On the wall, the Keeper's Manual was torn into shreds, fluttering like a tattered flag.
Blood spread among the fragments of paper, forming a twisted crimson signpost.
The rampaging Abilities users declared their freedom in this manner.
Kouya Toyo cradled Shen Zhao Yi's lifeless body, stepping carefully along this bloody path.
His metallic skin began to flake away, revealing his original flesh beneath.
With each step, the sound of metal tearing against flesh echoed in the air.
"Xiao Yu..." he whispered his sister's name softly.
Shen Zhao Yi's death solidified his resolve to rescue his sister.
He could not afford to lose anyone important again.
Suddenly, a violent tremor surged from ahead.
The entire Kennel seemed to shake.
"It's Zhou Shenyong..." A spark ignited within Kouya Toyo as he quickened his pace.
Ahead, a vast space unfolded before him.
It was the core area of the Kennel, the location of the Boardroom.
But at this moment, it had transformed into a wasteland.
The conference table, once a symbol of power, had been repurposed into a massive Dog Cage.
On the bars of the Dog Cage hung numerous Electronic Bracelets.
These were tools used to control Ability users.
Now, those foot rings had been removed and embedded into the wall featuring the Kennel's logo.
The massive logo flickered with a cold light under the illumination, forming a stark contrast with the blinking red lights of the Electronic Bracelets.
Without needing to guess, he knew this had to be the work of Zhou Shenyong.
Kouya Toyo approached the logo wall, gazing at the Electronic Bracelets embedded within it.
He seemed to see countless imprisoned souls struggling in agony.
“Zhou Shenyong...” Kouya Toyo whispered.
Zhou Shenyong's figure slowly emerged from the ruins.
He wore a turtleneck sweater that concealed the electric collar around his throat.
“You're here,” Zhou Shenyong said in a hoarse voice.
“Shen Zhao Yi... is dead,” Kouya Toyo replied, his tone heavy.
Zhou Shenyong fell silent for a moment.
“I know.”
“Why did she have to do this?” Kouya Toyo asked, confused.
"To... freedom," Zhou Shenyong said slowly.
"Freedom?"
"Yes," Zhou Shenyong explained. "Shen Zhao Yi is also a test subject. She has been searching for a way to break the curse."
"And you... are her hope."
"She has staked everything on you."
Kouya Toyo fell silent. He finally understood Shen Zhao Yi's anguish.
"What should we do next?" Kouya Toyo asked.
Zhou Shenyong pointed to the logo wall.
"Do you see those Electronic Bracelets?"
"Each bracelet corresponds to a captive Ability user."
"We need to... liberate them."
"Liberate?"
"Yes," Zhou Shenyong said. "Only by freeing all the Ability users can we completely destroy Neon Kennel."
"But... how do we liberate them?" Kouya Toyo asked, confused.
"Do you remember the Memory Puzzle you found?" Zhou Shenyong inquired.
Kouya Toyo nodded slightly.
"That Memory Puzzle holds the truth about the Laboratory Fire in 1999."
"The fire was not an accident."
"It was... deliberately caused by the company to cover up their crimes."
"They... killed all the Initial Test Subjects."
"And you... are the only survivor."
"What..." Kouya Toyo exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.
"Your sister... Xiaoyu, was also one of the Initial Test Subjects."
"She... is still alive."
"But she is locked away in a special place."
"You can only find her by locating all the Memory Puzzles."
"Memory Puzzles... there’s more than one?" Kouya Toyo asked.
"Yes," Zhou Shenyong nodded. "There are a total of seven pieces."
"What you found is just one of them."
"The others... are scattered throughout the Kennel."
"We must... find them."
"But... time is running out," Kouya Toyo said. "The Sedative Syrup will wear off in 72 hours, and the Ability will go berserk."
"I know," Zhou Shenyong replied. "That's why we need to act quickly."
"I'll help you," Zhou Shenyong continued, "but I have one condition."
"What condition?"
"Help me... find my sister."
"Your sister?"
"Yes," a flicker of pain crossed Zhou Shenyong's eyes. "She... is also a test subject."
"She... is missing."
"I've been searching for her."
"I suspect... her disappearance is related to those destroyed chips."
"I will help you," Kouya Toyo said firmly.
"Thank you," Zhou Shenyong nodded.
"Let's... get started now."
The two began their search among the ruins.
They had to find all the Memory Puzzles before the Ability Outburst.
Find Xiaoyu, find Zhou Shenyong's sister.
Then, completely destroy the Neon Kennel.
Time was slipping away, second by second.
Kouya Toyo and Zhou Shenyong navigated through the ruins.
They uncovered one Memory Puzzle after another.
Each piece revealed a brutal truth.
The crimes hidden by the Neon Kennel unfolded before their eyes.
Kouya Toyo's heart was filled with anger and sorrow.
He vowed to avenge the innocent victims.
Suddenly, a violent explosion echoed from afar.
"Not good," Zhou Shenyong's expression changed. "It's the Ability Outburst."
"We must hurry."
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