Just after arriving in the Hive District, Cipher directly used invisibility plus wall-phasing to run out of Cerydra's room.
"So this is the Hive District?" She looked around curiously, her cat eyes reflecting the cold high-rise buildings. "Tsk, it feels about the same as those cities in the northwest of the Greenshade Spring, just... a bit more depressing?"
It was mainly because Cerydra hadn't left this church since she appeared, which was why she hadn't seen the scenery of the Hive District.
However, this sense of novelty was quickly replaced by a dull discomfort.
There were few pedestrians on the streets, walking hurriedly with almost no expression on their faces, as numb as wound-up clockwork machines, and an invisible sense of fatigue permeated the air.
This oppressive atmosphere made Cipher feel somewhat uncomfortable all over.
"Forget it, forget it, I'd better go to the safe house first to see what good stuff there is."
After saying that, she decisively took out her Terminal to confirm the address Li Yan gave, her figure flashing as she accelerated toward the destination.
Not long after, Cipher appeared in an inconspicuous apartment building.
After inputting the password, the door of the safe house opened in response.
The space inside was moderate, stacked with quite a few supplies and some exquisite equipment, and the most conspicuous thing was a black square device with a unique shape on the table.
"What is this thing?"
Cipher leaned over curiously. Just as she picked up the square block, she found a folded piece of paper pressed underneath.
After unfolding the paper, there were printed words on it.
Lord Pardofelis:
Seeing this letter indicates you have arrived safely. Please activate the holographic communicator on the table to contact me, and I will explain the equipment's use and the optimal time for action.
—Li Yan
"So it's a holographic projection communication device? It's just that the model seems to be a bit different from the disc that the black-robed man from the Mutant Cult used last time."
After Cipher weighed the square block in her hand, her mind stirred slightly, and she instantly transformed into Pardofelis's appearance.
Groping around the side of the square block, she quickly found a slightly concave button. After pressing it gently, a soft beam of light lit up at the top of the block, and the camera lens also began to flash faintly.
The room was quiet, with only the slight hum of the equipment running.
"Hmm? No response? Is it broken?"
Seeing that the equipment didn't project anything, Pardofelis tilted her head, somewhat puzzled.
But just as she was considering whether to try a hard reboot, the light beam suddenly condensed, and Li Yan's figure turned from blurry to solid within the beam, clearly projecting in front of Pardofelis.
"Lord Pardofelis?" Li Yan's projection seemed somewhat surprised, but this surprise lasted for less than half a second before being replaced by his signature gentle smile. "Your efficiency is truly amazing. From our last meeting... it's probably been less than ten minutes, hasn't it?"
His smile carried a hint of imperceptible probing.
"It seems the ticket I prepared for you was superfluous after all."
"Not exactly superfluous," Pardofelis spread her hands casually, her face innocent. "I didn't expect to be able to come over so fast either."
After all, she didn't know previously that Cerydra was actually also in the Third District.
"However..." Pardofelis frowned, somewhat puzzled. "Why does it sound like there's some vomiting noise coming from your side? Am I hearing things?"
Hearing Pardofelis's words, Li Yan blanked slightly, but quickly explained:
"It's nothing, just a colleague of mine here having an upset stomach, there's no need to..."
"F*ck your mother Li Yan, blegh—I have an upset stomach... and you don't even look at who did it! Blegh—"
At this time, Pardofelis distinctly heard a roar coming from Li Yan's side.
Hearing this voice, the smile on Li Yan's face froze, then immediately recovered.
"Lord Pardofelis, please allow me to leave for a moment to deal with some matters."
After saying that, Pardofelis saw him turn around and walk toward the back, followed closely by his voice.
"Number Five, isn't this all your own doing? It was you who didn't believe the lethality of that cup of coffee."
"Who the f*ck cares, blegh—this thing is called coffee?!"
"Heh, this is coffee, believe it or not. I'm still communicating with Lord Pardofelis right now, so shut your dog mouth. If you want to throw up, roll to the side and do it."
