The mysterious puppet

The situation is not optimistic.

Standing on the Rooftop, "Xiao Nian" gripped the rope tightly, vaguely sensing unease and anger growing within him.

This is definitely not a "communication interruption" or ordinary "interference".

The In-Ear Monitor she distributed were military-grade products manufactured by the Universal Trade Association, specifically designed for the Pioneer Team.

In the City That Never Sleeps, even if ordinary people spend money, they can't buy Communicator of this level.

Even during the "Xiao Nian," the whole thing was only accomplished through Joe Solence's methods.

Its stability and reliability have been tested by the cooperative Pioneer Team of the Universal Trade Association, and it can maintain uninterrupted communication even in the extreme alchemical environment of the Great Wilderness.

But now...

Xiao Nian could no longer hear anyone else's voices; all he could hear was that grating, unsettling undercurrent.

Moreover, this definitely wasn't interference initiated by the Divine Power Group after they discovered their presence. If the Divine Power Group's Security Department or Investigation Department had been aware of it, they would have already received warnings or even been surrounded...

However, nothing happened except for the silence of the Communicator.

Everything was quiet, as if it were just a bad signal.

But how could that be?

"Who is behind this... and what is their purpose?"

Xiao Nian had no clue what to do and could only cautiously observe his surroundings.

From my perspective... cutting off communication is most likely an attempt to defeat them one by one.

"Ren Gu," "Loquat Candy," "Paper Kite"... "Dionysus" and "Good Night."

At least one member, including myself, will become a target.

The worst-case scenario... is that the remaining groups, besides themselves, have all been attacked or suffered other misfortunes.

But Xiao Nian thought that was unlikely.

If someone can attack three or more people simultaneously, there's no need for them to cut off communications.

After all, even if Reinforcements immediately sent from the remaining areas that hadn't been attacked, they wouldn't be able to Reinforcements in time.

So...

"The other side is definitely targeting one or two of them... at most three, and that's assuming the 'South China Duo' is one of the targets."

Xiao Nian murmured.

And the most dangerous of these groups...

It was undoubtedly Good Night!

Because he was in a rather dangerous environment— the Ventilation Duct were narrow and dark, making them an easy target for ambushes.

This is why Xiao Nian chose to retrieve the Descent Rope immediately...

The fact that the Descent Rope doesn't have a "Good Night" is enough to illustrate this point...

One of their targets is most likely Good Night!

After all, it couldn't have been Good Night who untied the ropes herself, could it?

He should have realized during his descent that the other people's voices on the communication channel had suddenly stopped!

Once they reach the bottom, he will need to give himself directions...

Having not heard her instructions and with the Descent Rope starting to rise again, how could Good Night possibly untie it willingly?

So...

Something must have happened down there.

With that in mind, Xiao Nian no longer hesitated.

"Although the person who caused all this probably anticipated that I would soon discover that the person in trouble was 'Good Night,' and then immediately go to his Reinforcements alone, but..."

Xiao Nian grabbed the top edge of the Ventilation Duct and took a deep breath.

"Call--!"

The Alchemical Equipment inside his body increased in power, and a faint, strange sound came from Xiao Nian's body, like a large machine starting up.

Even if you've fallen into my trap, I... can't just stand by and watch a comrade go unpunished.

Xiao Nian whispered, then crawled into the Ventilation Duct!

But...

Just as the Xiao Nian began to fall...

"Whoosh--!"

A flash of red light in her field of vision made her turn around sharply, push off the wall of the Ventilation Duct, and leap up, grabbing the edge of the Ventilation Duct entrance again.

Just as Xiao Nian practically stumbled out of the pipe entrance, the blinding red light throughout the pipe re-emerged.

The Alarm Device that had been turned off on the Xiao Nian have been put back into operation.

"Damn it... So it really is targeting Good Night?"

Xiao Nian cursed under his breath, got up from the ground, and immediately walked back to the Junction Box next to the Ventilation Duct, starting to try to hack and break into the Alarm Device again.

But not long after the Xiao Nian began, I heard distorted sounds coming from behind me.

"Very loyal, Count Arase Nian... But instead of targeting that fellow down there, why don't you suspect... that I'm targeting you?"

When Xiao Nian turned around, all he saw was... an empty Rooftop.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed...

I don't know when it happened, but a Puppet, no bigger than the palm of my hand, appeared on the edge of the Rooftop not far away.

The Puppet had no facial features or hair, and looked like a very basic design, but it was dressed in a very exquisite black Tailcoat with a bow tie, making it look very elegant.

