Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 457: In memory of 427

Chapter 457: In memory of 427

In the past, I also hid my identity as a supernatural power user, and that was based on my lack of understanding of the abnormal world and the suspicion that the unknown superpowers might disappear at any time.

Even so, I had set a time limit for myself. If I hadn’t achieved results in the direction of paranormal investigations by the time I graduated from university, I would resort to exposing my superpowers as a means to attract the attention of official organizations.

In stark contrast to me, Zhu Shi both understands the abnormal world and knows the source of her power. In the circle of demon hunters, there’s no rule against revealing one’s true identity to ordinary people. Yet, she is still reluctant to expose her true identity.

Does she feel that once her powerful abilities are exposed, she’ll attract uncomfortable stares from friends, or does she think that making friends aware of her "bloody and chaotic" work in another world will ruin her originally warm and lighthearted daily interpersonal relationships? Although I have never built such interpersonal relationships and find it difficult to empathize emotionally, I can still imagine and reason it out.

I won’t comment on Zhu Shi’s choices, but I might need to remind her once or twice: "In the upcoming times, if you really want to keep your friends away from disasters, just giving away some talismans is not enough. Xiaoqiao has already stepped into this world; it’s best for you to be honest with her about your situation; it would be more convenient that way.

"Besides, I suspect Xiaoqiao has already somewhat realized your secret. Your fiancé is me, someone knowledgeable about the abnormal world, and you once gave her genuine talismanic items—even if she couldn’t see through you before due to preconceived notions, she probably will now."

"From some of her judgments after encountering the paranormal events, it can be seen that although she’s easily swayed by negative emotions, she actually has quite a few thoughts in her mind."

Zhu Shi let out a breath and then said, "I understand. Soon I’ll find a time to tell her the truth about myself, and I have to find a way to teach her the basic knowledge of the abnormal world. It’s best if I can recommend her to Luoshan Academy... even if she can’t master demon hunting abilities, at least she won’t be easily disturbed by abnormal entities while studying at the academy for four years."

Judging from what I see, it’s probably difficult for Xiaoqiao to become a demon hunter. She lacks talent in that area. At most, she could become an agent of Luoshan or become one of the gray folks.

In ancient times, when the abnormal world and the world of common sense still had clear boundaries, a few ordinary people, although not enough to become demon hunters, became aware of the abnormal world due to some accident. They were like being lost in the middle of black and white, thus called "gray folk." If they were willing to serve Luoshan’s patrols or Impermanence, they could become Netherworld Officers (an ancient term for agents).

In the hierarchical system of becoming established, they correspond to the "empty" level.

"As long as you know what you’re doing." I said, "So, what do you plan to do tomorrow? Are you also planning to come with us to the abandoned construction site?"

"With you by Xiaoqiao’s side, it’s enough. I plan to first lurk around the edge, observing to see if I can find more clues."

Zhu Shi first pointed at her eyes, then continued, "Also, I need to report this incident to the Impermanence in charge of Saltwater City. According to Xiaoqiao, the dozens of ’victims’ brought by that mysterious male could be spread throughout the entire Saltwater City, and even several surrounding cities could be affected."

"Aren’t you the one responsible for Saltwater City?" I was surprised.

"I only patrol the area around Saltwater University. I still have to attend classes usually, so how could I manage the security of the entire city," Zhu Shi said. "And that Impermanence is not exclusively in charge of Saltwater City; he also oversees several nearby cities, and he’s an achieved level Impermanence. However, he should be transferred soon."

"Why is that?" I asked curiously.

"Because he’s from the Extraordinaryism camp," Zhu Shi said. "Saltwater City and the surrounding cities were originally neutral grounds, so there were both Governance Ideology Impermanence like me and Extraordinaryism patrols like Lu Chan used to be.

"But now you’ve become the Impermanence standing for the Governance Ideology, so Saltwater City and its surrounding cities are tacitly considered your territory by everyone, so the demon hunters from the Extraordinaryism camp will consciously transfer away after finishing their leftover work, lest they be killed by you.

"Lu Chan once told me that they even had plans to control the local government behind the scenes, but because of your sudden rise, they’ve all scattered like birds and animals."

That’s something I hadn’t heard a single word about before.

