NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 21
Chapter 21: The Sea Without Light Part 21
The python proceeded cautiously through the backstreets of Harbor Zone in Hei Hai City’s dark and quiet night. Only a few places were bustling热闹非凡, such as bars, underground fight arenas, and casinos. This was the territory controlled by gangs, where even the Investigation Bureau had to exercise caution, as violent incidents often took place in these areas.
Impoverished areas were the most likely breeding grounds for crime, while darkness and chaos provided the best cover for those who operated there.
The python slithered into a small casino. Gamblers surrounded the gaming tables, colorful cards flying everywhere, and players bet chips with bloodshot eyes.
Although the python had a gambling addiction, he was not here to gamble. He came to meet an informant to get his own divine blood.
Silently, he ascended the stairs to the second floor and pushed open the door to room 208.
The room’s lighting was dim. On an expensive, vintage armchair sat a hooded person.
“You’re late by three minutes,” the informant said indifferently.
The python did not remove his mask nor respond immediately. Instead, he turned on his equipment to scan the room, fearing that surveillance devices might be hidden there.
The informant coldly watched the python’s cautious actions, waiting for an explanation.
“The woman from Thorn Rose is too annoying; she loves giving orders, and I have to follow her. Who made her my superior anyway?” the python said, closing the scanner. “Quickly hand over the divine blood; that woman went for beauty treatments. I好不容易摆脱 her control, and I still need to return to reunite with her shortly.”
“Are you so eager?” the informant chuckled.
“We agreed that if I provide the information you want, you’ll give me a new identity and let me leave Hei Hai City, and also one vial of divine blood,” the python said coldly. “This is what I deserve. I took tremendous risks, so this is my due reward. Could it be that you’re thinking of going back on your word?”
“We always keep our promises,” the informant said, pulling out a test tube filled with dark red liquid from his pocket. “This is your payment.”
The python fixed his gaze on the test tube, stepping forward to take it. However, the informant moved the tube just a little, causing the python’s hand to miss.
“What do you mean?” the python said, his voice deepening. “We agreed that the reward for the divine blood should be pre-paid.”
“Do not tense up, Python. I’ve said it before, we will always adhere to our word,” the informant reassured him. “But there is a small matter you need to attend to first.”
“Huh.” The python sneered. “How did you talk about this the last time? Did you forget already after just a few hours? You said I didn’t have to do tasks for you, just send information.”
The informant apologized without sincerity, “I’m sorry, it’s an order from my superior here, and I have no authority to refuse it for you.”
“Then, do I have the right to refuse?” the python asked.
“Yes, you do,” replied the informant. “However, if you refuse, I cannot give you the divine blood.”
The python’s temples bulged as he suppressed his anger and said, “Am I just a tool to you? What kind of person do you think I am? An idiot?”
“It couldn’t be,” the informant replied sincerely. “You are a brilliant undercover agent. Where would you be an idiot?”
“You…” the python couldn’t find the words.
His muscular chest rose and fell violently as he suppressed the rage, saying, “It feels like I’m a wild boar in the woods. The hunter has put bait on my path, and once I follow it, at the end, it is not the delicious food but the trap that awaits me.”
“We’re not hunters,” the informant remained calm. “We are your cooperators and traders. Consider this business; it’s just negotiation. You have the right to refuse, but you’ll lose some benefits, which means accepting certain investment risks.”
“When my cooperators and traders break the contract, is there any point in continuing?” the python challenged.
“No, you’re not considering it correctly,” the informant responded. “We are still in the initial discussion phase. It’s quite normal to propose new terms when negotiating.”
“That just means I fell for your trap,” the python laughed sarcastically. “Don’t throw the term ‘business’ around. Where have you ever heard of someone investing in a failed business and losing their life as well?”
“Don’t rush to say no, Python,” the informant tried to persuade him. “What we’re asking is really a very minor task. If successful, it could benefit you. Hear it out before making a decision.”
“Go ahead,” the python gestured for him to continue.
He didn’t refuse because the risk he had taken was immense, and refusing now would render all earlier efforts meaningless.
This left him resentful, unwilling to give up so easily. The divine blood was indeed a strong lure, enticing him step by step.
“We have cultivated a new xenomorph,” the informant revealed, holding a slender glass tube. At first glance, it looked empty until he illuminated it with a tiny flashlight and revealed its contents.
A faintly writhing red worm, nearly invisible, lay within.
“Hidden line worms,” the informant described them. “Smaller than the red demon spider you received earlier, harder to detect. The red demon spider kills its host within an hour, whereas the hidden line worm grows more slowly. After a long development period, it can burrow into the host’s brain and gradually control its body…even thoughts.”
A slight twitch indicated that this revelation troubled the python deeply. “You people are true madmen.”
The red demon spider, a red arachnid xenomorph used for mind control, had first appeared during the python’s mission. Smaller than a peanut in its early stage, once parasitized, it could enter the host’s brain in under a minute and gain control. The informant had provided the python with the spider, yet now presented him with yet another new xenomorph.
