System, You Didn't Say the Villain Can Read Minds! - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

◎Seriously Injured.◎

After Ye Lan said, “Leave this to me,” she really left the two of them and went upstairs alone.

Mo Jiu was shocked by her trust in her and Yun Wenzhou, but then remembered that she and Yun Wenzhou had killed not only the Director but also the City Lord…

“Go.” Mo Jiu grabbed Yun Wenzhou and ran.

[We must rush to the lab, steal the Abomination Crystals, and disappear before Ye Lan sees the City Lord’s corpse. Otherwise, we’ll inevitably be chased and killed by Ye Lan.]

At the lab.

Yue Xinghe and the researchers were still arguing.

“For the future of humanity? What about our future!”

Mo Jiu and Yun Wenzhou arrived just in time to hear Yue Xinghe shout this sentence.

Mo Jiu was a little surprised.

This is the first time I’ve seen Yue Xinghe talk so loudly.

In her memory, this doll-like girl had always been as quiet as a real doll.

Yun Wenzhou, who could hear Yue Xinghe’s inner thoughts, found it hard to judge.

Yue Xinghe’s inner thought at the moment: Ye Lan isn’t here, so you think I’m a harmless cat? You bunch of idiots! Why don’t you all just die!

Yue Xinghe was genuinely agitated, showing signs of inner and outer breakdown: “Handing over your fate to others is the most foolish thing you can do!”

The researchers also exploded: “You’re an ability user. You won’t transform, so of course you can say that! For us, we have nowhere else to turn!”

“Aren’t you all fine right now?”

“Shut up! What do you ability users understand about us!”

The researcher’s voice gradually became rougher, and his body swelled accordingly, like a balloon suddenly being inflated.

Seeing that it was about to burst, Mo Jiu quickly rushed over and used her ability to control it.

Yue Xinghe was stunned into silence.

Mo Jiu ignored her and directed Yun Wenzhou: “Decapitate it.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Yun Wenzhou controlled several flying knives to stab the half-transformed monster, cleanly severing its head!

The transformation stopped. The swollen body actually shrank back, but the stretched skin couldn’t recover, collapsing into wrinkled piles like a deflated swimming tube.

Mo Jiu looked at Yue Xinghe.

Yue Xinghe stood rooted to the spot, a flash of guilt crossing her face.

She didn’t try to defend her actions, apologizing readily: “I’m sorry. I… couldn’t control my emotions. Thank you.”

The other researchers around were terrified and huddled in the corner.

Mo Jiu ignored them and asked Yue Xinghe curiously: “What were you arguing about?”

Yue Xinghe was silent for a long time, as if debating whether to speak.

Just as Mo Jiu felt they couldn’t delay any longer and was about to control her to steal the Abomination Crystals, she spoke. But instead of answering Mo Jiu’s question, she posed one of her own: “Have you ever considered leaving the Fallen Zone and going to the safe zone?”

“No.” Mo Jiu didn’t hesitate.

She didn’t have time to chat with Yue Xinghe about this and asked again: “What were you arguing about?”

“It’s a trolley problem,” Yue Xinghe replied. “Suppose you have a button in your hand. You hand it over to a stranger. That person might have the ability to save a large group of people, but if they press that button, you will die. Would you hand it over?”

“No.” Mo Jiu again showed no hesitation, but then, she suddenly thought of something and added: “Unless Yun Wenzhou is among that large group of people.”

Yun Wenzhou, standing nearby, froze for a moment, then raised the corner of her lips in delight.

If such a thing really happened, she wouldn’t let her sister do it. She wouldn’t allow anyone to have the power to control her sister’s fate. But hearing those words still made her happy, especially after confirming through her sister’s inner thoughts that she was serious.

Before adding that sentence, Mo Jiu thought: What if Xiaozhou is among that large group of people? Then I really can’t avoid handing it over.

Yue Xinghe nodded in acknowledgment after hearing Mo Jiu’s answer: “I wouldn’t hand it over either. Maybe I’m more pessimistic. I don’t think the other party has an option other than pressing the button because they are human, and we, in a sense, are no longer human. To them, we are no different from Abominations.”

She paused, then continued: “But now, this button has already been handed over to that group of strangers.”

“Huh?” Mo Jiu looked confused.

Wait, this wasn’t right, was it?

She was currently on the villain’s path, and the villain’s goal was world domination. Wasn’t she the greatest threat to this world?

Now, suddenly, someone was telling her that someone else possessed a button that could destroy ability users?

“What exactly is going on? Can you be more specific?” Mo Jiu insisted on knowing.

Yue Xinghe sighed, thinking Mo Jiu didn’t understand, and had to be more direct: “Through research on the Abomination Crystals, the lab discovered elements that can dissolve them. However, it’s difficult to find enough of these elements in the Fallen Zone to dissolve all the Abomination Crystals, and they can’t dissolve the ones inside the human body. The lab uploaded all the experimental data to the United Government, hoping to obtain more of these elements. But no one knows in what form this batch of elements will be transported here.”

