Cleansers! Rift! Have I Been Targeted by a Jigsaw Anomaly?

Cleansers! Rift! Have I Been Targeted by a Jigsaw Anomaly?

Seeing the two most powerful anomalies within him break through in succession, Chen Yu was utterly shocked!

Although Chen Yu could not detect it.

It knew that the Ghost Infant's true body was somewhere in a dark corner, staring at him with a chilling gaze!

The Ghost Infant was not dead. The story was not over.

At the same time, Chen Yu became even more determined to devour the Ghost Infant's true body.

Merely eating a juvenile Ghost Infant had caused the two greatest weapons within him to break through one after another.

What would happen if he ate the Ghost Infant's true body?

Chen Yu turned and glanced at Han Ningning, who was sprawled on the ground, pale-faced and still unable to recover from the fright.

Every time an anomaly appeared, Han Ningning was always the first one it targeted.

The Ghost Zookeeper had been the same.

The Back Anomaly before had been the same.

And now, so was the Ghost Infant.

Was Han Ningning some kind of magnet?

Were those anomalies iron? Did they all flock toward her?

"Looks like Han Ningning would make excellent bait for luring out the Ghost Infant's true body."

Chen Yu smiled inwardly.

Seeing that the Ghost Infant had not revived along with him.

Han Ningning finally returned to normal! As though granted a pardon, she was finally freed.

When she looked at Chen Yu, there was not only fear and amazement in her eyes, but also a trace of gratitude!

If Chen Yu had not come with her when she accepted this mission.

She probably would have died shortly after entering the zoo.

Every time, Chen Yu had turned danger into safety and saved her life!

—Though for some reason, she had the illusion that she was a huge sucker?

In any case, Chen Yu had helped her tremendously today.

Meanwhile, Tong Jian remained expressionless throughout.

Even after Chen Yu had killed an existence as terrifying as the Ghost Infant.

She did not show the slightest reaction.

It was as though what Chen Yu had done was something utterly ordinary.

"Thank you, Chen Yu..."

Han Ningning said to Chen Yu with deep gratitude.

"No need."

Chen Yu replied blandly.

Bzzz~

The sound of an electric current rang out.

Crack!

A crisp sound reached Chen Yu's ears.

Chen Yu abruptly turned around.

The sound had come from that camera.

Ever since entering the zoo's information station, he had known there was something wrong with that inexplicable camera.

And just now, the camera had clearly taken a photo of him.

The camera had already been disconnected from power, yet it could still take his picture.

This was definitely not an anomaly.

Someone was clearly targeting him deliberately.

"A Ghost Controller?"

"Apocalypse?"

Chen Yu raised an eyebrow.

The power of the anomalies within him began to awaken.

Chen Yu unleashed the Slaughter Ghost Domain!

In an instant, everything he saw, heard, smelled, tasted, felt, and thought was under Chen Yu's control.

Chen Yu could see that he had invisibly established a medium connection with that camera!

It was as though a faint black thread as thick as a thumb had appeared between him and the surveillance camera.

Furthermore... the connection between the camera and himself was slowly branching out, and another white medium connection was gradually emerging.

Frowning, he withdrew the Slaughter Ghost Domain.

Who would make a move against him?

The Ghost Infant definitely would not use this method.

It was an anomaly. If it wanted to kill him, it would not go through so much trouble.

Who had he offended recently?

Only Apocalypse.

Chen Yu put the matter aside.

Still, he was rather interested in this medium.

Could the branching connection mean that other anomalies were also using the Ghost Camera's photographs to establish a connection with him?

In other words, those planning to make a move against him...

Perhaps there was more than one anomaly?

The first anomaly Chen Yu thought of that could combine so ingeniously was the Jigsaw Anomaly!

Just like his Ghost Butcher Knife and Ghost Shadow.

The other branching medium connections were likely the Ghost Camera's Jigsaw Anomalies.

Sure enough, his phone vibrated, and bloody words appeared.

[My Old Baby, you guessed right.]

[You really have gotten yourself into big trouble. The Ghost Infant has its eyes on you, and now even Ghost Controllers are watching you.]

[These are Jigsaw Anomalies~ Once combined, their power far surpasses ordinary anomalies.]

[Think about the power of your Ghost Butcher Knife combined with Ghost Shadow. Doesn't it kill anomalies incredibly fast? Don't be too happy. You might just die cleanly and efficiently at the hands of the Jigsaw Anomalies too.]

"Apocalypse really does have deep resources." Chen Yu nodded unconcernedly. "They actually managed to gather Ghost Controllers with Jigsaw Anomalies."

This was the first time he had encountered a medium lock from Jigsaw Anomalies.

