use of mental energy, especially guiding Zhang Jie's power and the mental impact on the Queen mutant, had brought his mental energy to the brink of depletion. At this moment, he was only holding on by his willpower.
Zhan Lan stood to the side, her hands pressed against her temples, desperately maintaining a fragile mental energy shield around Zhang Jie's body, attempting to isolate him from external energy interference and subtly soothe his chaotic mental fluctuations. Her complexion was equally pale, and there was even a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
"Chu Xuan! Is there still no way? Zhang Jie's condition is getting worse! These cracks... seem to be eroding his life force!" Zheng Zha stood at the door of the medical pod, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. Looking at Zhang Jie's pained state, his eyes were filled with anxiety and helplessness. Ba Wang, Li Shuaixi, Lingdian, Zhao Yingkong, Ming Yanwei, and others also gathered outside the door, their expressions grave. The four surviving characters huddled in a corner of the rest pod, still shaken.
Chu Xuan's voice came from the main control room, calm and devoid of any emotion, through internal communication: "According to monitoring data, the conflicting rules within Zhang Jie's body are generating a high-entropy energy radiation. This radiation is slowly but continuously destroying his cellular structure and genetic stability. Conventional medical treatments are ineffective. I need time to analyze the frequency and structure of the conflicting energy and attempt to create a temporary 'resonance suppression field' to see if it can temporarily neutralize some of the conflict and slow down the erosion. But this requires energy, a large amount of pure energy, and... a carrier capable of withstanding high energy loads."
"Energy? The shuttle's reactor..." Zheng Zha said.
"Not enough. The shuttle's reactor has limited power output and needs to maintain basic navigation and life support. We need additional energy, or..." Chu Xuan paused, "to find a way to absorb or convert this high-entropy radiation. The signal point Zeta might have what we need."
"Are you sure? That place might be even more dangerous!" the Overlord couldn't help but say.
"Danger and opportunity coexist. Staying in deep space, Zhang Jie will die within forty-eight hours from energy erosion and organ failure. We'll also become space coffins after supplies run out. Going to Zeta, at least, offers some variables." Chu Xuan's voice left no room for doubt. "Wang Lin, how long can you hold out?"
Wang Lin took a deep breath, feeling his mental energy drain away like sand through an hourglass: "At most... twenty hours. After twenty hours, my mental energy will be completely exhausted, and I will no longer be able to maintain my mental protection against him."
"That's enough. We'll reach the edge of the signal point in thirty-six hours. Hold on." After saying that, Chu Xuan cut off the communication, clearly entering a state of full calculation and preparation.
The remainder of the voyage was spent in a suffocating silence and oppressive atmosphere. The crew took turns resting and standing guard, conserving food and water as much as possible. The shuttle's engine churned steadily, carrying a shipload of battered survivors towards the unknown abyss.
Wang Lin remained almost constantly in the medical pod, relying on his remaining mental energy to recover from the medication and his unwavering will to maintain the protection of Zhang Jie's consciousness. He could "see" Zhang Jie's fragmented consciousness, like a candle flickering in the wind, swaying in the turbulent energy currents. Fragmented memories uncontrollably flooded into Wang Lin's mind through the connection: the dilapidated Guide Hall, the cold indoctrination of the main god's rules, the despairing eyes of the new recruits in the breeding team, Zheng Zha's fighting figure in Alien 1, Kayako's hideous face in the world of Ju-on... These fragments were filled with pain, struggle, confusion, and a deep-seated longing for "normality."
"Hang in there, Zhang Jie... We still have a chance... Chu Xuan is trying to find a way... We're all here for you..." Wang Lin kept sending firm and reassuring messages through the connection, even though he himself was almost exhausted.
Zhan Lan, Zheng Zha, and others would come in from time to time to relieve Wang Lin, allowing him to rest briefly, but the depletion of his mental energy could not be quickly recovered through simple sleep. Wang Lin felt his thinking becoming sluggish, his headache was like a bone-deep abscess, and every breath brought excruciating mental pain.
