I'm fine, but I have a problem

His mentor had once been a staunch atheist, but one day, after returning from a case, his mentor had suddenly said those words to him.

Not long afterward, his mentor retired. When he asked again what had happened, his mentor refused to say a word, only looking utterly terrified. Wu Xiaofeng simply stopped asking.

Then there was something that had caused quite a stir at the station early that year.

"A few people just showed up and got hired. Damn, what kind of family connections do they have, getting honorary posts with the police? Didn't you see? One of them was even a student. Times have changed."

But the rumors were soon completely suppressed, and the officers were gathered for a meeting. Wu Xiaofeng also met one of those given a post.

She was a young woman who looked about twenty, not particularly tall, with gentle features, almond-shaped eyes, and a round face bearing a faint smile. Her smooth hair hung over her shoulders instead of being tied up like the other female officers'. She said nothing, merely sitting beside the podium, while a police superintendent stood nearby and said sternly:

"If, after investigating, we find anything strange about a case, we must report it to our superiors."

Back then, Wu Xiaofeng had inexplicably recalled what his mentor had said.

"There are ghosts in this world now."

Now, as the smell of nicotine drifted between his fingertips and through his breaths, smoke gathering and dispersing, Wu Xiaofeng slowly calmed himself.

"All right, all right, young man. Let's go. We'll take a look around and get going."

Huang Daye soon came out. Wu Xiaofeng frowned at him in confusion, then looked at the cigarette pack in his hand.

Huang Daye washed his hands, walked over to Wu Xiaofeng, and pushed him out of the restroom before patting him on the shoulder.

"Young man, these are good cigarettes. I don't usually have the heart to smoke them myself. Keep them safe, and remember you owe this old man a favor, all right?"

Wu Xiaofeng nodded and tucked the pack into his pocket.

Still too young... Things might be easier with that Officer Li.

Huang Daye sighed, thinking to himself. He shook his head slightly and said:

"Young man, I'm getting old, and my memory's no good. I might forget I gave you those cigarettes in the blink of an eye, but you have to remember. I might need to ask you for help someday."

Huang Daye clamped a hand around Wu Xiaofeng's arm like a pair of pliers, squeezing hard as he stressed his words:

"Remember. Find a way to remember, no matter what!"

Wu Xiaofeng was a little taken aback. How could he possibly forget something like this so easily? But Huang Daye's manner and the pressure on his arm made him take it seriously.

"I understand. Come to me if you need anything, sir. I'll find a way to remember to do it."

Only then did Huang Daye slowly release his grip. He nodded and looked toward the security room.

Wu Xiaofeng switched on his radio and told the other two officers:

"Suspend the inspection for now. Regroup with Officer Li."

"Copy."

"Copy."

After receiving their replies, Wu Xiaofeng headed back to the security room with Huang Daye.

Inside the security room, Li Yanguo and Yang Desheng had been watching everyone's movements on the monitors. Seeing Wu Xiaofeng and the others return, both were pleased with their subordinates' performance.

Just as Wu Xiaofeng had thought, Yang Desheng really was a fool who understood nothing and could not keep anything hidden. He thought Huang Daye had done a good job.

And just as Huang Daye had thought, Li Yanguo really was a clever old fox. He understood that Huang Daye must have already passed on the message he wanted to convey.

After Wu Xiaofeng and the other two officers returned, they exchanged a few brief words with Li Yanguo. Li Yanguo stood, glanced at Yang Desheng, and spoke with the sour expression of someone whose operation had failed:

"Well, the dormitory building is in decent condition. It's mainly the emergency exits and the various fire safety equipment that need better management. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go into too much detail, so keep an eye on those, Director Yang."

With that, Li Yanguo led the three officers away.

After the police left, Yang Desheng spat on the floor, patted Huang Daye on the back, and left as well.

As always, Huang Daye saw everyone off with a fawning smile on his face.

Once everyone was gone, the old man sat down in the chair in front of the monitors and lit a cigarette.

Smoke rose from the lit end, and falling ash landed on the black leather chair with a faint rustle. Huang Daye sighed.

"...Once I smoke this one, I'll only have one left. These days... are hard to get through."

Once outside, Li Yanguo glanced at Wu Xiaofeng's pocket and said:

"Something's fishy."

Wu Xiaofeng nodded. Thinking over Huang Daye's behavior, he wanted to report this as soon as they returned to the station. If there really was something beyond their understanding, reporting it to their superiors was the best response.

I have to remember. Find a way to remember, no matter what. Am I going to forget?

Wu Xiaofeng frowned. Huang Daye had acted as though someone was watching him, not daring to say anything. Even somewhere without surveillance cameras, he had said very little, so Wu Xiaofeng did not dare tell Li Yanguo and the others either.

After some thought, Wu Xiaofeng slipped his fingers into his sleeve under Li Yanguo's gaze and used his fingernail to scratch a hard line across his arm.

Then he checked that the mark lined up with his pocket when his arm hung down. Finally, he took a few cigarettes from the pack, handed them out to the others, and tucked the pack into his inner pocket.

Wu Xiaofeng had scratched hard. The red, swollen mark left by his fingernail would last at least four to six hours, long enough for them to notice it when they returned to the station and changed out of their duty uniforms.

One of the nearby officers was about to ask about Wu Xiaofeng's actions, but Li Yanguo stopped him with a wave.

Li Yanguo wanted to return to the station right away, but they had to see the act through. Leaving after the assembly during the long break following second period would be least likely to arouse suspicion. It was almost time anyway; there was no need to alert anyone.

