Now You're Also Mentally Ill

[Loading progress updated, current progress: 60%]

"Huh?" Gu Yan, who was navigating, was startled by the system's sudden pop-up.

He hadn't known what this loading progress was for, and it had only just started to change.

This made him feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. It reminded him of protagonists in some web novels who, after becoming invincible for who knows how long, would finally get a system to issue beginner quests.

But his own system had loaded 10% in just over ten days, which seemed quite generous?

With a thought, Gu Yan's panel appeared before him.

[Third Herrscher Support System]

Host: Gu Yan

Physique: 465 (Base Value)

Abilities(?): Plunder, Bestowal, Ice Cones, Levitation, Mustard Seed Space.

Buffs: Strength, Swift Steps, Charge, Intermediate Healing, Tenacity, Giant Strength, Breath Concealment, Shadowless, Dragon Body.

Passive Skills: Ancient Martial Arts Mastery LV98, Honkai Creature LV13, etc.

Loading incomplete, progress 60%

Herrscher File: Recorded (0/16)

On a sparsely populated street.

Gu Yan looked at the navigation on his phone, confirmed it again, and fell into thought at the entrance of a hospital.

Haishi South District Third Mental Hospital.

If he smoked, he would probably light one up now.

What was this called?

The humble hide in the wilderness, the truly great hide in a mental hospital?

Would it be too abrupt for me to go in like this? Maybe I should use the back door?

Climbing the wall would be good too.

But the atmosphere on this street was very strange.

Where did this strangeness come from? Was it the food stall vendor making his pancakes too well done, the wedding photography studio and the funeral home right next to each other, or the "old men" who weren't very good at chess.

They were probably all plainclothes officers. Gu Yan slowly squatted down, feeling a bit tired from standing.

But this small movement immediately drew countless gazes.

So climbing the wall was out. Go through the front door? Fine, I'm a normal person, what's there to be afraid of!

Brushing off imaginary dust, Gu Yan strode into the mental hospital.

"That new guy just went in, no need to keep watching."

"OK."

"Brother Li, save me! I burned all three of my pancakes!"

"Get lost! I run a funeral home now, I don't make pancakes!"

Upon entering the hospital through the main gate, not many people were seen outside. The gatekeeper seemed to know some information about Gu Yan and didn't stop him after confirming his identity.

"Mr. Gu."

There was a flower bed directly opposite the entrance, and the man who had visited his home earlier was standing in front of it.

"Don't call me that, it's a bit awkward... Speaking of which, we're colleagues now. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Zhang Yu, just call me Brother Yu."

Okay, Brother Octopus.

"Hello, Brother Yu." After shaking hands again, they were officially acquainted. Zhang Yu then took on the role of guide.

"Let me show you around."

"The outpatient building in front is just a cover, and it's also the bureau's medical building. You can go here for minor injuries. Some of the medical department staff live on the third floor."

"Behind this building is a training ground, but that's just the outdoor area. Each building has stairs leading down to a larger, professional training facility."

"There's also the cafeteria..."

Zhang Yu chattered on, explaining each building and floor in broad strokes.

As they walked into the medical building, he led Gu Yan straight to the stairs.

"Come on, I'll show you the professional training ground. That's usually where the most people are, a bunch of try-hards."

"A bunch of people thinking about getting stronger and stronger all day, it's so boring. Training isn't as comfortable as slacking off."

"Oh right, that friend you're close with, Zhao Qi, right? He's also at the training ground. He came this morning."

"Um, Brother Yu, since we're an official organization, why are we choosing a... mental hospital as a cover?" Couldn't we pick something else!

Gu Yan really didn't want his family to know he worked at a mental hospital, and entering through the front door under everyone's gaze was practically forced therapy for his social anxiety.

Zhang Yu smiled slightly, only speeding up his descent down the stairs, as if to imply that the answer lay below.

The stairs weren't long, and they soon reached the bottom, where a heavy metal door stood before them.

[Obtained Ability: Fire Control, Water Control]

As Zhang Yu opened the metal door, the wild shouts from the training ground also carried over.

"Fire!"

"Water Style: Dam Construction, Who's Doing It!"

"Frozen ice, submit to me!"

"..."

Gu Yan fell silent. For a moment, he didn't know if the mental hospital was real or fake.

No wonder, no wonder!

If people outside heard this training, they'd definitely think someone had gone mad, and then seeing this place was a mental hospital...

Oh, that makes sense.

This was a brilliant move! It completely eliminated the awkward situation of being misunderstood and reported to the police.

Turning to look at Zhang Yu, whose expression was calm, Gu Yan hesitated before asking, "Brother Yu, are these people's mental states normal?"

"Of course, look over there, isn't that your friend Zhao Qi!"

Don't point, I don't know him!

Zhao Qi was the idiot who had just shouted "Frozen ice, submit to me." Gu Yan now deeply regretted knowing him.

"It's fine, this is all normal. The use of abilities depends on the ability user themselves. Shouting like this has a slight impact on our focus and burst power."

"Don't worry, no one shouts like this in actual combat. It's just for releasing stress during training. Besides..."

Zhang Yu chuckled sheepishly, "Who doesn't have a chuunibyo dream? But when we shout a couple of times, we really get abilities. That feeling is amazing!"

"So that's how it is..." I don't understand, but I'm greatly shocked.

"Let's go, we'll look around somewhere else first. You can decide later if you want to come back." As he said this, Zhang Yu gave a mischievous smile.

"I have a surprise for you later. Are you looking forward to it? Let's finish looking around first."

Heh heh heh, this kid doesn't know that Gu Li received the news the moment he entered this street and has been waiting for him in the office building early. She'll take him around for a few hours, and then there will be a good show to watch.

I wonder how Gu Li, with her temper, will react when her brother stands her up? Will she scold him? No, she has excellent self-control; no matter how angry she gets, she won't curse.

Will she hit him? I doubt it, he's her own brother after all.

But what if she beats me up?

No, I can't let this kid sell me out.

Surprise?

A strange look flashed in Gu Yan's eyes.

This Zhang Yu seems to be stalling for time? Why? Is it because of the surprise he mentioned?

When dealing with unfamiliar people, one must always maintain a degree of caution.

Let's see what he's up to first.

"Brother Yu, can you give me a hint? What kind of surprise?"

Zhang Yu smiled mysteriously, "You'll know, but promise Brother Yu, don't be angry, don't hold a grudge, and don't sell me out. It's all for you."

Gu Yan frowned. Why did it feel like he was being tricked? No way, he and Zhang Yu had no prior grudges, only met twice, and he didn't feel any malice from him.

If Zhang Yu were a problem, he wouldn't be this relaxed.

Zhang Yu might just be an outsider; the real danger is in the office building!

Logically, they should be handling the important matters first, not leisurely wandering around. They must be trying to lower his guard!

Gu Yan's imagination ran wild.

He already pictured the scene in his mind: he'd fall for the trap and enter the office building, only for several burly men to rush out and surround him, cackling sinisterly.

What's going on? Isn't this an official organization? No, the only reason he found this place was because of the exclusive phone Zhang Yu gave him! Someone had been watching him all along, and this was all meticulously planned!

After thinking it over, Gu Yan couldn't figure out why he was being targeted.

Did that Herrscher return? No, she wouldn't use such despicable methods.

Was his identity as a Herrscher exposed? Impossible! He had never told anyone about it!

Could it be because of his S-Class support identity? If information like that could be leaked, it meant Huaguo's Ability Department was practically an enemy stronghold, which was too ridiculous!

Let's take it one step at a time and see what tricks they have up their sleeves!

If they really think of him as just a support, they're too naive!