Chapter 18
Faced with Yan Ping’s slit-pupil gaze, Su Ci felt a faint pressure, though it caused him no discomfort.
He observed Yan Ping’s eyes with interest.
[Eye of Truth: Said to see through all falsehoods, exposing reality itself. Lies hold no refuge before it.]
This description of the eyes surfaced in Su Ci’s mind.
He raised an eyebrow slightly. The situation was becoming increasingly intriguing—this seemingly ordinary man in front of him possessed such a rare ability.
Unfortunately, it was merely an imitation. The phrase “said to” marked its limitations—nothing more than a claim.
Sure enough, Yan Ping couldn’t discern Su Ci’s true form. After some probing that yielded no valuable information, Yan Ping’s eyes returned to normal.
His expression turned odd as he glanced at Su Ci a few more times before shifting his focus away. Quietly, he instructed Guan Zhishu to resume the video playback.
Yan Ping closely observed Su Ci’s reactions throughout the footage.
Despite the alarms being damaged by the spider’s silk and emitting an ear-piercing sound, Su Ci appeared entirely calm, watching quietly without a trace of fear.
As the screen went black again, Sun Si from the administrative division couldn’t hold back her curiosity.
“Captain Yan, why did the giant spider only attack Luo Shengfei and not Su Ci?”
Her tone was not accusatory toward Su Ci but rather confused. Surely the spider wouldn’t pick its target based on who looked tastier, right?
Given predator behavior, the frail-looking caretaker seemed like an easier prey, more likely to be attacked.
Yan Ping didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Luo Shengfei.
“Xiao Luo, you answer this question yourself.”
Luo Shengfei was stunned for a moment—he was the injured one! Why was he being questioned?
“It’s because of the giant spider’s behavior traits,” Luo Shengfei said weakly. Though a member of the maintenance team with no combat experience, he had memorized the crucial traits of these creatures to stay alive during outdoor work.
Still, seeing his embarrassing performance in the footage made him cringe.
Before he could finish, Sun Si spoke up, reciting from the base’s safety manual.
“The giant spider has a preference for fresh blood. Its silk can harden, bind prey, and… sense sound?”
She paused, glancing at the footage of Luo Shengfei weeping on the ground, then at Su Ci, who appeared calm as if oblivious. She seemed to have pieced it together.
Yan Ping shrugged lightly.
Keeping quiet while facing the giant spider was indeed one of the key survival tips summarized by the operations division. Who would have thought the new probationary caretaker would display such a bold temperament?
Perhaps that was why the personnel department had hired him.
Yan Ping stared at the darkened screen, frowning as he analyzed the situation aloud.
“When we arrived and engaged the giant spider, it retreated… It seems to have fled after dropping Xiao Luo.”
“There might be some details we missed, but this should be the general sequence of events,” he concluded before turning to Luo Shengfei. “Xiao Luo, you’re lucky to be alive.”
Su Ci couldn’t help but nod in agreement, feeling an urge to applaud Yan Ping for a logical analysis that perfectly omitted any suspicion about himself.
Next to him, Number One pouted, feeling indignant on Su Ci’s behalf.
Looking at his injuries, Luo Shengfei wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. After a moment of silence, he hesitated before asking, “Then who was controlling me? Was it the monster?”
Yan Ping seemed to have some ideas. He gestured to the hologram, instructing Guan Zhishu to switch cameras.
This time, the footage showed the entrance to the lobby, capturing their arrival as they rushed inside. Luo Shengfei and the others were shown removing their raincoats and placing them into the contamination disposal device.
Yan Ping suddenly told Guan Zhishu to pause the video and zoom in.
Su Ci’s image was centered on the screen. After rewinding slightly, the footage resumed playing.
Though puzzled, the group watched intently. Su Ci, however, furrowed his brow slightly.
“Captain Yan, is there something off about Su Ci?” Luo Shengfei asked, puzzled.
Yan Ping shook his head, rewinding the footage again before circling the floor near Su Ci’s feet with his finger.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the indicated area.
Staring carefully, they finally saw it. When Su Ci lowered the work manual he’d been using to shield himself from the rain, faint, red footprints appeared beside him.
They were small, like a child’s, and seemed to appear out of nowhere, following Su Ci closely.
A chill ran down the spines of everyone present.
