AWB Chapter 396 The Direction of the Investigation
Chapter 396 The Direction of the Investigation
Chapter 396 The Direction of the Investigation
"I overheard your conversation. You've been researching the origins of that robot, right?" Xiao Xiao tightened her grip on the steering wheel slightly. "I can help too. If that thing can hurt my brother, it's very likely it will attack again. I can't let that happen."
Tang Zijun's eyes flickered; how could he not know what the girl in front of him wanted to do?
"I understand how you feel right now, but some things can't be done rashly, especially when facing something we don't understand at all." He paused, then continued.
"I think it's better to leave this to professionals, since we haven't figured out where these things came from yet."
"What if we knew where they came from?"
Tang Zijun narrowed her eyes slightly. "Do you know where those things came from?"
"It's just speculation. My second brother is not only the head of the Third Division and the captain of the action team, but he is also my supervisor. We have always cooperated, so there are many things that are inconvenient to report, and I know about them."
"That arm..." Tang Zijun knew what Xiao Xiao was referring to. "When I mentioned earlier that your brother had communicated with Deputy Director Chang, I noticed you weren't surprised. You've been following up on this matter, haven't you?"
"Yes, the Shadow Disaster left a lot of trouble, so it's not surprising that there's an extra mechanical arm of unknown origin. However, my second brother took it very seriously and even personally led a team to contain it. He was originally planning to conduct research on it, but the power outage caused by that research directly affected two hospitals, so he had to postpone the research on the arm."
"Later, my second brother suspected that the thing was a product of the dream world, and then contacted Deputy Director Chang through Director Shangguan. I was right next to him when he was communicating with Deputy Director Chang. At the time, I didn't notice anything wrong, but now it seems that the problem may have exceeded our imagination."
Xiao Xiao's pretty face tensed slightly. "If the other party has the ability to imitate Deputy Director Chang, and can even bring that impersonation into reality through a mobile phone, do you know what that means?"
"Are you worried that those guys are monitoring everyone through all electronic devices or wireless networks?"
"Not only that, Mr. Tang, I've heard of you. You are the only person in the world who can freely travel between the real world and the dream world without being affected. In that case, you should understand the seriousness of this matter better than I do. In an unknown world, a dimension different from the real world, the mirror world, the shadow world, and the dream world, is there also a race we don't understand? Have they also set their sights on us and begun to invade us?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Zijun instantly thought of that distress signal.
In that wasteland, in that desolate world, there were countless intelligent robots and mechanical humanoids that had already gained intelligence.
If what happened here is indeed connected to some kind of being, then only that place can provide the answer. However, Tang Zijun was puzzled as to how the other party got here and what their purpose was.
After a moment of contemplation, Tang Zijun spoke. "...I can't be sure when they started targeting us, but their behavior can be described as rigid. I don't deny their strangeness, but everything they do seems to lack any logic."
"This is what I find strange, and it's also what I'm worried about."
Xiao Xiao turned her head and said softly.
"The lies they told could be exposed with just one meeting. If they wanted the lies to continue, they could have simply assassinated my second brother before you noticed anything amiss. I can't imagine what methods my second brother would use to evade assassination by bringing his phone into reality. But they didn't do that. Instead, they showed up after the lies were exposed. It just doesn't make sense..."
"Indeed... I came to a similar conclusion before." Tang Zijun bit her nails. "After the information leak at the Demon Surveillance Bureau, the higher-ups reacted immediately. However, given their methods, since they were able to break through the Demon Surveillance Bureau's network defenses, there was absolutely no need for them to leave any traces. That information leak didn't seem like a cyberattack; it was more like..."
Seeing that Tang Zijun remained silent, Xiao Xiao took the initiative to ask, "More like what?"
"I can't say for sure..." Tang Zijun shook her head. "It feels more like it's intentional; they just want us to discover their existence."
"Intentional." Xiao Xiao pondered these three simple words carefully, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. "Then what do you think their purpose is? Is it a demonstration or a provocation?"
"I don't know. With the clues we have so far, we can't make any valuable judgments. Whatever secrets that thing may hold, I'm more curious about how that arm came to be in our world."
