“Sixty seconds.”
Wei Shu’s voice remained the sole point of calm amidst the cacophony. He remained alone within the control room, connected to the Deep Sea. Once access was established, he became an extension of the immense computer, his consciousness and thoughts expanding outward. The entirety of Da Teng City’s map unfolded before him. Wei Shu observed the real-time images, witnessing A-009’s frenzied onslaught. All data streams, transformed directly from observed events, surged towards him in a tidal wave of synchronization. It was unfortunate that this data was rendered useless at that moment. A-009’s power, velocity, and resilience vastly surpassed Nan Jin’s capabilities. The equilibrium she desperately maintained with her energy-depleting sword techniques was on the verge of collapse. Wei Shu was acutely aware of this. A minute in the real world represented a substantial period… but in this critical juncture, every second pushed Nan Jin closer to her breaking point. With each ferocity of A-009’s onslaught, she was driven nearer to utter exhaustion. She could falter at any moment before reinforcements could materialize. “A-009… how did it become so unhinged?” In a pocket of profound silence, Wei Shu, linked to the Deep Sea, began to contemplate this very question. Acting simultaneously, he retrieved the surveillance footage from subway line 13, accelerating its playback… Under the Deep Sea’s link, an overwhelming torrent of information flooded his mind. Wei Shu’s brow furrowed. A significant portion of the data was corrupted, the footage fragmented, abruptly severed by an unknown external force. Then, his pupils contracted slowly as he discerned a surviving segment of the surveillance recording… Within it, A-009 displayed an uncharacteristic gentleness, engaged in a calm conversation with a young man named Gu Shen.
…
…
“Fifty-nine…”
“Fifty-eight…”
Nan Jin closed her eyes, perceiving each second as an agonizing eternity as she silently counted down within her mind. She persevered, yet her cheeks were streaked with blood and tears. The two long swords vibrating erratically in her grasp were on the precipice of shattering, their intricate patterns nearly obliterated. Like a drowning soul with no escape, she could be consumed at any moment. Wei Shu’s promised “one minute” was the only precarious lifeline she could cling to. “Forty… “Thirty-nine…” Amidst her growing despair, an urgent voice resonated. “Nan Jin… cease your resistance. Utilize Gu Shen as a shield when A-009 breaches the Sword Domain.” Nan Jin swiftly cast a glance at the unconscious boy positioned behind her. Gu Shen’s mind was reeling, completely unaware of the unfolding situation. From the electrical side, Wei Shu’s voice conveyed absolute certainty: “…Trust me.”
“Clang—” The final, sharp resonance echoed as the long sword disintegrated. Nan Jin, without a moment for deliberation, decisively retreated to the boy’s side. Before her, the imposing woman garbed in formal attire, having shattered the Sword Domain, advanced with a fearsome expression, raising her blade for a decisive strike. In less than an instant, Nan Jin seized Gu Shen’s collar from behind, effortlessly hoisting him aloft. “Bloody hell—” Gu Shen’s mind went blank; the woman possessed extraordinary strength, rendering him utterly incapable of resistance. He became like a mere sandbag, lifted and dangled before her in a fleeting moment. Was this the plan, using him as a human shield?! The tempest of attack loomed. Gu Shen squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable end of his existence.
…
…
All sound vanished—
A profound calm descended.
Nothing occurred.
The towering woman, wielding a gleaming knife, arrested her downward slashing motion, hovering directly in front of Gu Shen. Beneath the deep shadow cast by her wide-brimmed hat, two faint crimson glows slowly dissipated. Nan Jin stood dumbfounded… Wei Shu’s words had proven true. For reasons unfathomable, A-009 abruptly ceased its relentless assault upon utilizing the boy as a shield. The tall woman, her actions halted, became utterly immobile. She neither attacked nor retreated, maintaining a silent, tense standoff. Gu Shen felt the intense focus of her gaze… the tall lady retracted her menacing boning knife,
“Three… two… one…”
The mental countdown concluded, marking the expiration of Wei Shu’s promised minute. Nan Jin lifted her head. “Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—” The tranquility of the suburban night was shattered as the distant roar of helicopter rotors grew louder. Beams of light pierced the night sky, converging upon the three figures standing on the lawn. The helicopter’s side hatch slid open— Nan Jin gazed upward into the blinding light, recognizing a familiar face. The “reinforcements” Wei Shu had summoned were… With a complex mixture of emotions, the woman exhaled deeply, her tightly wound nerves finally beginning to unwind.
…
…
“Nan Jin… on behalf of Da Teng City, I must express my gratitude for successfully delaying A-009.”
The instant the helicopters arrived—
Wei Shu understood that the operation to apprehend A-009 had reached its conclusion. Wei Shu disengaged from the Deep Sea link within the control room, his complexion ashen.
With every connection to Deep Sea, an overwhelming torrent of data was transmitted. Processing such a colossal amount of information was an arduous task. Veins throbbed at Wei Shu’s temples, a pulsating pain accompanying the sweat that drenched his back. He was utterly depleted. At this moment, the man could only slump weakly in his chair, lacking the strength to even wiggle a finger. The woman on the other end of his earpiece remained silent.
