After drawing cards, the evil god became my source of吐槽 (tu cao, a form of humorous commentary/criti

Chapter 144 Black Sea Basin (9)

She glanced at the unconscious 034, then at the chilling figure of 035 not far away. The situation was more complicated than she had anticipated.

Not only are there physically aggressive mutated creatures and mind-controlling songs, but now there is this mysterious method that can quickly transform living people into skin puppets and deeply imprint and induce those with weak minds.

What exactly is at the core of this sea area?
An Jing's gaze returned to the dark, lifeless, yet turbulent sea.

Even with mental energy extending there, one could still clearly perceive the massive, slowly pulsating energy core, as well as the surrounding ripples, some restless, some lurking.

However, the high-intelligence unit that had previously released the song and imprinted its mind on 034 had completely disappeared, like ink dropped into the ocean, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact location and form.

It can easily see into people's hearts and use fear and despair as a breakthrough point.

Very cunning, and also very cautious.

The previous song attack had a wide range, but An Jing wasn't affected, so it immediately realized her special nature and threat. Therefore, it changed its strategy, targeting the weaker, more easily influenced individuals.

035, who was alone and already injured and fearful, and 034, who was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

The success with 035 clearly gave it some confidence or experience, allowing it to dare to make another move against 034 when An Jing was so close, attempting to steal another prey right under her nose.

This is both a test and a provocation.

But this also exposes a key problem within itself.

Or rather, it's a common weakness of this type of highly psychologically polluting and mysterious entity.

It possesses such powerful abilities, almost to the point of mind manipulation, yet it never dares to truly reveal itself, only daring to hide in the deep sea, using songs, mental imprints, or manipulating puppets and mutated creatures to probe and attack.

An Jing frowned slightly, her mind racing.

Based on accumulated data and experience, the mysterious forms and abilities are varied and bizarre, but they often follow a certain law of energy conservation or complementary characteristics.

Individuals with exceptionally strong, wide-ranging, and bizarre mental pollution abilities often have relatively fragile physical bodies or suffer from some fatal flaw.

They prefer to remain behind the scenes, achieving their goals by manipulating the environment, influencing minds, and controlling other organisms or derivatives, thus protecting themselves to the greatest extent possible.

The one right now... is probably the kind that is extremely fragile or flawed. The fact that it is so careful to hide its true form, and doesn't even dare to let its true form get close to the edge of the magnetic field, only daring to release its power from a distance, speaks volumes.

Will this eerie magnetic field disappear if we kill it?

An Jing asked himself this question.

Theoretically, if this magnetic field is maintained and driven by this highly intelligent source of mental pollution as its core node, then eliminating it would likely lead to the collapse of the magnetic field, or at least a significant weakening or loss of its activity.

But An Jing wasn't sure.

It cannot be definitively stated that this source of mental pollution is the sole core or key node of the magnetic field. The massive energy aggregate on the seabed may have other components or symbiotic relationships. Most importantly, she cannot determine its exact location and form. Rashly venturing into the unknown deep-sea environment to search and attack is extremely risky, tantamount to voluntarily stepping into its home turf.

Therefore, despite the speculation, she still dared not venture into the sea rashly. She needed more definitive information, or... she should wait for a better opportunity.

By this time, 066 had managed to regulate her breathing. Although her face was still pale, a faint light had returned to her eyes.

She glanced at 034, who was unconscious and had a furrowed brow as if having a nightmare, and then looked at An Jing, who was silently gazing at the sea. A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.

Fear, sadness, confusion, and a trace of... dependence and trust in An Jing.

"Agent An..."

She spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, with a cautious hope in her voice.

"We...we'll be rescued, right? The research institute...will send people to rescue us, right?"

Upon hearing this, An Jing withdrew her gaze from the sea and turned to 066. The girl's eyes were filled with a longing for a positive answer, as if it were the last glimmer of light keeping her from completely collapsing in fear.

An Jing paused for a moment, then nodded clearly and firmly:

"Yes, the research institute will not abandon its agents."

Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty: "As long as my regular reports are interrupted for more than the preset safety time limit, or if a clear danger signal is transmitted, the emergency mechanism will be activated. They will come."

This is not just a simple consolation.

An Jing was well aware of the institute's internal regulations and operating procedures. Yu Li wouldn't stand idly by while she went missing. However, when the rescue would arrive, how it would arrive, and whether it could effectively break through this magnetic field were all unknowns. But at this moment, giving 066 a clear hope was more powerful than any empty comfort.

Sure enough, upon hearing An Jing's affirmative answer, 066's tense shoulders seemed to relax slightly, but her eyes involuntarily reddened.

She blinked hard, suppressing the soreness in her eyes, her voice even lower, carrying a hint of barely perceptible confusion and self-doubt:
"I also want to be like you, to be able to say this with such confidence, to believe that my organization will not abandon me."

She paused, her gaze unfocused. "But now I don't know why I worked so hard to join the Special Service. I wanted to realize my ideals, protect ordinary people, and fight against the secrets, but I... I'm too weak. Not only can I not help, but I'm always a hindrance. I can't even protect my own life, let alone others. Even the department I'm in seems to be..."

She didn't continue, but her unspoken message was clear. The bizarre orders within the Special Service, the disregard for the lives of new recruits, and the current desperate situation of isolation and helplessness were gradually eroding her faith in the organization and her initial enthusiasm.

An Jing quietly watched her, observing the flickering light of idealism in the young girl's eyes, a light shattered by the harsh realities of life. She didn't answer immediately, nor did she offer any commentary on the Special Service.

After a moment, An Jing suddenly spoke, his tone still calm, but he asked a question that completely surprised 066:
"If you manage to get out of here alive, would you consider joining the research institute?"

066 suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide, staring at An Jing in disbelief, as if she had misheard.

Shock, bewilderment, followed by a faint, almost unbelievable excitement.