Mister Zero, Her Story: Chapter 36 – “Nine”
Meanwhile, the Disaster Response Department at the Anomaly Management Bureau was in chaos.
Although they had anticipated a counterattack from the Devil’s minion and made thorough preparations, they hadn’t expected another aura similar to a Primordial Demon’s descent.
The brief detection of the “Witch of Envy’s” descent had been enough to solidify their decision to deploy the Ice Coffin Weapon.
Now, another similar aura had appeared, and within the core district, no less.
Even though it was also fleeting, Li Ping couldn’t ignore it.
The Disaster Response Department immediately mobilized all available teams, preparing to converge on the location where the aura had appeared—including Flower Street.
At the same time, a level two alert was issued for the core district, and they began evacuating civilians near Flower Street.
Frick, Director of the Apprehension Department, also received the message from Davis and Cheng Hongyuan.
He was shocked to learn that the Devil’s minion had been confirmed to be on Flower Street.
“How…?”
Frick was incredulous, even suspecting collusion between Yan City and the Devil’s minion.
Flower Street was directly managed by several powerful families in Yan City, with strict security. It should have been impossible for an unvetted individual to infiltrate.
However, the “Gold-Melting Kiln” was an exception.
Frick wasn’t a local, and people of his status wouldn’t mention such establishments, so he was completely unaware of it.
“Well, immediately mobilize all available ‘Ruin’ level ability users in the vicinity to provide support!” Frick gritted his teeth, trying to salvage the situation. “I can’t let Li Ping catch me off guard…”
Li Ping had been looking for an opportunity to undermine him, and if this major blunder was discovered and reported to the Anomaly Management Bureau headquarters in “Noah,” Frick’s career would be in jeopardy.
Even if the Yan City Apprehension Department remained under headquarters’ control, the likelihood of him being replaced as Director… was high.
But just as Frick was filled with regret, a short message arrived on his private channel.
It was just one sentence, but upon seeing it, Frick’s anxious expression calmed, replaced by a serious look.
He pondered for a moment, then canceled his previous order and issued a new one.
“All Apprehension Department personnel, immediately proceed to District Three.”
The message was short, just one sentence.
—”Traces of ‘Dawn’ discovered in District Three.”
“After all these days, they’ve finally shown themselves…”
Frick took a deep breath, a smile appearing on his lips.
Compared to some disaster or a Devil’s minion, he was far more interested in Dawn and their “Mister.”
No, not just him.
The Anomaly Management Bureau headquarters in “Noah” felt the same. After all, Yan City was just one of many mega-cities, and a relatively remote one at that.
This remoteness wasn’t geographical, but in terms of its connection to the Free Federation.
The fate of such a mega-city was far less important than information on Dawn’s “Mister.”
“Now, Li Ping can’t do anything to me,” Frick sneered. “What I want… I will obtain.”
Regarding Dawn, besides headquarters’ orders, Frick also had his own agenda.
Having reached his current position, his own strength and value were paramount.
As for the two “young ladies” he had sent to Flower Street… after confirming that Li Ping couldn’t retaliate against him, Frick had completely forgotten about them.
…
District Three, “Slums,” within an inconspicuous small house.
“Where’s Mister?”
Alyxsia stood before Ling Qi and asked gravely.
Although Ling Qi was taller than the blue-haired girl, the difference in their status and strength made her appear timid.
“Mister said he wanted to go for a walk…”
“Why didn’t you follow him?”
Alyxsia frowned, her tone serious. “This is Free Federation territory. If Mister is discovered… no, he can’t be discovered.”
Ling Qi had been taking care of Mister’s daily needs.
It was Mister’s request. He said Ling Qi reminded him of an old friend.
Being able to experience this sense of companionship in his final days made Mister happy.
So, for the most part, Alyxsia and Grifres hadn’t disturbed them, leaving Ling Qi alone with Mister.
But today…
“I’m sorry… Mister… told me not to follow…”
Ling Qi lowered her head and whispered.
Grifres walked over and said in a low voice,
“There’s activity in Yan City’s core district.”
“Yes, I sensed it too,” Alyxsia said. “That’s why I came to discuss it with Mister, but I didn’t expect him to have gone out…”
Grifres was silent for a moment, then said,
“Mister hasn’t left this house, not even his room, since we arrived in Yan City.”
“But now he suddenly wants to go for a walk, and he told Ling Qi not to follow, and didn’t even tell us,” Alyxsia whispered.
“Is Mister planning something?” Grifres said, worried. “I’ve always been puzzled by why he chose to come to Yan City…”
“No one in Dawn knows the answer to that question. Only Mister,” Alyxsia shook her head, then added, “But since Mister doesn’t want us to know, we shouldn’t pry. He… has his reasons.”
“Yes, of course,” Grifres nodded. “But we should still help him, to ensure his plans aren’t disrupted.”
Alyxsia paused.
“You mean…?”
“I’ve searched the entire District Three; there’s no trace of Mister. He must have left,” Grifres’s expression was serious. “We’ll create a diversion, attract the attention of the Yan City Apprehension Department, to prevent them from discovering Mister.”
Alyxsia’s eyes lit up, and she nodded immediately.
“Yes, that’s… all we can do for him now.”
“For Dawn,” Grifres placed his fist over his heart and whispered.
“And… for the last of the Misters,” Alyxsia mirrored his gesture, her voice soft.
Soon after, several Apprehension Department members searching District Three were killed by Dawn Cadres, and the news reached the Apprehension Department headquarters.
…
Spring Breeze Pavilion.
Young Master Liu lay unconscious in a corner, frothing at the mouth.