Yan Ping switched to other cameras, showing similar footage from different angles. The child-sized footprints appeared repeatedly before gradually fading away.
Su Ci lowered his gaze. While others thought he was examining the footprints, he was actually looking at Number One.
The child remained unbothered.
Even if he had been discovered, it wouldn’t matter much. His wet footprints had long since dried, and there were no visible prints near him now.
Shi Yijiang and the others began examining the chaotic prints on the floor. Sure enough, they found several distinct, smaller footprints amidst the adult-sized ones.
Guan Zhishu quickly documented these smaller prints with her communicator.
“Captain Yan, I remember now!” Luo Shengfei exclaimed. “I heard a child laughing earlier. Su Ci, you heard it too, didn’t you?”
Su Ci paused briefly before nodding. “Yes.”
“These footprints resemble the ones from the incubator’s children’s shoes,” Shi Yijiang observed, studying the small shoe prints. “They’re the smallest size. I’ve seen them before while sorting supplies.”
As a member of the logistics department’s supply management team, Shi Yijiang had a good memory for items he handled.
“Could it be…”
Xia Jingming hesitated before speaking. When the others turned to him, he swallowed hard and quietly offered his hypothesis.
“Could it be the legendary… little monster from the incubator?”
Everyone froze for a moment, confused, but their expressions soon changed as realization dawned.
“You mean…” Sun Si lowered her voice unconsciously, “Number One?”
Number One was the most mysterious figure in Base 24. Rumors claimed that this child had been assimilated into a monster-like entity. His presence could only be seen during the appearance of the red mist.
Luo Shengfei, still bewildered, asked, “Number One? But why would he target me?”
Luo Shengfei, one of the few who had glimpsed the “child in the red mist” while visiting the incubator, never believed Number One had turned into a monster. After all, he had only ever seen the child within the incubator’s walls.
Yet, staring at the small footprints, Luo Shengfei couldn’t shake his unease.
If he hadn’t fallen into a nightmare-induced trance, he might have followed Su Ci to the underground warehouse. Even if they hadn’t escaped, he doubted he would have been as helpless as the footage suggested or come so close to being taken by the giant spider.
The thought of what might have happened if he’d been dragged away left him pale, his relief at surviving mingling with lingering dread.
Number One listened quietly as they debated about him.
When Su Ci’s contributions were dismissed earlier, the child had felt indignant on the caretaker’s behalf. But now that the accusations had shifted to him, Number One remained unusually calm.
He wasn’t surprised.
As the “ghost” of Base 24, unseen by others and unable to defend himself, he was used to having baseless accusations pinned on him. He had long since accepted this as normal.
“Not him.”
A calm, warm voice broke through the conversation. Number One’s head snapped up.
From his height, he could only see Su Ci’s elegant jawline and the smooth contours of his neck. He couldn’t see the expression on the youth’s face, but hearing those words made his chest tighten.
For some reason, Number One felt his nose sting, as if he were about to cry. Without a word, he dropped his head again and shuffled a little closer to Su Ci’s side.
As he expected, Su Ci’s defense didn’t hold much weight.
“Su Ci, you’re new here. You might not understand the incubator’s situation yet, but you’ll figure it out eventually.”
The others dismissed his words, and Su Ci chose not to argue further.
For now, remaining invisible was the best protection for Number One, who was still too weak. Even so, Su Ci couldn’t allow his young charge to be misunderstood and wrongly accused.
He turned his gaze toward Yan Ping, who had been silent throughout the discussion, his brows furrowed deeply in thought.
Noticing Su Ci’s stare, Yan Ping seemed to snap out of his contemplation.
By now, the situation had become somewhat clearer. Whatever the truth about Number One, Su Ci himself didn’t appear suspicious.
Even if the footprints did belong to Number One and he had followed Su Ci to the logistics building, this wasn’t surprising for a caretaker working at the incubator.
“This matter is largely settled,” Yan Ping finally declared.
“Caretaker Su, I apologize. The questioning earlier was routine procedure. I’ll include a detailed account of today’s events in my report, and your performance will be noted as well.”
“The whispers and laughter you experienced seem to be a form of psychic attack. It’s possible that the giant spider has developed this as a new trait, or it might be the work of an undocumented, unknown creature.”
Yan Ping studied Su Ci closely.