Time ticked by. The night sky outside the shuttle remained dark and deep, with only distant stars emitting a cold light. On the detection screen, the signal point Zeta gradually transformed from a faint dot into a blurry outline.
Twenty-eight hours passed. Zhang Jie's condition worsened further; a dark red, viscous liquid with a faint glow began to seep from the cracks under his skin, as if his blood was being contaminated by the conflicting energy. His vital signs repeatedly alarmed, and he was barely kept alive by Zhan Lan's mental stimulation and emergency medication.
Chu Xuan finally reappeared at the entrance of the medical pod. In his hand was a rough-looking metal ring made of spare parts from the shuttle and several pieces of high-purity energy crystals. The inside of the ring was engraved with dense, faintly glowing runes.
"Temporary resonant suppression field generator. Theoretical model success rate: 67.4%. Requires high-purity energy to activate, and a 'medium' with a slight resonance with the energy frequency within Zhang Jie's body to guide the field force." Chu Xuan placed the ring beside the medical bed and quickly connected several interfaces. "The energy crystal can support the generator's operation for twelve hours. The medium... requires a drop of your blood, Wang Lin, or a wisp of highly condensed spiritual energy imprint. Your spiritual energy has resonated deeply with Zhang Jie, leaving residual resonance."
"Use mine." Without hesitation, Wang Lin bit his fingertip and dripped a drop of bright red blood into a groove in the center of the ring. The blood was instantly absorbed, and the runes on the ring shone brightly, emitting a deep hum.
Chu Xuan quickly adjusted several parameters, then suspended the ring about thirty centimeters above Zhang Jie's body. The ring slowly rotated, emitting a peculiar, soothing pale golden force field that enveloped Zhang Jie.
The effect was almost immediate. The rate at which the cracks were spreading under Zhang Jie's skin slowed significantly, and the oozing dark red fluid began to decrease. His painful spasms lessened somewhat, and his breathing seemed to stabilize a little. On the monitoring instruments, the wildly pulsating curves of his vital signs also showed a brief period of flattening.
"It worked?" Zheng Zha asked in surprise.
"It's temporarily suppressed. But the root of the conflict hasn't been eliminated, and the erosion is still proceeding slowly. In twelve hours, the energy crystal will run out, or the conflict within his body will intensify, and the suppression field will fail." Chu Xuan calmly poured cold water on the situation. "We must reach Zeta as soon as possible and find a more fundamental solution. Wang Lin, you can rest now. The suppression field can temporarily stabilize his condition and reduce your burden."
Wang Lin let out a long sigh of relief. His tense mind suddenly relaxed, and he almost fainted, but Zhan Lan beside him caught him. He felt an unprecedented weakness, as if his soul had been hollowed out.
"Go and rest, Wang Lin. Leave the rest to us," Zhan Lan said softly, her eyes filled with concern.
Wang Lin nodded and, with Zhan Lan's help, returned to the rest cabin, falling asleep almost immediately. He slept very soundly, but his dream was bizarre and fantastical: shattered contract runes, Zhang Jie's painful roars, the Queen's mutated claws, and the cold, merciless gaze of the Supreme God... all intertwined to create a suffocating picture.
He was awakened by a slight tremor and a rapid alarm sound after an unknown amount of time.
"Attention everyone! We have reached the outer perimeter of the signal point Zeta! Target detected!" Chu Xuan's voice rang out through the internal communication system, carrying an unusual sense of gravity.
Wang Lin struggled to his feet, feeling that his mental strength had recovered by one or two tenths, but his headache persisted. He strode towards the main control room. The others were also awakened and gathered around.
Through the wide observation window of the main control cabin, the view of the universe ahead made everyone gasp.
