The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 137

Shen Ge clapped his hands, looking at the petrified host. “Any more? Bring out a few more… Oh, and can I get the cash in hand?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

After a moment of silence, the venue erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.

“Um…” The host’s expression stiffened. He was at a loss for how to respond to Shen Ge’s words and could only press his communicator to request instructions from his superiors.

This “12” establishment in Rong City was on its third event. In the previous two, only humans had died, while the anomalies remained unharmed. In the end, specialists from the organization had to step in to handle the situation.

Who could have predicted that this time, a man capable of tearing anomalies apart would appear out of nowhere, effortlessly killing two of them.

“Stall him,” the host’s earpiece transmitted the boss’s voice.

After Shen Ge easily dispatched two anomalies, the “leadership” in the control room also took note of his unusual abilities and began cross-referencing facial recognition with the day’s customer list.

The customer list didn’t yield a match, but a “wanted” notice popped up instead.

[Rong City Special Measures Department Elite Anomaly Investigator: Shen Ge
Detailed Information: None
Wanted List No. 1
Bounty: 100 million]

After Shen Ge joined the Special Measures Department, all his past records were deleted by Deng Yuqi. Other departments could only access information about him from after his employment—a measure to protect his relatives and friends from potential threats.

Since the Twelve Branches attacked Shen Ge’s home, he had cut off contact with Tang Jinze’s family, only using encrypted emails to communicate with Tang Jinze for research purposes through Li Xiang.

Cheng Shengnan had been assigned to the Special Measures Department and was now the director of the logistics division, ensuring her safety. Thus, this “wanted” notice only contained Shen Ge’s name and photo, with no additional information.

Still, this was enough to put the local boss on high alert. While instructing the host to stall Shen Ge, he also dispatched personnel to deal with him.

The “12” operatives were buying time, and so was Shen Ge. He was waiting for Deng Yuqi to lead a team to surround Zhanlan, clearly intending to let no one escape.

Meanwhile, all the VIP guests received the news.

As Liu Zongrui had mentioned, even if the Special Measures Department investigated this place, the blame would fall on the “12” organization. Customers like them would, at most, face fines. However, Liu Zongrui was a prominent figure in Rong City and had no desire to be labeled a “pervert.”

With the Special Measures Department appearing on the scene, he naturally lost interest in staying and headed toward the VIP lounge’s private elevator.

“Let’s go.”

As Liu Zongrui left, a few others quickly followed. Some, however, voiced their doubts: “Young Master Liu, it’s just one person from the Special Measures Department. Do we really need to leave?”

“If the Special Measures Department is here, what do you think is happening outside?” someone retorted.

“They can’t possibly have surrounded Zhanlan, can they? This place is owned by General Manager Zheng, after all…”

“What do you think? The Special Measures Department is now the top department in the nation. Even the military and police have to follow their orders. It doesn’t matter if it’s General Zheng or someone higher up—if they’re told to seal the area, they’ll have to comply!”

“Is it really that exaggerated?” someone asked skeptically.

“Young Master Luo, the times have changed… Don’t judge the world by the old rules. Not just Rong City—the entire world is quietly transforming.”

“You’re right. Two months ago… who could have imagined a place like this beneath Rong City?” the man referred to as Young Master Luo said.

Liu Zongrui ignored them and stood before the elevator door. The woman accompanying him hurriedly pressed the button to open it.

Aside from Zhang Yaozu, who stood daze by the floor-to-ceiling window staring at the stage, the others filed into the elevator, not wanting to risk getting involved in trouble.

“Young Master Zhang. What are you waiting for?” Liu Zongrui called out.

Snapped out of his daze, Zhang Yaozu quickly regained his composure. The last time he had crossed paths with Shen Ge, he’d been swindled out of five million. He had assumed Shen Ge was merely someone with “connections.”

After all, anyone in the country who dared to carry a gun in public had to have some sort of backing.

But now it seemed Shen Ge not only had authority but also formidable combat skills—disposing of two terrifying monsters with a few strikes while remaining unscathed.

At that moment, only one thought occupied Zhang Yaozu’s mind: he would probably never see that five million again!

“Young Master Zhang!” Liu Zongrui called again.

Zhang Yaozu stopped overthinking and hurried into the elevator, repeatedly apologizing to Liu Zongrui.

“Young Master Zhang, have you had dealings with that man before?” someone asked.