Luo Yan hadn’t knocked him out for revenge, but because her eyes were still open.
If she wasn’t careful, she could cause permanent mental trauma, or even death.
Knocking him unconscious ensured his survival.
Luo Yan apologized softly to Young Master Liu, then turned to Red Butterfly’s corpse.
After confirming that the grotesque, “Envy”-ridden body was truly lifeless, Luo Yan closed her eyes.
The “Devil’s minion” incident was finally over.
Exhaustion washed over Luo Yan, her mind heavy and drowsy.
Just like after the Ghost Town incident, unfamiliar images flashed through her mind.
And many voices, whispering to her, their words indistinct.
“It seems… I’m truly tired.”
Luo Yan shook her head, dispelling the strange visions.
Focusing her mind, she leaned against the wall and sat down, waiting for rescue.
She was too weak to even walk out the door, let alone down the stairs.
But just then, footsteps echoed from outside, approaching slowly.
“Tap, tap, tap…”
The footsteps were light, the dragging sound indicating a slow, unsteady gait.
“Who is it?”
Luo Yan whispered, gripping her sniper rifle.
Although she had no “Philosopher’s Stones” left, she still had plenty of ordinary bullets.
Physical weakness was one thing, but her power was another. She could still kill a “Ruin” level ability user.
Whether because they didn’t hear her, or for some other reason, there was no response. The footsteps continued, slowly ascending to the third floor.
“Creak…”
The broken door slowly opened. Luo Yan resisted the urge to open her eyes, carefully sensing the newcomer’s aura.
…She couldn’t determine their strength.
Perhaps just an ordinary person, or perhaps someone so powerful that she couldn’t sense them.
Other than that, it seemed to be a man, about 1.7 meters tall, his aura unusually weak.
More importantly, Luo Yan sensed his life force flickering like a dying candle.
“…Sir?”
Luo Yan frowned slightly.
“This is… ‘Envy,’ isn’t it?”
A raspy, old voice echoed, its tone low and muddled.
It was difficult to understand what he was saying.
“Yes, and you are…?”
Luo Yan nodded, but she couldn’t recall ever hearing this voice before.
“Me?” The old voice seemed puzzled, then chuckled. “Some people used to call me Nine, although it’s been a long time… but I’d like to hear it again.”
“Mister… Nine?”
Luo Yan added the honorific out of respect for the elderly.
“Just Nine is fine,” the old man whispered. “A nostalgic title, I never tire of hearing it.”
“Mm… Nine.”
The old man smiled and slowly approached Red Butterfly’s corpse.
“Be careful, Nine,” Luo Yan quickly said. “Although he’s dead, this body still contains powerful demonic power. If you touch it, you might…”
Luo Yan hesitated, not finishing her sentence.
“Die? For me, death has become a luxury, something I long for.”
Hearing Luo Yan’s address, a smile spread across the old man’s wrinkled face. He waved his hand dismissively.
“But don’t worry, I’ve dealt with this kind of power for many years. I’m familiar with it.”
He paused, then turned to Luo Yan.
“However, you… also seem to carry the aura of ‘Envy’.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Luo Yan didn’t hide it from the perceptive old man. “I’m a ‘Demonically Infected,’ possessing a portion of ‘Envy’s’ power.”
The old man was silent for a moment, then whispered,
“I hope you can reach the ending you desire, no matter what happens…”
Hearing this, Luo Yan understood that he also knew about “Demonically Infected.”
“Living” or “dying,” each Demonically Infected desired a different outcome.
Some longed for release, others for peace.
“I will live,” Luo Yan nodded.
“Living is good, very good,” the old man sat down beside Luo Yan, his legs trembling. “But sometimes, death is also a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, I carry too many burdens… I can’t, and I don’t dare, to enjoy such beauty.”
“But you are still alive.”
Luo Yan whispered.
The old man paused, then chuckled.
“You… remind me of an old friend.”
“Oh? Really?” Luo Yan said, surprised. “Another old gentleman said the same thing to me.”
She was referring to the Sword Saint Sect Master, who had also said he felt like he had met her before.
“Perhaps it’s fate, or perhaps I’m nearing the end, and I keep recalling the past… and that old friend,” the old man sighed.
“But it’s been too long… so long that I’ve forgotten her face, forgotten everything about her, so long that I’ve searched for her my entire life, but found nothing…
“I apologize, perhaps I miss her too much, and I mistook you for her.”
“It’s alright,” Luo Yan said softly.
Just then, the noise outside grew louder.
Several teams from the Anomaly Management Bureau were approaching Spring Breeze Pavilion.
Luo Yan’s communicator hadn’t survived the blood mist, so she had given it to Qin Wen, who had left earlier. Therefore, the outside world didn’t know what was happening inside.
“I enjoyed our conversation,” the old man stood up and looked up slightly, a flicker of remembrance in his clouded eyes. “But I must go now, to meet someone I want to see but can’t, someone I now have to meet.”
“Who?”
Luo Yan asked curiously.
The old man didn’t answer, simply smiling faintly.
He slowly walked out of the VIP room, his gait unsteady.
Soon after, Qin Wen, leading a Disaster Response team, stormed into Spring Breeze Pavilion. After a frantic search, they finally found Luo Yan sitting in the VIP room on the third floor.
Luo Yan was so weak that she couldn’t even speak. When Qin Wen rushed in and embraced her, she collapsed into her arms, unconscious.
Qin Wen held the unconscious Luo Yan, her heart pounding, until she saw Luo Yan’s long eyelashes flutter with each breath, and she finally relaxed.
“Sleep well, Miss Luo Yan.”
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