Chapter 18 This World

Compared to other containment zones, Biological Research Area Number Fifteen was not large; it was located in the remote outskirts of K City... The term "located" might not be quite accurate since the main body of the research area was underground.

It was divided into three parts: the top-level office area, the middle-level D-class containment area, and the bottom-level C-class containment area. Above these, on the surface, was a building named the "K City Disease Research Center."

Of course, this building could not possibly be involved in researching diseases; it was merely a facade to justify the daily influx and egress of staff members. Otherwise, any passerby seeing a shabby little building in a desolate area frequented by one or two hundred people daily would know that something was amiss.

At this moment, the sudden situation in the D-class containment area had been resolved. The process was simple: Chen Xiao, carrying a shotgun, had walked up behind the old man and, with a typical baseball bat swing, struck him on the back of his head with a "clang."

The old man fell to the ground with a few twitches, and just like that, what had been the most troublesome sudden event in recent years was simply over.

In fact, the complication of this incident was not due to the "abnormal mutation" of the contained items being particularly terrifying, nor was it because the incident had caused irreparable losses; from beginning to end, what gave Mr. Zou a sense of crisis... was just Chen Xiao.

Oh, right, Chen Xiao had already been confined to an interrogation room in the office area. He had made a deal with Mr. Zou: I help you resolve this sudden incident, you tell me a story. In Chen Xiao's mind, such a trade was fair and reasonable.

...

An hour later, the door to the interrogation room opened, and Mr. Zou walked in.

Of course, he was not there to complete the deal. Just before pushing the door open, he had still been considering whether to execute Chen Xiao immediately. But in the end, he sat down across from Chen Xiao. First, he knew that aside from being mentally unstable, Chen Xiao's physical condition was just that of a normal person, so he didn't believe Chen Xiao could pull any tricks at this moment; secondly, before executing this damn kid, he wanted to know what this lunatic meant by "telling a story."

This was not some clichéd action of a secondary character or villain in a movie. Think about it: on one side, a mental patient with no capabilities, and on the other, a mysterious organization with unfathomable financial, material, weaponry, and equipment resources. If under such circumstances he actually let him escape, that would truly be what's called absurd.

"Hi!" Chen Xiao tried to greet Mr. Zou enthusiastically when he saw him come in, but since his wrists were cuffed to the table, he could only shuffle them a little in front of his chest.

Upon seeing Chen Xiao's disgusting smiling face, Mr. Zou's anger surged again.

"Do you know what you've done?" he said coldly, staring at Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao raised his index finger and pointed in the air, displaying a look as if he was praised, "Hmm, yes, I know, I helped you solve a big problem!"

Mr. Zou's mouth twitched, his teeth grinding audibly.

"You should know our deal only stated 'you want to hear me tell a story,' but it didn't specify what happens to you after I finish the story—dead or alive! You get my meaning!" Mr. Zou said, anticipating Chen Xiao's shocked or angry expression.

However, Chen Xiao showed little reaction; he just neurotically licked his lips, saying, "Hmm, yes, I know. Even if you promise to let me go, you'll go back on your word. I've encountered many like you before. I generally call you all..."

He frowned, seeming to think hard for a moment, "Ah, right, riff-raff!"

The statement was smooth, but it contained a very odd word. "Over there"! This phrase could represent many things, such as "back home over there," or "over there in XX district." Thus, it might seem appropriate, but if Mr. Zou had listened closely, he would have sensed a different nuance in those two words.

But the current Mr. Zou was not paying attention to Chen Xiao's words; he was so angry he almost stood up and kicked him!

He kept telling himself, "Just endure it, this kid is already a goner, it won't be much longer!"

"So, dear Mr. Chen Xiao, before you are executed, what story would you like me to tell?" Mr. Zou asked, and this was also why he hadn't killed Chen Xiao outright and instead let him infuriate him beyond measure.

Chen Xiao grinned widely, leaning forward enthusiastically and said, "I want you to talk about... this world!"

...

...

Mr. Zou was taken aback, clearly not understanding, "This world? What do you mean?"

Chen Xiao patiently explained, "Exactly this world. I think this world is not as others perceive it; there are so many things here that normal people can't understand, like the girl from the orphanage, like the old man who feeds on memories. And you guys are clearly seeking them out, containing them, perhaps even eliminating them, which is so fascinating! So you have to tell me... what this world truly looks like!"

