The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 106

Although he had lost a unique trait, Shen Ge didn’t consider it a total loss—after all, Li Xiang had managed to merge multiple pieces of abnormal energy equipment into a versatile suit of armor.

The only drawback was that the full-body combat suit couldn’t recharge its abnormal energy. Relying solely on a 10% hourly recovery rate would be a severe disadvantage in prolonged battles.

Still, Li Xiang assured him he was already working on a solution and would soon fix the LiXiang Type-I Armor’s energy recharge issue.

After collecting his cleaver and the eyeball abnormal from the Technical Department, Shen Ge headed to the minister’s office. With a snap of his fingers, the armor encased his entire body.

BANG!

He slammed the office door open and growled in a deliberately lowered voice, “Hands up, this is a robbery!”

Deng Yuqi didn’t even look up from the documents she was scribbling on. “Robbery for money or for pleasure? If it’s money—you’re currently the wealthiest person in our department. If it’s pleasure—you can’t beat me in a fight. Even with that armor, I could take down two or three of you.”

“…”

Seriously?

Deng Yuqi’s rare attempt at humor left Shen Ge momentarily speechless.

“Sigh.” She turned her computer monitor toward him, displaying the research report on the LiXiang Type-I Armor.

“You’re usually sharp. Did you really think I wouldn’t have seen the finished product before it was handed to you? Besides, if an unidentified person could waltz from the division entrance to the minister’s office without triggering alarms, our security team might as well disband.”

“Boring.” Shen Ge deactivated the armor and took a seat across from her.

Deng Yuqi said flatly, “You’re paying for the door. Since you’re loaded now, make sure to get me a sturdier one.”

“…”

Screw you.

Deng Yuqi set down her pen, turned the monitor back, and typed a few commands before continuing. “For this Asia Abnormal Research Conference, headquarters is sending three ministers. I’ve volunteered to assist your operation. But historically, ministers are closely monitored upon entry. Providing covert support will be difficult.”

“When do we leave?” Shen Ge asked.

“Protocol says a week from now. Headquarters has decided to abandon Lin Yin. No matter how much I argued, those stubborn old fossils wouldn’t budge. Since they’ve shown no mercy, neither will I—I won’t be reporting any research findings we retrieve. I’ll hand them straight to Li Xiang for study. If those old men ever admit their mistakes or get ousted, then we’ll talk about trading the data back.”

“I’m telling you this because the mission won’t be as simple as it seems. That research is valuable—we’re not the only ones after it. Not only will headquarters refuse to support us, they might actively obstruct us.”

“I understand organizational interests come first, but I refuse to accept casually abandoning an agent who’s given everything for the cause.”

“Your operation will be covert. When the time comes, I’ll cover your exit.”

Shen Ge nodded, his expression serious as he mulled it over. After a long pause, he said, “This mission sounds tough—mentally and physically exhausting… So, I get a month of paid leave when we get back, right?”

“…”

Deng Yuqi had been nodding along until that last part shattered the moment.

Jokes aside, Shen Ge was genuinely interested in the research. If it could advance abnormal energy equipment by a generation, even low-tier abnormals he captured could become materials for high-tier gear instead of just test subjects.

Deng Yuqi briefed him on past Asia Abnormal Research Conferences—schedules, protocols, and potential pitfalls—before outlining their detailed plan.

Shen Ge frowned. “One thing I don’t get—if the conference is such a high-profile target, why not send me into South Korea early?”

Deng Yuqi sighed. “Since the abnormal outbreaks, every country’s on edge. Even tourists are monitored. At the conference, I can provide cover. But if you enter with a tour group and go off-grid, alarms will trip. I’d rather not lose two agents trying to save one.”

“So the plan is: I enter as Li Xiang’s bodyguard, then you swap me out with a double later?” Shen Ge confirmed.

“Exactly.”

“But my info’s already been submitted. Won’t headquarters get suspicious?” Shen Ge voiced his biggest concern.

“Not all of headquarters consists of those fossils. Some are pushing back against the ‘stability over progress’ mindset.”

“So we’re the reformist faction?” Shen Ge asked.

Deng Yuqi shook her head. “We’re not aligned with anyone. I want no part of politics—I just want my people back. The reformers see this as a chance to weaken the old guard. Our goals align: you rescue Lin Yin and secure the research if possible. Their priority is extracting two researchers, but that’s not your concern. Just focus on Lin Yin. The research is a bonus—your safe return is the mission’s true objective.”