It wasn't the abandoned space station or mysterious spaceship they had expected. What appeared before them was... an asteroid? No, it was more like a colossal, irregularly shaped metallic construct. It hovered silently in the void, its surface covered in mottled, dark silver metal that seemed to have weathered countless years. There were no lights, and no obvious engine or propulsion structures were visible. Its shape was extremely irregular, like several massive buildings or shipwrecks of different styles, crudely mixed and pieced together by some force. Some parts were sharply defined, full of geometric beauty, while others were twisted and bizarre, like the skeleton or internal organs of a creature. Its overall size was estimated to be dozens of times larger than the cargo ship Surakho.
What's most unsettling is the surface of this colossal metal object, riddled with numerous large and small wounds and cracks. From some of these cracks, a faint, dark red glow, resembling lava or biological tissue, pulsates slowly. The eerie signal emanates from within this behemoth, its intensity fluctuating like the heartbeat of a dying beast.
"What...is this?" Ming Yanwei murmured.
"Not naturally formed. The structure shows traces of at least three different technological styles... some areas show high-intensity biomass reactions..." Chu Xuan quickly analyzed the limited data transmitted by the detector. "Anomaly in gravity readings, with a weak but stable gravity field. Thin atmosphere on the surface? Composition unknown. The signal source is located inside... approximately in the core region."
"Is there an entrance? Or a login point?" Zheng Zha asked.
"The scan shows a relatively regular, spaceship-like berth-like recessed structure at the '7 o'clock' position, which appears to have traces of an airlock. However, energy readings indicate that the area's defense system... may still be operating at low power." Chu Xuan pulled up a magnified image of that area. Sure enough, a dock-like entrance was embedded in the metal wall, with a faint glow from an energy barrier flickering at the entrance.
"How do we get in? By forcing our way in?" Overlord looked at the huge metal structure and swallowed hard.
"No. We'll send a signal." A sharp glint flashed in Chu Xuan's eyes. "Use Zhang Jie."
"What?" Everyone was stunned.
"This signal point, Zeta, reacts to the power of the Guide. When Zhang Jie unleashed his power earlier, I detected an extremely weak signal emanating from here. Although I couldn't decipher it, it proves there's a connection," Chu Xuan quickly explained. "Currently, Zhang Jie is in a suppression field, and the power of the Guide within him is partially suppressed, but the fluctuations are still there. We can try using the resonant suppression field as a 'modulator' to amplify Zhang Jie's Guide fluctuations and direct them towards that entrance. If my guess is correct, this might be related to the Guide system of the Main God, then the identity of the 'Guide' might be the key."
This is an extremely bold hypothesis. But at present, there seems to be no better way. Forcibly attacking an unknown giant structure? It would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.
"Wang Lin, you need to re-establish a connection with Zhang Jie and help me adjust the output frequency of the suppression field to convert it into a directional signal transmitter." Chu Xuan looked at Wang Lin.
Wang Lin nodded. Although his mental strength hadn't recovered, things had come to this point, and he could only grit his teeth and bear it. He placed his hand on Zhang Jie's forehead again, establishing a connection. This time, he felt that Zhang Jie's consciousness was relatively calmer under the influence of the suppression field, but the cold guiding power deep within him still lingered like a dormant volcano.
Chu Xuan quickly operated the equipment beside the medical bed, connecting the temporary resonant suppression field generator to the shuttle's communication array and setting up a complex modulation protocol. He instructed Wang Lin to try to guide a trace of the most stable and "purest" guide wave from Zhang Jie's body into the generator.
The process was far from smooth. Guiding Zhang Jie's power was like dancing on a tightrope; the slightest misstep could trigger a backlash. Wang Lin was completely focused, veins bulging on his forehead, his clothes soaked with sweat. Finally, a faint stream of energy, tinged with a pale golden luster, was successfully guided out and injected into the generator.
The runes on the generator suddenly lit up, connecting to the communication array on the outside of the shuttle. A highly concentrated beam of pale golden signal, with a special, regulated fluctuation, shot out from the bow of the shuttle, precisely targeting the entrance on the surface of the behemoth.
