Chapter Eleven: The Little White Rabbit Guide, Bound to be Devoured Whole

Entangled? Why would I be entangled?

Lu Meng was completely bewildered. Moreover, Martha’s tone sounded exactly like her mother telling her stories when she was a child—the kind where an evil witch uses magic to conjure a poisoned apple to trick a beautiful princess into eating it. She couldn't help but feel a sudden chill run down her spine.

Seeing Lu Meng's nervous expression, Martha burst into a soft laugh. "All right, little guide, don't be nervous. I was just joking."

Lu Meng managed a sheepish smile, unsure of how to respond.

"Your name is... Lu Meng, isn't it?"

Lu Meng nodded quickly. "Yes, it is."

Martha chuckled. "Relax. May I call you Xiao Meng from now on?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good, Xiao Meng. Are you tired of standing? Let’s sit down and talk." Martha gestured for Lu Meng to join her on the sofa.

Taking the hint, Lu Meng followed her and sat down. Seeing that the girl seemed less tense, Martha spoke slowly.

"I am Martha, the head of the Guide Department at the military base. You may address me as Chief Martha."

"Understood, Chief Martha," Lu Meng replied promptly.

Martha’s tone softened. "The situation is this: Dean Elt has already briefed me on your background. He told me that you possess the power for mental stabilization, but perhaps it hasn't been developed yet. His idea is for me to separate you from the other guides, which will make it easier for him to observe your progress. I intend to set up an experimental zone exclusively for you, where I will select test subjects from the military base's sentinels each month. What do you think?"

"An experimental zone just for me?" Lu Meng couldn't help but ask, "Just me alone?"

Martha nodded. "Yes. Your situation is too unique to perform mental stabilization on sentinels the same way other guides do, so this is the only way for now."

Lu Meng didn't know if this was good or bad, but since the military base had arranged it this way, she would follow along. She was ready to comply with whatever was planned!

She thought for a moment and said, "I have no objections. When do we start?"

Martha chuckled. "Don't be in such a rush. First, I will send you some regulations regarding the military base and some basic information on mental stabilization so you can familiarize yourself with them. There is also introductory material for new guides. Once you have studied enough and pass an assessment with me, I will take you for practical training. Once I feel you are ready after that, we will begin."

Lu Meng listened intently. "Understood."

Martha couldn't resist lightly pinching her chin. "Such a good girl."

Being teased by such a glamorous woman, Lu Meng’s face turned bright red instantly. She screamed internally. *It’s true! No one can resist the temptation of beauty!*

Seeing her flushed little face, Martha laughed even more heartily. "You’re very shy, aren't you, Xiao Meng? That won't do; you’ll need to get used to things around here."

Such a shy and innocent guide was like a little white rabbit in this military camp, the easiest type to attract the covetous eyes of those crude sentinels. With such naivety, she’d likely be devoured without a trace! Martha sighed inwardly, though her expression remained unchanged.

"Do you have a light-comm?"

Lu Meng snapped out of her shyness and replied quickly, "Yes, I do."

"939313 is my ID. Add me," Martha said.

"Okay." Lu Meng hurried to open her light-comm and enter the ID, grateful that she had learned how to add contacts from Wen Er earlier today. She submitted the request, and it was approved within a second.

Immediately, a flurry of files popped up:
*Military Base Regulations*
*Guide Introductory Manual*
*How to Properly Perform Mental Stabilization*
*Map of the First Military District*

"I've sent them to you. Take a good look at them." Martha paused, then asked, "You just arrived today, didn't you?"

"Yes, I was discharged from the hospital this morning," Lu Meng said.

"Then you probably haven't had a chance to explore our base yet. I've included the map of the military district; you can use it to familiarize yourself with the area." Martha gave her a gentle smile.

"Thank you," Lu Meng replied.