Chapter 183: Midnight Visitors

In the darkness Lu Xin smelled the alcohol on the Drunkard and finally understood why she had insisted he stay in her room.

He understood why she broke the rules inviting him over for dinner even revealing her true identity.

He wasn’t sure if he felt disappointed or relieved. Composing himself he asked in a low voice:

“The monsters you mentioned are…”

…

“Very strange…”

The Drunkard whispered, “At least two mental monsters higher than Level 2. They come every night.”

“Higher than Level 2?”

Lu Xin was slightly surprised. He’d undergone training in this area and naturally understood the classification of mental monsters.

Mental monsters were active Pollution Sources possessing traits like aggression or growth potential.

Generally speaking mental monsters with psychic power below one thousand were classified as Level 1.

Those exceeding one thousand were considered Level 2.

A Level 2 mental monster could already exert a significant influence on its surroundings.

That’s what Lu Xin found confusing. Monsters of this level should normally be detected by the High-wall City’s defense systems the moment they appeared. How could they casually show up at the Drunkard’s place, especially for several days?

…

…

“This should be related to what I’m currently investigating…”

The Drunkard sat on the edge of the bed in the darkness. She picked up her thermos cup took a slow sip smacked her lips and shook her head looking quite content. Then she explained softly, “You should have read the basic materials before coming right? Ever since those seemingly inexplicable cases started appearing I suspected an Ability User was involved and began investigating.”

“At first I thought it was some hotheaded youngster who just discovered their abilities and thought they owned the world running wild. But after investigating for a while I found out this matter is likely related to a mysterious organization called the Locals Association…”

…

“Locals Association?”

“Mysterious organization?”

Hearing this Lu Xin’s expression turned a bit odd.

He understood both terms but putting them together felt strange…

The Drunkard however nodded matter-of-factly, “After the mutation event all sorts of weirdos and monsters crawled out of the woodwork…”

“When times get chaotic people tend to stick together especially in small groups. So don’t be fooled by Qinggang’s seemingly orderly appearance. The undercurrents run deep. Idle thugs on the street form gangs, wasteland transporters stick together, even the aunties in the residential areas are divided into factions based on streets… let alone those underworld organizations that exploit loopholes and operate in the shadows…”

…

Lu Xin deeply agreed with this. He’d heard rumors at the Company that he supposedly had such a background.

Some even claimed he was the illegitimate son of some underworld boss, a ruthless killer who’d break someone’s legs at the slightest disagreement.

…Such rumors were infuriating.

…Though his Sister seemed quite pleased telling him about them.

The Drunkard chuckled. “However these people playing house together don’t concern us. That’s the Security Hall’s business. But if wild Ability Users are recruited by them and work for them then it becomes our business.”

“The line defining ordinary small gangs versus mysterious organizations lies in whether they have Ability Users.”

…

Lu Xin nodded.

The difference between people with abilities and ordinary people was practically night and day.

Just like the ‘Ghost-type’ he had captured earlier. Its ability wasn’t powerful but it was exceptionally terrifying.

If Ability Users were allowed to run amok among the population it would undoubtedly cause massive chaos.

As for the underworld thugs forming gangs in the city they weren’t the Special Cleaning Department’s concern.

Just as Chen Jing had said when assigning him his first investigation task if the target was just a psychopathic serial killer it wouldn’t involve him. Only matters related to Special Pollution or Ability Users required the Special Cleaning Department’s attention.

The Drunkard whispered, “This old man—uh I mean I—have pretty much figured out that Locals Association by now. They seem to just hold secretive gatherings and stuff. They’re likely a small religious group believing in some ‘True Homeland’. However I haven’t been able to pinpoint the Ability User among them yet so I haven’t alerted them trying to find him first.”

“But maybe they discovered me during my investigation. They actually made the first move against me…”

Speaking of this she let out a dry laugh. “Starting three days ago mental monsters began appearing in our community. If I’m not mistaken they came looking for me. Because they know I’ve found traces of them they want to silence me…”

“So bold?”

Lu Xin frowned.

Although he hadn’t been with the Special Cleaning Department for long Lu Xin knew how capable his colleagues were.

Not only did each possess their own abilities but they could also mobilize substantial city defense resources through the department.