Chen Yu was in no hurry to sever the medium connection.

Several high-dimensional, high-level anomalies within him had already reached a higher level.

Even if they really were Jigsaw Anomalies, he was not afraid.

Even taking a step back, if he could not handle them, he still had the Time Ghost Eye to keep himself alive.

But if he... succeeded...

A fanatical gleam flashed in Chen Yu's eyes, and a hungry smile curled across his lips.

If he ate them, the rewards would be no less than what he had gained from this entire zoo trip.

At that thought.

He even hoped the camera would be more useful and complete the medium connection faster, so that more Jigsaw Anomalies could come after him.

With anticipation for a wonderful feast, Chen Yu temporarily ignored the camera.

He only occasionally glanced at the progress of its medium connection to see whether it was fast enough.

He restrained himself from acting too hastily and avoided alerting the enemy.

Han Ningning only fully recovered after resting for nearly half an hour. Then, she took out the Investigation Bureau's dedicated phone and called the Investigation Bureau.

The person who answered was a dedicated operator from the Investigation Bureau.

His tone had been rather lazy at first.

But when he heard that the anomalous incident at Anomaly Zoo had been resolved.

He nearly dropped his phone.

"Are you sure it's true?"

"It's true. If you don't believe me, you can come see for yourselves."

Han Ningning said firmly.

"I-I'll report this to the Director immediately."

After saying that, the operator hung up.

It was normal for the operator to be so excited.

If Han Ningning had been the operator, she might have been even more excited.

A little over a minute later.

Han Ningning's phone suddenly rang. She picked it up, took one look, and froze slightly.

Because it was Director Zhang Ping calling personally.

She hurriedly answered. "Hello, Director!"

"Orderkeeper Han Ningning, hello! I heard that the anomalies at Anomaly Zoo have already been dealt with by you?"

After greeting her, Zhang Ping immediately got to the point.

"Yes, but I wasn't the one who resolved them."

Han Ningning would not claim credit for herself.

This time, she had only been dead weight.

All the anomalies had been dealt with by Chen Yu alone.

Only then did Zhang Ping remember that, because Anomaly Zoo was extremely dangerous, he had required anyone entering Anomaly Zoo to bring a teammate.

He asked, "If it wasn't you, then who was it?"

Hearing that, Han Ningning glanced at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu was so powerful, yet the Investigation Bureau knew nothing of his existence.

That could only prove that Chen Yu was concealing his identity and did not want the Investigation Bureau to know.

Since he did not want the Investigation Bureau to know.

How could Han Ningning possibly reveal anything?

She fell silent, unsure how to answer.

Seeing Han Ningning remain silent for so long.

Zhang Ping's calm tone carried a touch of anticipation. "Who was it? Linjiang City actually has such a powerful Ghost Controller."

"Ummm..."

Han Ningning hesitated before saying, "I can't reveal his identity, but I can tell you that every anomaly we encountered in the zoo this time was killed by him alone... and he crushed them. That included a level-eight juvenile Ghost Infant..."

Hearing that, Director Zhang Ping, who was holding the phone, completely froze.

No wonder she had been so afraid and had not dared reveal that person's name for so long.

So he was actually that powerful!

One person had flattened Anomaly Zoo... He had single-handedly slaughtered at least three level-six to level-seven anomalies, plus a level-eight juvenile Ghost Infant...

What kind of strength was that?

Level nine?!

Or perhaps something even more terrifying?!

The more Zhang Ping thought about it, the wetter his back became. An involuntary chill ran down his spine.

The Investigation Bureau knew absolutely nothing about such a powerful existence. There could only be one reason.

He had deliberately concealed his identity because he did not want others disturbing him!

Zhang Ping gave a bitter laugh.

Fortunately, someone like that had not stood against the Investigation Bureau and the nation.

Otherwise, it would have been a despairing natural disaster!

He immediately thought of another powerful Ghost Controller who kept a low profile beneath the night—Nightfall.

Zhang Ping could fully understand it as well. The current situation was unclear, anomalies were restless, and most Ghost Controllers had their nature corrupted and personalities darkened after controlling anomalies.

For Ghost Controllers, keeping a low profile was the wisest choice.

Thinking that Han Ningning had actually managed to invite such a person as a companion, Zhang Ping stopped asking questions and said seriously, "Mm, since that person does not wish to reveal himself, then don't reveal him. If you have a good relationship with him, maintain it well. In the future, Linjiang City may need him to hold up the collapsing heavens."

Finally, after a brief pause, Zhang Ping said to Han Ningning, "You exceeded expectations on this mission and prevented future tragedies. Send me your account numbers. I'll have the rewards transferred to your accounts immediately, along with an additional reward of one hundred kilograms of gold."

