Wasteland Echoer

After reluctantly sending Oleg away, Yaroslav took Dak down the newly painted concrete stairs to the second underground floor of the "Battle Command Center".

Although this place has not been built for a long time, the strange thing is that while walking in the long and narrow corridor, Duck saw a lot of sunken ground from behind a few metal doors that were ajar. The potholes were filled with accumulated water that could not be drained out. There was thick black-red liquid, and the horrific rotting bodies and bones of various animals piled up against the wall.

"Is this a prison?" Duck asked curiously.

"That's right." Yaroslav admitted, but his tone was very cautious and low:

"But according to the order document issued by Chief Vasily last month, everything here is a federal top secret. Only the first-level department heads under the Strategic Group are qualified to know about it for the time being. Duck, in the 'man-made lake', if Whether it's a borderland or an area controlled by the Lost, you can use your curiosity and exploration spirit.

"But as long as it is an area that we humans have complete control over, I advise you to suppress these inexplicable impulses for the time being. Ever since you and Dak killed the 'leader' Yin Min' of the 'Order Society', Chief Vasily began to pay attention to is you."

"What does this mean?" Duck asked deliberately.

Yaroslav first rolled his eyes at Duck, then sighed softly and chose to explain:

"As long as you don't take refuge in the Lost Organization, especially the 'Chaos Group', Lord Vasily will ensure that you will have enough growth and development talents after the 'Sorrow of Bitterness' and the 'Evolution Platform' operations in the north. space. The secrets of the Federation and the secrets of the Empire will always be fully known to you.

"Do you think that even in the wasteland world, if the connection between humans weakens, the Federation's control over the jurisdiction will be reduced? Never. As long as there are people who are obsessed with pursuing interests among humans, the Federation will have the opportunity to let Anyone becomes a 'monitor'."

"Really?" Duck's tone was contemptuous and rebuttal in a disbelieving tone.

"Of course." Yaroslav was very serious. After a serious conversation, he had already developed a fondness for the young man in front of him. He did not want Dak to be involved in the game of interests between humans and become a pawn, and then fall. He understood , outstanding young people are the future of the Federation and even human civilization.

He was suddenly silent for a while, and led Duck towards the deepest part of the passage. When the two stepped onto the hollow metal cover bridge, they were overwhelmed by the creaking noise and the faint sound of the organ in the distance. He felt that over the decades of his life, the world he had experienced and perceived was gradually moving from a dark phantom to a white reality.

A quote from Charles XII that Vasily Voliganov often quoted in his early years suddenly came to his mind:

"Human civilization relies on inheritance one stroke at a time, one book at a time. When desire takes over ideas, and plunder and killing replace guarding and persistence, the fire of civilization loses its inheritance, and naturally, it loses its future."

The poorly connected electrical lights on the walls kept flickering like ghosts, and the water splashed on the ground never evaporated in the humid and gloomy environment, leaving behind puddles of twisted, broken, and disgusting water that looked like deep-sea creatures. The rotten smell.

This underground tunnel, perhaps belonging to the prison realm, is a bit too long in Duck's eyes, and it does not seem to be something that can be completely constructed in a month or two.

Perhaps such a dark, gloomy, and terrifying area has long existed here. It was just that the arrival of the federal army "happily" chose this abandoned site by its predecessors to make full use of the waste.

This passage is like a sewer ditch that you enter after opening a manhole cover in the city. It is more like a narrow and secret passage leading to the realm of the terrible ancient gods.

On both sides of the passage, Duck noticed that there were indeed spacious enough rooms at regular intervals. Perhaps extremely weird and terrifying beings had been stored here in ancient times, until...the two of them came to the end of the corridor. .

"Grandpa." The person who greeted the two of them was none other than Sofia, the lost girl who had the unique power of the ancient gods and was taken in by Yaroslav.

She was now wearing a brand new, neat and heavy women's military cotton coat. In the cold environment, she was wrapped very tightly, including a military felt hat, black leather gloves, etc., all worn correctly.

If it weren't for her unusually fair face due to her strong metabolism, as well as her slightly childish voice and appearance, she would be no different from a human female soldier who performs special missions and has a strong and resolute character of the Crusaders.

However, before Yaroslav could introduce him, Sofia felt as cold as falling into an ice cave as soon as they met. He looked at Dak, who was harmless in appearance and temperament, but his right hand trembled unconsciously with fear.

After being stunned for a full two seconds, she blurted out subconsciously:

"monster……"

"Monster?" Even though Sophia's voice was very soft, it was still keenly captured by the [Chaos Inducer] whose sensory abilities were increased by several levels.

