Chapter 219

Carving is a type of modeling art.

Carving is a type of modeling art.

Humans are visual beings by nature; everyone knows the world has beauty and ugliness, but carvers understand how to shape form and color using light and shadow, simplicity and complexity.

Translation: "Humans are visual creatures by nature; everyone knows there is beauty and ugliness in the world, and those who carve understand better how to shape that form and color using darkness and brightness, simplicity and complexity." Need to keep meaning. We'll produce: "Humans are visual creatures by nature; everyone knows there is beauty and ugliness in the world, and carvers understand better how to shape that form and color using darkness and brightness, simplicity and complexity."

Likewise, those skilled in this art also gaze at these works until a warm male voice reaches their ears.

Translation: "Likewise, those who excel at this art also gaze at these works until a warm male voice reaches their ears." We'll produce: "Those equally skilled in this art also gazed at these works until a warm male voice reached their ears."

"Ghost Shark, any findings?"

Translation: "\"Ghost Shark, any findings? \"" Actually punctuation: Chinese uses 「 」 for quotes. We'll use English quotes. So: "\"Ghost Shark, any findings? \""

"No, Doctor, I'm just wondering whether the capture of the orca and another female staff member was intentional or an accident."

"No, Doctor, I'm just wondering whether the capture of the Orca and another female staff member was intentional or an accident."

The slender silver‑haired girl spoke softly, almost as if talking to herself.

Translation: "The slender silver-haired girl spoke softly, almost to herself." We'll produce: "The slender silver-haired girl spoke softly, almost to herself."

Beside her stood a silver‑haired woman with the same hair color but a head taller, who bluntly said, "First rescue the orca, then think about this, shark."

Translation: "Beside her, a silver-haired woman with the same hair color but a head taller spoke bluntly: \"First rescue the Orca, then consider these, Shark. \"" We'll produce: "Beside her, a silver-haired woman with the same hair color but a head taller spoke bluntly: \"First rescue the Orca, then consider these, Shark. \""

"I can sense her nearby; her presence is so strong that even Urbian can't stay still—something is stimulating her."

Translation: "\"I can sense her nearby; her fluctuations are obvious enough to make even Wuerbian unable to stay, something is stimulating her. \"" We'll produce: "\"I can sense her nearby; her fluctuations are obvious enough to make even Wuerbian unable to stay, something is stimulating her. \""

"We need to find Scylla and Yela, but we must also consider the team's ideas, Galeritia."

Translation: "\"We need to find Sikadi and Yela, but we also need to consider the team members' ideas, Gele diya. \"" We'll produce: "\"We need to find Sikadi and Yela, but we also need to consider the team members' ideas, Gele diya. \""

The voice over the earpiece spoke, then asked, "So what's the basis for what you just said, Ghost Shark?"

Translation: "The voice only in the earpiece said, then asked: \"So what is the basis for what you just said, Ghost Shark? \"" We'll produce: "The voice only in the earpiece said, then asked: \"So what is the basis for what you just said, Ghost Shark? \""

"I told you that before, Doctor."

Translation: "\"I told you that before, Doctor. \"" We'll produce: "\"I told you that before, Doctor. \""

Ghost Shark stared at the carving before him.

Translation: "Ghost Shark stared at the carving before him." We'll produce: "Ghost Shark stared at the carving before him."

The carving depicts a horse girl with horse ears, head held high, full of spirit.

Translation: "That carving is a horse girl, a girl with horse ears raising her head, full of spirit." We'll produce: "That carving is a horse girl, a girl with horse ears raising her head, full of spirit."

There are many such carvings here, after all this is the Jiemen district carving exhibition, also a venture of the Symbol family, and at the same time an exhibition promoting the Takarazuka commemoration.

Translation: "There are many such carvings here, after all this is the carving exhibition of Jiemen District, also the industry of the Symbolism family, and simultaneously an exhibition promoting the theme of Baozhou Memorial is underway." We'll produce: "There are many such carvings here, after all this is the carving exhibition of Jiemen District, also the industry of the Symbolism family, and simultaneously an exhibition promoting the theme of Baozhou Memorial is underway."

"Artwork only has meaning when it's in the hands of those who can appreciate it," she said. "From these exhibits I see a positive significance that doesn't satisfy me."