“You withstood this mental assault well, which suggests that your resistance to such attacks is fairly high.”
At the very least, it was better than Luo Shengfei’s.
“And for a first encounter with a giant spider, your composure outshines that of many recruits in our division. If you don’t pass the probationary period at the incubator, you could consider applying for another position within the base.”
Number One’s head snapped up at these words, his gaze turning sharp with anger and alarm.
At the same time, Su Ci felt the small hand gripping his own tighten fiercely.
He could feel the instability in the child’s aura, causing him to pause in thought. Looking at Yan Ping, he said, “Captain Yan, I’d like to speak with you privately.”
Hearing Yan Ping apologize to Su Ci and express admiration for him, Xia Jingming and the others, who had doubted Su Ci earlier, looked somewhat embarrassed.
But when Su Ci added that he wanted a private conversation with Yan Ping, their expressions turned peculiar.
Yan Ping, however, showed no particular reaction. He simply nodded and led Su Ci toward a corner of the hall, stopping by a pillar to talk.
Watching this unfold, the others couldn’t help but speculate.
What could he possibly want to say in private? Was he planning to report them? Besides suspecting him, they hadn’t done anything particularly egregious… right?
Yan Ping also wondered what the new trainee caretaker might need to discuss privately.
“What do you want to tell me?” Yan Ping asked.
The captain had black hair and brown eyes, appearing to be in his mid-thirties. While his features weren’t particularly striking, he exuded a calm and reliable aura that inspired trust.
Su Ci regarded the righteous energy surrounding him. To possess the “Eye of Truth,” even if it’s a mere imitation, the person’s character can’t be too flawed.
After glancing at Luo Shengfei from afar, Su Ci decided to speak plainly.
“The footprints in the footage earlier do belong to Number One. However, the one who controlled Luo Shengfei and nearly got him captured by the giant spider wasn’t him.”
The child following Su Ci silently perked up at his words, lifting his head to look at Su Ci, his eyes shimmering brightly.
Yan Ping raised an eyebrow, surprised.
“Xiao Su, is it alright if I call you that?”
Su Ci didn’t respond, so Yan Ping continued, “You’re new to the incubator and might not be aware of many details. You’ll learn over time. There’s no need to concern yourself with this matter.”
Even if Number One were deemed responsible for this incident, there wasn’t much they could do about the child.
Number One’s file was classified. Few within the base had the clearance to access it. Furthermore, the child’s unique abilities were still not fully understood, and no one had ever truly seen him in person.
There was rampant speculation among the base’s personnel, including those in the operations teams. Some believed the child had long since been assimilated into the red mist, transforming into something akin to the monsters lurking within it.
Still, there was no need to burden a probationary caretaker like Su Ci with such considerations.
Yan Ping had his own thoughts on the matter, but what Su Ci said next left him stunned.
“Perhaps I’m unaware of many things,” Su Ci said softly, “but I know more about Number One than you do.”
Yan Ping frowned slightly, but before he could react, Su Ci dropped a bombshell.
“That’s because the child is standing right next to me.”
The atmosphere in the corner of the hall froze as Su Ci’s words hung in the air.
Yan Ping doubted his ears. Instinctively, he glanced down at the space beside Su Ci. His eyes searched for something out of place but found nothing.
Recalling the bloody footprints that had accompanied Su Ci in the footage, and seeing the sincerity in Su Ci’s expression, Yan Ping had a sinking feeling.
He stepped back, his hands gripping his weapon reflexively.
“You don’t need to be afraid,” Su Ci said calmly, noting Yan Ping’s caution. “Aside from invisibility, he doesn’t possess any significant abilities.”
Yan Ping couldn’t help but marvel at Su Ci’s composure. This caretaker’s mental fortitude was remarkable. Even with a frail physique, he might have promising prospects on a planet like this.
Under the cover of the pillar, Su Ci reached out and took Number One’s small hand. He then gestured toward Yan Ping.
Even Su Ci found the child’s presence puzzling.
Spirits are born of heaven and earth, without parents. So why would Number One exist in an incubator, meant to house the offspring of prisoners?
He hadn’t figured it out yet. Still, spirits were unique entities in the universe, born from the purest essence of creation. But when young and impressionable, spirits could easily be led astray by prolonged exposure to malice and injustice, ultimately becoming harbingers of chaos.
