Calamity Grade, Calamity Species

Wei En ate his biscuits while looking at Lacy and Marco with eyes that questioned his entire life, as well as Tina, who had never once let go of the hem of his clothes.

The Calamity Species that had popped up out of nowhere made him seriously doubt whether he should ever go outside again.

There were many ways to make money, and just as many ways to obtain information, but he only had one life!

In just two half-days—less than a single day put together—he had already "come into contact" with two Forbidden Objects, one Calamity Species, and one Wraith...

If he stayed at the Secret Investigation Bureau any longer, who knew what other bizarre things he would run into?

After thinking like that for a while, Wei En finished all the biscuits in the box, patted his stomach, which felt much better now, and asked, "Can you tell me what exactly is going on now?"

Marco looked at him worriedly. "Wei En, tell me first. What changes have appeared in your body?"

"My body has grown stronger, but my mental power has weakened quite a bit. There's also something else I can't quite put into words..."

Wei En was not sure whether they knew about "origin," and explaining it would be troublesome, so he simply glossed over it vaguely.

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing."

"That's good." Marco let out a long breath. "Good thing your innate ability wasn't sealed."

"Sealed innate ability?"

Wei En thought of the prompt on the panel. The Partner Contract he had formed had sealed his origin by 1 level. That should count too, right?

"This matter... mm." Marco paused, then looked at Lacy and said, "You should explain it. When it comes to Tina, you understand better than anyone."

"All right."

Lacy sighed softly. "Wei En, first, I have to apologize to you."

"Lacy, the one who should apologize is me. If I hadn't failed to stop Tina..."

"Shut up!"

"..."

Marco very tactfully shut his mouth. Even though his innate ability had already recovered, he was still no match for Lacy.

"Wei En, this matter is very complicated... Tina's body is rather special. To put it simply, she has to rely on forming contracts with others in order to survive."

Survive?

Was it that serious?

Wei En looked at her in surprise. "You mean if she doesn't form a contract with someone, she'll... she'll die?"

"It's not that absolute."

Lacy said with a dim expression, "But if she doesn't have a contract partner, her body will become abnormally fragile. So fragile that she could break a bone just from falling while walking... That would subject Tina to agonizing torment."

Wei En's mouth parted slightly. There was a constitution like that?

"Not only that, if she goes too long without forming a contract with someone, other changes will also appear in her body."

Lacy took a deep breath and said, "It's an extremely special, and extremely terrifying, mutation!"

Wei En asked in confusion, "Mutations are divided into levels too?"

Lacy nodded. "Ordinary mutants refer to regular people without extraordinary characteristics. After they are tempted by the mysterious or eroded by the Red Moon, the mutants they become can only be considered level one."

"Level-two mutants are extraordinary individuals like Rogeret, who possess extraordinary characteristics. The stronger they are, the more powerful the mutants formed after they lose control."

"Level-three mutants are also called disaster-class. Once one appears, it can turn an entire city-state into purgatory. For example, that previous Forbidden Object 1-83, Demon Clown—it belonged to this level."

"Above that are the highest-level mutants, also known as calamity-class—and Tina is such an existence."

"If she goes more than three days without forming a contract, she will become a level-one mutant. More than five days, level two. More than ten days..."

At this point, Lacy revealed a bitter smile. "So far, that situation has never occurred."

Calamity-class, Calamity Species...

So under certain conditions, a Calamity Species could form a calamity-class mutant!

Wei En looked at Tina, who was expressionless and seemed utterly harmless. He had not expected her to be such a terrifying existence.

"I don't understand. Since Tina is this terrifying, why not..."

"Why not lock her up, or seal her?"

Wei En nodded. "Mm."

According to his understanding, she was a ticking time bomb—and one on the level of a nuclear bomb. How could they allow her to move around freely?

"We tried, but it had no effect. We couldn't even take her out of Kaster..."

Lacy glanced behind him and, seeing Ariana walking over, quickened her speech. "In short, I can guarantee that the contract formed with Tina will not cause you serious harm."

"At the same time, you must not tell anyone about Tina forming a contract with you."

Wei En also noticed the footsteps behind him and nodded. "I understand."

Marco patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, "After we come back, I'll tell you some things to keep in mind when getting along with Tina."

"Mm."

The contract had already been made. Even if he wanted to break it now, he could not.

Just then, Ariana from Investigation Division Two walked up to them. "Lacy, we can set out now."

"Let's go."

With that, the group headed toward Laos District on the edge of the city-state.

Wei En appeared calm on the surface, but inside, he was deeply conflicted.

Being tied to a ticking time bomb like this always left him with a sense of unease.

Was it really appropriate to let such a terrifying Calamity Species move around freely?

Was there truly no way to resolve it?

Wei En did not know any of this. He needed time to gather more information about Calamity Species, and about Tina.

Hm?

At that moment, a panel notification appeared again.

[You have once again heard the name "Forbidden Object 1-83 Demon Clown." Your fate trajectory has undergone a slight change. Current encounter progress: 4/100. Evaluation: When it comes to courting death, you truly are an expert among experts. Special reward: Spirit Level +1.]

4/100 now?

Lacy had mentioned Demon Clown in front of him again just now...

Wei En's brow furrowed slightly. Could it be that she did not know about a Forbidden Object's pull on fate?

"Lacy, can you tell me now what the target of this mission is?"

Ariana was not particularly good-looking. Compared with Wei En and Marco, he could even be called plain.

He had the same hair color as Lacy, thick brows and large eyes, a broad nose and full lips, and a trace of a beard along his jaw.

He had a sturdy build, but he was half a head shorter than Wei En. The traits of the Alders people were displayed vividly in him.

"We'll talk about your matter later."

Lacy tilted her head, signaling for Marco and the others to follow, then continued, "Regarding that... Yegor requested that the investigation be carried out as much as possible without alerting the Church of Dawn."

"Without alerting the Church of Dawn?" Ariana asked in confusion. "Lacy, how did the case you're responsible for get them involved?"

"Ariana, you haven't already forgotten the work regulations of Logistics and the Investigation Department, have you?"

Lacy glanced at him. "According to the regulations, for this case, you are only permitted to know the part you are responsible for."

Ariana: "..."

Sure enough, he never should have agreed to Yegor!