Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Yang Jin paused for a moment at Guan Jincheng’s question, then asked back, “Which one are you talking about?”

“That one,” Guan Jincheng said, “The age and potential are inversely proportional. I’ve seen his case at Qianfan.”

“Why don’t you send someone over to investigate right away?” Yang Jin was speechless.

“I’ve been busy lately, and there’s not enough manpower,” Guan Jincheng said, “So I came over with Wan Hong to take a look. How’s that student been lately? Have you used any special…”

“No, absolutely not,” Yang Jin swore to the heavens earnestly, “Since he enrolled, his test results have been getting worse each time, without any reason. Professor Guan, you’re an expert in this field, do you have any thoughts?”

“It’s hard to say for now,” Guan Jincheng said, pondering with his head down, “Are you sure you want him to participate in the midterm exam? If he goes there like this, it’s as good as sending him to his death, isn’t it?”

“What else can I do?” Yang Jin smiled and said, “How can I not let him go for what reason? ‘Sorry, you’re too weak, you’re just an ordinary person, you can’t participate in the trials of geniuses?’ As someone as kind-hearted as me, how could I say such words?”

“…You’re still the same,” Guan Jincheng couldn’t help but show a bit of a smile in the face of Yang Jin’s habitual rambling, though it was mostly out of helplessness. He was always brief in his words, but Wan Hong ruthlessly exposed Yang Jin’s true colors, “Are you sure you’re being good to him? If one person’s grades are too poor, it will drag down the entire class. Do you want all three students in your class to pack up and go home?”

“Who knows,” Yang Jin said lightly.

Guan Jincheng said, “If that child fails the exam, leave it to me.”

“No way, Professor Guan, do you have such a perverted hobby? You’re not letting male students off either?” Yang Jin exclaimed.

Wan Hong was furious, “Yang Jin, what are you talking about!” Guan Jincheng was notorious for being completely absorbed in his research, with no ears for anything else. All his evolutionary potential was concentrated in his brain, possessing intelligence far beyond ordinary people. After obtaining all the available doctoral degrees, he devoted himself to genetic engineering.

Guan Jincheng’s original intention was to say that if Shi Yixi did not pass the exam, he could go to Qianfan with him for detailed testing. This way, a single case might provide some samples and assistance for the advancement of genetic engineering. Even if not, it would simply be an opportunity to help someone investigate the secrets of their own body.

But Yang Jin deliberately distorted his meaning, and he knew it.

“Are you going to dissect him while he’s still alive?” Yang Jin’s questions became more and more outrageous.

“If I had such a fetish, I might dissect you alive first,” Guan Jincheng said, “Perhaps it would be of greater help to human evolution. Are you willing?”

“Goodbye, I’m going back to do laundry,” Yang Jin just walked away.

Wan Hong wanted to catch up and scold him, but Guan Jincheng stopped him. Wan Hong said, “He’s becoming more and more unreasonable here! Arrogant and conceited, thinking he’s above everyone else.”

“But isn’t that the privilege of a genius?” Guan Jincheng’s tone was somewhat meaningful, “Let him be.”

“But I’m his immediate superior. Why does it feel like you’re always indulging him, while I’m portrayed as the villain targeting him all the time?” Wan Hong said discontentedly.

Guan Jincheng shook his head gently.

The mid-term school-wide exam arrived quietly amidst the tense preparation of students and teachers.

After hundreds of students and teachers gathered on the playground for the assembly, they each followed their own teachers into the examination area, preparing for a day-long exam.

In the twenty-four hours, they needed to use various means to kill and survive until the end. If a team had no kills after the exam ended, they would also lose points accordingly.

Because the senior students could already proficiently use their potential, each of them had custom-made equipment. The complexity of the custom equipment decreased as the potential decreased, and it seemed a bit rudimentary on the side of the freshmen.

But that wasn’t important because Yang Jin in the crowd had already stolen all the limelight.

He was just wearing the ordinary training uniform he usually wore to class, but he stood tall and straight, carrying a black-and-white sniper rifle on his back, emitting a faint blue light.

Shi Yixi stood behind Yang Jin, staring at the rifle for quite a while. The first time he met Yang Jin, Yang Jin was also carrying this rifle, and the aggressive aura overwhelmed everyone. But Shi Yixi felt that it was nothing special.

After the principal announced the start of the exam, the teachers led the students into the examination area.