Zhang Yaozu recounted how Shen Ge had framed him, pulled a gun on him, and swindled him out of five million. The others burst into laughter.

One of the young masters teased, “Really, Young Master Zhang? With your wealth, you can have anything. To be tricked over a woman and have your subordinates broadcast it live—that’s quite a humiliation.”

“But then again, it sounds like the Special Measures Department isn’t exactly clean either.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Isn’t it good that he likes money?”

“Tsk, tsk. As long as he’s interested in money, that makes things easier.”

The group chatted about Zhang Yaozu’s ordeal and the Special Measures Department as the elevator descended several floors. When the doors opened, they revealed a platform resembling a subway station, with two “subway” cars parked alongside.

Zhang Yaozu, a native of Rong City, knew the city’s subway system had expanded rapidly in recent years. What started as a few lines had grown into a sprawling “spider web” of over a dozen lines crisscrossing the city, earning jokes that Rong City had nearly “hollowed out” the ground with its subway construction.

But Zhang Yaozu never dreamed it had advanced to the point of “private subways.” The fact that “12” could arrange such an escape route for VIP guests was astounding.

After the group boarded the subway, people from other elevators successively arrived. These were also VIP guests, clearly unwilling to attract the Special Measures Department’s attention at such a critical moment.

“12” had not only prepared an escape route for the VIP guests but also thoughtfully provided a full “disappearance package” to ensure none of them could be traced.

Back on the stage, Shen Ge continued bantering with the host. His looks and skills had won over many wealthy women in the audience, who clamored for his contact information.

“I’m sorry, sir. The game prize money will be transferred directly to your account. We’re unable to provide cash at the moment,” the host politely declined Shen Ge’s request.

A well-preserved, flamboyantly dressed woman in her forties shouted, “Handsome, if you dance in the cage, we’ll give you not just cash but gold bars!”

“What’s the fun in dancing alone? I can keep you company!”

“Count me in! Group activities are more exciting!”

“Hey, good-looking, is your… ability as strong as your monster-slaying skills?”

“Hahaha, the important thing is whether you’re any good!”

“…”

Faced with the crowd’s teasing, Shen Ge was contemplating how to engage when the communicator in his black crossbody bag rang—a signal that Deng Yuqi had led a team to seal off the entire street.

Suddenly, urgent alarms blared throughout the venue.

Security personnel at the periphery rushed to close the descending passages but were blocked by combat teams led by Tu Doubi and Yang Yuxin.

As the alarms wailed, the underground venue descended into even greater chaos. The appearance of security personnel in hazmat suits, storming the stage with submachine guns, sent the situation spiraling out of control.

Shen Ge’s ears were nearly deafened by the screams. He dug a finger into his ear, paying no attention to the security personnel surrounding him.

“Hold on, let me see if I brought my gun today,” Shen Ge said, reaching into his black leather crossbody bag. He pulled out a Type 54 police handgun and fired three shots into the ceiling.

“Alright!”

“Quiet down!”

“Special Measures Department operation! Anyone who values their life, get down!”

After his previous experience at the mall where verbal warnings went unheeded, Shen Ge had learned his lesson—fire warning shots first, then issue commands.

Although he didn’t care much about these people’s survival, they were potential “witnesses” who might provide valuable clues.

The security personnel aiming their guns at Shen Ge found the situation rather surreal. With over a dozen guns trained on him, the best course of action would be to remain still and not make any sudden moves, right? Yet this guy was not only ignoring them but also firing warning shots?

The security captain aimed his gun at Shen Ge and warned, “Don’t move! Raise your hands!”

“Another move, and we’ll shoot!”

Shen Ge slowly raised both hands and smiled. “Which hands do you mean? These two? Or these two?”

As he spoke, two black, putrid tentacles emerged from his back, their tips swaying left and right as if greeting the surrounding people.

“Open fire!”

The security personnel’s earpieces transmitted the boss’s command. They immediately adjusted their positions to avoid friendly fire and opened fire on Shen Ge.

Thud!
Thud!
Thud!

Bullets riddled Shen Ge’s body, splattering red “blood flowers.” Upon closer inspection, however, it was clear that it wasn’t blood but decaying flesh.

At that moment, a loud explosion echoed from the direction of the entrance passage. The metal hatch was blown open, and the Special Measures Department’s Elite Team 1 stormed in.

Before the attackers could react, a burst of gunfire erupted, and the assault team quickly neutralized them.

