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墨書 Inktalez
Isabella's mind was suddenly flooded with memories of the past. She recalled her family's decline, how their once-glorious legacy had been slowly destroyed, and how the honor and dignity that had accompanied her parents' lives sank into darkness with their passing. In her father's final moments, his eyes were filled with despair and regret, while her mother held her hand tightly, choking back tears as she urged Isabella to push forward for the sake of their family's glory. She had to bear the burden and uphold this gradually fading lineage.
Those moments wrapped around her like cold iron chains, suffocating her. She remembered the pleading look in her mother's eyes, those lids about to close filled with endless hope for the future. Yet, at that moment, her own vow seemed to crumble—this adventure was supposed to be her chance for resurgence, and the Light Activation Project was her last straw for redeeming her family. But now, everything lay buried in this dark cave, and she herself was trapped within it, unable to escape.
"You cannot succeed." A cold whisper suddenly echoed in her mind, laced with mockery, sharp and cruel like a merciless blade slicing through her heart. "Do you think you can change anything? All your efforts are in vain; everything is already destined to end." The whisper dripped with malice, targeting her deepest fears and vulnerabilities, ruthlessly shattering all her defenses.
"You have no chance left, Isabella." The voice continued coldly in her ear, "Family glory? Your desires? All useless aspirations. You cannot save anything—not even yourself."
She felt as if she were falling into an ice pit, the cold spreading from her bones and draining away her will and strength. The beliefs that once propelled her forward, the hopes that burned within her heart, had turned into shattered ashes. All that remained was an unfathomable void of emptiness and loss, as if the world had long abandoned her. The pressures of reality, inner fears, and the curse of that whisper relentlessly destroyed her resolve.
"Everything is over." The final words of that voice felt like a death sentence, dragging her completely into the abyss.
Isabella took a deep breath; the evil whisper still mocked her incessantly in her mind, but she refused to let herself break down. She was one of the world's leading scientists; her achievements were not solely based on knowledge but also on an unyielding will. She clenched her fists tightly, nails digging into her palms—the pain surged through her instantly but pulled her back from that void of despair into reality. Isabella gritted her teeth, forcing herself to calm down as she felt the sharp pain spread through her palm, sharpening her thoughts once more.
She needed to make a judgment—swiftly and calmly. Those black parasites eroded human bodies and destroyed human willpower, but the process of parasitism clearly wasn't instantaneous. From Mocus to the mercenary before her, there seemed to be a pattern in the timing and manner of infection. The parasites did not immediately control their hosts; instead, they gradually dismantled their psychological defenses. Willpower was key; the host's self-awareness would slowly fade away over time until they ultimately lost control.
"It's a matter of willpower," Isabella analyzed inwardly as cold sweat trickled down her cheek. She quickly reviewed Mocus's symptoms—starting from obsessive fervor to gradual madness until he became a complete slave to that dark force. This was not merely physical erosion but a psychological battle; the parasites invaded the host's mind through constant whispers and mental torment, causing them to lose control over themselves. Once the host's mental defenses collapsed entirely, it would be time for them to seize control of the body.
She couldn't know how long these parasites would take to fully dominate their host, but one thing was certain: right now, she still had time. She still possessed enough willpower to resist them.
Isabella's fists tightened further; the pain sharpened her clarity of thought. She knew she couldn't give up; no matter what happened, she had to prolong these parasites' control over herself and buy more time. She couldn't lose her sanity; otherwise, she would fall into the same fate as others. Now, all she could do was delay time as much as possible while staying alert and seizing every opportunity to achieve her goals.
Her gaze gradually grew resolute. Even though this cave was filled with countless unknown horrors, she had to keep moving forward. The Light Activation Project, Super Cell, and the future of her family—all rested on her shoulders. Finding clues related to Super Cell might be the only way for her to escape all of this.
"I still have time," she silently reminded herself, her will hardening like steel once more. This battle against the darkness had only just begun, and Isabella would not give up easily. She forced herself to suppress the unease within, calming her mind as she continued to think of ways to turn around this already spiraling situation.
Isabella remained standing there, her fists clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms, using the pain as a chain to keep herself awake. Jonas paced back and forth anxiously, his eyes darting to her. "Isabella, now is not the time to be stubborn. Listen to me, we need to leave immediately; this place is completely beyond our control."
Isabella still did not move. Her gaze was sharp as steel, locked onto the depths of the darkness as if confronting some unknown force lurking there. "Give me a gun." Her voice was cold, firm like an inscription on a stone tablet, unchangeable.
Jonas was taken aback, completely unprepared for such a request. Confusion and surprise flashed across his face. "What do you want to do? Are you crazy?" He tried to reason with her. "It's too dangerous here; everything is beyond our expectations. You can't go in there alone! You simply—"
"Jonas, this is my responsibility; it's my mission." Isabella's voice was terrifyingly calm, like a deep well that obscured the abyss within her heart. "I won't turn back or run away. I came here to uncover the secrets of Super Cell and complete the Light Activation Project, not to give up halfway." Her tone carried an unwavering determination, as if her life were bound to this mission with no way out.
"Isabella, you'll get yourself killed!" Jonas attempted to bring her back to reason, but his words crashed against a solid wall, failing to shake her resolve.
"I've come this far; I won't look back." Her voice was unyielding, like a cold vow rising from the depths of her being. She turned around and extended her hand, looking firmly at Jonas. "Give me the gun."
"You’re insane! Do you even realize that?" Jonas lowered his voice, staring into her eyes as if searching for a hint of madness or collapse. However, all he saw was calmness and a burning obsession.
It was a determination that transcended ordinary limits, as if she had cast aside all fear and hesitation, leaving only one singular goal. "Isabella, this isn't your responsibility! We're all here; this is a mission for the entire team—not something you can shoulder alone." Jonas tried to persuade her but already understood in his heart that she would not listen.
"This is my mission, Jonas." Isabella shook her head gently as if stating an undeniable fact. "I have to complete it. It's not just for myself; it's for my family, my parents, and those who are counting on this discovery. You don't understand, do you? How much I've sacrificed for this moment over the years." Her tone grew more resolute, her speech steady without a hint of tremor.
Jonas fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on her face. He knew that behind her words lay deep pressure and pain; this was not merely a professional pursuit but all the burdens and responsibilities she carried. "I know what this means to you, but we are not in a lab right now. This place could take your life at any moment!"
"I am fully aware," Isabella replied, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth betraying no wavering in her resolve. "This is my choice. You can retreat if you want, but I will not leave. I will continue forward until I uncover all the secrets and complete my mission."
Jonas looked at her, the unwavering strength in her gaze making it difficult for him to voice any objections. Her determination had reached its peak; nothing could make her turn back now. This focus even sparked a moment of doubt within Jonas—perhaps she really could find something. However, he quickly dismissed that thought; everything felt too strange, and the darkness within this cave had completely surpassed reason.
Isabella's spirit had reached its zenith; she was no longer the calm, analytical scientist but a warrior fighting for her fate until the very last moment. This resolve left Jonas momentarily stunned; he had never seen this side of Isabella before. Her obsession was like a sharp blade, severing her ties to the reality outside.
"Give me the gun," she said firmly once more.
Jonas took a deep breath, the conflict within him preventing an immediate decision. He knew that no matter how he tried to persuade her, this time Isabella would not compromise. And that gun might be her only lifeline.
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