The electric scooter slowly turned into the bike shelter at Xingfu Li Residential Complex.
Xia Ning reached back and pulled the edge of her raincoat tight, keeping out the slanting rain.
She spread the half-charred kraft-paper dossier across her knees and examined the crimson wax seal in its lower-right corner under the dim, flickering motion-activated light in the shelter's corner.
The wax seal depicted three crossed swords and a burning eye, with a neat line of lettering stamped around its edge: Monster Hunting Bureau Strategic Think Tank · Highest-risk classified archive.
"Xiaoxiao, turn on your flashlight. Shine it here."
Xia Ning kept her voice low.
Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly switched on her phone's flashlight, focusing the beam on the center of the torn, yellowed page.
Most of the first page had burned away, but the few remaining lines of black ink were painfully stark.
"...Comprehensive threat assessment report on the individual codenamed 'Ziwei.'"
"Psionic spectrum scans conducted at the Third Defense Line detected no signs of magic power Star Ring activity within the target. Her energy-release circuits operate entirely outside the existing extraordinary Breathing Method system."
"The power she exhibits depends neither on Abyssal Cores nor on spirit-breath primeval stones. It originates entirely from immeasurable mentalist will."
Su Xiaoxiao leaned closer, unconsciously reading the next passage aloud. "More dangerously, this mentalist phenomenon exhibits strong psychological infectiousness."
"Preliminary assessment indicates that females within the eligible age range who develop a deep emotional connection or resonance of wishes with her have an extremely high probability of spontaneous awakening. Furthermore, this awakening completely bypasses the official Star Ring certification mechanism..."
Xia Ning pressed her fingers against the edge of the paper, her fingertips turning slightly white.
"The authorities don't care how many buildings the monsters destroy in the western district. What they're really afraid