Chapter 2387 The Nest’s Bombardment <TOC> Chapter 2389 False Image
Translator: SumTLMan
“What is she trying to do?” Nisi also noticed the direction of Number 03, expressing confusion.
A water witch suddenly rushed towards the area obscured by the flames. Could this be a deliberate search for death?
Or is it just a feint, planning to turn halfway through?
While everyone was puzzled, Number 03 showed no signs of turning and plunged straight into the Fire Law Land.
Upon entering the Fire Law Land, Number 03 immediately felt the terror of the surrounding flames. The fierce fire even burned the space, repelling all forces.
In the Fire Law Land, Number 03 couldn’t even gather the water energy.
Because of this, her crystal-clear, exquisite dress turned to ashes without the protection of water power.
The flames burned her dress and invaded her fair, flawless skin.
Protected by her bloodline, Number 03 could barely maintain her dignity, but her skin had already started to show signs of pink. Staying in the Fire Law Land any longer would inevitably lead to catastrophic damage.
It can be said that the Fire Law Land is a natural flame prison, most restraining to ocean wizards.
However, the notion of restraint is not absolute. If an ocean wizard also mastered the power of law lines, the outcome could be different.
However, the law lines themselves are extremely rare, and Number 03 had not learned them. Faced with such terrifying fire power, she almost had no means of resistance, unless she left the Fire Law Land.
However, Number 03 showed no signs of fleeing. Her goal was very clear——
“Mechanical head!” Nisi exclaimed, “She’s running towards that mechanical head!”
As soon as the words were spoken, Number 03 had already charged towards the mechanical head through the blazing fire. At this moment, under the control and burning of the Fire Law Land, the shell of the mechanical head had completely melted, exposing all its internal components.
Some large gears and special chains were also mostly burned and fused into a lump, completely unrecognizable as a “skull”. Its current state made Firo’s nickname for it more appropriate: “a lump of metal”.
Looking at the almost deformed head of the Wave Mechanism, Number 03 was not too disappointed, even showing a hint of relief in her eyes.
Because in her view, the “lump of metal” inside, shimmering with a silver liquid brilliance, was emitting a familiar wave of water vapor.
“Indeed, the mechanism core hasn’t been burned.” Number 03 let out a long sigh of relief. Her reason for rushing into the “no man’s land” was a bet that Mechanism’s Core wouldn’t be so easily destroyed.
It turned out she had won the bet.
“I’ve never seen someone so eager to court death before,” Firo’s voice came through. “If you want to live, you’d better come out now. Don’t expect me to withdraw the Fire Law Land.”
“This is actually quite nice…” Nisi swallowed hard. “I hadn’t had my fill of looking at that pale body just now, and now with a hint of pink, why do I find it even more exciting?”
All of Number 03’s clothes had been burned to ashes, and if not for the cover of the flames, she would have been completely exposed.
Number 03 snorted coldly, not replying, but instead reached out to touch what had already become an “lump of metal.”
Sizzle sizzle——
This was the sound of flesh splitting open, accompanied by a hint of a charred smell.
In such a perilous situation, Number 03 completely ignored it, even extending her other hand as well.
Both hands slowly merged into the “lump of metal”… until later, her entire body embraced it, until she was completely engulfed within.
Firo: “She… merged with the lump of metal.”
“What do you mean?” Because of the cover of the flames, Nisi didn’t know what was happening inside.
Firo carefully sensed the situation inside the Fire Law Land before saying, “She voluntarily ran into that lump of metal. I can no longer sense her presence.”
“She ran into the Fire Law Land just to merge with that mechanical head? What a strange choice.” Nisi muttered, then said to Firo, “Since she’s inside that mechanical head, just keep burning.”
As long as the mechanical head was completely melted, the Number 03 inside would naturally be exposed.
Firo thought about it and decided to follow Nisi’s suggestion, beginning to intensify the burning of the lump of metal. Although he found it strange that Number 03 ran into the lump of metal, there was no other option for now, so they just continued to watch.
At first, it was easy to burn the mechanical parts on the exterior of the lump of metal.
But as they reached the interior, a water energy appeared, resisting the burning of the flames.
