The girl was dead.
After the young man had been restrained and everyone had lowered their guard, she had been killed by him through some unknown means.
This was the first time a victim had died due to their negligence!
Bai Yu’s hands were trembling.
Beyond anger, her heart was filled with disbelief.
The psionic detection device from earlier had clearly indicated that this young man was a complete and utter ordinary person!
How could an ordinary person kill someone from such a distance without any warning?
Had he used a psionic tool? But currently, all such tools were still in their internal research and development phase! Where would an ordinary person find a channel to acquire one?
Wait, she almost forgot—the boy he had been with!
Bai Yu turned abruptly, locking her gaze on the boy standing in the corner. To her surprise, she found him standing quietly in place, staring blankly in the girl’s direction, his slender fingers clutching at his chest.
—*“Be an accomplice…”*
—*“Aren't you exactly the same as that good friend of yours?”*
That was it… those words… Bai Yu realized with a start. Was this man simply following through on what he had said?
Was his goal from beginning to end merely to “educate” that boy?
“Captain Zuo!” Bai Yu hurriedly informed Zuo Xiu as he stepped out of the vehicle.
Zuo Xiu’s expression was icy. The atmospheric pressure around him seemed to drop several degrees after hearing Bai Yu’s speculation.
“Seal the scene. Call the Investigation Department to process the evidence. Release the ordinary bystanders after blurring their memories. Question that gentleman and then blur his memories as well.”
Having said that, he strode over to the boy. Looking into the boy’s quietly observant eyes, he reached out and wordlessly released a pressure that only Specials could perceive.
Behind him, Bai Yu instinctively took a few steps back.
Seeing that the boy only looked at his movements with confusion and showed no signs of discomfort, Zuo Xiu withdrew his power. He turned and instructed Bai Yu:
“When Yicheng arrives, take the boy with him to Xu Qing’s place to evaluate his state.”
Thinking of the young man’s silent and eerie methods, he added in a low voice, “Stay safe.”
Bai Yu nodded. With a flick of her hand, she generated a large, transparent barrier that enveloped the street. From the outside, people would only see a road under construction and would sensibly choose a different path.
They all seemed to have collectively forgotten to arrange for the girl’s body. Even the suit-wearing uncle, who was weeping miserably, was only preoccupied with his own constant regret, treating the small corpse lying nearby as if it were non-existent.
“I think something is a bit off this time.”
Mu Ran stared at the tightly closed car door, unable to guess what was happening inside. He could only keep comforting his partner.
*“It’s fine, it’s fine. It looks like they’re sending us away now. The experiment is almost over. (Cat head-pat.jpg)”*
In truth, he wasn't entirely sure himself. But since the person had been caught, surely it would just be a matter of giving a statement or something, right?
But after waiting a while, Mu Ran watched in shock as the black vehicle carrying the System drove straight away.
*Wait, why is that car only carrying the System? What about me? Am I not going to the police station?*
He couldn't help but stand up and take a few steps toward the departing car, only to have his wrist firmly grabbed by a hand.
“Do you want to go after that man?” Bai Yu asked with an unreadable tone.
Intuition told Mu Ran he couldn't answer “yes,” so he simply avoided her gaze and silently sat back down.
After waiting a bit longer, the experiment still hadn't been judged as "complete." Mu Ran felt like he couldn't sit still anymore.
*“Calling, calling. How is the situation over there?”*
There was no answer.
Usually, this indicated that the System was fully concentrated on his performance.
Mu Ran grew even more uneasy. For his part of the act, he usually just had to stay withdrawn and silent; in most cases, bystanders wouldn't take the initiative to ask anything—they would talk, and Mu Ran would listen.
But this time, the atmosphere was terrifyingly quiet. The lady guarding him just observed him calmly without speaking.
After another wait, Mu Ran was finally picked up by a car.
A reliable-looking middle-aged man arrived in a hurry. The team he led scattered across the scene as soon as they arrived, using various instruments to investigate. The sight made Mu Ran feel uneasy.
*…What is this? I’ve never seen these things before. Do the police really need this kind of equipment to investigate a scene? Is it just because of the added plot point with the girl? There shouldn't be anything else, right?*
Before getting into the car, Mu Ran glanced back at the girl’s position. Only after confirming that people in this world could not see the girl’s body did he feel relieved enough to board.
What he didn't notice was that Bai Yu followed his gaze. Whatever she associated with it caused her to let out a long, soft sigh.
He had expected the car ride to be silent as well, but to his surprise, after the two people opposite him exchanged a look, the newly arrived middle-aged man took the initiative to speak.
“Child, we want to ask you a few questions now.”
Bai Yu saw the boy lift his head. His eyes held a hint of relief mixed with a touch of indifference as he spoke calmly: “Okay. Go ahead.”
“Don't be nervous, we aren't bad people.” Bai Yu smiled at the right moment to ease the tension. She took a thermos from the car, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it to the boy. Only after he hesitantly took a small sip did she signal Zou Yicheng to begin the questioning.
The next half-hour of the drive felt incredibly long to Mu Ran.
He had no idea he could be questioned in such detail. Settings he had never even considered were unearthed and scrutinized. If the System was facing this kind of interrogation, it was no wonder he couldn't find the time to reply.
Mu Ran could only answer most questions vaguely, such as “Why did they come here?” or “Where did they live before?”
