Chapter 428 Qi Ran and Huan Yu (Part Two)
"Another loser?" In the observation room, a gaunt-looking man was locked in the next room.
His eyes were cloudy, but a trace of madness lingered deep within them.
“I’ve seen you before,” the man stared at Qi Ran. “You’re one of those… the gold medalists who have been making headlines in recent years? Haha, you’ve actually fallen to this state?”
"Let me tell you, it's all a complete scam. All the promises Huanyu made to us were lies. Of the worlds we've been to, only a fraction remain!"
He seemed to have found someone to confide in, and began to chatter on and on:
"I failed three times, so they took away my system and locked me up here. Hahaha, it's all fake."
Qi Ran looked at him silently and calmly rubbed her temples.
"Xiao Tong, record everything we see."
"The host has already been recorded. All data, including the energy spectrum of those world windows, has been encrypted and stored by me."
Qi Ran hummed in agreement.
She closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and leaned quietly against the cold wall. She tilted her head slightly, trying to recall the worlds she had once visited.
However... it was completely blank.
After a long silence, she suddenly turned to look at the man next door.
He was huddled there, head down, his disheveled hair obscuring his face, and only occasional whispers could be heard.
Qi Ran looked at him quietly.
I watched it for a very long time.
Only after she was absolutely certain that the observation room could not be monitored did she suddenly speak, cutting straight to the heart of the matter without any probing:
"As far as I know, failing a mission doesn't result in being locked in an observation room. The reason I came here is to unite with others in the mission world to rebel against the universe. But what about you... what's your real reason?"
The man's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head.
What kind of eyes were those?
His eyes were bloodshot, filled with an overwhelming weariness and confusion. Yet, deep within that confusion, a terrifyingly sharp and clear light shone forth.
He stared intently at Qi Ran.
A single glance is enough to make those with weak minds cower and shrink back.
But Qi Ran didn't. She calmly returned the gaze, her eyes filled with inquiry.
...
A stifling silence spread between the two, like a taut string.
For a long, long time.
...
Just when Qi Ran thought he wouldn't answer anymore, or would continue to use crazy ramblings to evade her, the chaotic expression on the man's face receded like the tide.
A smile curved at the corner of his mouth, but it was not a smile of pleasure; rather, it had a chillingly eerie quality.
If Qi Ran hadn't witnessed even more terrifying mermaids in the Starfall Ruins, she might have been shocked by his expression. But after seeing truly monstrous and eccentric individuals, this one was nothing special.
If I say...
"I possess all... the memories of the time-travel mission, do you believe me?"
Inside the observation room, the air suddenly froze.
Qi Ran's pupils contracted, but not from disbelief or shock, but from a sharp understanding of "I knew it."
In the Abyss Corridor, seeing those worlds that had been saved—no, or rather, she was thinking about it when she met Karin—
If the world is saved and plunder is stopped, did none of the countless mission takers under the command of the universe ever notice anything amiss?
Where did those once-renowned top-tier mission takers, who then mysteriously disappeared, go?
At this moment, the question was answered when faced with this seemingly insane man.
They didn't disappear; they were "made to disappear."
All those who might glimpse the truth and retain the "contaminated" memories are regarded as unstable factors by the world and are purged, imprisoned, or... worse.
He was probably kept in the observation room through some special method.
So what is he pretending to be crazy and deliberately keeping himself in this cage for?
Undoubtedly, he was waiting, waiting for someone like her who could also see the truth.
Have you ever thought about rebelling?
"Oh."
The man let out a short, hoarse chuckle. The laughter was filled with self-mockery and utter exhaustion.
"My current state is the consequence of resistance."
Fighting alone against the colossal universe, his resistance was like an ant trying to shake a tree, ultimately resulting only in endless imprisonment and surveillance.
"Things are different now," Qi Ran said in a deep voice. "Have you thought about it?"
"Why is Huanyu so determined to erase our memories of every mission? Humans aren't plants or trees; those experiences and emotions, even if they're false or driven by ulterior motives, will ultimately leave their mark on our souls!"
The man slowly raised his head and saw a pair of distorted eyes that looked exactly like his own.
"If we could restore the memories that were taken from all the participants—"
"Let them remember the targets they conquered, and realize that their hands are stained with the blood of countless worlds..."
"Do you think they'll still be those chained 'dogs' who only know how to work?"
