⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️
This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
- IMPORTANT!!! to fully understand the story, prior knowledge of previous S2 chapters, especially ch 13, 14, 20, and 23 are needed. Before, I made a short summary that explain those chapters. I hope this can help :D. But if you’re here just for angst, there’s no need for that.
[Chapter 33-7]
- The next day, MC asked Zehn for a mechanical box and visited Twin Leaf Orphanage, there she found an id card with blurry writing.
- MC went into the orphanage laboratory, when she tried to deduce the event at that time according to her memory, she found Lucien watching her at the door.
I turned my head unconsciously, only to catch a glimpse of a figure standing at the door.
I immediately sat up and broke out in a cold sweat.
MC: Who?!
The man didn’t answer, the clouds outside the window moved slowly, and a faint light fell along the gap, gradually illuminating his figure.
I was stunned.
MC: …Lucien?
Lucien stood there, like a broken silhouette in an illusory dream.
- An hour ago, the orphanage dean made a phone call to Lucien. The Dean told Lucien that there was a girl from (MC company name) that went into the orphanage.
[Chapter 33-9]
The world seems to be paused, and no one spoke for a moment.
Until Lucien silently took a step forward, breaking the illusion of trance in front of him.
MC: Why do you….
Lucien: I tried to call you, but your cell phone was off.
Lucien: It just so happens that I came here for some reason and found you there too.
His tone was dull for a few seconds when he said “for some reason”, like a well-functioning machine adapting to another unfamiliar orbit.
Lucien: I just saw that you seemed to be thinking about something, so I didn’t bother you.
Lucien: However, I think this building is not a good place for thinking, let alone lying here by yourself.
He made me a little embarrassed, and I knew how unreasonable my behavior was, so I could only smile sardonically.
MC: There’s something that I’m looking for…. I have a feeling that this place might give me some answers.
Lucien: Is that so? I don’t think this place, which has been closed for 17 years, can give you any answers about solving the blood virus.
Lucien: If you act in such a hasty manner, it is easy for others to take advantage of it.
His voice was light, but I heard a few words of warning.
MC: I don’t understand what you mean, no one would have come after me at this time, right?
- Lucien informs MC that Joker has been rescued and how dangerous her situation is right now.
MC: I got it. Lucien, thank you for telling me this.
MC: I’m going to keep looking for more here.
I have decided not to let the hassle disrupt my pace any longer.
Lucien: What are you looking for?
MC: CORE.
- MC firmly believes that CORE is the key to solving the deterioration caused by a blood disease. That’s why she needs to find it.
Lucien: So why do you think you can find CORE here?
Lucien: After the orphanage incident 17 years ago, no useful information was left.
Lucien: And maybe you should know without my warning, you’ve been around so many places, you’ve been in so many crises, and yet you haven’t found it.
MC: This is just another attempt on my part.
Lucien: What if your attempt goes wrong?
MC: Then it’s wrong.
I looked at Lucien calmly, without avoiding the scrutiny revealed in those eyes.
MC: I am not afraid of failure. As you said, experiments can fail.
MC: Even if time is wasted, at least the experience of failure has been gained.
Lucien looked straight at me with complex emotions swirling in his eyes.
It seems like there was some shock and surprise.
After a long time, he closed his eyes and slowly put his hands on the head inspection platform beside me.
Those downcast eyes were level with mine, bringing me closer to the pressure and making me see more clearly.
Lucien: Many things that illuminate others do so at the cost of burning the self.
Lucien: And when this light becomes the only light in the world, then its willingness to continue to endure the pain will no longer depend on its self-will.
Lucien: No matter what its original desire was.
MC: Yes, it does.
I looked straight at Lucien with a firm expression.
MC: Now that the decision has been made, I have no reason to back off.
Lucien’s gaze flickered, and the light coming through the door was cast in his body in a staggered manner.
Lucien: I see.
As he said that, he retracted the arm that was on my side and took a few steps back.
His tall figure stood in the shadows, his eyes were calm, neither hindering nor assisting as if just watching a seed grow.
With such a gaze, I slowly passed by his figure.
[Chapter 33-10]
- After MC answered according to her heart. Lucien stop blocking her and silently followed behind.
- Suddenly, MC felt a piercing pain, Lucien supported her and persuaded her to leave.
Lucien: I’ll take you out of here.
There’s no fluctuation in Lucien’s tone, but I seemed to catch a bit of anxiety and indignation.
MC: It’s okay, I can do it.
I put my hands on the wall, cold sweat dripping from my forehead.
He didn’t seem to be surprised by my answer, so he didn’t step forward, silently watching me move away again.
I know what I’m holding on to.
In addition to that answer, more importantly, I just don’t want Lucien to think that my determination is a joke.
With the continuous dizziness, the piercing pain suddenly came, and I quickened my breathing in a daze.
Why is it happening at this time…?
Obviously, I’m not using the box anymore, is this energy replacement continuous?
The coldness and the heat kept flowing through my body alternately, I gritted my teeth, trying to straighten my back.
Until with a deep sigh, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, giving me a fulcrum to lean on.
Lucien: No one is asking you to do this.
MC: …Umm
Lucien: It’s not one of your shows, it’s not something you have to do well.
MC: It has nothing to do with those things.
