[System Initialization...][Welcome, Host Chen Qing.]
The cold, mechanical voice rang in Chen Qing's mind, but he didn't have time to check the holographic panel floating before his eyes.
He was currently hanging upside down from the ventilation duct of a high-security mental asylum, like a bat in a trench coat.
Below him, in Room 404, the scene was straight out of a horror movie. A girl with fiery red hair was strapped to an electric shock therapy chair. She was wearing a heavy straitjacket, but her eyes... her eyes weren't filled with fear. They were filled with a manic, terrifying excitement.
"Dr. Wang," the girl giggled, her voice sweet yet chilling. "If you turn up the voltage, will my hair glow? Like a lightbulb?"
The doctor, a middle-aged man with a cruel sneer, hovered his hand over the control switch. "Still crazy, Patient 007? This is for your own good. The Syndicate wants you obedient."
ZZZZZT!
Blue currents of electricity surged through the chair. The voltage was high enough to knock out a grown man instantly.
But instead of screaming, the girl threw her head back and laughed. "Hahahaha! More! It tickles!"
It was the laughter of a demon. Or perhaps, something far older and more dangerous.
Up in the vent, Chen Qing's holographic panel flashed red.
[Mission Triggered: Rescue the "Vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox".][Target: Sun Mengjia (Patient 007).][Reward: Genetic Lock (Phase 1) Unlocked.][Failure Penalty: Death.]
"Well," Chen Qing sighed internally, pulling out his tactical combat knife. "Looks like my peaceful retirement is officially over."
He cut the grille. Like a hawk diving for its prey, he crashed through the ventilation shaft, landing silently directly behind the doctor.
"Who are you?!" The doctor spun around, terrified by the sudden intruder.
Chen Qing stood up, dusting off his black coat. He glanced at the crazy girl, then at the trembling doctor, and finally at the floating system panel only he could see.
"Me?" Chen Qing smirked, his eyes turning cold. "I'm just a tourist. Here to check out the food."
[System: Combat Mode Activated.]
The doctor fumbled for the alarm button on the wall. "Guards! Intruder in Room 404!"
Swish!
Before his finger could touch the red button, a silver flash sliced through the air. A scalpel—snatched from the tray a second ago—pinned the doctor's sleeve to the wall.
"Rude," Chen Qing said calmly. "I haven't finished introducing myself."
He walked over to the electric chair. Up close, the girl looked even crazier. Her red hair was messy, and her face was pale, but those eyes shone with a dangerous intelligence.
"Hi, handsome," Sun Mengjia blinked at him, completely ignoring the fact that she was tied up. "Are you my new doctor? Or my assassin?"
"I'm your ride out of here," Chen Qing replied. He raised his knife and slashed through the reinforced leather straps binding her.
Snap! Snap!
Freed from the chair, Sun Mengjia stretched her arms. She looked at the doctor, who was currently trying to pull the scalpel out of his sleeve.
"Hey, Doc," she smiled, picking up the heavy electric shock control unit from the table. "You forgot your treatment."
"No... wait! Don't—"
CRASH!
She smashed the heavy metal box directly into the doctor's face. Blood and sparks flew everywhere.
"One star rating," she huffed, wiping a speck of blood from her cheek. "Service was terrible."
[Mission Accomplished!][Reward Distributed: Genetic Lock (Phase 1). Physical Attributes doubled.]
Chen Qing felt a surge of heat rush through his veins. His muscles tightened, and his senses sharpened. He could hear the heavy footsteps of security guards rushing down the hallway.
"Time to go," Chen Qing said, grabbing her arm.
"Wait!" Sun Mengjia stopped. She grabbed a permanent marker from the desk and scribbled something on the unconscious doctor's forehead.
Chen Qing looked closer. She had drawn a cartoon pig.
"Okay, now we can go," she beamed, grabbing Chen Qing's hand like they were going on a date, not a prison break.
Bang! The door was kicked open. Three armed guards in black tactical gear stormed in. "Freeze! Drop your weapons!"
Chen Qing stepped forward, shielding the girl behind him. He cracked his knuckles, feeling the new power surging in his body.
"Mengjia," he asked, "do you like fireworks?"
"Love them!" she replied.
"Good." Chen Qing's figure blurred. He moved faster than the human eye could track.
[Genetic Lock: ON.]
The chaotic night in the asylum had just begun.