Ren Yi breathed a long sigh of relief when he heard those words.
Finally, this kid was letting go of that heavy blame. It hadn't been easy!
B406 furrowed his brow and followed up with a series of indirect, probing questions, refining his interrogation to squeeze out every drop of information.
However, Evans's answers remained vague.
Beyond that ethereal sense of "kindred connection," no other valuable information could be extracted.
The interrogation had reached a complete stalemate.
B406 hesitated for a moment before standing up and taking two steps back. He turned his back to Evans and raised his hand to operate the smart terminal on his wrist.
A pale blue soundproof light screen instantly expanded, isolating the sounds within and forming an independent, private communication space.
Evans watched, stunned. He instinctively looked around, his eyes filled with unease.
"Doctor, the interrogation has stalled," B406 reported in a low, respectful tone to his wristband.
"Standard questioning won't be able to dig any deeper."
"Regarding the handling of Evans, should we employ other methods? I am requesting further instructions."
In her office, Dr. Cyril watched the motionless lie-detection mushrooms on the surveillance screen. She slowly let out a breath and gradually withdrew her smile.
"There's no need to ask further."
The doctor operated the controls rapidly as her voice sounded in B406's earpiece.
"B-013-A indeed did not attack him. The abilities I've observed from it do not align with this Consumable's behavior."
B406 was momentarily stunned, clearly surprised. However, years of ingrained obedience prevented him from questioning her. He immediately admitted his fault.
"My apologies, Doctor. The selection of this Consumable was my oversight. I will accept the penalty myself."
Dr. Cyril remained noncommittal, not caring about such a trivial matter.
At this moment, she had already lost interest in continuing the interrogation. Her entire focus was concentrated on a newly generated encrypted file.
Using the convenience of his perception's infiltration, Ren Yi quietly peeked at the computer screen in front of the doctor. He immediately saw the familiar identification number at the top of the file.
Good grief, his very own dedicated anomaly file had been organized and archived so quickly?
【Anomaly File: B-013-A (Initial Version)】
【Nickname: Eyeless Mist】
【Physical Description】:
In its normal state, it is a white, blob-like lifeform approximately thirty centimeters in diameter. Its primary composition appears to be a special medium consisting of a gas-liquid mixture.
It possesses distinct biological activity and responds noticeably to external interference. Preliminary assessment suggests it possesses basic autonomous biological intelligence.
Upon perceiving an external threat, it can autonomously expand its body volume, which is suspected to be a deterrent defense instinct.
Directing subjective malice toward it triggers a targeted active counterattack capability.
【Known Anomalous Properties】:
1. When B-013-A is in its threat-perceiving, body-expanding state, direct visual contact with it will trigger negative states of short-term dizziness and mental trance.
(Note: It has not yet been determined whether prolonged staring will lead to more serious consequences; this has been included in the subsequent experimental plan).
2. B-013-A possesses targeted sensory interference capabilities. There is a confirmed case: staff member B-050 permanently lost his sight and hearing after contact.
This effect does not act upon physical organs; it is a non-physical form of blinding and deafening.
Intervention through brain-computer interfacing, consciousness communication, and dream interference has been attempted. The subject's deep consciousness remains in a state of total sensory loss and cannot be repaired.
【Containment Record】:
This lifeform is the first sub-entity born from the anomalous fission of the B-013 mirrored sphere.
When an attempt was made to forcibly separate B-013 and B-013-A, the sub-entity showed some resistance and abnormal movement.
After the separation was completed, there was no additional aggressive behavior. The current state is stable and controllable.
【Containment Procedures】: Temporarily confined in a dedicated high-level Anomaly sealed monitoring pod. Continuous observation of its reactions is required.
"Eyeless Mist? That name is actually quite fitting," Ren Yi muttered to himself.
It seemed that his method of directly shutting off B-050's senses had indeed served as a successful distraction.
These researchers were now firmly convinced that his ability was "sensory isolation" rather than "perception coverage."
This was good news for him. In this place, the deeper his trump cards were hidden, the better.
"So, Doctor, how should we handle this Evans?" B406's voice interrupted Ren Yi's thoughts.
Dr. Cyril closed the file and leaned back in her chair, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.
"This Consumable possesses a certain special 'resistance' or 'attraction.'"
"Let's do this: tell him we will enroll him in the base's personnel list with the rank of a C-rank staff member."
"But remember, do not grant him any substantial system permissions, and do not allow him to leave the designated living quarters."
"We need to examine the anomalies within him—a comprehensive examination."
B406 hesitated. The red light in his prosthetic eye flickered unsteadily as he rarely voiced his own opinion.
"Doctor, if he truly had deep contact with S-099 as he claimed..."
"Is it not too risky to keep a potential threat inside the base as a staff member?"
The corners of the doctor's mouth curled into an imperceptible arc as she shook her head in denial.
"Danger often means an equal amount of opportunity. Do as I say, B406."
"In our world, fear is the least efficient emotion."
"...Understood."
Ren Yi watched all of this silently.
B406's concern was only natural; the doctor's reaction, on the other hand, didn't seem like that of a normal person.
Well, she probably wasn't a normal person to begin with.
After the soundproof light screen was removed, B406 walked over to the sofa and looked at Evans with a strange gaze.
"Congratulations," B406 said stiffly.
"In view of your uniqueness, you have been promoted from a Consumable to a higher-level Consumable."
Evans appeared very calm, even somewhat wooden.
He simply asked tonelessly, "What about the Tribal Chief?"
"He will receive treatment as 'payment' for the information you provided."
B406 nudged him toward the exit, but Evans stood his ground.
"I should have enough value now, shouldn't I?" Evans asked.
"Now what?" B406 probably felt that absolutely nothing was going right today.
"Words are not enough. I want to see the Tribal Chief," Evans said, looking him in the eye.
B406 fell silent for a moment before answering, "I will report the request, but not now."
"Remember, you have no right to negotiate terms. Cooperate with our examinations, and I will consider your request after the experiments are over."
Evans said nothing more. His eyes dimmed as he followed B406 out of the room.
With their departure, the interrogation room fell into a deathly silence once more.
Ren Yi's perception could only follow Evans. Before leaving the room, he took one last "look" at the pale pink mushrooms inside the isolated greenhouse.
The pale pink mushrooms swayed slightly under the fluorescent lights, showing no signs of growth.
But Ren Yi finally realized where his sense of dissonance came from.
Evans wasn't lying—at least, not in a subjective sense.
However, he didn't seem to be telling everything he knew.
If he had truly been swallowed by the "Stomach of Glat," leading to his ostracization and some kind of physical mutation...
And if, because of this massive disaster that had fallen from the sky, he and the person important to him had been captured and brought to this cruel containment base...
Then, where did his joy come from?
Rate on N.U.
