Chapter 123 The Deadly Temptation
On August 11, 2013, the day following 13's entry into the system...
Within the laboratory, an air of silence pervaded; no words were exchanged, no movements made.
Gazing upon 13 reclined on the metal bed, Jung-hyun's heart was a tumult of self-reproach and felicity. Conflicting emotions tormented her fragile spirit. Yet, she dared not weep, for 13's every endeavor was for her sake; should she grieve, his efforts would be in vain.
"Doctor!" A white-coated researcher burst into the laboratory.
The elder harbored no resentment, knowing this intrusion signified an event of gravity, for he had mandated against disturbances unless imperative.
"What is it?" Perceiving the researcher's agitation, the elder sensed foreboding.
"Doctor! Japanese forces have encircled Mount Wutai!!!" The researcher's voice quivered.
"What?!" The elder's premonition materialized; he strode briskly toward the door. Noting the anomaly, 1 and 36 followed, as did the uncle, Baozhu, and the lunatic to glean the situation.
Left were 24 and Jung-hyun, for whom nothing surpassed 13's well-being.
Entering the control room, chaos reigned among the personnel.
"Silence, all of you!" The elder's authoritative roar restored order.
The frenzied crowd subsided...
"Display satellite imagery," the elder commanded coolly. Despite his scholarly demeanor, 1 likened him more to a general.
Upon the foremost screen, Mount Wutai's schematic emerged. Surrounding it, myriad red dots congregated in a encirclement, whilst black dots representing the Beasts descended like rain upon the vanguard.
"So many..." the elder mused, not from fear.
"Given the current state, escape is improbable! Doctor, what shall we do?" The same researcher exclaimed in panic.
"You're exasperating!" 36 retorted with a swift punch, rendering the nuisance unconscious. Observing the assault on their comrade, the guards raised their weapons.
"Stand down!" The elder's stern directive dispersed the guards.
"There's no cause for alarm..." 1 interjected calmly. "From their disposition, they seem aware of our precise location yet maintain a perimeter several kilometers out. It's peculiar—less a cordon for capture, more a barrier against flight."
"I concur," the elder agreed.
"Examine their encirclement; it's meticulously sealed, yet flawed—the line is perilously thin. With our Special Task Force's prowess, we could breach before they react," 1 identified the vulnerability.
"But the crux is, how many can we evacuate?" The lunatic astutely highlighted the issue.
1 pondered, "Two." The utmost limit.
"I grasp your intent..." the elder sighed. "You suggest the institute is compromised, aiming to safeguard key personnel and Serpent. The rest face demise..."
"One might phrase it thus," 1 responded dispassionately, for warfare is no frivolity.
"Regrettably, prior to 13's awakening, relocating Serpent is impossible. They remain interlinked; forcible severance would doom both," the elder revealed 1's concern.
"Could you first escort the miss to safety?" The uncle's priority remained Jung-hyun.
"Impossible," Baozhu stated. "She won't depart until 13 returns unscathed. It's her obstinacy—we all know it..."
"Very well, the first proposal is dismissed. Only the second remains," 1 smiled, extending two fingers.
"Presumably, it's to hold the line..." The lunatic comprehended the final recourse.
"You're not entirely dim," 36 quipped sarcastically.
"Such insight stems from accumulated experience..." The lunatic's retort struck 36's nerve.
"I see. So, we bide for 13's return before attempting escape. Their stance suggests awaiting a critical element. Let us hope 13 revives ere their assault," 1 sighed softly.
"Hope so, though optimism may be misplaced..." The elder's worry centered on 13 within the illusion; curiously, his comrades, save 24, evinced no concern, as if 13's activation of Serpent was trivial.
Reverting to 13's realm, August 30, 2005, dawn...
Perusing his prior narrative, Zhang Jie was disoriented. The prose, the symbols, evoked vivid imagery. He marveled at his imagination, yet not its extent. Witnessing the angel's demise, tears streamed unchecked. He grieved for her, and himself. The cause eluded him...
His heart writhed, yet it paled in significance; the angel was gone...
"What's wrong?" The awakened angel stood behind Zhang Jie.
Clutching her tightly, Zhang Jie refused release, even eternally...
"Don't—never leave me!!!" Zhang Jie buried his head in her embrace, escaping, though absurdly so. Was he fleeing his dream?
That nocturnal whisper resurfaced...
"What is a dream? What is reality?"
He stood transfixed, and in that instant, Zhang Jie beheld data streams akin to "The Matrix."
Abruptly thrusting the angel aside, he trembled at her crumpled form on the floor, her expression of pain achingly real. The impact's echo rang true. Zhang Jie, in his stupor, might have slumbered or awakened...
Rushing to her side...
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Zhang Jie repented, yearning to excise his heart to discern its hue. How could he harm such a paragon without cause?
"It's nothing..." The angel gazed tenderly at the frantic Zhang Jie, cupping his tear-streaked face.
"This isn't your fault." Zhang Jie nearly dissolved in her words. "I know you didn't intend it. You're just frustrated from writing. If inspiration wanes, rest. Don't burden yourself; your distress pains me more than words. Compared to luxury brands or BMW convoys, I cherish you above all. Even if you become a beggar, I'd beg alongside; who compelled me to love you so?"
Embracing once more, Zhang Jie disregarded all; attaining desired felicity sufficed. Why ponder dreams and reality? Clinging to happiness rendered the distinction moot...
"Truly a formidable entity!" Serpent sweated profusely in the white expanse. "Merely consciousness intruding my form! Though I desire your decryption, you threaten my security. Lest you unravel before consuming the system, I must amplify the 'realm's' allure, ensnaring you here..."
"Enough. Cease your waterworks like a child," the angel stroked Zhang Jie's forehead with a smile. "Since no one occupies my home, I'll skip class today—for you."
With a feigned sigh, the angel added, "Very well, accompany me to the park..."
That day, March 30, 2005, fate intertwined in the park, blurring the lines between dream and reality for Zhang Jie and the angel.