Chapter 326: Calculated Risks

The combat teams preparing for the cleanup mission have assembled.

As Lu Xin and the others passed through the cordon, people were already gathered in a circle inside a tent at the camp east of Water Buffalo City.

Unlike the soldiers outside in standard tactical gear, the people inside this tent weren’t in uniform. Instead, everyone’s attire was distinct, even eccentric. Some wore practical tactical outfits, others sported brand-new suits. There was one in a short skirt and heavy military boots, and another decked out in vibrant colors with face paint, looking like a circus clown.

Among them, there were even individuals wearing a doctor’s white coat and hospital patient gowns.

…

“Now, I will share the latest intelligence and finalize the operational plan.”

The man in black tactical gear seated at the head of the group picked up a file and spoke, his voice cold:

“After confirming the targets last night, seven undercover units entered Water Buffalo City attempting to pinpoint the lab’s exact location.”

He finished speaking and swept his gaze across the crowd in the operations tent. “However, as of now, none have sent back any information, nor have any emerged. Computer monitoring shows they still have vital signs, but we’ve completely lost contact.”

“In other words, we currently lack intelligence support from the undercover units, and now we also have to rescue them.”

“The mission will be conducted in teams, with each group entering Water Buffalo City from different locations.”

“Primary objective: Find the lab’s exact location and transmit it back immediately.”

“Secondary objective: Rescue the kidnapped Dr. Zhao Shiming.”

“Tertiary objective: Prevent the success of the Black Table’s experiment.”

“Quaternary objective: Clean up all visible Pollution.”

…

“Huh? Split into groups?”

The man’s voice had barely faded when a stir went through the previously serious Ability Users from Central City. One with wildly colored hair raised his hand solemnly and reported, “Captain Li, don’t you watch old movies?”

He wore a grave expression. “Anyone who splits up in horror movies always dies horribly, one by one…”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Many nodded in agreement. “Splitting up is the worst thing you can do when facing ghosts. Makes it easy to get picked off individually.”

“Someone like the Captain would last maybe two minutes in a horror movie…”

…

“Silence!”

The man in black tactical gear raised his voice slightly and explained patiently, “We are not filming a horror movie.”

“Nor are we going ghost hunting.”

He explained seriously, “When dealing with Special Pollution Incidents, strength isn’t determined by numbers. If we move as one large group, we risk being trapped or wiped out by a single unsolvable Ability from the opponent, resulting in mission failure. Therefore, to increase the probability of success, we must enter Water Buffalo City in smaller teams, adopting a multi-pronged approach to search for the lab.”

“This way, even if a few teams fail, it just means a few people die…”

“Scientifically speaking, people die every second around the world, so what’s so scary about losing a few?”

“Right?”

“Finally, rest assured everyone. This is an S-level mission. There are rewards for completion, and generous compensation funds if you die!”

…

“Ohh…”

Hearing this, the crowd visibly relaxed. “Ah, compensation funds. Then we can rest easy.”

“Direct deposit?”

…

“Alright, alright, don’t just focus on the compensation funds! The mission needs to be taken seriously too!”

Captain Li, in his black tactical gear, ignored his colleagues’ chatter and calmly delivered his final speech: “Pay attention. This time, we face the most insane and unscrupulous mysterious organization. They not only command one of the strongest Mental Powers but have also stolen various parasitic items with serial numbers in the top one hundred, and have cultivated numerous bizarre creatures…”

“Everyone must give their all!”

…

After speaking, he stood up abruptly, grabbed a megaphone, and began assigning tasks to the team members in the tent: “There are twenty-one of us in total, organized into seven teams. I will serve as the overall captain, responsible for commanding the entire cleanup mission.”

“Team One will remain at the forward outpost to protect the information analysis personnel and provide central support.”

“Team Two will operate in guerrilla mode, ready to provide support at any time.”

“The other four teams will enter Water Buffalo City from the south, east, north, and west. Notify other groups immediately upon finding the experimental base.”

“Remember: First, during the mission, do not call for support or allow your team to be collectively trapped unless it’s the absolute last resort *and* you are certain you haven’t been lured into a trap by the opponent. Second, all teams must report immediately upon finding the target; no acting heroic. Third, even if you receive a distress signal or a mission signal, you must carefully verify it yourself. Once inside the city, trust nothing.”

“As we enter the city, armed personnel will establish a heavy firepower cordon around all of Water Buffalo City to prevent any Pollution from spreading.”

“The total operation time is ten hours.”

“If, within ten hours, none of us have found the experimental base or transmitted any information…”

“Then, Headquarters will consider upgrading the threat level of this incident and initiate the final emergency response protocol!”

“Please rest assured…”

“Even if we can’t find your remains, I will remember you always.”

“Now, all teams, perform a final check of your equipment and weapons!”

“Prepare to move out!”

…

…

“Conditions are a bit rough, Dr. Zhao. Please don’t mind.”

Water Buffalo City, three hours earlier.

Chen Xun, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a tailored suit, led Dr. Zhao Shiming into a spacious laboratory.

Strange containers and various instrument panels were placed everywhere.

Vital sign readings constantly flickered across computer screens, while staff nervously typed away at keyboards.

Glass jars of various sizes lined the surroundings like decorations.

Inside these glass jars were giant eyeballs, pieces of flesh that had grown mouths, and even some small, colorful fish. Upon closer inspection, one would realize these fish bodies were actually human fingers.

The entire lab buzzed with activity; everyone was busy. No one in the lab looked up when Chen Xun and Dr. Zhao Shiming entered, let alone approached to greet them. Only a somewhat overweight woman with a sallow complexion slowly shuffled over, carrying two cups that looked unwashed, and presented them to Chen Xun and Dr. Zhao.