The moment the signal beam struck the energy barrier at the entrance, the barrier rippled like water, with pale gold and dark red light intensely intertwining. A few seconds later, the barrier flickered a few times and slowly parted to reveal a deep, brightly lit passageway behind it! The inner walls of the passage were smooth, emitting a soft white light, a stark contrast to the dilapidated and eerie metallic behemoth outside.
"The door is open!" Li Shuaixi exclaimed in a low voice.
"Stay alert. This could be a trap, or it could be... a test," Chu Xuan said in a deep voice, carefully maneuvering the shuttle toward the open entrance.
The shuttle glided smoothly into the tunnel. The tunnel was long and exceptionally clean and tidy, as if it were regularly maintained. However, apart from the lights, there were no signs of life or control equipment. After flying for about a minute, the space ahead suddenly opened up, and the shuttle entered a huge interior space.
This was a magnificent hall, beyond description. The dome soared endlessly, simulating a starry sky, but the arrangement of the stars was bizarre and unfamiliar. The floor was flat, paved with some kind of black material, neither gold nor stone. Most striking was the center of the hall, where several colossal statues, tens of meters tall and of various shapes, stood. Some resembled armored warriors wielding blades, others explorers with outstretched wings gazing at the stars, and still others were utterly incomprehensible, twisted, and abstract geometric structures. All the statues emitted a faint, multicolored glow, seemingly connected by an energy flow.
The walls around the hall were covered with countless screens and interfaces of various sizes. At this moment, most of the screens were dim and dark, with only a few flashing unintelligible symbols and constantly scrolling data streams.
The shuttle was moored on an automatically extending platform at the edge of the hall. The airtight doors docked, and the hatch opened.
Fully armed, the group cautiously stepped onto this mysterious place. A solid surface lapped beneath their feet; the air was fresh, the temperature pleasant, and the gravity similar to Earth's. But this normalcy only fueled the chilling aura of those inside the bizarre behemoth.
"Where...is this place?" Zhan Lan looked around and scanned the area with her mental energy, but felt an invisible barrier that limited her detection range to only about a hundred meters.
Chu Xuan quickly walked to the nearest still-flickering screen, attempting to operate it. However, he soon discovered that he didn't recognize any of the symbols on the interface, and the operating logic was completely incomprehensible.
"The technology is far beyond our comprehension. These symbols... do not belong to any known civilization. The interface has biometric and energy verification locks." Chu Xuan frowned.
Just then, in the center of the hall, the energy flow between the giant statues suddenly brightened, intertwining and converging in the air, eventually forming a blurry, humanoid silhouette made of light. The silhouette had no facial features, but at the position of its head, two points of scarlet light lit up, like eyes, slowly sweeping over everyone present.
A cold, mechanical voice, yet possessing a strange rhythm, resonated directly within everyone's hearts, not through the air:
"Detected... Non-standard access protocol... Identification signal: Guide sequence (abnormal state)... Associated unit: Carbon-based intelligent life cluster (number 7341)... Meets minimum access privileges... Initiate basic interaction protocol."
The "gaze" of the humanoid silhouette of light finally settled on Zhang Jie, who was still unconscious and being carried on Zheng Zha's back.
"The leader unit (abnormal) has detected a severe rule conflict and entropy infection. It meets the emergency repair protocol trigger conditions. Repair facilities are being prepared..."
As the words fell, several circular gaps suddenly appeared in the hall floor, and several soft beams of light shot out from the gaps, enveloping Zhang Jie! Zheng Zha subconsciously tried to dodge, but the beams of light seemed to have some kind of binding force, easily "lifting" Zhang Jie off his back and slowly moving him toward one of the gaps.
"What are you going to do to him?!" Zheng Zha shouted sharply, trying to rush over, but was gently pushed away by an invisible force field.