Chen Xiao said with his sharp voice, like a drunkard seeing a fine wine, like a vagrant spotting money, his expression growing increasingly excited, even making Mr. Zou feels a chill down his spine.

"What if I refuse...?" Mr. Zou initially wanted to outright refuse Chen Xiao, but for some reason, he changed his mind, turning his statement into a question. He had spent a lot of time with field units during his youth, so he had an instinct for danger.

In other words... he chickened out!

"Refuse?" Chen Xiao appeared utterly bewildered, as if he had never considered the question. Then he started to laugh with a "hehehe" sound.

Mr. Zou furrowed his brow, "Why does this man always laugh? What's there to laugh about? Even knowing he is about to die, he still laughs! And his laughter is so unpleasant!"

Chen Xiao showed no sign of stopping. While laughing, he moved closer to Mr. Zou, his grotesque mouth, the corners slit open, facing him directly—the breath from his laughter hitting Mr. Zou's face.

"Why not give it a try? It might be very interesting..." he muttered in a voice only Mr. Zou could hear.

As previously mentioned, Mr. Zou had encountered many horrifying scenes and survived countless brushes with death. He knew his psyche was strong enough, but inexplicably, he once again told himself, "This kid is just insane. He can't do anything right now. He can't even handle the handcuffs binding his hands..."

While he thought this, he intentionally or unintentionally avoided looking into Chen Xiao's eyes, just as he had avoided his teacher's gaze as a child when he hadn't done his homework. He hadn't yet realized this behavior.

"Since he's a dead man walking, what's the harm in telling him!" Mr. Zou thought, completely unaware of the strange thought that had just crossed his mind: "Maybe I can see his surprised face. That should be... quite interesting!"

"Alright," he said, "I'll tell you about this world!"

...

...

(Chapter 18 is a bit slow in explaining the worldview, but the author isn't the least embarrassed! Hehehe!)

...

...

A stone that emits a rotting smell.

A magic mirror that incites kin to slay each other.

An oil lamp that grants wishes.

A rabbit that can take people deep into dreams.

These items might be legends or fairy tales but could also be... real.

The world as people see it is rational, peaceful, and full of hope. They fret over money, power, desires, and the simple realities of birth, aging, illness, and death. Amid the glittering nightlife, they gently sway their glasses filled with wine, listening to people's insincere jokes, enjoying the artificially beautiful neon lights.

Most people live this way.

But why, after the hubbub, does one feel a vague sense of emptiness and fear when quietly looking out the window?

Because it is an emotion planted in our hearts by our ancestors throughout the ages. We used to shiver around bonfires, bow our heads in prayer without daring to look up at the sky. In our hearts rests an innate voice telling each of us, the real world... isn't as you see it.

This world is twisted, insane, absurd, incomprehensible, and beyond understanding. Humans think they have mastered science, touched the truth of the universe, but in fact, it's just self-consolation—we actually know nothing. We are too small; nothing out there is going to protect us! But humans can't live in fear; we must protect ourselves. While some live in a well-ordered, beautiful society, others must soothe the unknown in a ridiculous world.

This is a group not belonging to any nation, above all judicial authority; unknown to the world, it has an ancient name—"Order Foundation." Its main task is to contain any items that might disrupt the current normalcy of life, ensuring that human society remains free from panic, pollution, and destruction. These items range from bizarre to mundane, classified from D to S safety levels. D-level items can only cause some panic and destruction, S-level items, if containment fails, could lead to the extinction of all humanity or even more terrifying events.

At this moment, Chen Xiao is in the fifteenth biological research area of the Order Foundation. Mr. Zou has already finished telling this soon-to-be-executed madman the interesting story about the real world.

Chen Xiao was laughing, filled with joy, excitement, and even a bit overwhelmed, like a child who suddenly received all the toys he ever dreamt of.

He wanted to laugh, to shout, to throw himself on the ground and roll around! Because this world is just too interesting!

...

But just then, in his euphoric mind, a voice as calm as could be, devoid of any emotion, rang out.

"You've played long enough... It's time to come back!"