NFBE Chapter 328 [Empire] Remains Silent
Chapter 328 [Empire] Remains Silent
As we handed over the task, I kept my eyes on the vine. It was slowly removed from the carriage, its transparent tentacles swaying slightly in the freezing cold, as if filled with wariness and dissatisfaction with everything around it.
The person who issued the task, wearing protective gear and looking like someone who works in a laboratory, moved with skill and caution. After repeatedly checking the vine with a scanner, he finally confirmed its condition.
"He's in good condition, with no uncontrollable life signs," he nodded, his tone revealing obvious satisfaction. "Thank you for your hard work, and this mission was well completed."
As soon as he finished speaking, several assistants, also wearing protective gear, wheeled in an incubator specifically for transporting biological samples, placed the vine inside, and quickly departed. Their movements were expertly and cautiously executed, as if even touching this object itself was a danger.
I watched their movements until the vine was completely packed into the box and carried deep into the laboratory. Only when its last transparent tentacle disappeared from view did I slowly withdraw my gaze.
A complex emotion welled up in my heart - the mission was completed, and the vines were successfully delivered, but I always felt that this thing had never been truly "tamed".
"Let's go." Nightingale's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He waved at me, "The merit calculations are all out. Don't you plan to go and see the results?"
"Let's go." I nodded and followed him out of the laboratory area and headed to the mission hall.
The hall was bustling with mercenaries, hunters, and researchers, the air thick with activity. Nightingale and I made our way through the crowd to the checkout window and presented our mission credentials. After verifying them, the staff handed us an electronic card.
"This mission is worth 1800 points, 50 merit points." The staff member's voice was mechanical and indifferent. "Thank you for your efforts."
"50 merit points?" Nightingale whistled, a satisfied smile on his face. "That's not common. It seems our adventure was worth it."
I nodded. Although I remained calm on the surface, I was still a little surprised by the result.
After getting the settlement, Nightingale and I found a corner to sit down and started distributing the rewards.
"According to the old rules, the points are split 70% to 30%, and I'll take 70%." Nightingale leaned lazily on the back of his chair, his tone carrying a certain matter-of-factness. "The merit points will be split equally, and we'll each take half."
"No problem." I nodded in agreement and took my share of the reward.
After the distribution was completed, Nightingale stretched and looked at the bustling crowd in the hall. She suddenly smiled: "Although this deal was risky, I made a lot of money. I should take a break next time, right?"
I didn't answer, but just looked down at the merit card in my hand, but my mind drifted back to the vine.
It was verified, delivered, and sealed, as if the mission had been completely completed.
Back in Nightingale's hovercar, I sat in the passenger seat, my gaze once again fixed on the "jellyfish" encased in layers of ice in the back seat. It remained in its previous position, its translucent body appearing even paler beneath the icy shell, its tentacles curled up like spiderwebs, motionless and harmless, like a harmless work of art.
As Nightingale started the car, he casually glanced at the ice sculpture in the back seat and said jokingly, "I thought the vines would be gone and this thing would thaw."
“I thought so,” I whispered back, a hint of skepticism in my tone. “But it doesn’t seem to be moving anytime soon.”
"Is it honest?" Nightingale smiled and shook her head. "Or is it waiting for an opportunity?"
I didn't answer, merely staring at the "jellyfish" for a few seconds. Then, I reached out and tapped the ice. A dull reverberation echoed through the ice. Nothing on the surface had changed, but I could faintly sense a subtle vibration, almost imperceptible, emanating from deep within the monster's body.
"It's moving." I frowned and said in a low voice.
"Moving?" Nightingale turned her head and chuckled again. "That's not really moving. It's just an 'instinct' at best. Don't be nervous. The ice left by the vines is thick enough. Even if it really becomes active, it won't be able to break free."
"But this is no ordinary creature." I lowered my voice, my eyes fixed on the blurry tentacles beneath the ice. "You know, this kind of thing can't be measured by common sense."
"So what are your plans?" Nightingale raised an eyebrow, a hint of teasing in her tone, "Are you planning to keep it for further research, or get rid of it? We just won the merit, let's not cause any more trouble."
"Keep it," I said without hesitation, tapping the ice shell lightly with my fingers. "It would be a shame to throw it away now."
Hearing this, Nightingale tutted and shook her head, saying, "Boy, you're really brave. Fine, keep it. It's your 'pet' after all."
I didn't respond, but just leaned back in my seat, my eyes never leaving the frozen jellyfish.
Although its tentacles were frozen, I knew that the blue energy in its body was still flowing, slowly but steadily, as if waiting for an opportunity.
"Even if we keep it, we have to find a safe place," Nightingale said suddenly, her tone no longer so frivolous. "If things really get out of hand, this thing could even destroy the hovercraft."
"Let's find an isolation chamber first." I nodded in agreement, my eyes still fixed on the backseat. "But before that, I have to figure out its 'ability'. If it can't be tamed, even if I'm reluctant, I have to find a way to get rid of it."
"Tame it?" Nightingale scoffed, shaking his head. "You're quite delusional. We'd be lucky if this thing didn't bite us back."
I sighed softly and didn't refute, but I was secretly planning my next plan in my heart.
The hovercar drove along the wide road. Night gradually fell, and the surrounding scenery blurred into darkness. The air inside the car seemed to become dull, and only the low hum of the engine echoed.
And the frozen "jellyfish" remained silent under my gaze.