Special Reward

While the investigators were speaking with the two young people who had experienced the Anomaly Event,

an official car pulled up directly at the entrance of the Investigation Bureau branch. The fourth person in this conversation joined just as the previous topic ended, and he was an old acquaintance as well.

A middle-aged man with a square face and a mole above his lip: Wang Shuokang, Director of the Records Management Department at the City Research Bureau.

After learning that the anomalous capture operation in Resettlement Community No. 13 was directly connected to Luo Di, he had promptly rushed over.

As Director Wang took his seat, the focus of the conversation shifted to him.

"Ge Wenzhu, are you finished questioning them?"

"Please go ahead, Director Wang."

"Ahem. Then I'll get straight to the point. It seems my assumption was correct. One of you is quite special, possessing a trait that easily triggers 'accidents.'

It has only been half a year, yet you encountered another accident—and this time, it was a basically mature Pseudo-Human. It seems giving you the Corner-transforming items ahead of time was the right choice."

The class monitor curiously pressed on. "Aside from us, are there other people like this who easily encounter accidents?"

"There are dozens of similar cases across the country. Some are even more extreme than you; they encounter one or two accidents a month.

Of course, this trait has not yet been conclusively identified. Some other Research Bureaus even regard it as nothing more than coincidence caused by population size.

That argument does have merit. According to statistics, Psychological Corners have been appearing more frequently each year, the number of Pseudo-Humans has continued to rise, and the chances of people encountering Anomaly Events will only increase.

In short, for the second half of the year, the two of you should try to limit your movements to school and home. I hope you can successfully complete your entrance examinations."

The class monitor continued along the topic of Psychological Corners. "Have you found out why Ms. Wu Huazhen formed a Mind Corner?"

Director Wang tapped his wristband. He had received the Pseudo-Human dossier sent over by the Research Bureau two minutes earlier.

"After both her parents died, Ms. Wu Huazhen lived alone for more than ten years. During that time, she pursued members of the opposite sex, but every one of them rejected her.

Over time, she began doubting her own 'appearance.' Combined with malnutrition and hormonal imbalances that caused hair loss, she sank ever deeper into self-doubt.

However, she was very good at disguising herself. In the eyes of others, she seemed completely fine.

She gradually went out less and less, remaining shut indoors for long periods.

She often sat alone in her empty home, staring blankly into space. Her poor hygiene attracted flies and spiders, and she gradually developed arachnophobia herself.

Her disgust with—indeed, utter hatred of—her own 'appearance,' her jealousy of and yearning for beautiful girls, and her obsession with her lover's wedding,

all those emotions piled up and fermented until a Corner was born within her mind. She then lived as a Pseudo-Human for a full year and five days."

"It had been over a year!"

"That's right. And she already had blood on her hands, placing her close to maturity. She is an excellent research subject. Our two bureaus will also provide you with considerable rewards afterward.

The fact that you survived at the hands of something like that is enough to prove how outstanding you both are. This experience will be clearly recorded in your files."

Luo Di was not interested in the nature of Pseudo-Humans. Or rather, based on last night's experience, he had already roughly deduced how her Corner had formed.

What he cared about more was the supposed reward, and Director Wang seemed to see through his thoughts at once.

"Luo Di, being able to skillfully wield a Corner-transforming item while still a student, and even confront a genuine Pseudo-Human head-on, already makes you exceptionally outstanding.

If we reward you with another Corner-transforming item, there is a good chance it would exceed the limits of what you can bear.

Considering your family situation, I can apply for a substantial monetary reward and a housing allocation for you.

Although you will most likely leave your current community after advancing to higher education, I still suggest that you move out now. After all, this is already the 'second' Anomaly Event in your community, isn't it?"

"The second?" The class monitor was startled. Luo Di had not mentioned this to her, but she immediately recalled that the occupancy rate of Resettlement Community No. 13 was indeed very low.

Luo Di's response was unusually firm. "My family and I have already discussed it. There is only one semester left, and moving would involve many complications. It would definitely affect me to some extent. I'll move after I graduate."

Director Wang stared at Luo Di and suddenly thought of something.