She stopped there, and Mo Jiu understood: “You’re worried that a large amount of the elements will be sent over, not for rescue, but to destroy the entire Fallen Zone? That’s why you asked if I had thoughts about escaping to the safe zone?”

Yue Xinghe “Mhm’d”: “If the United Government truly had such intentions, wouldn’t you also try to stop the lab from uploading this data?”

“If the United Government really had that idea, they would vehemently prevent us from leaving the Fallen Zone.”

“Yes. That’s why the Fallen Zone is surrounded by a high-voltage electric barrier.”

Mo Jiu: “…”

Mo Jiu: System, explain.

System: This was not in the original book’s plot; analysis is not possible.

Mo Jiu: What is the United Government’s reaction?

System: Cannot investigate outside the “world.”

Mo Jiu: Meaning, that’s a map outside the original book’s plot?

System: The Host can understand it that way.

Mo Jiu: Then I can probably ignore it.

System: Yes, you can ignore it.

Mo Jiu: Good.

Mo Jiu raised her hand and controlled Yue Xinghe.

Yue Xinghe: “…?!”

Mo Jiu was ultimately a transient visitor in this world, and she had known for a long time that she would eventually be killed by the protagonist, Ye Lan. Therefore, she didn’t feel much emotion regarding the risks Yue Xinghe mentioned, nor did she have much motivation to follow Yue Xinghe’s suggestions.

Her goal was very clear: steal the Abomination Crystals.

So, she ignored Yue Xinghe’s expression, which transitioned from shock to disappointment. After immobilizing everyone in the lab, she had Yun Wenzhou forcibly open the heavy vault door with her ability, and then proceeded to stuff the Abomination Crystals, which nearly filled half the warehouse, entirely into her storage space.

The mission from the start was to “steal a portion of the Abomination Crystals,” so Mo Jiu left the crystals outside the warehouse alone.

Let these researchers continue to use those crystals for their endlessly futile experiments.

With the Abomination Crystals stolen, the mission would be complete as long as they left the City of Hope.

However, just as Mo Jiu was about to release Yue Xinghe’s restraints and leave with Yun Wenzhou, the System added another mission.

System: Host, please hold your step.

Mo Jiu paused.

System: According to the original book’s plot, the villain Yun Wenzhou successfully found and broke into the lab, stealing a portion of the Abomination Crystals. However, she was discovered and severely wounded by Ye Lan, barely managing to escape. Consequently, upon returning to the Ability Users Alliance, she slaughtered the entire Alliance to absorb the Abomination Crystals within the ability users and condense her Abomination Core in order to become stronger.

System: Therefore, in order to make the plot of “slaughtering the entire Ability Users Alliance” more reasonable, the Host or Yun Wenzhou needs to be severely wounded by Ye Lan.

System: Additional mission: “The Price of Theft.”

Mo Jiu: You… I… This… Is this really necessary?

It was fine to pretend to fight Ye Lan, but being severely wounded… that was quite unnecessary.

She decided to haggle with the System.

Mo Jiu: There’s really no need. As long as I discover that I can’t control Ye Lan, I’ll have the thought of becoming stronger… Speaking of which, I really can’t control her. What is the level of her ability?

Before coming, she thought she was far superior to Ye Lan in strength after killing so many Abominations. But in a real confrontation, she couldn’t control her at all.

System: This is unrelated to Ye Lan’s ability level; it’s related to her ability type. According to the original book’s setting, the female lead Ye Lan’s ability is “Light to Shadow.” She can convert all light she touches into a solid shadow. The “shadow” here doesn’t refer to a physical shadow, but to a projection from another dimension. As long as there is light, even a little bit, the Ye Lan you see is not a physical entity, but a projection. Forget controlling her; you can’t even harm her.

System: It is precisely because of this setting that she can confront Yun Wenzhou, who possesses the Abomination Core, because the Abomination Core’s setting is that whoever possesses it can control everything within the Fallen Zone, including Abominations and ability users.

Mo Jiu: What an invincible setting… Wait, in that case, if there is absolutely no light around, does Ye Lan still have combat strength?

System: Then only pure physical capabilities remain.

Mo Jiu had stood still for too long, making Yun Wenzhou a little uneasy: “What’s wrong?”

Hearing her voice, Mo Jiu remembered she needed to haggle.

Mo Jiu: I’ve already completed the mission. Now is definitely the time to escape quickly. Isn’t it OOC to wait here for Ye Lan to come and slice me?

System: She’s here.

Mo Jiu: Wh…

Before Mo Jiu could react, she heard the sound of rapid footsteps like a strong wind.

Mo Jiu instinctively reached out to shield Yun Wenzhou behind her.

Then, through the lab’s floor-to-ceiling glass door, she saw Ye Lan wielding the Shadow Longsword.

The lab had electricity.

Under the bright lights, Ye Lan’s Shadow Longsword was so dark it looked like a spatial rift leading to an all-consuming black hole.

She stepped into the room with immense presence. Her gaze swept over Yue Xinghe, who was controlled by Mo Jiu and unable to move, and when it landed on Mo Jiu’s face, the killing intent in her eyes was practically solidified.

“I trusted you, and this is how you repay my trust?” Ye Lan sneered.

