Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

The Core Part 1

Chapter 31

Dizzying lights flashed past at a speed almost inconceivable with naked eyes. The darkness of the universe beyond, the worlds flashing like little lights turned to straight lines. The force was so powerful it pulled everything to the center of it. Like a powerful suction, almost tearing flesh and souls apart, devouring all that entered it, like a monster unquenchable of hunger. And yet, two people abruptly crossed time and space without warning, returning to the place that wasn't bound by time.

[Return Function: Success]

[ID: 23011407252126080514]

[Mission: 100%]

[Side Mission: Completed]

[Memory Fragment: For confirmation]

[Welcome to the Archive]

[Downloading Data: ...0.01%]

Researchers and assistants monitored the vital signs of the two bodies inside the capsule. All of a sudden, they heard the alarm all over the laboratory inside the Archive. Red lights flashed, alerting everyone of the sudden activity.

[Return Function: Success]

[ID: ***********Xei]

[Mission: None-availability]

[Side Mission: None-availability]

[Memory Fragment: Obtained-Data shared]

[Welcome to the Archive]

[Downloading Data: ...nothing to download]

[Process: Completed.]

Ram gathered up the other researchers from the other side of the room.

Happy and relieved gazes appeared on their faces as they observed their own terminals. It was connected to the main computer for better monitoring. However, once they saw their Master's data, they all frowned. Master Xei didn't get a quest?

Ram went to check the people inside the time capsule. As he was about to open the cover, it suddenly switched open from the inside.

The tall man they were all familiar with, sat up, his hand over his forehead, eyes closed.

"Master Xei!"

Xei gestured for him to stop, "I'm alright." He clenched his fist to restrain himself from checking the man beside him. Without opening his eyes, he ordered, "Proceed body scan. Prioritize Nephrite. He was not in good condition before he left the world."

"Roger," Ram quickly followed. He glanced at the young man. Nephrite's Core vessel appeared full of vitality, however, the frown on his forehead and the slightly visible veins on it and his temple indicated that something was indeed wrong.

Xei waited for the dizziness to subside. Once he felt better, he looked at the young man beside him, his heart constricting.

If he could, he would grab and take the younger man in his arms. But Xei was afraid to scare Nephrite once he woke up.

It did not take long for Nephrite's result to come out. "All of his vitals are in good condition. You do not have to worry. Let's proceed with yours," Ram reassured him.

Xei heaved a sigh of relief. He took Nephrite's hand. Just like the first time they’ve met,the other’s party’s skin was pale. Xei rubbed the back of Nephrite’s hand with his thumb, as if hoping that it will gain more color from doing so. His gaze was soft, unlike his usual one. Without looking at Ram, he answered, "You can start."

Faint clicks and machine sound echoed in the quiet room. The other people inside the room did not dare utter a word as they quietly recorded the changes in each machine, treating every piece of data as a precious treasure.

After a while, Xei asked, "Where is Zireon?"

Ram navigated the controls and proceeded with Xei's body scan. "Zireon was currently dealing with some matters regarding the Reapers. He will be back soon."

Xei did not ask about Zireon's business. "Call him and ask about his situation. If what he's doing can still be abandoned, tell him to return first. I have something important to discuss with him."

"Master, Zireon has a pre-arranged emergency meeting in two hours."

"That's fine, we're not gonna take too much time. Let those people wait."

Ram signaled one of his assistants to make the call, then he turned back to Xei, "Master, what happened in the first world? Your data, why was it like that?"

"Because I really don't have a mission. I'll tell you after I talk with Zireon."

The body scan was completed. Xei's vitality was still the same, but this result made him frown.

"Did the system or the scanner not detect abnormalities in my body?"

Ram observed his expression, "Was it that incredulous?"

"Yes."

Xei stood up and walked towards Ram. He leaned on the latter's ear, "I have confidential information. You'll know later."

With that, he took one last glance at the boy left inside the capsule. His chest tightened but he had a lot on his plate to handle. Xei had no choice but to leave without waiting for the young man to gain consciousness. "Please take good care of him."

He then proceeded to the bathroom to change to a much more respectable appearance.

Ram looked at Nephrite's information once again.

