Chapter Sixty-Five: Interrogation

Sophia tilted her chin toward the display screen, her face showing a touch of weary indifference.
“Seal off World 2000 for now. We’ve just acquired a spirit stone from that world, and the mission world itself is quite fragile. If the Hunters cause any trouble and destroy the mission world, our loss will be too great. It’s better to let it recuperate for a while.”

“Yes, ma’am!”
Carter and all the white-clad attendants bowed their heads in assent, but none dared to move. Clearly, Miss Sophia was not in a good mood today. Sophia continued,
“For this mission, Group Eight and Zhou Yi have contributed the most. Not only did they capture two Hunters, but they also brought back and subdued an Awakened, and obtained a metallic spirit stone. Though the purity hasn’t been assessed, it seems very high. All rewards will be distributed once Mr. Waldner returns.
As for the Awakened, since Zhou Yi subdued them, he will sign a mental contract with them. Assign someone to escort them back to rest. Give Zhou Yi the room next to theirs for his exclusive use. The three of you should rest well and wait for your next mission assignment.”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly with his two companions. There was no need to say it—Sophia clearly had other matters to deal with.
Judging by her unpleasant expression, it was obvious that someone was about to be in trouble.
With a flurry of operations, Cheng Zhi completed the contract in no time.
Carter hurried to call for a white-clad attendant to lead the way, and the group left Hall Three.

Sophia glanced at the entrance, then shot Carter a look.
“How long has Mr. Waldner been gone?”
“Three days. He likely won’t be back any time soon!”
Sophia nodded.
“Regarding the second Hunter I brought back, have you gotten anything out of the interrogation?”
Carter’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he quickly replied,
“We’ve interrogated them, but not a word has been spoken!”
Sophia’s brows knitted. She glanced at Carter, and all the white-clad attendants shivered, their fear instinctive and bone-deep.

“Is life in this base too comfortable and pleasant for you? Perhaps we should relocate the base to the edge of the rift and send you all on a little sightseeing trip?”
Panic spread across Carter’s face—this time, he was truly frightened. He hurriedly crawled forward on his knees, prostrating himself before Sophia.
“Deputy Commander, I meant no disrespect.”
Sophia eyed Carter coldly.
This old man wore a mask of humility, but in truth, he regarded no one else.

“A servant should know their place. If you can’t even conduct an interrogation, what use are you? Do you want a taste of the mission world, or would you prefer I send you back into the dimensional rift?”
Carter shook his head desperately.
“Deputy Commander Kane, this old servant knows his error!”

Sophia surveyed the room. The white-clad attendants trembled, clearly her rebuke had struck home. She sighed at last,
“Get up. Take me to see Zhang Linna.”

Carter leapt to his feet, bowed, and led the way to the door. Sophia followed, pressing the control panel at the entrance. Natasha’s image appeared, smiling as she saluted Sophia.
“Greetings, Deputy Commander Sophia. I am at your service.”
Sophia extended both hands, opening a wooden box to reveal a stone flecked with golden specks. She placed the stone in Natasha’s hands.
“Appraise this—is it a metallic spirit stone?”
Natasha cradled the stone, turning it over. The panel beside her displayed a stream of data—elemental content, and above all, an energy level that reached five digits.

Sophia paused, surprised by the reading. She could sense this was a metallic spirit stone, but hadn’t expected such high purity. If a Chosen of Metal or a Lord acquired it, they could ascend a whole level instantly.
Even Carter couldn’t help but click his tongue in awe, bowing even lower.
A moment ago, Sophia had seen through his thoughts, and he’d never imagined the stone would be so extraordinary—it promptly extinguished all his ambitions.

“Not bad. Metallic spirit stones are exceedingly rare, and to think this one’s energy value is so high. It’s perfect, since Mr. Waldner is a metal candidate. Natasha, store it safely.”

