Chapter 65 – Tongwan Hospital (19)
◎ Luxurious Lineup of V587 ◎
Song Ke played around like a primary school student for a while and was pulled back by the rationality of adults, preparing to go back and meet with the others.
Not long after leaving the cemetery, a rotating data wall appeared out of thin air.
The code composed of numerous small squares dissipated layer by layer, and Ilya walked from the void.
Song Ke was surprised. This place was remote, and there were hardly any cameras, let alone holographic projections. Although artificial intelligence was everywhere, Ilya’s sudden appearance was too abrupt. How did he manage it?
Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan stopped, their eyes vigilantly fixed on the figure in front of them.
Him appearing at this moment was not a good sign.
Ilya leisurely examined her for a moment, a pleasant smile appearing on his face. “Indeed, still alive.”
Song Ke frowned slightly.
She was now full of suspicion and vigilance towards Ilya. Leaving aside the matter of the tower, at that time he clearly knew everything, knew the arrival of the Bloody Hunter, but left only a vague “blood and violence” and led her to Manzoni Street. She didn’t know what his intentions were.
“Surprised to see me? Judging by your expression, it seems you’re not very welcoming,” Ilya said, taking the initiative.
His dazzling golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, as if coated with a honey-like hue. “Although it was just a casual thing, I helped you intercept a chase. Aren’t you going to thank me?”
“Oh…” Song Ke thanked him emotionlessly. “Thank you.”
It was close. She had a chance to kill Punk herself, but unfortunately, due to his unexpected sneak attack, she couldn’t succeed.
Song Ke never underestimated her enemies. The reason she was severely injured this time was that she didn’t know there was a dual-element awakener, and she never expected Punk’s other ability was the rare time element.
But Punk, an S-level, was not invincible. Song Ke thought that if she encountered him again, she would definitely cut off his head.
Ilya walked lightly around her for two steps, lowered his gaze to observe her shoulders, limbs, fingers. There was no frivolity or flirtation in his eyes, only pure appreciation. “If I hadn’t already made a choice, I would still like this body of yours.”
Song Ke stared at him expressionlessly and spoke coldly after a while, “I can still kill you.”
Ilya met her gaze for two seconds, sensing the burst of killing intent from her, and quickly changed his tone, “Just kidding.”
“I came to tell you that the Throne Race will be postponed for three months. During these three months, I don’t want any accidents to happen to Ferrara.”
Having experienced the resistance faction, the zombie siege, and the blood explosions, Ferrara was already heavily scarred and could no longer endure any further torment. This city desperately needed a period of peace to recover and prosper.
As early as the previous day, the advancing participants received a notification about the postponement of the Throne Race. Why did Ilya come to her specifically to convey this?
Song Ke was puzzled: “How does it concern me?”
Ilya’s tone was meaningful: “Of course, it concerns you because you are the biggest wildcard. Although I sent the Bloody Hunter back, as long as you are here, we never know when they might return.”
“So I have a suggestion. How about you go outside and take a break?”
Song Ke: “…”
She understood the reasoning; they were worried she might cause trouble for Ferrara by staying here. But was her presence that much of an issue? To the extent that the highest-ranking official personally chased her away?
Song Ke glanced at Ilya; he seemed relaxed in his tone but didn’t appear to be joking.
This “suggestion” wasn’t unreasonable. They hadn’t intended to stay in Ferrara indefinitely, and there was no need to confront him head-on at this juncture.
Song Ke nodded: “Okay, but I have a few q-questions.”
“Please go ahead.”
A data stream formed a spacious chair, and Ilya sat in it, appearing relaxed and regal, as if he held the fate of Ferrara in his hands.
“Did you alter my level?” This was a statement of certainty.
Song Ke remembered Punk’s words vividly from that day. She was an S-level strong attack type with a gold element ability, but her ability certificate showed only A-level. Upon careful thought, all the tests were conducted in Ferrara, and the only one who could discreetly modify the results was Ilya.
Ilya didn’t deny it: “Yes.”
Song Ke asked: “Why?”
“Ferrara is my territory. If an S-level awakener appears here, too much attention will be drawn. I don’t want to attract excessive scrutiny at this critical moment,” Ilya said lightly, as if altering someone’s ability level was a trivial matter.
“Anyway, for you, the level isn’t that important. When you’re outside, A-level is more convenient than S-level.”
He smiled, and his face seemed to show more emotions, becoming more and more like a true human.
“Just didn’t expect… there’s not just one hidden S-level.”
Ilya’s gaze fell on Zhuang Qingyan, who was sitting in a wheelchair behind her. Zhuang Qingyan smiled slightly at him, looking calm.
Ilya glanced at him a little longer and then turned his gaze away.
“Since you are so concerned about Ferrara, why did you release the zo-zombies?” Song Ke asked.
“Why can’t I?” Ilya countered. “If a room is dirty, you clean it up in time, get rid of what I don’t want, and what’s left is what I like.” His casually dismissive tone sent a chill down one’s spine.
Song Ke pursed her lips. “Why do you collect zombies and hold the Th-Throne Race Competition?”
Ilya smiled slowly. “Because I’m bored. Don’t you think it’s interesting to observe humans showing various expressions? Awakeners and their former kind killing each other, what a splendid performance. You can only see it in Ferrara.”
Song Ke understood completely. This unconventional artificial intelligence ruler acted on whims, regardless of right or wrong, and couldn’t be held to human moral standards.
“I have no more questions,” Song Ke said.
Ilya smiled slightly. “Then, see you at the competition in three months.”
With that, he disappeared on the spot.
“We underestimated him. Perhaps even Lyon’s rebellion is part of his calculations,” Zhuang Qingyan said with a serious expression.
