All along, the Investigation Bureau had been trying to figure out exactly what Sophia's "superpower" could do.
Just when they thought her "I Declare" was a Word-Manifesting Law, an instantaneous punishment that could make someone pass out and never wake up again—the "never again" part remained uncertain—they discovered that her ability seemed to malfunction from time to time.
Unfortunately, punishment might be late, but it would never be absent.
Even more unexpectedly, they discovered that the punishment inflicted by "I Declare" seemed to have more than one possible outcome.
And another interpretation of more than one outcome was—perhaps there could be many kinds...
Realizing this possibility, the Investigation Bureau urgently discussed countermeasures.
Everyone leaned toward taking a gentler approach with Sophia—the other party's family background had already put considerable pressure on them, and now Sophia's "superpower" had developed new tricks. Before they fully understood what it could do, it was inadvisable to take drastic action.
Everyone had some ability to withstand pressure; the only difference was how much. But when the pressure became truly overwhelming, there was no point talking about it.
Of course, completely letting Sophia off was unrealistic. That was not the Investigation Bureau's way of doing things.
While they were discussing it, good news arrived from 450 kilometers away. The two agents who had secretly entered Sophia's home yesterday had awakened and had not suffered much harm.
But immediately afterward came terrible news. Xilai's examination results were in. The grooves of his brain had flattened, and the hospital estimated that the damage to his brain was irreversible.
Simply put, he would basically be an idiot for the rest of his life.
That afternoon, William's examination results were also confirmed—a vegetative state. No one knew when he might wake up, perhaps never.
But then more good news came.