I’m Trapped in a Cube - Chapter 21

The mystery of Theseus Cells lingered in Mo Ling’s mind.

Li Luo, on the other hand, was unconcerned-she was already preparing to take her next mission.

After a few days’ rest, Li Luo updated her gear and food, then went to the mission counter.

As usual, she started from the bottom of the mission list, but didn’t accept any tasks for a long time.

Following Li Luo’s gaze, Mo Ling realized why she was hesitating.

[Collection Mission: Watercore Lava, 50 kg, for experiments, reward 1000 Monitoring Station Points.]

[Collection Mission: Rolling Grass, 20 pieces, for research, reward 2000 Monitoring Station Points.]

[Hunting Mission: Hunt a Giant Jet in the Storm Belt west of the Monitoring Station, submit video and trophy Sparkling Core, reward 2000 Monitoring Station Points.]

……

There were no investigation missions, and the rest were all extremely difficult. Li Luo stood there for a long time, unable to find a suitable one.

Looking further up, there were only a few low-point investigation missions.

Just as Li Luo opened her electronic screen, about to settle for a lesser mission, a message arrived.

It was from Station Head Liang.

“Li Luo, you haven’t taken a mission yet, right? I have something for you to do.”

……

In the lab, Station Head Liang explained his idea to Li Luo: “The fewer people who know about Theseus Cells, the better. You know what happened before-there’s no one more suitable than you.”

He took out an electronic map and pointed to a spot. “This red-marked area is the Theseus Cell containment zone. I need you to check it out.”

“Investigate if there’s anything missing or abnormal in the containment zone, and most importantly, explain face-to-face to the outpost staff about Theseus Cells appearing outside.”

If there’s an outpost, why send Li Luo? Mo Ling couldn’t help but wonder.

Li Luo also looked confused.

Station Head Liang saw Li Luo’s doubt and continued, “We haven’t had personnel exchange with the outpost for a long time-communication is only by information transfer. I suspect something’s happened there.”

“I’m not going,” Li Luo said flatly. “I need points, I don’t have time.”

Her blunt refusal stunned Station Head Liang.

After a moment, he said helplessly, “Then I’ll assign you a special mission. You’ll get points for completing it.”

He went back to his office, worked at his desk, and soon Li Luo’s screen chimed:

[You have received a designated mission from the Seventh Monitoring Station. Issuer: Liang Zhi]

[Investigation Mission: Patrol the Theseus Cell Containment Zone. Reward: 2000 Monitoring Station Points.]

[Accept? Accept/Reject]

“This mission is somewhat dangerous, but the points should be enough. If you get extra results, I can apply for even more points for you.”

“So many?”

Mo Ling was shocked at the Station Head’s authority, but Li Luo had already pressed Accept.

After getting the map and travel permit from Station Head Liang, Li Luo set off with the cube.

The road to the containment zone wasn’t far, but it was remote and hidden. After two days of winding travel, they finally arrived.

Just as they were about to reach it, the sky suddenly darkened.

“Nightfall?”

But the time didn’t seem right.

Mo Ling, stuck in the cube, could only judge day and night by light and dark.

He glanced at Li Luo’s screen and saw it wasn’t yet evening.

Looking at Li Luo, she had slowed the car and was looking up at the sky.

As the car moved forward, Mo Ling finally saw what was ahead.

It was a high wall.

A thick wall of reinforced concrete, so tall that Mo Ling’s vision couldn’t reach the top, and its foundation was buried deep, with no end in sight.

This wall blocked out the light.

At the base of the wall, Mo Ling could just barely see inside.

The scenery inside was identical to outside-ordinary plants and insects; he couldn’t spot anything strange about the containment zone.

But just thinking that all those plants and animals might be made of Theseus Cells sent a chill through him.

He was still studying the world inside the wall when a shout interrupted him.

“Who goes there!”

A group of soldiers in heavy combat gear, armed with various weapons, approached and surrounded Li Luo.

“Out of the car!”

The soldiers, well-trained, quickly searched the car and Li Luo.

When they learned Li Luo was from the Seventh Monitoring Station, their faces soured and they started complaining.

“We know all about the Monitoring Station’s report. Just go back, there’s nothing wrong here.”

“We’ll help investigate the Theseus Cell escape, but there’s nothing special inside the containment zone.”

This attitude only made Mo Ling more suspicious.

“Isn’t this a case of protesting too much?”

Li Luo wasn’t stupid-she showed her mission and permit, insisting on entry.

Seeing the issuer’s name, the inspecting soldier said angrily, “Liang Zhi again! Hiding in the station all day, bossing us around. If he’s so great, why doesn’t he come himself?”

This got the others going.

“Now we’re supposed to take the blame for the containment zone leak? Isn’t that just bullying the honest?”

“Rank means everything! We work our asses off here, but it’s all up to him anyway.”

“Might as well quit-guarding this godforsaken place, fighting monsters every day, and still being doubted by our own.”

……

The soldiers were clearly resentful of Station Head Liang.

“Enough!”

As the standoff dragged on, a hoarse but powerful voice cut through the complaints.

The soldiers snapped to attention, standing straight.

“Captain Su!”

“Captain Su!”

……

As the newcomer approached, Mo Ling finally got a good look.

He was thin.

All the soldiers were big and fit, but Captain Su looked like a shriveled old man, his whole body wrapped in dirty bandages.

The bandages even covered his face, with dried black blood seeping through, making him look like a decayed mummy.

He walked up to Li Luo, checked her mission and permit again, then turned to the soldiers.

“Papers are in order, inspection is done-let her in. What are you all dawdling for!”

The soldiers quickly bowed their heads and apologized, their big bodies suddenly like children before Captain Su.

“Come on, I’ll take you in.”

Captain Su didn’t waste time, leading Li Luo out of the encirclement and along the edge of the wall.

The soldiers, who had been grumbling, now fell silent and followed.

Mo Ling looked at the nameplate hanging from Captain Su’s neck, and was shocked by the words:

“Level 3 Hunter, Bone Breaker Su Yang.”