Ming Peng greeted Yang Jin and glanced at the rifle on Yang Jin’s back, asking, “Are you taking this seriously this time?”

“It’s okay,” Yang Jin replied casually.

Ming Peng smiled and said, “See you on the field.”

“See you on the field,” Yang Jin waved.

The examination area was very large, containing various terrains such as mountains, forests, lakes, and cities, enough to dilute hundreds of people and prevent them from encountering each other for a short period of time.

Yang Jin has been very relaxed, while the other three students each have their own state. It’s clear that Zhao Qinghe values ​​this exam very much, looking serious and closely following Yang Jin. Compared to what he imagined, Ying Si is more nervous, Yang Jin confirms, Ying Si is nervous because he hasn’t said a word all the way, which is totally inconsistent with his noisy persona.

As for Shi Yixi… Yang Jin looks at him and feels that it’s a waste of time to even consider him. Because he is not influenced by anything external at all, still with a silly expression.

“Let’s take a break in the shade ahead,” Yang Jin said, “It’s too sunny.”

“A break?” Ying Si said in surprise, “Aren’t you afraid of being discovered? What if someone shows up? You can’t be so irresponsible, can you?”

“Teacher…” Zhao Qinghe hesitated a bit too.

“It’s okay, let’s rest,” Yang Jin said, “And discuss our plan.”

“Plan?” Ying Si sneered, “Is your plan to find an opportunity to run away?”

“You guessed it right!” Yang Jin clapped his hands.

“You!” Ying Si was furious.

“Where are you going?” Shi Yixi suddenly asked.

“I can’t go with you guys,” Yang Jin said, “I’m too much of a target here. Maybe the senior students have already planned to team up and kick me out of the game. Although a hundred students from the Nufeng Academy are not enough to pose a threat, under such concentrated firepower, I’m not sure if you guys will be taken out first by a wave.”

“What do you want to do then?” Ying Si asked.

Yang Jin said, “Let’s split up. You three protect yourselves and work together to make a kill. Kills are counted without recording the source and destination, only the total count, and the damage is shared. I’ll go solo and cause some trouble for them.”

“…You’re cheating,” Ying Si said, “You going to cause trouble for them is no different from suddenly encountering a boss of heroic difficulty in the game.”

“But the rules don’t specify that teachers can’t attack actively, nor do they specify that teachers must be tied to students,” Yang Jin said, “This is a reasonable allocation of personnel.”

“Then, Teacher, you go,” Shi Yixi said.

“…” Yang Jin was choked by Shi Yixi for a moment, not knowing what to say next. In the end, he could only vaguely say, “Remember, one joint kill is enough. The rest… protect yourselves, and call me on the channel if there’s any situation.”

With that, Yang Jin left with the gun on his back. After confirming that he was out of sight of the three people, he closed the channel and muttered to himself in a low voice, “Fan Fan, help me monitor the three of them.”

In the forest, Ying Si, Shi Yixi, and Zhao Qinghe advanced slowly and cautiously.

“So where are we going now?” Zhao Qinghe asked subconsciously.

“Aren’t you supposed to be very capable?” Ying Si said contemptuously. “Why ask such stupid questions?”

“I’m asking for your opinion!” Zhao Qinghe said anxiously.

“Don’t speak so loudly,” Shi Yixi said, “We might be discovered.”

“When is it your turn to speak?” Zhao Qinghe said angrily.

While the three of them were arguing, a broadcast echoed in the woods: “Year 1 Class 3, Ling, exam over.”

“It seems to be the girl from Teacher Ming’s class,” Shi Yixi said, “She’s very capable, out so soon, it’s a pity.”

“…” Ying Si’s temples were about to burst with veins. He didn’t know what Shi Yixi was lamenting about. Isn’t it better to have more people out?

This saintly heart really doesn’t do any good.

Shortly after, the broadcast reported two more kills, also from Class 3. So far, except for Ming, everyone in Class 3 has finished their exams.

“What the hell is going on?” Ying Si said, “Going after Class 3?”

“It must be Teacher Yang!” Zhao Qinghe said, “Teacher Yang is avenging us!”

“Bullshit!” Ying Si said, “Shut up for me!”

Zhao Qinghe glared resentfully at Ying Si.

By the time the three of them walked out of the woods, it was almost dark, and they were about to enter the mountainous area. They were either lucky or unlucky, as they only heard various reports of eliminations along the way, but they hadn’t seen a single person.

