46: Chapter 18 Nightingale

The atmosphere deep within the laboratory grew even heavier following the revelations in the diary. Dr. Lin's final words and Xiao Qi's potential origins weighed on the trio's hearts like a massive boulder. However, an unusual energy scanning signal from above served as a cold warning, reminding them that danger was far from gone.

“There's no time for details,” Lei Kun was the first to break free from the heavy atmosphere. His soldier's instincts allowed him to assess the situation quickly. “The explosion and energy fluctuations just now definitely attracted more than one group. We must evacuate immediately.”

Ling Yue quickly tucked the diary into her personal storage bag while checking her equipment. “Returning the way we came is too risky. Xiao Qi, do you know any other way out of here?” She looked at the girl huddling close to Lin Feng.

Xiao Qi nodded timidly and pointed toward another direction in the hall, where a ventilation duct was half-buried by debris. “There... it leads to the 'outside'... but it's very long... and sometimes there are 'bad things'...”

“Bad things?” Lin Feng frowned.

“They're... not like people, and not like animals... they're icy cold...” Xiao Qi tried to describe them, a hint of fear showing on her face.

Automated defense units, or perhaps mutants created after the lab went out of control? Everyone understood. But for now, this was the only known alternative route.

“We'll go through there. I'll lead the way, Ling Yue will bring up the rear. Lin Feng, you protect Xiao Qi.” Lei Kun quickly made the arrangements, slapping a fresh magazine into his submachine gun, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

The group didn't hesitate, quickly clearing the obstacles from the ventilation duct and crawling inside. The interior was dark and damp, permeated with the smell of rust and mildew, far more dilapidated than the areas they had passed through earlier. Xiao Qi seemed familiar with this place; under her quiet guidance, they avoided several obvious structural weaknesses and hidden pressure-sensitive traps.

Lin Feng held Xiao Qi's hand and could feel her slight trembling. It was partly fear of the potential dangers in the environment, and partly, perhaps, anxiety about facing the unfamiliar 'outside' world. He squeezed her hand slightly, offering a silent comfort. Xiao Qi looked up at him, a faint expression of dependence appearing on her pale face.

＞ Psionic Resonance Link Stability: 85%. Subject "Xiao Qi" Emotional State: Anxious, but Anchored.

The feedback from "Source" made Lin Feng feel slightly more at ease. This subtle mental connection allowed him to better perceive Xiao Qi's state and made him realize the heavy responsibility of protecting this girl.

The duct seemed endless. After an unknown amount of time, a faint light and the scent of fresh air finally drifted from ahead. However, it was accompanied by a tooth-grinding sound of metal scraping.

Lei Kun immediately signaled for them to stop and held his breath. After a moment, he whispered, “There's something ahead. At least two of them. They move stiffly, like machines.”

Peering through the gaps in the duct, they saw the exit connected to a larger underground space, resembling an abandoned supply transfer station. Two rusted, crudely designed old-model sentry robots on tracks were patrolling aimlessly near the entrance, their outdated sensors emitting red scanning beams.

“They're ancient 'Watchdog' models,” Ling Yue lowered her voice, “but their numbers are unknown. Charging in might trigger an alarm and attract more.”

“Can we hack them?” Lin Feng asked.

“I can try, but they use a closed system; it requires physical access.” Ling Yue looked at Lei Kun.

Lei Kun observed the environment and pointed to a thick condensation pipe above. “I'll go across from the top and find a way to disable one. Ling Yue, get ready to support me. Lin Feng, find the right moment and get Xiao Qi through quickly.”

The plan was set. Lei Kun climbed onto the pipe as silently as a lynx, moving toward the robots through the shadows. His movements were precise and efficient, demonstrating his incredible military training.

Just as Lei Kun was about to reach the first robot, an anomaly occurred!

“Buzz—”

An invisible, high-frequency energy pulse suddenly swept across the entire space! The two old robots looked as if their bones had been removed, instantly stiffening in place. The red light in their eyes went out, and they ceased functioning entirely.

It wasn't Lei Kun's doing!

Alarm bells rang in Lin Feng's mind! The waveform of this energy pulse was somewhat familiar—refined, efficient, and carrying a sense of cold technological precision. It was completely different from the chaotic, violent energy in the lab, and also different from the standard equipment of The Consortium's military.

“Who's there?” Lei Kun barked, his muzzle instantly pointing toward the shadows where the pulse had originated.

From the darkness came the sound of crisp, unhurried footsteps. A tall figure slowly stepped out.