The man's eyes grew brighter and brighter, filled with a focused intensity that was a mixture of madness and sharpness.
What do you want?
Qi Ran raised her finger, not pointing at him, but at the closed door behind the observation room, which was made of an energy barrier, behind the two of them.
...
The silence stretched out, each second a scrutiny of each other.
Time is running out.
These words, though unspoken, hung like the Sword of Damocles over their heads.
They couldn't predict who would be sent away and dealt with next.
This is the only chance for cooperation in the darkness. If we miss it, there will be no going back.
However, a huge unknown lies between them.
Who is he? What's his name? What is his real motive? Can she trust him? Is this a trap set by Huan Yu, or will it lead to something deeper?
Who is she? A mission participant who just failed and returned with abnormal data—why should she be trusted? Is her resolve strong enough to warrant entrusting this all-or-nothing plan?
They had no prior connection.
We don't share any memories.
They didn't even know the other person's real name.
The air was still, with only the faint, cold hum of the universe's normal operation coming from outside the door, which highlighted the deathly silence and tension inside.
Xiao Tong: "Host, the encrypted content has been transmitted... If we can't get out, the content will be made public in the future."
"But... the universe is too powerful, I'm not sure if the code can be sent to the Spacetime Surveillance Bureau."
It paused, then continued, "If we hadn't gone directly back to the Universe, but instead returned to our original world... the Universe might not have been able to find us, the ones who had been abandoned..."
"What we're doing... is worth it..."
"How much chaos can you create?" Qi Ran interrupted Xiao Tong, looking at the man. "And how long can you attract attention?"
The man grinned, a twisted yet lucid smile. "Heh heh... a 'out-of-control,' top-tier mission participant with 'polluted' memories, is going mad in the observation room, trying to break free of his restraints, and might even trigger the remaining unstable power within him..."
"Is this enough to throw these cold 'guards' and surveillance systems into a panic? After all, this place... is a forbidden zone that absolutely cannot be discovered by other mission takers."
It was a road of no return, but he was willing to take the risk.
"That's enough." Qi Ran didn't waste any more words.
They were two flames that met by chance in the darkness, yet shared the same goal; the worst outcome would be no different from what they are now.
Her gaze fell on the door in the distance.
The Universal Will possesses absolute confidence and complete control over the mission takers.
It is arrogant and secretive.
They were confident in the absolute certainty of their memory erasure program, and also confident that no one would dare to uncover or resist it.
The powerful defense forces are concentrated at the outer defense nodes, while the internal terminal, which is "theoretically" impregnable, relies on an automated mechanism rather than heavy military guard.
This is their only chance.
"start."
"Aaaaaah!!!!" Let me out! I didn't fail! Huanyu lied to us! Those worlds are all dead! All dead!!" The man suddenly erupted in a shrill roar, his whole body like a true madman, relentlessly slamming his body against the energy wall!
The unusual burst of energy immediately caused the walls to flash violently. A piercing alarm blared throughout the entire area!
[WARNING! Observation Room 396, high-risk energy surge, mission participants exhibiting extreme out-of-control behavior!]
[Requesting backup! Repeat! Requesting backup!]
The sound of rapid footsteps from energy boots immediately came from outside the door, powerful energy penetrating the walls in an attempt to suppress him. The surveillance system also focused entirely on him.
But that's not enough!
The man simultaneously swung the card in his hand, hitting the wall closest to the door.
The energy counterattack caused him to cough up a mouthful of blood, but he continued to attack relentlessly.
Finally, at the height of the chaos, the door opened a crack.
Someone came out from inside to observe the situation.
Now!
The last remaining power from Qi Ran's five cards surged forth. Her body, confined within the observation room, instantly broke free from its invisible restraints!
This moment was part of her plan, which she had been making ever since she started preparing to return.
Without pausing for a moment, she transformed into a blur and rushed straight towards the door that had slid open a crack!
[Warning! Unauthorized movement detected. Suppress the movement!]
[Level 1 Alert! Repeat! Level 1 Alert!]
Several dark gun muzzles suddenly popped up on the ceiling and walls, their glaring red sights precisely locked onto Qi Ran.
The nearest automated defense robot, its chassis spewing fire, slid over with a heavy whooshing sound.
What popped out from the front of the robotic arm was not a weapon, but a high-frequency oscillating energy confinement ring.
It aimed straight at Qi Ran's neck collar!