Translation: "\"Artwork only has meaning when it's in the hands of those who can appreciate it, \" she said, \"from these exhibits I see a positive meaning that does not satisfy me. \"" We'll produce: "\"Artwork only has meaning when it's in the hands of those who can appreciate it, \" she said, \"from these exhibits I see a positive meaning that does not satisfy me. \""

"Vitality, dreams, splendor, pride… just as before."

Translation: "\"Vitality, dreams, splendor, arrogance… just as before. \"" We'll produce: "\"Vitality, dreams, splendor, arrogance… just as before. \""

"…" The tall woman gazed at her teammate, remaining silent and letting her act.

Translation: "\"…\" The tall woman gazed at her team member, silently letting her proceed." We'll produce: "\"…\" The tall woman gazed at her team member, silently letting her proceed."

This isn't her forte, even though she has considerable artistic appreciation.

Translation: "This is not her forte, even though she also has considerable artistic appreciation ability." We'll produce: "This is not her forte, even though she also has considerable artistic appreciation ability."

The one who should understand these words is the doctor on the other end of the earpiece: "You mean it's not negative enough, not fitting the image of a group of kidnappers."

Translation: "And the one who understands these words is the doctor on the other end of the earpiece: \"You mean it's not negative enough, not matching the impression of a group of kidnappers. \"" We'll produce: "And the one who understands these words is the doctor on the other end of the earpiece: \"You mean it's not negative enough, not matching the impression of a group of kidnappers. \""

"Yes." Ghost Shark turned elsewhere and saw a black‑haired woman intently staring at a carving—her teammate, also a great painter, who likewise seemed to appreciate the works here, her long tail swaying behind her.

Translation: "\"Yes. \" Ghost Shark turned his gaze elsewhere and saw a black-haired woman intently staring at a carving; she was her teammate and also a painting master, who likewise seemed to appreciate the works here, her long tail swaying." We'll produce: "\"Yes. \" Ghost Shark turned his gaze elsewhere and saw a black-haired woman intently staring at a carving; she was her teammate and also a painting master, who likewise seemed to appreciate the works here, her long tail swaying."

Besides that, several other team members are scattered across different areas investigating the venue, since previous interrogations by Rhodes Island and the police yielded no results, prompting this covert investigation.

Translation: "Besides that, there are several other team members scattered across different areas investigating the venue, because Rhodes Island's prior interrogation and the police investigation yielded no results, leading to the present covert investigation." We'll produce: "Besides that, there are several other team members scattered across different areas investigating the venue, because Rhodes Island's prior interrogation and the police investigation yielded no results, leading to the present covert investigation."

"The exhibits themselves have no necessary connection to the venue's members, shark."

Translation: "\"The exhibits themselves have no necessary relation to the venue members, Shark. \"" We'll produce: "\"The exhibits themselves have no necessary relation to the venue members, Shark. \""

Because being overly sensitive would make Urbian a hindrance on site, he can only maintain a presence on the comms channel like the doctor.

Translation: "Because being overly sensitive would make Wuerbian a hindrance if present, he can only maintain a presence on the comms channel like the Doctor." We'll produce: "Because being overly sensitive would make Wuerbian a hindrance if present, he can only maintain a presence on the comms channel like the Doctor."

But he didn't expect the doctor to offer an astonishing counterargument: "No, most of the exhibits in this venue are actually handled by the Symbol family's carvers; thinking about it, this matter is more complicated than we anticipated."

Translation: "But he didn't expect the Doctor to propose an astonishing counterargument: \"No, most of the exhibits in this venue are indeed handled by the Symbolism family's carvers; thinking about it this way, the matter is more complex than we anticipated. \"" We'll produce: "But he didn't expect the Doctor to propose an astonishing counterargument: \"No, most of the exhibits in this venue are indeed handled by the Symbolism family's carvers; thinking about it this way, the matter is more complex than we anticipated. \""

"Your findings are impressive, Ghost Shark."

Translation: "\"Your discovery is not bad, Ghost Shark. \"" We'll produce: "\"Your discovery is not bad, Ghost Shark. \""

"We should hurry, Doctor; I can feel Yinshamara growing increasingly unstable." Regardless of others' attitudes, Urbian keeps urging, for he knows the danger of that entity and is anxious about the safety of the team he leads.