My voice sounded very weak, but I still insisted on gritting my teeth, the huge sour feeling made my eyes blurry.
Amid that long-lost tenderness, I have to restraint my heart to keep it from breaking at this time.
I took a few deep breaths, waited until the wave of pain in my body slowly subsided, and raised my head sullenly.
MC: I just don’t want to be left behind.
I don’t want to take a step back every time I feel pain. Every time I get hurt, I can only shed tears.
More importantly, making your choice is just an empty slogan.
The hand covering my waist moved imperceptibly, I didn’t look at Lucien’s face, I don’t know what his expression will be now.
I looked at the dark passage in front of me as if I couldn’t see the future ahead.
MC: Lucien, maybe even if I run with all my might, I won’t be able to run beside you. But even so, I do not wish to stop.
MC: It’s a bit over the top… But I said I would be your best opponent.
MC: If I give up the struggle, I will definitely be left farther and farther behind-
Until I become a bystander in his world.
The air around us seems to be frozen at this moment, we are pulling each other’s taut strings, and no one is willing to let go.
After a long while, I felt the hands around my waist tighten, and then slowly withdraw.
After a faint, inaudible sigh, I saw his open palm in the view before me.
Lucien: Can you hold on?
He leaned down as if offering a silent invitation.
It was as if he didn’t want to leave me behind either, inviting me to participate in his world.
I nodded gently and put my hand into his palm. As if I had placed my heart firmly on it as well.
[Chapter 33-11]
- Just like what Lucien said, the orphanage was thoroughly inspected and nothing was left. When MC is not sure what to do next, she takes out the blurry id card, guessing that it is left by one of the researchers.
MC: Speaking of which, I just picked up something in the hallway. Maybe it was left by the previous researcher…
I took out the id card that I picked up from the door and found that Lucien’s eyes changed for a moment, and the corners of his lips pursed slightly.
He stared deeply at the id card, his eyes lowered and raised, his deep eyes were like an invisible vortex, sweeping me into it.
Lucien: Well, you’re right.
After a long time, a very soft and gentle voice murmured, but knocked hard on my heart.
What he said was not speculation, but an affirmation.
Lucien would rarely respond with such certainty to something he was unsure of.
Even in the face of the viral attribution of blood diseases, he was extremely cautious, meticulously screening out every possible condition.
So his response with such certainty must be the truth.
But why did Lucien know that this id card belonged to the previous researcher?
MC: This has… Are there any special markings for the personnel?
Lucien: No, it’s just a regular id card.
Lucien: Only because I know who this work tag belongs to. He was an assistant here back in the day.
No emotion could be heard in his voice, yet I couldn’t help but hold my breath.
Suddenly, I remembered the boy who was called “little genius” 17 years ago… Lucien also once stayed in this orphanage.
And from memory, all the children who appeared in the orphanage were taken one after another to be experimented on, without exception.
An unprecedented conjecture flashed through my mind, and my eyes widened in disbelief.
MC: Lucien, when you were here… Were you one of the children who were experimented on?
Before the thought takes shape, the question is already blurted out.
When I first saw Lucien, I just thought it was dangerous here and wanted him to leave quickly.
But at that time, I didn’t think about why he also appeared in Twin Leaf Orphanage.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway stopped abruptly. The afterglow fell through the window into his eyes, but I could not see any light in it.
Close to the distance, I felt a slight pause in Lucien’s fingertips.
It was just this moment of pause, but it made me guess something.
I blinked hesitantly, and for a moment, so many fragments that had been overlooked came whistling into my mind.
He said he was in a special situation so he would not be infected by the blood disease virus.
And what Artemis said a long time ago also came to mind with unmistakable clarity at this moment
“Both Lucien and Ares are nothing more than a defective product.”
At that time, I couldn’t understand Lucien’s faint sadness when he stood with his back to the morning glow.
The fragmented pieces came together to form an unbelievable answer that swept over me with a great deal of trepidation.
My whole body shook a little, I panicked and squeezed his hand
MC: You don’t have to answer this question for me….
I squeezed his hand tightly, forcing myself to forget what I had just guessed.
Those bloody scars, even if they have been scabbed, even if there is only one chance in a million, I do not want to uncover them.
…Don’t ask, don’t do anything that might hurt him.
However, just as I took a step forward, I was dragged back by a hand.
Lucien wrapped the lanyard around the id card and placed it properly in my pocket.
Lucien: You really don’t need me to answer you anything?
MC: Yeah, it’s not necessary, the CORE I’m looking for has nothing to do with you.
Lucien: What if I said yes?
His reply sounded like a question, but also another silent answer. I paused, then turned my head to look at Lucien.
His deep eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of fog, making it impossible to fathom.
In a trance, I realized that Lucien always has some puzzles that I have never faced.
When did he join BS? And how did he become an Ares?
In that long time ago, what has he lost because of that experiment? What did he get?
…And, why is he called a “defective product” when he is so calm, quiet, and powerful?
I bit my lip and squeezed his arm tightly.
Lucien looked at me with downcast eyes and appeared to be held too hard by me, pressing out a frown between his eyebrows.
But he said nothing.
There were too many questions in my mind, but my eyes only looked at the boy smiling at me under the camphor tree at that moment.
MC: Did you… did it hurt?
Outside the window came the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the leaves, and time was temporarily added to the footnotes of stagnation.
