The pale yellow liquid filled the incubation pod, and besides it, a figure floated within, occasionally becoming visible.
Her body was pierced with various kinds of cables, and a heavy respirator covered her face.
On the electronic screen outside the pod, numerous numbers of different sizes flickered continuously.
“Vital signs have stabilized.”
“The severed limbs have been reattached… but the brain has sustained permanent damage. With our current level of technology, recovery is impossible for now.”
“However, the tech team has proposed a highly feasible plan: using an external brain interface to upload her remaining consciousness. The related functions can be restored to about ninety-five percent of normal levels.”
A group of researchers in white lab coats whispered to each other in front of the pod.
Among them, the taller one with a silver-white half-mask on her cheek was their leader.
“Just a routine containment operation caused this much trouble.”
All of the company’s Outsourced Mercenaries except for Team C were almost completely wiped out. The alpha wolf was even hung from a tree with all four limbs severed…
And up to now, they still couldn’t identify the attacker.
Every electronic device at the scene was utterly destroyed, the vehicle deformed, and the weapons twisted into a useless lump of iron with zero salvage value.
Everyone present had their brains hit by a mysterious force, leaving them slow and mentally impaired.
The cost of cleanup was astronomical.
“Doctor… if the board asks for accountability—”
“Let them ask. It’s out of our hands now. What else can we say? At least we caught one Ice Thorn freak, so it’s not a total loss. Aside from the captain, Team C has recovered well enough to handle simple tasks.”
“Once the alpha wolf is repaired, come find me. Our next target is other freak organizations in Jiangnan City.”
“Doctor… what about the attacker?”
“Based on the attack scene, that person is at least level 5. We can’t afford to provoke them yet. Be discreet and avoid being so conspicuous.”
“Yes.”
Upon receiving the order, the assistant quickly left the lab.
As the sensor door closed, the white-haired doctor let out a long sigh.
“Heh… a level 5 freak.”
“Looking across all of Jiangnan City, aren’t you the only one? After so many years of deaths… you still can’t sit still, huh.”
“Leidian.”
She raised her hand and pressed down on the mask covering her face.
The doctor’s grim expression reflected on the glass of the incubation pod.
…………
“Are you… okay?”
“So beautiful!!”
Before her stood a black-haired girl, turning around with an innocent air.
The sharply tailored black dress clung perfectly to her figure, contrasting vividly with her snow-white skin.
The shoulder straps and the slit of the long skirt were just right, hinting at a mysterious absolute territory that flickered subtly in Alice’s gaze.
Paired with the girl’s youthful, fresh expression like an unripe fruit.
She had every reason to believe that if Yijinmo stood alone in the corner of the dance floor, within two minutes there would be a line of people from the castle all the way to the underground parking lot wanting to dance with her!
Such a stunning girl was all hers tonight!
Hiss-hiss-hiss—!
“…Miss Alice?”
“Please act normal, I’m scared.”
If Alice hadn’t transferred a full 300,000 to her in one go before going out, Yijinmo definitely wouldn’t have chosen this outfit.
It was chilly…
Even her battle suit after transformation wasn’t this thin.
“These shoes are a bit tight, can I ask a waiter to exchange them for another pair?”
The crystal high heels perfectly supported the girl’s proud figure and delicate feet, a feast for onlookers but torture for the wearer.
“No no no, they look better this way!”
“If you’re uncomfortable, I can carry you, Miss Yi!”
As she said this, the girl moved closer, but Yijinmo stepped back slightly, denying her wish.
Alice didn’t mind though; linking arms with Yijinmo, she began leading her out.
“I just asked about the hotel’s dinner menu outside. Let me tell you, there’s so much delicious food! I’m sure you’ll love it, Miss Yi!”
Alice knew exactly what she wanted: to keep the maid firmly by her side, ideally for the whole night so she couldn’t return to the bar.
That way, even if Luo Shiyun rushed to the bar, she’d only find emptiness.
She even purposely kept her whereabouts secret from the bar owner.
This created the perfect opportunity for a date with the maid.
If Luo Shiyun still tried to show up, she’d eat the maid’s high heels on the spot!!
Ascending a grand spiral staircase to the sixth floor, they arrived at a spacious, brightly lit banquet hall, where the walls were entirely made of floor-to-ceiling windows.
The city’s evening view blended with the setting sun’s afterglow, creating the illusion of being outdoors, but without the noise of wind or the heat of the sun.
The whole hall was exceptionally quiet; even footsteps were muffled by the carpet.
There was still some time before the banquet started, so the place was not fully set up yet.
Alice and Yijinmo were among the first guests.
But that was for the best. Yijinmo was shy, especially dressed like this.
Having researched in advance, Alice led the maid to a secluded corner with a perfect view of the sunset and the river, where the sunset was particularly magnificent.
Due to the time, only some desserts were prepared in the banquet hall for now.
“Miss Yi, against such a beautiful backdrop, I feel you’ve become even more beautiful.”
“Ahaha, no, not really.”
Covering her mouth to laugh softly, Yijinmo’s gaze drifted outside—more precisely, to the outdoor corridor.
There, a group of people chatted as they moved toward the far end of the corridor.
“Um, Miss Alice, have you heard any rumors recently?”
“Especially about freaks.”
“Freaks?”
She shook her head, not immediately catching on. “Freaks… what about them?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that the bar was attacked by freaks a few days ago, so I’m a little scared…”
She was indeed afraid—afraid that the Red Spider Lily would come sniffing like some kind of pervert and tear her apart.
No, not like—it was exactly that. A total pervert!
That worry peaked after she had dealt with the trouble for Vita last night.
Freaks, huh.
Alice lowered her head and pondered for a moment. “Let me think, it seems… there really have been some.”
“There’s been a surge in freak incidents lately, and the police have issued many notices reminding everyone to be careful when going out.”
If it were just common knowledge, there wouldn’t be any need to mention it. But Alice’s next words were the key.
“I have some inside information, Miss Yi, but you mustn’t spread it.”
“There are rumors that those freaks were actually artificially created by Raytheon Corporation.”
“?!”