"Execute the emergency repair protocol. Eliminate redundant rule conflict modules, stabilize the core permission architecture, and suppress the spread of entropy infection." The humanoid of light responded emotionlessly, "This guide unit has value and is retained."
"Repair? You can cure him?" Wang Lin asked hurriedly.
"Based on existing facilities and protocols, the success rate of the repair is 89.7%. The repair process will remove the redundant rule modules that caused the abnormal fusion (the parts that caused the conflict), and perform basic reconstruction and stabilization of its core guideer permissions and life carriers. After the repair, the unit will restore its basic guide functions, rule conflicts will be eliminated, and entropy infection will be cleared. However, due to the limitations of facility level and protocol, in-depth optimization or permission upgrades are not possible," the Light Doll explained methodically.
Stripping redundant rule modules? Stabilization? Isn't this one of the goals of "Project Break the Shackles"? Only, is it being carried out by this mysterious facility?
"How long will the repair take? What are the risks?" Chu Xuan asked calmly.
"Standard repair procedure: 72 Earth hours. Risks: During the repair process, the removal of redundant modules may cause temporary confusion and loss of memory fragments; there is a 0.3% probability that the reconstruction process will cause the life carrier to collapse; after the repair, the unit's emotional module and some non-core memories may be suppressed to ensure absolute rationality and the efficiency of the protocol execution." The humanoid of light replied.
Emotional suppression? Amnesia? A chill ran through everyone. Would Zhang Jie, after such a restoration, still be Zhang Jie?
"Are there any other options? For example, could we just eliminate the conflict and infection, and retain his part as a 'reincarnator'?" Wang Lin pressed.
"The solution does not exist. The core of the Guide Protocol: strip away the anomaly and restore the baseline. The Reincarnator's identity is highly bound to the unit's current abnormal state, and it is a redundant part that needs to be removed. After the repair, the unit will exist in the form of a 'Basic Guide,' capable of performing basic guidance, monitoring, and evaluation tasks." The humanoid of light left no room for maneuver.
Silence fell over everyone. It sounded like they were going to "format" Zhang Jie, turning him back into a tool devoid of self-awareness, someone who only knew how to carry out tasks. How much better than death?
"What if we refuse to repair it?" Zheng Zha asked through gritted teeth.
"If repairs are refused, this unit will completely disintegrate after 14.8 Earth hours due to escalating rule conflicts and a full-scale outbreak of entropy infection, resulting in the annihilation of consciousness and the destruction of its life form. The rule pollution and high-entropy energy released during its disintegration will pose unpredictable pollution risks to the current facility and surrounding units. According to the agreement, the facility has the right to carry out mandatory harmless treatment (annihilation) of the unit before the risk exceeds the threshold."
The cold words cut off all escape routes. It was either accept the "formatting" or watch Zhang Jie die completely, potentially implicating everyone else as well.
"We need to discuss this," Chu Xuan said to the humanoid figure of light.
"Okay. Discussion time: 300 seconds. If no agreement is reached after 300 seconds, the lower-risk solution (repair) will be automatically executed according to the agreement priority." After the figure of light finished speaking, the beam of light enveloping Zhang Jie paused slightly, but did not lower.
The crowd quickly stepped back a few paces and formed a circle.
"What should we do? We can't just stand by and watch Zhang Jie be turned into a robot!" Ba Wang said urgently.
"But if we don't repair it, it will die, and it might even explode!" Li Shuaixi retorted.
"Chu Xuan, what do you think? What exactly is this facility? Is it credible?" Zheng Zha looked at Chu Xuan.
Chu Xuan adjusted his glasses, his eyes flashing with data: "Judging from the information it reveals and the level of technology here, this facility is very likely part of a... 'Guide Maintenance Station' or a 'Main God Rule Node.' It's specifically designed to handle Guide units that encounter problems, like Zhang Jie. It's logically sound and operates entirely according to protocols. It claims an 89.7% success rate in repairs, which should be credible. But its so-called 'repair' is essentially a rollback to factory settings, erasing most of Zhang Jie's traces as a 'human.'"
