by <unknown>
"Very well."
Chen Chen nodded and looked at Shaw in front of him with appreciation. "I'm very satisfied with your performance. Not only did you complete the task, but you also opened up countless experiences and knowledge for us humans in your long voyage. Just based on this, your contributions are boundless!"
"You're too kind!"
Shaw quickly lowered his head, emotions swirling in his eyes.
"Okay, you may go. Have a good rest during this time. Don't forget, your life has just begun."
"Yes!"
Shaw withdrew gratefully.
After Shaw had left, Chen Chen slowly fell into contemplation while Little X waited silently at one side.
"If my guess isn't wrong, those tiny stars should represent the other psionicists."
After a long while, Chen Chen suddenly said, "There are currently more than 100,000 psionicists in the world, which is similar to the number of stars described by Shaw."
"It would appear so for now."
Little X chuckled. "But in this case, psionicists are inextricably linked to the subspace and this even includes you. Psionicists can form projections in the subspace? I don't know if this is a good thing or not."
"It's probably not a good thing."
Chen Chen said powerlessly, "It seems that I was still reckless back then. I'm afraid it was the emergence of psionicists that led to us humans becoming entangled with the subspace. The incidents that have occurred in the past few years are probably all related to psionicists."
"This is something that can't be helped."
Little X hurriedly comforted him. "Who would've thought that psionic powers with such seemingly huge potential could hide the secret of subspace? We can only say that the appearance of psionicists has pros and cons… Now what I'm more puzzled about is, why didn't Shaw see the subspace projection when he left, but only saw it when he came back?"
Hearing this question, Chen Chen said without thinking, "Remember the first psionicist born by childbirth? That psionicist was born on Mars and the day he was born was the day the Blacklight set sail into the subspace?"
"Ah!"
Little X immediately got it. Indeed, after being injected into the human body, the L compound developed by Blacklight Biotechnology had a certain chance of passing on the psionic gene to any future offspring. However, the fact was that during that time, no one gave birth to any offspring with innate psionic powers. At that time, Chen Chen thought that the L compound was defective.
It was when the Blacklight officially set sail, when Chen Chen was strolling in Ares Science City, that he suddenly sensed the subspace presence. After investigation, he discovered that the first natural psionicist had been born in a local hospital!
"At that time, a vague speculation occurred to me…"
Chen Chen continued to say in a low voice, "It's like the beginning of a certain omen. From that day on, natural psionicists began to appear gradually. Although it no longer made me feel that I was watched by the subspace, it still made me increasingly certain about that speculation.
"Later, even some ordinary people who had not been injected with the L compound began to awaken their psionic powers one after another, including the 'psionic boy' incident that we'd gone through before. Although there were very few of these people who awakened their acquired powers, these signs all pointed to a terrible omen…
"That is — perhaps it was because human beings took the initiative to enter the subspace, which finally led to the formation of a certain close relationship between the subspace and humankind!"
"You mean, ever since we've officially started the era of emigration with the help of the subspace, human beings have formed a special connection with the subspace?"
Little X said thoughtfully, "Cause and effect?"
"I don't know what kind of connection that is or what mechanism is used to make the connection, but humans and the subspace have indeed been formally connected from that day on."
Chen Chen replied, "That's to say, since that day, the psionicists around the world and I began to create projections in the subspace, so that was why Shaw could escape from the subspace using our projections."
Little X fell silent suddenly.
"Okay, let's not talk about this for now."
Chen Chen shook his head, "There's no turning back and it's too late to regret it anymore. If we humans want to escape from the solar system, we must use the subspace and my various methods have simply hastened all this. Conversely, it's Shaw who's proved to be a surprise."
"Shaw is indeed a talent."
Little X had to sigh after hearing this. "After this experience, we can fully train him and let him play a greater role in our interstellar voyages."
"Although there are recordings, it's difficult to describe his experience to outsiders."
Chen Chen nodded. "Next, X, make arrangements for Shaw to be an instructor of subspace navigators. Let him pass on to them his experiences in subspace navigation. We need to cultivate more subspace navigators… Besides, I've heard that he still has his parents?"
"Yes."
Little X replied, "He sneaked into Gambia, Africa after he murdered people in a fit of rage and lost contact with his parents. His parents still don't know anything about him."
"Then, let him return to Oceania to visit his family."
Chen Chen said decisively, "It's such a waste to not return home after one has made something of oneself. I think he should be missing his parents too. For him to work for us more loyally, make it happen."
"Got it, leave it to me."
Little X replied.
…
Shaw came to the residence arranged by Blacklight Biotechnology — a single-family villa located at Walvis Bay Lagoon in the Eco Science City.
This was a medium-sized villa with an area of 3,000 square meters. There were three living rooms, six bedrooms, and more toilets than the number of bedrooms.
In addition, the villa also had a huge courtyard. One end of the courtyard extended directly into the lagoon, making the villa a picturesque, high-end sea view residence.
"This place…"
Shaw looked at all this, mouth agape and dumbfounded. "Is it for me?"
