The white corridor of the association's underground facilities is particularly empty and quiet in the early hours of the morning. Only the footsteps of Chen Mo and Sue yat sen villa, as well as the low hum from the ventilation system, echoed in the cold air.
The fatigue after the battle is like a wet quilt, which heavily wraps Chen Mo. The burning sensation in the ears has been alleviated, but the dry blood scab left after the nosebleed stopped and the dull pain in the depths of the brain, as if it had been overstretched, are reminding him of the authenticity of the short and dangerous encounter just now. The weight of the special flashlight in hand, the cold touch of the lead box in the backpack, and the slightly different sense of silence of the left ear stud, which seems to be "consumed", are all marks left by this battle.
Sue yat sen villa go ahead, the pace is still stable, but Chen Mo can see that her back with a hard to hide weakness. The metal mask on her face, in the cold white light of the corridor, those new tiny cracks are more obvious, like irreparable flaws on delicate porcelain. She didn't speak, just silently walked to the briefing room.
The briefing room was empty. Sue yat sen villa motioned Chen Mo to sit down, and went to the front of the console, began to operate. The big screen on the wall lights up, showing the map of Binhe Road area, which is marked with four cases and the location where they just fought. Some complex data streams and energy waveforms scroll in the small window next to them.
"Task number: D7-0415, preliminary investigation and encounter report, start recording." Su yat sen villa's voice returned to her usual calm, but her voice was a little slower than usual. "Performers: Su Yat-sen (captain) and Chen Mo (temporary field assistance). Time: ... "
She began to dictate the task process in an orderly way, from arriving at the scene, energy detection, Chen Mo's initial perception, to the strange appearance of shadows, the attack of separating shadows, and their coping strategies, and finally defeated the shadow daughters with "light-bound bombs" and "light-condensed knives". Her description is objective and accurate, without exaggeration or omission of any key details, including Chen Mo's effective response to separating shadows by electromagnetic pulse and full-spectrum astigmatism interference.
Chen Mo listened, some touches in my heart. Su Yat-sen didn't despise his contribution because he was a newcomer, nor did he take all the credit for defeating his daughter. This kind of justice is particularly precious in an environment full of uncertainty and danger.
"... Preliminary analysis shows that this bizarre (tentatively named' shadow bite', with a number to be determined) logic core is highly related to the concept of' shadow' and has the following characteristics: 1. It can actively separate shadows to form attack offspring; 2. The daughter moves at the boundary of light and shadow, and has poor adaptability to strong light and uniform astigmatism; 3. The subject shadow is suspected to have a certain ability to move and hide, and can transfer the core; 4. The attack mode is' shadow stripping', resulting in the' conceptual death' of the target; 5. It shows obvious characteristics of' domain expansion' and' devouring growth', and the risk rating is suggested to be adjusted to' medium high'. "
Sue yat sen villa paused, bring up the data synchronously transmitted by Chen Mo terminal and detector, and the perceptual fragments reported by Chen Mo through vibration code before the battle.
"Helper Chen Mo's ability of" stealing earrings "has played a key early warning and auxiliary analysis role in this task. Its perceived logical fragments ('light-shadow gap',' devouring supplement' and' domain expansion', etc.) are highly consistent with actual combat performance, effectively assisting tactical formulation. Suggestion: affirm its ability value and incorporate it into the important intelligence support for the follow-up tracking of the core task of' shadow bite'. "
After she finished, she confirmed to submit the report on the console. The screen shows "Report has been submitted to the Action Department and Research Department of the Seventh Division".
After all this, Su Yat-sen villa turned around and looked at Chen Mo. After the mask, her eyes showed a little recognition after examination: "The report has been submitted. According to the calculation rules of the association's contribution points, this preliminary investigation and encounter belong to the D-level task standard. Successfully repelled (non-resolved) offspring and contained the short-term deterioration of the incident. Basic contribution point: 50 points. As the main facilitator, you have performed well, and an additional 20 personal performance awards are added. A total of 70 contribution points will be credited to your temporary account. "
70 o'clock. Chen Mo has no specific concept of this number, but it sounds like a lot.
"What can the contribution point be used for?" He asked in sign language, which is one of his biggest concerns now.