"In that case, I have another special reward option here. During last night's incident, you injured Wu Huazhen with your weapon, correct?"

"Yes."

"Take it out and let us have a look. Perhaps it has already undergone some changes. After all, a zombie's traits are not limited to hardening; another important trait is bloodsucking.

Letting it taste the high-value blood of its own kind may produce a special reaction."

The moment he heard that, Luo Di immediately perked up. Even his drowsiness was forcibly suppressed.

Ever since the incident ended, he had not had time to inspect the Zombie Blade.

He untied the burial cloth.

Luo Di himself froze for a moment.

He knew this blade better than anyone. Its once deathly still body had now become somewhat active, and several nerve-like strands inside it were even faintly wriggling.

"As expected, after tasting the blood of a Pseudo-Human that had existed longer, it has become thirstier for blood.

How about this? I'll make the decision for you. When the Research Bureau processes Wu Huazhen, they will draw the cranial blood that passed through her pituitary gland.

That blood will be stored separately and used to feed your blade."

"How much?"

"At most 100 milliliters. And you will need to go to the Research Bureau in person and absorb it in front of us... The reason is simple: drinking blood increases the risk to you as its wielder. We need to make sure you can still control the blade.

We'll call you within five days.

In that case, you should be satisfied with the reward, right?"

"Thank you."

The investigator beside them, Ge Wenzhu, knew full well how dangerous this approach was, especially when the subject was only a high school student.

But after seeing the look on Director Wang's face, he swallowed the words he had wanted to say.

"Then what reward do I get?" the class monitor asked impatiently.

Director Wang was not particularly interested in Wu Wen. "Your reward will follow the Investigation Bureau's standards.

I trust it won't be too bad, right, Wenzhu?"

Ge Wenzhu said nothing and placed a red-headed document on the table.

"Assistance Reward for the Capture of 'Wu Huazhen (Anomaly)'"

Due to your significant contribution during the capture operation, you may choose one of the following rewards:

1. An internship opportunity at the Jupiter City Investigation Bureau branch after normal graduation.

2. Eight million rubles in assistance funds.

3. A basic investigator combat suit set (simplified version).

The class monitor had thought there would not be anything particularly good, but the moment she saw the words on the page, she decisively placed her finger over number three.

"Can I really have something like this?"

Ge Wenzhu nodded. "If it is written on the document, then you will receive it. This decision was made in light of your outstanding performance. Naturally, we also hope you will actively participate in future investigator selections."

"Okay, I'll consider it~ By the way, when can I get the outfit?"

"It will be newly tailored according to the physical examination information from this morning. Our bureau will send someone to deliver it directly to you.

The tailoring process is expected to take around three to five days. When it is delivered, a specialist will also explain the clothing requirements and basic functions to you in detail."

"That's great!" The class monitor threw both hands into the air as though celebrating some kind of victory.

Director Wang raised a hand. "All right~ The two of you have worked very hard as well. A car will be waiting outside to take you safely home. Get some proper rest."

After the young people left, the two adults began a special conversation.

"What do you think, Wenzhu? The young man our Research Bureau noticed in advance is quite impressive, isn't he? Surviving an incident like this—and even managing to inflict some injuries on a Pseudo-Human of that level—is unprecedented.

I hope your side can help keep this genius confidential. Otherwise, the higher-ups may come directly to poach him.

In my opinion, it would be best to release information about him only after he reaches adulthood. That would be best for both us and him."

"Director Wang means that the incident report should downplay its written description of this person."

Director Wang hurriedly raised a hand. "I never said that~ I'm merely giving you a reminder. After all, this is a matter for your Investigation Bureau."

Ge Wenzhu naturally understood Luo Di's potential as well. He wanted to keep such talent within the city bureau too.

"By the way, Director Wang, which of them do you think is the individual who easily triggers 'accidents'?"

Director Wang did not answer verbally. Instead, he took a detailed personal file from the briefcase he carried and placed it on the table.

As Ge Wenzhu picked up the file and began examining it, his eyes gradually widened.

"This..."

Director Wang merely made a silencing gesture.