As she spoke, Tang Zijun looked up and asked, "Do you know where that contained arm is now?"
"I know." Xiao Xiao nodded gently. "After my second brother suspended the research project, he stored that arm in a safe house and strictly prohibited any network or electronic devices from approaching it."
"Can you take me to see it?"
"Of course, now?"
"If it's convenient for you."
"Okay, I'll take you there now, but you'll have to talk to Minister Xue first."
"I will, and I also need to tell my sister." Tang Zijun held out her hand. "Could I borrow your phone? Mine broke before."
"Here it is." At this moment, the ferret Nuomi came over and handed a pink cell phone to Tang Zijun.
Xiao Xiao didn't say much, but turned the steering wheel, and then the car suddenly turned a corner amidst the roar of the engine, heading straight onto the elevated road.
On the other hand, Xue Zhicheng felt only agitated and confused.
Because the Bureau of Magical Investigations needed to monitor the energy reactions near the exhibition hall, most of the visitors and staff left in an orderly manner under the agents' guidance. However, this did not mean the end, but rather just the beginning.
"Minister Xue, Director Shangguan sent a message, hoping that you can resolve the trouble here as soon as possible and report the ins and outs of the incident." The female secretary followed behind him unhurriedly.
Xue Zhicheng rubbed his temples. "What did the research team say? Did they detect any hidden shadow energy?"
"The research team detected residual shadow energy on some of the scattered mechanical parts. Based on the data comparison with the bureau, it was determined that this energy came from the Shadow Woman. This proves that Detective Tang's statement was partially true, and the Shadow Woman did indeed intervene to stop this mechanical life form."
The female secretary tapped the tablet screen again as she spoke, and continued.
"The whereabouts of the Shadow Woman are currently unknown, but it cannot be ruled out that she may be in contact with the Shadow Clan that was just in the exhibition hall."
"And what about this robot?" Xue Zhicheng asked again.
"Initial investigations show that some of the substances in this thing are different from the elements in our world, and the technology used is much more advanced than ours. Further research by the expert team is needed to determine the specifics."
"Have someone take these things back first and preserve them as properly as possible. Be careful to wear protective gear when handling them, as who knows if these materials might carry some unknown radiation."
"Yes."
"Oh, right." Xue Zhicheng suddenly turned around. "Information about what happened here should already be circulating online."
"The online discussion about the situation here started when that streamer began broadcasting," the female secretary shrugged.
"Tsk, I forgot about that kid."
"But thanks to him, most people online focused on the number of magical girls, and some even said that this was the safest place. Then netizens from different cities started arguing, with people from each region thinking that their city was the safest."
"Of course, there are also those who are deliberately trying to stir up trouble, using this as an excuse to point out that the Magic Bureau has serious security vulnerabilities, but their topics are quickly overshadowed."
"What do you mean?" Xue Zhicheng frowned.
Then the female secretary turned the tablet around and showed it to Xue Zhicheng. "The current trending topics online are—#So envious of those who can watch the battles live at the anime convention, and #Shadow Clan photos are being sold for 7000 yuan each."
"These guys..." Xue Zhicheng sighed heavily, somewhat speechless.
However, he felt a little relieved, as he was genuinely worried that the violent incidents that had erupted here would lead to an increase in negative energy.
"Deputy Director Qiu just shut down a gap at the cadre level. We absolutely cannot hold back at this time. If another gap appears and attracts Luo Sha, then the problem will be serious."
"I've already arranged for technicians to monitor the negative energy in the surrounding area in real time. If the negative energy really reaches a critical point, they will report it proactively. I've also applied for support from the Flower Fairy Clan, and they will send people over soon." The female secretary paused for a moment, then continued.
"Also, I just received a message from the branch office..."
"Branch?" A balding middle-aged man suddenly popped into Xue Zhicheng's mind.
"Yes, Deputy Director Chang said he has already boarded the plane and will be here soon."
"He also said that we should focus on investigating the negative energy and shadow races and the details therein, while he would handle the issues concerning Captain Shaw and the mechanical lifeforms personally."
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