"Yes, this ocean view villa is completely yours, Mr. Winfred. This is the company's transfer agreement and this is your real estate certificate."
A middle-level manager of Blacklight Biotechnology spoke with a hint of envy in his eyes, but he still smiled and said, "However, according to the contract, you cannot resell the villa. If one day you don't want to live here anymore, you can only sell it to the company, and the company will buy the villa again at one-half of the market price."
Shaw nodded. Indeed, almost everyone who got to live here was a high-level executive of Blacklight Biotechnology. Since this was the core hinterland of Blacklight, it was natural that they would control the influx of outsiders and not allow private resales.
As for it being bought back at only half the market price, Shaw also understood. Land in today's Eco Science City was worth its weight in gold, and Walvis Bay was the core area of the Eco Science City because of its beautiful scenery.
He could imagine the frightening price that a lot like this could fetch. Moreover, it would not have many buyers. The company was already being generous in reclaiming the property at half the market price.
"In addition, the company has issued a document. The position we have assigned to you is… Oceania Branch Company Supervisor."
The manager opened the cover of another document and immediately displayed an astounded look. "This… Mr. Winfred, this is the first time I've heard of this post. From what it says, your role seems to be to supervise the senior executives of the company in Oceania to see if they are corrupt or accepting bribes."
"What?"
Shaw raised his head abruptly at this, an incredulous glint in his eyes. "But…"
"I hear that you still have family over there?"
The middle-level m
anager guffawed. "It seems that the company is very considerate toward you."
"But! But my identity in the outside world is still a fugitive!"
Shaw quickly explained.
"I know your previous status, you were a Delta-level subject after all."
This middle-level manager was also a member of God's Forbidden Zone. Now he proudly said, "But this is nothing. Your current position is higher than mine. So even if you used to be a fugitive in Oceania, it doesn't matter. After all…
"The person to be arrested is a fugitive named Shaw Winfred. What does it have to do with you, the supervisor of Blacklight Biotechnology's Oceania Branch?"
Hearing what the other party said, Shaw was stunned.
"Hahaha, it seems that you haven't recovered from this surprise."
The manager smiled kindly. "I have done everything they asked me to do and I'll be going off now. Mr. Winfred, I wish you a happy move!"
With that, he turned around and left the courtyard of the villa, leaving Shaw who was still in a daze to soak in this wonderful news.
"I, I am free?"
Shaw raised his slightly trembling hands and held up the documents in disbelief. Even if they had transferred this villa to himself, it would not have made him so overwrought, but he did not expect that this company would give him such a huge surprise…
Thinking of this, Shaw's heart churned with a hundred emotions. He used to resent Chen Chen for making him risk his life, but at this time, that resentment had long since vanished like smoke, and only deep gratitude remained in his heart.
"Father, Mother, it's been four years… How are you doing?
"I can come home…"
Chapter 638: Hunting Down Consciousness Stealer |
"Finally! We've finally done it!"
Thousands of players gathered at the peak of the mountain and looked down at the depthless pit beneath their feet, each of them utterly thrilled at what they had achieved.
"Oh, there's a system notification saying that I received the ten thousand dollars bounty, are you guys getting this too?"
"I got it too, I can finally buy the monster truck I've been eyeing!"
"I got it too, haha!"
"The main mission is finally out of the way. Speaking of which, what's with this mission anyway, it's so nonsensical! If the game is based in the end times, why do we have these futuristic gadgets?"
"What's this device shaped like a hammer?"
"Haven't you read the mission overview? This is the device used to block psionic channeling. The setting of this game is that psionicists only exist in the Holy Fusion Empire while regular players don't have access to psionic abilities, so we need to use this device to suppress these psionicists!"
"It's not just us, this is a server-wide mainline mission. I've logged into the private forum analyzing the in-game statistics and they've revealed that more than three hundred guilds are performing the same mission, only in different locations!"
"Our mission is considered easier compared to the rest. Some guilds need to install these reality anchors deep inside the territory of the Holy Fusion Empire. Those missions are usually composed of tens of thousands of participants at a time and they duke it out with the people of the Holy Fusion Empire for several days!"
"It's that intense?"
"Bravo I say, bravo!"
"Hey look, something is glowing down there!"
"Is this the sign of the device working properly?"
"Let's get out of here..."
...
It was evening. Chen Chen, with his arms folded in front of him, stood by the edge of a valley, overlooking a seemingly endless stretch of the Pacific Ocean.
The setting sun painted the sky with a blood-red texture while the ocean mirrored the sky above. Far off in the distance, one could make out bare silhouettes of lonely islands shrouded in dense mist. Perhaps at this moment, people were setting up camps on the beaches and gazing back at Chen Chen's direction as well.
The sun sank to the west. The glow of the setting sun shone over Chen Chen and cast a deep shadow to his side. His shadow then became the middle point where the golden afterglow of the sun merged into the deep red of the ocean. It painted a picture otherwise only seen in stories...