Qi Ran didn't retreat, nor did she slow down! At the moment when her momentum reached its peak, she lowered her body, narrowly avoiding the attack, and then punched the robot's vulnerable neck joint from below!
"Crack!"
The massive machine lost its balance and collapsed instantly!
Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Qi Ran, like a ferocious beast breaking free of its cage, charged headlong into the core control area!
[Top Alert! Intruders have entered the core area! Prioritize protecting the main data stream!]
In an instant, all the gunfire from the control room and the barriers on the ground surged towards the massive data server! Gun barrels mercilessly pulled the triggers at Qi Ran!
Bang bang bang—
Three of the five cards—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—shattered instantly!
However--
"Little Copper!!!"
"To the right rear, that unassuming gray pillar! The physical terminal for memory sealing!"
Xiao Tong concentrated all his cloud-based abilities, pierced through the interference, and arrived at the gray square pillar that stood out from the surrounding ornate light curtain!
A feint to the east while attacking in the west!
The moment all defenses were drawn to protect the "brain," Qi Ran suddenly changed direction and pounced on the neglected "secondary target" without regard for anything else!
The defense system needs to be retargeted and its commands updated; this brief delay is the only chance!
Without any hesitation, Qi Ran clenched her fist.
All anger and enlightenment transform into the most primal power!
"Get out of here!!!"
The fist slammed into the square pillar like a heavy hammer blow!
Boom!!!
The button shattered instantly; it wasn't a lighting effect, but a real physical collapse!
An invisible, massive data turbulence, like a flood without a dam, suddenly erupted!
Memories travel along countless invisible data links, rushing backward into every node of the universe, reaching the depths of every tasker's mind!
The alarm, which was regular and cold, symbolizing absolute control over the universe, suddenly changed its tone!
It was like a wild beast being choked, emitting a twisted, intermittent, piercing shriek mixed with electrical noise.
On the smooth walls and dome, the energy bands that had been flowing steadily began to flicker wildly, their brightness fluctuating like the electrocardiogram of a dying person.
Against this backdrop of chaos and collapse—
Those mission takers who were originally rushing around with blank expressions were all struck by an invisible bolt of lightning at the same time!
"Ugh—"
The man, clad in shredded mecha armor, clutched his head and let out a wild howl.
In his mind, there was no longer a cold mission evaluation, but a vision of billions of civilians turning into blood and gore under the sharp teeth of alien insectoids after he drained the energy from the technological world!
The piercing screams and the desperate flames almost tore his soul apart!
Not far away, a female mission participant dressed in a gorgeous court dress stared blankly at her trembling hands.
In her memory, a gentle and refined prince appeared, his eyes broken yet still tender after he discovered her true purpose.
And, after she left, he walked alone into the enemy camp, his resolute figure ready to die for his country.
The color drained from her face, and she spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the gorgeous dress he had specially prepared for her.
"No...that's not it...I stole his nation's destiny..."
Many more mission participants froze in place, their pupils dilated, their bodies trembling violently.
What did they see?
The "lucky ones" who once called out to them with deep affection quickly declined and died in despair after they completed their mission and absorbed the luck.
—Those worlds marked as “working well” were shattered and their civilizations were extinguished shortly after they left.
—And those moments of their own genuine emotions that have been washed away by the world.
The sweetness of falling in love, the reluctance of parting, even the slightest guilt...
The truths that were taken from them intertwined, forming the sharpest noose, suffocating them!
"Aaaaaah—!"
"That world was destroyed by me... by me!"
"No! I don't want these memories! Take them away! Take them away!!"
Painful screams, regretful cries, and self-deceiving roars... erupted in the Reception Hall, in the rest area, and in every corner where mission takers were present!
It's unclear who made the first move, but an out-of-control beam of energy crashed down on the main sky, which was constantly issuing alarms!
In an instant, a spark ignited a prairie fire!
"I want to go back! Take me back!! This can't just end like this!"
"I must save them!"
"Destroy these devices that are monitoring us!"
In the control room, Qi Ran slumped on the cold floor, bizarre memories crashing into her mind. She swallowed the metallic taste in her throat, veins bulging on her forehead, yet she still managed a slow, triumphant smile as she heard the deafening chaos outside.
Qi Ran's gaze turned towards the direction of the Abyss Corridor:
"Karin... I... did it."
"The next step is... to sue it to death."
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