At last, I felt a glimpse of freedom as essence flowed through my body by my own will.
Because of that cursed chip, we were not allowed to use essence unless those bastards permitted it—and they only did so during training sessions and battles.
Now, thanks to that idiot lying dead on the floor, I had managed to stop it. But this was not a permanent solution… I had to remove it completely.
I bent over the doctor's assistant's corpse and searched his pockets until I found a specific card—the one that granted him full access to this laboratory's systems.
Without hesitation, I walked toward the computer. From this moment on, I was racing against time.
I stood in front of the complex controls, feeling slightly lost. But years of watching these scientists work had taught me—at least roughly—how to handle such devices.
The first thing displayed on the screen was my complete file: name, height, weight… everything.
But what truly caught my attention was a particular field.
"[Chip Status: Deactivated]"
I pressed it, and multiple options appeared. From activation… to shutdown… even detonation.
And at the very bottom was what I was looking for.
"[Removal]"
I selected it, and a new message appeared.
"[Please scan security clearance]"
I took out the card I had obtained from the corpse and scanned it.
"[Sufficient access level confirmed]"
"[Chip bearer, please lie face down on the operation table]"
Following the instructions, I walked to the table and lay face down.
After a few moments, small mechanical arms extended from the devices connected to the table.
Then I felt it. Cold metal cutting into the flesh at the back of my neck, forcing it open.
There was no anesthesia. Perhaps it was an option… it didn't matter.
I endured the pain as I felt the cold metal move inside the wound. It didn't last long.
Moments later, I felt something being pulled from the base of my skull while the wound was sealed and stitched.
"[Chip successfully extracted]"
An automated voice echoed throughout the laboratory.
I stood up, my hand brushing over the wound on my neck. It was healing slowly.
I looked at the small disk placed on a metal tray beside the table. It was stained with blood. I picked it up and examined it briefly before slipping it into my pocket… I still needed it.
I stepped away from the table. The entire procedure had taken no more than ten minutes.
The technological advancement of this world was insane.
Now, I had to deal with the two guards outside—without causing any disturbance. Along with the surveillance cameras in the corridors.
But I had already planned for this.
The first thing I did was move the assistant's corpse and hide it behind the equipment, then clean the pool of blood.
After that, I took a deep breath and activated my ability.
"[Soul Eyes]"
My vision changed, and particles of light appeared throughout the air. Essence.
My ability didn't allow me to see through walls, but that wasn't necessary. While it altered my sight, it also granted me a new sense.
I could feel the essence and the souls within a two-hundred-meter radius. Not a vague sensation like other Awakened possessed, but something far more precise.
Even through thick walls, I could sense the two guards—how essence settled within their bodies, how the essence in the air reacted to them.
And their souls… their weight, their strength.
All I had to do now was wait until one of them grew impatient and entered the room.
Time passed, and my tension increased with every minute. Delaying things was not in my favor.
It felt like an entire hour had passed when, at last, through my perception, I sensed one soul moving toward the door.
I did nothing. I was already prepared, hiding behind one of the machines near the entrance.
… … …
Outside, the two guards stood in front of the laboratory door.
One of them spoke in an irritated tone. "Those arrogant scientists… just because they value them more than us, we're treated like this. Every time they make us wait outside like we're going to suddenly jump in and destroy everything."
The other let out a sigh. "You know why… since that incident, the doctor forbade guards from staying inside the labs unless they had a reason."
He knew exactly what incident he meant.
In the past, one guard had waited inside a laboratory. Out of boredom, he began tampering with the equipment. Eventually, his hand touched an unstable essence core. The resulting explosion killed everyone inside the room. Since that day, guards were forbidden from remaining or wandering inside laboratories.
"Still, he's taking too long, isn't he?"
"Yeah. It's been over an hour already. He said it would be a quick check."
The irritated guard moved. "I'll go check."
… …
Cauio's Pov
I felt him approach the door. Then I heard the automated sound of it opening, followed by the heavy footsteps of the guard.
Luckily… he came in alone.
I held my breath and concealed my presence.
"Dr. Arthur?" the guard called out as he walked past the spot where I was hiding.
After passing me by a few steps, he stopped. I felt the essence inside his body tense.
"The smell of blood," he muttered, and his essence began to circulate.
But it was too late.
Essence flooded my muscles, and in the next instant, I was behind him.
He sensed me and tried to react.
But the moment had already passed.
My hands moved swiftly, and then—crack.
A dull snapping sound echoed.
His body collapsed to the floor, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
I quickly dragged him to where Arthur's corpse was hidden, then returned to my position and waited for the other guard.
I didn't wait long. A few minutes later, the door opened again.
"What's taking so long?"
Like the first, he walked several steps past me. Before he could sense anything was wrong, it was over.
Another body fell to the floor, its neck twisted.
They were in the same rank as me… but they were not like me.
I turned my attention to the corpse on the ground and began removing his uniform, putting it on.
Finally, I placed the guard's cap on my head and lowered its brim to hide my face, making sure to conceal the bodies properly.
Then I headed toward the door. I took a deep breath… and opened it.
That was my first step toward freedom.
The corridor cameras caught sight of me. I made sure to act as naturally as possible. I knew this disguise wouldn't last long.
I walked through the cold hallways, using my perception to avoid guards or anyone else, until I reached my destination.
At the end of the corridor stood an elevator. Luckily, no one was nearby.
As I approached, I pressed the button. The doors opened, I stepped inside, and they closed behind me.
I was now on the second floor. I glanced at the buttons, then pressed the one labeled B7 – Underground Level Seven.
In the next moment, the elevator began descending at a speed far beyond anything from my previous world.
Underground Level Seven was a massive storage area.
Just before the elevator reached its destination, a new presence entered my perception.
Someone was standing in front of the elevator doors. I felt the weight of his soul and estimated his strength.
Rank Two – Beginner.
The elevator stopped. The doors opened.
A man wearing a guard's uniform stood before me, apparently waiting for the elevator.
I lowered my head and stepped out, trying to pass him without drawing attention.
But this time… things didn't go as planned.
I felt a hand grip my shoulder, followed by his voice near my ear. "Hey there, buddy. You don't look familiar. Are you new here?"
Damn you.
"Yeah. I arrived a few days ago."
Without warning, the man removed my cap. "Let me take a look at you. Don't be shy."
I froze. Should I kill him now? That would expose me immediately—right here and now.
As my thoughts raced, I saw his expression slowly change.
"You're pretty young… wait. I've seen this face somewhere before."
My breathing stopped.
"Aren't you… Experiment 01?"