Drawing the perspective closer, the salty sea breeze gently caressed Chen Chen's skin and made his clothes flutter. His dark figure remained still like a statue, his eyes closed and resting.
Chen Chen breathed softly and felt the world around him move.
"Sir Commander, after months of battle, all guilds have deployed reality anchors to their corresponding positions."
X-112's voice came through the earpiece. The tone of her voice was bright and crisp with a subtle note of excitement. "Shall we start the mission now?"
"Do it."
Chen Chen answered softly.
Immediately after the order was given, an invisible wave suddenly unleashed somewhere far away. It traveled near the speed of light and Chen Chen quickly sensed a numbing sensation running across his body. The feeling was similar to being trapped and surrounded by quicksand. He felt bound and restricted by a suppressing force.
This was the effect of the reality anchor in its surroundings, a unique energy oscillation that suppressed psionic power. Only psionicist could feel its oppression.
Unlike the psionic energy suppression in the past, Chen Chen sensed that this one was significantly stronger. This was because it was the combined effect of three hundred and sixty-five reality anchors set up globally!
This was quite unlike the setup used by the mysterious civilization Chen Chen encountered where there were twenty reality anchors, each supported by a steel pillar nearly a kilometer tall. The design incorporated by Chen Chen was only several hundred meters long, but the total quantity was more than fifteen times that of the mysterious civilization!
According to Little X's calculations, the combined effect of these reality anchors could rival that of the one Chen Chen encountered in the DOOM dimension, perhaps even surpassing it. It was more than enough to completely suppress the Consciousness Stealer.
Months of work led to what was seen today.
The psionic presence in the surroundings was completely suppressed, Chen Chen tried to evoke his psionic power but failed to produce anything. It felt like the source of the power was bound by an enormous force. He could not sense even the slightest drop of power spilling out.
If it could have this level of effect of Chen Chen, surely the same could be said of the Consciousness Stealer, right?
Chen Chen wondered. Half a minute later, bubbles began bursting along the surface of the ocean. These were not any ordinary bubbles, but enormous formations more than ten meters large. They exploded upon reaching the surface and they kept coming again, and again, and again...
In an instant, it seemed as if the ocean was boiling as the stream of gigantic bubbles continued rising from the bottom!
Chen Chen turned his attention to the depths of the ocean below his feet. A behemoth almost the size of an island seemed to be breathing underneath. It threatened to break through the surface.
The Consciousness Stealer was surfacing...
"Rumble…"
More bubbles rushed to the surface. At the same time, there was a surge of powerful air current accompanied by violent gushes of cold air! As the wind roared, a colossal beast larger than an island slowly rose from the depths of the ocean. The moment it reached the surface, the ocean boiled!
"It's here!"
Chen Chen looked on in fascination as the "island" slowly rose. It was a thousand meters tall, then two thousand, three thousand...
The mountain continued to expand unendingly and in the blink of an eye, the upper half of the Consciousness Stealer grazed the clouds above. This was only its upper half while its lower half remained basked inside the ocean that seemed more like a shallow pool in comparison to its humongous size...
"Hum-!"
When the Consciousness Stealer opened its
mouth positioned at the center of its chest opened, it emitted a deep roar that made the air tremble. The air quaked to such an extent that it carried faint ripples of its destructive powers that collided into a layer of barrier Chen Chen set up around him before disappearing.
Chen Chen used Field to create a vacuum space around his body to remove all oxygen content around him.
"Alosorthoth, it's been a while!"
Chen Chen greeted with a faint whisper. He let his arms down and beheld the sight of the otherworldly monstrosity larger than anything the world had ever seen. He could see his figure reflected in the millions of eyes grown on the Consciousness Stealer's body...
The sheer appearance of the Consciousness Stealer was something that was beyond human comprehension. If anybody else that was not Chen Chen, be it an Alpha-level psionicist or a veteran general of a vast army saw this monster, their sanity would break instantly. They would be reduced to a madman forever haunted with the sheer horror induced by the cosmic monstrosity...
This was the true terror of the Consciousness Stealer. Having a number advantage over it was entirely meaningless. Even with psionic abilities which was the strongest weapon in mankind's arsenal against it, it could only leave negligible scratches on it...
"Roar!"
The Consciousness Stealer seemed enraged when it realized its shockwave ripples did not affect Chen Chen. Enormous tentacles emerged from its body and launched themselves at Chen Chen at supersonic speed!
There were at least several kilometers between Chen Chen and the Consciousness Stealer. In just a split instant, gigantic tentacles shaped like great pillars seemed like they were about to smash Chen Chen and threaten to obliterate him with their sheer weight!
"So, you're resorting to physical attacks now that you can't use your psionic abilities?"
Chen Chen taunted with a quick flick of his eyebrows. "Too bad for you, physical attacks are useless against me!"
Just as the tentacles reached several hundred meters away from Chen Chen and it seemed there was no way out, they were ripped into innumerable shreds! They seemed like inferior substances composed of fragile sand and gravel when approaching Chen Chen and were torn into specks of dust instantly!