Nangong Wentian crouched in the corner of the back kitchen, staring at the Star Core's screen, his brow slightly furrowed.
Since the onset of winter, he had taken up a new task—monitoring the Dark Web.
It all started a few days ago when, while browsing the public network, he inadvertently came across a deleted news article. The news itself wasn't particularly noteworthy, but the speed at which it was deleted was too fast—unnaturally fast. Using the Star Core to trace it, he discovered that the source of the article pointed to a network layer he had never encountered before.
The Dark Web.
That place where countless secrets were hidden.
"Wentian," Xiao Guang crouched beside him, wrapped in a thick old cotton-padded jacket, his breath forming white puffs in the air, "why are we looking at this stuff?"
Nangong Wentian didn't answer, continuing to operate the device.
It had taken him three days to build a channel to access the Dark Web. Another two days to learn how to filter useful information from the chaotic mess.
The Dark Web had everything. Banned goods trading, extremist rhetoric, encrypted communications, all sorts of conspiracy theories... Most of it was garbage, but occasionally, some valuable information could be found.
Like now.
Displayed on the screen was a fragmented file. The title of the file was already damaged, leaving only a single line of small text: "...Project Phase Report."
He scrolled down. The content was intermittent:
"...Gene optimization rate meets expectations... Experimental subject survival rate... Defects still present..."
"...Codename 'Destruction'... Future research direction..."
"...Mendel Institute... Ethics review... Circumvent..."
Nangong Wentian's fingers paused on the keyboard.
Mendel Institute.
He remembered that name. In the original story, it was a genetic research facility located on the L4 colony satellite "Mendel," later shut down for certain reasons. More importantly, it was connected to Cruze and a certain Super Coordinator project.
He continued scrolling.
"...Experimental Subject Number K-01... Genetic defects evident... Estimated lifespan..."
"...Escape incident... Pursuit protocol initiated..."
"...Target precise location... Orleans region..."
Nangong Wentian's pupils contracted slightly.
Orleans region.
That was the capital of Orb, the place he was about to go.
He quickly scrolled further, but the file ended there. The last few lines were blurred, only vaguely revealing a few words:
"...Canard Pars... Dangerous... Capture alive..."
Canard Pars.
Nangong Wentian stared at that name, countless images flashing through his mind.
The tragic Super Coordinator from the original story. An experimental subject who escaped from the "Destruction" project, hunted throughout his youth, ultimately...
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
Who leaked this file? Why did it appear on the Dark Web? Where was that boy named Canard now?
He didn't know. But he knew one thing—he would remember that name.
"Wentian?" Xiao Guang, seeing him lost in thought, asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"
Nangong Wentian snapped back to reality and shook his head. "It's nothing."
He closed the file but kept the key information in his mind.
Mendel Institute. Annihilation Project. Canard Pars. Orleans region.
And that word—capture alive.
Someone was hunting this boy.
He thought for a moment, then began searching the Dark Web for more information about the "Annihilation Project."
The search results were sparse, mostly fragments. It took him the entire afternoon to piece together some clues:
The project began around C.E. 50, funded by certain radical factions within PLANT, with the goal of creating the "perfect Super Coordinator." There were multiple experimental sites, but the core was the Mendel Institute. Most of the subjects were genetically modified infants, raised in laboratories from birth and subjected to various enhancement training.
But the project ran into problems.
Genetic defects. Shortened lifespans. Psychological instability. Most subjects died in childhood. The few who survived were strictly controlled, stripped of their freedom.
Then, about two years ago, one subject escaped.
Codename: K-01. Name: Canard Pars.
Since then, he had been on the run.
Nangong Wentian leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.
Two years ago. Canard would have been around thirteen or fourteen. A child, escaping from such a place, hunted for two years.
He thought about his own struggles over the years, but at least he had a home, the head of the orphanage, Sister Mary, and Xiao Guang. What did that boy named Canard have?
Nothing.
Only those hunting him.
"Wentian," Xiao Guang spoke again, his voice soft, "do you... know this person?"
Nangong Wentian opened his eyes and looked at him.
