Deep Within the Living

Chapter 39: Suspicion

In the open area of the neighborhood, Luo Di had reunited with the class leader.

Both of them stood under the ominous red warning light that bathed their skin and clothing. Yet, while the class leader appeared visibly shaken, Luo Di remained stoic. Whether it was due to the zombification of his lower face, leaving him expressionless, or simply because he had seen such scenes before, his demeanor showed little reaction.

Together, they looked skyward at the source of the crimson glow: a highly advanced military helicopter. The large, encircled “I” painted on its side emphasized its importance.

They both recognized the symbol from their public education—it represented the Investigation Bureau, a critical national institution responsible for recruiting, training, and deploying investigators to handle sudden anomaly events, enforce regional control, and suppress or eliminate Impersonators.

The Investigation Bureau was the cornerstone of national safety and stability, and those selected to join its ranks were the cream of the crop. Their upcoming advancement examinations directly corresponded to a potential career path toward the Bureau. Students meeting the criteria could take part in the municipal bureau’s entry tests and, upon passing, become trainee investigators.

The helicopter descended, and a black-clad investigator emerged, promptly injecting a pre-prepared solution into the Spider Woman’s head.

The injection worked instantly, rendering her unconscious and lifting the Fear Manifestation, returning her to a human appearance. The investigator then removed the dark pillars embedded in her body and wrapped her in a special sealing membrane, completing the “Impersonator packaging.”

The operation was swift and efficient.

But instead of leaving, the black-clad investigator turned toward the two young individuals standing tens of meters away. Having experienced such a dangerous event and come into direct contact with the Impersonator, both of them needed to undergo examinations and provide a detailed account of what had transpired.

Luo Di didn’t mind; this meant he could get free access to the highest level of medical treatment. After all, aside from his pierced hands, his temporary zombification had a cost. For the first time, he had applied zombification to his face to awaken the class leader—a risky act near his brain that could have led to the formation of a Corner of Thought.As they approached the helicopter, the investigator placed a firm hand on Luo Di’s shoulder and conducted an on-the-spot nasal swab. Only after confirming there were no issues did he allow them to board.

Incidentally, this investigator was the same one who had overseen the neighborhood lockdown the previous day, someone both of them had encountered before. Content originally comes from noᴠelfire.net

The helicopter headed to Jupiter City’s Investigation Bureau branch, a massive facility with a significant portion devoted to a helipad surrounded by a circular building.

Even before the helicopter touched down, employees from the Municipal Research Bureau were already waiting to take custody of the captured Impersonator. They would transfer her to their experimental department for follow-up work.

As for the two young witnesses, they were sent for psychological evaluation and physical treatment.

By sunrise, three and a half hours had passed.

Luo Di’s zombification was safely reversed with the help of medication, leaving no significant impact on his body. His pierced hands were treated and wrapped in bandages.

The class leader, having been possessed, required only a few days of medication to eliminate residual impurities in her system. It wouldn’t affect her daily life, though she would need to undergo frequent psychological evaluations over the next month.

The two were granted access to the investigator’s cafeteria, where they could enjoy a free and hearty breakfast. Exhausted from a night of life-and-death battles and a series of examinations, they were struggling to keep their eyes open as they ate.

However, the Investigation Bureau seemed determined to deny them rest. Once breakfast was over, they were escorted to the interview room.

The investigator who had handled their case, now responsible for the debriefing, had also changed into more formal attire. Gone was his black operational outfit, replaced by a neat suit. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had slicked-back hair, his jet-black eyes as piercing as the dark pillars that had impaled the Spider Woman the night before.

Pinned to his chest was a badge identifying him as Ge Wenzhu.

Luo Di recounted the events of the previous night in detail.

When Ge Wenzhu heard specifics, particularly about Luo Di using zombie fangs to aid in breaking the possession, a brief flash of surprise crossed his face, quickly concealed as he adjusted his glasses.

Once the narrative was recorded, Ge Wenzhu addressed them again:

“Given your contributions during the capture of Impersonator Wu Huazhen, the Investigation Bureau will provide you with appropriate rewards. However, before that, I will ask some follow-up questions based on your account and the results of your physical examinations.

