Chapter 266: Handling
Chapter 266: Handling
As Chen Chuan gradually approached the scene, he could hear the intense gunfire in the distance, and the streets were filled with panicked people evacuating. In some places, there were even vehicle collisions.
Suddenly, the ornamental trees on both sides trembled, and from within them, numerous vermin the size of fists emerged. Each had powerful jaws and blade-like abdominal feet. After emerging, they swirled around the shops, intimidating every passerby and preventing them from getting closer.
These were the 'Harvesters' produced by Compound Eye Corporation.
These combat weapons were responsible for urban security reinforcement, but they were only stationed in a few locations. Only shops and residences that had purchased security insurance would enjoy their protection first. As for the rest of the people, these combat weapons wouldn't pay any attention to them and would instead attack anyone who approached at this time.
Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze and glanced at the interface token, the second-hand supermarket at the scene of the incident was a second-hand supermarket in the Dregs Market. The attacker's choice of target was unclear, as those who shopped there weren't wealthy, and the goods were mostly cheap second-hand items. However, not far away, there was an Exchange Bank filled with valuable goods.
After turning another street corner, he saw the location—a five-story building. The security patrol squad had surrounded it, but at this moment, they were all hiding behind vehicles and buildings. The attackers inside seemed to be excellent marksmen, keeping the squad members pinned down.
Although the patrol squad had many members, they could have divided their forces to attract attention from one direction while others breached from another. However, the information platform indicated that two of the attackers were Level 2 Warriors, so no one dared to engage them.
Capturing fully armed warriors, even those of the same level, couldn't guarantee one's safety. They waited for someone capable of handling the situation, as the patrol platform had already notified the appropriate personnel, who were on their way.
When Chen Chuan arrived, his identity was displayed on the security patrol squad's interface tokens, causing them to breathe a sigh of relief.
Carrying the Snow Lady Sword, he walked alone towards the building and stood before it. Looking up, he noticed several shattered windows on the second floor, with faint figures moving inside.
The explosion seemed to have occurred on the third floor, where thick black smoke was still billowing. The light and shadow effects remained, and in front was an octagonal flying disc spinning in a circle, with seven-colored flames swirling within and loud, various advertisements playing.
The surrounding crowd had long since fled or been evacuated, leaving only the echoes of the advertisements reverberating through the empty streets.
According to the interface token's prompt, the four attackers were on the second floor, each positioned in a different direction. Chen Chuan heard faint arguing, as if they were quarreling, with one side seemingly blaming the other.
At that moment, he felt something and raised his hand. A slight vibration passed through his palm, and a roaring sound rang in his ear, as if the entire street had trembled.
A bullet dropped from his palm and landed at his feet, emitting a crisp clinking sound on the street surface. From inside the building came urgent and angry shouts.
Chen Chuan lowered his hand and looked up. The next moment, his center of gravity shifted slightly, and his figure abruptly disappeared from its original spot. The security patrol members blinked, and suddenly, a glass window on the second floor shattered.
This time, Chen Chuan chose to break through directly from the front. He leaped from his position, instantly reaching the second floor. As he crashed through, countless shards flew out with him.
Two people on either side had been aiming their guns outside, but when the glass fragments shot towards them, they didn't even blink, quickly turning their guns towards Chen Chuan and pulling the triggers.
Chen Chuan didn't dodge, allowing the bullets to hit his body. The bullets slid off and dropped, and as his feet landed, the floor tiles cracked, and he charged towards one side.
The shooter was only brushed by his knife handle, and his body folded to the extreme, flying horizontally.
Behind this person, a robust man appeared—one of the Warriors, the first target Chen Chuan needed to deal with.
Upon seeing Chen Chuan charging, the man didn't evade, his eyes red and fixed on Chen Chuan without blinking, clearly under the influence of drugs.
When Chen Chuan reached striking distance, the man roared and thrust a dagger towards him.
In Chen Chuan's eyes, even under the influence of drugs, this man was still slower than him. He slightly raised his hand, grasping the man's arm, then lifted him up and slammed him hard onto the ground! A loud bang sounded, and the ground where the man landed cracked open. Organic fluids and blood spurted out from his nose and mouth, and the implants and protective gear on his body shattered under the impact and force.
As Chen Chuan charged forward, the remaining two attackers turned their guns towards him.
Without pausing, Chen Chuan rushed towards the other Warrior. This Warrior seemed unconcerned about his companion's fate. Seeing Chen Chuan approach, he tossed away his pistol and drew a baton from his waist, charging at Chen Chuan.
