97: New mission

Another day of filming ended with a subtle sense of fragmentation. Lu Jianchuan took off the combat-style costume and put back on his simple everyday clothes; only then did the unreality of being focused on by cameras and the crowd's gaze begin to fade slightly.

He didn't leave the set immediately, but found a quiet corner to sit down, watching the staff busily pack up the equipment, while his thoughts involuntarily drifted deeper.

Lin Wan.

This name was like a tiny thorn pricking the bottom of his heart, bringing a surge of dull pain at unexpected moments. He recalled the scene when he first met her in that small park; she had fainted due to low blood sugar, her face pale, her eyes fragile yet carrying a stubbornness that didn't want to trouble others.

Later at the night market, she ate candied haws, her eyes curving into smiles—that smile was clean and genuine. And after she vomited, when he sent her home, her eyes were filled with embarrassment and gratitude... These details replayed in his mind over and over.

He didn't believe those were fake.

Someone who could be finely controlled to perfectly execute even micro-expressions, tone of voice, and that just-right embarrassment? This was completely different from the way he previously understood the "neuro-weaver" to operate.

GUPA Researchers had explicitly told him that such Parasites were more like a "covering-style" crude control, capable of forcibly driving the body to perform simple attacks, movements, or execute basic commands like "stop" or "come here," but it was absolutely impossible to achieve such exquisite, human-like interaction and emotional expression.

"Is she... also being controlled? Like those people in the hospital?" This thought had popped up more than once, carrying a sliver of hope that he himself noticed but was unwilling to admit.

He would rather believe Lin Wan was another victim, her mind and body controlled by some more sophisticated and terrifying power, than accept that she had been wearing a mask to approach him from the very beginning, and all her kindness and vulnerability were a carefully orchestrated performance.

Deep down, he still held a faint hope that she didn't truly want his life.

If she really was being controlled, then at least it meant he wasn't living in one giant lie.

But where was the evidence? GUPA hadn't found any trace of Lin Wan being influenced by a "neuro-weaver" or any other known means of control.

And she herself, at the final moment, had confessed everything in person.

Reason was constantly reminding him to recognize reality, but emotionally, that lingering trust and doubt were hard to completely erase.

"If I can't find them... what else can I do..." he muttered under his breath, a sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart. The enemy was hidden in the shadows, and he couldn't even confirm the truth about his companion being controlled.

Just then, a steady sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts.

He looked up and saw a member wearing a GUPA combat uniform with a specific combat squad insignia on their armband walking quickly toward him. The member stopped in front of him and gave a salute.

"Comrade Yin Hai," the member's voice was crisp and neat, "the technical department has detected an abnormal situation at the edge of the old industrial zone in the west of the city."

Lu Jianchuan's expression tightened, and he immediately reined in all stray thoughts: "Speak."

"We have detected a large number of evo factor reaction sources in the area," the member reported at a clear pace.

"The concentration of individual reaction sources is generally not high, roughly between 0.008% and 0.015%, far below the conventional activation threshold. However... their numbers are vast and their distribution is concentrated, with the energy signals showing an abnormal, unstable state of activity. Command assesses that there is a high risk of collective mutation or human-guided experimentation."

The member paused and looked at Lu Jianchuan, his tone suggesting a request for instructions: "Considering the complexity of the area and the potential for sudden combat, we believe it would be most prudent for you to lead the team for this reconnaissance and disposal mission. Of course, this requires your personal consent and must be reported to the operations command."

Lu Jianchuan understood immediately. This wasn't a mandatory assignment but more like a "mission invitation" based on his abilities and status, similar to "overtime" or volunteering in the police force. He precisely needed some actual action to disperse the chaotic thoughts in his heart.

"I understand." He stood up without any hesitation. "I will immediately explain the situation to command and apply to participate in this operation."

The application process went smoothly. For the silver skeleton to actively take on a high-risk mission, command was happy to see it happen. Soon, the operational orders were issued, and the squad completed its assembly.

Before leaving, Lu Jianchuan glanced at that incredibly flashy silver-white motorcycle parked in the corner of the set. It was indeed very cool and had excellent performance, but for a reconnaissance mission that required a stealthy approach and involved unknown risks, its overly conspicuous appearance would instead be a burden.

Without any lingering regret, he walked straight toward the inconspicuous dark-colored off-road vehicle GUPA had prepared for him. Opening the door and sitting in the passenger seat, he nodded to the member in the driver's seat.

"Let's go."

