The Other Side of the Bridge

Zhang Lin said, "I'm an Adaptive. In their words, that means someone with the talent to become a Contract Anomalist."

"Anomalies can only be killed by anomalies. Contract Anomalists can contract anomalies and borrow their power to fight them."

"But people with this talent are extremely rare, and fighting anomalies means facing the threat of death at every moment."

"I can't bear to watch such young kids die in obscure corners just to protect us."

Zhang Lin looked at Chen Guangji. "Sorry, Captain."

For letting down the care and expectations you had for me.

Chen Guangji sighed. He wanted to slap Zhang Lin's shoulder in annoyance, but remembered Zhang Lin was injured, covered in wounds that made it hard to find a good spot.

So he turned the slap into a pat. Chen Guangji, usually so brash and careless, was uncharacteristically gentle.

"Each to their own. Besides, what you're doing isn't bad—it's a great thing for the country and the people. How could I blame you?"

Watching this touching display of brotherly affection, Kong Yubo couldn't help but cough a few times.

"I'm not here to hold you accountable either."

The orders he'd received this time were threefold: first, to question Zhang Lin about the No. 104 bus anomaly; second, to try and get Zhang Lin to grant them contact with that mysterious organization.

And third, to avoid offending Zhang Lin as much as possible—let him do whatever he wanted, since they'd likely need his help in the future.

Kong Yubo had completed the first two. As for the last, even knowing Zhang Lin wanted to join that mysterious organization and quit being a Patrol Officer to become a Contract Anomalist, he wouldn't say a word against it.

If anything, Zhang Lin's decision might put the higher-ups more at ease.

They had no connection to the people in that mysterious organization. Even if they were in trouble now, they couldn't just go knocking on their door for help.

Zhang Lin was different. His background was clean and upright, he'd received a good education, and his thinking was sound.

Moreover, Zhang Lin himself stood for justice. His willingness to sacrifice himself to save others proved his character was superior. If they ever had to ask him for a favor, Zhang Lin probably wouldn't refuse.

At a time like this, why would Kong Yubo put on a bad attitude and risk offending him?

And so, with both sides cooperating, the questioning concluded harmoniously.

With his goals achieved, Kong Yubo was about to leave with his team, but before he went, Zhang Lin said to him, "I know you're definitely going to investigate that company's background. But there's one person—if you can avoid provoking them, don't."

"Who?"

"A demon who can manipulate people's hearts, a being of pure malice, utterly devoid of humanity."

Kong Yubo frowned. What kind of person warranted such a description?

Zhang Lin didn't elaborate on the person's appearance. He only said, "You'll know when you see him."

Kong Yubo left with his questions.

"You indirectly publicized the organization's existence. Construction Points +237."

Seeing the system notification, Shen Yu knew that the Aberration Association had now entered the eyes of the Xia Kingdom's higher-ups.

Next, they'd probably send people to investigate.

Shen Yu wasn't afraid of them investigating—he was more afraid they wouldn't.

Shen Yu stared at the system's display of the subsidiary company's building. It appeared before him as a 3D model—the structure, the interior layout, and the tiny figures coming and going, working inside, all laid out in plain view.

All the tiny figures were Shen Yu's employees.

Ordinary employees had green names and job titles above their heads. Clicking on them made a bubble pop up, revealing their thoughts.

His subordinates, on the other hand, shone in bright gold.

He could tell their identities at a glance.

Shen Yu only glanced at them briefly before losing interest.

He was short on manpower, short on foundation, and even shorter on a Headquarters Building to permanently contain anomalies.

But building a Headquarters Building cost a staggering one hundred thousand Construction Points, leaving him stretched thin. Even after containing two Ghost Infants, he was still far short.

He checked his remaining Construction Points: 21314.

Heh! That number—at first glance it seemed like mockery, but on second thought, he figured he was overthinking it.

Construction Points could only be earned by spreading awareness of anomalies, increasing public recognition and acceptance, or by completing anomaly containment missions.

But he only had six Weird Cages on hand. Even if he found eight anomalies of the same rank as the Ghost Infants, he wouldn't have enough cages to hold them all.

So he asked the system, "System, can you give me a few more Weird Cages?"

"Please acquire Construction Points, Host. When Construction Points reach fifty thousand, the Shop will unlock, and Weird Cages can be purchased from the Shop."

If I had fifty thousand Construction Points, would I be asking you for cages?

Shen Yu suddenly remembered earlier, when he had no Construction Points and the system had deducted ten thousand to buy a Time Rewind. That meant the system had the authority to purchase items from the Shop.

"System, can I take out a loan of Construction Points? I'll pay you back later."

"Host's authority is insufficient. Cannot purchase on credit."

Authority insufficient again.

Shen Yu had no choice but to focus on containing anomalies.

As long as he contained three Green Face-level anomalies, he could obtain thirty thousand Construction Points. Adding the twenty thousand he already had, that would be just enough to meet the conditions for unlocking the Shop.

Then he could purchase the Weird Cage—to contain anomalies.

Shen Yu acted quickly.

Using Bai Zuo's hacking skills, he extensively collected all kinds of exaggerated or abnormal news, reports, videos, and rumors within Yeyang City.

With the internet so developed now, most people who encountered something unusual liked to record a video and post it online.

The vast majority of these were fake or just normal natural phenomena.

Only a very small portion was related to anomalies.

Shen Yu soon locked onto one particular rumor.

In the Fujing District of Yeyang City, there was an abandoned bridge. It had been built back then to provide convenient access to the City Center Island in the heart of Yeyang.

This island stood in the middle of the city, surrounded by river water on all sides. It was also the Fifth District of Yeyang City—the Pink District.

Because of its unique geography, many tourists came to visit the island, single-handedly boosting the city's tourism industry. Outsiders even called it Anyang Island.

The bridge had been abandoned for years, simply because it was built in a remote location.

After Anyang Island became famous and the number of visiting tourists grew, Yeyang City built several larger, wider, and more conveniently located bridges elsewhere.

Over time, few people set foot on this bridge, and it fell into disuse.

Recently.

A resident passing by that bridge was startled to find that on the other end of the bridge, he saw his deceased relative.

It was near dusk at the time. The man didn't dare approach for a closer look and hurried away. Later, the more he thought about it, the more something felt off, so he posted his experience online.

Many people thought the guy had just seen things or was making up a story for attention.