frightfiction Chapter 704 Going to the 21st Century (17)
Chapter 704 Going to the 21st Century (17)
News of cave accidents, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up a huge wave on the internet!
The official announcement was released immediately after the live stream was interrupted:
Due to sudden geological activity, a section of the cave collapsed, and some guests were injured and fell into a coma.
The hearts of all the viewers were in their throats, and on the "Heartbeat Melody" plaza, netizens were frantically posting on social media.
【Oh my god! Something really happened!】
[Ah Zhi's cry of "Ghost!" scared me to death! What happened?]
[Su Man, Xiao Chen, and Lin Hao are unconscious?! How serious is it?]
What were the production team doing?! What safety measures were in place?!
This must be thoroughly investigated! An explanation is needed!
Topics such as the accident during the show "Heartbeat Melody," the cave collapse, and the guest falling into a coma instantly topped the trending search list, generating an explosive number of views.
Shocked and worried netizens, some of whom turned to strong condemnation and questioning of the program team.
"Knowing it's a natural cave, why arrange such a dangerous activity?"
"Are there any security and rescue plans?"
"Disregarding the safety of guests for the sake of viewership! Garbage program!"
The production team is facing an unprecedented public relations crisis and legal risks. The directors are in a panic, and both Manager Wang and CEO Li are extremely worried.
After all, Su Man, Lin Hao, and Xiao Chen are all signed with Xingyao Media.
"Although it was a natural disaster, the accident was so serious that it would be unreasonable not to pay compensation."
"But how much compensation to provide still needs to be discussed with the guests..."
"Well, let's just take it one step at a time. First, apologize to the audience and correct our attitude."
"Yes, the cause of the accident has not been fully investigated yet. The guests said it was an earthquake, but strangely, no seismic source was detected at the latitude and longitude of Conch Island on that day."
"Perhaps it wasn't a natural disaster, but rather man-made?"
A few days later, both good and bad news arrived.
Good news! Su Man, Xiao Chen, and Lin Hao have all regained consciousness in the hospital.
The bad news is that all three of them have developed severe retrograde amnesia!
When questioned by the media and staff, they all looked bewildered.
Su Man: "Love story? What love story? Aren't I preparing for a new piano competition? How did I end up in the hospital?"
Xiao Chen: "I'm just an ordinary finance professional, how did I become a celebrity? And even participate in a dating show?"
Lin Hao: "I'm preparing for this year's postgraduate entrance exam! Who signed me up for the show? Where's my phone? I need to contact my advisor!"
Their memories seemed to have been abruptly severed; they had no recollection of participating in "Heartbeat Melody" or anything that happened afterward.
The doctor's diagnosis was "rare transient amnesia caused by a violent impact and extreme fright," but this collective and selective amnesia has still sparked countless speculations.
[Mass amnesia?! That's too bizarre!]
[I heard there was no earthquake on Conch Island that day.]
[I don't think this is an accident... Is there some kind of shady dealing involved?]
[A chilling thought! What exactly happened in the cave?]
Is it really possible... that there are things that science cannot explain?
The "amnesia" mystery has shrouded the entire incident in an even more enigmatic and bizarre guise, fueling increased discussion. The production team is left speechless and under immense pressure.
While the production team was struggling to deal with public opinion and trying to clean up the mess, a special exploration team composed of experts from multiple fields such as geology, biology, and criminal investigation secretly entered the sealed-off caves on the island to conduct a more in-depth exploration.
Deep inside the cave, technicians used high-precision instruments to detect extremely small, unidentifiable traces of special substances in the area where Qin Youyou confronted the remnants of the Star Clan.
Some strange powder, resembling weathered biological skeletons, shimmered with a faint purple light.
The energy characteristics and material structure of these powders are completely beyond the scope of current scientific understanding!
This discovery immediately triggered the highest level of alert.
The samples were rushed to a highly classified national laboratory.
Almost simultaneously, a report marked "Top Secret" was placed on the desk of the person in charge of the "National Bureau of Research and Control of Paranormal Phenomena," codenamed "Deep Blue."
A few days later, the storm seemed to have subsided, but undercurrents were still surging.
Qin Youyou, Song Zhi, and Gu Buchen received a secret communication from an unknown number at almost the same time.
