Chapter 102: A Manhole Cover is Also a Door |
Xiang Wen was preparing to inject the unsuspecting Jiang Siyan with a potion when he suddenly stopped, alerted by the voice that came from the corner of the room where another figure slowly emerged.
It was indeed a "figure."
A mass of black mist separated from the shadows on the ground, forming a vague humanoid shape.
It was this figure that spoke: "You continue; I'll go catch the little mouse that walked right into our trap."
Xiang Wen nodded, a smile of excitement appearing on his face. "Just when I was worried about lacking materials, someone delivered themselves to us."
The figure replied calmly, "The more, the better... isn't that right? The sooner we complete the active potion, the sooner we can reap the benefits. Then we won't have to stay in this small hospital any longer. Your talents should be put to use in a much broader place."
Xiang Wen's eyes gleamed with greed and ambition. "Yes, I should be honored by the wealthy, not be here, always on edge, dealing with those fools every day."
The figure laughed, "Exactly, soon, for both you and me."
As the voice gradually faded, the black misty form once again merged into the darkness.
He wasn't worried about the shadow figure—accurately speaking, that person should be called "Shadowman"—causing any issues.
About four years ago, Shadowman had approached him, claiming to have observed him for a long time and found him worthy of cooperation, displaying his power like a devil.
He transformed into a massive black mist serpent in front of Xiang Wen, effortlessly throwing the superior Xiang Wen had despised for a long time down from the fifth floor, turning him into a vegetable.
With this, Xiang Wen was promoted, naturally becoming the department head, laying a solid foundation for his later rise to vice president.
According to Shadowman, Xiang Wen and he were the same kind of people, both Espers.
Shadowman was a physical mutation type, while Xiang Wen was a very rare enhancement type "Brain Domain Developer." However, until now, they hadn't made contact with other Espers.
And what were they cooperating on?
It was the so-called "active potion" in their hands.
With the raw materials and formulas provided by Shadowman, combined with Xiang Wen's intellect and techniques, the magical potion quickly came into being. As for how to confirm the potion's effects... they now had answers.
The potion's stability had now greatly improved. So far, Xu Rong hadn't had any more accidents like before, which was the best proof.
Shadowman's power had turned countless people trying to investigate into their patients.
"Gan Chen, that old guy, always brings me some worthless trash."
After injecting, Xiang Wen looked at Jiang Siyan on the hospital bed and couldn't help but sneer.
The current experimental subjects should ideally be in their prime. Otherwise, it would be hard to test the limits of the active potion.
Young people like Xu Rong, who could endure repeated limb cutting, were much more convenient to observe.
Jiang Siyan's age was already borderline; a few more uses and he would be scrapped.
"If it weren't for the old guy's promise of a seventy-thirty split afterward..."
Xiang Wen pinched Jiang Siyan's arm muscle, feeling its noticeable slackness, showing a hint of disdain.
Gan Chen, also known as the so-called "master" hired by the Jiang family.
In Xiang Wen's view, he was just a swindler with some tricks.
But... indeed a high-level swindler, almost fooling them too.
However, the old guy was useful. Through him, they could get those "possessed" people to Sacred Heart Hospital, providing them with plenty of materials.
Xiang Wen smiled. "This time, there should be another new material, right?"
---
Shadowman turned into black mist, traveling through the shadows.
He snorted coldly, his eyes fixed on the fleeing figure ahead, sneering, "Overestimating oneself, a mere D-level Esper, dare to come here? Really think you can hide perfectly?"
Shadowman's ability allowed him to transform into a shadow, blending with the darkness, and within a certain shadow-covered range, he could sense everything happening.
Although limited by his ability level, he couldn't perceive the full picture clearly, but he was still aware if anyone came.
When the Esper first approached, Shadowman had already sensed the anomaly.
Because this person's ability was like a chameleon, adjusting their colors to match the environment.
While normal people might not see him, shadows could detect everything.
"Swish—"
Shadowman spread his wings like an eagle, gliding rapidly through the corridor's shadows, quickly catching up with the poor Esper.
The Esper looked terrified, entangled by the serpent form of Shadowman, tightening until he passed out from suffocation.
Shadowman released the Esper, transformed into a humanoid, and injected him with a muscle relaxant.
A physical-type Esper was excellent material!
"Alright, there's still another little mouse..."
Shadowman, dragging the Esper, smirked and was about to return to capture the other spy he sensed but suddenly realized he couldn't sense anything.
"What?!"
Shadowman was shocked, throwing the Esper into the room and instructing Xiang Wen to lock him up. He then furiously searched around, but found no trace at all.
"Escaped?!"
Shadowman gritted his teeth. "I don't believe he just disappeared!"
Taking advantage of the night, he expanded his search to the entire Sacred Heart Hospital.
---
When Guan Shan heard the second voice, he immediately activated 【Gravity Control】, quickly retreating a step.
He dropped, landed, and stood on the manhole cover by the flowerbed.
Then, he used 【Secret Behind the Door】, instantly hiding himself.
Hmm... A door with a front and back means it must be a "passage" and "solid."
So the perfect fit, the manhole cover, as the door to the sewer, was naturally a door...
But it was hard to define front and back; any direction could be considered the back. So standing on the sewer, he was behind the door.
Thus, Guan Shan quietly stayed on the manhole cover for three minutes, then returned to his room, waiting until the next day.
Although he didn't record Jiang Siyan being harmed, he obtained more crucial information.
"Turns out Xiang Wen has a helper..."
Guan Shan hadn't seen the helper's true face but at least knew this helper's combat value might be high, capturing another person trying to uncover the truth.
"That guy is probably locked in the basement now. Not sure about his condition, but... the evidence is barely enough. Should I check Building No. 4?"
Guan Shan pondered whether to wait for Xiang Wen to make a move and catch him red-handed or to rescue the captured justice warrior from the basement first.
Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door.
Looking up, he saw Jiang Siyan walking in, looking devastated, and said excitedly, "I-I saw the ghost again! Guan Shan, Guan Shan, you must believe me! It came again last night, I saw it, but I couldn't move!"
Jiang Siyan looked at Guan Shan with hope. "You must have a way out, right? As long as you get me out, a promotion, a raise, anything, just save me!"