Perspective: Investigator 701
Investigator 701 began composing an independent assessment report on the holographic terminal in a tone of pure, objective narration devoid of personal emotion.
The report would bypass all intermediaries and be submitted directly to the Internal Affairs Investigation Department's highest-ranking superior—the mysterious "Investigator Zero," who also existed only as a codename.
The report's wording was concise, cold, and precise, down to the last punctuation mark.
"Preliminary Risk Assessment and Control and Disposal Recommendations for Target 'Pathfinder-Chengkong' (Internal Monitoring Code 'Origin-Point Void')."
"Assessment Conclusion: Target 'Origin-Point Void' is confirmed as a 'Level-1 Potential Strategic-Level Security Threat' to the Pan-Abyssal Federation's national security. Its core operational mechanism is unknown, its power system far exceeds the Federation's current scope of cognition, and its emotional stability and controllability of power are assessed as 'extremely low.'"
"Disposal Recommendations:"
Immediately elevate the internal monitoring and control level of Target "Origin-Point Void" to "Sigma Level (Strategic Threat)," second only to Supreme Commander Axis.
The 7th Special Operations Division of the Internal Affairs Investigation Department will be responsible for conducting uninterrupted, full-spectrum monitoring of all his physiological indicators, psychological state, and latent core energy flows at the highest level, with no blind spots.
During any form of 'guided adaptive training' or 'data collection' conducted on the target by the Federation Technology Division, such as the 'Prometheus's Fire' project in Specialist Li Jian's proposal, at least two high-level operatives from the 7th Special Operations Division of Internal Affairs must be present at all times for close-quarters supervision. These operatives must be equipped with targeted, high-power countermeasure weapons. The experimental site must be pre-installed with military-grade 'Hive-type' wide-area neural inhibitor field generators, as well as remote emergency activation authority for 'Conceptual Annihilation Protocol - Zero,' to ensure the target can be suppressed or 'formatted' immediately if they show any signs of losing control.
Immediately initiate "Class-2A loyalty background checks and long-term psychological stability tracking and assessment procedures" for the surviving members of the "Pathfinder" squad: Ryan Chiyan, Nadeshiko Sakuraba, and their direct commander, Sergeant Gestalt Iron-Gray-Resolute.
Until the true core mechanism of the target, Origin-Point Void, his controllable power, and his absolute loyalty to the Pan-Abyssal Federation are rigorously and indisputably certified by the Internal Affairs Investigation Department's highest assessment committee, any proposals to deploy the target in actual combat or publicly disclose his existence to the Federation's lower and middle echelons are strictly prohibited.
"6. During continuous monitoring or subsequent 'guided training,' if the target, 'Origin-Point Void,' exhibits any signs of losing control that cannot be effectively suppressed or guided, the highest-ranking Internal Affairs Investigation Department operative on duty is authorized to immediately initiate and execute the 'Final Purification Protocol - Zero' for high-value but extremely dangerous targets, without the need for further consultation."
Investigator 701 expressionlessly sent the encrypted report, a condensation of their highest analytical abilities and absolute rational judgment.
On the screen of the holographic tactical analysis terminal, the small marker representing Shen Kai—which had originally been on the watch list for ordinary rookies—was instantly assigned a separate monitoring sequence. It was deep red and constantly flashing the highest-level danger warning icon.
A line of bone-chilling system prompt information slowly popped up at the bottom of the screen, like a final verdict:
[Sigma-Level (Strategic Threat) Monitoring Program Activated.]
[Target Codename: Origin-Point Void.]
[Current Status Assessment: Level-1 Potential Strategic-Level Security Threat."]
[Disposal clearance level: Gamma (under observation; all active contact is restricted).]
[Final disposition: Pending (final ruling required from "Investigator Zero").]
The lights in the analysis cubicle dimmed a few more degrees as if in response to the successful transmission of the report.
701 still sat there quietly, like a statue, completely merged with the cold, oppressive darkness around him.
The invisible shackles had been forged.