“Adam is everywhere. We need to use devices to avoid its surveillance in order to communicate freely, otherwise it might eavesdrop on us.” Dr. Howard put away his kindly, benevolent expression. “I didn’t expect your strategy to be pretending to have amnesia... but it’s surprisingly effective.”

When he spoke to Blake White outside, his tone was like that of an elder to a junior. But in a place without Adam’s surveillance, his demeanor toward Blake White carried a sense of respect. Blake White was a core member of Mechanical Dawn, ranked higher than him.

Dr. Howard was a two-faced man with a double identity.

Blake White subconsciously touched her pocket. The silver wristband communicator and data chip that Dr. Howard had given her were still there. She suspected that the silver wristband also had similar functions—if used correctly, it could block the AI Adam’s surveillance.

“Can you forge a medical report for me?” Blake White asked proactively.

“Of course,” Dr. Howard said with a smile. “Isn’t bringing you to the medical room exactly for this?”

Half an hour later, the forged medical report was ready.

Blake White took the report and left the medical room, returning to Eric Shaw’s office.

Eric Shaw stared at Blake White’s medical report several times, his gaze lingering on the last line in the recommendations section: “Proper rest will help with memory recovery.”

“Go on,” he sighed helplessly. “If you notice any signs of memory recovery, report to me immediately. Your leave is still three days.”

Blake White said, “Yes, Captain.”

Only when she walked out of Eric Shaw’s office did she feel as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her chest.

A thin layer of cold sweat broke out on Blake White’s back.

She knew she had passed the first hurdle, managing to protect herself without arousing suspicion. The challenges ahead would only be harder.

After all, this was a world of highly advanced technology and extraordinary powers.

“Mission triggered.”

A light screen, visible only to Blake White, suddenly appeared.

“[Mission Description]: The honest and simple Black Sea City is an important port city of the Federation, and also a nest for many gang forces. Now, Black Sea City is shrouded in conspiracy, with unknown claws reaching toward it. You need to investigate this conspiracy thoroughly.”

“You can choose to accept or refuse the mission.”

“Refusing may reduce your risk, but accepting might bring unexpected and generous rewards.”

“[Mission Content]: Investigate the Black Sea City port bombing case.”

Blake White recalled the sixth piece of advice she had memorized before entering the game.

—Everything comes at a price.

Fate’s gifts always have their price marked in secret. To gain, one must bear the risk.

Blake White was a pathfinder in the Second World, and an explorer of the New World. Danger and opportunity both lay before her.

Now, the crossroads of fate were right at her feet.

Blake White chose to accept the mission.

“You have accepted the mission.”

“[Mission Progress]: 0%.”

Chapter 5: Sea Without Light 05

Blake White had received a leave note from the captain, but another serious problem arose.

She didn’t know where her home was.

Blake White stood dazed in the corridor for a few seconds. Looking around, she spotted a restroom sign ahead and got an idea, quickly walking into the restroom.

As soon as she entered a stall, Blake White took out the silver wristband that Dr. Howard had given her and put it on her wrist.

A string of characters flashed on the wristband: “Powered on.”

Then the characters automatically changed to the time, 19:38. It looked just like an ordinary electronic wristband displaying the time.

Blake White, like an elderly person out of touch with the times who had just gotten a smartphone, sat on the toilet lid fiddling with it for a long time, unable to figure out how to use it.

“Help... why don’t any of the buttons on this wristband have any bumps?” Blake White was sweating profusely, finally understanding how difficult life was for the elderly in a high-tech society. She could only fumble around on the wristband, trying to discover its functions.

She pressed the side once.

“Biometric information confirmed.” The wristband flashed a projection screen, displaying all its functions.

“Signal blocking, instant messaging, encrypted networking, location tracking, self-destruction...” Blake White checked them one by one, feeling a chill, “Hold the power button for three seconds and throw it—its power rivals a micro-bomb?”

So it was also a small weapon. Luckily, she hadn’t pressed the side for too long, or she’d be dead by now.

Blake White took out a black chip the size of a fingernail. According to Dr. Howard, this chip contained all the information on “Security Officer Blake White,” including her home address.

Blake White placed the chip on the wristband. The projection screen displayed: “Reading data... reading... reading complete.”

The first page on the screen showed Blake White’s own information.