"Li Yan, I *********!!!"
Before that voice could finish speaking, accompanied by a bang, the voice completely disappeared.
And at this time, Li Yan also walked back anew, smiling and saying to Pardofelis:
"Apologies for making you watch a joke. Let's continue discussing the original topic."
Pardofelis, who had listened to the whole process, had her mouth twitching.
She finally knew what Li Yan took that cup of coffee for earlier...
"Returning to the topic just now, since you are already in position, then regarding the time of action, I suggest choosing between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM tomorrow morning. That is the period when the branch company's security is the most lax and personnel are the scarcest."
"Between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM?" Pardofelis raised an eyebrow slightly. The little interlude over, her attention was drawn back to Li Yan's words. "Why do we have to wait so late?"
"Hmm..." Li Yan pondered for a moment. "Because the 'regular' operating hours of the Apex Entertainment branch company last from 8:00 AM... to 2:00 AM."
Then, as if remembering something, he added:
"Oh, right. The lunch break is a benefit that the employees 'voluntarily forfeit.' They can only efficiently solve their lunch at their workstations."
"What?!" Pardofelis instantly widened her eyes, raising her volume in disbelief. "Working eighteen hours a day?! Are they people or livestock?!"
"From a biological definition, they are indeed people." Li Yan answered calmly, but his tone carried a trace of imperceptible coldness. "Of course, in order to be competent for the job, all low-level employees joining the Four Major Corporations will 'voluntarily' apply for a loan to undergo specific gene modification and enhancement."
"As for why they must undergo modification..." He sighed softly, seemingly long accustomed to this matter. "It's very simple. Those who don't undergo modification will immediately be replaced by others willing to accept it. In the Hive District, a position in the Four Major Corporations is enough to make countless people fight tooth and nail for it."
"Taking a loan for modification... just to be able to endure this kind of work that burns people as fuel?!"
Pardofelis felt her understanding of the evil level of capital refreshed once again.
She finally knew why there were so few people on the streets, and why they were all in a numb state.
With such high-intensity work, who wouldn't be numb?!
"This is only the norm for the low-level employees of the Four Major Corporations. By comparison, over at Genesis Tech... it's even more serious."
Li Yan's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Genesis Tech is inherently a medical giant. Their equipment can allow employees to maintain efficient operation for 24 hours in a sub-health state. Being promoted to a higher position... is the only chance they have to gain a breathing space." He paused. "The premise is that they can survive until the time of promotion."
"..."
Pardofelis felt her worldview being crushed once again.
After being silent for a few seconds, she took a deep breath, a dangerous light flashing in her eyes.
"So, Lord Pardofelis, what is your plan?"
Li Yan, who had been constantly observing the changes in Pardofelis's expression, asked at the right time.
"Plan?" The corners of Pardofelis's mouth curled into an almost provocative arc, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table. "Sneaking in to take things when no one is there? That's not called 'resource recovery,' that's called petty theft!"
Then, she stood up abruptly, a trace of disgust in her eyes:
"What I want is to walk in openly and aboveboard! When they have the most people and are at their liveliest, tell them—I, Pardofelis! Am coming to your company to restock!"
Hearing these words, the smile on Li Yan's face showed an obvious fluctuation for the first time. The look of surprise flashed past, and then turned into a deeper smile.
"...As expected of Lord Pardofelis." His tone carried admiration and a hint of anticipation. "It seems you have absolute confidence in your own strength."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Pardofelis waved her hand impatiently, her cat tail wagging in small, excited arcs behind her. "Tell me, right now, is it the time when they have the most people?!"
A sharp glint flashed in Li Yan's eyes, and he immediately responded:
"As you wish. It is now 4:47 PM, exactly their so-called 'prime time.' There is still a long... nine hours and thirteen minutes until they get off work."
"Very good!" Pardofelis forcefully kneaded her fists, her knuckles emitting soft cracking sounds, a bright yet somewhat fierce smile blooming on her face. "The timing is just right! Then... let them come to welcome their new 'customer'!"