After being surprised for a second, Dak came back to his senses and said with a bitter smile:

"Lord Vasily, the commander-in-chief has indeed done a good job in intelligence work. I had originally entrusted the Mayan City Strategic Group to keep this dark history secret for me, but obviously, the Federal Council informed you anyway."

"Nothing." Yaroslav smiled awkwardly:

"Sophia, the child, just came from the south and stayed with me. As you know, girls probably don't have much chance to participate in major wars. Their status is very low. They are not much different from ordinary strategic materials. They can live to the age of entering the army. It’s really not easy anymore.

"My granddaughter Sophia was forced to leave Binglin City for several years because of me. If Chief Vasily hadn't valued me again this time, I'm afraid we wouldn't have had the chance to meet again. In the wasteland era, separation is the norm, and reunion is the norm. rare."

Sofia knew that Yaroslav was trying to smooth things over for her. No matter how friendly they appeared to be between the two and with outsiders, in fact they were just using each other.

After coming back to her senses, Sophia lowered her head slightly, showing her shy and weak side, and said to Duck in a gentle and apologetic manner:

"You are Dark Tiris, my name is Sofia, and Commander Yaroslav is my grandfather. I rarely come to the battlefield, so I am not used to it yet. Plus...you exude a... The butt is very familiar...no, the depressing aura made me a little distracted."

"Oh, it's okay, Miss Sophia." Duck said in a very serious tone and gave Sophia a simple gentleman's courtesy.

Although there are very few human women around him, it does not mean that he is a straight man. He is clearly aware that his tone may be a bit harsh, and he is too harsh on such a beautiful and determined "human" lady. , will definitely appear a little rude.

In addition, he had just come out of the "Bitter Ruins" and had a fight with the soldiers guarding the door. There may still be a smell of violence and anger on his body, as well as a cold and chilly expression, which scared such a person. Lovely girl.

Yaroslav and Sofia's explanation made Duck a little embarrassed. The two "grandfather and granddaughter" quickly exchanged glances while Duck was not paying attention. With Yaroslav's wave, Sofia The two thick metal doors opened.

"Dak." Yaroslav stood by the door, patting Duck on the shoulder and said:

"This is indeed a prison. The boy locked inside is called Mirren. He is a lost member of the vampire clan who has recently taken refuge with us. He is very dangerous, but he does not pose much of a threat to you. I just said that I will take you to be a little boy. Test', most of the people who have the ability to test the magic source power of the spirit are the lost ones, and there is no one else but him in the 'man-made lake'."

"You mean, ask me to come in?" Dak pointed to the dark room from the outside and asked doubtfully.

"That's right." Yaroslav said:

"You don't have to worry about danger. We have protective measures. If you are really threatened, shout out and the federal [soldiers] here will come in to protect us. In order to prevent him from hiding some of the abilities of [the seducer] and causing you to have a mental breakdown , you can only stay for half an hour. After the time has passed, no matter what the result is, the door will be opened and you will be taken out to meet Wovya and Luonie."

After saying that, Yaroslav pushed Duck hard, then quickly closed the double iron door, and stood waiting by the door with Sofia.

When Dak reacted, he realized that what made the interior look very dark just now was just a shallow curtain composed of dark magic power. After passing through, he discovered that the interior space was not like the one revealed in the underground passage. It makes people feel depressed and uneasy.

Instead, it presents a kind of house furnishings from the era before the "New Dollar Crisis", including picture frames, fireplaces, sofas, dining tables, coffee tables, low cabinets, short tables, electric lamps, and several military cotton coats hanging on hangers, which are very symmetrical. Sex, pay attention to color combinations such as blue, dark red, and gold.

Observing the classically luxurious room that was so popular among the Putoya nobles, after a while, he finally saw the young man who had been standing for a long time in the center of the axially symmetrical layout of the room.

"You are Dark Tiris. I think I should have met you when we were in New Wind Town. My name is Mirren." The young man introduced himself. He did not choose to shake hands with Dark, but covered his chest and leaned forward. This is a common etiquette among Crusad nobles.

"The Lost One of the Vampire Clan, right?" Dak looked at Mirren with a little disdain, and then his eyes drifted away. He didn't have a good impression of the Lost One himself. In addition, Mirren belonged to the Vampire Clan, which made Dak even more disgusted. .

After all, any evil person who bullies others will always be called a vampire. As the true "original body", Dak felt a sense of disgust.