As members of the Special Cleaning Department’s Special Action Team others should be thanking their lucky stars if they weren’t being sought out.

Someone actually dared to come knocking on their door?

…

…

“Heh heh young man I’ve been in this line of work longer than you. Do you know what’s the scariest thing when facing situations like this?”

“It’s these cultish fanatics!”

The Drunkard wore an expression that seemed to see right through the young man’s thoughts chuckling. “In this world with that big Red Moon hanging in the sky people aren’t acting normal anymore. Not everyone who gains abilities is willing to be recruited by the Special Cleaning Department. Some prefer using their abilities to live the good life they desire while others start thinking they’re some kind of living god…”

“But those aren’t the scary ones.”

“As long as they don’t break the law the Special Cleaning Department won’t bother them. If they do break the law we’ll catch them all the same!”

“It’s only these people…”

The Drunkard pointed to her head and smirked. “Their brains are fried! They dare to do anything!”

Lu Xin nodded understanding this point.

Matters involving Ability Users like those involving Pollution Sources were handled internally by the Special Cleaning Department.

Once ordinary wild Ability Users were discovered the department would track and monitor them. After assessing their stability they would attempt recruitment.

If the person refused recruitment they wouldn’t be forced but they would be warned and kept under surveillance.

If they used their abilities in daily life for conveniences within certain limits the Special Cleaning Department might turn a blind eye. But if they crossed the red line they would be directly expelled forced to leave the High-wall City.

…For major offenses cleanup would be executed.

…Or even more severe forced conscription as D-level personnel!

The name Special Cleaning Department didn’t necessarily just mean Special Pollution Cleanup Department.

It could also be interpreted as a department particularly skilled at ‘cleaning up’ certain people…

However after the Drunkard’s explanation he understood why the other party dared to target her.

It was just rather strange. Since they had come knocking why was the Drunkard still staying put so calmly in her home?

Given her level couldn’t she at least request a military unit to guard her?

…

…

“Bringing those young soldiers over before figuring out the opponent’s abilities is useless…”

The Drunkard shook her head. “Besides since I’ve been discovered and they even found my home hiding won’t work. It’s easy for me to leave but what about Little Wu and Little Wang the couple living here? Having an old man like me around is already tough on them. I can’t let them face such risks. Plus there are so many neighbors around…”

“Of course the most important point is…”

The Drunkard’s voice turned grim. Though it was a young girl’s voice it carried the tone of an old fox.

“They want to find this old man…”

“But doesn’t this old man also want to use this chance to find them?”

…

Lu Xin looked over slightly surprised.

He saw the Drunkard sitting on the edge of the bed in the darkness hugging one leg looking out the window.

Because of the tall buildings although some light filtered in from the residential area below it was extremely faint.

Her delicate face seemed shrouded in a hazy girlish sorrow…

But the moment she spoke it was filled with the weight of experience. “This old man has guarded Satellite City No. 4 for years. My relatives and friends are all here. This place is my turf. Doesn’t matter who they are if they dare cause trouble here heh…”

“I’ll make them remember who their grandpa is!”

…

*Dong… Dong… Dong*

Just then the old-fashioned grandfather clock in the Drunkard’s living room slowly began to chime.

The sound was melodious and slow ringing twelve times in total.

“It’s almost time…”

The Drunkard went to the window sticking her head out to look.

Curious Lu Xin also moved closer peering down at the residential area below.

The Drunkard lived in what seemed like a high-end community in Satellite City No. 4. Streetlights spaced tens of meters apart cast a dim quiet glow over the area. Most windows in the other buildings were dark with only a few lights still on.

The last echo of the chime from the living room clock faded leaving the room eerily silent.

Holding his breath subconsciously Lu Xin waited a moment then suddenly noticed the streetlights in the community began to flicker.

As if the voltage was unstable they flickered a few times then quietly went out.

This extinguishing started from the distance creeping from left and right towards the Drunkard’s building.

With each streetlight that died a section of the area plunged into darkness. It looked as if two invisible monsters were bringing the dense night with them snuffing out the light bit by bit until the entire community was engulfed in blackness.

Faint wisps of fresh blood scent drifted up from downstairs.