Perhaps after I became the Impermanence, there were more world-changing events caused by my existence that I wasn’t even aware of.

We left the student cafeteria and walked side by side on Green Grass Road. It was now three in the afternoon, and some classrooms in the teaching building were still having classes. It’s unclear if Zhu Shi has classes next, but it seems she doesn’t plan to go back to class and instead wants to settle things with me for tomorrow first.

I told her my speculations about the mysterious male Xiaoqiao encountered, and after considering it, she said she needed to make a phone call; she took out her phone and walked to the side to contact someone. As a matter of courtesy, I didn’t eavesdrop on the content of the call. And when she returned, she voluntarily shared the content.

"I can roughly guess the background of that mysterious male. But to be safe, I confirmed it with Lu Chan. That mysterious male is definitely not your believer," she said.

"My believer?" I wondered how the topic had veered in that direction.

"The reason why the half-destroyed building you split open a few months ago hasn’t been dismantled as a dangerous building by the local government is that they know it’s a site where an abnormal event occurred, and they dare not send people near it casually," Zhu Shi said. "And recently, there’s another reason; your somewhat fanatical believers have unearthed every detail of your past life? That split building is now seen as a commemorative site of your first involvement with the paranormal world.

"You see, many religions preserve signs where a God has manifested as sacred relics. The gods believed by Luoshan demon hunters don’t need those signs to prove their existence; they often manifest miracles themselves, and now we have cameras and other things, so these cultural aspects are somewhat weaker, though they still exist.

"In your high school years, did you often practice your Flame Ability outdoors? Those traces seem to have been massively ’unearthed’ now... well, ’unearthed’ isn’t the right word; anyway, your believers have been discovering them in large numbers, and recently there’s been a lot of circulation and discussion among the believer community..."

Listening to her description, I reflexively got goosebumps. Although I don’t mind people investigating my past and don’t think I’ve done anything I can’t confess to others, this feeling of being "peeped at" by countless people is indescribably discomforting.

Being able to calmly accept the scrutiny of countless people is probably a testament to strong mental strength, so I’m not going to forbid others from doing so.

After thinking for a moment, I asked, "But it seems that abandoned building isn’t really being used by those believers?"

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be used by that mysterious male as a gathering point.

"Because that abandoned building is very close to the university, your believers don’t know if their God intends to continue attending school normally. If they disrupt your life and anger you, it would be bad," Zhu Shi said.

Not knowing whether their God still intends to go to school... that’s indeed a speechless concern.

Zhu Shi seemed a bit amused but maintained her composed expression and continued, "So now they’ve reinforced the dangerous building with some measures and left it vacant, intending to formally use it after you graduate.

"Originally, there were two agents left there to patrol, to prevent tramps and kids from using it as a place to relieve themselves, but whether it’s because the incident happened too late, right during the patrolling gap, or because the mysterious male did something underhanded secretly, those two agents have reported all being normal for the last ten days."

Since the suspect has mind-control methods, it’s only natural the two agents couldn’t report correct information to their superiors; simply surviving is considered lucky.

The question is why the mysterious male would use the abandoned construction site, where the split building is located, as a gathering point. Is he unaware of that location’s significance, or is there another plan?

To me, that place also holds special commemorative meaning, and having it properly preserved is naturally the best outcome. But if the split building is eventually demolished, I would also accept it as a natural progression. Yet if it’s used as a tool in someone’s conspiracy, that’s a different matter entirely.

"So, Zhu Shi, based on your judgment, what is the mysterious male’s background?" I asked, "Is it Taoyuan Village, or the newly formed Human Bureau?"

"Shouldn’t you have already guessed?" Zhu Shi said.

I cautiously replied, "The mysterious male’s actions align with some information I’ve recently reviewed at Luoshan Headquarters over the past month. But since my activity time in the paranormal world hasn’t been long, perhaps I’m inexperienced, and there are actually more matching conditions. Your experience is much richer than mine, and I’m hoping for confirmation from you."

Zhu Shi revealed a knowing expression, nodding as she answered, "Although Xiaoqiao didn’t see clearly the contents of the white book the mysterious male brought out, or even the title... but if nothing unexpected, the white book’s cover should say ’Record of Taoyuan Village’.

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