“Got it. South Korea’s so small their weather forecasts fit in one sentence. Finding someone there should be easy.”

“Let’s hope so.” Deng Yuqi sighed.

Leaving the office, Shen Ge returned to his quarters to rest.

Over the past month, daily and weekly system rewards had amassed him 2,031 points. He’d planned to spend them soon, but with the South Korea mission looming, he decided to save them for emergencies. Some system store items had proven unexpectedly useful.

Two days later, on his day off, Cheng Shengnan invited him out for shopping and a movie.

Knowing Shen Ge didn’t drive, she picked him up and headed downtown.

“Your file says you have a license. Why always take the metro?” she asked curiously.

Shen Ge fiddled with the car’s music player. “I zone out too easily—start thinking about random stuff. Not ideal for driving.”

“Huh?” Cheng Shengnan blinked. “But you hyperfocus when working. Sometimes you’d stare at the screen for hours without moving.”

“That’s because I was reading novels.”

“…”

So you were slacking off most of the time?

“Seems you paid close attention to me. But you’d never catch me—I modified my desktop settings. Text scrolled in the taskbar while my screen showed design drafts. Perfectly normal for a designer to stare at the same layout for hours, right?” Shen Ge said matter-of-factly.

“…”

Flawless logic.

Cheng Shengnan had been briefly embarrassed by the first half of his reply, but the second half left her with one thought: Classic Shen Ge.

Parking at Tianchuan Plaza, they decided to walk to the city center in the rare good weather.

“By the way, I’ll be away on business soon. My phone might be unreachable—don’t worry,” Shen Ge mentioned casually.

Cheng Shengnan froze. “Saving the world again?”

“Something like that.”

“Dangerous?”

“Probably… less than last time?”

“Stay safe.” She knew better than to ask for details. His safety was all that mattered.

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

“Thanks.”

They dropped the subject, chatting about old times and debating movie choices instead.

At the cinema, Shen Ge detoured to the cat café. After the cats showing mutation signs were removed, half the feline residents were gone—but business thrived. The owner had used the compensation from the Special Tactics Department to add new animals: hamsters, rabbits, and more.

Unfortunately, none emitted the faint abnormal energy Shen Ge needed to farm system points. His recent visits to pet markets had yielded few mutated animals—nothing like this café’s earlier concentration.

According to Li Xiang, pet markets catered to animal lovers, while cafés attracted casual visitors—some even abusive, like the old lady who’d treated the place as free childcare. Abuse and death accelerated mutations, making such venues high-risk. The department had since tightened regulations, scheduling regular patrols by Shen Ge and the Abnormal Energy Detection Team to preempt outbreaks.

After the movie, they hit a barbecue place. When Cheng Shengnan offered to drive him home, Shen Ge insisted she go straight back while he took a cab from her place.

She understood his concern—he didn’t want her driving alone at night—and didn’t argue. After dropping him off at her apartment complex, Shen Ge waited curbside for a taxi when a familiar figure caught his eye, entering a neighboring compound.

Old Wang?

The missing man looked the same, though his formal attire was a far cry from his usual style.

Shen Ge followed but was stopped at the gate—no access card. By then, Old Wang had vanished around a corner.

“Investigating a theft. Suspect entered your premises. Cooperate,” Shen Ge flashed his badge.

The guard hesitated. “Officer, we can’t disclose resident info. Maybe contact the property manager?”

“Later. Recognize the man who just entered?”

“Someone came in?” The guard checked the logs. “Huh. This access card isn’t registered to any unit. That’s not supposed to happen.”

While the guard dug deeper, Shen Ge vaulted the turnstile. The path split—one led to a garden, the other circled the buildings—but Old Wang was nowhere in sight.

Back at the guard post, surveillance footage confirmed Wang’s entry, yet no cameras caught him inside.

“Keep looking. I’ll check around.” Shen Ge re-entered, scanning the compound.

[Warning!]

[Multiple low-tier abnormals detected in vicinity, hunting living hosts! Several have locked onto your presence via enhanced senses!]

Residents walked their dogs in the garden—all leashed, big and small. A golden retriever emitted faint energy. Shen Ge snapped a photo for the records, but its owner—a heavyset young woman—marched over.

“Hey! Why were you—” Her aggressive tone softened upon seeing him. “Um, why were you taking pictures of me?”

“Sorry, just thought your dog was cute.” He showed the shot—only the golden retriever and her hand holding the leash.

“Oh.” Disappointed, she perked up. “Lots of neighbors love Buddy. Wanna pet him?”