Sue yat sen villa went to the side of the terminal, operated a few times, brought up a simple version of the internal exchange list, and showed it to Chen Mo.
The items on the list are dazzling, roughly divided into several categories:
-Resources: special nutrients, repair agents (for contract erosion or combat damage), customized equipment maintenance and upgrade quota, temporary use right of safe houses, etc.
-Information and knowledge: access to non-core files, specific weird research reports (part), basic and advanced training courses (theory, physical fitness, practical skills, etc.).
-Treatment and auxiliary categories (Chen Mo's eyes immediately locked here): routine medical services (beyond the free quota), psychological intervention courses, "memory anchor point" recharge service, "concept purification" treatment scheme consultation and application qualification, and rental of advanced relic stabilization devices.
-Others: currency exchange (very low proportion, for emergency use), application for special articles (requiring additional review), etc.
After the "Consultation and Application Qualification of Conceptual Purification Treatment Scheme", there is a number that makes the heart beat faster: First consultation qualification: 500 contribution points. Preliminary treatment plan application: starting from the minimum contribution point of 2000, depending on the type and degree of pollution.
In the item of "lease of advanced relic stabilizer", it is also clearly written: relic stabilizer below grade C (erosion mitigation): monthly rent of 300 contribution points. Class B and above or customized model: the price is negotiable.
What Chen Yu needs is obviously "concept purification" treatment. And he himself, in the future, may also need a "relic stabilization device" to control the erosion of earrings.
70 o'clock is a drop in the bucket. But at least, it's a start.
"It's hard to earn contribution points?" Chen Mo asked in sign language, frowning.
"Look at the task level and personal performance." Su Yat-sen villa turned off the list. "The basic reward for D-level tasks (investigation, surveillance, and low-threat shelter assistance) is generally 30-100 points. The basic reward for C-level tasks (involving specific strange entities, moderate threats, need to fight or complex handling) is 150-500 points. B-level tasks (high-risk bizarre, large-scale logic collapse, or involving internal cleaning, etc.) have higher rewards, but the risks also increase geometrically. Grade A and above ... That's not what we need to consider now. "
She looked at Chen Mo: "You did well this time, and got a reward close to the lower limit of the C-level task. But you have to understand that the contribution point is not only a reward, but also an indicator to measure your value, risk and position in the association. The accumulation of contribution points to a certain extent can improve the level of authority, access to higher-level information, apply for higher-level resources, and even influence decision-making to a certain extent. "
"For example, if you have enough contribution points and authority, you can apply to transfer Chen Yu to a safer facility with better medical conditions, or designate a researcher you trust to take charge of her project. On the other hand, if you have been making a modest contribution or even becoming a burden, then the resources and support you and Chen Yu will get will be limited, and in some cases ... they may even be abandoned. "
Sue yat sen villa's words are very direct, even cruel, but Chen Mo knows what she said is true. In this organization, warmth is a luxury and value is a hard currency.
"I see." Chen Mo nodded, eyes firm. For the sake of his sister, he must become stronger as soon as possible and earn more contribution points.
"One more thing." Sue yat sen villa tone suddenly serious, "after the battle, did you feel anything ... abnormal? Except those mentioned just now. "
Chen Mo one leng, feel it carefully. Physical fatigue and headache are normal. The silence of the earrings ... He tried to concentrate and "listen" on his own initiative.
This time, there was no specific whisper or information flow from the earrings. However, a new and extremely subtle feeling emerged-he felt that his "hearing" range seemed to ... expand a little bit? No, not real listening, but the range of perception of "logical echo" Before, he needed to be very close, or when the other party's logical activity was intense. Now, he seems to be more sensitive to the free and weak logical "noise" in the environment. It's like the receiving frequency of the radio is slightly widened.
At the same time, around the ear hole of his left ear, it was just red and swollen before, but now it begins to have a subtle, itchy feeling, as if there are countless tiny bugs crawling gently under the skin. He raised his hand to touch it, but Su Yat sen villa stopped him.
