The hook-nosed captain made Luo Su wonder if this world wasn’t only the world of Eight Legged Freaks, that perhaps it contained other things.
Luo Su thought this way because, in the previous world, Smith had mingled with the plot of Wanted.
Wanted was one plotline, and Smith was another. The two plots did not have any connecting conflicts or interests, but they nevertheless shared a hidden connection. Cross and that unfortunate politician had been the pivot that linked the two plots together. It was like an NPC that issued a mission. Interacting with him would trigger a side quest.
Although the World Mission existed only on the main plot, the people living in this world had flesh and blood and were not cold data. There was no such thing as an NPC, but the hook-nosed captain served the same role as Cross, serving as an NPC that opened up a side quest for Luo Su in the plot of Eight Legged Freaks.
Once he connected Hooknose’s words to the World Mission of ‘investigate the truth behind the spider mutations and destroy the source of the mutations,’ Luo Su realized that he was getting close to the truth of the world, not just about the giant spiders, but also the supernatural power is hidden in this world.
“System, are all the worlds you’ve traveled to this messy?”
Luo Su had a headache. The world’s style had gotten sidetracked, and completing the mission had got even harder. The movie’s plot had lost its use as a reference.
[User…]
“Talk properly!” Luo Su mentally called out, instantly cutting off the cold and mechanical voice.
“Daddy, I’m not sure either!” That cute voice that was clearly enjoying the mess Luo Su was in spoke up. It seemed that the system was itching for another bruising.
“You’ve been through so many users and still aren’t sure?”
“You misunderstand. While I have assisted many users, my data banks were only established after I developed sentience. But the number of worlds that can be traveled to is infinite, and the number of worlds recorded in my data banks is like a grain of sand on a beach, so small as to be pitiful. Thus, without sufficient information, I cannot properly answer your question.”
The system seriously replied. And whether it was true or false, the system decided to add one last comment. “Uncle Daddy Luo, while I might have helped many users and have abundant experience, I haven’t had sentience for a very long time. If I compare it to a human lifespan, then I’m still a child!”
Luo Su: “…”
What’s that mean? You want me to beat you up?
Luo Su’s conversation with the system appeared to Hooknose like Luo Su was tempted and seriously pondering the proposition. He put on more pressure so that the fish would take the bait.
“You’re confused about your own strength and don’t know what to make of yourself. I understand this feeling. We have many people like this among our ranks.”
“What?”
Luo Su was dumbfounded. Who are you talking about?
“There’s no need for you to deny it. I had your past investigated. Summarized briefly, a taciturn and reclusive youth without little presence. Speaking as someone with great experience, he said, “Rather than those fanatics who abuse their power, I prefer people like you who don’t place yourself above others…
“Outsiders might have thought that you still hadn’t recovered from the blow dealt by the death of your parents, but I know that it was because you were confused about your abilities. You realized that you were different from ordinary people, and because you couldn’t find anyone to talk about this with, you started to hate yourself and distance yourself from others.”
Luo Su nodded and bitterly said, “You’re right! Everything you said is right.”
Hooknose smiled. “But we’re not the same. Our team has a lot of strange people. Join us, and you won’t have to be afraid of your abilities, injuring others, and you can even make many friends.”
“If I can interrupt, what happens if I don’t join?”
“Nothing much. Everything will remain the same, and no one will interfere in your life! But…because of your special traits and in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, you have to go through periodic examinations and psychological counseling.”
It sounded very humane…but it couldn’t be considered the truth.
Luo Su glanced at Chris. The moment Hooknose had started mentioning special soldiers, he had gone as stiff as a board, like someone had used a paralysis technique on him.
“A little hypnosis ability, effective against people with weak wills or who are mentally exhausted. It won’t leave any side effects.” Hooknose explained.
Luo, Su nodded. Chris had been rather tired recently. After pretending to think for a while, he solemnly said, “I’ll join, but I have a request.”
Hooknose faintly smiled. “Let’s hear it, but I can’t guarantee anything.”
“I can start working now, but I’ll only really join you once we get rid of the spiders. I want to see how you work. If you endanger the safety of the townspeople, then I’d rather live the life of an ordinary person.”
Luo Su righteously said, immediately establishing an upright image for himself. He wasn’t lying, but he would leave after the World Mission was done. He couldn’t be blamed for being unable to fulfill the promise.
Hooknose was somewhat taken aback. He had heard many requests before, but none like this. He looked at Luo Su with even greater admiration. “Very good. I like responsible people like you. I agree to your request.”
The conversation went very smoothly, and Luo Su had now become a person with a special ability who was worried about hurting his friends and family. This sort of person had a strong sense of justice, an obvious weakness, and a lack of direction regarding their purpose. By offering them a little guidance, it was easy to take control of them.
“What’s the name of your group? What should I call you?”
“I’m sorry. Until you officially join us, all of that is a secret.”
“Fine. So what do I need to do now?”
“To the mines. I need to assess your strength. At the same time, you can get acquainted with your future comrades.”
Luo Su said in confusion, “Now?”
“Yes, now. We’ve delayed for too long. The bigshots are starting to get impatient.” As he said this, Hooknose closed his eyes and friends, his mouth opening and closing as he mentally recited a few words to himself.
Luo Su looked suspiciously at Hooknose. “But do you know where the spiders are?”
“A rough idea!” Hooknose opened his eyes. “Your adopted father found a gold ore vein, but no one was able to find it, and the foreman Leon also said he found a gold ore vein, but still no one found it. The spiders entered the mine and vanished. And we…found neither the gold nor the spiders.”
Luo Su followed up, “The spiders are hiding at the entrance to the gold mine, which is being concealed by some sort of power.”
“Correct. The spiders have been there the entire time. It’s just that we haven’t found the entrance.”
As Hooknose spoke, he led Luo Su out of the office.
Downstairs, 21 fully-equipped soldiers were standing in three rows in front of an armored truck. When Hooknose closed his eyes, he had been communicating with his subordinates.
Luo Su silently sized them up. Now that he knew what was going on, he presumed that all 21 of these FBI agents had abilities. He got closer to them, but alas, he did not trigger any lottery phase.
Hooknose took a set of equipment from a subordinate and put it on. Luo Su was also given a set of equipment: a combat uniform, breathing apparatus, helmet, safety goggles, a Kukri, and a handheld sprayer.
“What’s this?”
The mines had gases that made using firearms inadvisable, and he couldn’t fight the spiders with a Kukri knife, which left only the sprayer as a weapon.
“It’s pesticide!” Once Hooknose put on his equipment, he boarded the armored truck and began to explain. “It was specially developed to deal with the complicated situation inside the mine. For humans and other mammals, it’s just air freshener, but for pests, it’s extremely lethal, dealing devastating damage.”
As Luo Su examined the sprayer, he suddenly recalled something Mike had said once.
“Spiders aren’t pests!”
Hooknose: “That’s the popular definition of pests, but in my view, anything creature that threatens humans is a pest!”
The armored truck parked at the entrance to the mine closest to the area of the gold ore vein. Four soldiers remained to stand guard outside. Hooknose, Luo Su, and the remaining 17 soldiers entered the mine.
“Is it fine to go in with so few people?”
“It’s fine! We’ll just look around and come back!”
Luo Su: “…”
You know, I can’t help but feel unsettled by these words!