"Huh?"
Seeing this scene, the Black Vest Youth, who had been lazing about, suddenly perked up. He quickly pulled out his phone and swiped a few times, saying, "Your ability..."
"The night of March 1st, Middle Section of Jiefang North Road."
"The night of March 6th, Rongfang Lane."
"The night of March 19th, Languai Street."
"And last Friday, Dongxiao South Sub-district..."
"You should remember these dates and locations, right?"
Mo Zhaolong climbed up, clutching his stomach, his face twisted with ferocity, "I don't remember, I don't know."
"Ah, it would've been much easier if it were you; otherwise, it means there's another person in Lianjiang City with abilities similar to yours." The Black Vest Youth scratched his head. "Have a heart for us hardworking civil servants, will you..."
"Sympathy, my ass!"
Mo Zhaolong knew he didn't have much time left. The police might be on their way, and he had to escape before they arrived. After all, with his ability, he could live comfortably even if he hid in a small town or village!
A cold light flashed in Mo Zhaolong's eyes. Enduring the pain, he ran towards the Black Vest Youth, pointing at him from afar. There was no visible change in the air, but the Black Vest Youth suddenly dodged and charged towards Mo Zhaolong again!
"Afraid of you? No way!" Mo Zhaolong thought gleefully. The closer the distance, the more likely the other person would be affected by his ability. Soon, there would be nothing to hinder his escape...
With a muffled groan, Mo Zhaolong saw the Black Vest Youth's fist hit him right in the midsection, where the diaphragm separates the chest and abdomen. He knew this spot could cause a rapid blood rush to the heart due to external pressure, resulting in unconsciousness...
"It's done." After knocking down Mo Zhaolong, the Black Vest Youth quickly backed off, waving his hand in front of his nose as if to dissipate some bad smell.
He saw that there was only one man left watching in the lobby and called out loudly, "Hey, who's that?"
Ren Suo saw the Black Vest Youth and pointed at himself.
"Yeah, you. Wake those unlucky schmucks up... Never mind, just drag them aside so they don't block the way. Don't worry, it's not a virus; they're just asleep, they'll be fine," the Black Vest Youth yawned and picked up his phone to make a call.
Ren Suo scratched his head. It was clear that this Black Vest Youth was also within the system, and he seemed to hold a not-so-low position. Dragging a few people wasn't a big deal, so he obediently did as he was told.
He noticed that the material of the Black Body Armor was very impressive, feeling elastic and durable. After dragging the people away, Ren Suo turned his gaze to Mo Zhaolong, still on the ground. He noticed that the feeling of excitement Mo Zhaolong gave him was gradually lessening, but there was still a strange allure.
The Black Vest Youth was still on the phone. Ren Suo no longer hesitated and strode over to drag Mo Zhaolong away.
However, the moment he touched Mo Zhaolong, Ren Suo's body shook, and a distant voice echoed within him.
It seemed to be his own voice.
"Key detected."
"The key is in a state of unconsciousness, beginning acquisition."
"Key is not fully formed; it will take 39 seconds to acquire. Must maintain contact for the duration. 38, 37, 36..."
Ren Suo froze in place, listening to the countdown in his mind. Meanwhile, the Black Vest Youth had finished his phone call and turned his head. Seeing Ren Suo, he raised his voice harshly, "What are you doing!"
Ren Suo was startled but kept his hand on Mo Zhaolong, stuttering, "You, you said..."
"I told you to move them to the side, that doesn't include him!" The Black Vest Youth walked over, barking sharply, "He's a criminal!"
"A, a criminal!?" Ren Suo was genuinely startled. "Isn't he just trying to avoid a blood test by fleeing?"
"Drawing blood... Oh, I see," the Black Vest Youth said coldly. "He does have a bit of insight after all, even guessing that drawing blood has the greatest chance of exposure..."
"By the way, how did he knock out the others just now?" Hearing that there were still more than ten seconds left in the countdown, Ren Suo quickly brought up a topic.
"Hmm?" The Black Vest Youth glanced at him. "If you qualify, you'll know... Hand him over to me, I'll—"
"Little Long, Xiao Suo!"
At this moment, Director Ye descended from the second floor, panting as she addressed the Black Vest Youth, "Hello, I am Ye Jiamin, the director of the Xianlin Sub-district Office. You are from that newly established..."
"The New Eighteenth Bureau of National Security, Li Dan," the Black Vest Youth presented his credentials and pointed at Mo Zhaolong. "This person is now in our custody. The specific regulations and notices will be provided to you later."
Director Ye was quite surprised. She looked at the still conscious Ren Suo and asked, "Then, Xiao Suo, he…"
"He's just a bystander," Li Dan said lightly.
Just then, as the countdown in Ren Suo's mind finally ended, he quickly stood up and said, "Then… Sir, I'll continue with the physical examination."
As if compelled by some unseen force, Ren Suo reached out his hand to Li Dan.
Li Dan appeared slightly taken aback but shook his hand. Ren Suo felt as though he were touching a piece of cool jade.
Li Dan turned away to wake up his companion and said, "I'm not any kind of leader."
Ren Suo quickly handed over his medical examination form and then approached Director Ye, saying, "Then, Director Ye, I'll be taking my leave."
Director Ye nodded, her demeanor somewhat preoccupied. "It should be alright now, but I will notify you immediately if anything arises."
After a pause, Director Ye looked at Ren Suo again and said, "You'd better not leave Lianjiang City these next few days, understand?"
Ren Suo's mind was as clear as a mirror; Director Ye clearly thought he was somehow involved with Mo Zhaolong. He shrugged and smiled, "No problem."
He immediately took the subway home, his heart pounding with excitement as he awoke the Mini-World Game Console with the game controller, his hands sweating with nervousness.
When the countdown had ended earlier, Ren Suo had heard a voice say, "You have obtained a key. Please check the Content Preservation Vault."
Then, when Ren Suo shook hands with Li Dan, he heard:
"Key detected."
"Key is in alert status, unable to acquire."
At that moment, he was terribly afraid Li Dan would discover something and capture him just like Mo Zhaolong, but nothing happened.
In the Content Preservation Vault on the game platform, amongst Ren Suo's displayed items was a strange, gray-white key.
'One-Star Sleep Key: Additional chance of acquiring sleep-related rewards +10%.'
Sleep?
Ren Suo immediately associated the key with Mo Zhaolong's inexplicable ability. Could this key have been derived from that ability?
There were only two items in the Content Preservation Vault: a key and a Treasure Box. What Ren Suo had to do next was obvious.
'You use the "One-Star Sleep Key" to open this Treasure Box.'
'You have obtained the Skill "Combat Basics".'
'Key effect activated, you have obtained the Skill "Good Dream Technique".'