Even though he was only halfway through his charge, his movements suddenly halted. The Snow Lady Sword, still sheathed, pierced right through the man's abdomen, but due to the effects of drugs and his implants, he maintained a certain level of combat ability even with his body impaled. He tightly grasped the sword sheath with one hand, removed the rifle that was hanging on his back, and raised the gun's muzzle.
However, at that moment, Chen Chuan abruptly sidestepped and retreated, drawing the Snow Lady Sword from its sheath. He then spun around and executed a swift slash, and with a flash of the blade, the man's head flew off.
Simultaneously, he casually tossed a pebble in another direction, and it struck the last assailant hiding behind the shelves, causing their head to snap back. The skin and flesh on their forehead exploded, revealing the enhanced skull beneath. Their body staggered like a drunk, taking a few wobbly steps before collapsing to the ground.
Chen Chuan sheathed the Snow Lady Sword behind him with a swift motion, and with a 'shing,' the blade slid into the sheath. He then withdrew it, and the headless corpse behind him wobbled before falling to the ground.
Chen Chuan surveyed the area, noticing seven or eight corpses lying around, likely customers who were originally there. Not far away, there was a second-hand implant stall, and the owner's head had been blown open. The bullet had likely been fired through the narrow transaction window, but the goods on the shelves were intact, showing no signs of looting.
After confirming that there were no more assailants, Chen Chuan connected to the platform via the Boundary Vessel and reported, "All assailants have been dealt with. Requesting reception."
Immediately, the voice of the inactive consciousness body from the Boundary Vessel responded in a monotonous tone, "Received. Confirming the situation... Sending application to the Handling Bureau... Please wait patiently..."
Soon after, Ni Xi Xi's voice rang out, "Well done, Chen trainee. You handled it so quickly, you're much more proactive than the other two trainees. I have high hopes for you."
Chen Chuan walked to the window and gazed into the distance, saying, "I feel like there were more than just four of them."
Judging from their weapons and equipment, this was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision. But to say they were only targeting a second-hand goods market seemed unlikely.
Ni Xi Xi said, "Chen trainee, you're very perceptive. We've located their other accomplices. They indeed had a big deal today. Colleagues from the Bureau are already handling it. You just need to confirm on the platform, and then you can leave. Let the City Patrol Squad take over from here."
Chen Chuan replied with a 'yes,' and after confirming on the platform, he walked down from the building.
Ni Xi Xi continued, "By the way, Chen, I have some news for you. The Bureau has opened an account for you on the trading platform and transferred some money into it. The Bureau also has something to give you, but I know you don't have time to come and collect it, so we sent it to your school. Remember to sign for it when you get back."
"Money?" Chen Chuan was a bit surprised. "What's this for?" The Bureau's investment was for academic support, providing various conveniences for martial arts cultivation, but they would never directly give him money.
Ni Xi Xi Xi confidently replied, "Didn't the security forces of the Palace Clan shoot at you? Do they dare to shoot at the Bureau's people too? Of course, they need to give an explanation. The Bureau has given them a fee for an apology, and this is a special compensation just for you. Rest assured, this is all done by the rules."
The Palace Clan had stated that they were unaware that Chen Chuan was from the Handling Bureau and were only targeting Xiong Jianyi. However, the problem was that they had used field interference, and the fugitive was indeed in their convoy. This raised serious concerns, and without paying a price, it would be difficult to get past this incident.
After understanding the situation, Chen Chuan thanked Ni Xi Xi Xi and ended the call. He found a nearby station and took the tram back to the Mystic Palace Tower.
When he returned to the dormitory, it was already past 8 p.m., and the delivered package had arrived. He signed for it via the Boundary Vessel and opened it to find a customized Handling Bureau uniform.
This was not an ordinary garment but had protective functions, resembling military attire. It was well-tailored and slim-fitting, and it came with a long coat that covered most of the body, with a wide-brimmed hat and a full-coverage mask.
Also included was a non-implanted Boundary Vessel, a level above the Jade Enjoyment Model Chen Chuan had. It was at least a five-figure purchase, a significant upgrade.
This Boundary Vessel came with a neck guard, with only a thin membrane at the front, which could combine with the mask. It offered more functions, allowing him to identify specific scents, see imaging figures in the platform domain, and hear distant sounds when he focused his attention.
For example, if he had this device earlier, he could have clearly heard the assailants' specific discussions downstairs. These features were highly practical and designed for law enforcement purposes.
Chen Chuan searched for a moment and found that with this device, he could have heard the assailants' specific discussions downstairs. These features were highly practical and designed for law enforcement purposes.
(End of Chapter)
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