"Isn't there any other way? Wasn't our previous plan to 'break the shackles' meant to preserve his personality?" Zhan Lan looked at Wang Lin.
Wang Lin's expression was grave: "Our plan was based on fraud and exploiting loopholes in the rules, assuming Zhang Jie's condition was relatively stable and there was room for maneuver. Now, the internal conflict within him has fully erupted, and he's on the verge of collapse. We no longer have the time or resources to execute such a complex plan. This facility is a ready-made, professional 'operating table,' but it's the one that sets the 'surgical plan.'"
"If he accepts the repair, Zhang Jie will lose himself and become a tool of the God. If he doesn't accept it, he will die," Zero concluded, his tone cold and hard.
"Perhaps...we can negotiate?" Ming Yanwei whispered. "That luminous being seems to be following procedures. Could we ask it to modify the repair protocol? For example, to retain as much of the personality's memories as possible?"
Chu Xuan shook his head: "The possibility is extremely low. Its repeated emphasis on 'agreement' and 'standard' indicates that its behavior pattern is highly rigid. Modifying the core agreement requires higher authority, which we do not possess."
"300 seconds are up. Please make a choice." The voice of the humanoid figure of light rang out again.
The group exchanged glances, their gazes eventually settling on Wang Lin and Zheng Zha. They were the core decision-makers of the team.
Wang Lin looked at Zhang Jie, who was floating unconscious under the beam of light, and then at his teammates who had shared life and death with him. He knew that no matter what he chose, it would mean losing an important comrade. But between life and death, between self and survival, he had to make a choice.
"I..." Wang Lin opened his mouth, his voice hoarse.
Just then, Zhang Jie, who had been unconscious, suddenly began to twitch violently! A strange, hoarse sound came from his throat, and he seemed to be using all his strength to utter a few words with difficulty and incoherently:
"To repair...to...become...a...human..."
The sound was faint, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
While in a coma, Zhang Jie made his own choice! He was willing to lose a part of himself and become a "tool" just to... survive? Or did he subconsciously believe that after being "repaired," he could at least "exist" in some form, or even... continue to fulfill his role as a guide and protect his teammates?
"Zhang Jie..." Zheng Zha's eyes reddened.
Wang Lin took a deep breath and looked at the humanoid figure of light: "We choose to accept the repair. However, could we request that, within the scope permitted by the agreement, we preserve as much of his personal memories and emotional modules as 'Zhang Jie' as possible? He is our teammate and is very important to us."
The humanoid figure of light remained silent for a few seconds, its crimson eyes flashing: "Request to accept. According to Article 1174 of the supplementary agreement: Under the premise of ensuring core functions and protocol execution, non-conflicting memory data and low-priority emotional module fragments may be retained as appropriate to improve the collaboration efficiency between the unit and related clusters. Request approved. Repair parameters will be adjusted to attempt to retain no more than 15% of the relevant data fragments."
15%... It's better than nothing. But it's still better than a complete format.
"Repairs in progress. All related units, please retreat to the safe zone. During the repairs, the facility will be in a semi-closed state. You may move around in this lobby, but do not touch any interface or enter any closed areas. Basic life support resources will be provided." After the humanoid of light finished speaking, the beam of light carrying Zhang Jie quickly retracted into the gap in the ground, and the gap closed as if it had never existed.
A hush fell over the hall. The crowd was filled with mixed emotions, both relieved that Zhang Jie had a chance to survive and heavy-hearted about the unknown outcome of the repair and the possibility of losing their teammates.
"Now, all we can do is wait." Chu Xuan walked to a flickering screen and tried to crack it again, but to no avail. "This facility's technology level is too high; we can't actively obtain information. However, since it allows us to stay, perhaps after the repairs are completed, there will be new 'instructions' or 'missions'."