“Are you looking for experiment subjects through me?” the python asked weakly. “First a red demon spider, then a hidden line worm…you gave me the dangerous juvenile form to not only complete the task but also obtain feedback data…”
“They are stable strains,” the informant informed the python. “The only uncertainty we have regarding them lies in whether they can influence the minds of Awakened individuals.”
The python felt an ominous premonition, “Could you possibly…”
“You’ve been with Thorn Rose for a long time and she trusts you. Find a chance to let the hidden line worm parasitize her,” the informant advised. “It would penetrate a human’s skin in just two seconds, with the sensation akin to a mosquito bite.”
With reason, the informant stated, “Didn’t you hate how she always dominated you? This would be a great opportunity to use the xenomorph to control her, thus lowering your risk of exposure.”
These words struck a chord with the python. His main fear as a spy stemmed from Thorn Rose being so close to him, making him always on edge. Should an infected Thorn Rose weaken her control, he wouldn’t be so cautious.
“I can try,” the python said cautiously, “I won’t guarantee success. I will do my best, but first, you must give me the divine blood.”
The informant seemed to ponder for a while, then said, “Very well.”
Placing the container of blood and the test tube containing the hidden line worm in front of him, the python eagerly reached for them.
Putting the line worm container away in his pocket, he carefully examined the divine blood vial.
“Are you worried we’ve poisoned it?” the informant joked.
“Why would you do that?” the python responded. “You still need me for work.”
“You understand then,” the informant nodded in satisfaction. “I’ve a few questions, though.”
“What extraordinary abilities does Hong have?”
“I don’t know; maybe Thorn Rose knows, but she doesn’t tell me,” the python answered. “All I know about the bartender has been told to you.”
“How widespread are the mental abilities of Amber Eyes and Black Obsidian?”
“Where would I get such detailed information? Are you asking me to go ask them directly?”
“What about Lady Fortune’s extraordinary abilities?”
“No one has mentioned what Lady Fortune’s extraordinary abilities are…she and Hong are high up, we’re just their subordinates…it’s not advisable to ask their bosses casually.”
“When are you planning to blow up the port?”
“Before August 8th…didn’t I mention this already?”
The informant said calmly, “No worries, just making sure nothing’s changed. Do inform me if anything does.”
Understood. The python eyed the informant warily.” This extra demand, I’ll tolerate it once this time. I may not have much leverage to negotiate with you, you have resources and power…but I’m not one to back down easily.”
The python left the room, leaving silence behind once again.
The informant tilted his head and raised his right hand, the air in a corner rippling slightly, revealing a shadowy figure.
“You didn’t find anything with the scanning device, correct, Python?” the informant asked.
The shadow shook its head lightly.
“There you have it,” laughed the informant. “He’s still reasonably truthful… too bad he can’t change his gambling nature.”
…
Silverface trudged into the living room, panting heavily, “I definitely brought enough bullets!”
He unzipped his bulky jacket, revealing boxes of bullets tightly secured to his body with tape — wound around several times.
“Couldn’t you have used a bag?” complained Wei Xin, watching Silverface struggle to peel off the tape and remove the ammo boxes hooked on his body piece by piece.
“I only remembered I forgot to bring a bag once I got there, and the gun depot didn’t have any suitable bags…but fortunately, there were medical adhesive tapes, so I stuck them on myself.” Silverface seemed proud of himself.
Wei Xin was silent for a moment, barely approving his efforts, “Good job…be more careful next time.”
She picked up pieces of equipment scattered about — a bulletproof vest caught her eye.
Such new materials formed vests that were not only lightweight and durable but also did not hinder movement. They covered her entire torso and limbs.
She needed to avoid mistakes from earlier. She couldn’t rely on a helmet alone every time. A bulletproof vest was essential, ensuring survival even if she was targeted in the torso.
Returning to the living room, Wei Xin double-checked each piece of gear:
The K80 sniper rifle, pistols, magazines, tactical knives, micro-bombs, environmental scanners, communicators, locators, night vision goggles…
“What’s this?” Wei Xin picked up a black object the size of a button.
“New optical camouflage projection device from Headquarters, still in the experimental phase,” Silverface pressed a button, and the object blended the user into the surroundings like a chameleon. However, the effect wasn’t as impressive when the user moved.
“Good for static camouflage,” Wei Xin commented.
Silverface tossed the button away. “I don’t need it. I can turn transparent.”
Wei Xin activated her wristband to check their destination map, “Let’s move.”
Wei Xin had made contact with Thorn Rose. Once she met with Python, she would use the pretext of collecting data to lead him toward the harbor dock.
Waiting en route for Python, Wei Xin set up a stakeout position to prepare for the final confrontation.
Thorn Rose activated real-time tracking. Now, Wei Xin could monitor Thorn Rose’s movements and use this to pinpoint Python’s location.
Bringing a weapon drew too much attention. The rifle could be assembled upon reaching the sniper point. Wei Xin equipped the parts of a K80 sniper rifle, attached a magazine, knife, and pistol to her belt, while Silverface carried some supplies.
She adjusted her mask, put on the voice changer, pulled her hood low, and leaped from the balcony of the third floor. Under the cover of night, she and Silverface headed towards their prearranged sniping point.