[Downloading Data: ...20.78%]

____________

Nephrite stared at the transparent glass in front of him, his hand subconsciously touching the now empty space beside him.

We’re back.

Suddenly, severe pain came like a bludgeon hitting his head. Streams of data and personal thoughts flooded his brain enough for one monitoring device to blast an alarm.

The capsule’s glass cover clicked open.

“Mr. Wang, can you hear me?” a voice echoed in Nephrite’s head. However, the voice flowed along with the memories being processed. Nephrite couldn’t distinguish between the data gathered and what was happening at that moment.

Outside the capsule, everyone in Ram's team was in a state of emergency because of the unexpected problem. Orange alert lights and warning sounds kept blaring as Nephrite's vital status hit the danger level.

“Professor, his brain fluctuation instability data are now at an orange level,” one of the doctors announced.

“Data gathering is still stable,” another one reported.

“How is Mr. Wang’s brain waves this turbulent?”

“I suggest we stimulate his brain now before it reaches code red.”

“We can’t apply current stimulation without Master Xei’s permission. If no one responds from the conference room in three minutes, report to me again. ASAP,” Ram commanded as he checked Nephrite’s brain activity.

However, one and a half minutes passed and a louder warning alert blasted in the whole laboratory. Red lights flashed on each machine monitoring Nephrite's data.

“Danger level alert!”

“We can’t stimulate him anymore with low current!”

Ram gritted his teeth, “Ready the patient for mid-level electro convulsion." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “I will take responsibility. Go!”

_________

“Why did you act on your own?!”

Professor Ram looked up from the four-dimensional holograms in front of him, only to see a fast-approaching fist.

Unlike other hunters, researchers like Ram didn’t gain physical upgrades when they signed their contract. But their mental ability was doubled than normal. They also have very good reflexes.

However, standing in the corner while reviewing Nephrite’s records, he had no way to run. Professor Ram quickly covered his head as his last protection attempt. But the pain didn’t reach him.

Instead, a loud smash was heard.

“Are you out of your mind?” Zireon asked Xei calmly, as if he had not grabbed and kicked his boss just now.

Xei did not answer him. He wiped the blood that dripped from the corner of his mouth. He stood up, ignoring the broken table and fallen objects. His eyes glared at his assistant, but this time, he spoke in a calm manner. Forcing himself to process things rationally, he turned to Professor Ram. "I-I'm sorry."

Everyone was dumbfounded upon hearing those words. It was the first time they heard their boss apologize to someone. Their boss never made a mistake in front of everyone, not to mention acting rashly.

It was the first time he acted on impulse.

Ram waved his hand, "It was nothing. I'm at fault, too."

Xei cleared his throat, “What was the situation?” He shifted the topic back to his purpose.

Ram pushed his eyeglasses in place. As if no commotion just happened, he twisted something on his wristwatch. A faint ‘click’ was heard, indicating that the public file viewing function was switched on. A few hologram files suddenly became visible for everyone to see. He pointed at one particular hologram. It was Nephrite’s brain activity.

Seeing the blood-red screen showing graphs and results all at a critical level except for one, Xei’s heart sank.

“Aside from the data collection process, everything else reached a critical instability level. I have no choice but to perform electric stimuli on his brain. We still haven’t figured out what caused this reaction and,” Ram paused and sighed. “I will take responsibility for this decision.”

Xei’s comrades still did not know what happened between him and Nephrite on their first mission. Before the meeting started, he returned to the laboratory and waited for Nephrite to wake up. However, Zireon had already returned but the data collection was still not done. He had no choice but to leave temporarily to deal with some troublesome members Zireon caught.

When the researchers contacted him during the emergency meeting, no one received the message… Xei frowned. He glanced at Zireon who was also looking at him at that time. Xei nodded.

Xei apologized to Ram. He should also thank Ram for his decisive action. Nephrite’s brain could be totally damaged without reversal if he did not act right away. Even so, the stabbing pain in his heart did not recede. “Did he lose his memories?”

“We could only wait for him to wake up. Master Xei,” Ram hesitated for a bit, “will you tell us what happened in your first mission?”

“Yes, however,” he looked sharply at Ram and Zireon. “If Nephrite lost his memories because of the stimulation, don’t dare mention what happened in the first world. If necessary, let me explain it to him.”