The following time was filled with agonizing waiting. The group rested in the empty hall, consuming strangely tasting but seemingly nutritious synthetic food provided by the facilities (obtained from an automatically opening cabinet). Wang Lin hurried to recover his mental strength, but his mind was constantly preoccupied with worry about Zhang Jie's fate.
Seventy-two hours felt like an eternity.
Just as everyone was about to lose patience, the floor in the center of the hall cracked open again. In the soft beam of light, a figure slowly rose.
It's Zhang Jie.
His scars and cracks had disappeared, his skin was smooth, and he even seemed younger than before. He wore a simple white uniform with silver patterns, the style matching the facility's technological feel. He stood silently in the beam of light, his eyes closed.
The beam of light dissipated. Zhang Jie slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes... no longer held the previous laziness, cunning, struggle, or pain. Instead, they held a pure, crystal-clear calm, with a deep, cold, absolute rational gleam. His gaze swept over the crowd with scrutiny, as if he were looking at a set of data requiring evaluation.
"Zhang Jie? How are you feeling?" Zheng Zha couldn't help but step forward and ask anxiously.
Zhang Jie's gaze shifted to Zheng Zha, paused for about a second, then nodded slightly and said in a monotone, mechanical voice somewhat similar to that of the humanoid figure of light: "Identification: Reincarnator unit, Zheng Zha. Status assessment: Good. The emotion module detected a concern signal and recorded it. Self-status report: Guide unit (basic type), serial number reset. Core functions are stable, rule conflicts have been cleared, and entropy infection has been cured. The memory database has been cleaned, retaining some relevant data fragments. Emotion module operating efficiency: baseline 12.7%."
The way he spoke made everyone's hearts sink. The "person" before them, though possessing Zhang Jie's appearance, was completely different inside. That 15% of what was retained seemed to have brought little "humanity."
"Do you still remember us? Do you remember what we went through together?" Zhan Lan asked softly, with a hint of hope in her voice.
The data stream in Zhang Jie's (perhaps we should call him Guide 7341-ZJ) eyes flickered slightly: "Data retrieval in progress... Related records confirmed: Previously, under the identity of 'Zhang Jie,' he participated in multiple horror movie world missions with the current cluster. Combat records, basic tactical coordination data, basic information of team members, and some interaction fragments are retained. Deep emotional memories and personal subjective experience data... Missing rate 87.3%."
He remembers the battles, his teammates' names and abilities, but most of the emotions and memories of laughing, getting angry, and struggling together have disappeared.
Wang Lin sighed inwardly. This was the price of "restoration."
"Guide Unit 7341-ZJ, do you still need to carry out the 'Guidance Mission'? Is the 'test' on us over?" Chu Xuan asked calmly, getting to the heart of the matter.
Guide 7341-ZJ looked at Chu Xuan: "Identification: High-intelligence Reincarnator unit, Chu Xuan. According to the Main God Protocol and the records of this facility, the 'Guide Comprehensive Assessment Mission' for Reincarnator Cluster No. 7341 was interrupted due to the abnormal status of the Guide unit (predecessor) and subsequent unforeseen events. Currently, the Guide unit (himself) has completed basic repairs and restarted, and the assessment mission has automatically resumed."
He paused, then continued, "Based on the testing, the performance of Cluster 7341 in this sudden crisis (the Surako incident) is assessed as follows: Teamwork efficiency (Excellent), Crisis response capability (Excellent), Tactical execution (Good), Spirit of sacrifice (losses recorded in Lu Renjia's unit), Potential activation (Zheng Zha's unit's gene lock is stable). Overall rating: B+."
"According to the agreement, teams receiving a B+ rating will receive basic completion rewards and trigger the subsequent 'Potential Deepening Trial' optional mission. Options are now being released:"
"Option 1: Accept the basic reward and be immediately teleported back to the Main God Space. Reward: 3000 reward points per survivor, and one C-level side quest."
