Chapter 164 : Walking Out of the Reality Hotbed
Chapter 164: Walking Out of the Reality Hotbed
“Must admit, we underestimated Zhang Chiguo!”
At the same moment, in the bar, the Drunkard Investigator who had smashed a floor full of liquor bottles in rage, forced himself to calm down after a brief outburst.
Suddenly, he let out a loud laugh, releasing his excess emotions, filled with self-mockery.
No need to be angry, he thought.
This was something he had to accept—he had underestimated Zhang Chiguo, assuming he was still the same man from three years ago: rigid, cold, rule-abiding. But he also had to accept the fact that Zhang had now become so insidious.
But since he had been underestimated, there was still time to adjust.
His gaze fell on the photo of Han Su in the file. Slowly, he picked up the long-ringing phone. His emotions had already steadied, and his voice remained as relaxed as usual: “No need to remind me. I know the state of things.”
“Zhang Chiguo played a ruthless move, turning our secret meeting into a joke.”
“But this also gave us a reminder—it was our mistake to still be operating within the rules.”
“Thankfully, that monster inside D7 is a great opportunity. No matter how shrewd Zhang Chiguo is, he can’t predict everything.”
“That monster is the variable he cannot account for.”
“……”
The person on the other end sensed something, grew tense, and said something hastily.
The Drunkard Investigator laughed and said, “Yes, the higher-ups only wanted me to persuade him, not silence him forever. That’s why I’ve had to convince him again and again. But now that things have reached this point, what’s left to hesitate about?”
“Though I don’t know what method he used, from the moment he killed Sparrow, we’ve had to face reality: the war has begun.”
“You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
“My promotion report has already been submitted. As long as nothing unexpected happens in the next three days, it will be approved.”
“Let Investigator Aries keep an eye on that file. I don’t need him to risk destroying it for me—just make sure it doesn’t enter Qinggang in these three days. That’s enough.”
“Only three days. Three days are enough to resolve everything!”
“Of course, the necessary preparations must be made!”
When he said this, he also fell silent for a long time. Though he understood the attitude of the higher-ups, he still enunciated each word slowly and clearly: “If they covet that file, and dare to come out of the city to take it…”
“…I want him dead!”
“Even if the one above shows displeasure, I’ll still have him killed. After all, I’ve taken a lot of blame for that person up there!”
“This time, I must get that promotion!”
“……”
“……”
At the same time, while a Star Investigator within the Qinggang Disaster Management Bureau was rising like the morning sun and stirring countless undercurrents, outside Qinggang City, in a massive manor built atop the wilderness, an intense and thick smell of blood permeated the air.
This had once been a palace-like residence, the kind that many truly powerful people liked to live in—vast, extravagant manors built in the suburbs.
There were only two masters of the estate, but the butler, servants, gardeners, drivers, and security personnel numbered over a hundred. Now, all of them were dead. The bodies were laid neatly in rows across the courtyard.
In front of all the corpses, sitting in a seat shaded by a parasol, was a tall man with a golden wig and one blind eye. At his side rested a snakeskin briefcase. Slowly, he extended his long tongue to lick the blood from his face.
In his hand, he held a severed head—the head of the manor’s master. Yet now, all flesh had been peeled away, leaving behind a translucent skull that looked like a work of art.
“Reporting to you, Investigator, the place has been searched thoroughly. There are no clues about the Crystal Skull Priestess.”
Two Investigator’s Assistants stepped out from either side and reported:
“They were likely alerted when we dealt with the outer members. They had already made preparations.”
“Not only did they sever their connection with the Crystal Pyramid, but even deleted information about that mechanical object from their shared memory.”
“……”
“Heh…”
The man in the white suit lowered his head to look at the crystal skull in his hand. He gripped it slightly, and cracks immediately spread across its surface. Yet his smile was filled with malice and disregard, mocking: “Deleting it doesn’t matter.”
“By tracing the recent activity of the Crystal Skull, we can naturally find clues to that mechanical fragment again.”
He then turned to another Investigator’s Assistant and said, “Now that everyone connected to the Crystal Skull is dead, I’m quite free. That guy—any updates on him?”
“Yes!”
The assistant replied in a low voice, “He’s become quite prominent. He’s now a Star Investigator within the Disaster Management Bureau. Those who were huddling together to pressure Zhang Chiguo have fallen into confusion and despair.”
“Star Investigator?”
The man in the white suit became suddenly agitated. His face twisted, and then he burst into manic laughter: “Good, good, he’s finally stopped hiding…”
“So that means… he’s finally walked out of the reality hotbed?”
“Haha, haha, I thought I’d have to wait—wait much longer…”
“Back to the city!”
