I’m Trapped in a Cube - Chapter 4

Inside the metal block, Mo Ling carefully watched the recorder’s electronic screen, memorizing the contents displayed.

“Relic… it must refer to those strange weapons. Now they’ve even classified me as a relic.”

But what exactly is the Abyss?

Mo Ling decided to keep observing for a while longer before trying to gather more information.

The people in the camp were busy, each one wearing an identical metal nameplate around their neck, inscribed with their own name.

Most present were “Level 1 Hunters,” and only a few “Level 2 Hunters” had an additional title on their nameplates.

They used all sorts of advanced equipment Mo Ling had never seen, scouring the camp.

One team member tossed a metal ball with a net pattern; after landing, it expanded, extending mechanical arms to pack up supplies nearby.

Disc-shaped devices, like robotic vacuum cleaners, crawled along the ground, collecting the corpses of black little people one by one.

Another team member climbed the ramparts, pulled a capsule from his waist, and wrapped up the broom-shaped relic the little people’s shaman had used.

The burly man with the large shield returned, a flatbed cart following at his side.

“This is a supply cart. You made a big contribution this time, so you can use it for now.”

He took off the bracelet from his hand and handed it to Li Luo. “Operate it with the bracelet.”

Li Luo didn’t take the bracelet, just sized up the cart.

The recorder, watching the awkward scene, joked, “Captain Du, you really look after your former boss’s daughter-wouldn’t this count as using your position for personal gain?”

Du Kang turned and kicked the recorder. “Stop slacking off! That broom on the ramparts hasn’t even been registered yet!”

“Yes, yes.” The recorder dodged and scurried away.

The tension eased, and Li Luo finally accepted the bracelet.

“Thank you.”

Du Kang also let out a sigh of relief. The tall, burly man actually looked a bit embarrassed.

“No need to thank me. Pack up quickly and let’s get going-we’ve already wasted too much time.”

Li Luo stood up and tapped the bracelet a few times. The cart automatically moved to the front of the old wooden pushcart, extended supports to lift the metal block, and then slowly slid underneath.

Several locking points rose up on the cart, clamping the metal block securely. After a series of operations, loading was complete.

Li Luo walked off elsewhere, and the cart slowly followed her automatically.

Mo Ling, inside, curiously studied these advanced machines.

“This thing is great.”

Mo Ling even wanted to try teleporting the bracelet inside, so he could operate it himself-then he could go wherever he wanted.

But the bracelet was already on Li Luo’s wrist. If he tried to teleport it now, it wouldn’t just be the bracelet that came in.

Everyone gathered, and after a headcount, they passed through the camp and headed in another direction.

Along the way, Mo Ling sat in the cart, watching as all kinds of rare birds and beasts burst from the jungle, only to be swiftly dealt with by the team.

Soon, the group reached a strange building.

Its exterior was made of smooth white tiles, forming a dome above the ground, with a tall tower rising from the top.

It looked like a lollipop stuck upside down in the earth.

As the team approached, a section of the white tiles slowly rose, revealing an entrance. Guards emerged to check their identities.

These guards were especially cautious around the metal block, each one pausing for a long time in front of the cart.

Finally, the team smoothly entered the white building.

Inside was a vast plaza-like space, with spiral staircases leading up the tower and down underground-a world unto itself.

Looking out from inside, the once-white tiles turned transparent like glass, giving a clear view of the jungle outside.

People bustled about the plaza. When they saw the newly arrived team, they only glanced over briefly.

Like Mo Ling, most team members widened their eyes, gazing around the building with longing.

“Welcome to the Seventh Monitoring Station.”

A kindly middle-aged scholar in a white coat, glasses, and neatly combed hair stepped forward, arms open in welcome.

Du Kang stepped up to greet him. “Station Head Liang, it’s been a while.”

Mo Ling looked at the scholar’s nameplate.

“Level 3 Hunter, Sage of the Forest Liang Zhi.”

A Level 3 Hunter? Mo Ling was seeing one for the first time. Comparing ranks, it seemed the higher the level, the more formidable.

Station Head Liang walked up to Du Kang, patted his shoulder, then looked at the others with shining eyes.

“This year’s newcomers all look so energetic!”

Du Kang explained, “We just cleared out a Totem Demon Camp between the main elevator and the monitoring station. No idea when it was built.”

Hearing this, Station Head Liang looked puzzled, pushed his glasses, and said, “We patrolled there just half a year ago-how did it spring up so fast?”

Du Kang shook his head. “Might be related to the recent riots. We brought back all the bodies, so the station can study them.”

At the word “riots,” Station Head Liang’s expression turned grave, losing his earlier ease.

After the conversation, they settled everyone in a huge warehouse, where the station’s researchers began taking over the supplies.

But no one came to ask Li Luo about the metal block. Mo Ling just sat on the cart, following Li Luo as she made her rounds.

“Why do I feel like an electronic pet?”

Still, Mo Ling enjoyed it. He’d been worried about how to get a good look at the monitoring station, and now he could wander everywhere with Li Luo.

After finishing the handovers, everyone gathered in a conference room under Station Head Liang’s guidance.

But at the conference room door, Li Luo was stopped.

Station Head Liang scrutinized Li Luo and muttered, “You really look like your father.”

Li Luo just stood there, silent, expressionless, staring at Station Head Liang.

“Your personality’s similar too-like you think the whole world revolves around you.”

“What kind of old grudge is this?”

Mo Ling eavesdropped from behind, even though he didn’t need ears to listen anymore.

Station Head Liang walked up to the metal block and sighed, “Your luck is just like his.”

He waved Li Luo inside. “It’s fine, go in. If you ever need anything in the Abyss, you can come to me.”

Li Luo didn’t stand on ceremony and turned to go.

“She doesn’t even try to cozy up-really has a strong personality,” thought Mo Ling, finding the girl’s character striking.

Inside the conference room, people gradually filled the seats. After everyone arrived, Station Head Liang welcomed them in, walked to the main seat, pulled out a chair, but didn’t sit down.

He bowed deeply to everyone.

“First, thank you all for your contribution in clearing the Totem Demon Camp.”

“The Seventh Monitoring Station is the farthest from the main elevator, and getting here is the hardest. Clearing another obstacle means fewer people will die in the future.”

“As the head of the Seventh Monitoring Station, it was my failure not to discover the situation in time. I apologize to you all.”

Station Head Liang bowed again before slowly sitting down.