Chapter24: Big V's Here

"Wake up!"

V patted May lightly, jolting her awake.

"What's wrong?" May sat up abruptly, eyes darting around in alarm.

"Tom... Didn't you see him?" Bob asked in a low voice, a hint of unease in his eyes.

May froze for a moment, then shook her head blankly. The group searched the surroundings, but Tom was nowhere to be found.

Almost simultaneously, Jack sensed something was off—Lily also confirmed that she had seen no trace of anyone passing by.

"If they were taken to Area A..." V pondered for a moment, his tone grave. "They were probably captured for genetic extraction, part of the human reproduction program."

"What?!" May's eyes widened in shock.

"Are their lives in danger?" Lily frowned, concern evident in her voice.

"Unclear." V shook his head. "But based on my observations so far, they should be fine."

He paused, his eyes flickering as if weighing his words. "Unless we follow their rhythm, we won't understand what's truly happening here. That's why, from the beginning, I didn't approach you directly... because I sensed something unusual."

"Like what?" Bob pressed.

V spoke slowly, his voice deep. "For instance, did you notice the poplar trees along the corridor when you entered the city? Hidden within their trunks are numerous surveillance cameras. They don't just monitor everything—they are most likely linked to a defense system. Any unexpected disturbance might trigger underground explosives."

He continued, gesturing toward a nearby amusement park. "And here... every night, the entertainment facilities operate as usual. But no one makes a sound. Those people… they aren't zombies, but they have no consciousness either, like empty shells."

"The military zone is even more unsettling," V added darkly. "I saw my own kind there... but they were being trained as weapons, forced to fight zombies—experimental subjects of some kind. I don't know what program is being conducted here..."

The entire city reeked of an eerie, unnatural presence.

Inside the amusement park, neon lights flickered, the carousel turned slowly, and a roller coaster roared into motion.

Music played, yet the scene was unnervingly silent. No voices, none of the daytime liveliness—everything moved mechanically, as if pre-programmed.

May walked up to the carousel and found it occupied by "adults" and "children." Their expressions and attire were indistinguishable from real humans, but their eyes were vacant, their bodies motionless.

"Hey?" May tentatively reached out and tapped one of the "children." No response.

"They won't react."

A sudden voice from behind made them all tense up—even V looked momentarily surprised.

"Who are you?" Lily asked with a frown.

"I am Serena," the woman replied with a faint smile, her expression calm. "One of the AI units here."

"What is this place?" Bob demanded.

Serena remained composed as she explained, "Before officially integrating into society, every individual must undergo testing in the amusement park."

She glanced at them before adding indifferently, "Your friends are unharmed. They are merely undergoing genetic extraction. Once completed, if they ever die in the future, their physical bodies can be restored in Blackwall City. However, the price is... they will lose all memories and data of ever leaving this place."

"So, there are no real 'humans' here? Everyone is a genetic replica?" Bob's expression darkened.

"Correct." Serena nodded calmly.

"That means... eternal life?" Bob murmured, his gaze complex. "Having fought on the brink of death, I think... maybe that's not such a bad thing."

"I can't accept it." Lily's voice was firm. "I am unique. My life... does not need to be 'copied.'"

"It feels wrong to me too..." May muttered.

Serena chuckled softly, as if accustomed to such reactions. "You may return and wait. By dawn, your friends will be back in their rooms."

"Can we see them?" Bob asked.

Serena hesitated briefly before offering a small smile. "Normally, it's not allowed, but... this time, I'll make an exception."

They followed Serena toward Area A, passing through the military zone.

Suddenly—BOOM!

A dark figure plummeted from the sky like a meteor, crashing into the ground with a deafening impact, sending dust flying in all directions.

A thunderous roar shattered the silence of the military district!

The group instinctively hid, watching as alien hunting dogs swarmed the shadowy figure, their fangs sinking in mercilessly—it was one of V's own kind, but significantly larger, as if V himself had been enlarged tenfold!

The massive "V" was engulfed by a frenzy of gnashing teeth. Meanwhile, the military troops had mobilized, rifles aimed in unison!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Gunfire erupted, bullets raining down like a storm, forcing the colossal V back several meters!

But its skin was too tough—ordinary bullets couldn't penetrate it!

"Whoosh—"

A sudden smoke grenade exploded, releasing a thick white fog that quickly blanketed the battlefield!

Under its cover, several soldiers in black armor leaped from the sky, their parachutes guiding them precisely onto the giant V's head!

Each clutched a long, razor-sharp needle—

"Squelch!"

The needle plunged straight into the creature's left eye, eliciting an ear-splitting shriek of agony!

It thrashed violently, trying to shake them off, but the sedative had already begun spreading, numbing its nervous system.

Gradually, its movements slowed, and finally, with a resounding crash, it collapsed.

It had been successfully captured.

"Let's go." Serena turned back, signaling them to proceed.

V remained silent, his expression unreadable, trailing behind the group.

"Are you okay?" Lily whispered.

V frowned slightly, murmuring, "I'm wondering... if I should save him."

"The rules of Blackwall City ensure everyone's 'safety,'" Serena stated. "Think of it as a highly advanced utopia."

"So... he'll live?" V's tone was skeptical.

Serena nodded, her voice steady. "As long as he never harms a single thing here."

V said nothing more.

They continued forward, stepping into the experimental base of Area A...