Lucien’s pupils unconsciously contracted for a moment and he did not speak.
Her grip on his arm was not too strong, but somehow he still felt a twinge of pain.
Those senses that had become blurred and dulled with that experiment awakened silently at every moment of meeting this girl.
More than the stabbing pain that fell coldly on his heart, something seemed to keep buzzing and making him itch.
His hand subconsciously gripped the medicine bottle in his pocket, and the texture of the vertical line on the lid quietly imprinted on his fingertips.
There was no reason for this to be a problem in his preconceptions.
What should be the standard answer to this question?
If he says it doesn’t hurt, can it smooth out the crease between her brows that makes him uncomfortable?
Or should it be said that it hurts so that she can feel that he is answering sincerely?
After all, he gave her a chance, but she asked such a question…
Does this mean that this matter is the most important thing in her mind?
The silent stares made this moment extraordinarily long. Lucien blinked and put his palm on the back of the girl’s hand.
It’s like facing an unsolved problem that he has never experienced before.
Lucien: …Now it doesn’t hurt anymore.
However, the next second, when he saw the girl frowning and showing a forced smile.
He knew he was probably wrong.
[Chapter 33-12]
Lucien rarely reveals a little distress, I realized that I probably asked the wrong question.
MC: Well, that’s good.
I struggled to squeeze out a smile, knowing full well that I shouldn’t continue on this issue. So I shook the hands that were holding each other and changed to a more relaxed tone.
MC: I’ll find the rest myself.
Lucien gave a faint pause.
Lucien: It may be a waste of time to deliberately ignore shortcuts.
MC: Maybe it wasn’t a shortcut for me.
I can’t forgive myself if I can find the answer more quickly on the condition of stinging his past.
MC: But I might need some other pointers from Professor Lucien.
Under Lucien’s slightly puzzled gaze, I took his hand and went back to the corridor on the first floor.
In the musty air, as I walked through the empty corridors, an inexplicable sense of eerieness always came to my mind.
MC: Although it’s just a hunch, I always feel like there’s something here that hasn’t been found.
MC: So, I’m wondering if is it possible to start with the people who did the experiments here 17 years ago?
MC: Like, the people who can do that kind of experiment, what would they do if they wanted to hide something?
I turned my head to look at Lucien and asked a sincere question.
MC: What kind of people will those people be?
Lucien: In the minds of that group of people, humans are just one of many creatures.
Lucien’s voice was light, without admiration but without any contempt.
Lucien: The mystery of all things drives science forward, and science drives the world forward.
Lucien: Inquisitiveness and curiosity are the instincts of all intelligent creatures.
Lucien: They are just more stubborn, more pure and more unscrupulous.
MC: Is that all it takes to hurt other people and experiment on small children?
I had some difficulty hiding my anger but Lucien did not seem to be affected by it.
Lucien: For them, morality is just a shackle to keep their feet on the ground.
Lucien: You can’t think of them as “human”, not even by their standards.
Lucien’s figure melted into a shadow.
Lucien: They’re just a grain of sand and rock to question and explore the world.
Lucien: To some extent, moral and ethical values can be dismissed at any time.
Lucien: So, if such a person wants to hide something, it must be according to strict rules and logic.
Lucien: And necessarily in a direction that people with a sense of empathy and morality would not be involved in.
MC: ….will you be like that too?
My mind was very calm. I looked at Lucien and felt his eyes intertwined with me.
Lucien: I thought I would.
A light chuckle rang out, Lucien’s eyebrows were gentle, as if he was joking, but also as if he was answering seriously.
Lucien: It wasn’t until later that I realized that, there is a certain special presence in the world that will come out of nowhere and catch you off guard.
Lucien: She will turn many conventional perceptions upside down and make all predictions a “thought”.
Lucien: It made me realize that in the path of exploring the world, there are some things that cannot be abandoned besides persistence.
His words were a little obscure, but for some reason, in a trance, I suddenly had a very strange feeling.
Like there was a kite that was always being chased by me, I looked down and realized that its string was actually in my hand.
- Lucien and MC went into the camphor tree, and MC just realized that something is wrong. The location of the tree is the opposite of what she remembered.
- After observation and experiment, Lucien concluded—that this is not a real orphanage, but its mirror image. The researcher from 17 years ago must’ve hidden something important in the real orphanage.
[Chapter 33-14/33-15]
- After analysis, Lucien seems to have figured out the principle of mirroring, and said that to enter the real orphanage, he needs MC’s help. To create a mirror image of a living, he needs to die so they can enter the real orphanage.
MC: No way!
After listening to Lucien’s proposal, I spoke in a firm voice and stared at him with a deadly glare and a deep warning.
MC: Don’t even think about it, I will never help you!
MC: What makes you think I would agree to bet your life on it?
Lucien: Because I think I have enough reasons to convince you.
Faced with my firm denial, Lucien wasn’t impatient.
Lucien: Although a bit risky, this method is really worth a try
Lucien: Now that we are in this space, the most immediate thing that’s clear is the fact that we are “alive”.
Lucien: Therefore, “death” has naturally become its counterpart, the “mirror image”.
Lucien: I can use gravity evol to stop my heartbeat for a minute.
Lucien: If my deduction is correct, something should happen after my “death”.
