"…Qing Yi… Senior Qing Yi, this… what is this…" Zhu Yuan couldn't help but gape at the devastated street before them.
Qing Yi, who normally wore a lazy expression, also grew noticeably more serious upon seeing the ruined district.
"This is the central district. And yet they called in the Janus Quarter New Eridu Public Security for support? Not just us either—other districts have sent personnel too."
Gazing at the various officers gathered from multiple quarters, Qing Yi's tone darkened slightly. "It seems the impact of this incident is far worse than we imagined."
As the camera panned out, it revealed a massive gash in the ground, seemingly torn open by some unknown force.
At the far end of the rift was a gigantic crater from an explosion.
Together, the damage had flattened nearly half the district. Casualties were innumerable.
This event, officially labeled as a malicious terrorist attack, had occurred just hours earlier.
At the time, Zhu Yuan and Qing Yi had already gotten off work. They had just been getting ready for bed when suddenly a call from their superior came in, summoning them back to HQ. Something major had happened in the central district, and personnel were being pulled to assist the investigation.
Only after arriving did they grasp the gravity of the situation.
"Zhu Yuan, Qing Yi, come over here."
They turned toward the voice and saw a middle-aged man with short blond hair beckoning them.
It was Justin Bringer—the top commander of the Janus Quarter New Eridu Public Security and their direct superior.
Naturally, they didn't hesitate when called. They headed over immediately.
Only upon approaching did they notice someone else standing beside Justin Bringer—a security officer who looked barely over thirty.
He had a rare buzz cut, and the fact he was standing alongside Justin Bringer signified he held a significant position.
"Zhu Yuan, Qing Yi, let me introduce you. This is Officer Zhao Anmen from New Eridu Public Security Headquarters. He's the lead investigator for this case."
Learning that this youthful-looking officer was the one overseeing the investigation left Zhu Yuan stunned.
So young, already a high-ranking officer at headquarters, and leading a case of this magnitude—it spoke volumes about his competence.
Respect welled up inside Zhu Yuan. She promptly stood at attention and saluted. "Good evening, Officer Zhao Anmen! Zhu Yuan, sub-team captain of the Janus Quarter New Eridu Public Security Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, reporting!"
"Hello, Officer Zhao. I'm Qing Yi, subordinate to this Captain Zhu Yuan," Qing Yi added casually, though his tone was a bit lazy.
Unexpectedly, Officer Zhao Anmen didn't put on any airs despite his rank. Instead, he responded calmly, "No need to be so formal. I'll be relying on your help in the days ahead. If anything, I should be the one thanking you."
Such humility earned internal praise from both Zhu Yuan and Qing Yi.
Truly a pillar of New Eridu Public Security.
"So—any leads on this case?" Justin Bringer interjected.
Zhao Anmen's previously relaxed expression quickly clouded. "Not yet. But the casualty report is in—at least two hundred dead, and injuries are nearing a thousand."
The horrifying figures weighed heavily on the group's faces.
"No wonder the entire New Eridu force has been mobilized…" Justin Bringer sighed.
He had mentally prepared himself when he received the alert, but the actual numbers were beyond anything he had imagined.
"The worst part," Zhao Anmen added with a tinge of helplessness, "is that this happened right before the city council elections. The higher-ups are panicking, afraid it'll affect the election process."
This case had originally had nothing to do with him, but higher officials had specifically named him to lead the investigation. He had no choice but to take it.
Whether or not he could find anything, though—that was another story.
They still had no leads, and no clue where to begin.
Bringing in citywide reinforcements was meant to boost efficiency, but without direction, even more people wouldn't help.
"Let's focus on the aftermath today. The residents here are terrified out of their minds."
With that, Zhao Anmen bid them farewell and got to work. Zhu Yuan and Qing Yi also returned to their respective posts.
New Eridu, after the Red Fang gang had seemingly vanished from the world, was once again plunged into a brand-new storm.
…
Elsewhere, in Zhong Yan's residence.
Having left the Victoria Housekeeping estate, he used Kamui to instantly return home.
Ellen, unconscious, was laid on the bed. Due to her tail, she had to remain in a prone position.
Zhong Yan removed his deep blue robe and white mask, tossing them casually into the Kamui space. Then he approached the bed, gently lifting Ellen and carefully tucking her tail to make her as comfortable as possible.
"I almost lost you…" he murmured, reaching out to softly brush her injured cheek.
If he'd been even a second later, Ellen might have been killed on the spot.
Luckily, he made it in time.
As for why Ellen fainted again after briefly regaining consciousness—it wasn't just from exhaustion. Zhong Yan had used the Sharingan to cast a gentle genjutsu on her.
It had no harmful effects. It simply put her to sleep. No need to worry about her waking up prematurely.
Normally, he might not have passed up such a rare moment of physical proximity. But seeing the wounds across Ellen's body, he felt no desire at all.
If only he knew medical ninjutsu, he thought regretfully. He would've healed her injuries himself.
"You called my name before you passed out... Could it be—you recognized me?"
Zhong Yan recalled that one soft cry from Ellen as she awakened, pondering the possibility.
But clearly, she wasn't in a state to answer that question now.
What he needed to do was get her back to Victoria Housekeeping as soon as possible. Only there, with her companions, would she receive the best care.
Before departing, Zhong Yan gently pulled Ellen into his arms.
As he felt her warmth against him, he made a silent vow.
"This… will never happen again."