Deep Within the Living-Chapter 40: A Special Reward

While the investigator was conversing with the two young individuals who had experienced the anomaly, a government car pulled up directly in front of the Municipal Investigation Bureau. The fourth participant in the conversation arrived just as the previous topic ended. An old acquaintance, it was Wang Shuokang, the director of the Records and Administration Department of the Municipal Research Bureau—a middle-aged man with a square face and a mole on his lip.
Upon learning that the anomaly at No. 13 Resettlement Neighborhood was directly tied to Luo Di, he had immediately rushed over. Once Director Wang took his seat, the conversation naturally shifted focus to him.
"Ge Wenzhu, are you done with your questioning?"
"Director Wang, please go ahead."
Director Wang cleared his throat. "I’ll get straight to the point. It seems my assumptions were correct—one of you possesses a particularly unique trait that makes you prone to triggering 'accidents.' It's only been half a year, and you’ve already encountered another anomaly. This time, the opponent was a nearly mature Impersonator. Giving you a
Cornered Tool
in advance was indeed the right decision."
The class leader couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Besides us, are there other people like this—people who frequently encounter anomalies?"
"There are dozens of similar cases across the nation," Director Wang explained. "Some are even more extreme than you, encountering one or two anomalies every month. Of course, this characteristic hasn’t been officially defined yet. In some research bureaus, it's dismissed as mere coincidence due to the population size. Their reasoning isn’t entirely wrong—statistics show that the frequency of
Psychological Corners
is increasing year by year, Impersonators are becoming more common, and the likelihood of encountering anomalies is growing.
"In any case, try to keep your activities limited to school and home during the next semester. Hopefully, you can successfully complete your graduation exams."
The class leader pursued the topic of
Psychological Corners
. "Have we figured out the cause of Ms. Wu Huazhen forming a
Corner of Thought
?"
Director Wang tapped his wristband, reviewing the
Impersonator File
he had received from the research bureau two minutes ago. "Ms. Wu Huazhen lived alone for over ten years after the death of her parents. She had pursued romantic relationships but was consistently rejected. Over time, she began to doubt her 'external appearance,' and a combination of malnutrition and hormonal imbalances caused hair loss, plunging her deeper into self-doubt.
"She was skilled at masking her true feelings, so others never suspected anything was wrong. However, she started venturing outside less and spent prolonged periods cooped up at home. She often sat alone in her empty house in a daze, neglecting hygiene, which attracted flies and spiders. Eventually, she developed arachnophobia.
"Her disdain—and eventually outright hatred—of her appearance, coupled with jealousy of beautiful young women and an obsessive fixation on wedding ceremonies, created an emotional cocktail that festered into a
Corner
. She lived as an Impersonator for a full year and five days."
"A full year!"
"That’s correct. Moreover, she had already taken lives, becoming nearly
mature
. She’s an excellent research subject. Moving forward, our two bureaus will ensure you both receive substantial rewards. Surviving an encounter with such an entity speaks volumes about your abilities. This experience will be prominently documented in your files."
Luo Di wasn’t particularly interested in the nature of Impersonators. After last night’s events, he had already deduced the cause of her
Corner
. He was more concerned about the so-called reward. Director Wang seemed to read his mind and said, "Luo Di, your ability to wield
Cornerized Tools
proficiently as a student and confront a real Impersonator is remarkable. However, rewarding you with another
Cornerized Tool
might push you beyond your limits.
"Given your family situation, I can arrange a substantial financial reward and a housing opportunity for you. Although you’ll likely move out of your current neighborhood after graduation, I strongly recommend leaving now. After all, this is already the 'second' anomaly to occur in your neighborhood, isn’t it?"
"Second?" The class leader was startled. Luo Di hadn’t mentioned this before, but she recalled the low occupancy rate in No. 13 Resettlement Neighborhood.
Luo Di’s response was firm: "My family and I have discussed this thoroughly. With only one semester left, moving now would disrupt too many things. We’ll move after I graduate."
