CAT Chapter 2 (Sneak Peak)

Experimental progress: Failure

The knocking sound grew louder and louder; its tempo had gradually accelerated. 

Lin Si ordered Lucia, “Activate level one defense.” 

Before his words had died away, a huge cracking sound emanated from the other side of the wall. 

“The hibernation pod…broke?” Seth frowned. 

“I’m afraid so.” Lin Si narrowed his eyes and added, “It’s a strong mutation caused by the black hole radiation. I hope the experimental subject has still retained its intelligence.” 

Even though the hibernation pod used on the spaceship wasn’t indestructible, it was built with sturdy materials. It’d be difficult to open by human strength alone. 

——This meant that the strong mutation acquired by the experimental subject had completely strengthened its body in a very short period of time, which amounted to the same thing as Lucia’s “extremely dangerous” assessment. 

Lucia, “Defense system activated.” 

Zone 6 had been carrying out genetic modification experiments in recent years. An experimental subject losing control was inevitable, that’s why the zone was equipped with a defense system. However, the distribution of high lethal weapons and robots were strictly controlled by the military, making it impossible to allocate them to the scientific research experimental area. Therefore the only function of this defense system was limited to blocking access control, ejecting shelters, and calling Zone 3― which was the military zone. 

Lin Si took out a tube of strong sedative from the cold chamber and syphoned it into the syringe for injection. He then strode to the entrance of the laboratory hall and instructed the others, “All of you, stand back.” 

“Is it fine to take only tranquilizers? What would we do if it’s too aggressive?” The kids were anxious. 

——They didn’t know what button Lin Si had pressed. A metal grid suddenly popped up on the wall. There was a silver white pistol in it, its model visible. 

The kids, “…..” 

Private possession of lethal weapons! 

――No wonder their mentor had warned that although Lin Si was the leader of Zone 6, he’s a really dangerous man. If you could have less contact with him, the better. 

Lin Si walked in front of the metal door and passed the iris authentication. The metal door slowly shifted up. 

It was pitch-dark at first, but then Lucia turned on the cold fluorescent light on the ceiling. 

Graveyard――This was their first impression of the entire vast and lifeless storage hall. 

On the four walls were various biological specimens. Hundreds of neatly arranged oval silvery-white hibernation pods, most of which were empty, were situated on the floor. A few were animals, and the remaining ones left were humans. 

The No.97 hibernation pod was situated at the deepest level. 

Lin Si approached, his footsteps echoing. 

The light could barely reach the dim end. The No.97 hibernation pod was destroyed open from inside out. The deep-sea liquid that supplemented dormancy flowed all over the ground, the top of the chamber was broken open with an irregular gap, with bloodstains around the edge. 

At this very moment, a hand was resting at the edge of the gap. 

The thin and slender fingers were nicked at the gap. The wound produced a steady stream of blood. 

Then came a damp black head, with thin, snow-white shoulders. 

The mutant rose from the hibernation pod, dark blue liquid rolling off him. It was as if he was a mermaid coming ashore from the sea. 

Lin Si raised his gun and pointed at him, in case of a sudden assault. 

“Ling Yi.” He called out the mutant’s name. 

–No response. 

On one side of the hibernation pod was the data of each experimental subject: 

Name: Ling Yi 

Physical Age: 15 

Affiliated Project: Limitless Phase II 

Experimental progress: Failure 

The mutant stared at Lin Si. His dark pupils were emotionless, his muscles were slightly taut, signaling vigilance and wariness, an omen of an animal attack. 

Although it showed aggression, its mental state was fortunately stable and not delirious. 

Lin Si slowly lowered his pistol, his voice was as smooth and gentle as possible: “Ling Yi, I’m Lin Si. Remember me?” 

Ling Yi stood in the dim light, his eyes didn’t show a trace of human emotion. 

Lin Si then asked, “Can you understand me?” 

Still unresponsive. Not to mention speaking, there wasn’t even a simple nod or a head shake. 

Seeing this, Lin Si had given up communicating with him in a human way and adopted the most primitive behavioral pattern of animals instead. 

He took a few cautious steps back and stepped into the dense cluster of hibernation pods, reducing his presence and leaving a distance that made the other party feel safe. 

Sure enough, after a period of silence, Ling Yi stepped out of the sleeping cabin and stood on the ground. He had stepped on the debris on the ground, white and slender calves dripping downward. The debris must’ve cut the soft soles of his feet, but he seemed oblivious. 

Lin Si took a step forward. 

He immediately looked at Lin Si warily. 

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Lin Si extended his hand toward him. “Come.” 

Saying that, he walked extremely slowly towards Ling Yi. With each step, he had to observe the change in his demeanor. 

Ling Yi was in a vigilant and high-tensioned state throughout. Like a little stray cat that you’d encounter on a corner of the street on Earth, ready to attack with claws out or run backwards quickly when approached by a stranger. 

Fortunately, Lin Si was somehow versed with animal behavior and knew how to minimize his threat level. It could be seen that in his student days, the likelihood of touching a wild cat on the corner of a street was very high――if he had the intention to approach it. 

He approached step by step, whilst Ling Yi stood still. 

Once the deep-sea liquid was exposed to the air, it would quickly evaporate. By now, Ling Yi’s hair was half dry, and his shoulder-length black hair was thick and soft. He had a pair of beautiful apricot eyes――His aura presented a mysterious aesthetic, which wasn’t only limited to his exquisite features. He also emitted a distant and unspeakable feeling, as if he had emerged from the abyssal sea. 

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