"Ms. Qin Qian/Ms. Song Zhi/Mr. Gu Buchen. We are from the national security department. Regarding the Conch Island cave incident, please arrive at the following address promptly at 10:00 AM tomorrow. This trip concerns significant national interests and public safety; please come alone and maintain strict confidentiality..."
There were no pleasantries, no explanations, only an unquestionable order.
Qin Youyou raised her eyebrows.
coming.
She didn't completely erase the Star Clan's traces, nor did she erase Song Zhi and Gu Buchen's memories, because she knew that everything that happens leaves a trace.
The invasion of Earth by three Star Races has altered too many causes and effects. Even if she erases them, even if she grants new life to the three victims, there are still many traces left by the Star Races in this world that she cannot erase.
A butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest occasionally caused a tornado in Texas two weeks later.
There are far too many causes and effects that she needs to correct. If time were to be reset directly, everything could indeed be returned to its original state. But what about the new life that was born on Earth during this period, the people who persevered and survived, and their efforts?
Inside the cave, Qin Youyou had thought things through very clearly.
She can't change cause and effect, but she can selfishly steer everything toward the path she desires.
For example, to make her motherland more prosperous and powerful.
The following day, three specially modified black cars quietly picked up the three people and drove to a secluded, unmarked building in the suburbs.
In a futuristic conference room with no windows, a middle-aged man dressed casually but with a cool demeanor greeted them.
The man's sharp, eagle-like gaze swept over the three, finally settling on the composed Qin Youyou, and he cut to the chase:
"Gentlemen, I am the head of the Special Operations Division of the 'Deep Blue' Bureau, codename 'Black Tortoise'. To make a long story short, we have discovered remnants of a substance that does not belong to this world inside the cave on Conch Island."
"Based on our analysis and the unusual behavior of the three individuals in the incident, we have reason to believe that you encountered and came into contact with NSEs... that is, 'Non-Standard Entities,' NSEs."
Song Zhi frowned: "Non-standard what?"
Gu Buchen swallowed hard: "A ghost?"
Qin Youyou patted Gu Buchen on the shoulder: "Comrade, we must be scientific."
She laughed: "Aliens, right?"
■
Song Zhi blinked. An alien?
Qianqian, you clearly said it was a ghost before!
Oh, right, I briefly reminded them that they shouldn't use the word "ghost" carelessly, since we need to be scientific these days.
What are ghosts? Possessed aliens are ghosts; strange magnetic fields can also be ghosts…
The guy codenamed Xuanwu spoke up: "It's not just aliens. You should know that with the development of technology, various countries have secretly recruited many volunteers who can become superhumans, right?"
"Ah, should I know?" Gu Buchen and Song Zhi exclaimed in unison, both looking bewildered.
In the past few days, their mentality has completely collapsed.
Especially Gu Buchen, who used to be such a proud young master of the Henan circle, looking down on everyone, only now realizes that he is not at the top of the food chain in the world, but just a little ant who is kept in the dark about everything.
The middle-aged man, codenamed "Xuanwu," fixed his gaze on Qin Youyou with piercing eyes: "I'm talking about you, Qin Qian. You're well aware of the existence of superhumans, aren't you?"
Qin Youyou met his gaze and nodded frankly: "Yes, I understand."
Xuanwu... This guy's name always reminded her of the big turtle sunbathing on the rocks outside the Mud Legs Sect.
“So,” Xuanwu leaned forward slightly, emanating an invisible sense of pressure, “are you a superhuman?”
The air solidified instantly.
Song Zhi and Gu Buchen's hearts were in their throats as they nervously watched Qin Youyou.
Qin Youyou slowly shook her head, her tone calm: "I'm not."
"boom!"
A crisp gunshot rang out.
Without warning, Xuanwu pulled out a pistol and pointed the dark muzzle at Qin Youyou's forehead.
The sound of the bullet almost shattered my eardrums.
"Qianqian!" Song Zhi screamed in fright.
Gu Buchen's face turned deathly pale, and his legs went weak.
However, the bullet vanished instantly without Qin Youyou even blinking.
She sat there with an innocent expression, as if what was pointed at her was not a deadly weapon, but a harmless tree branch.
"The coma of Su Man, Xiao Chen, and Lin Hao is related to you, isn't it?" Xuanwu had long expected that the bullets would not be able to hurt her, but he did not expect that the bullets would disappear in such a strange way.
