Chapter 258: Experimental Subject

"There are four security checkpoints inside the Aurora Base."

"The first checkpoint blocks the only passage between the base and the outside world: the elevator. Base personnel are not allowed to go to the surface without authorization. Unless they obtain prior approval from superiors, they must have a dual digital-text password valid for thirty minutes."

"At this door, two people are responsible for guarding it. Each is only told one part of the password—either the digital or the text portion. Only when the first and second parts of the password from the entrants match theirs will the door open."

Seeing the group's confusion, Qiong Xuan explained, and they finally understood.

"After the security rotation, you will be the ones responsible for guarding this door... As for the selection of guards, the schedule is randomized daily. Only uncertainty is true security."

The group passed through the first checkpoint and arrived at the first level of the base. Electric lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire corridor. Figures in white lab coats moved back and forth, and both sides of the corridor were lined with dense rows of rooms... Looking around, there were at least a hundred.

"The first level is primarily for strategic command, resource storage, and the base dormitories and cafeteria. Your daily life will basically take place here. Because there are many residents and high mobility, this is also the priority floor for your patrols. Every day, ten people will be randomly divided into five groups to conduct irregular patrols."

Hearing this, an Enforcer asked in confusion,

"Captain Qiong Xuan, by that count, we don't have enough people... You said there are four checkpoints in the base. If each checkpoint needs two people, that's already eight. Plus the ten people on this floor, how are the last two people supposed to cover the other three floors?"

"Who said you have to guard all four checkpoints?" Qiong Xuan replied indifferently. "You only need to take turns guarding the first checkpoint... The second checkpoint is the passage from the first to the second level. It’s a specially made, heavy door that can only be opened by applying for a specific key; it doesn't require human guards..."

"The third checkpoint is a special ritual artifact that can distinguish entrants through Q&A and lie detection, preventing anyone from infiltrating by changing their face. It also doesn't require human guards."

"As for the fourth checkpoint, you don't need to worry about that... That’s not your concern."

"Excluding the two people at the first checkpoint, the remaining eighteen are divided into two batches: one patrols the first level, and one patrols the second... From the third level down, unless there is a special mobilization, you are not required to intervene."

Qiong Xuan had finished explaining their duties. By now, Chen Ling had a preliminary understanding of the entire base.

No wonder they say the Aurora Base is the heart of the Aurora Domain. The rigor of these layers of checkpoints is practically airtight; for an outsider to penetrate it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Chen Ling had already passed the first checkpoint. The second checkpoint required a key, which wasn't impossible to obtain, but his real challenge was the third checkpoint... That one countered him perfectly. On his own, it was absolutely impossible to get past it.

"I hope everything goes smoothly for Jian Changsheng..." Chen Ling thought to himself, checking the time.

……

Aurora Base, Level 3.

His blurred consciousness gradually cleared, and Jian Changsheng slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing that came into view was a snow-white ceiling and an IV stand beside him. A bag of unknown liquid was slowly being injected into his body through the needle...

"Subject 12138 is awake."

Before Jian Changsheng could sit up, a hand pressed him back onto the bed. Someone shone a flashlight into his pupils, then checked his pulse for a moment before speaking again, "Vital signs are currently normal. No allergic reaction to the CK-7 reagent drip."

As the flashlight moved away, Jian Changsheng saw a female nurse standing in front of him, expressionlessly examining his body.

"Subject 12138, or should I call you by your name on the outside, Jian Wubing?"

"You signed the voluntary human experimentation agreement, which is why you were sent here. You will be living on the third level for quite a long time... If your body shows any significant changes during this process, please let us know."

"I know what you're thinking, but you can't go back now. Please cooperate with our experiments. If it comes to the final step, we will end your life as painlessly as possible."

Jian Changsheng finally fully regained his senses. He recalled Chu Muyun's "plan" and felt like crying.

Why is Heart's strength disguise and infiltration, while mine is being a lab rat??

Jian Changsheng considered himself a person with principles and a bottom line. He would never sell himself to others as a lab rat, but who told him this was his first mission after joining the Twilight Society? He really didn't want to stay at home and be a mummy anymore!

And thinking about it carefully, besides him, there really was no one else who could do this damn job...

After the nurse finished speaking, a voice slowly sounded from behind.

"You don't need to tell him so much. Have you forgotten? He's a mental patient... He won't understand."

Hearing this, Jian Changsheng snapped back to reality, remembering the "persona" Chu Muyun had given him. He knew it was time for the organization to test him.

Under the nurse's gaze, Jian Changsheng silently climbed off the bed, crouched at the head of the bed, and placed his hands diagonally over his head, imitating a mushroom cap, his gaze dull and motionless...

"See? I told you he was a mental patient," a researcher in a white coat said, spreading his hands.

The nurse gave Jian Changsheng a strange look and was about to leave when she caught a glimpse of the bed next to him and let out a soft "Huh?"

"12139 is waking up too..."

She walked to the next bed and skillfully performed the same routine as she had with Jian Changsheng. The final result was about the same: no obvious allergic symptoms.

"12139 doesn't have much time left. The higher-ups want us to hurry with the experiments. Go prepare; we'll start in a moment. Double the dosage of the medicine."

"Double?? His injuries are already very severe. Can he handle it?"

"That's not for you to worry about. Go."

The nurse and the researcher turned and left, locking the door from the outside. The room fell into a deathly silence.

At the same time, Jian Changsheng, who was crouching by the head of the bed playing a mushroom, secretly turned his head and looked at the bed next to him with his peripheral vision.

A young man about his age was lying on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling. After an unknown amount of time, two lines of tears slid silently from the corners of his eyes...