'Whatever, forget it. Let's see how many credits are in his terminal first.'
After tossing the card into her system inventory, Cipher pulled out Lin Zhiyuan's terminal, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Personal Account Balance: 117,483
"One hundred and seventeen thousand... that's not really a lot. If I convert it, it's only about 1,100 Stellar Jades... So little."
Looking at the digits on the screen, Cipher felt a wave of disappointment. She had assumed that as a "Doctor," this man would be loaded.
"Fine. Even if it's only a hundred thousand, it's almost enough for one pull. Might as well take it."
With that, Cipher activated her Quantum Storage, vacuuming up every last cent. Once finished, she tossed the storage device and the terminal back into her system inventory.
'Man, my sense of money is changing so fast. Just two days ago, I thought a hundred thousand credits was a fortune. Now... it just feels like pocket change.'
Cipher sighed and continued down a corridor wide enough for three or four people to walk abreast, heading deeper into the base. She muttered to herself as she walked:
"It's all this system's fault. Everything costs hundreds of thousands or even millions of credits. It's made this cat subconsciously convert every price into Stellar Jades."
(System: Is it my fault? If I didn't give you these functions, you'd be complaining even more.)
After walking for a bit, Cipher reached the end of the hallway, where yet another door blocked her path.
'There are so many doors in this base. Do I have to wait for someone again?'
Looking at the gate, Cipher let out a breath. She felt that eventually, she would have to "weave a lie" about being able to pass through any wall or door; otherwise, getting around was just too inconvenient.
But luck seemed to be on her side—or perhaps the base was simply busy today. Just as the thought crossed her mind, a crisp click echoed. The door slid open, and a researcher in a white lab coat stepped out.
'Door's open!'
Seeing her chance, Cipher darted inside and skillfully lifted the researcher's terminal as she passed.
Beyond the door was a spacious hall. To the left stood a large metal cabinet divided into many small lockers, likely for researchers to store their personal belongings. On the other side were several silver conveyor belts and walk-through scanners, resembling airport security.
Compared to the technology Cipher remembered from her previous life, the equipment here looked heavier and more complex, supplemented by independent metal detection gates.
Standing beside these machines were four security personnel in dark gray uniforms, "Security" badges pinned to their chests.
In the center of the hall, a floor plan was mounted on the wall. Unlike other detailed maps Cipher had seen, this one only marked public areas and emergency exits.
'Those lockers are probably for personal items. I wonder what kind of goodies are inside?'
After swiping a few tens of thousands of credits from the researcher's terminal, Cipher looked at the lockers, itching to investigate. However, seeing the security guards glancing around, she temporarily abandoned the idea.
'I'll scout the interior first. If I find something good, I can cause a distraction later to lure them away.'
'As for those guards' terminals, I won't touch them for now to avoid premature detection.'
She, Cipher, was no fool who would "pick up a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon." If she alerted them and triggered a total lockdown, leaving the base would cost her even more Stellar Jades.
Approaching the metal detector, Cipher curiously waved her hand to see if it would pick her up.
But it was obvious—the detector was a product of mere technology. Beneath the power of a demigod, it was utterly useless. Even as Cipher waltzed back and forth through it several times, the machine didn't make a peep.
'Looks like this door can't see me. Perfect. Let's see what's inside.'
Satisfied, Cipher walked boldly through the gate into the heart of the base.
Beside the detectors, the four security officers maintained a stern vigil, their gazes sharp and alert. They didn't notice in the slightest that a small cat had already strolled right past them.
★ ★ ★
'Is this... the laboratory area?'
Cipher looked around as she walked. The doors on both sides of the hallway were covered in technical terms she couldn't understand—except for the last word of each sign, which was clearly "Laboratory."
Many researchers hurried back and forth. Cipher tried pickpocketing a few, but found nothing except Level 3 Authorization Cards for Base 036.
'I guess they really do keep their terminals in the lockers. I'll check the end of the hall first.'
Deciding to stop wasting time, Cipher ignored the researchers passing by and picked up her pace.
Before long, she reached a door labeled "Administrative Zone." Below the title was a warning in red:
Unauthorized Entry Forbidden - Minimum Level 2 Authorization Required.
'Minimum Level 2? Can I use that card I swiped earlier?'
Seeing the small print, Cipher immediately remembered the card she had lifted from the first man. Checking that no one was around, she pulled out the card and tapped it against the reader.
"Beep! Level 2 Authorization Card, Doctor Lin Zhiyuan. Access granted."
A mechanical voice announced her entry, and with a shink, the door slid open.
"Who would have thought? I just randomly robbed a guy and he turned out to be high-level management. My luck is really something—no more worrying about locked doors."
A smirk played on Cipher's lips as she entered the Administrative Zone.
"Project Office, Director's Office, Accounting, and... Finance?!"
The moment she saw those characters, Cipher's eyes lit up like stars. Finance—the place where all the base's communal wealth was managed. How much money would be in there?!
Greed flared in her eyes as she rushed to the door of the Finance Office. Pressing her cat ear against the door, she soon heard a voice from within.
"I've already told you, the base's current financial situation isn't optimistic! Excluding fixed assets, the remaining budget sent by headquarters is less than five million credits! And you want to ask for two million just to cover your department's shortfall? Don't even think about it!"
'Five... five million credits?!'
Hearing that number, Cipher's mouth fell open slightly as she silently mouthed the words. Her cat ears and tail stood bolt upright, and her eyes literally turned into the shape of gold coins.
At this moment, all other thoughts vanished. All that remained was a burning, singular desire: she had to get her hands on those five million credits.