With a flick of her hand, Natasha made the box vanish and clapped, bowing to Sophia.
“Thank you for your hard work, Deputy Commander Sophia. At your command, I am always at your service.”
Her image flickered and disappeared. Sophia threw a cold glance at Carter, who was doing his best to fade into the background.

“You heard that—such is Zhou Yi’s capability. Last time, Zhou Yi’s main consciousness was dispatched into the mission world; I won’t pursue that. But as for your conduct this time, I’ll leave everything for Mr. Waldner to judge upon his return.”
Carter’s back bent to a near right angle. He dared not utter a word; the more he said, the greater the risk. If he truly angered Sophia and she punished him, not even Waldner could object.
Compared to this spirit stone, what was he worth?

Sophia wasted no more time and strode out of Hall Three. Carter hurried ahead to guide her, leading her through several turns to a room guarded by white-clad servants.
At Sophia’s approach, the guards tensed, pressing their right hands to their chests in salute.
“Greetings, Deputy Lord.”
Sophia raised her hand in brief acknowledgment.
Carter stepped forward, entered the code, and opened the door.

The room was bare, save for an iron chain hanging from the ceiling, its other end disappearing into the floor.
Zhang Linna was suspended there, looking utterly dispirited, her tattered clothing barely covering her.
At the sound of the door, she looked up, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes—so brief that it piqued Sophia’s interest.

She’s waiting for Zhou Yi, Sophia thought. Perhaps hoping he would set her free.

Sophia entered the room alone; no one else dared follow. The door shut behind her—after her recent outburst, no one would risk her wrath, nor did they want to eavesdrop. Carter waved the staff away, and everyone withdrew to wait quietly on either side.

Inside, Sophia approached Zhang Linna.
“Natasha, a chair.”
A chair materialized out of thin air. Sophia sat, snapping her fingers.
“Natasha, come out and show our guest the spirit stone. This young lady has coveted it for a long time—such a pity it wasn’t meant for her.”

Natasha emerged from Sophia’s control panel, her smile mechanical, and turned to Zhang Linna.
She opened her palm, projecting the image of a spirit stone in its box, golden light glimmering off its surface.

Zhang Linna bit her lip.
She knew she was defeated—empty-handed, her intentions exposed, and the base had reaped all the rewards.

“Congratulations,” she sneered. “You’ve won the spirit stone and captured two Hunters. You can boast about your success, but if you expect me to say anything, forget it—I have nothing to offer.”

With a wave, Sophia dismissed Natasha and the spirit stone.
Interlacing her fingers under her chin, she tilted her head to study Zhang Linna.

“We’ve captured many Hunters before. I’ll be frank with you—once they leave the mission world, they become as if bereft of intelligence here at the base. But you’re different. You’re the first to arrive and remain conscious.
That’s what interests me most. I wonder if your people have placed some kind of prohibition, or perhaps your rank sets you apart. Can you tell me?
I dislike torture, especially humiliation—but I’m very skilled at it. My methods are a hundred times more ruthless than you can imagine. You are a woman, so I wish to offer you some final dignity. The opportunity is yours, should you choose to take it.”

Zhang Linna trembled—not out of fear. She had long expected torment after being brought to the base. But Sophia’s words made it clear: she could employ the most extreme measures.
Compared to the previous interrogations and psychological torment, her threats were on another level. Zhang Linna fell into silence, unable to decide, realizing even suicide here was a luxury beyond her reach.

Seeing no answer, Sophia lowered her hands and stood, a hint of regret on her face.
“So, you choose to persist. Very well.”
She snapped her fingers. The door swung open, and Carter entered with the white-clad attendants, all bowing with their right hands to Sophia.

“Strip her. Call for ten—no, twenty servants. Let them have their fun.
Oh, and make sure all the base’s surveillance cameras are broadcasting—let every corner of the base see. Turn on the feed in Zhou Yi’s room too. I imagine she most wants Zhou Yi to see her like this.”

Zhang Linna shook her head violently, then screamed,
“No! Don’t!”