"Don't touch it." Sue yat sen villa came and took out a small instrument similar to medical endoscope, motioned Chen Mo side head, "there may be signs of deepening erosion. Let me see. "
The front end of the instrument emits soft cold light, aiming at Chen Mo's left ear. Sue yat sen villa carefully looked at the connected screen, and the eyebrows under the mask gradually puckered.
Chen Mo can't see the screen, but from Sue yat sen villa dignified expression, feel bad.
"Sure enough ..." Sue yat sen villa back instrument, in a low tone, "your ear canal wall, there are some ..." Crystallization "signs. Very fine, like a very thin, translucent gray frost. This should be a manifestation of the deepening erosion of [whispering earrings]. Alienation of hearing organs is developing from functional loss (deafness) to structural variation. "
Structural variation? Chen Mo's heart sank. Become what? Ears full of crystals?
"This erosion rate is faster than expected." Sue yat sen villa muses, "is likely to be related to your high-intensity use ability to perceive and resist the logical noise of" shadow bite "in the battle just now. In the face of the more powerful and distorted logic, you perceive them, which is equivalent to exposing yourself to a higher concentration of' concept pollution', which will naturally accelerate the erosion and transformation of relics. "
She looked at Chen Mo: "This is the fate of the contractor. If you use power, you have to pay the price. Moreover, in many cases, the deepening of the cost is uneven and will suddenly accelerate at a certain critical point. You must always pay attention to any subtle changes in your body and learn to control the depth of your perception in the task. Not all information needs to be' listened to'. Some logics, the more you know, the faster you die, or the less human you become. "
Control ... Chen Mo felt weak. In that kind of do or die, how can it be accurately controlled? But if it is not controlled, erosion will accelerate. This is a dilemma.
"Is there any way to delay?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, but they all need to contribute, or ... complete specific tasks in exchange." Su Yat-sen is outspoken. "For example, the' relic stabilization device' can inhibit the activity of relics to a certain extent and slow down the erosion rate. Or, some special drugs and physical therapy can repair slight physical changes. But these are all symptoms, not root causes. To really solve the problem of erosion, unless you find a way to' balance coexistence' or even' reverse control' with the relics, or ... cancel the contract. "
Cancel the contract? Chen Mo eyes a bright.
"Don't be too happy." Sue yat sen villa poured cold water, "the method of terminating the contract is extremely rare, the risk is extremely high, and the success rate is less than one percent. Moreover, it is often necessary to pay other heavy prices or meet extremely harsh conditions. At present, there are few successful cases recorded by the association, and behind each case is great sacrifice and luck. For the vast majority of contractors, learning to coexist with relics and erosion, controlling rather than eliminating, is a more realistic path. "
Hope, once again, was snuffed out by reality. But at least, I know the direction.
"I see." Chen Mo took a deep breath, pressure in the heart of anxiety, "I'll pay attention to control. I will also earn contribution points as soon as possible. "
Sue yat sen villa nodded, as if she wanted to say something, but her terminal suddenly shook. She glanced at the information, and the eyes behind the mask instantly became sharp.
"What's the matter?" Chen Mo noticed something different.
Su yat sen villa put away the terminal, and there was a little coldness in her voice: "The research department has made a preliminary analysis of the' shadow bite' incident and the data we brought back. They found some ... unusual traces of' artificial modification'. "
"Artificial modification?" Chen Mo didn't understand.
"It means that the strange logic collapse of' shadow bite' may not be completely natural." Su Yat-sen villa said matter-of-factly, "Some of its logical nodes, the frequency of residual energy, show signs of being artificially guided or catalyzed by .... Just like we suspected that the' faceless woman' incident was artificially intervened. "
Man-made again!
A chill ran up Chen Mo's back. If the "faceless woman" incident may be a test against him, what about this "shadow bite"? Coincidence? Or ... Another temptation for him? Or, is it aimed at Su Yat sen villa? Or the association?
"The above requires us to secretly investigate possible human intervention clues while tracing the core of' shadow bite'. The priority is raised. " Sue yat sen villa to Chen Mo, eyes complex, "our next task, may be more complicated and more dangerous. You ... get ready. "
Chen Mo clenched his fist. Just relax a little and tighten again.
The shadow of conspiracy seems to be thicker than the darkness by the river, and it is quietly coming over.