: Joining the 7th Sequence

[Host! A tail detected! That guy in the gray hoodie at three o'clock has been following you for three blocks!]

The system's electronic voice, tinged with a mix of tension and excitement (finally, a chance to shine), echoed in Shi Mo's mind.

Shi Mo was wandering aimlessly along an antique street, showing little interest in the so-called "ancient relics" on the stalls that were actually full of modern craftsmanship.

Upon hearing the system's notification, his heterochromatic eyes, one of molten gold and the other of blood red, flickered slightly. He didn't turn around, but merely curled a very faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh?"

He maintained his unhurried pace and turned into a narrow alleyway with relatively few people and piles of clutter.

The shadowy figure followed closely behind, silently slipping into the alleyway like a real shadow.

However, just as he turned the corner and his gaze swept quickly across the area ahead, his heart sank—the alley was a dead end, piled with discarded cardboard boxes and building materials, but that striking white-haired figure had vanished!

"How is this possible..." Shadow's pupils contracted sharply, and all the muscles in his body tensed instantly. Years of combat instinct sent a chill down his spine. He instinctively tried to back away.

"Don't move." A calm, emotionless voice, like a ghost, sounded close to the back of his neck. At the same time, a cold, sharp touch pressed against his Adam's apple—it was a short knife that appeared out of nowhere, with an ancient design but exuding a chilling aura.

A cold sweat suddenly poured down Youying's face.

"Who are you?" Shi Mo's voice remained calm, devoid of any threat, yet more chilling than any roar. "Why are you following me?"

Shadow's Adam's apple bobbed as he felt the stinging sensation on his neck, trying to keep his voice steady: "...Seventh Sequence, Shadow. We mean no harm, it's just...our captain, White Sequence, wants to talk to you."

"The Seventh Sequence? White Sequence?" Shi Mo repeated the two names, the tip of the knife pressed against You Ying's neck shifting slightly. "What are you talking about?"

"About... the instance. About you," Shadow said quickly. "We noticed your behavior on the 'Crimson Bus,' very... unusual. The captain thinks you might need some information, and we might be able to offer some... cooperation opportunities."

Shi Mo remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing his options. Finally, the cold blade left You Ying's neck. "Lead the way." He sheathed the short sword, his tone as casual as if he were ordering a servant.

Youying secretly breathed a sigh of relief before slowly turning around to look at the white-haired, heterochromatic-eyed man behind him. The pressure emanating from those inhuman eyes at close range almost suffocated him.

He nodded reluctantly: "...Please follow me."

……

The Seventh Sequence Research Institute, Core Conference Room.

When Mo walked in, guided by Youying, the quiet discussion in the conference room abruptly stopped. All eyes were on the white-haired man who had suddenly barged in.

Shi Mo seemed oblivious to the scrutinizing, wary, and curious gazes. He simply glanced around the cold, technologically advanced space before his eyes fell on the chair in the very center of the conference room, clearly the head seat.

He walked straight over, sat down with complete ease, and even adjusted his posture, as if that was his place all along.

"Hey! You!" A hot-tempered, burly member, codenamed "Iron Fist," slammed his fist on the table and stood up, glaring at Shi Mo. "That's our captain's seat! Get up!"

Shi Mo merely raised his eyes slightly, his gaze calmly falling on Tie Quan.

There was no murderous intent, no anger, and not even any emotional fluctuation.

But it was precisely this absolute calm and indifference that made Iron Fist's words catch in his throat. He felt as if he were being stared at by some prehistoric beast, a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, his heart pounding uncontrollably, and fine beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out; he stood frozen in place.

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Just then, the conference room door slid open again, and Bai Xu walked in. His gaze immediately fell on Shi Mo, who was sitting in the main seat. A fleeting look of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Iron Fist, sit down," Bai Xu said.

Iron Fist felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He almost collapsed back into his chair, panting heavily, and dared not look at Shi Mo again.

Bai Xu walked to the opposite side of Shi Mo, not bothering about the seating arrangement, and extended his hand: "Bai Xu, the person in charge of the Seventh Sequence. Welcome, Shi Mo."

Shi Mo did not shake hands, but looked at Bai Xu's green eyes, seemingly showing a slight interest.

"Your eyes are quite interesting."

Bai Xu naturally withdrew his hand, without feeling embarrassed. "It seems Youying has already explained our intentions. On behalf of the Seventh Sequence, I formally invite you to join us."

Shi Mo raised an eyebrow: "What is the Seventh Sequence for?"

"A...non-governmental organization," Bai Xu said succinctly, "whose main goal is to study the Rules of the Strange Tales dungeon, analyze its operating rules, find more efficient and less casualty-free ways to pass through, and protect ordinary people as much as possible."

"Researching the dungeon? How to clear it?" Shi Mo repeated, his tone clearly bored. "It's pointless."

He created those copies for fun, to study them? It's as boring as studying the trash you threw away yesterday.

Bai Xu remained unperturbed by Shi Mo's undisguised contempt. His eyes were deep as he revealed his true trump card: "We also possess a technology that can roughly predict the timing of the next instance's opening. Furthermore, we have the ability to get 'willing' members to voluntarily enter the instance under specific conditions."

These words instantly sharpened Shi Mo's previously unfocused gaze. He leaned forward slightly, his heterochromatic eyes fixed on Bai Xu: "You... can control entry into the dungeon?"

"It's not absolute control, but limited guidance and selection," Bai Xu corrected. "But compared to passively waiting for random conscription, this is already a huge advantage. We can more proactively acquire information and accumulate resources."

Shi Mo leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

Being able to actively enter dungeons means he can "collect" skills more efficiently, and perhaps even access so-called "high-level dungeons" faster to retrieve his power fragments. This is far more interesting than aimlessly wandering the human world, waiting for dungeons to appear at any time.

"It sounds like," Shi Mo finally spoke again, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on his lips, "that's a little bit more interesting than studying the copy itself."

Bai Xu knew that he was tempted.

So, what's your answer?

Shi Mo stood up, looking down at everyone in the conference room, finally fixing his gaze on Bai Xu: "Okay. I'll join."

He paused, then added, "But don't expect me to follow any of your boring rules. I'm just having some fun."

His tone was flat, yet carried a sense of self-righteous arrogance.

Bai Xu nodded: "Welcome to the Seventh Sequence, Shi Mo. I hope we... will have a pleasant working relationship."