Chapter 238: The Anomaly
Chapter 238: The Anomaly
Chen Chuan approached his target and found himself in a residential compound with dilapidated houses, peeling street railings, dented connecting rods, and broken streetlights. The only people around were a few scattered pedestrians.
Using his Boundary Vessel, he noticed that the area lacked the usual light and shadow effects, indicating that most residents here likely lacked citizen status.
He checked the vessel and, based on the previous positioning, found that the anomaly was located less than 200 meters away, behind a building.
In addition to the suspicious commission, he had also come across related news reports mentioning frequent sightings of large numbers of dead birds in this area.
This alone wasn't too concerning; it could be due to various reasons like chemical leaks, bird diseases, or birds colliding with invisible windows.
However, after each such incident, many locals claimed to see a massive bird-like shadow passing overhead.
Some individuals who went to investigate reported seeing a person with a human head and bird body standing behind them in window reflections, smiling at them. But when they turned around, nothing was there.
These news stories were eerie and attention-grabbing, but most citizens treated them as mere curiosities. Few seemed to follow up on these incidents.
Although there was a commission to investigate this event, the source didn't appear to be a local. It seemed more like a wealthy individual seeking to satisfy their curiosity.
Chen Chuan quickly located the spot where the birds had fallen, on the rooftop of a residential building. In the corner, he noticed numerous feathers covered in filth and dust.
He noticed something peculiar—the railings nearby had graffiti that seemed to follow a pattern.
He walked over and examined it closely, only to realize that it was a Tantric symbol.
So, this wasn't a haunting tale, but... a Secret Ritual? Based on his assessment, the Tantric symbol was amateurish, a poor imitation of certain patterns.
Tantric symbols aren't something just anyone can draw; to achieve the desired effect, one must be extremely precise and invest strong emotions, knowing exactly what they're doing and what they want.
With muddled emotions and unclear intentions, the resulting symbol would be chaotic, perhaps only inducing a yawn in viewers. However, many in Central City had a habit of drug abuse, and if someone under the influence came here, the impact could be amplified, leading to various hallucinations.
Regardless of the reason, after walking around, his Second Self didn't manifest any shadows, indicating that either the haunting tale was non-existent or had already been dealt with.
He wasn't disappointed by this; he had mentally prepared for this outcome before leaving. He didn't expect to confirm the situation in one go, and this was just the first location on today's itinerary. He still had several other places to visit, so he descended from the rooftop and left the residential compound.
At that moment, on the outskirts of the compound, over a dozen individuals armed with various tools and weapons had encircled him. At the leader's command, they dispersed and hid in the surroundings.
The man watched calmly; this wasn't their first time doing this. His men were experienced and unlikely to make mistakes.
He could tell Chen Chuan's background at a glance; the Boundary Vessel he used was mid-range, indicating some wealth but not a substantial amount. He might be in Central City to visit a relative.
They had encountered many like him—people who obtained temporary residence permits through guarantors, then sought employment before their status expired.
Even if they lost their citizen status, most employers wouldn't dismiss them. Instead, they'd be happy to rehire them for lower wages, working them to the bone without assuming any responsibility.
This target might have even practiced combat arts, but that wasn't a concern. They had dealt with combat practitioners before.
In fact, young combat practitioners were ideal targets. Youth implied limited strength, and practitioners meant healthy and robust organs and alien organs, ensuring a better selling price.
As Chen Chuan retraced his steps, he noticed the previously scattered pedestrians had vanished, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. He maintained his calm demeanor and continued walking.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air, and in the midst of the smoke, several individuals with black rubber-coated steel clubs rushed towards him. Simultaneously, two others raised their launcher guns, and with a loud bang, two electrified nets expanded and enveloped him.
The leader watched confidently from behind, knowing that once the net trapped its target, escape was impossible. A relentless barrage of club strikes would quickly incapacitate a combat practitioner, leaving them ready for transport and sale at a premium price.
However, to his surprise, Chen Chuan emerged from the dense smoke, appearing unaffected, his gaze remarkably serene.
The leader's expression changed, and after a moment, he spat out his cigarette and sprinted away.
(End of Chapter)Chen Chuan had barely fled a few steps when a pebble struck the back of his head, sending him stumbling forward. He collapsed, unmoving, as blood and implant fluid mixed with tissue oozed from his body.