There was no suspicion in Xiao Guang's eyes, only concern. He couldn't understand the complex text on the screen, but he could read Wentian's expression—it was one he had never seen before.
"No," Nangong Wentian said, "but I might in the future."
Xiao Guang paused, then nodded. "Are we going to help him?"
Nangong Wentian was silent for a moment before replying, "If there's a chance, yes."
Xiao Guang grinned. "Okay."
It was that simple. No questions about why or how, just "okay."
Nangong Wentian looked at him, warmth swelling in his heart.
He continued his search.
Over the next few days, he found more related information. Most of it was fragmented, but a few pieces caught his attention.
One was the closure announcement for the Mendel Institute. The date was C.E. 58, shortly after Canard's escape. The official explanation was "research project concluded," but some on the Dark Web claimed it was due to an "accident."
Another was a summary of a closed-door speech by a PLANT councilor. The content was vague but mentioned the "Annihilation Project" and "genetic ethics," with one sentence highlighted: "If that subject falls into the wrong hands, the consequences would be unimaginable."
The third was an internal memo from the Orb government, dated earlier this year. It warned various departments to be vigilant about "possible infiltration activities," noting that "certain organizations may be searching for specific targets within Orb territory."
Nangong Wentian stared at the last piece, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee.
Certain organizations. Specific targets.
Blue Cosmos.
He was almost certain that the ones pursuing Canard were Blue Cosmos. That organization had always been searching for ways to enhance their power, and a Super Coordinator was exactly what they wanted.
If Canard fell into their hands...
He didn't dare think about it.
"Star Core," he silently recited in his mind, "create a new file, named 'Canard Pars.' Priority: high. Key information: Mendel Institute, Annihilation Project, pursued by Blue Cosmos, likely to appear in the Orleans region."
A prompt appeared on the screen: File created.
He thought for a moment, then added a note:
"If possible, make contact in advance and provide appropriate assistance."
Xiao Guang watched from the side. Although he couldn't understand the words, he could sense that this person named "Canard" was very important to Wentian.
"Wentian," he suddenly said, "if we ever meet him in the future, how will we recognize him?"
Nangong Wentian was taken aback.
Yes, how would they recognize him? The file had no photo, only a written description.
He recalled the content he had just read, vaguely remembering a few lines:
Silver short hair. Around fifteen years old. Height approximately 1.7 meters. Distinctive feature... the eyes.
He closed his eyes, trying to piece together an image of that youth from those fragments.
Silver short hair, which should stand out. Fifteen years old, a few years older than himself. Height...
"The eyes," he murmured to himself, "what kind of eyes?"
The file said his eyes were "like those of a wounded beast."
Nangong Wentian opened his eyes.
Like a wounded beast. That kind of gaze, he had seen it before. Some children at the orphanage had that look when they first arrived—alert, guarded, ready to flee or attack at any moment.
He knew what that gaze meant.
It meant they had been hurt, abandoned, and no longer trusted anyone.
"Xiao Guang," he suddenly said, "if we ever encounter someone with silver hair and a fierce gaze, like they're ready to bite at any moment, tell me."
Xiao Guang paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Okay. I'll remember."
Outside the window, the night grew deeper. The winter wind howled, rattling the windows.
Nangong Wentian shut down the Star Core and stood up, stretching his stiff legs.
"Let's go," he said, "time to sleep."
The two walked out of the back kitchen, through the dark corridor, and returned to the dormitory.
Xiao Guang quickly fell asleep, breathing evenly.
Nangong Wentian lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling, replaying the information in his mind.
Mendel Institute. Annihilation Project. Canard Pars. Blue Cosmos.
And that word—capture alive.
He didn't know if he could find that youth, didn't know what he could do if he did, didn't know if it would bring trouble upon himself.
But he knew that if he did nothing, that youth might die.
Or suffer something worse than death.
He closed his eyes and silently said in his heart:
"Canard Pars, if you truly exist, if you are truly on the run, if you are truly in Orleans... wait for me."
Outside the window, moonlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, falling on his face.
He fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, he saw a youth with silver short hair, covered in blood, his eyes like those of a wounded beast.
He tried to reach out, but couldn't get close enough.