Chapter Thirty-One: Exposure

“What does that mean? Surely we’re not heading to the base stark naked, right? Can’t I apply for some clothes?” Sophia glanced up and down at the fat man, ignoring his words, as the topic was a direct blow to intelligence. She turned instead to Zhou Yi, noting the gaping burn at the chest of his shirt.

“Zhou Yi, change your clothes. If you walk into the base like this, everyone will know exactly what happened to you.”

Zhou Yi shot her a look. He quickly rummaged through his backpack, finding a hoodie. When he turned back, both Sophia and the fat man were watching him, and he frowned slightly.

“You two, turn around.”

Sophia spun away, casting the fat man a sideways glance; he looked entirely innocent. Right now, he dared not offend anyone. One was a cyborg, but also the deputy lord of the base—a position of real power. The other, though in some ways similar to himself, was fundamentally different: a chosen one marked by destiny, a favored child of heaven. He had to cling to this opportunity, or his steady meal ticket might slip away.

Looking aggrieved, the fat man turned around, muttering to himself under his breath. “What’s there to see? If you were a lady, maybe I’d sneak another look—but we’re both men, just the same, nothing special about it. Unless you’ve got something extra!”

Sophia shot him a cold glance, making him quickly raise his hands in surrender. “Sister—no, Miss Sophia! I’m sorry, I’ll keep my mouth shut next time. It was just nerves, forgive me. You wouldn’t hold it against me, would you?”

Sophia said nothing, simply turning her gaze away. Truthfully, the fat man’s personality wasn’t bothersome, but if he couldn’t control his tongue in the base, trouble would surely follow.

Behind them, footsteps approached.

Sophia turned to see Zhou Yi, now dressed in a crisp white hoodie and jeans, sunglasses perched on his face. The fat man rubbed his chin.

“Not exactly a formal outfit, is it?”

Zhou Yi shot him a glance, recalling the suit he’d worn for his thesis defense, and quickly shook the thought away.

Sophia waved her hand dismissively. “This is fine. Let’s go. Remember: I discovered the fat man could be trained as a slave because this world’s tasks are unusual. Zhou Yi, since you were transferred here physically, you’re harder to control. You needed the fat man’s help to complete the mission.”

Zhou Yi and the fat man nodded, understanding her words were meant to justify the fat man’s presence at the base.

Without further discussion, they headed for the main door. Together, they twisted the spiral valve and pushed the iron door open.

Sophia raised her staff, her fingers dancing until a disc of light appeared. It sank to the ground, forming a metal platform with steps.

Sophia was first to step onto it, turning to Zhou Yi and the fat man. “Step onto the teleport platform together. We’re heading back to the base!”

Zhou Yi moved behind Sophia, and the fat man squeezed over, his size demanding ample space. Still, he kept a wary distance from Sophia, remembering the earlier incident of tying her up. Sophia found it amusing and raised an eyebrow. “I advise you to stand in the middle, or you might return without your arms—left behind in this 2015 world. Then you’ll really need mechanical limbs.”

Terrified, the fat man shuddered, his bulk trembling, and hurriedly pressed in between them.

Before he could say more, a flash of white light enveloped them.

Zhou Yi felt as if he were in an elevator, surrounded by pulsating white light, the three of them traversing through beams of energy. Moments later, with a buzzing sound, the light faded, an invisible shield vanished, and the platform merged seamlessly with the floor.

The fat man was tempted to stomp his foot to test the ground but suppressed his curiosity, sticking close to Sophia and Zhou Yi.

They proceeded along the pristine white corridor for a while until Sophia stopped. At her side, a console appeared with a computer screen. It scanned Sophia’s iris, and a mechanical female voice sounded.

“Welcome back, Miss Sophia, to Base Seventy-Two. Thank you for your contributions. Lord Waldner requests your presence at the control center immediately.”

Sophia nodded, placing her hand on the screen, receiving a clearance signal.

Zhou Yi noticed Sophia didn’t require him to scan, so he followed quietly. As they neared the corridor’s end, Sophia, with her hand behind her back, spread five fingers, then four, then three...

Zhou Yi paused, realizing Sophia was counting down. But to what? Was he to be wary of Waldner, or prepared to act?

Before he could figure it out, the door at the end of the hallway opened, revealing a room crowded with people. It resembled a conference chamber without tables or chairs.

Waldner, clad in golden robes, sat in a wheelchair at the rightmost platform, surrounded by white-robed servants. No gas masks now, just white jumpsuits—heads bowed in deference.

As the door opened, all eyes turned. Waldner greeted Sophia with a faint smile, but his expression faltered upon seeing the two behind her.

“Sophia, who have you brought back?”

Sophia placed her right hand to her chest, curtsied slightly, and answered, “There were transmission issues in the 2015 mission world, so the body of Slave Twenty-Eight was sent over. The other is an awakened individual I discovered—no offensive tendencies, willingly helped Slave Twenty-Eight complete the task, resourceful enough, so I brought him back.”

Waldner’s smile widened, and he nodded, motioning Sophia closer.

“Our Base Seventy-Two could use expansion. Come nearer, Sophia. You’ve worked hard. I heard the servants made mistakes—Carter, find whoever erred and either destroy or send them back to the temporal rift!”

From the white-robed group, a trembling middle-aged man clutched his chest, terror etched across his face.

“Lord, please grant me another chance! I’ve repaired the machines; there won’t be another failure!”

Waldner looked to Sophia, seeking her opinion. Sophia bowed her head slightly. “Though it was dangerous, the mission was completed smoothly. Please, Lord, don’t punish them—just confiscate this round’s energy credits.”

Carter, grateful, looked to Sophia; Waldner smiled and waved dismissively. “I’ll be heading to Time City soon—the mayor has issued an emergency order, and all lords, big and small, must attend. Sophia, you’ll oversee the base in my absence. Anyone who breaks the rules will answer to me when I return!”

Just then, Zhou Yi felt a surge of heat in his chest—the mark became hyperactive upon entering the base, as if it might ignite him at any moment.

He crouched, enduring the burning sensation, the sounds around him fading into distance.

At the same time, all the lights in the conference room flickered. A voice echoed throughout.

“Well, well—who would have thought someone at Base Seventy-Two would suddenly acquire the mark? Congratulations, Waldner!”

Waldner quickly placed his hand over his chest, bowing deeply in deference.

Everyone in the room felt a suffocating pressure, following Waldner’s lead, most kneeling on the floor, faces contorted in agony.

After a moment, the oppressive force vanished.

Waldner stood, his gaze fixed on Sophia—confusion, shock, and barely restrained anger flickered across his face.

Sophia, mouth slightly ajar, eyes wide, stared at Zhou Yi.

The fat man beside Zhou Yi was worst off—still kneeling, unable to rise.

Zhou Yi, curled on the ground, sensed the burning slowly fade. He looked around in bewilderment, finally meeting Waldner’s gaze.

Noticing Zhou Yi’s confusion, Waldner’s grim expression softened, glancing slyly at Sophia before lowering his eyes and smiling strangely. He raised his hand and applauded slowly.

“A truly unexpected blessing! Who would have thought a slave would become a chosen one? This is a stroke of fortune for Base Seventy-Two. What is your name?”