“But that’s not what I want to talk about today, because their escape has nothing to do with the rest of you. It won’t affect anything.”
Instructor Beamon’s tone turned sharp.
“Yet during the Squad Battle, someone actually tried to steal the Central Control Core of the base, and even attempted to hack into the Sanctuary Guild’s Starfield Defense System!”
“This is a serious violation of the Sanctuary Guild’s regulations!”
“I’m giving you all a chance right now!”
The burly man’s voice boomed, shaking the eardrums of the trainees in the front row until they tingled with pain.
At the same time, it made everyone realize—
Instructor Beamon… he’s truly angry! This is indeed an extremely grave infraction!
“Whoever tampered with the central computer, step forward now. I can still punish you according to the rules of the Battle Camp.”
Beamon swept a cold gaze over the assembled trainees.
“Otherwise, if the investigation finds out, it will be the Sanctuary Guild Arbiter personally coming to arrest you. Even I won’t be able to keep you in the camp.”
“Believe me, the punishment for traitors by the Sanctuary Guild is something you’d never want to experience in your lifetime—no, you wouldn’t even want to witness it.”
As Beamon finished speaking, Doctor Forefinger stepped out from the side, echoing in a low voice.
“Yes, if you don’t step forward, this could even implicate your roommates and friends.”
Revealed… have I been exposed?
In the crowd, Lin Zhen’s face instantly turned pale.
He clenched his right hand tightly, so hard that his nails nearly dug into his palm.
Only the sharp pain kept him from completely losing control.
If at first he’d still harbored a sliver of hope, thinking that since the Battle Camp wanted the culprit to step forward instead of just grabbing them outright, they must only know the system was breached, but hadn’t yet pinpointed exactly who did it.
But when Doctor Forefinger spoke, and looked at him with that loaded gaze—
Lin Zhen was sure of it.
Doctor Forefinger had already figured out he was the one who tampered with the system.
“Ah? Didn’t last episode say there was no problem?”
“The slap in the face sure came quick…”
“What do we do now? If Lin Zhen’s exposed and dragged off for brainwashing, how are Xiao Xi and the others going to escape?”
“Chicha really can’t be trusted, Lin Zhen shouldn’t have believed him.”
Yes.
Right now, Lin Zhen hated himself bitterly—hated the self from days ago who so easily chose to trust Chicha.
If only he hadn’t plugged the Receiver into the computer.
Or if Chicha had followed his advice and kept silent instead of trying to invade the Sanctuary Guild’s defense system—
None of this would have happened, no matter what.
Now… what on earth should he do?
Lin Zhen’s heart was seized by fear and confusion, his fingertips trembling, sweat soaking through his starlight combat suit.
Don’t panic, calm down and analyze.
He forced himself to analyze, to regain his composure quickly.
First of all, this must have been discovered by Doctor Forefinger, and he hasn’t reported Lin Zhen’s identity yet.
Otherwise, the Battle Camp would have just come to arrest him directly.
And Doctor Forefinger first chose to keep his secret, and then deliberately hinted at him now.
Could it be that he wanted to keep him here, letting him be punished in the Battle Camp rather than by the Sanctuary Guild?
As the thought occurred to him, Lin Zhen felt the fog in his mind clear.
Yes, that must be the reason.
His abilities were of great use to Doctor Forefinger’s research.
And the punishment from the Sanctuary Guild Arbiter would surely be terrifying.
So, Doctor Forefinger couldn’t accept letting the Arbiter take him away, even if it meant taking a huge risk to keep him here.
Which meant—
There was still a way out.
If he dared to step forward, Doctor Forefinger would be able to keep him safe.
Though it would likely mean escaping death only to be trapped in the lab forever.
But as long as he lived… as long as he survived!
Lin Zhen relaxed his right hand, then balled it into a fist once more.
There was still hope!
He took a deep breath, ready to step forward and confess.
But just at that moment—
Not far away, out of the corner of his eye, a blue figure stepped out of the crowd ahead of him.
A girl’s shoulders trembled as she bowed to Instructor Beamon and the others, her face ashen. In a shaky voice, she said:
“I—I’m sorry, I did this! Please don’t involve anyone else!”
The moment her voice rang out—
Lin Zhen was stunned, his expression shifting uncontrollably from confusion to shock, then to a subconscious sense of relief and release.
And finally—anger and fear.
Yun Ruoxi!
Why are you stepping forward?!
Why would you protect me at a time like this?! This could really get you killed!
Aren’t you afraid of death?
Would you really die for me?
What on earth have I done to deserve this from you?
Was it just because I helped you when we first met? But you’ve already repaid me for that, time and again!
And now, only if I step forward will there be a glimmer of hope!
Yun Ruoxi, why are you being so stubborn? Do you really see me as someone you have to protect?
Don’t joke with me!
You’re not as tall as me, not as old as me—just stronger. Does that give you the right to selfishly make this decision for me?
No way!
I have to step out and fix this mistake!
Lin Zhen gritted his teeth, showing his pale molars.
He raised his leg to step forward.
And forward.
And… forward?
Huh?
His legs wouldn’t move.
Lin Zhen tried to look down, only to realize it wasn’t just his legs—his whole body was frozen.
He then realized—
Even his facial expression had only changed at first, then remained fixed by some unknown force.
Who?
Lin Zhen knew for certain this wasn’t Yun Ruoxi’s doing.
Never mind whether she could be strong enough to use her abilities under the instructor’s nose without being noticed—
He’d experienced Psychic Restraint firsthand.
That feeling was nothing like this.
When under Psychic Restraint, he could clearly feel something unseen gripping him.
But right now—
It felt more like someone had suddenly frozen his time.
Lin Zhen struggled with all his might, but still couldn’t budge an inch.
But just then—
He saw Doctor Forefinger, standing behind Instructor Beamon, suddenly glance at him and raise an eyebrow.
In that instant, Lin Zhen understood.
Doctor Forefinger was happy to see all this happen, and wanted to pin Lin Zhen’s crime on Yun Ruoxi.
So he used some ability to control Lin Zhen’s body, stopping him from stepping forward and explaining everything.
In other words—
Yun Ruoxi… was going to take the horrific punishment in his place?
Even though he could escape punishment, Lin Zhen felt not the least bit relieved or happy.
Instead, he was overwhelmed with guilt, worry, and pain.
He dared not imagine how someone as small as Yun Ruoxi could endure such hellish torment.
And at that moment, as Yun Ruoxi stepped forward, Lin Zhen’s internal monologue and Doctor Forefinger’s glance appeared on screen.
And the comment barrage instantly exploded.