3: case

"Wait, wait! System! In other System novels, don't they just 'ding' and directly pour knowledge into the host's head? Why do I have to learn it myself?!"

He let out a cry from the depths of his slacker Soul, "Can't you make me feel like I already knew these things, just like they do?"

【That's impossible.】 The System's reply was as cold as a law of physics.

【A torrent of information, uncomprehended and undigested, directly impacting your fragile consciousness would result in only one outcome: logical core overload and consciousness model collapse. In terms you can understand, your 'brain would explode.'】

"Then... then how do novels describe the feeling of 'gaining a skill as if you always knew it'?"

【That requires first engraving the skill into the deepest levels of neural reflexes and muscle memory through extensive repetitive practice, until it becomes an instinct.】 The System calmly analyzed.

【Then, precisely delete the memory fragments of the 'learning process,' retaining only the resulting state of 'mastering the skill.' Its technical difficulty and risk far exceed you learning on your own. Would you like to activate this high-risk plan?】

"There's... there's such a method..." Han Chengyu was choked by this hardcore explanation. The thought of his memories being tampered with made him immediately back down, "Forget it, forget it, I'll learn! I'll learn!"

But he still didn't forget to emphasize his bottom line.

"But I still refuse to remove those cool components! It's just biology, right? I'll grind through it!"

Just as Han Chengyu's consciousness made this grand vow, ready to battle the vast ocean of biological knowledge to the death, the 'senses' carrying him trembled slightly.

The light from the external world changed, shifting from the dim yellow halo of streetlights during patrol to the quiet darkness of the police station dormitory. He sensed Lu Jianchuan taking him out of his pocket, placing him on the bedside table, and carefully examining him under the light.

"Uncle Li, look at this watch. The craftsmanship is so fine, doesn't it look like high-tech equipment from movies?" Lu Jianchuan's voice carried the excitement unique to youth.

Old policeman Li Ming, about to wash up, glanced over, wiping his face with a towel: "Hmm, it does look good. According to regulations, hand it over to the lost and found tomorrow."

"Huh?" Lu Jianchuan's tone immediately became reluctant, "Uncle Li, this... what if the owner doesn't come to claim it? It'd be such a waste to let it gather dust there. Look, it has no brand, probably not worth much. How about... I keep it for a couple of days? If someone comes looking, I'll return it immediately!"

Seeing the undisguised fondness in his apprentice's eyes, Li Ming smiled helplessly and waved his hand: "Alright, you kid... have it your way. But remember, if someone really comes looking, you must return it!"

"Mission guaranteed!" Lu Jianchuan immediately perked up, carefully placing the watch beside his pillow.

The next day's duties were still the uneventful daily routine. Lu Jianchuan carried him in his police uniform pocket, following Senior Li Ming to handle neighborhood disputes, verify information on the floating population, maintain order during elementary school dismissal... busy yet fulfilling.

He kept the watch with him all day, occasionally stroking its cool metal case during free moments. He even secretly mimicked a few heroic transformation moves from memory in the bathroom mirror, using the watch's reflection, then laughed at his own childishness.

Night fell once again.

An urgent command suddenly crackled from the patrol car's radio, tearing through the night's calm.

"Command Center calling Car Seven! Bishuiyuan Residential Area in the suburbs, a resident reported hearing roars and screams resembling wild beasts, and discovered a dead body. Please proceed immediately to investigate! Repeat, Bishuiyuan Residential Area in the suburbs..."

"Received!" Li Ming's expression turned stern as he quickly turned on the siren. The patrol car changed direction and sped toward the suburbs. Lu Jianchuan's heart raced instantly, one hand instinctively resting on the police equipment at his waist, the other unconsciously gripping the 'watch' in his pocket tightly.

As soon as the car stopped at the intersection of a detached housing area, an intensely nauseating metallic smell mixed with an indescribable, foul stench hit them with the night wind.

The house where the incident occurred had already been cordoned off with police tape by colleagues who arrived earlier. Flashing blue and red police lights cast an eerie and unsettling glow over the elegant community, the atmosphere so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Several uniformed colleagues stood outside the cordon, their faces unusually grim.

An older, more experienced officer was speaking hurriedly into his phone in a low voice: "...Yes, the situation is very abnormal, doesn't look like an ordinary homicide... need backup, no, might need... need more specialized departments to intervene..." Li Ming and Lu Jianchuan quickly approached.

"Old Zhang, what's the situation?" The officer called Old Zhang put down his phone, shook his head with a grave expression, and lowered his voice: "Prepare yourselves... inside... it's gruesome."

The police tape was lifted. Lu Jianchuan followed Li Ming, stepping unsteadily into the crime scene area. The bloody smell that had been noticeable at the intersection here became so thick it was almost tangible, mixed with a uniquely sweet, metallic scent of ruptured internal organs, sharply invading their nostrils.

Lu Jianchuan's stomach immediately churned violently. He fought back the urge to retch, his face instantly turning pale. This was his first time being so close to a homicide scene, and such a brutal one at that.

The dark red, coagulated blood on the floor and the tissue fragments splattered on the walls made his scalp tingle, his breathing involuntarily quickening.

Li Ming's face was equally grim, as if it could drip water. He crouched down, put on gloves, and carefully examined the victim's remains. The more he looked, the tighter his frown became.

"Something's off... this is too strange..." Li Ming muttered to himself, his voice hoarse, "The wound edges show tearing, but the main cutting surface... is unnaturally smooth. This definitely wasn't caused by an ordinary Sharp Weapon."

His gaze fixed on the large, empty, missing area at the victim's waist and abdomen, where soft tissue had vanished, revealing stark white bones and severed blood vessels.

"Look here," he pointed at the cavity, speaking to Lu Jianchuan with a tone of disbelief and heaviness, "Based on location and structure, the missing parts include one kidney, part of the liver, and a large amount of fatty tissue... but, the way it was cut..."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, finally uttering a conclusion that even he found absurd:

"This method, rather than being for stealing organs to sell, seems more like... the quickest, most convenient way to... take away 'ingredients.'"

"In... ingredients?" Lu Jianchuan looked up sharply, all color draining from his face, a strong wave of nausea rising in his throat again, "Uncle Li, you mean... eating, eating people? How is that possible! How could anyone..."

His voice trembled slightly from shock. Cannibalism? This completely exceeded his understanding of crime and the depths of human evil.

Li Ming didn't answer directly. He slowly stood up, removed his gloves, and scanned the death-filled room with sharp eyes, finally saying in a deep voice:

"I don't know. But this is definitely not a case of organ theft. Notify the station, this case... is very sinister."