"We absolutely cannot keep such a top-tier Ghost Controller waiting."

After saying that, Zhang Ping hung up.

After a while, two account numbers were sent to Zhang Ping's phone.

One was Han Ningning's account number.

The other was an anonymous card number, an unregistered card with no information about the cardholder.

Even if they could investigate it.

The Investigation Bureau would not dare investigate it.

They were not fools.

After Nightfall, they had developed an unspoken understanding not to disturb such low-profile experts.

"Director, several dazzling new stars have appeared in Linjiang City recently. This is a wonderful opportunity..."

Luo Mu had been stunned speechless as he listened from the side. Only after the Director hung up did he dare speak.

"Yes, for such powerful figures to appear is a blessing Linjiang City has waited three lifetimes for." Zhang Ping took a deep breath.

Luo Mu said, "One [Nightfall], one [Zoo Mystery Man]—we need to make a move on both of them. Better yet, bring them into our Investigation Bureau. As long as they are truly willing to join the Investigation Bureau, that matter can be completely resolved."

Hearing this, Zhang Ping frowned and let out a long sigh, his voice laden with immense pressure and worry. "What Linjiang City lacks right now are top-tier Ghost Controllers like them. The [Rift]... is getting bigger and bigger..."

"Who knows whether the [Cleansers] can hold on? Once the [Rift] expands again, anomalies like the Ghost Infant may no longer be isolated cases. Linjiang City will be doomed beyond salvation!"

Luo Mu's gaze dimmed slightly as he clenched his fists. "It's a pity I'm not capable enough to enter the [Cleansers] ranks. Otherwise... otherwise, I could fight anomalies alongside them on the front lines."

The so-called [Cleansers] were the Investigation Bureau's strongest combat division. The word "cleanse" meant that they were the Investigation Bureau's sharpest blade, tasked with purging every anomaly that other divisions could not handle.

Only powerful Ghost Controllers from the Investigation Bureau could be selected for transfer there.

Luo Mu had always felt powerless in his own [Security Officer] division. All they could do was maintain the city's superficial stability—such as promoting anomaly safety awareness in schools, erasing traces of anomalous incidents from society, and preserving Linjiang City's outward prosperity...

Their role was practically logistical support.

They were even less valuable than Han Ningning's [Orderkeepers] division, which maintained the city's anomalous order!

Zhang Ping saw what was weighing on him and patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Every one of you in the Investigation Bureau's divisions is a guardian deity of this city."

Luo Mu nodded deeply. "Then we must do everything we can to bring [Nightfall] and the [Mystery Man] into the Investigation Bureau."

"Just do your best."

Zhang Ping said in a low voice, "The chances of recruiting them are indeed very slim."

"What we can do is show the greatest possible goodwill and maintain stable relations with every top-tier Ghost Controller. If a great disaster comes in the future, being able to ask them to act once, to nod once, would already be enough."

He did not want to admit it, but he had to.

Either [Nightfall] or the [Man in Black] was far stronger than the Linjiang City Investigation Bureau without its [Cleansers].

As a Director who had not controlled an anomaly, he even somewhat admired those two people capable of doing so many outrageous things.

Who did not admire the strong?

Even Cao Cao had thirsted for talent in ancient times.

As the Director of the Investigation Bureau, naturally he was no exception.

If the position of Investigation Bureau Director did not require someone calm, meticulous, and unaffected by anomalies to hold the fort, he would have risked his life long ago, abandoned being human, and become a Ghost Controller.

If either [Nightfall] or the [Mystery Man] were willing to join the Investigation Bureau, he would have no problem giving up his position as Director of the Linjiang City Investigation Bureau.

But if he ever found out that Nightfall and the Mystery Man were the same person, and that both were Chen Yu...

His jaw would drop from shock on the spot.

Zhang Ping looked at Luo Mu again. "By the way, you're in charge of everything concerning [Nightfall]. How have the talks been going?"

"After we contacted him last time, we haven't been able to reach him again."

Luo Mu answered truthfully.

"Ah, no progress at all."

Zhang Ping then lit a cigarette and took a drag. Instead, he smiled optimistically. "The olive branch the Investigation Bureau offered is already tempting enough, but he simply does not want to join us. To someone that strong, money is just a number now. It means nothing to him.

"If money alone could recruit him, those civilian organizations would have acted long ago. There isn't much left that we can offer..."

"Think more about what needs they might have. Hmm... treat it like public relations, understand?"

"Yes!"

Luo Mu snapped to attention. He did not feel insulted by the words "public relations" at all. Right now, all he could think about was recruiting these top-tier Ghost Controllers.

"I will give it everything I have!"

(End of chapter)