NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Sea Without Light Part 03
After the operation, Kui Xin was wheeled out of the operating room by doctors and nurses.
The wheeled bed slid automatically on the metallic floor, the pale blue light from the corridor ceiling creating an illusory sense.
It turned a corner, and a tightly sealed metal door opened. Kui Xin was pushed inside a capsule-shaped care unit.
The head surgeon had already changed out of his surgical gown and put on a white coat. A name tag was pinned to his outer coat — “Huang Cunliang, Director of Medical Office.”
Doctor Huang inserted an IV tube into Kui Xin’s hand, closed the glass cover of the care unit, and told her, “Get some rest. Your wounds should heal within twelve hours. If you feel unwell, press the green call button on your right. I still have another surgery to do, so I have to leave first.”
Kui Xin silently nodded.
The doctors and nurses left her room.
Lying in the care unit, Kui Xin watched the built-in monitor displaying various data metrics.
Instruments beeped nonstop, the electrocardiogram fluctuating constantly, maintaining her heart rate between 80-110 beats per minute. Her blood pressure was low, signaling a slight anemia.
All her physical metrics were displayed prominently.
The crimson world of the novel leans toward a cyberpunk setting, meaning the technology here far surpasses that of Kui Xin’s reality. The high-tech care unit seemed beyond terrestrial capabilities.
Despite her severe injuries, Kui Xin received a statement that she would fully recover in twelve hours, showing medical advancements not seen within her original world.
She wondered about the other ten thousand beta testers—had they too crossed to this second reality with new identities and lives?
Quick to adapt, Kui Xin was resilient like weeds. She thrived even without familial support and was now adjusting to a completely foreign environment. Despite the intricate and dangerous setup within the game, she felt relatively secure at the outset.
Her current persona was that of a patient, a novice security officer on probation who was injured during an extracurricular assignment by thugs.
During her convalescence, she was safe, distanced from her troubles. Pretending amnesia would temporarily shield her.
Six key instructions deeply etched themselves in her memory:
“First, treat this game world as the real one.”
“Second, never reveal your player status.”
“Third, don’t divulge any game content.”
“Fourth, life is irreplaceable; death is irreversible.”
“Fifth, once you start, only two paths remain: ‘Clear the Game’ or ‘Character Death.'”
“Sixth, everything comes with a price.”
Points four and five emphasized the dire consequences of “deaths.” This wasn’t jest.
If the game world reflected the second world, the first world (reality) would likely mirror these stakes.
Death’s penalty was unbearable. Kui Xin felt immense pressure — a survival pressure.
Kui Xin had twelve productive hours to recuperate before stepping into the second world’s reality.
This period granted preparation. However, twelve hours later, she must face the second world head-on. Given her complex situation, she might interact frequently with the “Mechanical Dawn” resistance group and strive to gain trust in the investigative bureau.
Her mission required her to pass unnoticed as a double agent, subtly conveying intelligence.
With ample lead time but critical responsibilities, each step required utmost caution. Any mistake could lead her to an undesirable end.
Unknown whether other players shared her predicament.
The care unit hummed; blue lights flashed over her, healing serum seeping into her bloodstream. Itchy tingling spread across her scalp; her wounds healed at an incredible rate.
“Check… the panel?” Kui Xin tentatively thought.
The system responded. Light screens unfolded. Familiar text appeared.
Skipping over essential identity setups, she shifted focus on another section.
**Basic Attributes**
Name: Kui Xin
Occupation: Remover
Extraordinary Ability: **Unobtained**
Intrinsic Talent: **Performance Persona** – Your acting skills are high, capable of deceiving most people.
**Life Fortitude** – You possess tenacious vitality akin to a cockroach’s resilience.
**Hazard Avoidance** – You can敏锐地觉察到身边的危险并规避它。
**Rapid Learning** – You learn skills efficiently.
Occupation as a Remover? What does it mean to be a Remover?
System适时 prompted: “A Remover extracts extraordinary abilities from special individuals by eliminating them.”
Eliminate special individuals to acquire their super powers? Is killing someone with extraordinary abilities supposed to transfer those abilities to you directly?
Kui Xin’s mind raced, her heart rate rapidly increasing.
“Abnormal heart rate… abnormal heart rate…” Alarms blared.
Kui Xin steadied her heartbeat with deep breaths, halting alarms after several seconds.
Attempting to comprehend her daunting profession when the lights flickered.
The metal door reopened; someone entered her room.
Huang Doctor, wiping glasses, approached her window, tapping to engage, “How do you feel?”
Ready to reply, “I think I lost my memory…”
But Huang Doctor’s following action interrupted her words.
He lifted the care unit cover, drew a blue chip from his wrist watch, placing it in Kui Xin’s hand whispering, “This is from the organization.”
Kui Xin: Huh? What organization? Clarify!
A strange vibe. The affable Huang Doctor held secrets, possibly a double agent?
Huang nodded, “Limited clearance; cannot know your mission. But for future actions, any assistance needed, inform me.”
Puzzlement. Kui Xin’s expression remained passive.
“Another chip. Life data of the person you’re substituting. Review carefully. Small habits make or break the disguise. You play a newbie unfamiliar with everyone.”
He pulled out a black chip and a silver bracelet, “Your organization communicator is here. They’ll contact you through it.”
“Mmm.”
Silence, lest more mistakes.
“Suffering greatly,” Huang sympathized, “to fake injury, undergo mechanical surgery… Don’t worry, the original has been dealt with. Gene info updated. From now on, you’re Patrol Security Officer ‘Kui Xin’ of the Seventh Squad, Field Unit.”
Clearest picture yet.
An intern security officer named “Kui Xin” in the investigative department. Unlucky soul, replaced by a Mechanical Dawn spy and eliminated.
While present Kui Xin, became that spy… confusing!
“Criminal Bureau houses multiple Awakeners. Leaders in different units also have extraordinary abilities.” Huang added, “Some say Criminal Investigation Chief excels at ‘Lie Detection’. Be cautious.”
Briefly responded: “Acknowledged.”
“All towards the Dawn,” Huang remarked, significant.
A slogan… almost revolutionary.
Quick response, echoing, “All towards the Dawn.”
Huang nodded, wistful, “Take care. Off to my next surgery… Never imagined such workload.”
Gazing at his departing figure, Kui Xin’s fierce will dominated.
Mechanical Dawn’s enigmatic nature, ruthless in replacing people. Their infiltration into the investigative department hinted sinister motives. Ultimate goal elusive.
Surviving meant everything to Kui Xin; returning to the real world uncertain.
Battling heart rate spikes, preventing alerts.
Focus locked on the term “Remover”.
Her sole advantage was this feared capability. Without a means to escape the second world, desperation mounted.
Navigating the tightrope, each move crucial. Defection perilous on all fronts, betrayal fatal no matter which side.
With a heavy heart, she decided: survival above all. Real game, non-negotiable.
To survive, no method off-limits.