“There’s a cave over there!” Zhao Qinghe said, “Let’s go there and spend the night.”

“Are you trying to get us killed?” Ying Si said, “What if someone’s already there?”

Zhao Qinghe shrugged indifferently. “Then we’ll take care of them.” Ignoring Ying Si and Shi Yixi’s thoughts, he ran towards the cave. Ying Si didn’t want to bother with Zhao Qinghe, but to his surprise, Shi Yixi followed.

“Shi Yixi!” Ying Si called out, “What are you doing?”

“I want to check it out,” Shi Yixi said.

“Are you crazy too?”

“I feel like there’s no one,” Shi Yixi said, “Hmm… just a feeling.”

“Whatever!” Ying Si had no patience for Shi Yixi. “I’ll go with you so you don’t get yourself killed.”

“Thanks,” Shi Yixi said.

When Zhao Qinghe arrived at the cave, he carefully surveyed the surroundings and found no signs of anyone or any ambush. He entered the cave in the dark, followed shortly by Ying Si and Shi Yixi. Turning around, Zhao Qinghe coldly said to them, “Weren’t you guys staying out?”

“I’ll go wherever I want. Did you dig this cave?” Ying Si raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Qinghe snorted coldly, about to retort, when suddenly the ground shook violently beneath their feet. All three of them sensed the imminent danger, and the feeling of confinement inside the cave intensified.

“Run!” Ying Si yelled. They all rushed out of the cave, only to see a figure emerge from behind a rock. They didn’t recognize him, but he should be a senior student.

“Three more, lucky day,” the person leaped towards them, moving so fast they couldn’t distinguish. Ying Si knew this person’s potential must also be in strength, otherwise he wouldn’t have moved the giant stone at the cave entrance.

If that’s the case, the three of them wouldn’t stand a chance!

The person shattered the mountain wall, blocking their way down the mountain, so the three of them had to run uphill. Zhao Qinghe shouted on the channel as he ran, “Teacher Yang! Teacher Yang! We’re in danger!”

“What’s the point of calling him?” Ying Si shouted. “We don’t even know where he is! Can he shoot someone from miles away?”

“How do you know he can’t?” Zhao Qinghe retorted.

“Watch out!” Shi Yixi exclaimed. He pushed Zhao Qinghe aside just as a boulder came crashing down where Zhao Qinghe had just been standing.

“Damn it!” Zhao Qinghe pulled out his gun and fired at the person. They couldn’t guarantee one hundred percent accuracy in shooting even in class, let alone in this life-threatening situation.

Soon, Zhao Qinghe and Ying Si ran out of bullets, and they were forced to the edge of a cliff.

“Yixi! The gun!” Ying Si shouted.

“Oh!” Shi Yixi took out the gun and tossed it to Ying Si.

Ying Si went berserk. “I told you to shoot, why are you giving it to me?!”

The gun traced a beautiful arc in the air, failing to reach its intended destination as the person intercepted and snatched it. Despite its lethal potential, the pistol was fragile in the person’s hands, crumbling into pieces with a gentle squeeze.

“Surrender quietly, to save everyone trouble,” the person approached Ying Si and Zhao Qinghe. Suddenly, Shi Yixi, like an octopus, wrapped around him from behind.

Being of similar age and facing overwhelming strength, Shi Yixi could only rely on himself. He wrapped his legs around the person’s waist, arms tightening around his neck, but it seemed futile, as if he could be torn apart at any moment.

“Run… run…” Shi Yixi squeezed out the words with all his might.

Ignoring everything, Ying Si also lunged forward. Against absolute strength, two against one offered no advantage.

“You bastard, what are you looking at?!” Ying Si cursed at the distracted Zhao Qinghe. “Hurry up and help!”

Startled, Zhao Qinghe snapped out of his daze and joined the fight. He was slightly stronger than Ying Si and Shi Yixi, but still no match for a senior. The three of them fought with all their might, only managing to restrain the person’s movements, resulting in a stalemate.

“What do we do?!” Zhao Qinghe struggled, caught in the person’s grip along with him.

“Use more force…” Ying Si gritted his teeth. He had no plan, no thoughts, just brute force. But he lacked any physical advantage, he only knew…

Wait!

“Zhao Qinghe, hold him tight! Don’t let go!” Ying Si shouted. “Give me thirty seconds!”