In the past, Su Ci might have let things be, accepting the natural course of events without interference.
But now…
Su Ci’s hand remained firmly yet gently on the child’s, guiding the small palm into Yan Ping’s.
The moment that fragile little hand touched Yan Ping’s, his pupils contracted sharply. In his mind’s eye, a child appeared—a small, frail figure with haunting black-and-red eyes, no older than three or four. The child’s tiny frame seemed almost swallowed by the loose-fitting smallest-sized uniform, making him appear even more delicate than any other child Yan Ping had seen at that age.
Yan Ping’s breath caught. So this is Number One?
The image vanished abruptly, leaving Yan Ping stunned. He blinked hard, only to see nothing in front of him. Yet, as his fingers reflexively curled, he could still feel the tangible softness of the small hand in his grasp—thin and bony, as if the slightest pressure might break it.
Before Yan Ping could react further, the hand slipped away swiftly, like a frightened cub retreating into the safety of its caretaker’s shadow. Yan Ping could almost picture the child peeking out warily from behind Su Ci, his vigilant gaze silently assessing the situation.
But when he looked more closely, the vision had disappeared once again.
Yan Ping took a deep breath. The child’s form was so unassuming, so frail, that it felt almost impossible to reconcile this image with the fearsome rumors surrounding Number One as the “little monster.” Yet, the truth was undeniable.
Still, appearances could be deceiving. The incubator’s children were all extraordinary in some way, and their capabilities weren’t always reflected in their outward appearance. For Yan Ping, whose “Eye of Truth” couldn’t penetrate Number One’s mystery, the child remained an enigma.
He exhaled slowly, glancing toward Luo Shengfei and the others before addressing Su Ci.
“Thank you for your trust, Caretaker Su, in sharing such an important matter with me.”
Lowering his voice, Yan Ping added, “Besides me, have you told anyone else about being able to see Number One?”
Su Ci shook his head. “No.”
He knew Number One was still too weak to be exposed to too many people.
Yan Ping visibly relaxed and continued in a hushed tone. “Good. For now, don’t share this information with anyone else—especially those from the research institute.”
The research institute? Su Ci thought of Xia Jingming and the tranquilizer used on Number Eight. The institute was likely responsible for developing it.
“I understand,” Su Ci replied with a nod.
Yan Ping glanced once more at the empty space near Su Ci’s feet and said, “Regarding what you mentioned earlier… The laughter you and Luo Shengfei heard might not have come from Number One. It’s possible it came from another child in the incubator—or even a monster with childlike traits.”
He frowned. “Regardless, I’ll continue investigating to uncover the truth.”
“That’s fine,” Su Ci said evenly, with no objections.
Meanwhile, Number One stood obediently by Su Ci’s side, his lips curling up involuntarily.
Having someone defend and stand up for him… felt surprisingly good.
Yan Ping glanced again at the spot beside Su Ci, clearly looking for Number One. Su Ci resisted the urge to tell him that the child was actually standing on his other side.
“That laughter… Have you ever heard it before?” Yan Ping asked.
“No,” Su Ci replied. He genuinely hadn’t. After all, it hadn’t even been a full day and night since he’d awakened and arrived at Base 24.
Yan Ping stared at Su Ci’s feet. His silence prompted Su Ci to elaborate, “Number One doesn’t talk yet.”
After a pause, he added, “He probably can’t write either.”
Yan Ping nodded in realization, then asked, “So, his invisibility isn’t fully under control either?”
“Correct.”
“That explains a lot…” Yan Ping murmured, many previously puzzling incidents now making sense.
His gaze fell back on the memory of Number One’s tiny figure. Finally, he looked at Su Ci, considering whether to offer a word of caution. But after a moment’s hesitation, he swallowed his words.
This caretaker…
Su Ci had been at the incubator for less than two days yet had already discovered Number One, earned the child’s trust, and was now willing to stand up for him.
Perhaps Su Ci didn’t need any advice after all.
Yan Ping studied the young man carefully. This caretaker is more capable than he seems.
“Very well. If you discover anything else, contact me immediately,” Yan Ping said, exchanging contact details with Su Ci.
Noticing Su Ci’s calm and composed demeanor, Yan Ping couldn’t help but remark, “I’m starting to think you might actually be suited for this job.”
