I'm trapped in a block

Chapter 1212 Going out
"Is this truly protection, rather than constraint?"

During the time she was cooperating with the research institute's experiments, Mo Ling kept thinking about this question.

In the immediate aftermath of his awakening, he viewed the cube as a cage that bound him, but as time went on, Mo Ling increasingly realized that the cube's role was far greater than he had imagined.

The combination of his various abilities was like an all-powerful relic, granting him comprehensive strength, but at the cost of preventing him from leaving that metallic space.

At times, this cost can be offset by the fact that he can transform into human form and walk freely outside.

"Can this really be considered a price to pay?"

Compared to that immense power, this price seems insignificant.

"What did I go through in the abyss to become like this?"

During this time, Mo Ling still couldn't recall anything. His memory remained in a hazy, chaotic state, occasionally flashing back incoherent fragments, and sometimes experiencing a déjà vu when he saw certain things, as if they were guiding him, yet he could never fully understand them...

"I want to go out and take a look."

Mo Ling's desire to see the world clearly grew stronger. He knew that staying in the research institute would not solve his problems, so he asked Director Wang to let him "go out and see the world."

He wanted to experience the world on his own, to follow the vague guidance of his memories, and to find the truth about himself.

Faced with this somewhat "excessive" request, Director Wang did not immediately refuse. Instead, he put on a thoughtful expression and, after pondering for a while, gave his reply: "I'll apply for it for you. The higher-ups have always treated the Abyss as normal, so your request shouldn't be a problem..."

Director Wang prepared a report that same day and sought instructions from higher authorities.

A week later, the research institute received a reply:

"Agreed, but it needs to be regulated."

Thanks to the current policies, Mo Ling and other "superhumans" who returned from the abyss are treated fairly. They are regarded as ordinary people, without any high power. Of course, correspondingly, they do not have any responsibilities that are more common than ordinary people. Apart from being subject to supervision, everything is no different from ordinary people.

……

"You will need to wear the locator we provide and report your travel information on time. We will apply for an outing account for you, and you can use the balance in the account freely. This balance is provided by the Abyss Fund and will be deposited into your account on time every month."

"Also, this is a heart rate regulator we made for you. As long as you wear this, your heart rate will be kept at a high level, and your body will be kept in a humanoid form. It is also very easy to use, with just one switch button. You can try it."

"The research institute needs your cooperation in some experiments. The schedule has been sent to your screen. Please return on time..."

"Just like going to work." Upon hearing Director Wang's words, Mo Ling subconsciously muttered a sentence.

"Yes, just like going to work." Director Wang nodded.

Mo Ling hadn't expected his application to leave the country to go so smoothly. Society now had a complete system for dealing with people like him who had returned from the abyss. He just needed to apply step by step, and the process was very fast. It wasn't long before it was approved, and a fund account was set up for him, and his identity was prepared...

"Your information has been registered, and you are now free to move around the city as a legal citizen."

"These are the detailed rules for going out. Please take a look carefully and be sure to follow them."

"Simply put, it means don't use your abilities casually. If you need to use your abilities, you must apply in advance. Don't get into conflicts with others. If you encounter a problem, call the police immediately. Don't try to solve things on your own..."

"If you encounter any problems outside, you can use the locator you are wearing to contact the relevant departments directly. They will be happy to help you solve the problem." Mo Ling carefully read through the detailed rules handed over by Director Wang. The content was very detailed and contained many helpful tips, which warmed her heart.

"Thank you." Mo Ling solemnly expressed her gratitude to Director Wang in front of her.

Director Wang paused for a moment, then waved his hand.

"You shouldn't thank me, you should thank the current government. These procedures and systems were all arranged long ago. I just helped you submit the application, which is also the responsibility of our institute."

"This isn't the research institute's responsibility, is it?" Mo Ling held up the heart rate monitor that looked like a bracelet.

"This is a reward for your cooperation in the research."

Director Wang's words remained impeccable, without claiming any credit, and his speech was full of polite formalities.

……

On the day Mo Ling went out for the first time, no one picked him up or watched him. He put on his heart rate monitor and locator, took his electronic screen, and walked out of the research institute building in a very ordinary way.

The sun was shining brightly outside the building, and the researchers passing by only glanced at him before hurrying on their way.

When the shuttle bus from the research institute to the city arrived, he boarded the bus with the researchers in line, found a seat at random, and sat down. After everyone was on the bus, it slowly floated up from the ground and was firmly attached to the levitation track.

Mo Ling was still curiously observing the strange hoverbus when a sudden acceleration completely shifted his view. The bus sprang into the sky along the track, leaving the research institute's campus in an instant. Security scanners scanned the bus in milliseconds, and a few beeps sounded inside. Then it accelerated again, soaring into the sky...

Everything seemed so ordinary. The researchers on the shuttle bus seemed to have long been used to this speed, sitting calmly in their seats, holding electronic screens in their hands, working with peace of mind.

Only Mo Ling was still somewhat shaken, immersed in the acceleration she had just experienced. Her heart was pounding, and she slumped into her seat, gripping the armrests on both sides tightly.

Only after the bus's speed gradually stabilized did Mo Ling dare to sit up straight in her seat.

The car was as smooth as if it were on flat ground, and there was no noise at all. Mo Ling could even hear the sound of the researchers' fingers lightly touching the electronic screen.

His somewhat flustered behavior went unnoticed by anyone; everyone seemed busy, focused solely on their work.

Only he, with his square head, looked around, resembling a monkey that had just been locked up in a zoo...

The bus sped along the tracks, with no driver inside. There was only a screen hanging high up displaying the departure point, destination, arrival time, and some weather and date information, much like the buses of a hundred years ago.

Mo Ling checked the arrival time and it was only ten minutes.

"New Research and Development Zone → 17th Ring Road"

"Estimated arrival time: 9 minutes and 20 seconds..."

"Today's weather in Dawn City: Sunny."

"Temperature 19-20 degrees Celsius."

……

(End of this chapter)