This surprised Firo, knowing that the Fire Law Land repelled all energies not of fire, yet there was still a water energy inside that could contend with the Fire Law Land, indicating that the power level of this water energy was definitely not low.
Firo continued to increase the intensity, but the internal water energy still wasn’t broken through, as if there was a soft yet tenacious force protecting the core inside.
“Wizard Firo, although the energy is shielded, I know you’re outside.”
Suddenly, Number 03’s voice, carrying a cold quality, came from inside the lump of metal.
“If the mechanism core is not controlled by someone, it indeed can be easily burned. But now that I have taken over it, as long as my magic power doesn’t run out, it will continue to exist.”
“Even if you increase the fire lines, you won’t be able to break through the external defense in a short time.”
Firo narrowed his eyes: “Are you challenging me?”
Number 03 stated, “There’s no provocation. I’m merely stating a fact.”
“I entered the interior of the mechanism solely for self-preservation. My promise remains unchanged. Once Number 01 and Number 02 return, I will explain to them and offer compensation.”
“However, for now, I will not leave the interior of the mechanism.”
Number 03’s stance was clear; she preferred to hide within the mechanism rather than be subjected to anyone’s control.
Since there was no foundation of trust between the two parties, even the possibility of communication was in vain under the premise of mutual distrust and caution.
Firo continued to burn fiercely while also attempting to probe Number 03 with his words.
But to no avail.
The Fire Law Land was continuously countered by the water energy, and Number 03 remained completely silent.
In this situation, Firo was somewhat at a loss. He turned to look at Nisi and communicated through a spell, “What should we do now?”
Nisi was silent for a moment and did not directly answer Firo’s question. Instead, he asked, “Do you think what she said is true?”
“Do you mean her promise?”
Nisi shook his head, “I don’t trust promises made by women. Without seeing any benefits, it’s all empty talk.”
“I’m referring to her earlier mention of the ‘mechanism core.'”
Although the exact nature of the mechanism’s core was still unknown, from Number 03’s tone, it could be inferred that the core was the central power source of the mechanical contraption.
“She said that the mechanism core is easy to destroy if no one controls it, but now that she has control, it can be maintained as long as there is no depletion of magical power. Do you think this is true?”
Firo replied, “If it’s true, she has essentially revealed the weakness of the mechanism’s core.”
Although Firo did not explicitly state it, his conversation implied he did not believe Number 03’s claim.
Nisi nodded, “Whether it’s true or not, I’m certain she’s hiding something.”
Number 03’s reckless charge towards the mechanical head must have been part of her own scheme. According to her, it was merely to seek a place of refuge, which Nisi found highly dubious. The water power of the mechanism’s core, capable of resisting even the fire lines, was described by her as a mere shelter, which logically did not add up.
“It’s likely that there’s more to the mechanism’s core.”
However, the specific details remained elusive. Only by breaking through the mechanical contraption’s water defense could the truth be uncovered.
But how to break through remained a challenge.
Even the energy of the fire lines could not break through the water energy, and they could think of no other way.
“Since she can’t come out for now, let’s just wait and see,” Nisi said. “If that fluctuation appears again later, we’ll see if she shows any flaws.”
Firo nodded as well, considering the Fire Law Land to be a prison he controlled, able to detect any movement within it at the first moment.
They did not stay by the Fire Law Land but returned to the depths of the mist.
When they saw Angel again, Angel was discussing the matter of Number 03 with Nausica and Reynolds.
“Are you sure there’s nothing hidden inside this base laboratory?” Angel asked Reynolds.
Previously, Number 03 had enticed them to enter the laboratory, which made Angel somewhat wary of it.
Reynolds was about to answer after a moment of thought when he was interrupted by a roaring sound from afar.
After the roar, the fluctuation appeared on time. Facing this irresistible fluctuation, everyone was once again frozen in place.
Tens of seconds later, as the aftermath of the fluctuation dissipated, Nisi immediately looked at Firo: “What’s the situation inside the Fire Law Land?”
Firo shook his head: “The woman hasn’t been forced out.”
“Even this strange fluctuation couldn’t force her out. That mechanism’s core is not simple.” Nisi was previously hesitant, but now he was quite certain that Number 03 definitely had something to hide. She was not just using the mechanism core as a shelter.
