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Chapter 1076: Accumulating Strength for a Long Journey
Chapter 1076: Accumulating Strength for a Long Journey
The doll slowly sat up, and through the reflection in the shattered glass, one could discern that it resembled a young man from the Eastern Continent, perhaps around seventeen or eighteen years old. His black hair was disheveled, and his facial features were strikingly handsome, seemingly energized by the internal power source. Despite a lack of emotion in his gaze, he exuded a cold and determined aura.
The early models of the Yuanren Company's dolls were crafted from human materials, with bodies modified from human forms. At the time, to gain an edge over competitors, Yuanren Company employed a bioprotective membrane and hibernation repair technology, ensuring their dolls' longevity and durability far surpassed similar products.
However, after the competitors were absorbed, this technology was gradually phased out in lower-end products. Nonetheless, this model, when in hibernation, could remain intact for several years, even over a decade.
This allowed the divergent tissue within to take control and repair itself effectively.
He slowly rose, his movements initially stiff, with creaking sounds emanating from damaged areas. But within the span of a single breath, he adjusted to the balance and coordination of his body, and his movements became more fluid.
He examined himself, noticing the simple shirt and black butler attire he wore, both tattered in several places.
This was a combat doll, likely having encountered an unexpected attack, causing it to fall here, while its owner, whom it was supposed to protect, had disappeared without a trace.
There was a distinct mark on its neck, an outstretched human figure with arms spread wide.
Yuanren Company? He seemed to have memories of this company, feeling an urge to stay away. But as long as this body was functional, he was content. He stretched slightly.
"I need to replenish my energy," he thought.
He had no idea who he was or where he came from, but a survival instinct guided him on what to do next.
He was acutely aware that the life energy he currently possessed could only sustain this body for three days. If the divergent tissue didn't receive external nutritional supplements within that time, he would cease to exist.
Yet, despite this, he felt no rush, anxiety, or fear.
He searched the house and found an abandoned suitcase filled with clothes, including a spare battle suit that fit his size perfectly. This suit was designed to withstand intense combat and was highly valuable. Perhaps its owner had left in haste or perished, but why hadn't anyone come to retrieve these energy-infused items?
He didn't dwell on these thoughts, as brain activity consumed a significant amount of energy.
Just then, a melody drifted in from outside, resembling a nursery rhyme or a little girl's song.
He picked up the suitcase and stepped out, his footsteps crunching on the gravel and shattered glass.
But as he exited, the song abruptly stopped, as if it had been a mere illusion.
He scanned the street, taking in the deserted town. Two rows of three-story wooden houses lined the road, most with collapsed roofs, their interiors filled with sand. In the distance stood a white church, its spire leaning, the cross atop it askew.
Judging by the overgrown weeds and sand-filled buildings, it had been at least three years since anyone had visited. Only the wind stirred the desolate scene.
A typical person would have been spooked by the earlier song, but he remained unperturbed. His sole focus was to find external nutrients to sustain and repair himself, and to conserve energy, he maintained a stoic expression.
He approached a well, tested the hand pump, and found it functional. He pumped vigorously, and soon, murky brown water flowed, eventually clearing. He drew a bucket of water and washed himself and his hair in a sheltered spot. Then, he changed into the tight-fitting combat suit from the suitcase, donning his original clothes over it.
After dressing, he spotted a discarded wooden cane, which he picked up, cleaned, and held as he began searching the town.
The town was small, and within two hours, he had explored it thoroughly. He found only compressed biscuits to eat and a valuable knife and an intact metal water flask, which he filled with water. Then, he decided to leave.
As he retraced his steps, he noticed a woman walking ahead of him, her back turned. She wore a high-waisted dress from over a century ago, with a wide skirt and a high-collared bodice, carrying a parasol. Her figure flickered and vanished around a corner.
Strange? He paid it no mind, unconcerned with the oddity, as it held no value for his energy needs.
Passing a bulletin board, he paused to tear off missing person and lost pet notices, revealing a map of the town and the location of the train station.
After observing for a while, he left the small town and found the station about a kilometer away.
