Chapter Four: The Man Who Dies Tomorrow

The third test brought a real blade. A mechanical arm shot from the wall toward Wanxing's eye while a clamp held her ankle. “Specify an outcome,” Gu ordered over the speakers. Wanxing saw the deepening red lines beneath Jibai's collar. “The machine will fail, and no one will be hurt.” Nothing happened. The blade came closer. “You're lying,” said Gu. “You don't believe the world lets anyone go free.” How could she? Xiaoman's hospital ceiling and Jibai's obituary had taught her what hope cost. Jibai pressed the intercom. “Look at me. The service number on the arm ends in seven. Number Seven received the wrong fuse this morning. It will burn out under overload.” “How do you know?” “I installed it.”