“The Director, you killed her, fine. But what’s the meaning of killing the City Lord?”

Mo Jiu had scanned her surroundings before Ye Lan entered.

There were no windows in the lab. She and Yun Wenzhou couldn’t jump out. Even if they wanted to use their flight advantage to escape like a year ago, they would have to exit through the door behind Ye Lan.

Cannot provoke her. She will truly kill us.

“Don’t move,” Mo Jiu quietly reminded Yun Wenzhou behind her, then said to Ye Lan, “Killing the City Lord was, of course, because he deserved to die. To be honest, the reason we came to the City of Hope was by commission. Someone hired us to kill the City Lord for revenge. Killing the Director was just a bonus. The City Lord once…”

Before she could finish, dozens of Yun Wenzhou’s flying knives flew toward Ye Lan!

Yun Wenzhou heard her sister’s inner thoughts, but… Ye Lan would eventually be a threat.

Their values were incompatible. Even if her sister managed to deceive Ye Lan again today, they could still very likely die at Ye Lan’s hands in the future.

Although she promised her sister not to kill casually, nothing was more important than her sister’s safety!

Everyone else could live, including Yue Xinghe, but Ye Lan had to die!

Yun Wenzhou’s surprise attack was perfect. Mo Jiu didn’t react in time to stop her, and naturally, Ye Lan didn’t react either.

However, the flying knives passed through Ye Lan’s body. They distinctly hit something, yet left no trace on her.

This is impossible…

Yun Wenzhou’s eyes widened in disbelief. She knew she had messed up.

How is this possible… What exactly is going on with this person?

Am I still too weak?

“Run!” The fully alert Mo Jiu grabbed Yun Wenzhou’s wrist and fled toward the room exit!

She tried to barge past Ye Lan, but hit a frigid body, like running into a standing corpse.

Ah ah ah ah ah, terrifying!

Run, run, run, run, run!

Mo Jiu dragged Yun Wenzhou and ran wildly, completely ignoring Yun Wenzhou’s disobedience.

However, both of them specialized in long-range combat. How could they outrun a close-range fighter?

Ye Lan caught up with them at a much faster speed. Her Shadow Longsword extended several meters and swung horizontally!

“Sister, watch out!” Yun Wenzhou abruptly tackled Mo Jiu to the ground. The Shadow Longsword swept just above her head, cleanly slicing her beautiful long, straight black hair right in the middle. The black strands fluttered in the air like willow catkins blown by the wind.

Mo Jiu fell heavily. Her wrist and knee ached intensely.

But with Death pursuing them, she gritted her teeth and stood up, pulling Yun Wenzhou up with her. At the same time, she controlled nearby people to run between herself and Ye Lan.

Mo Jiu didn’t want to involve others in their fight with Ye Lan, but now, to ensure she and Yun Wenzhou escaped alive, she couldn’t worry about that anymore!

Holding hostages was a very effective trick against kind people.

Ye Lan’s attack slowed down due to the presence of the hostages.

Mo Jiu and Yun Wenzhou seized the opportunity to run out of the building. Then, Mo Jiu actively hooked her arms around Yun Wenzhou’s neck.

Yun Wenzhou picked her up in a bridal carry at top speed and flew into the sky!

Once they were a safe distance away, Mo Jiu released her control over the hostages.

Ye Lan chased them out under the moonlight. She held the Shadow Longsword, leaped up fiercely, and closed in on the two at an exaggerated speed, like a launched missile.

Mo Jiu’s pupils widened instantly: Are you a flea!

Reaching the highest point, as she descended, Ye Lan held the sword with both hands and slashed down hard at the two!

“Quick, left!” Mo Jiu warned Yun Wenzhou.

But Yun Wenzhou had her back to Ye Lan and couldn’t accurately judge her position. Even after immediately changing direction upon hearing Mo Jiu’s warning, the Shadow Longsword grazed her arm, shaving off a large piece of flesh.

What Mo Jiu lost was her calf.

Excruciating pain.

She had never been in so much pain before.

Mo Jiu was so pained that she nearly lost consciousness. She struggled to stay awake long enough to spend 200 reward points to exchange for two healing potions. She chugged one herself and fed the other to Yun Wenzhou.

Yun Wenzhou’s flying speed was faster than Ye Lan’s running speed.

Ye Lan gradually fell behind.

Finally, after flying over the high wall built to defend the City of Hope against Abominations, Ye Lan, blocked by the wall, was forced to abandon the pursuit.

They successfully escaped.

Mo Jiu breathed a sigh of relief.

“…Sister, I’m sorry.” Yun Wenzhou’s vision was blurry, not because she was afraid of being punished by her sister, but because she had caused her sister to be injured. “Sister, it’s all my fault. Hit me.”

Mo Jiu wanted to, but…

As soon as her nerves relaxed, her consciousness plunged into darkness.

Before losing consciousness, the last voices she heard were.

System: Successfully stole a portion of the Abomination Crystals used for research. Reward points earned: 1000.

System: Mission “The Price of Theft” completed. Based on mission difficulty assessment, additional reward points: 2500.

System: Current reward points: 6610.

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