He glanced at Mirren quickly and reluctantly responded to Mirren:

"I am Dak. I just came out of the 'Bitter Ruins' and before I had time to rest, I was pulled here by Chief Yaroslav and asked you to give me a test. You should know, Mirren, who has experienced battles and People who take risks need more rest than doing these meaningless 'quizzes'."

"Haha." Mirren read Dak's boredom and smiled:

"Do 'monsters' also need to rest? I always thought that 'monsters' like you must be energetic beings."

"What do you mean!" Dak felt irritable. He stepped forward suddenly, grabbed the collar of Mirren's white shirt, and with a little force, he suddenly lifted up the lost vampire who was a head shorter than him and pulled him to eye level.

Facing the angry Dak, Mirren showed an annoying smile. He raised the corners of his mouth, looked directly into Dak's gray eyes, and said in a childish but extremely low voice:

“The universe is nothing more than a terrifying perpetual reincarnation game built by the Creator. The vast, boundless, great and majestic dark realm filled with ‘dark energy’ is a fantasy and beautiful realm that humans can never touch.

"The Lord once said, 'Order arises from chaos and ends with chaos.' The chaos in the wasteland is the prelude to [order], and the [order] under the steam is the source of chaos. Your body is full of [order] The charming and sharp smell of the one causing chaos, why don’t you understand these truths?”

"What's the truth? All I know is that I hate it when someone reveals my history. I'm not a 'monster', and I will never become a 'monster' again." Dark stared at Mirren fiercely and said:

"If I weren't worried that if I hurt you, Commander Yaroslav and the others would think that I was mentally damaged and became irritable, I would have taken action long ago. If you were a human or a 'superpower', maybe I would still tolerate it , you are a lost person of the blood race, and these words are a provocation to me."

"But this is what the smell of your body and the fluctuation of the magic power tell me. We are all just ants in this terrible dream of the Creator. A giant named 'Destiny' hangs high above our heads, but The dimension we live in can only allow us to see the world in front of us clearly." Mirren said in a strangely deep tone:

"We can't look up. Even if someone tries his best to peek at a corner of the sky, he will go crazy under the arrangement of the Creator. You should be very clear by now, Dark Tiris, 'Bitter Relics' ’, no matter which entrance you enter from, if you go forward, there is only one one-way passage, not even a fork in the road.

"In other words, if you can come out alive, it means that you must have met the initiator of the 'Heartless Man' crisis, the evil man 'Ivan 22' who led the destruction of the world. And you did not bring anything from it. If any sleeping person belonging to the old empire is found, it means that Ivan XXII is dead.

"You are a [causing troublemaker], or a user of water source magic power. Your fate is destined to be very difficult, and you will not be able to get the slightest moment of happiness as a respite. You, like me, can only live in the name of ' March forward hard in the wasteland of the wasteland until death.

"However, this time, the death of Ivan XXII actually marks the beginning of a new era. For you, although the two reincarnations you have experienced in the parallel universe are synonymous with pain and despair, they belong to you. The dawn of destiny in the third reincarnation has quietly torn through the curtain of the long night, bringing a trace of the clean breath of the morning."

"How...how did you know...'Xu Ling'...had come to the 'Man-Made Lake' during this time, right? Did he tell you?" Dak felt unbelievable, and unconsciously loosened his hand, questioning.

"Is the person in charge of No. 10 'Xu Ling'? I know him, but he doesn't know me. Master Feng Kuang once told me that I possess some of the abilities of a [prophet]. The so-called [prophecy] means that I can see When you go to the past, you can also look into the future." Mirren, who fell to the ground, explained:

"Actually, if you are just trying to deal with Yaroslav, I will tell you that as long as you come out of the 'Suffering Relics' alive without going crazy, then you will have already adapted to the high concentration of 'sorrow'. Not only will you not collapse , and it will be more difficult to have a mental breakdown in the future. As for the magic source power order test..."

Mirren said, the magic power surging in his body was poured into his fingers, and he recited a spell silently, and he pointed his green-gleaming finger on Duck's chest.

A few seconds later, a few strands of silk-like energy penetrated Mirren's fingers. As the light and shadow changed, the green light disappeared and turned into a shining golden color.

"That's it," Mirren said.

"Just...done?" Dak looked at Mirren's fingers in confusion.

"That's right." Mirren nodded and said:

"Testing is always the simplest magic, but not everyone has the qualifications to test others. Obviously, Mr. Dark Tillis, your magic source power has been promoted to the fourth level, which is' Hope'."