Translation: "\"We should hurry, Doctor, I can feel Yin Shama La growing increasingly unstable. \" No matter others' attitudes, Wuerbian constantly urges, for he clearly knows the danger of that entity and is even more anxious about the safety of the team members he leads." We'll produce: "\"We should hurry, Doctor, I can feel Yin Shama La growing increasingly unstable. \" No matter others' attitudes, Wuerbian constantly urges, for he clearly knows the danger of that entity and is even more anxious about the safety of the team members he leads."

"Of course, let another team handle clarifying the mission behind the scenes," the doctor reminded. "Those still wandering the venue should also prepare to take action."

Translation: "\"Of course, let another team handle clarifying the background mission, \" the Doctor reminded, \"those still touring the venue should also prepare to take action. \"" We'll produce: "\"Of course, let another team handle clarifying the background mission, \" the Doctor reminded, \"those still touring the venue should also prepare to take action. \""

"Yin'nes and Mirsase are conducting a layer‑by‑layer scan; we expect results soon."

Translation: "\"Yin Neisi and Miuer Saisi are conducting a layer-by-layer scan; we believe results will come soon. \"" We'll produce: "\"Yin Neisi and Miuer Saisi are conducting a layer-by-layer scan; we believe results will come soon. \""

Yin'nes?

Translation: "Yin Neisi?" We'll produce: "Yin Neisi?"

Gazing at the black‑horned, black‑haired woman in a black outfit whose appearance matches the image, watching her head toward the second‑floor stairs, the youth who knows 'Born in Darkness' falls into thought.

Translation: "Gazing at the black‑horned, black‑haired woman whose black attire closely matches his memory, the youth who knows the work \"Born in the Night\" watches her go down the stairs to the second floor, lost in thought." We'll produce: "Gazing at the black‑horned, black‑haired woman whose black attire closely matches his memory, the youth who knows the work \"Born in the Night\" watches her go down the stairs to the second floor, lost in thought."

At this moment, the pale blue oblique window shed the sun's heat, shaping it into isolated squares; his black hiking shoes stepped on them as he continued forward, entering the otherworldly exhibition hall.

Otherworldly, without a doubt.

The exhibition hall is like a kind of unfolding barrier; once you step inside, you can feel all annoyances—along with the summer heat that should be present—fade away.

Here it is quiet and cool, with only scattered footsteps echoing.

This is Hall One of the venue; Aomo should be leading everyone to Hall Two.

Will we see other Rhodes Island operators next?

The speculation about the operation's focus was confirmed; Aomo felt no resentment at being sidelined, instead he breathed a sigh of relief.

If there is a main force team, then we are just substitutes, so the pressure is relatively lower.

Like here, the combination of Nian, Aomo, the Undertaker, Lappland, and Mostima makes exactly five people—enough to sit five in a row at an internet café, or to find a lone dog to beat up in Egypt.

At first glance, it's a decent team number.

But in reality, aside from the Undertaker indeed staying sufficiently alert, the other four each have their own demeanor and show no sign of being a real team.

Lappland and Nian seem to have genuinely come here to view the exhibition, each standing not far apart looking at the exhibits, while Aomo himself is leading Mostima and the Undertaker around, gazing absentmindedly.

He thought that two teams would surely be more efficient than one, feeling he might be able to return earlier; coincidentally, Suzi had just messaged him asking when he planned to go back.

Although it was merely idle sarcasm, it didn't appear that training had run into trouble, but as a trainer he still wanted to take some responsibility.

Moreover, Kailifu could contact him at any moment, which also gave him a sense of temporal urgency.

Originally he had only intended to help Texas and Angel ease their workload a bit… but now he's been fully assigned; although he has no complaints, he feels uneasy about some promises left unfulfilled.

Such unease, given that he is certain his involvement in this operation has nothing to do with those two, cannot be counted as lightening their burden.

Put bluntly, he doesn't think Texas and Angel are qualified to participate in this operation.

Even Lappland herself is a makeshift addition; Rhodes Island's operation team there didn't originally count her.

It's exceedingly strange that she would be forced into the team like this, especially since Texas isn't even here.

In Aomo's impression, only matters related to Texas would make her act this proactively; but if Texas isn't mentioned, what could possibly catch her attention?

The youth glanced at the wolf woman standing beside the Undertaker before a withered sculpture, then withdrew his gaze, raised his hand to fiddle with the light screen, and typed 'Lappland' into the search engine.

