Infinite Nightmares

"Cousin? My cousin?!" Zhang Wenda shot to his feet, staring at the ponytailed girl before him in disbelief. "That’s impossible. Since when did my uncle have a daughter?"

"Hm?" Ouyang Shuangdian tilted her head, looking at Zhang Wenda. "Do you know your uncle all that well?"

"Of course! He’s my—"

At this, Zhang Wenda stopped short. Though he had been close to his uncle, even living with him, he realized his knowledge of the man’s private life was a complete blank.

After calming himself down, Zhang Wenda looked seriously at Ouyang Shuangdian. "What proof do you have?"

"Proof? Do you even need it? Your uncle’s flings were legendary! How do you think he got the nickname ’Chameleon’? Just ask any of his friends and you’ll find out. Besides, would I lie to you about something like this?"

Before Zhang Wenda could ask another question, the girl beside them couldn’t help but speak up first. "Chameleon is not my father! I don’t have a father like that!"

With that, she stood up angrily, shot Zhang Wenda a harsh glare, and with a sharp flick of her ponytail, stormed out.

SLAM. The office door shut heavily, and Zhang Wenda and Ouyang Shuangdian looked at each other.

Ouyang Shuangdian shrugged at Zhang Wenda. "She’s not wrong, you know. When it came to relationships, your uncle was a real piece of work."

"My uncle had a lot of girlfriends?" Zhang Wenda asked, surprised.

"And how. Your uncle was such a smooth talker, and he knew how to dance disco. Back in the day, tons of girls were chasing after him."

As she spoke, Ouyang Shuangdian leaned back, lacing her hands behind her neck and propping her feet up on the desk. "With all of Biaozi’s luck with the ladies, I just don’t get why he never got married," she said wistfully. "It was like he was terrified of starting a family."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenda’s expression darkened slightly. ’As for the reason why, he understood it far better than any outsider.’

"You’re new to the Security Department, so you probably don’t know anyone. I wanted to bring her over to meet you and have her show you around. I just didn’t expect the usually cold little thing to have such a strong reaction."

Zhang Wenda shook his head. "It’s fine. Don’t worry about us. I’ll go find her and we’ll get properly acquainted once she’s cooled down a bit."

"Right, get to know each other. That little girl is pretty withdrawn. You’re the big brother now, so be patient with her. And you... now that Biaozi is gone, it’s better to have some family than to be all alone."

"Okay, I get it. But for now, let’s talk business." Zhang Wenda tried to steer the conversation back on track.

’Though he was shocked to suddenly learn his uncle had a daughter, he wasn’t here to play happy families. The issue with the girl would have to be put on the back burner.’

"Oh, right. Business, business." Ouyang Shuangdian took her feet off the desk and looked at Zhang Wenda seriously. "The Security Department is divided into different teams. There’s the Security Team, which handles protection. The Combat Team, which specializes in fighting. And the Exploration Team, which is in charge of investigating thought-currents. Do you want to be a jack-of-all-trades I can place wherever needed, or do you want to choose for yourself?"

Zhang Wenda immediately sat up straight. "Forget the teams for a second. I heard there’s a way to increase one’s power here—a method for tapping into one’s inner Tri-Core potential? Which team do I have to join to get it?"

"’A method for tapping into one’s inner Tri-Core potential?’ So formal. Sounds like something that bunch of humanities majors in the Archives Department would come up with. You mean Number 2, don’t you?"

"It’s real? How do I get it?" Zhang Wenda’s expression was now intensely focused.

"It exists, but are you sure you want to use this method? It’s... tricky." Ouyang Shuangdian’s headless neck bobbed up and down as if she were re-evaluating Zhang Wenda.

"Is there a problem? Is it too dangerous?"

"Not exactly. It’s just... how should I put it... overly unique. It’s hard to describe."

Ouyang Shuangdian continued, picking at her fingernails. "After trying it, everyone faces a different experience, or trial, let’s say, based on their own Tri-Core’s insights."

"Maybe you should just forget about it. If you’re not careful, this stuff can drive you insane. If you want to increase your power, there are plenty of other methods you can choose from or redeem in the department." Ouyang Shuangdian seemed hesitant.

"No, I want this one. Whichever team has it, I’ll join."

Zhang Wenda shook his head resolutely. ’Whether it’s high-risk thought-current objects or some new Spectral Technique, they might increase my strength, but to defeat Qianxi, they’re nowhere near enough.’

"Don’t be so sure. Why don’t you try it first and then decide? That stuff doesn’t increase your power in the conventional sense. It might even change your perception of reality."

With a soft snap of her right fingers, a test tube filled with a yellow liquid appeared in Ouyang Shuangdian’s hand. Other-colored fluids were mixed within it.

"Try drinking this diluted Number 2. If you can handle it, then you can make your choice." Ouyang Shuangdian handed the test tube over.

"I can definitely handle it!" Zhang Wenda said with conviction as he took the test tube.

Zhang Wenda looked at the test tube in his hand. Upon closer inspection, he found the color resembled the "liquid happiness" he had collected at the Youth Palace. With a slight shake, he saw that liquid happiness transform into slivers of the color of death.

Hearing her words, Zhang Wenda didn’t hesitate. He uncorked the test tube, tilted his head back, and poured the famed liquid directly into his mouth.

The taste was indescribable, like deep-fried Pop Rocks sliding all the way down his throat before finally exploding in his stomach.

"I don’t feel so good." The moment Zhang Wenda looked up, clutching his cramping stomach, he froze on the spot.

The headless girl who had been in front of him was gone. In her place was a gigantic woman’s head, so large it stretched from floor to ceiling, nearly filling the entire office.

"Ouyang Shuangdian?" Zhang Wenda asked tentatively.

Seeing Zhang Wenda looking at it, the head smiled and its mouth opened. "If you can’t even handle this, then don’t even think about attempting the Number 2 trial. If you really go down this path, you might even stay in this state for the rest of your life."

"I drank it. What do I do now?" Zhang Wenda asked, looking down at his own completely unchanged body.

"Walk out of it." After saying this cryptic phrase, Ouyang Shuangdian closed her mouth, becoming like a white jade statue.

"’Walk out?’" Zhang Wenda turned his head to look at the main door behind him, then back at the motionless Ouyang Shuangdian. He immediately stood up, walked to the door, and pushed it open.

WHOOSH. As the door opened, Zhang Wenda saw the breeze it stirred up. Wind is normally invisible, but now, he could see it.

He saw the wind give him a displeased look before it gradually vanished into the air.

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