Chapter 65. Another Facility
Just when 096 was barely two meters away from Dipp, a piercing screech echoed in the vicinity.
The bright white mask looked up abruptly to see a massive bat hanging upside down on a tree branch. Its presence was akin to that of a Grim Reaper.
Controlling its host, 096 tried to escape. But the giant bat unfurled its wings, and its massive body descended with the ferocity of a missile.
Crack! Crack!
The disconcerting crack of breaking bones incessantly sounded as 096's host was crushed under the bat's weight and paralyzed. Realizing that it wouldn't win the direct confrontation, 096 hastily gave up on its host and shed away from the face. It turned and tried to scuttle away.
Just then, Dipp, who had been sitting next to the bonfire, turned around sharply and cast the net in his hands, effectively trapping the Clown Mask. The crew members feigning sleep immediately sprang into action with brandished weapons and pounced upon the caught 096.
It had been a trap, an ambush to capture 096.
Reverting to his human form, Charles approached the net. His four vampiric fangs had already grown out as his handsome face twisted and contorted into that of a horrifying bat. The blind vampire next to him hurriedly rushed over with a plasma pack. Sucking the contents, the abnormalities happening to Charles soon vanished.
"Captain, that relic is a vampiric one, after all. Please don't use it anymore. Look, your fangs have already grown out," Audric gently reminded.
Charles extended his index finger into his mouth and felt the sharpness of his canine teeth. Indeed, they had become longer and sharper than before.
However, Charles had other important matters that demanded his instant attention. His gaze redirected to the captured 096.
Currently, the Clown Mask was firmly nailed to a thick wooden board and rendered motionless.
"How did you come alive?" Charles questioned.
"Disgusting, lowly humans! Vile creatures, I'll kill all of you!" 096 squirmed against the board as it cursed vehemently.
"Where did you find those hosts?" Charles continued his questions but received only curses in response.
Realizing that he would get no answers from 096, Charles didn't want to waste his breath any longer. He raised his gun and fired.
Much to his surprise, a metallic clang resounded when the bullet hit the mask.
A manic smile appeared on 096's hideous face.
"I'm made of the hardest substance in the world! Your pitiful tricks can't hurt me. You won't be able to fathom the greatness of those who created me!" 096 proclaimed.
"Really? You are made of the hardest material? I happened to have a blade here that could easily slice through steel. I'd love to find out which is harder, you or my blade."
As Charles pulled out the Dark Blade from his boot, it seemed to have drenched 096's bravado. The expression on its porcelain white face morphed rapidly.
Screech~~
As the Dark Blade scraped across 096's surface, a resulting sound akin to nails scratching a chalkboard accompanied the sprinkle of white powder that fluttered into the air.
"Human, you win. I found those bodies underground in the forest to the east." A rare expression of fear appeared on 096's face.
Without a word, Charles grabbed 096 with it and headed eastward with his crew members swiftly in tow.
Throughout their journey, Charles wasted no time. He continued questioning 096 about how it came alive, but the latter still offered no answers. Or rather, it had no answer to give even when Charles threatened it with his Dark Blade. It only said that it suddenly acquired consciousness and, with it, an inexplicable hatred for humans.
Charles remained rather skeptical about 096's claim. There was the possibility that the mask had been sentient all along and had been lying low and waiting for a chance.
While engaged in their conversation, they arrived at the eastern forest. Under 096's guidance, they found a squat tree hole with an eerie red glow seeping out from within.
Richard seized control of their body and asked, "Are you sure it's here? You aren't planning to ambush us with a trap, are you?"
"You can choose not to believe me. Anyway, I found those two bodies here."
Charles pondered for a few seconds before he turned to the white mouse on the ground. "Lily, get your mice friends to go in and have a look."
There was no need for him to risk exploring a potentially dangerous place personally. Moreover, mice were far better suited for these narrow confines.
Squeak, squeak, squeak!
Lily let out a few squeaks, and four brown mice scurried into the hole.
They didn't wait for long as the mice soon returned and surrounded Lily, squeaking incessantly.
The white mouse gestured with its tiny claws as she translated their squeaks, "They said the inside is so red, so huge, and so long!"
"What are they describing? A thing? Can they be more specific?"
Lily scratched her head with a tiny paw as she continued her squeaky discussion with the mice. A few seconds later, she turned and said, "They said the place looked similar to the place that houses those giant bugs that like to eat them."
"The place that houses those giant bugs? Lab Three!" Charles exclaimed in surprise.
Could this hole lead to another lab? Charles wondered. He suddenly felt that it could be possible. Since there was Laboratory Three, there would surely be Laboratory One and Laboratory Two. The organization behind these laboratories wouldn't just occupy a single island.
Regardless, Charles decided to venture in to take a look. Apart from searching for leads about the surface's entrance, Laesto's tablet had also sparked his curiosity. Where had all the humans that built these things disappeared to?
"The place is rather cramped. Lily and I will go. The rest of you stay put here. The First Mate will be in command in my absence."
As it witnessed Charles leading the swarm of mice into the hole, a sinister grin appeared on 096's face despite it being nailed to the wooden board.
Descending down the tunnel with the entwining tree root as his support, Charles came across a twisted hallway that had been ruptured by roots.
The décor and scenery brought back a sense of familiarity. His doubts had been resolved. He was certain that this place was another facility similar to Laboratory Three.
As for the red glow, it originated from the box-shaped lamps hanging haphazardly from the ceiling. Their intermittent flickering seemed to be a portent of impending dangers.
"Damn it, bro! We're rich! Lab Three had so many relics, there are surely a ton of them here too."
Charles ignored Richard's voice and continued along the hallway.
The supposedly straight hallway had been distorted by encroaching roots, leading to a series of mingled narrow gaps and widening spaces. Charles had no choice but to climb over roots or duck under them as necessary to proceed ahead.
Just as he crawled over a tree root, a head with four dark holes appeared right before his eyes.
Charles' left hand suddenly moved on its own accord and slashed the Dark Blade in its grasp at the head.
Just when the blade was a mere centimeter from the terrifying head, it halted.
"Don't move. It holds no hostility." Charles said to his other ego. Slowly he moved his face away from the head to see a brand new corpse standing motionless before him.
The corpse was an empty shell of human flesh and bones. It remained rooted to the spot and made no response despite Charles waving his hand in front of it. He touched its face with his finger to find it surprisingly warm.
As unbelievable as it seemed, this empty shell of a human was living despite the lack of organs.
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