Lucien spoke without haste and with reason, retaining his usual rationality and composure.
But I can’t let go of the panic in my heart
MC: Maybe… maybe we don’t need to go to such extremes!
MC: I can’t do it… I’ll stop searching! There are always other paths.
Lucien: Is this your resolution?
Lucien cut me off lightly, and there was a certain stillness in his eyes that made me take a step back subconsciously.
Lucien: Many answers can’t be exchanged without sacrificing anything
MC: Then I will not sacrifice my important person！
MC: What if something really happens to you? That would be absolutely irreversible!
MC: It’s not that I can’t understand what you just said…. But have you thought about giving yourself any leeway?
Lucien: Of course. That’s why I said I need you.
He looked at me seriously, closed his eyes, took out a medicine bottle from his pocket, and put it into my hand.
Lucien: One minute.
Lucien: One minute after I entered the “fake death” state, give me eight pills.
Lucien: If there’s no incident, it should help me wake up.
He put extra weight on the word “fake death” as if trying to convince me that the plan was not as dangerous as I thought.
But my frown grew tighter.
MC: No accidents? And what if there’s an accident? You don’t even have to go that far!!
Lucien: Of course I do.
Lucien’s certain words made me flinch. He looked calm as if the person who was about to step into death was not himself.
Lucien: Experimentation itself, is accompanied by a variety of risks.
Lucien: Remember what I said about those people from 17 years ago who would ignore empathy and moral sense under strict logic?
Lucien: The problems we are facing now are created by such a group of people.
Those deep eyes were fixed on me, full of determination.
Lucien: MC, it is possible that everything we want is hidden in the antithesis of fear.
Lucien: That intersection, perhaps, it’s fear.
My heart trembled slightly, and I was a little speechless
It is clear to me that nothing can be solved without the courage to burn the boat.
I shook my somewhat chilly fingertips and looked deeply at Lucien.
MC: If I don’t help you now, are you going to try it again later on?
Lucien froze for a moment, then lowered his eyes, as if in tacit agreement. I lowered my head and took his hand in mine.
MC: Lucien, aren’t you scared?
He was stunned, then gently returned my grip.
Lucien: I’m not afraid. Because I know you are there.
Lucien: Believe me, I never thought about actually going to “die”.
Lucien: It is because you are by my side that I can try this without any worries。
The warm voice slowly falls in my ears, his palm is dry and warm to touch
Lucien raised his eyes, the light in them was like a rising tide, crossing the beach and kissing my fingertips softly.
Lucien: After all, you will definitely wake me up, won’t you?
Although it was an interrogative sentence, his tone was undeniably certain. When I met his gaze, I suddenly twitched the corners of my mouth helplessly.
I knew I couldn’t stop him.
Lucien’s eyes at this time were the same as when he was looking at 502 in the lighthouse.
Just like 502, Lucien pursues something more distant, something he has to keep running toward no matter what.
It was a curiosity and exploration. A challenge to face the unknown obsession, and to conquer.
Even though my chest was full of unwillingness, I couldn’t get such Lucien to stop.
The moment seemed to be infinitely stretched, and Lucien wasn’t in a hurry, just waiting patiently for my decision.
Finally, I nodded with extreme difficulty.
MC: I understand. But you have to promise me that you will wake up safe and sound.
Even though I knew the promise was useless, I stubbornly wanted to hear him say it.
MC: …. if something goes wrong, every single word you say in the future will no longer have any credibility with me。
MC: And I will tell everyone that Lucien is a “big liar” who doesn’t keep his promises.
Lucien’s eyes were slightly hesitant, and the corners of his mouth held a curve, seemingly relieved, but also seemingly helpless
Lucien: Is the consequence so serious?
MC: It could be worse.
My voice even trembled a little, and my eyes were uncontrollably a little sting。
Lucien: Yes, I promise.
Under my unblinking gaze, he put away the emotion on his face and sat against the wall next to him.
Lucien: Well, here we go.
He rests his right hand on his chest and his other hand still holds mine.
Suddenly, the light in his eyes sank, the fingertips on his chest suddenly exerted force, and his pupils contracted abruptly.
MC: …!
With his naturally drooping arms, my heart seemed to be tugged hard at the same time.
A strong uneasiness dominated my thoughts and a thin sweat seeped down my back。
I forced myself to remain calm and keep looking around, trying not to miss a single detail.
However, nothing happened.
Is this method wrong…
I gritted my teeth and squeezed Lucien’s hand while watching the clock on my phone-
10, 20, 25…
The numbers kept running on my phone and I can feel anxiety burning my chest.
Every second that passed seemed extraordinarily long, and I waited tormentedly for anything to happen around me.
Please, please….
I kept praying in my heart as the light in Lucien’s eyes gradually dimmed and his face became miserable and lifeless.
The chill slowly stained my heart, with the approaching one-minute countdown, I anxiously and tremblingly unscrewed the bottle of medicine. My hand can’t stop shaking.
At that moment, a circle of light suddenly appeared behind Lucien
I couldn’t help but want to scream.
The plan worked！
My eyes suddenly widened, and I tried to restrain my trembling fingers from pouring out the pills in the bottle.
One, two-
Because my movement was a little too violent, the pills kept falling on the ground.
MC: Eight, eight…!