【A ten-year-old book friend recommended this reading app, Switch Source app! It's really damn useful; I rely on it for listening to books while driving or before bed to kill time, you can download. huanyuanapp here】

Aomo's understanding of her is only partial, but his greatest curiosity lies in her thighs, freely displayed due to the summer heat—don't get the wrong idea, he isn't a leg fetishist, nor does he intend to manually measure her running talent like Nishizaki Yutaka.

He merely notices the black crystal on her leg.

That obscure sign proving her to be an Oripathy carrier does indeed exist on her, but whether in shape or density, it clearly differs from what he remembers.

This inevitably prompts him to ask Mostima curiously: 'Has Rhodes Island already mastered the technology to cure Oripathy?'

"I thought you already knew," Mostima said, looking somewhat surprised, "most people who cross over and contact us ask this question first."

"I'm not a true transmigrator; I'm merely a beneficiary of otherworld memories," Aomo said, glancing again at the dim corridor where that graceful figure had vanished, then turning back, "so does that mean it can indeed be cured?"

"This is precisely why Rhodes Island is stationed in this world; the value here excites them."

Besides talking about this, do you have any findings from the investigation?

In the midst of speaking, she glanced somewhat embarrassedly toward the other side beside Aomo.

The silent, reserved clansman stood there.

The funeral attendant kept looking this way.

Even with her composure and indifference, being constantly stared at by that cold, unfeeling gaze left her somewhat unable to bear it.

Of course, the funeral attendant's gaze is always like that.

This doesn't mean he's angry, but there's always a sense of urging.

In this regard, Mositima is far less thick-skinned than Aomo.

Aomo was far more composed than she, and as the main one drawing away the funeral attendees' gazes, he felt no guilt at all about 'slacking off'.

His gaze merely shifted busily between the distant sculptures, passing pedestrians, nearby guards, and some staff introducing exhibits, only turning back when he heard Mositima's question:

"The suspects are two groups, this isn't the incident site; let's go to Exhibition Hall Two first."

He said, glancing at the light screen that had already returned to private mode, swiping a few times before re-entering the search.

"This venue isn't just an exhibition; it also has residential functions for a hotel."

"Hall Two isn't just a sculpture exhibit; it even has paintings and a billiards room," Aomo tapped his earpiece, "Lapulande, keep up, and also keep an eye on your teammates' movements."

"Teammates?"

"Other Rhodes Island staff."

Aomo explained, and as he walked, his gaze also swept toward several walls.

"Pay more attention to the walls."

Recalling the destructive power of Jinguqiao's body colliding with face from that ultra-dream experience, and recalling the octahedral structure atop this building, he could envision the scene of it shattering.

But compared to that, isn't the biggest problem that if a fight really broke out, these tourists would easily get caught in the crossfire?

Even if we deployed a barrier, it would still enclose them, unless we started evacuating from the outset—

Just as he thought that, he heard a sharp, urgent alarm.

Immediately after, the wall itself collapsed and flipped open like a mechanism house, revealing a row of red warning lights, accompanied by a female broadcast voice:

"A major fire has broken out in Exhibition Halls Two and Three, accompanied by a secondary dimensional quake; please evacuate in an orderly manner to avoid being caught in the accident."

"Once more, Exhibition Halls Two and Three—"

……

Accompanied by the holographic projection of the horse girl syncing with the speech, the symbolic family talk person's broadcast utterly shattered the venue's silence.

"Evacuate orderly! Don't crowd!"

Amid the tourists' hurried movement, with staff striving to maintain order, those standing still like Aomo and his companions stood out conspicuously.

"There's no star gate here, and the dimensional quake is totally fake," Lapulande watched the crowd rushing to leave, then turned to look at Aomo, whose brows were furrowed, "What are you thinking about? Temporary captain."

"I'm wondering whether this is a signal of war or a genuine warning."

Aomo said, turning his head toward the direction of Hall Two.

Lapulande merely tore open the restraint bag hung from the security check, freeing two oddly shaped long blades: "Never mind that, making battle preparations is definitely the right move."

"Indeed, everyone prepare for an encounter battle."

Aomo felt somewhat helpless.

He had just begun exploring the path of the two missing persons when he had to face this unexpected event.

Moreover, he felt…… it was a teammate's problem.