Chapter 10: Lin Shuman Dies |
"How could there be such a person, so useless and only knows how to make things difficult for others!"
The "female ghost" in red high heels and white clothes retracted her feigned eerie smile, spat on the unconscious Jiang Siyang, and muttered indignantly.
After spitting, she quickly left the "crime scene" with a bit of guilt, trailing behind Guan Shan.
"Part of the observation task includes stabilizing the target's emotions. This isn't a violation; it's part of the job," the "female ghost" mumbled to herself as she strutted past Xiao Wang, who was frantically making an emergency call, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
The ability known as "no presence" was an insurmountable superpower for ordinary people. As long as she didn't interfere too much—like tripping Jiang Siyang—no one would notice her existence. However, if she specifically targeted someone, only that person could see her.
This ability was extremely effective for both infiltration and interrogation.
Yes, this so-called "female ghost" was Lin Shuman, who had been ordered to observe Guan Shan secretly.
Last night, after escaping the scene in a panic, Lin Shuman, along with the arriving You Squad of the Special Security Unit—her third squad’s direct superior—returned to the chaotic research institute to clean up the mess.
In a way, Jiang Siyang's intuition was quite accurate.
The cleanup team had to eliminate all potential hazards in the area, which included not just photos but also the memories of those involved.
That’s why, despite the fire occurring in broad daylight, no media had first-hand information.
No…
The only one who had it now was this reporter named Guan Shan.
"Time: 22:06, Location: Wanji Building, 8th Floor, Reporting Officer: Lin Shuman."
"Observation task is about to end."
"The target is heading to the elevator, expected to board the 22:15 bus. Please have the handover personnel ready..."
"To summarize, throughout the entire day, except for submitting a photo to the newspaper's president, the target has shown no other abnormal behavior."
Lin Shuman quickly followed Guan Shan into the elevator, sticking to a corner, and added, "Instructor Xia, should we retrieve the photo?"
Using her special earpiece, she reported while cautiously glancing at Guan Shan.
Completely unaware, Guan Shan stood less than a meter away, engrossed in his phone.
Lin Shuman had been observing him closely all day, but he had no idea.
She noticed that Guan Shan was chatting with Shen Dinghua again.
"Again."
Throughout the day, Lin Shuman’s main observation was a lot of dog food. Guan Shan, outside of work, was mostly chatting about everyday matters with Shen Dinghua, like an old married couple.
From their records, these two had been in the same class from kindergarten to high school, epitomizing childhood sweethearts.
In high school, when Guan Shan took a six-month break due to family issues, Shen Dinghua took care of him. Later, she chose to study photography at university to support his decision to become a journalist.
It would be unreasonable for them not to marry.
Lin Shuman murmured, "Their relationship is so good. But since they live next door, why don't they go home together when there’s no overtime?"
Thinking about it, she realized they rarely had close interactions and mostly communicated through their phones.
Without knowing their background, one might think they were just acquaintances.
Lin Shuman shook her head, curbing her curiosity, "Maybe it's just a weird habit. The task is more important."
After the incident last night, her superiors didn’t blame them much, since the root cause was the lack of intelligence.
Lin Shuman learned that Zhao Hong and Fang Minmin were involved in something more significant, possibly related to the recently surfaced ability user organization "Killer Bees."
These matters would be handled by higher-ups. Lin Shuman was assigned a new task: observe the mysterious figure from last night—Guan Shan.
As the only one who had close contact with Guan Shan without being killed, and whose ability worked on him, she was deemed suitable for the task.
Her main duty was to record Guan Shan’s behavior and report it to the logistics department for a personality and ability risk assessment.
However, Guan Shan acted like an ordinary person...
Which was precisely what made him unusual.
Because this young man named Guan Shan was anything but ordinary!
Which ordinary person could easily kill two D-rank ability users with just a gun?
D-rank wasn’t the lowest level!
According to international classification, ability users are divided into F, E, D, C, B, A, and S levels based on their energy levels, which represent their general strength.
Generally, the higher the level, the stronger the user.
Reaching D-level meant an ability user had significant destructive power and posed a considerable threat.
Someone who could kill two D-rank ability users must be at least D-rank, especially since Guan Shan had shown some anomalies.
A close-range energy detection scan should react even if he were F-rank.
This was part of Lin Shuman's task.
However, Guan Shan showed no energy reaction!
If Lin Shuman hadn't scanned herself, she’d have doubted the device's functionality.
"Is it due to his ability? But he seemed to have combat-oriented powers, not disguise..."
As Lin Shuman speculated, the elevator door opened.
She followed Guan Shan out of the building towards the bus stop.
The earpiece responded, "No need, the photo poses no risk."
Instructor Xia Lei from You Squad said, "You did well, but the personality analysis requires more observation. Continue tomorrow. The handover personnel are on the bus. You can clock out."
Seeing the approaching bus lights in the night, Lin Shuman sighed in relief.
In her peripheral vision, Guan Shan’s profile was divided by the light and darkness, his black eyes reflecting a faint glimmer, reminding her of his blood-covered face from the previous night.
Hurry up, hurry up...
Staying with this lunatic for another second made her feel she might be sliced in half anytime!
As the bus opened its doors, she exchanged a glance with the handover personnel inside, communicating through her earpiece, ending her task for the day.
Watching the bus leave, Lin Shuman was about to remove her earpiece when Xia Lei chimed in, "By the way, don’t do unnecessary actions outside the task. The psychologists are complaining."
Lin Shuman was puzzled, "Huh?"
Xia Lei explained, "They gave Jiang Siyang psychological suggestions this morning to amplify his emotions and target Guan Shan to observe his reactions. After all, a person shows their true self when angry."
"So, that means..."
"Yes, it was part of the plan."
"..."
Xia Lei sighed, "Now Jiang Siyang is in the hospital because of you. Finding another suitable, easily suggestible target to provoke the subject won’t be easy."
Lin Shuman blushed, embarrassed, "I-I won’t do it again."
Xia Lei chuckled, "No worries, just a reminder. You've already gathered enough for today."
After the earpiece went silent, Lin Shuman stood dazed in the cold wind, then slowly squatted down, hugging her head, trying to make herself as small as possible.
She wished she had an S-level "no presence."
"Ahhh! What have I done?! If the leaders and colleagues find out about my idiotic antics pretending to be a ghost, I'll be dead! I’m already dead! I need a train ticket out of here..."
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