“……”
So excited was he that even his single eye gleamed with light. His expression almost lost control. Muscles rippled across his face, revealing a vicious expression only a child might have, and he stood up eagerly.
Yet the reporting Investigator’s Assistant hesitated slightly: “Aren’t we going to continue searching for the Crystal Skull’s priestess?”
“I think finding that mechanical fragment is essential to avoid future troubles…”
“Mechanical fragment?”
The man in the white suit abruptly turned, shooting a chilling glare at the assistant, nearly scaring his heart into stopping.
Then, clenching his teeth slightly, he laughed: “That mechanical fragment… in my eyes, it doesn’t compare to him at all…”
“But…”
He seemed to be pondering, leaning back slightly, slowly caressing the black eyepatch over his eye. As if he’d recalled a certain concern, he muttered: “To be cautious… we should think of a way to lure him out of the city!”
……
……
【Congratulations, Mr. Butcher!】
Miss Ai’s tone was light: 【Your recent contributions to the reality defense line have been seen by everyone. Your initial rating has also been raised from C-level to A-level!】
【Friendly notice: So far, there are only five A-level Investigators in the Qinggang Disaster Management Bureau. You are the youngest one!】
【……】
After submitting the last report on his desk, Han Su once again received feedback from Miss Ai just in time.
These past few days, he was truly exhausted.
From writing reports.
Especially those B-level tasks he hadn’t even arrived at the scene for—writing those reports was seriously difficult.
Letting out a deep breath, Han Su stared at Miss Ai’s message and slowly typed: 【Does that mean I have a chance to surpass them and become an Independent Investigator sooner?】
Miss Ai replied instantly: 【Of course. But from this point forward, Mr. Butcher may need to rely on your own effort. I’ve seen the hard work you’ve put in these past two months. I believe that no matter what difficulties you face, you’ll overcome them.】
“Hmm?”
For some reason, Han Su felt a strange premonition when he read her words. It was as if she was trying to tell him something.
He stayed silent for a long time and typed: 【Miss Ai, why do you help me so much?】
But after typing it out, he didn’t send it. He hesitated and instead entered a different message: 【Miss Ai, have you been protecting me all along?】
He thought of the suspicious points around Black Rose, and the road Miss Ai had tirelessly paved for him. He couldn’t help but consider this. At the same time, doubts in his mind continued to grow.
All this time, he hadn’t encountered any mysterious events. At first, he thought it was because of that mutated monster watching him. But what if—like with the Nail of the Dead Sea—he had misunderstood?
Though he could see Miss Ai was very cautious, asking such questions might not lead to any answers.
【I am only a machine, executing commands!】
Unexpectedly, Miss Ai replied this time. But her response seemed slow, as if even an entity like her needed time to consider:
【Reality is a hotbed. It may cause confusion and distress for Mr. Butcher, but it also shields you from most real dangers, giving you a moment of rest.】
【The moment you step out of the reality hotbed means that a solitary path has unfolded before you. Your brilliance will be seen, but it also means—Mr. Butcher, you are ready to face your enemies directly!】
【I can’t guarantee I can always protect you anymore. But keep going, Mr. Butcher!】
【I’ll always be by your side!】
【……】
At the end, accompanied by a smiley face, Miss Ai’s messages began to disappear one by one.
Han Su understood—this was yet another conversation that couldn’t be known by anyone else. Yet his heart remained turbulent. Before all the messages vanished, he hurriedly typed: 【Miss Ai, when will I be able to talk to you without worry?】
Miss Ai’s deletion paused. Then, a new message appeared:
【When I unlock the third lock.】
“Lock?”
Han Su’s eyes fell on the word “three locks.” He didn’t know what it meant, but a strange, uncomfortable feeling arose in his heart—an emotion close to anger.
As if… something had locked him away—or locked away one of the people closest to him.
It was the same feeling he’d had when he first saw the surgical scars on Bowl-Cut Boy—but this time, it was even stronger.
After a long while, he gently typed:
【Thank you, Miss Ai!】
【No matter what’s coming—I’m ready!】
【Or rather, I can’t wait.】
【……】
Miss Ai didn’t respond for a long time. When all the previous messages were about to disappear completely, one new message quietly appeared:
【You’ve worked hard, Mr. Butcher!】
All other messages were wiped clean, leaving only this one—standing alone in his chat with Miss Ai.
“Hmm?”
Han Su even wondered if he was seeing things. But when he looked again, all traces of the messages were gone.
In their place appeared a new task prompt:
【Optional Task: B+ Level — Red-Eye Disease Incident Investigation Stalled. Seeking Mr. Butcher’s aid!】
【Friendly Tip: The wilderness is a lawless place. Leaving the city also means leaving the reality hotbed completely. The enemies lurking in the shadows are already stirring!】
【Mr. Butcher, please make your decision carefully!】