Faced with these two challenges, Luo Shu pondered briefly before deciding to tackle the first problem—opening the door.
The core issue was keeping the tank battalion from overreacting.
So Luo Shu went straight to the tank battalion's command office, canceled his Unobservability, and activated his Persuasion ability.
"Hello! I'm Researcher Suluo, here under Level-4 authorization to observe Anomalous Item-682 up close. Your personal tactical terminal will receive the authorization documents shortly, and the Unit door will open in a few minutes. Just giving you a heads-up!"
The tank battalion commander stared at Luo Shu, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
Clearly, he'd seen Luo Shu's wanted poster—he just couldn't place him at the moment.
But under the influence of Persuasion, he believed Luo Shu's words and dismissed the déjà vu as normal.
To further legitimize his claim, the Area-14 mainframe—under Luo Shu's direction—promptly sent over the "authorization documents."
"Understood. I'll notify the duty team. Good luck!"
Thus, in full view of everyone, Luo Shu opened the door to Anomalous Item-682.
Behind it lay a massive hydrochloric acid bath, where the Hard-to-Destroy Reptile lounged, enjoying its 24/7 acid spa.
Sensing Luo Shu's presence, 682 began to stir, thrashing in the acid pool.
The 25cm acid-resistant steel walls groaned under the strain, making it seem like 682 was about to breach containment again.
To prevent the tank battalion outside from freaking out, Luo Shu had the Area-14 system quickly shut the door before addressing the next problem.
Conventional containment methods were useless—Luo Shu had no way to fully control this monstrosity.
In the end, he decided to try the friendship approach first, since his Persuasion ability was still active.
If that failed, he'd figure something else out.
"Easy there, big guy! I just want to ask you some questions."
Luo Shu approached, placing a hand on the acid tank's outer wall while flipping to Page 40 of the Anomalous Item Catalog.
He borrowed the abilities of another Keter-class anomaly in Area-14 to calm 682 down—the paralytic toxin of Anomalous Item-165 (The Greedy Worm Sand).
It couldn't harm 682, but it did make the creature significantly quieter.
Luo Shu continued: "Do you know Anomalous Item-196? He said you're special. If you understand me, how about we be friends? Let's get to know each other."
But as it turned out, 682 had no interest in conversation—it only wanted freedom.
Thanks to its insane regeneration and adaptability, it quickly shook off the toxin's effects and resumed ramming the acid tank.
Tough crowd.
Time for Plan B.
Luo Shu flipped to Page 22 of the Catalog.
Anomalous Item-241 (The Delicious Home-Cooked Recipe).
[Ability: Food Allergens. To kill a man, first seize his stomach. If he has food allergies, exploit them. If he doesn't, create some!]
682 survived by absorbing nutrients from any solution through the filter gills in its nostrils, using them to regenerate its flesh even as the acid dissolved it.
This was the legendary 682 Perpetual Motion Machine!
But now, under the influence of Food Allergens, the hydrochloric acid's nutrients had turned toxic.
682 immediately started suffering—its regeneration halted, and it began foaming at the mouth.
But the Hard-to-Destroy Reptile wouldn't be defeated so easily!
It began adapting, trying to adjust to the "tainted food" in the acid tank.
However, Food Allergens didn't produce a fixed toxin—it tailored the poison to the target's biology.
No matter how 682 adapted, it couldn't escape the curse of allergies!
It grew weaker and weaker in the acid bath…
"For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost. For want of a horse, the rider was lost. For want of a rider, the battle was lost. For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost."
This old proverb, famously tied to King Richard III of England, was now playing out on 682.
The "indestructible" Hard-to-Destroy Reptile had been bested by a measly Safe-class ability!
Even Luo Shu was surprised by the outcome.
682 lifted its head weakly, staring at Luo Shu with pleading eyes.
"Please… stop…"
At that moment, a new page appeared in Luo Shu's Anomalous Item Catalog.
[Page: 122]
[Item No.: Anomalous Item-682]
[Designation: Hard-to-Destroy Reptile]
[Object Class: Keter]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Special Containment Procedures: …]
[Abilities: Higher-Dimensional Projection. This world has no true immortality! If something cannot die, it means only one thing—its true form isn't in this world. Well, actually, your 'invincible' reptile is just a pet. It's a cute little lizard kept by Xi Juan, who got bored and projected it into this world for fun.]
[Status: Contained]
[Interaction History: Click to play]
[O]
Just a pet…
Luo Shu had no idea who this "Xi Juan" was, but—
"Do you have any idea how much trouble your 'cute little lizard' has caused this world?!"
Setting aside his frustration, Luo Shu began analyzing the implications of Higher-Dimensional Projection.
In the Foundation's worldview, "higher dimensions" could be interpreted two ways:
Spatial higher dimensions (e.g., 1D, 2D, 3D… within the same narrative layer).
Higher narrative layers (i.e., the world above this story).
The question was—did 682 and Xi Juan come from a higher spatial dimension, or were they from the real world?
For Luo Shu, both possibilities meant insurmountable power, but there was a fundamental difference.
Higher spatial dimensions meant raw strength—like dimensional collapse, 2D unfolding, or a foil attack.
Higher narrative layers meant absolute control—where a single word could decide life or death.
If not for his encounter with Anomalous Item-196 (Jack), Luo Shu might have hoped 682 was just from a higher spatial dimension.
But now, there was no doubt—it came from a higher narrative!
In that moment, Luo Shu felt utterly helpless.
"So I really am just a story character…"
"Everything about me was given by the author, not earned through my own efforts…"
Lost in self-doubt, his mind in turmoil, Luo Shu unconsciously pressed the [O] button—the symbol for Higher-Dimensional Projection…