The newcomer wore a well-tailored set of dark gray urban combat fatigues made of an advanced material that barely reflected the faint light. Her face was covered by a silver metal mask that only shielded the upper half, revealing eyes that were calm to the point of indifference and a sharply defined jawline. She (judging by her figure) was fiddling with a palm-sized energy emitter; the pulse just now was clearly its handiwork.

“Nice reaction speed, veteran.” Her voice came through the mask with a hint of electronic synthesis, making her age and emotions impossible to discern. “But you don't need to work that hard to deal with these antiques.”

Her gaze swept over the four wary people and finally landed on Xiao Qi, who was being protected behind Lin Feng. Her eyes flickered slightly but quickly returned to a state of calm.

“Who are you?” Ling Yue raised her energy pistol, her mechanical eye locking onto the target. “One of The Consortium's? Or one of The Cleaners?”

“Code name: Nightingale,” the woman announced frankly, her tone flat. “As for my affiliation... it's not convenient to disclose for now. I am not your enemy, at least not for the moment.”

“Why should we believe you?” Lei Kun's muzzle didn't waver in the slightest.

“Because I just helped you take care of those two iron lumps instead of waiting for you to expose yourselves and then reaping the benefits.” Nightingale waved the emitter in her hand. “Besides, if I were an enemy, there would have been at least three ways to make you vanish silently the moment you crawled out of that vent.”

Her words carried a powerful confidence that forced one to believe her at least a little.

“Your purpose?” Lin Feng took a step forward, completely shielding Xiao Qi behind him, and looked Nightingale straight in the eye. He tried to use "Source" to sense her, only to find that her vital signs and emotional fluctuations were blurred by a high-level masking technology; he could only feel a sense of icy calm.

＞ Target Bio-Signature: Actively Masked. Emotion: Highly Controlled/Neutral. Threat Level: High (Uncertain Intent).

“Purpose?” Nightingale gave a soft laugh, her gaze turning toward Xiao Qi again, this time with a scrutinizing look. “I was ordered to come and confirm if the guardian of The Key is safe and sound. It seems The Engineer's worries were unnecessary.”

The Engineer!

This name sent a massive shock through the hearts of Lin Feng and the other two! This mysterious and unfathomable "The Engineer" had actually sent someone? And at this critical moment?

“You're one of The Engineer's people?” Ling Yue asked urgently. “What exactly does he want? What is this laboratory all about?”

“Too many questions.” Nightingale shook her head. “This isn't the place for a chat. The Consortium's search teams and several unknown forces are closing in on this area. Come with me; I can take you to a safe place.”

She pointed to a passage on the other side of the transfer station that appeared to be sealed off. “There's a shortcut there that can bypass most eyes and ears.”

Go with her? Was this suddenly appearing, unidentified Nightingale and the cryptic Engineer behind her trustworthy? But staying here would undoubtedly mean waiting for death.

Lin Feng, Lei Kun, and Ling Yue quickly exchanged looks. They all saw the hesitation and resolve in each other's eyes. Right now, there seemed to be no better choice.

“How do we know the path you're pointing out is safe?” Lei Kun said deeply.

“You don't have to believe me.” Nightingale shrugged indifferently. “But you don't have much time left to decide. Listen—”

Faintly, from the direction of the ventilation duct they had come from, as well as from above, came the sounds of clearer and more frequent footsteps along with the noise of energy weapons being unlocked!

The pursuers had arrived!

“Fine! We'll go with you!” Lin Feng made the decision. His intuition told him that Nightingale and The Engineer might not be on the same side as The Consortium. He would take the gamble!

“A wise choice.” Nightingale nodded, turned toward the passage, and pressed a few spots on the wall. A hidden hydraulic door slid open silently, revealing a clean, even dimly lit modern passage behind it.

“Keep up, don't fall behind.”

The four didn't hesitate any longer, following Nightingale into the passage. The hydraulic door closed behind them, temporarily cutting off the danger outside.

The passage was brightly lit, forming a sharp contrast with the ruin-like scene outside. The walls were made of smooth alloy, clearly recently built or maintained. Nightingale walked ahead, her steps light and confident.

Lin Feng led the nervous Xiao Qi, his mind full of questions. Who exactly was The Engineer? Why did he (or she) care about Xiao Qi? Where did this passage lead? Was this Nightingale a reinforcement, or a lure leading to another trap?

The team's fate, after leaving the Abyss Laboratory, seemed to have sailed into an even more fog-shrouded channel. And Nightingale's appearance marked their official entry onto a chessboard where much larger powers were at play.