"Zhang Qun, have someone contact the police stations in these areas. Have them compile files on any particularly serious or unusual reports, acts of bravery, or even supernatural urban legends in this area, including similar tabloid stories and local rumors."
With his thinking now completely clear, Xia Xu immediately put Zhang Qun to work again.
Assuming the "drug" had gone missing on the day of the incident, however slowly it took effect, the Plot Protagonist should have begun completing his initial genetic modification by now. Even allowing for some filler about a change in his outlook, the Plot Protagonist might already have embarked on the path of a bat-themed "hero."
That made everything simple. He just had to investigate related incidents. Ideally, he would find some Masked Freak who could soar through the skies and burrow underground—that would absolutely, unquestionably be the Plot Protagonist.
"Uh, okay."
Since Zhang Qun had been focused on the mission to "eliminate the Beastmen," he had trouble keeping up with Xia Xu's wildly imaginative approach for a moment. Bewildered, he instinctively wanted to get to the bottom of it.
But recalling Consultant Xia's devilish performance in the interrogation room just now, he swallowed those doubts he should never have had and went to carry out the order without another word.
As its name suggested, the Special Department handled special affairs, and its authority was equally special. To a certain extent, it enjoyed privileges akin to "executing first and reporting afterward," and it was also authorized to mobilize any local department to assist its operations.
As a result, before long, every police station within the area Xia Xu had casually marked on the map had been mobilized, and the information he needed was quickly laid out on his temporary desk.
"Found it."
After only a cursory