… Wei Shu understood the implication of her silence. He let out a silent chuckle, stating, “I have one regret. I’ve already forwarded the details of this operation to Mr. Shu via ‘Deep Sea.’ A-009’s power level is exceedingly high. If we had failed, neither of us could have shouldered the consequences… If my memory serves me right, Mr. Shu should have arrived by now.”
… “Yes, I have seen him.” Nan Jin responded briefly, her tired voice concluding the call. She recognized that Wei Shu had made a prudent decision.
“Roar——” Crashing through grass and debris, the helicopter descended. As it landed, an unseen, gentle force radiated outwards, gradually suppressing the oppressive aura emanating from A-009 with an even mightier power. The woman dressed in black attempted to move, but suddenly, countless thick vines erupted from the ground beneath her feet, ensnaring and immobilizing her. Within mere seconds, she was transformed into a solid, wood-like effigy.
The vines binding the tall lady continued to grow, tightening their grip and securing her dress more firmly. However, a closer inspection revealed a faint hissing sound accompanying the constricting vines. This was A-009’s corrosive ability activating—while the vines provided a powerful restraint, their efficacy was finite. Amidst the helicopter’s lights, an elderly gentleman clad in a Zhongshan suit slowly disembarked.
“Teacher…” Nan Jin’s expression was a mixture of emotions as she began to speak. The old man offered a gentle smile and waved his hand, signaling Nan Jin to relax. “Well done.” He advanced deliberately, leaning on his dragon-headed cane made of purple wood, approaching the wood-carved lady. He observed A-009, now bound by the vines, noting the residual signs of her confrontation with Nan Jin. The elder clapped the tall lady reassuringly on the shoulder, chuckling heartily, “My Disciple truly lives up to expectations. You even dared to challenge A-009 today, did you? While courage is commendable, perishing impulsively is not… Cherish your life! It is invaluable and not worth losing here!”
… Nan Jin felt a twinge of regret and softly confessed, “Given another opportunity, I would perform better.”
“You have already done admirably.” The elder’s gaze fixed upon the wooden figure, his brow furrowed. “Compared to when I personally subdued A-009 previously, she has grown considerably stronger. The fact that you managed to hold out until my arrival is nothing short of a miracle… However, I cannot fathom what could have provoked her to such an extreme in a mere three days?”
Indeed, something had shifted… Nan Jin hesitated before relaying, “The urgent report indicated that A-009’s escape was attributed to a system malfunction within Deep Sea.”
“Impossible.” Mr. Shu dismissed the notion with a shake of his head, stating with absolute certainty, “Deep Sea is incapable of malfunctioning.” As the elder spoke, he abruptly paused. His attention shifted to the young man Nan Jin was supporting. Nan Jin followed his gaze downwards; the young man she was holding lay slumped on the ground, curled like a shrimp, apparently unconscious.
… It was fortunate to have him there at the last moment… He had safeguarded her life. It was difficult to comprehend how A-009 had refrained from killing him. “After A-009 escaped, she boarded the Line 13 train alone… This young man was in the same carriage with her for a considerable twenty minutes,” Nan Jin recollected a specific detail, her expression shifting slightly as she spoke. “When I cut open the carriage, I observed that A-009 had not harmed him. They were coexisting peacefully.”
“Oh?” The elder’s eyebrows arched with clear interest.
… “Perhaps it was simply good fortune,” Nan Jin rubbed her temple, attempting to offer an explanation for Gu Shen. Mr. Shu observed Gu Shen for a moment, a smile playing on his lips. “A normal individual surviving A-009’s assault… that level of luck is… exceptional. Let’s take him back for a detailed examination.”
The eyelids of the unconscious individual twitched, and he promptly sprang to his feet, only to be immediately subdued once more. Nan Jin’s expression was one of bewilderment. Was this young man feigning unconsciousness?
“Ah ha… Contemplating an escape?” Mr. Shu boomed with laughter. “Do not fret, we are not benevolent individuals by any means.” He snapped his fingers. With a sharp sound, two vines emerged from the earth, forming manacles that securely bound Gu Shen’s wrists. “Not running, not running, I wouldn’t dare to flee, would I?” Gu Shen immediately lowered himself and covered his head with his hands, adopting the classic plea for mercy. “Even though you wield a cane, look at me, my backside is blooming with injury, do you think I could outrun you?”
Still harboring the audacity to mock, Mr. Shu’s lips curved into a slight, cold sneer. "Just come back with us for a visit. Everyone is quite interested in you." Gu Shen’s face contorted in horror, a wave of panic washing over him. "Interested like… for a dissection study?" The Elder stroked his chin, a deeply meaningful, "friendly" smile gracing his features. Several staff members carefully placed the tall, wood-carved lady into a massive, sealed container, and Gu Shen was escorted along. The helicopter’s rotors whirred to life once more. "…Let’s depart."