Chapter 34: Theories on Pollution Source 041
by xennovel“Research on Special Pollution Source 041 has yet to yield definitive conclusions. The Research Department has only provided some clues so far!”
Han Bing sounded very serious when discussing these matters.
Even her somewhat timid voice gained a measure of rationality and strength:
“Through in-depth investigation it was discovered that Special Pollution Source—041—1, the corpse of the former Wasteland wanderer Qin Ran excavated from the lakebed, matches the DNA of tissue samples collected where Cui Wang was dismembered. Special Pollution Source—041—2, the corpse that took on Cui Wang’s appearance after death, matches the DNA from hair samples collected at Cui Wang’s home!”
“Interrogations of Sifang Transport Company employees and Qin Ran’s cohabitant revealed the following:
Qin Ran originated from the Wasteland, age unknown, appearing to be between thirty and forty.
Four employees within his company were familiar with him personally, but the one who knew him longest had only known him for three years. Furthermore, interrogations revealed that while these four claimed to have known Qin Ran for a long time, they could only accurately describe their impressions of him from the past year.
On the day of the incident three subordinates accompanied Qin Ran for a transaction. Their testimonies showed no significant anomalies…”
…
Hearing this, Lu Xin quickly asked, “So, does that mean Qin Ran really did kill Cui Wang that night?”
“Testimonies don’t necessarily mean anything!”
Han Bing stated, “For some Mentally Altered Persons, tampering with memories isn’t difficult!”
“This…”
Lu Xin was taken aback. Memories could be tampered with?
How insane!
“Yes, and precisely because of this, the Research Department proposed a hypothesis!”
Han Bing continued, “They believe the initial person of interest, Qin Ran, was merely someone who was polluted—severely polluted. His true identity was Cui Wang, but he was unaware of this, believing himself to be Qin Ran. The ability of Special Pollution Source—041, discovered at the lakebed, is to capture, devour, and assimilate other Mental Entities, ultimately creating another version of itself!”
“However, this is just speculation. The Research Department hasn’t signed off on the final conclusion and won’t take responsibility for it!”
…
“This…”
It took Lu Xin quite a while to digest this explanation before he couldn’t help asking, “Then why did he initially seek revenge against Qin Ran?”
“Also, Qin Ran seemed perfectly normal right up until his death…”
…
“That’s exactly why the Research Department dares not reach a definitive conclusion!”
Han Bing replied, “But there are several possibilities to consider!”
“First, the initially captured Mental Entities might still possess their own will, hence their hatred for the Contamination Source Body!”
“The entity influencing passersby to seek revenge on Qin Ran might not necessarily be the Contamination Source Body itself. It could be a Mental Entity captured by the source but not yet fully assimilated. These entities influencing passersby might be one of the source’s ‘hunting’ methods!”
“Second, no Mental Entity is perfect, just as every person has flaws!”
“The fundamental nature of a Mental Entity includes primitive desires for growth and self-preservation, but its state isn’t stable. Sometimes, the Mental Entity itself might exhibit behaviors contrary to its essential desires, like strong self-destructive or self-loathing tendencies.”
“There have been past cases where the ability generated by a Mentally Altered Person created a Mental Monster that ended up devouring its creator!”
“Third, the Qin Ran we encountered might have only been some kind of larval stage…”
“Larval stage?”
“Correct!”
Han Bing explained methodically, “One thing we can confirm now is that it was precisely because the ‘Qin Ran’ Mental Pollution Source caused deep pollution in Cui Wang that Cui Wang transformed into Qin Ran. This change wasn’t just superficial; it included memory and self-awareness. Yet, even when he finally encountered the Contamination Source Body, he only experienced cognitive dissonance…”
“So, the Research Department speculates that the Qin Ran that Cui Wang became was just a larval stage. As time went on, he wouldn’t just completely become Qin Ran, but might even remember more, like what form he was in and why he took that form!”
“Unfortunately, due to the City Patrol Army’s accidental discharge, we lost this research subject.”
“However, the research continues. Perhaps we can find some useful clues from other cases.”
…
“Listening to her tone, it sounds like there have been many similar incidents before?”
Lu Xin thought about the disaster incidents he’d heard about erupting in several nearby Satellite Cities.
Before formally interacting with them, Lu Xin had even felt his own condition was unique and incomprehensible to others. When he first encountered the monster in the Coffee Shop, he thought he’d seen a ghost. But now, through deeper contact, he realized there must have been many mental pollution incidents in the City; perhaps the truth had just been hidden before.
“Is there anything else?”
Lu Xin saw a colleague approach the stairwell entrance wanting to smoke, but upon seeing him on the phone, they quietly left.
So he proactively prompted Han Bing, speeding up the call.
“Further research and analysis will take time. We will notify you if there are any results!”
Han Bing’s soft voice continued, “But regardless, Mr. Lu Xin, you’ve made a great contribution this time. The thirty thousand yuan reward has already been transferred to your account. Additionally, Team Leader Chen Jing requested approval from superiors and applied for an extra six thousand yuan for you!”
Lu Xin nodded, “Oh!”
“Besides the reward, Colonel Chen has arranged a comprehensive evaluation for you. It should be scheduled very soon. Please prepare yourself!”
“Evaluation? What kind of evaluation?”
“It’s a full assessment of your condition and abilities.”
Han Bing paused slightly before adding, “Before formal recruitment, it’s standard procedure to undergo such an evaluation!”
“Formal recruitment?”
Lu Xin’s heart skipped a beat. He said nonchalantly, “Oh!”
“Also, regarding the incident, we heard you fired your gun once. You can replenish the spent bullet at the local Security Hall!”
…
“They even thought of that?”
Lu Xin was somewhat surprised and quickly said, “Thanks, thanks! Sorry for the trouble, sorry for the trouble!”
Having finished the official business, Han Bing also became polite, “No, no, we should be thanking you for your hard work…”
“No, no, thank *you* for your hard work…”
“Not at all, not at all, thank *you* for your hard work…”
…
After hanging up, Lu Xin calmly smoked a cigarette in the stairwell.
He leaned against the railing, brow furrowed, the smoke drifting away faintly as he seemed to ponder the bizarre logic within these pollution incidents.
Silently, silently, he suddenly flicked the cigarette butt away and gave a small jump, “Thirty-six thousand…”
Just as he was about to walk away coolly, he turned back, crushed the cigarette butt on the ground, and put it back in the pack.
Then he gave another small jump, “Gonna become official!”
Taking a deep breath to stay calm, he finally walked towards the office with light steps.
Although he tried to control it, he couldn’t help but walk with the stride of an official employee who no longer worried about money!