“What—what?” Zhao Qinghe felt like he was suffocating, and Shi Yixi wasn’t faring much better.

Ying Si didn’t answer. He reached out and found the remnants of the gun. Although the body was damaged, the internal structure could still be salvaged.

As long as he could put it back together…

Ying Si closed his eyes and, guided by instinct, pieced the components together. He connected the broken parts using a peculiar latch mechanism.

Ten seconds, nine seconds, eight seconds…

“Don’t bother!” the person said. “It’s just an exam, no need to get hurt.” With one hand, he grabbed Shi Yixi’s neck. “There’s no need for real casualties.”

“I…” Shi Yixi’s face, originally red from straining, started to turn purple as the pressure increased.

Five seconds, four seconds, three seconds…

“I just…” Shi Yixi struggled to speak.

Two seconds…

“Do what you can.” Shi Yixi relaxed his grip.

“Exam over,” the person declared.

“Haven’t finished the exam yet!” Ying Si lay on the ground, raising his arm, the barrel of the gun aimed at the sensor on the person’s chest, and pulled the trigger.

“Bang!” The world fell silent, the four frozen in place, still entangled with each other.

Shi Yixi’s body slumped down, followed by the broadcast: “Fourth grade, Class Five, Kevin, exam over.”

“Damn it!” The person hadn’t expected to lose to three first graders. He angrily threw off the three of them, pounded the ground with force, and left in frustration.

Shi Yixi was pushed to the edge of the cliff by his momentum. Ying Si shouted in alarm and quickly grabbed Shi Yixi to prevent him from falling off the cliff.

“Thank you…” Shi Yixi weakly murmured, hoarse, “You’re amazing.”

“Idiot! Why did you try so hard?! It’s just an exam!” Ying Si cursed, “If you really died, no one would be responsible for you!”

“Sorry,” Shi Yixi whispered, leaning against Ying Si’s shoulder.

“You’re going to drive me crazy sooner or later,” Ying Si muttered.

“You…” Zhao Qinghe, a bit far from them, pointed at them in horror, “You, you…”

Before Ying Si could scold Zhao Qinghe, he felt himself and Shi Yixi slowly sinking.

A corner of the cliff collapsed, caused by the person’s earlier actions!

“F*ck!” Ying Si yelled, dragging Shi Yixi back, but the weight of the two exacerbated the collapse. Ying Si and Shi Yixi fell off the cliff completely weightless.

“Ah—!” Zhao Qinghe’s scream pierced the night sky. They, they fell down? They would die!

As the dust settled, Zhao Qinghe saw Ying Si clinging desperately to the edge of the cliff. Trembling, he crawled to the edge of the cliff. He was scared, afraid of another collapse, and dared only to slowly stick his head out. The people below felt as fragile as candlelight in the wind.

“What are you looking at!” Ying Si struggled to lift his head, “Help us!” One hand clung to the cliff, the other pulled Shi Yixi. Shi Yixi’s head hung down, already out of strength.

“Oh, oh!” Zhao Qinghe quickly reached out his hand. But just as his fingers touched Ying Si’s, they stopped.

“Idiot, what are you thinking!” Ying Si scolded, “I… I can’t hold on much longer! Do you want us both to die by falling?!”

His scolding brought Zhao Qinghe back to his senses.

Ying Si’s curses against Zhao Qinghe echoed in his brain, filling Zhao Qinghe’s mind. He didn’t like these two classmates. They were so useless but always acted like they were right. Why should he tolerate them? He shouldn’t be with these losers. He was excellent. If he continued to sink like this, he would be dragged down by the losers to his death.

The senior said, when you die during the exam… no one needs to take responsibility.

Before Yang Jin left, he said, the damage only counts as numbers, it won’t record who initiated it… now the three of them share one kill, if…

No one will know.

“You idiot, hurry up!” Ying Si shouted.

Zhao Qinghe looked down at Ying Si, then turned to pick up the gun Ying Si dropped on the ground.

“Hey…” Ying Si watched Zhao Qinghe leave and return, the dark barrel of the gun pointing at himself, his heart instantly chilled, cursing in despair, “You heartless bastard! You’re committing murder! How dare you!”

“Of course, I dare,” Zhao Qinghe said coldly, “You guys, don’t deserve to be my partners. I hate you. Goodbye, Ying Si, it’s over.”

With a gunshot, Ying Si and Shi Yixi fell into the abyss together.

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