LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 394: Trickery
Heui reentered the room, a slight urgency in his step. "I'm ready to go if you are. I was able to grab the stuff you needed also."
Gerald nodded, a flicker of impatience crossing his features. "Yeah, let's get a move on, Heiu. You're going to take me to the Tech room, is that okay?"
"Sure," Heiu replied, though a hint of hesitation tinged his voice. "Though I don't have clearance to let you in." He handed Gerald a set of white robes and a new name tag.
Gerald examined the name tag briefly and then slipped into the robes. As he adjusted the fabric around his shoulders, he caught a glimpse of himself in a reflective surface. The robes fit surprisingly well, and the name tag bore a name eerily similar to a deceased scientist whose features resembled his own.
Good on them to kill someone who shares my hairstyle and facial features, Gerald thought, a grim smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Responding to Heiu, Gerald smoothed the fabric over his sharp chin and thin beard, which lined up nicely with the intended disguise. "Looks like a perfect fit. Let's not waste any more time." His tone was firm, signaling his readiness to proceed.
As they walked, the corridor opened into a bright hallway with pristine white floors that gleamed under the overhead lights, giving the place a sterile, clinical aura.
Gerald, observing their surroundings, posed a question to keep Heiu talking and gauge how much he knew. "If I'm correct, we're in a makeshift hospital, right? Why is the tech room so close to the morgue holding area?"
Heiu, seemingly proud to share his knowledge, nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, well, that's because we have the testing area close by as well here. We harvest the dead and try to turn some of their abilities into items for research and whatnot. Though the main facility is near the kingdom, this is the second largest, and it's honestly so cool."
Gerald listened, his expression neutral, but his mind cataloged every detail.
Heiu's eyes widened slightly at Gerald's frank admission, a flicker of doubt passing through his gaze. "I... understand, sir. Just trying to make sure we're on the same page," he said, his voice carrying a nervous edge as they continued their walk towards the tech room.
As they neared their destination, the corridor branched off, leading them deeper into the complex's heart. The humming of advanced machinery grew louder, a constant reminder of the cutting-edge research and development that occurred beyond the sterile walls.
Gerald, noticing Heiu's hesitation, clapped him on the back, reinforcing their false camaraderie. "Remember, Heiu, you're helping make history here. What we're doing could change everything," he said, offering a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Internally, Gerald was already steps ahead, plotting how to use the facility's resources to his advantage. The manipulation is taking hold, but I'll need to reinforce it soon, he thought. A few tweaks here and there, and Heiu won't just be a helper; he'll be a willing accomplice.
Heiu nodded and stated, "Well, it's best we move right now. The Arena of Life is starting very soon if it hasn't already, and there will be almost no one posted on guard duty."
The faint hum of the distant crowd could already be heard, a mix of anticipation and restlessness filling the air.
"Right," Gerald replied, closing his eyes for a moment to visualize the entire structure. "There are two guards who are normally posted outside. Do you think they will still be posted?" His voice was low, the words almost blending into the soft whirr of the ventilation system.
Heiu nodded. "Most likely, though it's hard to say how vigilant they will be. I imagine they are also excited since everyone has a stake in the arena at the early stages until people start dying… as you know." His words were punctuated by a subtle shift in the lighting, casting long shadows down the corridor they stood in.
Gerald chuckled softly, "Yeah, I am in fact interested in some aspect of it." His interest piqued not just by the competition, but by the underlying mechanics of the event that pulsed like a heartbeat through the complex.
The cool air brushed against their skin, carrying the sterile scent of the facility mixed with the distant echoes of the arena's clamor, setting a backdrop to their covert operation.
As they navigated the corridor, a few workers donned in the same uniform as Heiu and Gerald glanced their way and greeted them. One of them, recognizing Gerald, exclaimed, "Wow, Reggie, back on your feet already?"
Gerald, quickly catching on to the mistaken identity, responded with a friendly wave and a knowing smile. "Have to work hard for that promotion, you know." His voice carried a light, joking tone, blending seamlessly into the role he had been thrust into.
They continued their walk, approaching an elevator. As Heiu pressed the call button, he turned to Gerald, lowering his voice, "Moving up from here, this is technically a top-secret floor to be on, so I will have to come up with a good excuse for you to be here."
Gerald nodded, his expression serious, "I see, I expected to be met with some resistance along the way, which is fine, as long as I am able to take care of what I need to do here, things will work out." His confidence was palpable, even as the elevator dinged softly, its doors sliding open to welcome them into its confined space.
Heiu, maintaining his role with a trace of unease, replied, "I see, anything for a friend of course, but do be on the safe side as I believe they have enhanced blasters with tracking rounds."
"Oh, do they? That does sound exciting. Do you know how to shoot a gun?" Gerald inquired, a slight edge of curiosity coloring his tone.
Heiu shrugged, his discomfort evident. "Yes, but only as a requirement. I've never actually shot someone."