Chapter 154: Truth and Lies |
At this moment, Sun Han faced perhaps the most difficult yet simplest choice of her life.
On one side was her teammate of over three years, someone who had a good—well, actually, a somewhat ambiguous—relationship with the missing vice-captain. Luo Yi always believed he had a chance with Qi Xingyu.
However, Sun Han, who knew Qi Xingyu well, was fully aware that this woman was a true "sea king," who didn't even take Luo Yi, a B-level Esper, seriously, treating him merely as one of her many admirers.
Qi Xingyu always believed that as long as they were men, they could be used by her.
In a way, Qi Xingyu herself was actually more dangerous than her abilities.
Luo Yi, on the other hand, was straightforward in Sun Han's understanding. A simple-minded, straightforward guy, deeply infatuated with Qi Xingyu, practically at her mercy.
Every time he returned from a mission, the first thing he did was find Qi Xingyu, whether to boast about his achievements or give her gifts, constantly trying to win her favor, always "Sister Yu" this, "Sister Yu" that.
In other words, Luo Yi's character made it unlikely for him to lie, and he genuinely cared about Qi Xingyu.
At this moment, this devoted Luo Yi, a frontline fighter of the base, was covered in blood, clearly severely injured, and accusing Guan Shan of being the murderer of Qi Xingyu.
Currently, Guan Shan claimed to be hunted by Luo Yi, but he himself was spotless, clean as if he had just woken up from a nap, showing no signs of being chased.
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed very suspicious.
But one of them was clearly lying!
Sun Han received information that Luo Yi headed straight for Guan Shan's residence upon arrival, but what happened afterward was unclear. The surveillance camera outside Guan Shan's door had been smashed beforehand, indicating a premeditated action.
When they arrived, the battle had been ongoing for some time, leaving behind a heavily distorted corridor and blood everywhere...
Considering Luo Yi and Guan Shan's current states, the first thought was that all this blood was from Luo Yi.
So, who to believe? Choosing wrong could invite a hidden enemy into the base.
Yet, the situation seemed glaringly obvious...
But there was a doubt: would Guan Shan, who hadn't shown any abnormalities in the base for days, really slip up just because of a few words from Luo Yi?
Though not impossible, Luo Yi was known as a simpleton in Qi Xingyu's words, unable to discern even the simplest lie...
Sun Han hesitated for a moment.
Then she suddenly remembered that Luo Yi had a mentor with him during the mission, but he returned alone this time.
Such situations weren't unprecedented, so out of habit, Sun Han only performed a basic identity verification.
If something went wrong, it most likely happened during the mission.
Seeing Sun Han's silence, Luo Yi looked anxious, clutching his gaping abdominal wound, coughing as he approached her, and shouted, "Captain Sun, what are you doing just standing there? Act now! He's the killer! I'm this injured, are you going to wait until he kills everyone in the base?!"
Although Guan Shan couldn't understand what the paper man was saying, he was sure it wasn't anything good. The red glow in its eyes flashed, and it seemed to harbor malicious intent.
With Sun Han present, this so-called Luo Yi was clearly trying to distort the truth. Damn it, a good NPC being misled by you? Guan Shan quickly said, "Captain Sun, you must see clearly! Think about it, he's a B-level, I'm a C-level. I almost died dealing with a C-level 'room,' how could I have beaten him to this state? These injuries are clearly self-inflicted!"
The paper man: "..."
Who is really distorting the truth here? Why are you so adept at this? Guan Shan chuckled. As a reporter living off his reputation, do you think you can out-argue me? Sun Han was stunned, then realized it made perfect sense!
The gap between B-level and C-level abilities wasn't something that could be bridged with mere skill, especially with someone like Luo Yi, an experienced fighter. How could he be beaten like this by a C-level? Sun Han immediately activated her earpiece, using telepathy to contact a special channel established for Wuhao Team's mentor during missions.
The mentor responded promptly, "What's the matter? Is there any abnormal situation at the base?"
Sun Han asked, "Luo Yi..."
"What about me?"
From the other end of the earpiece came Luo Yi's voice.
He sounded anxious, "Captain Sun, I heard Sister Yu is missing. What's going on? I'll come over as soon as my mission ends. These 'The Church of Unity' cultists are causing trouble again, picking this time to show up, damn it!"
"Captain Sun? What's wrong? Is everything okay over there?"
"..."
Sun Han took a deep breath, feeling a chill spreading from her spine throughout her body, shivering involuntarily, goosebumps rising on her arms.
If Luo Yi was still on the mission...then who was this in front of her?
Sun Han asked again, "Do you still have your identity badge?"
"Yes, of course..." Luo Yi paused, suspiciously, "Why wouldn't it be?!"
The mentor realized something was wrong, immediately asking sternly, "Is someone impersonating Luo Yi?"
"Yes..."
Guan Shan suddenly shouted, "Watch out!"
"Bang!"
Sun Han felt as if she had been hit by a cannonball, intense pain overwhelming her. The "Luo Yi" in her view grinned maliciously, then swiftly retreated.
"Whoosh—"
"Damn it!"
Guan Shan used [Gravity Control] to instantly dodge, catching her and...they flew together! "So this is the full power of a B-level Esper? 1000kg of Gravity Control can't offset it. Luckily, he exposed himself. Sun Han should be on my side now!"
Guan Shan's thoughts flashed by, then he used [Innocent Child's Drawing], creating a crayon-style grassy field where they landed to prevent further injury.
He held Sun Han steady, landing softly on the grass.
Guan Shan thought, this children's drawing grass is so soft, warm, and bouncy, giving a sense of security.
Turning his head, he saw Sun Han, now a stick figure, throwing up...a rainbow.
Guan Shan's eyes widened.
Although he knew Sun Han was likely vomiting blood, seeing the amount of blood loss, and her health bar halved, indicating a serious injury, the scene was quite surreal.
After vomiting, Sun Han glared at the paper man, breathing heavily, "He's not Luo Yi!"
"Luo Yi" laughed heartily, his tone changing completely, "Tsk tsk, just realizing it now? Isn't it a bit late..."
Sun Han sneered, "Is it? I think the timing is just right."
Guan Shan looked subtly at the front of "Luo Yi," where a prompt was flashing.
[Explosive Device (Level 3)]
Guan Shan saw it clearly; Sun Han had set up an explosive in an instant while being thrown.
Now, Sun Han raised her hand, clenched her fist, and "Luo Yi"'s location exploded.
"Boom!!!"