No Way Out!

"According to our latest report, at 4:05 a.m. the day before yesterday, a fisherman accidentally dredged up numerous dismembered body parts while fishing."

"Experts have determined that these limbs all belonged to humans. Forensic analysis suggests the victims died three days ago."

"After examining the DNA, forensic investigators discovered that these body fragments did not all come from a single person."

"Through reconstruction of the remains and DNA testing, forensic investigators concluded that there were likely nine victims."

"After two days of investigation, police determined that the crime scene was likely located in an abandoned tire factory in North Ridge City."

"During their investigation of the scene, police found a recording device inside a shipping container."

"After retrieving the audio, police made a shocking discovery."

"The recording contained the victims' voices, as well as a bone-chilling bout of crying."

"This was a large-scale dismemberment case that was utterly inhumane and exceptionally vicious."

"Recent torrential rains across various regions have provided criminals with an opportunity. Citizens are advised to stay safe and minimize nighttime outings whenever possible."

After turning off the television, Chen Ye casually tossed the remote aside.

"Society's getting more and more restless. Criminals are this brazen now. Good thing the police station is right across from my home."

Chen Ye washed his face, changed clothes, and headed down to the coffee shop.

The coffee shop belonged to Chen Ye and was located beneath his apartment building.

There were usually hardly any customers. It was safe to say it made no money at all.

Chen Ye had chosen to open his shop here because the police station was across the street, which made him feel safer.

Ding-dong.

Just then, the shop door was suddenly pushed open.

Chen Ye looked up and saw a man in a raincoat standing motionlessly outside.

A Raven stood on the man's shoulder.

Chen Ye narrowed his eyes at the sight, and the Raven promptly flew onto his shoulder.

"Master, it's done."

Done?

Done with what?

Chen Ye thought back. He seemed to have told Sequence 001 to keep an eye on Number 002.

"Mm, good work."

With that, Chen Ye turned to the man in the raincoat.

"As for you, I don't recall inviting you."

Bang!

The Fishman actually dropped to his knees, bending at the waist and smashing his head heavily against the floor.

"I have nowhere left to go. Please, take me in!"

Hearing that, Chen Ye walked over and crouched before him. "Come to think of it, you can turn back into a human, can't you?"

The Fishman froze for a moment. "Yes, I can turn back, as long as I don't touch water..."

Chen Ye immediately pulled out his phone. "Mm, he reverts to human form when not in contact with water. It's controllable."

"Alright, come in."

The man carefully shut the door and followed Chen Ye into the storage room behind the shop.

"Tell me. What other traits or abnormalities do you have?" Chen Ye sat down and took out his phone to make notes.

The man sat timidly in a chair, looking extremely uncomfortable.

"I... I want water. I really, really want water. But if I drink water, I turn into a Fishman."

"I... haven't had any water for twelve hours..."

Chen Ye tossed him a bottle of mineral water. "Drink. Here, no one but me will pay attention to you."

After taking the bottle, the man tilted back his head and gulped it down. In just two swallows, the entire bottle was empty.

His body began to swell, and he transformed into a Fishman once again.

After transforming, tears began streaming uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes. "Sob... why, why am I—sob..."

Chen Ye frowned. "Why are you crying? What does that have to do with the changes in your body?"

The Fishman shook his head wildly. "I... don't know. But I just... just—sob... can't stop, my tears!"

Chen Ye rubbed his forehead. A strange trait.

"What else?"

"Also... my body is much stronger, sob... and when there's water around, I can run incredibly fast, sob!"

"And I can breathe underwater, dive without being affected by water pressure, and see things in the pitch-black sea..."

"And as long as—sob—as long as someone hears my voice, I can know, know where they are!!"

With that, the Fishman suddenly sprang up, smashed the window, and reached outside!

Crash!

The window shattered. The Fishman's hand shot out and immediately dragged a man in blue work clothes in through the window.

"I know you were listening!!"

Seeing the Fishman open his bloody maw, the man collapsed limply to the floor.

"I-I just fix air conditioners..."

The Fishman's eyes gradually reddened. "Sob... can't... can't let you live. You heard it, sob... you heard it, sob... you saw me!!"

"M-Mom! I just fix air conditioners!" The repairman's legs trembled so badly that tears nearly came to his eyes.

"Enough. Let him go."

Chen Ye suddenly spoke. Upon hearing his voice, the Fishman immediately calmed down.

"Alright..."

The Raven flew to Chen Ye's ear. "Master, he saw us. We can't let him leave alive."

"M-Mom, the bird can talk!" The man cried, scrambling into a corner.

A Fishman. A talking bird.

This world was too insane...

Chen Ye turned his chair toward the man. "What's your name?"

"I-I'm Wang Haonan."

Wang Haonan tremblingly gave his name.

Chen Ye smiled faintly. "Interested in assisting with my experiment?"

"I..."

"If you don't assist, you heard what he said. Of course, I'm not threatening you."

"I'm willing!"

"Then call your family and tell them you have something to do and won't be coming home."

"Notify your company while you're at it. Tell them you need a few days off. No problem?"

"No problem. I-I'll call right now!"

A moment later.

Chen Ye drew the curtains, and the Fishman had turned back into a human.

Interestingly enough, the Fishman turned back into a human after crying himself dry, but he returned to his thirsty state.

"Let's get acquainted. My name is Aus Kate. You don't need to care why I'm called that. A name is only a form of address."

Wang Haonan nodded. "I-I understand."

"Very good. You can stay here without worry for the time being."

"And you, Number 002. Next time someone is eavesdropping, don't smash my glass." Chen Ye glanced at the Fishman.

The Fishman obediently nodded.

Chen Ye looked at the shattered window, his mood turning irritable.

He still had to find someone to fix it.

"Mm... wait. Glass... could glass be used to make potions?"

Chen Ye picked up a shard of broken glass from the floor, then turned and went upstairs.

Only Wang Haonan and the Fishman remained in the storage room downstairs, staring at each other.

"Um, Mr. Fishman, h-hello." Wang Haonan tremblingly extended his right hand.

The Fishman did not respond.

Instead, the Raven let out an eerie laugh. "You're truly lucky, to have been chosen by Lord Aus."

"W-what does that mean? I don't really understand," Wang Haonan said.

The Fishman looked at Wang Haonan. "Just like me, you'll gain abilities far beyond ordinary humans, but you'll also have to pay a price far beyond ordinary humans."

Wang Haonan suddenly understood what the Fishman meant.

"You-you mean I'm gonna turn into something like you too?!"