Chapter 440: The chaotic situation
Lin Ye prepared to return to the base to check on it. Although he didn't think the base would have any problems, these people had clearly come prepared. If they intended to use high-energy weapons to blast open the base, there was a non-zero probability of success.
Under normal circumstances, those major powers wouldn't resort to such actions within the city, but it was best not to overestimate an enemy's bottom line.
The sports car started. Those masked figures very naturally walked to both sides of the road, their eyes vacant as they stared into empty space, muttering incoherent gibberish under their breaths.
They had prepared some kind of item capable of stripping away parasites, but the problem was, that item could only strip away one type of parasite at a time.
They very naturally ignored the biological sample parasite, because they already had Sample Number One implanted within their bodies.
Lin Ye drove the sports car back to the clubhouse base. Two rows of monsters covered in tumors stood on either side of the clubhouse entrance, welcoming him.
They also wore black cloaks, but their masks had been removed.
Seeing the base was fine, Lin Ye was about to head to the Joint Merchant Guilds for a look. But before he could turn the car around, he saw a group of masked figures holding various spiritual energy weapons in the rearview mirror.
They were watching Lin Ye from a distance, raising the weapons in their hands.
Lin Ye got out of the car and walked into the clubhouse. He felt something was off about this situation. If these people truly belonged to the Joint Merchant Guilds, then their goal was the technology for mass-producing spiritual energy cards. Was it really necessary for them to go to such lengths for a technology of unknown efficiency?
If it wasn't the Joint Merchant Guilds, then what was the purpose of these people? What benefit would attacking him bring?
Lin Ye's goals were to obtain enough Free Coins and to ensure the Free City lasted for three more months. Which side would this affect?
He had just prevented the Free City from being destroyed, and immediately after, he was attacked. Was the enemy's goal to destroy the Free City?
'Are those anomalous phenomena targeting me? But would those things really do something like this? This feels more like human behavior...'
'But if it is human behavior, then why wasn't the cleanup plan hindered in the slightest?'
'The attackers' bodies are covered in large numbers of tumor-like structures. Are those factions experimenting with Sample Number One, or does it indicate the attackers are connected to the Abyssal creature in the ruins below?'
'If it's the latter, then the lack of obstruction for the cleanup plan makes sense, because the cleanup plan implants tumor-like structures into the cleaners...'
'But this also seems a bit off. Right now, the situation here can mainly be divided into three forces: the trash in the trash can, the lid of the trash can, and the city that handles the trash. Would the trash and the lid be on the same side? But why? Does the lid also want to escape the trash can?'
Lin Ye stood by the window, lost in thought. Those masked figures didn't take any further action, standing outside the clubhouse like statues, as if waiting for something.
'There are also enemies within the city who want to deal with me. What is their purpose? To bring about the destruction of the Free City?'
No matter how much he thought about it, Lin Ye felt he was missing a piece, as if the puzzle lacked its most crucial part.
'...Forget it. Since I can't figure it out, I can only make more preparations.'
Lin Ye returned to the makeshift laboratory and used the communication device to contact Oliver.
"What is it?"
Oliver was enjoying a sumptuous dinner at the restaurant.
"I need some research materials."
Lin Ye stated very directly.
"I acknowledge your contributions to the Free City, but the value of high-level knowledge is significant. To obtain it, you must pay."
Oliver was very interested in rune card and parasite technology.
"Raymond said you are the founder of the Free City. You should be very familiar with it. Today, both I and my base were attacked, right after I resolved those anomalous phenomena. Is this a normal situation?"
Lin Ye decided to consult this old man, whose age was more than three times his own, about the city's situation.
"...Not very normal. Based on my understanding of the factions in the city, no one should be openly causing trouble for you."
Oliver put down his wine glass. He was also somewhat puzzled by these people's motives for targeting Lin Ye. No matter how useful spiritual energy cards were, they were still disposable cards. If they wanted the card technology, they could have waited until after the cleanup plan to make a move. As for parasites, there were Sample Zero and Sample Number One. There was absolutely no reason to target Lin Ye now.
"Have you noticed any unusual places in the city recently?"
Lin Ye wasn't sure if Oliver was reliable either, but hearing the old man's opinion couldn't hurt.
"...There are too many unusual places. I don't even know where to start. Before, I thought it was due to the influence of the Bottomless Pit. Thinking about it now, it does seem rather off... You can contact Liam. He would absolutely never cooperate with those monsters."
Oliver whispered something to Andrew, who was standing beside him. Andrew nodded and left the restaurant.
"What about Raymond and Ms. Carnot? Are they reliable?"
Lin Ye asked without changing his expression.
"I can't see through Ms. Carnot. As for Raymond, that kid has never been very reliable. Send me the list of research materials you need. I'll have them prepared for you shortly."
Oliver terminated the communication. Prompted by Lin Ye, he had sensed something was wrong and needed to make some preparations in advance.
After sending the list of research materials, Lin Ye didn't contact anyone else. Instead, he began researching the transparent crystal he had obtained earlier. Since he couldn't determine friend from foe, there was no need for communication.
Throughout the night, anomalous phenomena occasionally appeared in the city. However, these phenomena weren't as troublesome as the crystal, so they were quickly dealt with by the city's adventurers.
More masked figures gathered outside the clubhouse. They merely aimed their weapons at the clubhouse base without taking further action, as if brewing something.
In the latter half of the night, a light rain began to fall from the sky. Lin Ye suddenly received a communication request.
"Why aren't you clearing out the enemies outside?"
Sera stood atop a tall building, wearing a research assistant's uniform. The rain had soaked her hair, and her strands danced wildly in the strong wind.
"I think they want me to clear them out."
Lin Ye wouldn't act rashly. Upon discovering those masked figures weren't firing, he had decided not to take action arbitrarily.
"Alright. Not acting is the correct choice. But if that kind of mask accumulates to a certain number, you probably won't be affected, but those young people under you won't be able to escape."
Sera gazed into the distance at the clubhouse base, holding a shattered piece of a mask in her hand.
"It's fine. I'll handle it."
He didn't need Sera's reminder. Lin Ye was more skilled than her at dealing with anomalous phenomena.
"The rain is about to get heavier. I still have to go to work tomorrow morning. I wonder how long this rain will last."
Sera spread her arms, embracing the entire sky. A torrential downpour suddenly fell, thoroughly drenching her body.