Chapter 361: Hell’s Kitchen

“The power of fear… it really is useful…”

Lu Xin thought silently as he surveyed his surroundings.

The city seemed shrouded by a colossal net, plunging everything into darkness. Shadows writhed in every corner, grinning, fearing, roaring, screaming, struggling. Thousands upon thousands of flesh sculptures were eternally frozen in their final moments.

The red moonlight spilled onto him casting a solid shadow on the ground.

His sister stood obediently beside him, holding his arm.

Myriad statues faced Lu Xin, bowing their proud heads like convicts seeking redemption.

Lu Xin let out a soft breath, “It’s a shame I can only hold this for a few seconds…”

The Ability Users of the joint team slowly emerged.

Bathed in the Red Moon’s glow he admired the statues scattered throughout the city, feeling the joy his father experienced while roaming the darkness. A mischievous thought struck him, and he glanced behind him, saying, “People usually give cool names to powerful moves…”

“We should have one too.”

A smile slowly spread across his face, “So, I’ve decided to call these three-plus seconds… Hell’s Kitchen!”

…

His sister merely watched Lu Xin in silence, saying nothing.

Lu Xin fell silent, the smile gradually fading from his face. He slowly turned his head, looking towards a specific spot.

“The big monster… is back…”

A faint voice hidden within the wind drifted gently to Lu Xin’s ear—familiar, cute, and obedient.

But where the voice originated, there was no one left.

Only a small, red, humanoid crystal-like object.

It resembled a little girl mid-smile, standing quietly. Every strand of hair was incredibly lifelike, her little face still holding that happy hopeful gaze. But her skin had lost its vitality, becoming faintly transparent like crystal.

His sister silently crouched down, her hand touching her own small face.

Lu Xin quietly walked forward, looking down at the crystal humanoid figure, stroking her little head.

He had known all along that killing the flesh monster meant Little Nineteen would also die.

Or rather, not truly die.

Little Nineteen had died long ago, only revived through artificial means. In this Black Table experiment her life had already merged with the monster. So she was inherently part of the monster and naturally susceptible to the pollution.

But she wasn’t truly dead either.

Lu Xin knew something of Little Nineteen still remained within this small crystal statue.

It was precisely through these remnants that the Black Table could revive Little Nineteen.

“You can’t blame me for this. I told you before…”

A gloomy aura returned to Lu Xin’s side accompanied by a dark and heavy voice.

The shadow beneath Lu Xin’s feet suddenly deepened.

The somber power that had permeated the entire city slowly flowed back to Lu Xin’s side.

One could sense this power was gloomy, cold, and quiet. Only when it returned to the shadow beside Lu Xin did it suddenly gain an unusual ferocity, letting out a sigh of comfort, like someone returning home from outside.

At that moment the feeling of his mind being drained instantly vanished, his head clearing.

But his body was also pushed to its absolute limit. He swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Yet he didn’t truly fall.

A hand reached out from within the shadow supporting his back.

Lu Xin steadied himself, remaining silent for a moment to regain some stability before reopening his eyes.

He offered the shadow a friendly smile.

“Thanks.”

He spoke politely to the shadow, “I understand. It’s not your fault.”

But within the shadow his Father grew even more silent, a stark contrast to the feeling it gave off when polluting the city and creating the statues of fear. Perhaps it was embarrassment from having its true nature seen through…

“Let’s go. We still have things to do!”

Lu Xin picked up the statue of Little Nineteen and began to walk slowly towards the large building in the city center.

…

The entire city had now returned to silence.

Compared to the frenzy when the fleshy tentacles stretched towards the sky this deathly quiet created a stark contrast.

It was as if the whole world had fallen silent. Only the uprooted buildings with their menacing foundations and the countless crystallized flesh statues frozen in their final moments of terror spoke of the preceding intensity and danger.

Looking at the city’s remains a tightness gripped their hearts.

Even now they couldn’t forget the feeling of being watched by something in the shadows earlier; their hair still stood on end.

“So, can we report to the higher-ups that the mission is complete now?”

The Doctor’s eyes darted around before turning to Xia Chong.

Xia Chong remained expressionless making it impossible to gauge her current mood.

After a long silence she finally turned to Chen Jing and asked, “Where did that… person go?”

Chen Jing replied softly, “We can report the mission complete, but let’s not disturb him for now.”

Facing the puzzled looks from those around her she gave a helpless smile, “He’s visiting family…”

“Even for work we shouldn’t be so inconsiderate, right?”

…

“How could this happen?”

“This doesn’t make any sense…”

“Things weren’t supposed to turn out like this…”

Inside the building Chen Xun’s body trembled uncontrollably.

The shaking caused his hands to scrape against the glass, tearing the flesh until they were dripping with blood.

He felt boundless fear, but more importantly countless unanswered questions flooded his mind.

This made his mouth suddenly feel parched.

