The Choice
The two of them passed through a corridor lined on both sides with dense arrays of equipment. Each machine operated silently, occasionally emitting low hums of electric current.
Soon, Luna led him into a more spacious chamber. Display screens, instruments, robotic arms, even active sample tanks—all meticulously arranged around the room. The air was filled with the steady buzz of machinery at work.
Luna stopped and turned to Jiang Lian, pride evident in her voice. “Though resources are scarce, our laboratory is well-equipped. These were all established by my father. My current research focuses on the fusion of human biology and machinery, aiming to help humanity adapt to pollution and survive better in this post-apocalyptic world.”
Jiang Lian scanned the laboratory, his gaze lingering briefly on the complex instruments. Quietly, he asked, “How is the progress of the experiment?”
Luna’s smile faded slightly, regret tinging her words. “That woman just now was our first successful subject. Unfortunately, her body couldn’t withstand the extensive modifications, and in the end, the experiment failed.” She paused and sighed softly. “I overestimated the human body’s capacity. And now, with energy becoming increasingly scarce, the feasibility of this project has diminished greatly.”
Jiang Lian nodded silently, then after a moment spoke, “I will find alternative energy sources and continue this experiment.”
Luna’s eyes brightened instantly, sparkling with surprise and hope. “That’s wonderful! I believe in you. Perhaps one day in the future, I can awaken again and continue the mission my father entrusted to me.” Her voice brimmed with optimism.
Meanwhile, Yun Xian lay on the cold, metallic bed in the room. The medicine had eased her body’s pain considerably; the mold spots had receded, yet her heart was heavy with complicated unease.
The injury on her shoulder still throbbed faintly. She closed her eyes as memories surged like tides—those difficult years, the early loss of her parents, a lonely childhood, and days spent struggling to survive.
She recalled her parents’ passing when she was young, selling their inherited home to pay for schooling, then moving alone into a cramped rental. Work never went well—either she was fired or ostracized—and barely making ends meet, sometimes even food was scarce.
For twenty years, she seemed perpetually entangled in misfortune, knee scrapes never quite healing, bruises layering her elbows. Always facing it all alone.
Yet surprisingly, in this unfamiliar place, she felt an unexpected sense of acceptance and the affirmation of being needed.
Images of her experiences here flashed through her mind. She turned over, exhaustion finally pulling her into sleep.
Two days later, the laboratory was thick with tension; the machines’ low hum never ceased. Dark circles had formed under Jiang Lian’s eyes as his fingers danced rapidly across the keyboard. Data streams climbed relentlessly, the progress bar nearing its final mark.
Luna’s holographic image appeared centrally, bathed in a soft glow. Her voice was tinged with excitement and relief. “This achievement will be a pivotal milestone for humanity’s future, Jiang Lian. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
Jiang Lian’s gaze was calm, his voice measured. “Though it’s a breakthrough, there are still slight fluctuations in energy output. If this isn’t fully resolved, the system’s stability will be compromised.”
Luna paused, processing his meaning. “You mean you need more access privileges to optimize the system?”
Jiang Lian adjusted his glasses gently, his tone firm yet calm. “Only with higher-level access can I fully control the lab’s critical parameters and ensure optimal energy allocation.”
Luna fell silent briefly, then hesitated. “Core access involves all operational modules of the lab. If something goes wrong...”
“I’m well aware of the consequences,” Jiang Lian said evenly, a hint of sharpness in his eyes. “That’s precisely why I need to control every variable. Without it, this experiment will never succeed.”
Luna’s hologram flickered faintly before she slowly nodded. “Very well. I trust you.”
Expressionless, Jiang Lian turned back to the console, fingers resuming their swift tapping. Time passed in tense silence, the only sound the crisp clicks of the keyboard.
After an indeterminate stretch, Jiang Lian glanced at the countdown above his field of vision—00:15:35.
He halted his work and faced Luna. “It’s time to send my friends home.”
Luna watched him, then after a brief pause said, “I will not break my promise.” As her words faded, the door to the room where Yun Xian and the old man were held slowly opened.
They stepped into the hall, eyes filled with confusion and caution. When their gaze met Jiang Lian’s emerging from the laboratory, a complex expression crossed their faces.
The countdown ticked on: 00:02:00... 00:01:30...
A strange elevator silently materialized in the center of the hall, its doors sliding open.
Jiang Lian looked at the two but remained silent.
Yun Xian and the old man exchanged a glance but said nothing, turning to step into the elevator.
Just as they were about to enter, Luna’s hologram suddenly flickered violently. Her voice became sharp and furious. “Jiang Lian! What have you done to me?!”
The light trembled faster and faster as Luna’s tone grew full of anger and shock. “You’ve betrayed me!”
With one final roar, Luna’s image shattered completely, all lights in the room dimmed abruptly, alarms blared piercingly, and a deep vibration shook beneath their feet.
Yun Xian and the old man spun around, faces shocked.
Jiang Lian’s expression remained unchanged as he stepped toward the elevator. The old man finally spoke, “What’s happening?”
“I only gave each of them power and freedom,” Jiang Lian said as he entered the elevator.
The walls began to crack under the shaking, the entire building trembling violently as Yun Xian and the old man hurried after him.
Just as Yun Xian stepped into the elevator, an ear-splitting explosion sounded behind her. She instinctively glanced back, seeing flames and debris billowing toward her from afar before the elevator doors closed, sealing everything out.
Yun Xian snapped back to reality, finding the elevator empty except for herself.
Suddenly, a beam of light shone down from above, and a translucent screen quietly appeared before her eyes.
[Mission Complete, Points +50]
[Bonus Points +20]
[Team Ranking]
1. Jiang Lian
2. Wen Dao
3. Yun Xian
Yun Xian froze, staring at the screen, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
“Points? Team ranking?” she whispered, her gaze involuntarily lingering on the name “Jiang Lian.” First place... as expected, it was him...
Before she could fully process it, a new option popped up on the screen:
[Redeem Points?]