Option Two: Accept the "Potential Deepening Trial" mission. Mission Objective: Explore the deeper areas of this facility (Relic Zero), obtain at least one "Relic Core Data Fragment," and evacuate safely. Mission Success Reward: 8000 reward points per survivor, one Rank B side quest. Mission Failure Penalty: None (but may die from the dangers of the relic). Note: This trial mission is extremely dangerous, with an estimated mortality rate exceeding 60%. Please choose carefully.
A stark choice was once again laid out before them: a safe return, or a gamble to pursue a greater reward?
The guide, 7341-ZJ, stood calmly in the center of the hall, like a truly neutral referee, awaiting their decision. His chillingly calm eyes swept over everyone, devoid of any warmth that belonged to "Zhang Jie."
Wang Lin looked at the "teammate" in front of him, who was both familiar and unfamiliar, and then looked at his companion beside him, who was tired but whose eyes burned with unwillingness and a desire to become stronger.
He knew that in this world of infinite terror, stagnation meant death. A B+ rating and basic rewards were insufficient to support them in going any further. This mysterious "Zero Ruins," though dangerous, also contained immense opportunities, and might even hold clues about the Main God Space, the Guide, and the truth behind it all.
"We need to discuss this," Wang Lin said to the guide 7341-ZJ, who did not react at all, but just stood there quietly, like a perfect sculpture.
The team gathered around again. This time, Zhang Jie was not there.
"Are we in or not?" Zheng Zha asked directly, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. His experience on the Surako had made him crave power even more; he didn't want to experience that feeling of helplessness again, watching his teammates fall into dire straits.
"The risks are extremely high, but the rewards are also enormous. The ruins may hold technologies or knowledge beyond our understanding, which could benefit the team's long-term development. However, the mortality rate is estimated to be over 60%, so we must prepare for the worst," Chu Xuan analyzed.
"I agree to go. Fortune favors the bold. Damn it, where in the God Realm isn't dangerous anyway?" the Overlord grumbled.
Lingdian, Li Shuaixi, Zhao Yingkong, and Ming Yanwei all nodded in agreement. Although Zhan Lan was worried, she also knew that this was an opportunity to become stronger.
Wang Lin looked at the guide 7341-ZJ and asked, "If we choose the trial, will you provide assistance? Or will you participate as a guide?"
Guide 7341-ZJ replied: "According to the agreement, guide units can provide basic intelligence support (limited to publicly available information from this facility), limited consultation on rules, and act as witnesses to mission completion during trial missions. However, they will not directly participate in combat or provide substantial military support. Combat and survival depend on yourselves."
As expected, they still had to rely on themselves.
"Then, we choose option two and accept the 'Potential Deepening Trial'," Wang Lin said on behalf of the team, making the decision.
"Confirm selection. Trial mission: Explore the depths of Relic Zero, obtain at least one 'Relic Core Data Fragment,' and evacuate safely. Mission timer begins. Warning: The depths of the Relic contain various unknown threats, including but not limited to: defensive machinery, rule traps, spatial distortions, and... remnants of ancient experimental subjects. Good luck."
After the guide, 7341-ZJ, finished speaking, the wall of the hall behind him silently slid open, revealing a deeper, more secluded passageway extending downwards, illuminated by flashing dark red warning lights. From within the passageway, a low, rumbling sound could be faintly heard, like the workings of machinery or the breathing of a colossal beast.
A new and more dangerous adventure is about to begin. And their former teammates have now become indifferent bystanders and referees.
Wang Lin clenched his fist, feeling the mental energy that had recovered somewhat within him, as well as the heavy responsibility he had to bear.
"Let's go. Let's see what this so-called 'Relic Zero' holds." He took the lead and walked towards the bottomless passage.
Zheng Zha, Chu Xuan, and others followed closely behind.
The guide, 7341-ZJ, remained in the hall, his crimson electronic eyes watching their figures disappear into the darkness, data streams flashing silently in his eyes, recording everything.