He became more alert, his voice as cold as ice.
"Yes," Qin Youyou replied with a smile.
"A life for a life!" Xuanwu shouted, his finger on the trigger.
"I'm saving lives, not killing them. Please watch your words," Qin Youyou said, indicating that she was a very strict person.
"Saving people?" Xuanwu sneered. "You saved three ordinary people, but what you 'disposed of' was likely three extremely rare and valuable samples of supernatural abilities! This may not be a merit, but rather a demerit!"
"She was just exorcising a ghost!" Song Zhi couldn't help but shout. "Those three people were possessed by ghosts! Qianqian was saving people!"
“Yes! Exorcising ghosts! I can testify!” Gu Buchun was also willing to go all out and eagerly echoed.
"Exorcising ghosts?" Xuanwu's lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes sharpening. "So, exorcising ghosts, huh! Then let me see how you'll exorcise this 'ghost spear' of mine!"
The words have not yet been spoken!
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Xuanwu pulled the trigger again!
The gunshots were deafening in the closed room.
Unlike before, this time, he fired several shots at Qin Youyou in an instant at a speed far exceeding human limits! This gun also seemed to be specially made; with the enhancement of his superpower, the explosive power of the bullets far exceeded that of the previous shot.
"No!" Song Zhi and Gu Buchen exclaimed in shock, their eyes wide with fear.
However, the expected gunshots and screams did not occur.
An eerie silence fell over the room.
Song Zhi and Gu Buchen stared wide-eyed at what they witnessed—a scene they would never forget.
All the bullets aimed at Qin Youyou stopped in mid-air as if they had hit an invisible, insurmountable wall when they were still inches away from her body!
Then, something even more unbelievable happened.
Those bright yellow warheads did not fall; instead, they were as if they were directly decomposed at the atomic level by some invisible force, silently turning into a cloud of extremely fine dust that shimmered with a faint metallic luster, and then vanished without a trace.
It's like it never existed.
Qin Youyou remained seated perfectly still, not even a strand of her hair was disheveled.
She looked at Xuanwu, leaned forward, lightly tapped her chin with her fingertips, and revealed a faint smile.
"Are you done testing them?"
Xuanwu's pupils suddenly contracted.
His specially enhanced shooting speed and power, which he was so proud of, made him the superpower that the leader of "Deep Blue" relied on, but in front of his opponent, it was like child's play.
In the instant he was stunned and lost in thought, Qin Youyou moved again.
Her movements appeared slow, even somewhat graceful, but Xuanwu had no time to react.
Qin Youyou gently raised her hand and made a slight clenching motion towards the void.
The next second, Xuanwu felt a lightness in his hand.
His specially made pistol had mysteriously appeared in Qin Youyou's hand, and she had stood up at some point.
The initiative changed hands in an instant!
Qin Youyou casually toyed with the pistol, making a flourish in her hand, and pointed it at Xuanwu's forehead:
“If I were hostile to you, you wouldn’t be alive today.”
Xuanwu's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.
She wasn't talking about you, but about all of you.
She knew he wasn't alone.
Yes, there are many superhumans trained by Deep Blue lurking outside this house, but at this moment, he knows very well that even if they all rush at her, they will not be a match for her.
Qin Youyou smiled gently, placed the pistol on the table, and pushed it back in front of the other person.
"I've come here to have a proper talk with you."
Xuanwu's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. He suppressed his trembling and gestured, "...Please sit down."
Qin Youyou gracefully took her seat and began to speak slowly:
"I am well aware that the international situation is turbulent and the competition in interstellar exploration is fierce. The ambition of the nation to develop into outer space and compete for air supremacy is admirable."
Xuanwu's gaze was unfathomable; he truly couldn't understand what she was trying to do.
Qin Youyou's gaze seemed to pierce through the wall, looking towards the endless distance.
"But you may not know that this world... is vast. And the spacetime and dimensions are far more than the one you are aware of."
She paused, then uttered a metaphor that caused Xuanwu's brain to shut down:
"The vast technological universe you are striving for may... be just a tiny crack in the bark of a peach tree on a farm."
Song Zhi and Gu Buchen: ? ? ?
Xuanwu: !!!
Qin Youyou ignored their shock.
"However, in this time and space, in this universe, I believe that with your efforts and wisdom, China can achieve the top."