It was coffee.

Judging by the color and smell, it wasn’t anything good.

Chen Xun took one cup himself, took a large gulp, and chuckled, “We don’t have any fancy coffee or tea, just this cheap instant stuff. And there isn’t much left. I only offer it generously when someone like Dr. Zhao visits…”

Zhao Shiming glanced at the coffee cup, frowned, and said, “No need.”

“It does look a bit dirty.”

Chen Xun grinned. “But I have the best antidote, so Dr. Zhao needn’t worry about food poisoning.”

“Even if you have an antidote, it will affect my condition.”

Zhao Shiming stated, “Coffee is meant to refresh. I don’t mind if your coffee quality is poor or the cups are dirty. But risking one’s physical health merely for the sake of enjoying coffee? That reflects a poor work attitude.”

Chen Xun seemed to realize something. Setting the coffee cup down, he said respectfully, “Dr. Zhao is absolutely right.”

With that, he led Zhao Shiming forward, stopping beside a reinforced glass tank approximately three meters in diameter.

The tank looked incredibly deep. Looking down from the second floor where they stood, they could see it was filled with a viscous, pungent green liquid. Crimson flesh churned within it as if possessing its own consciousness. Occasionally, serpent-like tentacles would emerge from the surface before slowly retracting, splashing tiny droplets and bubbles.

Thick tubes extended from various points, connecting to the top of the tank in a complex and eerie configuration.

Zhao Shiming took a long look, his expression tightening slightly. Suddenly, he asked, “What percentage?”

“Ninety-two percent!”

Chen Xun smiled. “I’ve already told you about the final hurdle. It falls precisely within your area of expertise. If we can overcome it, you and I should become the first in the world to complete this experiment. Need I say more?”

Zhao Shiming stared at the tank, silent for a long moment, then suddenly said, “I didn’t expect you to have gotten even further than me…”

“That’s because you still belong to the Research Institute, after all.”

Chen Xun chuckled. “You face certain constraints in your work. Naturally, you can’t move as quickly as we do.”

Zhao Shiming took a deep breath, then suddenly turned to face Chen Xun, looking at him intently. “Did you take such a huge risk bringing me here because I’m one of the few Research Institute researchers working outside the Main City, or because your calculations genuinely indicated that my research project could help you overcome this final hurdle? Were there no other, better choices?”

…

“Central City’s major and minor main cities are indeed among the most difficult for Ability Users to enter…”

“Basically, they’re absolutely secure.”

Chen Xun answered slowly, a slight smile appearing on his face. “But that doesn’t mean no one can get in. The main point is, with Dr. Zhao’s knowledge and status, you could have stayed comfortably in the Main City, enjoying the world’s best treatment and security, focusing solely on your research. Yet, you specifically volunteered to come to this Satellite City…”

“Could this be interpreted as you yourself waiting for an opportunity?”

He looked into Zhao Shiming’s eyes and smiled. “Dr. Zhao’s knowledge is one thing, but attitude is another. I might have had many choices, but the only candidate guaranteed to help me complete this project wholeheartedly is you, Dr. Zhao.”

…

Their gazes met mid-air, each seeing the calmness and confidence on the other’s face.

After a long moment, Zhao Shiming gave a cold laugh. “I must remind you of something. Based on my understanding of Central City, they have certainly made their move by now. While I’m sure you might have supporters within the Central City Administration Hall, they won’t be able to stop Central City’s actions on this matter. Perhaps the Special Action Team has already reached the outskirts of the city…”

“Are you sure we can complete this research topic before they break in?”

…

“I know they’ve arrived. They’ve already set up a forward outpost ten miles east of the city.”

Chen Xun smiled. “But that’s not important. Central City has too many people; bureaucracy has inevitably set in. They’ve started relying on numbers. Unfortunately, modern warfare is no longer decided by numbers. If Dr. Zhao still has concerns, I can first show you the fate awaiting those who try to enter, then you can decide whether to help me.”

As he spoke, he pulled back a white curtain, revealing a table behind it with several intricate objects. On the left was a thick videotape, obsolete even during the Civilization Era, its label faded and illegible.

In the middle lay an intricate 12-layer puzzle cube.

On the right was a stopwatch that looked somewhat damaged and old.

…

Zhao Shiming glanced at these items, his brow furrowing slightly.

Chen Xun smiled again, took a few steps forward to an control console, and tapped a few keys.

Instantly, various images appeared on the screen, evidently focused on different parts of the city.

One showed a little girl in a white dress standing quietly on a rooftop.

Another showed a man in a suit with only a single eye on his face, walking slowly down a street.

Another showed personnel in protective suits moving large cases one by one.

…

Zhao Shiming’s gaze swept across the screens one by one. His expression shifted from indifference to something slightly strange, finally turning ashen. Although he managed to conceal his panic well, unconcealable fear was evident in his eyes.

His voice was slightly hoarse. “Just how many monsters are you hiding in this city?”

Chen Xun smiled amicably. “Actually, only one.”

“Hmm?”

Zhao Shiming’s eyebrows shot up sharply as if understanding dawned, and the fear spread across his face.

He took two deep breaths to regain his composure, looked up at Chen Xun, and said, “I can help you.”

He paused, then clenched his jaw, looking directly into Chen Xun’s eyes. “However, I need you to promise me: if your plan succeeds, my name *must* be listed as a lead researcher on this experiment. If your plan fails, then I was…”

He finished slowly, “…coerced.”

A smile also spread across Chen Xun’s face. “Naturally. That’s the proper courtesy expected of the Black Table.”

Zhao Shiming nodded and extended his hand.

The two shook hands firmly, looking at each other with genuine smiles.

“A pleasure collaborating!”

Then they separated, striding purposefully toward different positions.