He desperately wanted to chug down strong alcohol to suppress his turbulent emotions.

The alcohol was right beside him within reach.

But his hands were pinned to the table, immobile.

Pain and desire warred within him breeding a kind of madness. He clenched his jaw fiercely.

With a violent tug his flesh tore, finally freeing his hands.

The self-discipline of a researcher made him value his hands above all else.

So even knowing his life was ending he always subconsciously protected his hands.

He didn’t want such struggles to damage them further.

But now he couldn’t hold back. The simple human desire for a drink overwhelmed everything.

…

His blood-dripping hands trembled as they slowly reached for the wine glass.

His throat bobbed violently. For a moment this golden liquid seemed more tempting than anything else.

Alcohol was the kindest solace after failure.

Then just as his trembling hand was about to touch the glass, another hand snatched it away.

“Didn’t I say drinking is bad for you?”

Lu Xin sat back down on the high stool at the bar counter speaking softly as he drained the glass in one gulp.

The sweet spicy cold liquid flowed down his throat bringing a sharp comfort.

Chen Xun snapped his head up his gaze ferocious and terrified.

Lu Xin’s face faintly concerned in the candlelight looked like the most hideous monster in the world.

“Wrong… This is all wrong!”

Chen Xun suddenly yelled his tone sharp as if arguing.

“Still don’t understand?”

Compared to his agitation and anger Lu Xin was only calm.

He merely looked concerned and slightly disappointed like a teacher looking at a dull student or a relative frustrated with potential gone to waste.

“You… What exactly are you?”

Chen Xun stared intently at Lu Xin sweat dripping onto the lenses of his gold-rimmed glasses.

Lu Xin frowned slightly, “Isn’t that the question I should be asking you?”

Chen Xun’s breathing grew heavier. He suddenly burst out cursing, “Monster! You’re a monster…”

“You’re an absolute monster so you ruined my experiment…”

“My experiment was already a success, but because you’re a monster… that’s why… that’s why…”

…

“Is it really that hard to admit you were wrong?”

Lu Xin frowned slightly picked up the other glass and slowly sipped from it.

He realized although this alcohol didn’t taste as good as it looked it was probably quite expensive.

It would be a waste not to drink it, after all it was offered by family.

While drinking he calmly watched Chen Xun patiently explaining, “Look I haven’t even tried to tell you this was morally wrong. Because I can see you’re stubborn and cold-hearted. You wouldn’t understand that kind of reasoning…”

“I’m just using this method to show you your experiment was flawed. Your ambition and effort are just a joke.”

“You wanted to create a god, but what you created…”

He glanced outside and chuckled, “…is just this fragile laughable thing.”

“You wanted to control a god, but…”

An understanding smile appeared on his face his voice softening, “Something that can truly be controlled by you…”

“…is it still qualified to be called a ‘god’?”

…

Chen Xun was suddenly speechless his mouth hanging open powerlessly gasping for air.

It was clear he desperately didn’t want to accept Lu Xin’s words, as if countless counterarguments were rushing to his lips.

Perhaps any one of those arguments could have debated Lu Xin into silence.

But looking at Lu Xin’s expression especially his eyes Chen Xun felt unable to say anything.

Only an absurd feeling of being utterly mocked surged violently within him.

“You monster…”

He suddenly screamed glaring with bloodshot eyes his body trembling violently like a genuine madman.

“You’re the real monster…”

“I am indeed…”

Lu Xin met his gaze and nodded gently, “And I was created by you people.”

“Don’t think you can really control everything…”

Chen Xun’s face twisted with the frenzy and anger of an ordinary person. Like a drifter cursing on the street endless curses spilled from his mouth, “I get it now! Do you know why you could defeat my creation? It’s not because I was wrong but because of you! Because Teacher implemented a more brilliant design in you! I thought you were defective but you’re not…”

“You just haven’t been completed yet…”

“Teacher’s experiment is still ongoing! You… you’ve always been part of Teacher’s experiment!”

“You… never escaped!”

…

“Is that so? Well that’s truly delightful news.”

Listening to Chen Xun’s furious roars even the chilling truth revealed in his words Lu Xin remained remarkably calm. He simply nodded sincerely and softly promised, “I will definitely cooperate well with him and persuade him.”

“You…”

Chen Xun was utterly broken cold sweat pouring out like a spring.

Lu Xin smiled slowly stood up and said, “Normally after catching a bad guy they should be handed over to the Security Hall.”

“But I’m too tired. I want to rest.”

“So…”

He glanced at his sister, “Make it quick!”

…

As he spoke he gently walked aside leaned against the wall and sat down holding the statue of Little Nineteen in his arms.

Mental fatigue and drowsiness washed over him. Lu Xin closed his eyes amidst shrill terrified screams.

“Such a wonderful lullaby… it really makes one feel warm and peaceful…”