Chapter 347 Indifference

Returning to normalcy is simply impossible; there's no chance of it. Even if some people have been replaced, what about the operatives? They've already become deformed.

After all, the world used to be just a show, and everyone who was immersed in it was frantically trying to get something, to prove some self-theory... They would rather believe in pain, pale laws, despair and torment—than in words that sounded meaningless.

This deformed species has become accustomed to living day after day in an ocean of suffering, and enjoys letting out a few hollow, shrill screams at outsiders.

They thought there would be retribution for all of that.

But what's the situation now?

Sheen sat there all alone. After more than ten minutes, someone finally spoke to her again, even giving her a very appreciative smile, as if they were about to present her with an award.

“Ms. Sheen, the main reason we invited you here is that we hope you can help us with some things.” The man who had previously described the candidates as being like commodities said again, “First of all, we want you to participate in the subjugation plan of the second fluctuation layer as a field agent.”

Seeing the other person's face freeze instantly, he sighed and continued earnestly.

"Don't worry, in exchange, we'll spare your life. After all, you two have some history, so you'll work together very well."

"Secondly, Ethan's characteristics greatly help with spatial fluctuations. The passenger elevator has a very limited capacity, so we will let him contribute as well."

"Furthermore, you are actually one of the 27 candidates for erasure, which is why you possess characteristics that are almost close to the temperature of the sun's core."

"This is your duty as a human being, and you cannot escape it."

"In another hour, we will hold a celebration banquet to bid farewell to our heroes."

"Don't worry, it's a very simple banquet, without any of the usual underhanded practices."

After saying that, the man didn't wait for Sheen's reply or not, and continued chatting with the others.

She knew it was time to leave, so she bowed slightly, turned, and walked away.

And these people's reaction to this was nothing at all, as if she didn't exist.

Just then, Sheen heard a childish voice say, "Hey, wait a minute."

She paused for a moment, then turned to look.

A boy, about twelve or thirteen years old, was standing in the center of the salon. He was dressed in a formal suit that didn't seem to suit his age. He had shoulder-length brown hair and looked very impatient.

It took Sheen almost two minutes to recognize who the other person was.

"Gore?"

“Pandora has been sent to me. Her connection with 252 is too deep. These people still won’t place their trust in a DOJ-level taboo object,” the man said.

Sheen froze on the spot again, then opened his lips a few times before coming to his senses, "Pandora? Sorry, she's not..."

Gore shook his head and walked toward her.

"Please, I was just pulled back to a relatively normal body by Roy's parallel world, so don't worry about the lives of others... These bastards are determined to use the opportunity of the second fluctuation layer to grind all unstable factors to dust, can't you see that?"

He finished speaking in a low voice, immediately took a step back, and then returned to the luxurious salon.

...

...

Pandora has indeed disappeared, there are no messages in the terminal, and even the access to satellite monitoring has been temporarily disabled.

Ethan was called away by the research department at the last minute, so no one saw how she disappeared. The cleanup was so swift, undeniable, and breathtaking.

Sheen stood in the empty villa for a while, thinking that she knew it. These people hadn't changed at all; they had just changed their story. Something was happening—but she wasn't sure what the outcome would be.

She rubbed her forehead, checked the time, and then headed towards other areas where she might encounter other candidates.

—According to the schedule posted by Sharon and the others, Stanford is currently on his way. Hebrew has already arrived in Dongxia, but he has to attend three interviews and a last-minute banquet before he can meet up with the other people on the list.

As for He Yu...

She didn't dare think too much; she had to get there before the banquet started to see them.

Sheen had already gotten into the car. While lost in thought, he suddenly turned to look out the window. The car was moving forward, with signs on both sides saying "Welcome Candidates" and in the distance, it was like a huge river that had submerged the upper city.

What a clever marketing tactic.

About ten minutes later, the car came to a stop, and she immediately opened the door and rushed out, walking into the area where the banquet was about to be held, looking for them.

Sheen found them in no time; after all, in this heyday, no one can ignore these rising stars.

They stood in a corner of the hall—surrounded by a group of well-dressed colleagues, with security personnel shouting, "Please don't crowd, we can all take photos together"—while the people involved looked indifferently at the projection on the notice board, occasionally exchanging a few words.

Hebrew was gesturing to He Yu, his expression as flamboyant as ever. She was certain he wanted to take something out of his pocket, but he stopped her with a look—people like him were always easy to read, and he could pull out a dangerous trick at any moment.

"Two great heroes."

Sheen pushed through the crowd and said dryly to the two of them, "Those guys at the salon said they're going to throw a banquet for you soon—"

Just as she finished speaking, Hebrew handed her a glass of champagne, scrutinized Sheen for a moment with a certain scrutiny, and then exclaimed with a sudden realization, "Oh—I just understood everything, we're in trouble."

“It’s not just the two of us, everyone’s in trouble,” He Yu corrected.

She didn't know what this feeling was, but it just made her very uncomfortable. At least... at least her reaction shouldn't have been so indifferent.

"Pandora has been taken away by them."

"Next up might be Yu Yu, and all the operatives on the candidate list. You really picked out the supporting roles for those guys, great hero."

Sheen opened his mouth, and before his brain could even process it, he blurted out these words.

The two people opposite her looked up at her.

"I see."

"Then what?"

He Yu's answer gave Xi En goosebumps all over.

"Yes, beautiful lady, we already knew, but so what?"

"You always have to pay a price for something, otherwise it's hard to reach the top."

"Damn... I'm so incredibly cultured. Ever since I've browsed through all the knowledge within the entire universe, I feel like I'm a literary giant."

"Type 1 and I'll write your autobiography, okay?"

The Hebrews puffed out their chests, looking utterly smug.

Then he got splashed with champagne.