ca-book Chapter 592 - 589: 【His City-State.】
Chapter 592 - 589: 【His City-State.】
Chapter 592: Chapter 589: 【His City-State.】"Since I entered this city, I’ve heard many bizarre urban myths."
Su Rin’s hand pressed on a blue-light display, and with a slight electromagnetic sound, the cabin’s door creaked open automatically.
Even a house as primordial as this one still relied on technology for its security system.
"What kind of urban myths?" Su Ming’an asked.
"For instance... people tend to hear whispering at night, occasionally see strange shadows in the darkness, and even, some can see a different expression of themselves in the mirror..." Su Rin led him through the corridor. "It’s like a ghost story with a creepy twist."
Su Ming’an pondered.
... Could a world leaning towards science also encounter such bizarre occurrences?
He thought about the ’Ta Wei invasion’ and the blood-red demon patterns that appeared in the eyes of the invaded—this might be a fusion of the invading world with the current world, like a magical world invading a scientific one...
"Generally speaking, seeing such creepy situations can easily cause ’Emotional Overload,’ so, ’Sanctuary’ also manages a particular job—" Su Rin stood in front of a stark white door and underwent an iris scan:
"Like the drug industry."
"’Sanctuary’ is responsible for producing hallucination-suppressing drugs that stabilize emotions."
Su Ming’an looked up.
— As the door opened, a large underground facility, resembling a factory, appeared before him.
Light blue liquid tanks matched with isolation glass, immersion of special tissues in a luminescent green biochemical fluid.
Pipes crawled across the gray-black walls, occupying a large area in his vision. Semi-circular white foam churned like snowflakes, spreading in the pool. In the thin-toned large semi-circular windows, the shadows of steel frameworks could faintly be seen whizzing by.
Thousands of greasy, somber eyes cast their gaze in their direction. They were dressed in striking orange work clothes, with hoods and masks, eyes bloodshot under thick glass lenses.
— Su Ming’an and Su Rin stood on the corridor bridge above the large door, this vast spectacle unfolding below them.
"Is this... ’Sanctuary’s’ work?" Su Ming’an said.
Such an oppressive atmosphere.
No windows, no places to rest, continuous grating noises tormenting the nerves. Working here wasn’t much different from being in prison.
"— ’Any scientific prototype has its dual images: the ugliness of embryonic stages, and the beauty of budding moments.’" Su Rin stood by, "At least people have jobs, places to live, they can eat their fill, and they don’t worry about being hunted... Isn’t that reasonable enough?"
"Reasonable." Su Ming’an looked at those clad in orange, "... To survive, nothing is unreasonable. Since they have rejected the notion of coexisting with machinery, if they want to ’coexist’ with other factions in today’s era and society, finding other means is essential—developing drugs happens to be a reasonable one."
"Let’s go," Su Rin said.
The door closed.
On the way up, Su Ming’an watched Su Rin’s figure walking ahead.
... Su Rin had been a deity for so long, his knowledge and experiences were biased towards racial conflicts.
Yet, even upon entering such an unprecedented technological city, Su Rin did not seem out of place; in fact, he adapted well and even proposed ideas about ’technology,’ although borrowing from the sayings of great people.
But this was also a manifestation of extreme ’adaptability’... Such a person would likely do well in any world.
"New type of mental stabilizer, want to try it?" Su Rin suddenly turned back.
He tossed a small box to Su Ming’an: "It can effectively prevent hearing nighttime whispers. It’s already been tested, no problems, this is a ’sneak peek edition,’ I’ll give it to you."
Su Ming’an picked it up to see that it contained twelve white pills.
"If you hear whispering, take one. These drugs are not cheap, only those with resources can afford to keep them on hand," Su Rin said. "The freedom and democracy of the city-state today are indeed a lie. Why are those with lower personas so prone to emotional overload? Because they can’t even afford the drugs."
Su Ming’an clicked the medicine box shut; he was not affected by the so-called whispering for the time being, which likely would be a hassle in the later stages of the instance.
The longer they stayed in this world, the deeper these players could be ’assimilated,’ allowing the whispering to infiltrate them more easily.
That wasn’t right.
He suddenly remembered Noel’s situation.
If Noel had indeed heard whispering but hadn’t mentioned it... could that be the precursor to the blood-red in Noel’s eyes?
—Had Noel heard the whispering from Ta Wei, thereby his thoughts were influenced by Ta Wei and invaded?
How did this seem to relate to the rules of not to look, not to listen, not to understand? Direct encounters could influence the person and drive them mad...
He vaguely sensed something ominous.
Su Rin reached the top of the stairs, and after a scan of his pupils, the little door clicked open.
"—Ah, Su Rin, did you bring a newcomer?"
A lively voice came from inside.
It was a laboratory.
Several people in lab coats were inside. Upon hearing the door open, a young man with short hair, a round face, and almond eyes looked up. His face bore a childishness that didn’t quite fit his age.
"Is he our new colleague? Or a new student you’ve brought in? I heard you went to Luz Krabin Street in the Second Ring District, did you find a promising newbie...?" the handsome young man said, then caught sight of Su Ming’an who had followed Su Rin inside.
At that moment, Su Ming’an could almost hear the young man’s jaw drop with a "clang" onto the floor.
The handsome young man went silent instantly, recognizing Su Ming’an.
"Is he called Su Rin?" Su Ming’an looked toward Su Rin.
"I don’t like the names others give me," Su Rin explained indifferently.
...Oh.
Truly a proud former deity, he scorned even using the NPC name of his possessed character, insisting on his original name, Su Rin.
"This is Dong, who is often overwhelmed by emotions. He was about to be disposed of, but the Sanctuary uncovered his talent for making drugs, maintaining his mental state," Su Rin pointed to the childish-looking young man.
"Hello," Su Ming’an said.
"..." Dong stared at him, motionless.
...
[NPC (Dong) Favorability: 90+5]
...
Seeing this value, Su Ming’an was somewhat surprised.
Next to him, a re
He had reached the ’end of the world’.
"Ah." Noel stared blankly at the scene that unfolded before him.
He slowly stepped forward, his legs weakened, and he half-knelt down.
His shoulders shook violently, and moments later, he let out a stifled, almost collapsing sob.
"So, this world..."
"What to do, Su Ming’an, we..."
"..."