The smoke behind him gradually dissipated, revealing a dozen twisted bodies scattered around. Some hung on the railing, while others were slumped against the wall, their chests caved in as if embedded into the very structure.
Chen Chuan's stride didn't falter as he passed by the bodies. He glanced at one, recognizing the man from his build and features. This man carried a case on his back, indicating he was likely involved in the illegal trade of organs and mutated tissues.
Judging by the tools these people carried, they probably intended to capture him alive and then dismember him for sale.
All of them had implants, moving swiftly and well-equipped. Even a well-protected fighter might be taken down by them if caught off guard.
Chen Chuan didn't bother reporting to the security patrol; he left the scene directly. Perhaps their accomplices would do something upon discovering their bodies, but that was none of his concern.
After checking other potential locations without finding anything, Chen Chuan realized it was already afternoon. He decided that searching this way was inefficient, and it might be better to have Lao Qi, the commissioner, assist with the search. As the commissioner, Lao Qi would have an easier time with the inquiries, even if it meant paying some fees.
Chen Chuan opened his communication interface and tapped on Lao Qi's avatar. After a while, Lao Qi's weary voice came through, "Chen Chuan, is there something you need?"
"Lao Qi, I'd like to discuss the commission with you," Chen Chuan said.
Lao Qi's voice brightened, "Sure, it's just..." He sighed, "I'm in a bit of trouble right now and might not be able to get away. Can you wait for me?"
"What's the matter?" Chen Chuan asked.
Lao Qi sighed, "I've been detained by the patrol and need to pay a fine. I'm trying to gather the money, so you might have to wait."
Chen Chuan considered this and asked about the amount of the fine. "I can cover your fine, but I need your help with something."
Lao Qi readily agreed and thanked him repeatedly.
"Wait for me," Chen Chuan said.
An hour later, Chen Chuan led Lao Qi out of the city patrol checkpoint to a nearby flowerbed and sat on a bench. Lao Qi gulped down water from a bottle, then slumped back against the bench, exhausted.
After a while, he spoke, "The money I just earned from a private job was all confiscated. It was the biggest sum I've made in years, and now it's all gone to those bastards.
Those guys showed up right after I finished the job. I think they might have noted my number when we escaped the border patrol the other day. They must have been watching me these past few days, waiting for the right moment to catch me. Damn it!"
"You're lucky, Lao Qi. If it were another matter, it might not have been as easy to get out as it was today," Chen Chuan said.
"That's true," Lao Qi agreed, perking up a bit. He looked at Chen Chuan, "Chen Chuan, I owe you one today. By the way, what did you need my help with?"
"I need to take on some special commissions, but I don't want to deal with the commission companies," Chen Chuan explained.
Lao Qi understood immediately, "So, you want me to handle these commissions while you deal with other matters?"
Chen Chuan nodded, "Yes, that's the idea."
Lao Qi hesitated, "Chen Chuan, I'm flattered, but these commissions might involve personal grudges and revenge. I'm not sure I can handle them..."
Chen Chuan clarified, "These commissions don't involve personal vendettas or revenge. They are special tasks, and you can negotiate the rewards. I won't force you to accept them."
Lao Qi's eyes flickered with uncertainty, as his daughter's tuition was due soon. If he didn't pay it on time, she would be expelled from school without any leniency.
To survive in Central City, one had to either be a talented fighter or rely on education, which was expensive. He had been struggling to gather the necessary funds.
With determination, Lao Qi clenched his teeth, rubbed his face, and stood up, "Chen Chuan, I'm in!"
Chen Chuan smiled, "Lao Qi, there's no need for that. I'm new to Central City, and I'm just here to earn some fees. If I do this alone, I'll be bogged down with various troubles and won't accomplish much."
Lao Qi nodded in understanding, "What do you need me to do?"
Chen Chuan used the boundary vessel to transmit the suspicious commissions to Lao Qi, "I need you to help me look into the specifics of these commissions first."
"Alright, I'm on it," Lao Qi said.
One of Lao Qi's eyes flashed with orange light, and after a while, he expressed surprise, "Chen Chuan, I see these are abnormal incident commissions. But there's already a group handling these, right?"
...
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End of Chapter
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