Just as 096 was two meters away from Deep, a sharp screech echoed through the air. The bright white clown mask suddenly looked up to see a giant bat hanging from a tree branch like a grim reaper.

  Before it could flee, the massive bat spread its wings and swooped down like a missile.

  “Crack! Crack!” The sound of bones breaking echoed as 096's host was crushed beneath Charles's weight.

  Realizing it couldn't win, 096 swiftly detached its face and attempted to escape.

  At that moment, Deep quickly spun around and threw a large net at 096. The crew members, who had been pretending to sleep, sprang into action, grabbing various items and rushing toward the netted 096.

  This was a trap, a carefully laid ambush for 096.

  As Charles approached, his body transformed back into human form, revealing four sharp fangs that had grown in his mouth. His once handsome face began to twist into a terrifying bat-like appearance.

  Nearby, the blind vampire quickly handed over a blood bag. As Charles drank from it, the mutations on his body rapidly faded.

  “Captain, that artifact is part of our bloodline. You should refrain from using it. Look, your fangs have already grown,” the blind vampire reminded him kindly.

  Charles probed his mouth with his finger and felt the sharper fangs. However, he had more pressing matters to attend to. He turned his gaze toward the captured 096.

  The clown mask was now firmly nailed to a thick wooden board, unable to move.

  “What caused you to activate?” Charles asked.

  “Humans! You disgusting, lowly creatures! I will kill you all!” 096 roared from the board, cursing.

  “Where did you find your hosts?” Charles pressed, but all he received were more insults.

  Seeing that 096 wouldn’t cooperate, Charles grew impatient and raised his gun to shoot.

  “Clang!” The bullet struck the mask, producing a metallic sound.

  A manic grin spread across 096's grotesque face. “I am the hardest object in the world! Your little tricks cannot harm me! You cannot imagine the greatness of the being that created me!”

  “Really? The hardest mask, you say? I happen to have a knife here that can easily cut through steel. I’m curious to see whether your mask is harder or my knife,” Charles replied, drawing the black blade from his boot.

  At the sight of the blade, 096's arrogance instantly evaporated, and a rare expression of fear crossed its ceramic-like face.

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  “Zzzz~~!” The black blade scraped across 096’s surface, sending white powder drifting down like dust.

  “Human, you win. I found those shells underground in the eastern woods,” 096 admitted, its fear evident.

  Without hesitation, Charles led it toward the east, with the crew following closely behind.

  As they traveled, Charles continued to question 096 about why it had activated, but once again, it refused to provide an answer. Even the threat of the black blade couldn’t extract any more information. It merely claimed it suddenly began to think and harbored an intense hatred for humans.

  Charles remained skeptical. Perhaps 096 had always been alive, just lying in wait.

  As they spoke, they arrived at the eastern woods. Under 096's guidance, they found a small tree hollow, from which an eerie red light emanated steadily.

  Richard jumped out and asked, “Are you sure this is the place? You’re not trying to set a trap for me, are you?”

  “You can doubt it, but those two shells were definitely found inside,” Charles replied.

  After a moment of thought, he turned to the white mouse and said, “Lily, call your friends in to take a look.”

  There was no need to explore this dangerous place himself; the mice were better suited for such tight spaces.

  “Eek! Eek! Eek!” Lily squeaked a few times, and four brown mice quickly scurried inside.

  The wait wasn’t long. Soon, the mice returned, surrounding Lily and chattering excitedly.

  The white mouse waved its tiny paws to translate: “They say it’s very red, very big, and very long!”

  “What kind of description is that? Can’t you get them to be more detailed?” Charles asked.

  Lily scratched her head and continued to discuss with the mice. After a few seconds, she turned back and said, “They said it looks like the place where the big worms that like to eat them live.”

  “A place where the big worms live? The Third Laboratory!” Charles exclaimed, surprise flickering across his face.

  “Could it be that there are other facilities inside this hollow?” Charles suddenly thought. If there was a Third Laboratory, there had to be a First and Second as well. Such an organization wouldn’t occupy just one island.

  Regardless, Charles decided to investigate. Aside from searching for clues about an exit, he was also curious about the doctor’s tablet and wondered where the humans who built these things had gone.

  “This place is narrow; Lily and I will go in. You all stay here and wait. While I’m gone, the first mate will be in charge,” he instructed.

  As Charles and the mice entered the hollow, 096, nailed to the wood, revealed a sinister smile.

  Charles descended through the twisted tunnel, following the tangled roots. He soon found a corridor that had been warped and cracked by the roots.

  The familiar decor and setting confirmed his suspicions: this place resembled a facility similar to the Third Laboratory.

  As for the source of the red light, it came from the crooked square lights on the ceiling, flickering ominously as if issuing a dangerous warning.

  “Oh man, this is it! If the Third Laboratory has so many relics, this place must have plenty too,” he thought.

  Ignoring the voice in his head, Charles continued down the corridor.

  The once-straight path was now obstructed by roots, forcing him to climb up and down.

  Just as he climbed over one of the roots, he came face-to-face with a head featuring four black holes.

  In a reflexive motion, his left hand moved on its own, swinging the blade toward the head.

  But just one centimeter from the blade's edge, he suddenly halted.

  “Don’t attack; this thing means no harm,” Charles said to his other self before slowly pulling back.

  Another new shell appeared before him—a human body made only of flesh and bone, standing still and unresponsive.

  Charles waved his hand in front of its face, but there was no reaction. When he pressed his finger against its face, he found it was warm.

  Though it was hard to believe, this shell, devoid of any organs, was still alive.