I clutched the pill and tried to get Lucien to swallow it, but at the same time his body felt like it had been drained of all strength, it then fell limply into the circle of light.
MC: …Lucien！
It was as if my heart had stopped beating at this moment.
Without thinking, my body has already made the first step to act-
I hugged Lucien’s body tightly and fell into the white circle with him.
[Chapter 33-17]
I have to give Lucien his medication, I can’t let anything happen to him.
???: MC….
He believes in me, so I must…
???: MC!!
In the boundless darkness, I vaguely heard someone calling my name.
I opened my eyes abruptly, and the dazzling sunlight shone into them, causing me to squint subconsciously.
MC: Lucien…!
Lucien: MC, I’m here. I’m in front of you.
The blurred figure in front of me slowly faded away, and Lucien stood quietly in front of me, looking at my dazed appearance, showing a small smile。
Lucien: Good morning, MC.
I stared at him in disbelief, my stiff fingers slowly loosening.
The medicine in the palm of my hand fell to the ground, making a very clear sound.
MC: …Lucien?
Lucien: Mm, it’s me.
Lucien: I think we probably made it.
He took the trouble to repeat himself again, but his soft face faded into a blur in my vision.
MC: But I… I haven’t given you any medicine…
MC: After that circle of light appears, you fell in……
MC: I, did I miss the time… and you… are you just my hallucination…?
Tears kept falling, making my voice choked up with emotions.
I suddenly remembered a long time ago, all the despair and nostalgia when Lucien mistook me for a hallucination.
It turns out we are the same.
There are hesitation, surprise, and also fear of it being just a beautiful bubble.
The illusory and brilliant light made the moment seem even more unreal, and I was frozen in place.
Until a pair of hands gently brushed my cheek and the familiar warmth fell on my face through his fingers.
In my hazy vision, the smile on Lucien’s face faded, and his narrow eyes shone with many complex emotions.
A few moments later, he reached out and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, embracing me in his arms, with a whisper of sadness and tenderness in his tone.
Lucien: MC, I am not your hallucination.
Lucien: Can you hear them?
Lucien: The sounds of this heart beating non-stop.
Lub-dub lub-dub lub-dub.
I closed my eyes, leaned on his chest, and covered myself with his scent.
The sound of his heart beating vividly and clearly was heard in my ears, like a pair of gentle hands stroking my heart.
Make it beat along with it.
Lucien took my hand and led me to gently stroke his cheek and chest.
Lucien: Here… and here, it’s all real.
His voice was a little hoarse, and a warm touch came from his fingertips, which led me to outline his clear and familiar outline.
My nose felt sour.
Lucien is still alive.
These four words alone made my eyes moist again.
Lucien: Do you believe it now?
Lucien gently rubbed his chin against my head and spoke in a soft voice.
Lucien: Now in your heart, I shouldn’t become that big liar who doesn’t keep his word, right?
I shook my head in response to the amusement in his tone. Then, I heard his slightly hesitant voice ring out.
Lucien: …The way I looked just now, it scared you, didn’t it?
MC: I was scared that you would never wake up for real.
I pursed my lips and answered frankly.
MC: But I’m more scared if…. I’m the one who caused it.
The breath above my head halted a little. After a long time, with a soft sigh, the arms that held me firmly tightened slightly.
Lucien: [softly] Fool…
The intimate and gentle voice is the same as before.
We snuggled quietly together until my panicked heart slowly settled down.
Lucien: Are you feeling better?
MC: …Did I just behave embarrassingly.
Lucien: Of course not.
Lucien smiled at my face as I lifted it from his arms, and something in his eyes seemed to have quietly melted away.
But here… What exactly is this place?
After my mind calmed down, I finally looked around and noticed that we appeared to be sitting inside a dilapidated train.
Inside the train, the rusty interior is covered with yellow warning tape. In the blinding glare and whiteness outside the windows, the train seems to be at a standstill, but it also seems to be moving slowly.
Lucien: I guess this is probably an entrance. An entrance to the former site of the real orphanage.
As soon as Lucien’s voice fell, the train suddenly shook. A harsh rubbing sound followed, and the door slowly opened.
Lucien: Let’s go.
Lucien: The answer you’re looking for, it should be right here.
- Lucien and MC enter the orphanage, which is almost the same as it was 17 years ago. MC comes to a cordoned warehouse and looks through the documents on the shelves.
Among the piles of worn-out papers, I rummaged carefully.
Each folder was clearly labeled, and I struggled to identify its contents through some blurred handwriting.
“Detailed list of experimental subjects”, “Instructions on the use of equipment in the ninth laboratory”, “Comparative observation records of active genes” ……
I kept opening each folder, feeling like I was getting closer to that once-distant answer until a folder’s name came into view.
“Experimental record report”
I read the title above softly, opened the document in surprise, and found a lot of experimental data recorded on the yellowed paper inside.
And without exception, the word “failure” will be written on the final experimental results.
Could it be about that experiment 17 years ago ……?
Looking at the pages of paper with all kinds of names, the conjecture in my heart gradually became clear.
These people, I believe, were the children who were experimented on at the time.
It turned out that so many children were involved in this experiment, and in the end, only the word “failure” was used lightly to represent their meaning of existence.
I pursed my lips, feeling a silent rage.
Just when I was about to turn to the next page, the last line of the page in my hand made me freeze.