“Note that the answers to these questions will influence my assessment of your individual circumstances—particularly whether there are any signs of latent aberration tendencies.”

The mention of rewards abruptly shifted to suspicion, making the atmosphere tense and uneasy.

Ge Wenzhu moved his hands from under his chin, placing his right hand forward so that his index finger prominently filled their line of sight. Slowly, he raised the finger as he began:

“First, Wu Huazhen was a Lurking-Type Impersonator who had reached full maturity. We had previously investigated her for a series of murders, but no evidence was left at the scenes. Her methods of concealment were exceptional, likely aided by whispers from a Corner of Thought, guiding her to perfect her disguise.

“Despite her preference for hiding, she fled during yesterday’s lockdown but inexplicably returned in the dead of night to target you. This raises a critical question:

“What could have compelled her to take such a significant risk? Was it truly because Wu Wen’s appearance matched her personal preferences?

“Additionally, I recall quite clearly… Wu Wen happened to arrive at the lockdown site yesterday and coincidentally encountered Wu Huazhen. Doesn’t that seem a little too convenient?”

As he posed this question, Ge Wenzhu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses to focus on Wu Wen, clearly expecting her to answer.

“Perhaps it was because I knocked on her door and had close contact with her? Or maybe my appearance aligns with some standard her husband or fiancé once had?”

The investigator immediately dismissed this explanation. “No… The first two victims had also been in close contact with Wu Huazhen. As for a husband or fiancé, that’s impossible. Wu Huazhen has always been single.”

Hearing this, Luo Di’s discomfort was evident. Uncharacteristically for him, he interjected:

“Wu Wen spent most of her winter break attending make-up classes, with only three days of rest. Yesterday happened to be her first day off. You can verify this directly with her family; there’s no need to speculate here.”

Luo Di offered his reasoning calmly.

“As for why the Impersonator was willing to take the risk to hunt us, I believe it’s because she had complete confidence in her plan. Her perfect infiltration and ambush during sleep, combined with the pre-established pseudo-corner space, ensured an overwhelming advantage. From anyone’s perspective, two underage students facing such conditions couldn’t possibly survive. The same was true in her eyes.”

The investigator, Ge Wenzhu, seemed satisfied with this explanation.

In truth, he had already ruled out Wu Wen as a suspect. Her experience of Possession during the incident was proof enough to dismiss most doubts. Furthermore, her subsequent psychological evaluations with the Investigation Bureau had been completely normal.

Ge Wenzhu’s real target of inquiry was Luo Di.

Using Luo Di’s interjection as an opening, Ge Wenzhu slowly shifted his gaze and handed over a photograph. It was a close-up shot taken during the helicopter's arrival, showing Luo Di’s face.

Zoomed in, the image revealed his half-zombified appearance, a chilling sight.

But one feature stood out more than the rest: Luo Di’s bloodshot eye, with a thick, prominent blood vessel running across the sclera, cutting through the pupil.

“Crimson veins through the eye…” Ge Wenzhu began, his tone heavy. “In our past investigations, this phenomenon has only appeared in extreme killers during their hunts.

“At that moment, were you intending to kill? Did our arrival force you to suppress your murderous impulses?”

The sudden shift in tone and the pointed nature of the question left even the class leader momentarily stunned. But Luo Di, the one being questioned, responded immediately:

“Yes. I wanted to kill that Impersonator completely, to ensure she couldn’t draw another breath.”

“Oh? Excellent!”

Ge Wenzhu nodded approvingly, his expression softening into a pleased smile, instantly easing the tension in the room.

“Ungraduated, yet already recognized by the Research Bureau. Experimentally entrusted with a Cornerized Tool and demonstrating not only proficiency but innovative application in actual combat against a real Impersonator. You helped break a Possession state and survived a high-risk encounter.

“Your eyes show no trace of fear or hesitation—only a resolute determination to kill.

“If it weren’t for legal restrictions, I’d recruit you on the spot.”