Fortunately, he could pretend to be triggered, lowering his head and acting withdrawn to avoid answering. Whenever he did this, the aggressive middle-aged man would naturally pause, and the lady would speak up at the right time, offering small snacks and softening the atmosphere.
Mu Ran strongly suspected they were professionals. Although he was on his guard, he still inadvertently revealed some information.
Realizing this, Mu Ran immediately sent the information he had disclosed to the System to prevent their stories from conflicting. Then, he adopted a posture of refusing to communicate, burying his head deep between his knees.
Seeing this, Bai Yu made a gesture to Zou Yicheng and received an affirmative nod. She stood up, took a blanket hanging from the side wall, and approached the boy step by step. She gently draped the blanket over him, naturally providing him an out for his refusal to talk: “Are you cold? Ah, the air conditioning is a bit high. Why don't you sleep for a bit and get some rest. We’ll talk more when we reach our destination.”
Then she returned to her seat and wordlessly exchanged the intelligence they had gathered with her teammate via an electronic device.
Almost every answer to their questions was related to that young man. Words like “don't know,” “not sure,” and “don't understand” appeared frequently. It was as if the boy’s “self” had never existed independently.
Furthermore, despite being suddenly brought into a completely unfamiliar environment and facing two strangers, he had only asked one question of his own accord from start to finish:
“Can I see him again?”
Bai Yu silently sent a message to the person they were meeting at their destination.
*“Dr. Xu, be prepared. The child coming this time might have some significant issues.”*
***
On the other side, the System finally had a moment to reply to Mu Ran.
He first carefully read the string of messages Mu Ran had sent to check for any information conflicts. Finding none, he intended to immediately inform Mu Ran of his situation, but out of habit, he checked the map and realized their coordinates were rapidly moving in opposite directions.
*“Messages received. No major discrepancies so far. Um, we seem to be moving further apart. Is this normal? Or is the layout of this city just strange?”*
*“What? Aren't we going to the same place?”*
*“Not sure. I don't think I can ask questions on my end.”*
The System blinked, staring into the pitch-black darkness. Feeling the spatial boundaries his wrists touched, he fell into deep thought.
*“I’ve been locked up. It feels like I’m back in the factory.”*
*“Lo-locked up? In a cage? What kind of person keeps that in a car?!”*
Mu Ran hurried to comfort the System.
*“If you’re uncomfortable, let’s force an exit. The salary I’ve saved up can cover the penalty fee once. (Dog head-pat.jpg)”*
*“Ah, it’s not uncomfortable. It just feels like being packaged and waiting to be selected. It’s quite a strange feeling.”*
The System adjusted his posture, an involuntary smile touching his lips.
*“It feels a bit like coming home.”*
*“……”*
Even though they had been partners for half a month, Mu Ran still occasionally failed to understand his new partner’s remarks.
However…
*“As long as you’re okay.”*
What the System, enclosed in a miniature space, didn't know was how the person sitting in front of him, guarding him, felt. Seeing him naturally adjust his posture and remain in that cramped space for nearly twenty minutes without any negative emotional fluctuations—even showing a smile just now—caused a violent stir in the guard's heart.
***
Mu Ran finally got out of the car.
They seemed to have arrived at a villa. After handing some items to Xu Qing, who came out to meet them, Bai Yu hurriedly left.
Zou Yicheng caught the boy’s confused gaze as he watched Bai Yu leave, seemingly asking why he wasn't leaving too.
*I can't leave… not until I’m sure you won't hurt anyone else.* He smiled naturally, pulled up a chair to sit nearby, and nodded to Xu Qing.
Xu Qing appeared to be a very frail and gentle young man. His eyes were a beautiful, soft amber, and his smile was very approachable, which slightly eased the boy’s tension.
He quickly flipped through the records Bai Yu had given him, forming a general idea.
Catching the boy’s wavering gaze, his eye color deepened as he inconspicuously activated his ability.
***
The System also got out of the vehicle, though he didn't feel much about the process, as he was currently being handled like a courier package.
He was brought into a sealed room. The wall in front of him had been replaced by a mirror—undoubtedly a special one-way glass.
Everyone he had come into temporary contact with during the journey had their faces covered. Whenever he tried to catch a glimpse of their hidden features, Zuo Xiu, who stood beside him, would press his head down to make him look at the floor.
System: *Hmm…*
*I think you all have some sort of misunderstanding about me.*
The System sat down calmly in the central chair, his manner as natural as if he were an invited guest rather than a suspect being treated with extreme caution.
“Well, I hope we can conclude these tedious conversations quickly.”
Crossing his hands elegantly, he nodded toward the unseen people behind the mirror.
“After all,” he said with a smile, “everyone must return to where they belong.”
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 灵能 | Psionic energy | Supernatural or spiritual power used in this setting. |
| 特异者 | Specials | Individuals with supernatural or psionic abilities. |
| 勘察部 | Investigation Department | A specialized unit for processing scenes involving Specials. |
| 许清 | Xu Qing | A doctor/specialist with amber eyes and mental/empathic abilities. |
| 邹义成 | Zou Yicheng | A member of the task force, likely specialized in interrogation or field work. |
| 认知 | Cognition | Often refers to the perception of reality, which can be manipulated. |
| 模糊记忆 | Blur memories | A technique or ability used to make ordinary people forget supernatural events. |
