"Inject fluorescent marker fluid into the cerebrospinal fluid to establish brain area stimulation cycles."

"Severe immune response detected, 100 milligrams of dexamethasone, administer intravenously."

"The inflammation is suppressed, but the brain area cycle is still blocked."

"Increase the current to the brain area, double it."

"Double? The receptors can’t handle it."

"Group One completed the brain area cycle experiment yesterday, our group is falling way behind, we need to catch up."

"That’s because Zero is in Group One. That monster’s head is messed up—she feels no pain regardless of the electrical stimulation, no stress response either. Other receptors could die from this."

"Don’t give me excuses, can you do it? If not, resign yourself."

"Fine, I’ll adjust the current..."

...

In the cold, oppressive underground experimental zone, children of various ages are confined within different instruments, their bodies connected to a dense web of wires, and continuous pulse currents surge through.

Under the shock of the currents, their brains feel as if pierced by countless needles; most children cry uncontrollably within seconds, but the shortest time needed for data recording is ten minutes.

After the experiment, the children are usually hoarse and unable to speak, standing becomes difficult, and sometimes they even lose control over bodily functions, leaving their clothes stained with nauseating filth.

Today, the "Intelligent Brain Program" experiments proceed as always, anguished cries reverberating through the underground experimental zone.

But there’s an exception in Group One’s laboratory.

Zero sits on an experimental chair, hands and feet strapped with insulated belts, a helmet-like apparatus on her head, surrounded by wires.

Powerful pulse currents are relentlessly unleashed, ravaging Zero’s brain area, a pain that could instantly shatter a child’s consciousness.

Yet she shows no response; from birth, the absence of pain perception has become her shield against suffering.

The strong currents hit Zero in waves, her face uncontrollably twitching and twisting, her eyelids spasming, rendering one eye bigger than the other. Her body is tense and trembling, with some black blood oozing from her nose.

But she feels nothing, letting the researchers manipulate her like a puppet, just like yesterday, just like countless times before.

This continued for half an hour before the experiment finally ended.

The researchers recorded data while chatting casually:

"Good job, everyone. Today’s progress was decent, let’s stop here."

"Haha, we’re outperforming the other groups by so much, the bonus this month is secure."

"Xiaozhao, why are you so mundane? If the Intelligent Brain Program succeeds, we, with our mortal bodies, will stand alongside deities, eternally etched in history. Don’t just focus on the money."

"Old Pan, you’re noble, you’re virtuous. I just want more money for a car and a house."

"Team Leader Luo, care for a drink at the usual spot?"

The researcher unstrapped Zero and tossed her outside, casually telling the guard, "Done with her, take her back."

The guard didn’t even bother offering help, kicking Zero lightly with his boot to signal her to follow.

Zero may not feel pain, but today’s high-current experiment caused severe physiological reactions; her hands and feet trembled, her steps stumbled, nosebleed along the way.

Post-experiment time is outdoor time; under guard supervision, the children were led to an open area surrounded by walls, where only a small piece of sky could be seen, covered with iron bars.

When Zero reached the activity area, she instantly received resentful looks from other children.

A boy kicked Zero to the ground as she passed by, cursing, "It’s all your fault! We’re all suffering because of you!"

With someone taking the lead, other children’s anger erupted, surrounding and abusing Zero:

"Exactly! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in so much pain!"

"Disgusting monster, you can’t feel pain. Why don’t you do the high-current experiment yourself? Why should we suffer with you?"

"Kill this monster! You’re ugly, you’re disgusting! Kill you!"

The children surrounded Zero, kicking and beating her. Her face quickly swelled with bruises—swollen here, raised there—matched with her blood-scab-covered bald head, resembling a hideous monster.

The guards around, smoking, turned a blind eye to this behavior.

The children hated Zero, and the guards didn’t like her either.

Unlike the timid children who tried to please guards to avoid punishment.

Zero was dark, withdrawn; curses didn’t work, beatings didn’t hurt, even when beaten ’til her face bled, she’d only stare blankly, apathetically.

If it weren’t for researchers’ needs, the guards would’ve found a reason to beat her to death.

Zero curled up in a corner, letting the children kick and hit, her eyes reflecting their angry, twisted faces, devoid of any light.

Why are you hitting me...

Why do you all call me a monster...

I don’t want to be like this...

Why does everyone think it’s my fault...

"Kill you! Monster! Kill you!" The boy leading the assault grew increasingly violent, cursing continuously.

Just then, a pretty girl dashed out from the crowd, shielding Zero, pushing others aside, loudly questioning, "What are you doing?! The experiments have been intense lately, everyone’s suffering, but is it Zero’s fault?!"

The boy angrily said, "If it weren’t for Zero, we wouldn’t be exposed to such high current. It’s all because of her. How is it not her fault?!"

The girl retorted, "If you have complaints, go to the director! Can Zero decide the current level?!"

The boy pointed at her angrily, "Xiaoqi, I’m warning you, defend Zero, and I’ll beat you too!"

Xiaoqi stood firm, undaunted, "Afraid of you? Bring it on!"

"Hit them!" The boy shouted, and the children swarmed forward, crazily assaulting Xiaoqi and Zero.

Xiaoqi shielded Zero with her body, frantically fighting back.

"Dare to fight back, beat them to death!"

There were too many of them; Xiaoqi soon became disheveled, her face bruised and swollen.

Realizing she couldn’t win, Xiaoqi only held Zero tight, shielding her as much as possible, letting punches fall on her back.

"It’s okay...Zero, don’t be afraid, I’m here..." Xiaoqi whispered softly with Zero held tightly in her arms, her murmurings constant.

Through the gaps between arm and ribs, Zero saw the children’s angry, sinister faces like a multitude of demons. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Kill you! Speaking for this monster! Kill you!" The boy yanked Xiaoqi’s hair, pummeling the back of her head.

Suddenly, a punch hit Xiaoqi’s vital point with a thud, dazing her, making her fall to the ground.

The boy instantly rushed in, punching and kicking, venting his anger.

Xiaoqi quickly became bruised and bloody all over, like a torn rag doll.

Just then, an unexpected event occurred.

Zero suddenly went berserk, lunging out from behind and biting the boy’s hand hard.

"Ah!!! She’s biting me!!!" The boy screamed shrilly, pounding Zero’s face, "Let go! Let go!!!"

Zero was like a wild beast out of control, growling low, refusing to let go despite the boy’s beating, soon rendering his hand bloodied.

The guards finally intervened, striding over.

He thrust a rubber baton between Zero’s teeth, prying her mouth open, then struck her down forcefully.

He ground his foot on Zero’s head, coldly telling his companion, "Zero caused trouble, lock her in the dark cell for three days."

The boy gripped his bleeding hand, gazing at Zero with a satisfied, vengeful look.

Zero lay on the ground, her vision blurred from the recent blows, eyes reflecting the sky darkened by the iron bars.

...

That year, she was 6, she was 12.