Director Wang stared at Luo Di, as if suddenly recalling something. "In that case, I have a special reward option for you. Last night, you injured Wu Huazhen with your weapon, correct?"
"Yes."
"Let’s have a look. It might have undergone some changes. After all, a zombie’s properties include more than just hardening—one key trait is
blood absorption
. If it tasted high-value blood from one of its kind, it might have had a special reaction."
Luo Di perked up instantly, his fatigue pushed aside. Since the incident, he hadn’t had the chance to inspect his
Zombie Blade
. Unwrapping the shroud, he froze momentarily.
He knew the blade well, yet its lifeless surface now seemed oddly active, with faint nerve-like patterns writhing subtly.
"As expected," Director Wang remarked. "After consuming blood from a more mature Impersonator, it becomes thirstier for blood. Here’s the plan: when the research bureau processes Wu Huazhen’s remains, they’ll extract the cranial blood that flowed through her pituitary gland.
"Up to 100ml of this blood will be stored separately for feeding your blade. However, you’ll need to visit the research bureau in person and perform the absorption under our supervision. The reason is simple: feeding it blood increases the risk to its wielder, and we must ensure you can still control the blade. We’ll call you within five days. Does this reward satisfy you?"
"Thank you."
Investigator Ge Wenzhu was well aware of the dangers involved in this process, especially for a high school student. However, seeing Director Wang’s expression, he swallowed his objections.
"What about me? What’s my reward?" The class leader eagerly asked.
Director Wang seemed less invested in Wu Wen. "Your reward will follow the Investigation Bureau’s standards. I trust it’ll be satisfactory. Right, Ge Wenzhu?"
Without a word, Ge Wenzhu placed a red-stamped document on the table.
"Regarding the Rewards for Assisting in the Capture of 'Wu Huazhen (Anomaly)'":
Given your significant contribution to the operation, you may choose from the following rewards:
An internship opportunity at the Jupiter City Investigation Bureau after graduation.
A financial reward of 8 million rubles.
A set of standard investigator combat gear (basic).
The class leader, initially skeptical about the rewards, quickly pointed to option 3 upon seeing the list.
"Can I really have something like this?"
Ge Wenzhu nodded. "If it’s written here, you’ll get it. This decision reflects your outstanding performance. Of course, we also hope you’ll consider participating in future investigator selections."
"Alright, I’ll think about it. By the way, when will I receive the gear?"
"It’ll be custom-made based on your medical examination data from this morning. The bureau will deliver it to you once it’s ready."
"The customization process will take approximately 3 to 5 days. When it’s ready, a specialist will deliver it to your door and explain the clothing’s wearing requirements and basic functions in detail."
"Awesome!" The class leader raised both hands high, cheering as if celebrating some grand victory.
Director Wang gestured with his hand. "Alright, you two have worked really hard. There’s a special vehicle waiting at the entrance to take you safely home. Get some well-deserved rest."
As the young pair left, the two adults stayed behind for a private conversation.
"So, Wen Zhu, what do you think? The young people our Research Bureau identified in advance—pretty remarkable, right? Surviving an incident like this and even injuring an Impersonator of this caliber is unheard of.
"This kind of talent is worth keeping under wraps. Otherwise, higher-ups might swoop in and poach him. In my opinion, we should wait until he reaches adulthood before making his capabilities public. That way, it’s better for both him and us."
"Director Wang, are you suggesting that we downplay his involvement in this incident ?"
Director Wang quickly raised his hand, feigning innocence. "I never said that! Just a friendly reminder, since this is your bureau's jurisdiction."
Ge Wenzhu understood Luo Di’s potential well. Such talent was something he also wanted to secure for the Municipal Bureau.
"By the way, Director Wang, who do you think is the individual prone to triggering 'accidents'?"
Director Wang didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he pulled a detailed personal file from his briefcase and placed it on the table.
As Ge Wenzhu picked up the file and began reviewing its contents, his pupils gradually widened in surprise.
"This..."
Director Wang simply raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence.