Zhang Lin said, "I'm an Adaptive. In their words, that means I have the potential to become a Contract Anomalist."
"Anomalies can only be killed by other anomalies. Contract Anomalists can form contracts with anomalies and borrow their power to fight them."
"But there are very few people with this potential, and fighting anomalies means facing the constant threat of death."
"I can't stand by and watch such young people die in one unknown corner after another just to protect us."
Zhang Lin looked at Chen Guangji. "I'm sorry, Captain."
I've let you down after all the care and faith you've shown me.
Chen Guangji sighed. He wanted to give Zhang Lin's shoulder an annoyed smack, but then remembered Zhang Lin was a patient. With injuries all over, he couldn't very well hit him.
So he changed the smack into a gentle pat. Chen Guangji, usually so casual and unrestrained, was rarely this tender.
"Everyone has their own aspirations. Besides, what you're doing isn't bad—in fact, it's a great service to the country and its people. Why would I blame you?"
Watching them put on such a touching display of brotherly affection, Kong Yubo couldn't help coughing a few times.
"I didn't mean to question you, either."
The orders he'd received this time were, first, to ask Zhang Lin about the anomaly involving bus 104, and second, to try to secure an opportunity for them to make contact with that mysterious organization through Zhang Lin.
There was also one more order: avoid offending Zhang Lin as much as possible. He could do whatever he wanted. They would probably need to ask for his help in the future.
Kong Yubo had completed the first two tasks. As for the last one, even though he knew Zhang Lin wanted to join that mysterious organization and become a Contract Anomalist instead of a Patrol Officer, he wasn't going to say anything.
In fact, Zhang Lin's decision might make the people higher up feel more at ease.
They didn't know the members of that mysterious organization, and even though they were in trouble now, they couldn't very well go knocking on its door for help.
Zhang Lin was different. For one thing, he came from a reputable background, had received a good education, and had sound principles.
On top of that, Zhang Lin stood for justice. His willingness to sacrifice himself to save others showed that he was a man of excellent character. If they came to him for help, he probably wouldn't turn them away.
At a time like this, how could Kong Yubo risk offending him by taking the wrong attitude?
And so, with both sides cooperating, the questioning went smoothly.
Having accomplished his goal, Kong Yubo was about to leave with his teammates. But before he did—
Zhang Lin said to him, "I know you'll be investigating that company. But there's one person you should avoid if you can."
"Who?"
"He's a demon who can control people's minds. His whole body seems to be made of malice, and he has no humanity."
Kong Yubo frowned. What kind of person could that description possibly mean?
Zhang Lin didn't say much about the man's appearance. He only said, "You'll understand when you see him."
Kong Yubo left with questions still on his mind.
"You've spread word of the organization's existence indirectly. +237 Construction Points."
Seeing the system notification, Shen Yu knew that the existence of the Aberration Association had come to the attention of Xia Kingdom's top brass.
They would probably send people to investigate next.
Shen Yu wasn't afraid of them investigating. He was more afraid they wouldn't.
Shen Yu gazed at the subsidiary company's building, displayed by the system as a 3D model. Its structure, the layout inside, and the tiny figures coming and going and working within were all laid out before his eyes.
Every tiny figure in the building was one of Shen Yu's employees.
Ordinary employees had green names and job titles above their heads. When he clicked on one, a speech bubble appeared, showing their innermost thoughts.
His subordinates, on the other hand, shone gold.
He could tell their identities at a glance.
Shen Yu only took a quick look before losing interest.
Right now, he lacked manpower and a solid foundation. More than anything, he needed a Headquarters Building that could permanently contain anomalies.
But the building cost a hundred thousand Construction Points to establish, leaving him stretched thin. Even after containing two Ghost Infants, he was still far short.
He checked his remaining Construction Points: 21314.
Hah! At first glance, that number looked like it was mocking him. But after thinking about it, he figured he was probably reading too much into it.
He could only earn Construction Points by publicizing anomalies and increasing the public's awareness and acceptance of them, or by completing anomaly containment missions.
But he only had six Weird Cages. Even if he found eight anomalies on the same level as the Ghost Infants, he wouldn't have enough cages to contain them all.
So he asked the system, "System, can you give me a few more Weird Cages?"
"Please obtain Construction Points. When your Construction Points reach fifty thousand, access to the Shop will be unlocked, allowing you to purchase Weird Cages."
If I had fifty thousand Construction Points, would I be asking you for Weird Cages?
Shen Yu suddenly remembered that when he'd had no Construction Points before, the system had still deducted ten thousand to buy him a Time Rewind. Did that mean the system had the authority to purchase items from the Shop?
"System, could I borrow some Construction Points first? I'll pay you back later."
"Your permissions are insufficient. You cannot borrow points."
Insufficient permissions again.
Shen Yu had no choice but to focus on containing anomalies.
If he contained three anomalies on the Green Face level, he would earn thirty thousand Construction Points. Added to the twenty thousand he already had, that would be just enough to unlock the Shop.
Then he could buy Weird Cages—and contain more anomalies.
Shen Yu quickly got to work.
He used Bai Zuo's hacking skills to gather all kinds of sensational or unusual news, reports, videos, and rumors from around Yeyang City.
The internet was highly developed these days. Most people who came across anything unusual liked to record it and post it online.
Most of it was fake, or just normal natural phenomena.
Only a very small portion had anything to do with anomalies.
Shen Yu soon zeroed in on one rumor.
There was an abandoned bridge in Fujing District, Yeyang City. It had originally been built to make it easier for people to reach the City Center Island in the middle of Yeyang City.
The island lay at the center of the city, surrounded by a river. It was also Yeyang's fifth district, the Pink District.
Because of its unusual location, many tourists came from far and wide to visit. This helped the entire city's tourism industry take off, and people from elsewhere also called it Anyang Island.
The bridge had been abandoned for years, simply because it had been built in a remote location.
After Anyang Island grew famous and more and more tourists came to see it, Yeyang City built several larger, wider bridges elsewhere with more convenient access.
Over time, few people set foot on this bridge, and it fell into disuse.
Recently,
a resident passing by the bridge was surprised to see a deceased relative on the other side.
It was close to dusk. Afraid to go closer for a better look, he hurried away. The more he thought about it afterward, the stranger it seemed, so he posted what had happened online.
Many people thought the man had simply mistaken what he saw, or else figured he was making up a story to get attention.
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