The Puppet has a ring of sound holes on its head, and the sound comes from inside them.

"So they've already shown themselves? They really can't hold back... They're not quite up to par as the 'mastermind'," Xiao Nian said, staring at the Puppet. "Tsk, we've been getting all sorts of attacks today... First that Raccoon guy, and now this Puppet."

"And what is your purpose? Trial?"

The Puppet shook its head. "Trial? I don't know what you're talking about... I just want to make a deal with you, Count Arase Nian."

Xiao Nian immediately said, "I refuse."

The Puppet was somewhat surprised. "Oh? But you haven't heard... what the details of the deal are."

Xiao Nian coldly replied, "Whatever it is, you cut off our communications, attacked our comrades, and prevented me from joining the others... and now you're playing tricks here. How could I possibly make a deal with you?"

The Puppet spoke again, "Because... they are also part of the deal."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Nian stared in the direction of the Puppet, and a longbow silently appeared in his hand.

Are you threatening my safety?

Xiao Nian spoke coldly, and the Puppet waved its hand.

"Absolutely not... I assure you, none of your companions will be harmed on this journey."

"Apart from one 'Liar'."

Xiao Nian frowned upon hearing the Puppet's words. "Liar?"

The Puppet spoke up, "Yes... Liar."

"There's someone here whom you thought was your 'Partner,' your 'Comrade-in-Arms'... but that's not actually the case."

The Puppet's voice faded...

"Smack!"

A crisp, sharp sound rang out, and a Light Arrows shot the Puppet off the edge of the Rooftop.

"A pointless attempt to sow discord."

Xiao Nian said coldly, then turned to look at the Ventilation Duct.

The red light is still flashing... It seems impossible for me to crack this alarm again now.

"There's no other way... the situation is urgent, we have to give it a try."

Xiao Nian pondered, then began to utilize all the Alchemy Component in his body in conjunction with his [Exclusive item: Theseus’s Self].

The alchemical fluctuations emanating from her began to subtly change.

And while adjusting oneself and undergoing changes on the Xiao Nian...

Another distorted sound rang out.

"I meant no harm, nor was I trying to sow discord..."

"Besides, that 'Liar' isn't part of the deal I'm making with you—I simply won't make promises I can't keep."

"It's precisely because I want our deal to be fair that I'm being so honest with you!"

Another Puppet appeared on the Rooftop —this time it didn't appear at the edge of the Rooftop, but on top of another Junction Box on the Rooftop.

Xiao Nian looked back at the Puppet and shook his head.

"Don't waste your energy, I'll do it my way... I don't believe you've already poisoned Comrade Good Night. If you had that ability, you wouldn't be here making a fuss."

The Puppet emitted a faint hissing sound, like a disturbed sigh.

Then, the Puppet spoke again.

"In this city, kindness is always mistaken for cowardice... But it doesn't matter, Count Arase Nian, I believe you will eventually realize my sincerity."

"I really have no intention of hurting Comrade Good Night or anyone else—I just want to talk to you."

"I don't even need to do anything against your wishes. To put it bluntly, there's only one thing I want you to do..."

Xiao Nian raised his hand, drew his bow, and Light Arrows materialized.

This time, she slowly aimed at the Puppet, and seeing that it showed no sign of shutting up, Xiao Nian released the arrow once again.

"Whoosh--!"

The Light Arrows the upright Puppet, exploding into a burst of flame that instantly engulfed Puppet, making a crackling sound.

But immediately...

The sound rang out again from another part of the Rooftop.

"... I won't stop you from continuing your investigation into 'Supreme Evolution,' all I want is... if you can uncover the 'Core Technology' of Supreme Evolution, especially the part concerning 'Artificial Life'..."

"Whoosh!"

Xiao Nian shot an arrow again and destroyed the newly appeared Puppet, but all he got in return was another sound.

"... Could you also send me a copy? I'll tell you how to give it to me, don't worry, it won't..."

"Impossible."

As Xiao Nian spoke, this archery attempt was accompanied by her refusal.

"... It won't be exposed to any Noble, and I won't let you give it to me for nothing. I can trade other 'intelligence' and 'information,' such as what you really want to know about the guy you once considered Partner, and what role he played in the 'Supreme Evolution.'"

The Puppet that appeared out of nowhere was less than five meters away from Xiao Nian; it was the closest one to her.

Xiao Nian hearing the Puppet's words, Xiao Nian did not fire the Bow and Arrows; instead, he remained in the aiming stage.

Seeing that Xiao Nian had stopped attacking, the Puppet spoke again.

"You see, Count Excellency... I told you you'd be interested in this deal."