Angel said, “Since she hasn’t come out for now, let’s not bother with her. I’ve had Eremy lurking near the Fire Law Land, ready to deal with her as soon as she appears.”
After Angel finished speaking, he turned to Reynolds: “Do you know what’s going on with this fluctuation?”
Reynolds shook his head with a look of lingering fear: “When I was in the laboratory before, I never encountered such a situation.”
With Reynolds knowing nothing about the fluctuation, Angel had no choice but to drop the subject and continue to inquire about the laboratory.
“Whether the laboratory has secrets, I can’t be sure. However, the laboratory has five underground levels, and I’ve been to each one,” Reynolds paused briefly, summarizing the internal layout of the laboratory: “The first four levels include the experimental center, materials library, reserve room, etc., and also the display room for us test subjects, as well as the dormitories for Number 04 and subsequent numbers. As for the fifth level, I’ve only been there once; it contains three rooms, which are the residences of Number 01, Number 02, and Number 03.”
“Having lived in the laboratory for decades, I’ve basically figured out the layout of the traps. There are indeed many isolated traps with certain dangers, but as for secrets… I really haven’t discovered any. Moreover, if there were any, Nausica and I have also been in there and haven’t encountered any threats posed by the laboratory itself.”
Because Reynolds had lived in the laboratory for decades without encountering significant threats, he had a preconceived familiarity.
However, for Angel and the others, who had never entered the laboratory, facing the unknown naturally filled them with caution and probing.
Nisi inquired, “Are you certain there are only five levels?”
Reynolds nodded affirmatively, “I am certain. The laboratory often moves under the sea. Having seen the overall structure of the laboratory, I can affirm there are only five levels.”
“That’s odd. The individuals from the first three Numbers each have their own residences. What about Number 00 then?” Nisi wondered aloud.
Reynolds was momentarily taken aback. Indeed, if Number 00 truly existed, being a being above the Number, he must have his own dwelling. Where could it be?
Nisi speculated, “Perhaps, to you, the structure of the laboratory seems clear. However, I suspect there might be a hidden section within the laboratory where this so-called Number 00 might be located.”
Regardless of the accuracy of Nisi’s speculation, the existence of Number 00 could be confirmed. Given the Number, he must occupy a certain position within the laboratory. Yet now, he seemed to have vanished… Perhaps, this was the reason Number 03 covertly encouraged them to enter the laboratory.
Of course, these were all conjectures.
The truth would need to be verified through further exploration.
Angel looked at the uneasy Reynolds and asked, “Do you feel your physical body now?”
Reynolds shook his head, “No, perhaps the laboratory’s isolation blocks my senses. Only by opening the laboratory will we know.”
Angel was about to offer some words of comfort when a roaring blast accompanied by a gust of wind arrived once again.
After the gust had passed, Angel did not resume the conversation with Reynolds but instead turned to look at Firo.
At that moment, Firo was gazing towards the source of the roaring sound with a puzzled look. If nothing else, that was also the origin of the gust.
As Angel approached, he overheard the conversation between Nisi and Firo.
Firo mentioned, “The Nest… The Nest is in that direction. That group of people, they went in that direction too.”
Nisi turned to Firo with a puzzled expression, “I’ve been meaning to ask, what exactly is this ‘Nest’ you speak of?”
Firo shook his head, “Actually, I don’t know what the Nest is. The term ‘Nest’ was told to me by someone else.”
“Someone else?” Angel interjected, “Aside from the base’s laboratory, are there other people here?”
Nisi also asked curiously, “Who is this person you’re talking about?”
Firo explained, “Didn’t I mention before that I encountered someone nearby?”
Angel and Nisi both nodded, recalling Firo’s earlier words about “following human tracks and then encountering someone.” However, before Firo could elaborate on who that person was, the attack by the mechanical head interrupted him, and there hadn’t been an opportunity to inquire further.
“That person was strange. I’m certain there was nothing around me at the time, yet he suddenly appeared before me. He stopped me and warned that if I didn’t want to die, I should not get involved.”
“When I asked him what was ahead, he just dropped the word ‘Nest’ and then disappeared.”
Chapter 2387 The Nest’s Bombardment <TOC> Chapter 2389 False Image