“Result of the 121st experiment: failure.”
Subject Name: Lucien.
[Chapter 33-18]
…Lucien?
I blinked in dismay and hurriedly flipped back several more pages to find Lucien’s name all over the place.
Both the data and the date on the pages are changing, but only that result, which is always the same
“Failure”
And in the last experiment, Lucien’s name was followed by a “Defective Product” stamp.
Those two words in scarlet are extraordinarily harsh.
My nails pressed hard into my palm, and I felt my whole body tremble with rage.
Why did these people give him such a definition?
What qualifications do they have to judge him?
He is clearly a living, breathing human being! Not just any object that can be defined and categorized!
It’s obvious that they did the experiment on Lucien without his consent…
Lucien: Did you find anything?
The sudden sound made my fingertips twitch subconsciously, I looked up and bumped into Lucien’s gaze.
With a smile on his face, he lowered the cordon in front of him with his hands in order to see me more clearly.
Lucien: I didn’t realize they had left this warehouse behind.
Lucien’s gaze flicked around casually, and with a final swipe, it swept across my face and landed on the folder in my hand.
Lucien: Looks like you found some answers.
I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to utter a word
In the cold light, I looked at Lucien’s gentle brow, and the words I had just seen flashed before my eyes once again.
…has Lucien read this document?
I think of the bridge across the river a long time ago, when Lucien wasn’t surprised. He didn’t say anything and just asked me if I believed him.
The heart felt like it was twisted into a ball, and a gut-wrenching pain came from it.
I quietly squeezed my hand, sensing that if I told Lucien about the document just now, a crack would develop on the smile in front of me.
I closed the file in my hand and shook my head at Lucien with feigned disappointment.
MC: I haven’t found anything yet.
I threw the document into the deepest part of the shelf.
In my heart, I sincerely hope that it will disappear from the world forever and ever.
To divert Lucien’s attention, I picked up another file next to me by hand.
Lucien’s eyes flickered as if he sensed my strangeness.
But seeing that I wasn’t going to say anything, he didn’t press the issue and just gazed at me silently.
I deliberately ignored his glance, and after flipping through several folders in a row, I was suddenly attracted by the content of a document.
“Experimental Log No. 0”.
Seeing this line of familiar words, I suddenly had an inexplicable hunch.
After I flip it open, a lot of things will be different.
I couldn’t help but slow my breathing, my fingertips trembling slightly before firmly flipping open the folder.
“Experimental content: A closed barrier layer is set around the CORE’s host, MC, so that the host loses the ability of CORE and cannot be detected.”
“But due to the severe energy fluctuations in the core, the barrier may be eroded from the inside…”
“Because of the technical limitations of the barrier layer itself, it can also be affected by external energy and then destroyed.”
MC: What is this…
“CORE’s host MC”?！
A barrier layer that causes the host to lose their abilities?
I shuddered subconsciously, and my brain rang with a violent buzz.
It all points to one absolute answer –
That CORE that I have been searching so hard for is in my body.
Lucien: … What’s wrong?
Seeing that I was completely frozen in place, Lucien’s expression also became serious at once.
He stretched out his hand to the folder in my hand. I subconsciously wanted to stop it, but I was still one step behind him.
MC: I….
I spoke in a harsh voice, and the thoughts in my mind were chaotically intertwined.
I finally reached the end of the long journey; I found the CORE.
It is only a small distance away from me, waiting for me to find my own direction and answer slowly.
That’s what the little boy said, something that needs me more?
My heart was racing, I couldn’t tell if I was excited or nervous at the moment.
Lucien should be surprised by this answer…
I raised my eyes, surprised to find that he was just looking at the files calmly.
After browsing a few pages, the expression on his face did not change, but he frowned slightly.
In the quiet space, only the sound of turning pages and the sound of our breathing from each other could be heard.
With a sigh, Lucien closed the file and dropped it in the deepest part of the shelf.
Lucien: You can pretend this never happened.
I was stunned and couldn’t believe what I heard.
MC: What do you mean….
Why doesn’t Lucien look surprised at all? On the contrary, there was a hint of little irritation.
It’s like the answer that he clearly guessed will appear, but there’s still an uncontrollable emotion at the moment it actually appears.
Suddenly, a somewhat absurd-looking conjecture flashed through my mind.
MC: Lucien…. Did you know all along that CORE was inside me?
Lucien paused and lowered his eyes to the cordon under his palm, hiding the emotion in his eyes.
Lucien: Does the answer matter?
This question is like a stone thrown into the water, falling on my ear, making a crisp sound of water breaking.
I followed his gaze, and my eyes moved down slowly, towards the cordon between us.
For a moment, I suddenly felt as if I had become surrounded by a cordon, warning others not to approach.
Like all the documents on this shelf, it should be dusty and hidden in the silent corner of the world.
After an unknown amount of time, Lucien suddenly sighed and broke the silence.
Lucien: I didn’t expect this technology to be available 17 years ago either.
His voice was soft, but it turned into a heavy stone on my chest, making me gasp a little.
MC: …When did you know about this?
Lucien fell into silence again.
I stared at him blankly, unable to imagine anything that had occurred for Lucien to find CORE in my body …….
Suddenly, an answer popped into my mind.
MC: Is it…when you experimented on me in NW?