The vehicle let out a low roar and drove away from the city where the lights were gradually coming on, heading toward the edge of the old industrial zone in the west where signals were abnormal and unknowns were hidden, quietly blending into the twilight.

The vehicle stopped at the edge of the old industrial zone in the west of the city. Lu Jianchuan pushed the door open and got out. Looking at the somewhat desolate scene of numerous factory buildings before him, he couldn't help but mutter under his breath: "This side again... I feel like I've been having trouble with the west side lately." He shook his head, casting aside this thought of coincidence; now was not the time to dwell on that.

According to the approximate range of the signal shown by the detector, this area included several factories still maintaining production and scattered warehouses. It was currently the evening shift change; figures in work clothes could be seen hurrying through the factory area, along with a few security personnel on patrol.

"Act according to plan: evacuate first, then investigate." Lu Jianchuan ordered the GUPA Squad members behind him while flashing his police ID. The members quickly dispersed, using "police conducting a special security check" as a reason to begin efficiently and orderly guiding the workers and security personnel in the factory area to evacuate to a safe zone.

Lu Jianchuan himself walked toward a middle-aged man who appeared to be the Security Supervisor. "Comrade, please cooperate. We've received notice that there may be safety hazards in this area, and we need to temporarily clear the site for a detailed inspection." His tone was calm but carried an unquestionable authority.

The Security Supervisor looked at Lu Jianchuan's ID and his capable, well-equipped "colleagues" behind him. Although a bit puzzled, he still nodded in cooperation: "Alright, officer, we will definitely cooperate." While using his walkie-talkie to notify the personnel still in the factory area to evacuate, he couldn't help but complain: "Sigh, there's always so much trouble in this place."

Lu Jianchuan took the opportunity to ask: "Have you noticed anything unusual around here lately? For example, strange noises, abnormal animal behavior, or any strangers coming and going frequently?"

The Security Supervisor frowned and thought for a moment: "Unusual? Nothing special, I guess... just the same old thing. Oh, wait!" He seemed to suddenly remember something. "If I have to say something, the sewers here have been clogging up constantly lately; it's really bizarre! We've reported it several times, but the boss up there always stalls, and when the plumbers come, they can't find the reason. It gets cleared and then clogs up again after a couple of days."

"The sewers?" Lu Jianchuan's interest was piqued, and he followed up: "Specifically, which area has the most severe clogging?"

"Over there, near the area behind the Old Foundry Workshop." The supervisor pointed in a direction. "The ground is low there, so it used to clog easily, but it hasn't been this frequent lately."

Lu Jianchuan noted this information and patted the supervisor's shoulder: "Alright, thanks for your cooperation. Please wait in the designated area with the others to ensure your own safety."

Once all non-essential personnel had been evacuated to a safe distance, the GUPA Squad assembled again. A member holding a precision detector reported: "The signal source is still concentrated in this area, but building internal scans haven't found any large-scale life forms or abnormal energy clusters."

Lu Jianchuan's brow furrowed as his gaze swept over the somewhat aged factory buildings. The detector wouldn't be wrong; the signal source had to be nearby. He recalled the Security Supervisor's words—"the sewers have been clogging up constantly."

A somewhat absurd yet logical thought popped up: Could it be... actually underground?

He shook his head, trying to dispel this idea that felt a bit like a plot point from a third-rate horror movie, but that sense of being guided by some invisible thread grew stronger and stronger.

"Focus the search on underground spaces, especially the sewage System." Lu Jianchuan ordered decisively. "Stay safe and remain on alert!"

The members acted immediately and soon located a large manhole cover near the severely clogged area the Security Supervisor had mentioned. Two members used special tools to pry open the heavy lid, and a puff of damp air smelling of rust and decay immediately surged out.

A member slowly lowered a probe rod equipped with environmental sensors and a camera into the shaft. The images transmitted back to the screen showed a deep underground space with murky water and no obvious abnormalities. However, as the detector approached the mouth of the shaft, the beeping sound clearly became more rapid.

"There's something down there; the signal strength increases significantly below the manhole," the member operating the detector confirmed.

Lu Jianchuan no longer hesitated. He checked his equipment and said to the squad members: "I'll go down and take a look. You guys establish a perimeter up here and maintain communication at all times. If there's any abnormality, act according to the contingency plan."

With that, he secured his safety rope, put on his headlamp, and without hesitation, cautiously climbed down the ladder on the shaft wall step by step into the dark, unknown depths of the sewer.