The station was built with reinforced concrete, making it incredibly sturdy. A mining company logo adorned the front, and behind it was a large map of the entire area.
He took note of the markings on the map and then waved his staff slightly. With a snap, a long-spined insect was struck and exploded mid-air, its innards and blood splattering on the ground.
He glanced at the position of the sun and started walking along the highway in one direction.
After walking for half a day in the wilderness, a cloud of dust rose in the distance as a clearly modified armed convoy approached.
They had obviously spotted him, and several gunshots rang out from the convoy, the bullets landing not far from him, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The convoy headed toward him, and he walked up to them with his staff.
Two minutes later, he was sitting atop one of the off-road vehicles, munching on the nutritional gel carried by the convoy. Wrecked vehicles were scattered all around.
The bodies of the desert bandits lay twisted and contorted on the ground, each one killed by a single strike, with not a trace of excess force.
After consuming all the nutritional gel, the altered tissue in his body grew slightly, and he used some of his stored energy to repair the necessary altered tissue, ensuring smoother and quicker movements.
The remaining energy was stored within his body, enough to sustain him for another four to five days of activity, although combat would shorten this time. Every action must be cherished, preferably with some gain.
He searched through several vehicles and found a relatively new map with numerous markings. After collecting the guns and ammunition from the scene, he placed them in the trunk of a well-preserved off-road vehicle and got into the driver's seat. He grabbed a pair of decorative sunglasses from the side and put them on before starting the vehicle and setting off again.
Ahead was a small town surrounding a mining area, which was his next destination.
On the other side, the train carrying Chen Chuan had traveled for nearly two days and stopped at a station in the Atahoka Continent.
Gao Ming, Wei Chang'an, and others had already taken care of all the formalities and were waiting at the station with a team.
Among the group were several First People from the tribe, including the One-Eyed Elder, Awan, Tahu, and other First People, who would be accompanying them to the Voice of Star Spirits.
Although bringing them along added an element of danger, it was, after all, the First People's sacred site. Without their presence and entry, there might be issues in many places.
After Chen Chuan and Gui Zihan disembarked, Gao Ming approached and said, "Cousin, all the travel documents and formalities have been taken care of."
Chen Chuan asked, "No surprises?"
Gao Ming smiled and replied, "The official in charge of handling this matter is frequently in contact with Dashun Company in the Union Government. The whole process went smoothly."
Chen Chuan nodded. The Union East Coast emphasized order, while the West Coast was filled with various bio-laboratories, cults, gangs, and bandits—a paradise for adventurers, anarchists, and cultists. At the national level, the East Coast Party was more willing to negotiate, and they had the capacity to follow through.
But on a local level, the West Coast Party was easier to deal with. Sometimes, the lack of uniform rules made it possible to carry out many actions.
Gao Ming said, "We've booked a hotel. How do you plan your itinerary, cousin?"
Chen Chuan checked his watch and saw it was already 3 p.m. He said, "Let's go to the hotel to rest first and set off for our destination tomorrow."
After making his decision, the group boarded the vehicles arranged by Dashun Company and headed for a luxury hotel outside the Central City.
At that moment, just a few kilometers away, their movements were being monitored by a temporary bio-monitoring device.
A small team from the Confidential Operations Bureau was deployed here, tasked with surveilling Chen Chuan and his group's entire journey.
The Confidential Operations Bureau had obtained detailed intelligence several days ago and was aware of their destination.
The First People's sacred treasures had always been a focal point of contention, and the Voice of Star Spirits was once one of the First People's most sacred sites. Its immense value made it a coveted prize for all parties involved. Therefore, the Confidential Operations Bureau headquarters attached great importance to this operation.
For this operation, Agent "Iron Crow," originally dispatched to the Serranozha Continent, had secretly diverted to this side of the Atahoka Continent. Simultaneously, two mercenary hunting guilds supported by the Confidential Operations Bureau, which had been tasked with capturing Kavatuya, had already headed south from the north.
But the Confidential Operations Bureau also knew that such a large-scale operation would undoubtedly alert the Strategic Affairs Department on the Union East Coast, who might also take action. Therefore, they must seize the objective before the department could react!
...
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(End of Chapter)
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