Starting from organizing the Throne Race, this super artificial intelligence had been playing a very significant game.
Song Ke turned her head. “Why three months?”
Zhuang Qingyan pondered. “He’s eliminating potential threats. There’s only one possibility – during these three months, he can’t appear and personally manage Ferrara.”
Song Ke was stunned. Why couldn’t Ilya manage Ferrara personally unless… he had something more important to do.
“Lu Xinglan…” Song Ke uttered a name. Since Ilya took Lu Xinglan away, she hadn’t seen him again. And his offhand mention of a “body” always sent a shiver down her spine.
…
After returning, Xu Xing transformed into a spoiled child when he saw her, clinging to Song Ke and refusing to let go. “Sister~ Did you carry me to sleep last night?”
His voice was soft and sweet, and his two watery eyes blinked and blinked, shamelessly acting cute.
“En, you need a good sleep to grow tall,” Song Ke said, patting his curly hair, educating the young child.
In front of her, Xu Xing was always obedient and amiable. However, Song Ke had witnessed him explode in rage and curse at the shelter, so she knew that the child’s true character wasn’t as perfect as it appeared.
But what did that matter? Compared to the lifeless and forever gone person, he was lively and vibrant, which was good.
After comforting Xu Xing, Song Ke went to Lin Youyou. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Lin Youyou was carefully applying lipstick in front of the mirror, and she had an online interview to record later.
“You and Su Cha, join V587,” Song Ke said.
Lin Youyou’s hand trembled, smearing the lipstick crookedly, leaving an abrupt line at the corner of her mouth.
“Can you repeat that?” she asked incredulously, thinking she had misheard.
“You and Sucha, join V587,” Song Ke repeated.
Lin Youyou widened her beautiful eyes, her slender fingers trembling as she pointed at her, “Song Ke, I risked so much to save you. I thought we were even. You still hold a grudge against me for what happened at Mirror Lake?”
Song Ke said, “It’s not…”
“It’s fine if you’re not grateful, but you still want me to continue being your coolie. How can your heart be so dark?” The big star got into her acting mode, whimpering a couple of times and leaning on the table with teary eyes filled with accusation.
Song Ke muttered softly, “It was Zhuang Qingyan. He was a-afraid you’d report me… and spill the beans about my heart.”
Zhuang Qingyan beside her was mercilessly exposed: “…”
Lin Youyou’s hypocritical sobbing got stuck in her throat. She was angry, her tone rising sharply, “Nonsense, am I that kind of person?!”
“In fact, you can consider it as… a deal,” Song Ke explained seriously.
Lin Youyou and Su Cha joining them, working together with them, until the Throne Race ends. After that, if they get eliminated or win the championship, and when Song Ke leaves Ferrara, they can decide whether or not to report anything. Lin Youyou could choose to withdraw.
This proposal was both a limitation, restricting their personal freedom during this time, and a new collaboration led by Song Ke after Mirror Lake.
The relationship between them was like temporary partners—no close bonds were required, just unified action. The most important thing was the tempting conditions on the table.
“If we win the championship, we’ll get the money, and the o-opportunity for a wish, we’ll give it to you.”
“This is my promise.”
Lin Youyou was startled after hearing this. She knew deep down that she and Su Cha were doing fine at the moment, but as the competition progressed, there would be more skilled competitors. It would be difficult to win the championship with just the two of them. But if… if they joined V587, they could form a formidable, unbeatable team of five.
Thinking about this, Lin Youyou’s heart started beating faster and faster. She couldn’t help but hold her head, forcing herself to calm down.
“Wait, let me think about it,” she said.
She thought about it for the whole afternoon, and by dinnertime, Lin Youyou appeared radiant.
“We can join V587,” she agreed in her first sentence.
Xu Xing, who was happily sipping on juice, was so shocked that the juice box slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.
He was utterly dumbfounded. Why? Why did the person he disliked the most become his teammate in the end?
This world was so cruel to him!
“But I have a condition,” Lin Youyou continued.
“I need him,” she pointed to Fang Zhixu, who was dozing on the couch, “to heal someone for me.”
Fang Zhixu, it was Fang Zhixu again.
No wonder healing awakeners were always in demand wherever they went. Song Ke’s heart, Zhuang Qingyan’s leg, and now Lin Youyou all needed Fang Zhixu.
But whether Fang Zhixu himself would cooperate, Song Ke had no assurance.
The immediate priority was to understand what Fang Zhixu wanted and complete the task he had in mind, so there was hope for negotiating conditions with him later.
Song Ke approached the sofa. Under normal circumstances, this person had a very low presence, but no one would easily overlook him.
“Thank you,” she said to Fang Zhixu. If it weren’t for him taking action, even if her heart could self-heal, the process would have been even more difficult.
Fang Zhixu lifted his eyelids and made a nonchalant “hmm.”
He had vowed never to pick up a surgical knife again, and he hadn’t expected to break that promise so soon.
“In the next few days, we’ll be leaving Ferrara. When I’m feeling better, I’ll help you,” Song Ke explained the arrangements for the coming days and paused, then went straight to the point and asked, “Can you now tell me which magistrate you want to kill?”
“It’s not necessary,” Fang Zhixu replied unexpectedly after a moment of silence. “Saying things that can’t be done will only cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Why can’t it be done?” Song Ke was puzzled. “Is our strength still insufficient?”
Lin Youyou and Su Cha had already decided to join V587. With Fang Zhixu, they had two S-level and three A-level awakeners, plus one B-level. With this luxurious lineup, they could dominate anywhere.
Fang Zhixu shook his head slowly. “It’s not a matter of strength.”
“To kill someone, you need to see the person first.”
“The most stringent access system, do you mean the C55 District?” Zhuang Qingyan asked quickly.