Everything I experienced in the NW lab still seems to be fresh in my head, even the dull pain of being torn apart at that time is still clearly burned in my mind.
Lucien: I was just guessing, I wasn’t so sure.
MC: No, You are absolutely sure.
I am reminded of the text I just saw in the experiment record.
MC: …I have a barrier in my body that inhibits the core, so I can’t be recognized by the core test bullets.
MC: But the barrier layer can be affected by external energy and can be destroyed.
MC: As the bullets continued to shoot into my body, the barrier was slowly being reduced.
MC: And you, that’s when you found out about it.
I looked into Lucien’s eyes and said firmly, but there was a bit of helplessness in his expression.
Lucien: That experiment is over, it doesn’t matter.
MC: But it’s important to me!
I took a deep breath and spoke again with a trembling voice.
MC: In that experiment, I don’t know what you did to make the results of my experiment look like “ordinary people”…
MC: Made me pass the NW test with flying colors, hiding the fact that I was carrying CORE.
Those small details that I had overlooked gradually became clear, like a piece of a puzzle filling in the gaps and piecing together a complete answer.
His coldness, his detachment, the way he pushed me away again and again…
At this moment, the answer is all there.
Back then, my heart was full of pain that fell on my body, but I forgot too many important things.
Huge guilt overwhelmed me at this moment and I didn’t even dare to look up.
MC: Lucien…
I mumbled his name. I didn’t know what I was supposed to say.
There are too many broken folds, and no matter how hard I try to smooth them out, I can’t get rid of the stinging scars.
I opened my mouth, but it only turned into the most simple words-
MC: …..I’m sorry.
A helpless sigh sounded gentle, and I didn’t look up, wondering what kind of look he would have at this moment.
Lucien: You don’t need to apologize.
Lucien breathes a deep sigh.
Lucien: I also don’t want NW to know about this, I’m not doing this just for you. I have my own purpose and selfishness.
Lucien: So, you don’t need to feel guilty.
The soft words fell on my ears, yet the folds between my brows did not dissipate.
I stubbornly kept my head down, letting the shame swell in my heart and even overwhelm me.
Suddenly, a pair of hands poked right in and pulled me out strongly.
MC: …!
I spun and found myself in Lucien’s arms.
Lucien: You don’t need to bow your head to me.
Lucien: I made you feel pain against your will and did not offer any explanation.
Lucien: You should really be angry with me.
Lucien: When anyone does something like this to you, you should really be angry.
MC: But, but I should trust you more…
My vision was blurred and I felt Lucien rest his head against my forehead
Lucien: I didn’t trust you either.
Lucien: So we balance out.
The light but deep eyes were extremely close, and the dark tide that surged through them seemed to gently diffuse through my whole body, causing me to stop trembling.
Lucien: MC, let the past stay in the past. What matters now is the present.
Lucien: Since you have chosen to accept all of this, then you will have to continue to face the constant barrage of choices.
In the end, he added with a soft sigh.
Lucien: Sometimes ignorance can be a blessing.
I pursed my lips and looked at him earnestly.
MC: I’m not afraid.
MC: I will hold on to the answer I have finally found and keep running forward.
MC: Even if there are countless setbacks and sufferings waiting for me, I am willing to endure all of it.
There was a glimmer of light in Lucien’s eyes, and his face was a little dazed.
Lucien: You are far stronger than I thought you would be.
Lucien: Perhaps some things would have been different if I had chosen to trust you.
I looked at him blankly, not knowing how to answer for a moment. But Lucien just smiled and carefully put me down.
Then he took my hand and led me out of the warehouse.
[Chapter 33-20]
- Walking out of the orphanage, they find Xiao Yue and the NW team standing at the door. For various reasons, Xiao Yue became suspicious of Lucien, which would hinder Lucien’s future actions in NW.
Xiao Yue: I just happened to discover an interesting thing recently.
As he spoke, he took out a pistol from his pocket and pointed it straight at me.
Xiao Yue: There are some problems with the data in the CORE bullet experiment report, and I would like to know what Professor Lucien thinks about it.
The unique-looking pistol glowed with a strange cold light, and I instantly felt a chill climbing up my back.
The memory buried deep in my heart screamed out, and there was a faint tearing pain in my heart.
Lucien silently stood in front of me, speaking in a very icy tone.
Lucien: Are you questioning the conclusions of my experiment?
Xiao Yue: I just have some doubts and hope to get further proof.
Xiao Yue: The NW program has achieved a milestone success, and we’re moving on to the next step. Isn’t it?
Xiao Yue sharply turned the pistol around, put the butt of the gun against Lucien’s eyes, and raised his chin.
The air was silent
I couldn’t see Lucien’s expression but I could feel his body tense up.
What is certain is that Xiao Yue is already suspicious of Lucien. Since he came for the CORE, there must be a result in this tug of war.
This is a test that kills two birds with one stone, not only to detect me as a core gene carrier but also to target Lucien’s position and sincerity towards NW.
I looked up at his tense profile, and the sourness and unease in my heart were intertwined.
I know he will always find a way, and I trust him more than anyone to find the best answer to a problem.
But I don’t want to stand behind him forever.
Lucien must have a reason for choosing to stay in NW, and it means there’s still work to be done there.
I can’t be his hindrance, I want to be his strength.