The four entered the classroom building together.

Shi Yu sat at his desk while the chemistry teacher enthusiastically explained elemental reactions and the key points of balancing equations at the front, but Shi Yu was not listening at all.

Beside him, Han He was not spacing out either. He was watching the compartment beneath Shi Yu's desktop.

A pen bounced around inside, never touching the edges of the compartment or making a sound.

Like a child with a new toy, Shi Yu was exploring his ability.

If I just stare at it, the control is still a little imprecise, and I can only move one or two things. But if I guide it with my hands, it seems I can move four or five things at once, with better precision too.

Shi Yu's "Thought" was too abstract, and its practical usefulness in combat was difficult to judge, so he hoped to quickly get used to the accompanying ability to move things with his mind.

At first, Shi Yu had wondered why "Thought" came with such a convenient ability. After thinking it over, he decided it might be realizing his thought of "I want this object to move," which would put it within the scope of "Thought."

"An all-purpose ability. You have immeasurable potential."

That was Han He's assessment.

"Holy crap, could you eventually evolve it until everything you wish comes true?"

Hu Zihao spoke enviously.

Shi Yu was both happy and worried. He did not know whether he could get out alive or what this world would become. In any case, he was glad he had grasped this power.

Knock, knock.

Several knocks interrupted Shi Yu's thoughts.

"Teacher Wang, sorry, I've got a last-minute announcement."

The female teacher who had arrived nodded apologetically to the chemistry teacher. Slightly annoyed at the interruption but unable to make a fuss, the chemistry teacher merely nodded.

"Students, once this lesson ends, anyone who needs the restroom should go right away. Then everyone is to assemble on the field within ten minutes. Line up in your class's usual spot for group runs. The police are giving an important safety talk today."

The female teacher then waved to the chemistry teacher and went on to the next classroom.

"A safety talk?!"

Hu Zihao jerked his head up.

"The police are coming?"

At first, Hu Zihao was delighted, but then he grew worried.

Will the police believe me? And that monster can alter people's memories and influence their perceptions. Even if they believe me, can the police really get the message out?

Shi Yu and Han He exchanged a look and hurriedly began passing notes.

"What do we do? Find a way to tell the police?"

Shi Yu desperately hoped for outside intervention, but his thoughts were much the same as Hu Zihao's. If the officers were ordinary people, they probably would not be able to contend with that Evil Sin.

"Give it a try. We can't miss this chance. The government should have arrangements for this by now. They asked my grandfather about similar things before."

Shi Yu nodded. Since they had decided to make contact, they would give it a try.

He lowered his head slightly, avoiding the chemistry teacher's gaze, then closed his eyes and concentrated, thinking:

Some police officers will be giving a safety talk soon. They're at school, very close to us. I have a chance to meet them at close range.

Yes, we'll run into a police officer on our way downstairs. We'll come into close contact.

Shi Yu was using "Thought."

Had he opened his eyes then, he would have been able to see a faint silver glow flickering in his pupils.

There were still five minutes before class ended. Shi Yu intended to keep deepening his power's influence to maximize its effect.

Soon, the bell rang.

Hu Zihao sprang up from his seat in front and turned to look at Shi Yu and Han He.

Han He stood too. He intended to set off quickly and search for unfamiliar scents while the corridors were still relatively empty.

Han He patted Shi Yu, who opened his eyes, a silver gleam flashing through his pupils before vanishing. Han He paused but said nothing, merely waiting for Shi Yu to get up quickly.

By then, Hu Zihao had reached them. He had made up his mind too, deciding this was a chance that would not come again and wanting to take the gamble.

As the two waited for him, Shi Yu tried to stand, but he could not.

His legs had gone numb.

"Fuck!"

Shi Yu was going crazy. What was going on?! Failing him at the critical moment! He hurriedly told the two bewildered boys:

"Fuck, my legs fell asleep. You two go first. I'll be right there. Any later and they'll all be downstairs on the field."

"Huh? But you... Hey!"

Before Hu Zihao had finished, Han He grabbed him and headed straight out without another word.

With difficulty, Shi Yu rubbed his legs, which felt like television static, and slowly stood up. He limped out of the classroom, then found the stair railing and began inching his way down.

He was too slow, and the other students, following the instructions, all dashed past him. By the time Shi Yu reached the ground floor, hardly anyone remained around him.

I'm screwed now. The officers have probably all gathered downstairs to get ready for the talk. I wonder whether Han He and Hu Zihao managed to get close to an officer...

As Shi Yu was thinking, he heard frantic belt-fastening noises from the boys' restroom beside him. Metal clinked and clattered, followed by a swish that sounded like a belt being pulled very tight. Hurried footsteps followed, and an officer rushed out of the restroom, swearing, without even washing his hands.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why did this crappy belt suddenly stop working?! Now I'm screwed. I'll have to write a self-criticism when I get back!"

Yuan Qiu rushed out of the restroom and nearly collided with a student who was hobbling along.

Yuan Qiu hurriedly reached out to steady the boy by his shoulders, apologizing repeatedly:

"Oh, I... Sorry, kid. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Shi Yu raised his head and met the eyes of this reckless officer.

At that moment, Shi Yu felt as though ten thousand Siberian alpacas had stampeded through his mind, only for him to watch them all charge into the Mariana Trench. He slowly drew a breath, then said:

"...I'm fine, but I have a problem."

"Huh?"