Infinite Nightmares

"Remember, from now on, you don’t need to report when you eat. You won’t be punished for eating," Zhang Wenda began to correct his warped perception.

"But everyone I’ve seen gets punished for eating without reporting it," Wang Dayan said, his face a picture of innocence.

"That’s because of your ideological tide." As they walked, Zhang Wenda quickly explained to Wang Dayan what an ideological tide was.

He didn’t expect Wang Dayan to correct his flawed understanding right away; he was just laying the groundwork.

"Monster Uncle, where are we going?" Seeing their surroundings grow more and more unfamiliar, Wang Dayan couldn’t help but grab onto Zhang Wenda’s clothes.

"To a safe place." As he spoke, the red-and-white facade of the Xinhua Bookstore appeared before them.

"Can’t I stay with you?"

"No, not right now. Maybe later. How about you come and help me when you’re stronger?"

And just then, Zhang Wenda saw two familiar figures at the entrance of the Xinhua Bookstore: 2826 and a familiar purple rabbit.

"Teacher!" Seeing the rabbit he hadn’t seen in so long, Zhang Wenda rushed forward to greet her.

"You’re injured?" The rabbit reached out a large paw and touched Zhang Wenda’s battered head.

"It’s nothing, just a minor injury.

As Zhang Wenda told the rabbit everything he had been through, his missing ear rapidly grew back where her paw touched his face.

"Teacher, why are you here?" Zhang Wenda asked, a little surprised.

"They said you might be deceived by the people over there, so they had me come as proof that they aren’t deceiving you."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenda gave 2826 a meaningful look. To be honest, he had already decided before coming that he had to see Teacher Rabbit this time.

First, to rule out the possibility that the Third Line was using the rabbit as a hostage. Second, to indirectly gauge what the Third Line was really like based on her recent experiences.

He just hadn’t expected them to be one step ahead of him, sending the rabbit over before he even had a chance to ask.

"Teacher, is your monster body really gone?" Zhang Wenda asked again.

"It is." The rabbit took off a furry glove, revealing a completely normal human hand. It was a very nice-looking hand, completely different from the rotten palm she had before.

"Ahem." 2826’s voice made Zhang Wenda turn his head. "You’re currently classified as a fugitive. The recon team has detected members of the Big Circle conducting a grid search in this direction. We’re short on time."

With that, he led everyone into the bookstore.

Zhang Wenda handed the last of his roasted sweet potato to Teacher Rabbit, then said to 2826 as they walked, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I’m in a hurry too."

"In a bit, we’re going to put this kid up for sale online to completely eliminate any suspicion the Big Circle has about you."

As he spoke, 2826 pulled a stack of 10-yuan bills from his pocket—400 yuan in total—and handed them to Zhang Wenda. "This is your payment for selling the kid. For the sake of plausibility, take it and spend it."

Watching the stack of money being handed over, Zhang Wenda was a bit surprised. He really hadn’t expected to get a bonus on this mission.

Getting paid was nice, of course, but Zhang Wenda had bigger concerns.

"My monthly salary is 120, but I only get this little for selling a kid who can generate an ideological tide? That doesn’t seem logical, does it?"

Zhang Wenda heard chewing sounds behind him and turned to the side, feigning nonchalance.

When he saw Teacher Rabbit pull out some chili powder, sprinkle it on the sweet potato until it was red, and stuff it into her mouth, Zhang Wenda’s last shred of doubt about the Third Line finally vanished.

’Looking back on it now, that move by the Big Circle was really insidious. Once suspicion takes root, it’s not so easy to regain 100% trust. Thankfully, I made contact with Hu Maomao, so I’ve safely passed their first test.’

"Of course there’s more. Besides the 400 yuan, you’re also getting something far more valuable in exchange: intelligence." 2826’s words quickly pulled Zhang Wenda back from his thoughts.

"What intelligence?"

"Intelligence that can make you stronger. Only intelligence this valuable would make it plausible for you to be tempted into making the trade."

At this, Zhang Wenda’s spirits lifted. On a mission as perilous as infiltrating the Big Circle, a significant boost in strength was obviously for the best.

"What is it? A new way to use the Tri-Core? Or another core?"

But 2826 shook his head. "For you, those things are just supplementary. I’ve told you before, you don’t have much talent in that area. There’s no need for you to focus on it. On the contrary, what you’re most suited for, what you’re best at, is your other ability: your monster heart."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenda’s pupils contracted.

"This intelligence can significantly enhance your monster heart."

held out a folded slip of paper to Zhang Wenda, but he didn’t take it. "You know the only reason I was forced to join your screwed-up plan was to get rid of this damn thing, right? And now you want me to enhance it? What’s wrong with me?"

didn’t retract the slip of paper. "But you can’t deny that it’s your greatest talent. It causes you pain, but it also makes you stronger, especially when doing our line of work."

"I don’t need it!" As Zhang Wenda’s voice rose, his body began to gradually transform, but a rabbit’s paw reached out from behind and pressed down on his shoulder.

"I know you don’t need it. This is just a piece of intelligence. You don’t have to act on it, but you must take it. It’s the only way this is logical."

Zhang Wenda stared at the paper, weighed his options, and finally reached out to take it. He said irritably, "I can’t last too long in that hellhole, the Big Circle. What’s my next move?"

"You’ve already passed the first step of the Big Circle’s test. Once you’ve fully passed all their trials, we need you to make contact with Tang Xingxiong."

"Make contact just like that? You think it’s that simple?" Zhang Wenda shoved the paper into the very bottom of his enamel mug.

Just then, Teacher Rabbit pulled the crushed enamel mug out of a hole in Zhang Wenda’s body. She then squeezed and kneaded it a few times, rapidly restoring it to its original shape. Finally, she fitted a lid onto the mug, chose a similarly sized cavity on Zhang Wenda’s body, and pushed it back inside, patting it gently to make sure it was secure.

"She was the one who recruited you. She won’t let you stay a mercenary forever. She’ll definitely contact you later to pull you into her inner circle within the Big Circle."

The thought gave Zhang Wenda a headache. ’Four people are already dead. What makes them so sure I won’t be the fifth?’ He said, "Just spit it all out at once. What else do you need me to do?"

"You just need to join them and periodically report back with intelligence. Dealing with Tang Xingxiong will be handled in coordination with other teams. Your role is in the intelligence-gathering group, not the combat group."

’Finally, some good news.’ Zhang Wenda sighed and said, "I hope you can keep your word. Also, when I get back, you’d better pay me my back wages, my stipend, and all those Bureau 507 benefits you owe me."

"Deal." Just then, 2826 pressed a finger to his ear. "You need to go. Their people are about to search this area. If an emergency comes up after you get back, Nightingale will contact you."

"Who’s Nightingale?"

"Hu Maomao."

"Fuck." Zhang Wenda turned his head and said softly to Teacher Rabbit, "Teacher, keep an eye on things here for me. I’ll be back before you know it."

"Okay. I’ll wait for you."

After taking care of these matters, and before the Big Circle’s search arrived, Zhang Wenda left with Song Jianguo and Auntie.

Watching his back disappear into the crowd, 2826 said to the rabbit beside him, "Are you sure you’re not going to tell him?"

"Yes. I don’t want him to worry about me. Besides, I can’t just stand by and watch while he risks life and limb for my sake. He’s done so much for me; it’s only right that I do something for him."

As Teacher Rabbit finished speaking, three lines—red, blue, and yellow—gradually appeared on her furry arm.