I lowered my eyes, pursed the corners of my lips, and let go of Lucien’s hand, which I had been holding.
MC: Professor Lucien, let’s end our cooperation.
MC: You have worked so hard this time.
I tried to sound suave and calm, but I still gave away a slight tremble.
Lucien didn’t say anything, just clenched my fingertips firmly the moment I pulled them away.
I saw his pupils twinkle, and there was a lot of emotion there. They seem to be telling me, ‘whatever you want to do, stop.’
I didn’t avoid his gaze, just pulled out my hand forcefully.
Xiao Yue: What is Miss MC playing?
Xiao Yue said as if he just watched a play, the corners of his mouth pulled out a mocking smile.
I faintly swept him a glance, pretending to speak without thinking.
MC: Officer Xiao, do you know that many civilizations have existed before this world?
- MC told Xiao Yue about the folding world and other civilizations.
MC: These things concern the end of this world.
MC: Originally, I should have kept these secrets, but it was a pity that Professor Lucien found out.
MC: So in order to seal the enclosure, I made a deal with him.
I tugged the corner of my mouth and tried to sound sincere and trustworthy.
Lucien: MC.
Lucien called out my name softly, sounding a little helpless and anxious.
He is so smart, he must have sensed what I was thinking, and he hoped that I would stop talking about it.
But I didn’t dare to turn around. I’m afraid that if I just meet his eyes, all my strength will collapse in an instant.
MC: I gave Professor Lucien some secrets that only I knew, and it just so happened that this information would help him accomplish something.
MC: I thought this was a win-win partnership for all three of us…
MC: But I didn’t expect you guys to include me as a subject so soon. NW plan is really more rapid and meticulous than I thought.
I said and feigned a self-deprecating grin.
MC: So I’ve also left a backup. If an accident happens, Professor Lucien must do me a favor.
MC: As for what that favor is …. Officer Xiao probably has a few things in mind.
MC: Looks like we worked well together, we even fooled the NW commander.
Xiao Yue scanned Lucien, and then looked at me with a critical eye.
Xiao Yue: Do you think I believe it?
MC: Of course not. I just feel bad for Professor Lucien.
MC: It looks like I know this experiment leader of yours better than you, Mr. Xiao.
MC: I know how to use what he is most interested in as a bargaining chip for mutually beneficial cooperation.
I smiled lightly and glanced at Lucien with a slightly regretful look, trying to hide the emotions that were about to pour out.
MC: Professor Lucien, you tried so hard to get information from me, but you are still suspected by them, don’t you think it’s not worth it?
MC: Just take this opportunity and leave NW.
Lucien’s deep eyes are terrifyingly heavy at the moment, but I seem to turn a blind eye
MC: If NW can be your springboard, so can I.
MC: Good birds choose wood to perch on. Professor Lucien must understand this principle.
The oppressive atmosphere spreads. I don’t know if Xiao Yue believes my words. He seems to be thinking, and his face is full of shrewdness that I can’t see any clues.
In the long silence, I don’t know if it was just me, but there was a flash of sadness flashed across Lucien’s face, but it was quickly concealed again.
A moment later, he hooked the corners of his mouth and broke the silence.
Lucien: It’s a tempting offer.
Lucien: I just wonder how Miss. MC is going to convince me that she would be the more favorable springboard when she’s in a difficult position to protect herself?
His voice was tentative and tinged with a certain acknowledgment and concord
I suddenly let out a sigh of relief, and some untimely complacency and expectations sprang up in my heart.
It seems to be telling, you see, in becoming your opponent, I will also be your best helper.
- After saying that there is also cooperation between her and Lucien, the other party is stunned. Not wasting the chance, MC took out the mechanical box, and with the tree(?) power that she gained, she grabbed the CORE recognition gun from Xiao Yue’s hand.
I hurriedly waved my hand, trying to use this ability to build a temporary wall, but the severe pain suddenly exploded at this moment, and I fell to my knees unsupported.
My whole chest seems to be on fire, I try my best to control the power
I felt a huge towering tree rising up behind me, and in the blurred vision, only a white light remained.
As my brain buzzed, I looked at the gun I held in my hand and gazed at the shifting halo in a trance.
I seem to see a butterfly landing on a flat line, the line is so thin, as if it will break at the slightest touch.
Lucien: MC!
Lucien’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away, and I blinked forcefully to see a rift between us.
And he was coming across toward me, his face had so many emotions I could not read. Somehow, my eyes were heavy with mist, blurring Lucien’s face.
On the road that leads to walking with you, I will quicken my pace.
I stood up, raised the pistol, and pointed it at my chest.
“Bang-“
The stinging burning sensation exploded in my chest, and the body felt as if it was torn apart.
I struggled not to fall down.
In a haze, I saw the leaves rustling down from the branches and Lucien’s panicked face…
The dense water mist engulfed all the scenes, and the last image left on the retina was me-
She slowly approached me and extended her arm to me.
I saw our figures overlapped.
The gears are returned to their original position.
On the far side of the rooftop, stood a young boy in a shirt and beach pants, wearing a strange duck-tongue hat.
He shakes his leg and looks at the tree that suddenly grows out of the sky a few miles away.
Little boy: You’ve finally made it this far.
Little boy: But can you change anything this time, given the doomed fate?