The host, hiding near the stage, tried to flee. But Shen Ge reached out, his left hand covered in a layer of black rot that elongated into a several-meter-long tentacle, wrapping around the host and slamming him to the ground in front of him.

Shen Ge leaned down to look at the host. Since Xiaoqi had controlled the combat suit to block the bullets, the impacted areas of his body were covered in a layer of rotting sludge.

His face was no exception—the left side was thickly coated, seeming to melt and slowly slide down his neck, creating a horrifying sight.

“Y-you… you monster!” The host, who hadn’t been this terrified even when facing the anomalies, was clearly shaken by Shen Ge’s appearance.

“I’m human. It’s the people behind you who are the real monsters… Now, care to tell me where your boss is?” As Shen Ge spoke, a black, putrid tentacle “grew” from his shoulder, extending toward the host as if preparing to ensnare him.

“Th-the boss… over there!” The host stammered, pointing toward a passage on the right.

Shen Ge ordered Wang Hanma to secure the host and, along with Deng Yuqi, Feng Chengxiu, and others, headed in the direction the host had indicated. They followed the passage up to the control room, only to find it empty.

As for the VIP lounges, aside from a few “hostesses” in skimpy clothing lying broken on the sofas, not a single customer remained.

“How do we open this elevator?” Deng Yuqi asked, turning to the host restrained by Wang Hanma.

The host replied with a grimace, “This… this requires a VIP card to operate. Even I don’t have access. Really, I don’t!”

The VIP lounge elevator couldn’t be activated without a VIP card. Deng Yuqi ordered a few soldiers to pry open the elevator and slide down the cables to the subway station, but the fugitives had long since vanished.

Deng Yuqi ordered Zhanlan sealed, reviewed surveillance footage, and examined videos taken by customers. Unfortunately, ordinary customers were not allowed to bring electronic devices into the venue, and the external surveillance had been tampered with, making it impossible to identify the VIPs.

Including the staff and customers from the upper levels of Zhanlan, over a thousand people were detained. The Special Measures Department alone couldn’t handle the interrogations, so Deng Yuqi requested assistance from the Eastern District police. The police would question those from Zhanlan, while the Special Measures Department handled the underground customers and staff.

As an eyewitness and participant, Shen Ge, along with the two first-stage anomaly corpses on stage, served as the best “evidence.”

The investigation lasted two days. Shen Ge led a team investigating the “12” clue, while Lin Yin’s team continued probing the strange “anomaly space.”

The “12” establishment involved numerous influential figures—so many that Deng Yuqi even discovered participation from some of Rong City’s most powerful individuals.

“It’s only been two months since the anomalies were exposed, and things have already escalated to this extent… I can’t imagine how much worse the collapse of order will be if we lose control and the world descends into apocalypse,” Deng Yuqi complained, rubbing her temples in the office.

Cheng Shengnan sat across from Deng Yuqi. As head of the internal affairs department, all reports passed through her hands.

“I’ve compiled the missing persons cases forwarded by the police over the past two months. Ninety percent are related to ’12.’ According to accounts from ’12’ personnel, most of these individuals were ‘customers’ or ‘hostesses’ and ‘hosts’ brainwashed by the organization.”

“’12’ used two methods of brainwashing: one through money and drugs, the other similar to the manipulation tactics employed in Northern Myanmar.”

“These people underwent ‘professional’ training. A few managed to escape, but… there were many moles within the two departments. Those who escaped were captured shortly after reporting to the police and subjected to inhuman abuse. The number of implicated police officers is higher than we imagined.”

“Due to recent expansions, our department has also been infiltrated by such individuals. In fact, during Investigator Lin’s operations, our people were already under surveillance. The moment there was any sign of investigating Zhanlan, they would shut down the passages. Investigator Shen’s infiltration skills, however, were exceptional—he entered underground without their detection.”

Deng Yuqi glanced at Shen Ge, about to say something, when a operations department head spoke first: “According to the ’12’ host, they had seven layers of security—from electronic scans to manpower. Not even a fly could get through undetected, let alone the most elite agents. How did Investigator Shen manage it? Could you provide training and guidance for our reconnaissance department?”

Shen Ge replied casually, “Nothing special, just well-practiced.”

This wasn’t entirely inaccurate. Having navigated places like Hancheng Base, underground research facilities, and even the headquarters research institute as if they were his own backyard, it was clear he was indeed “well-practiced.”

The operations head wanted to say more, but Deng Yuqi cut him off: “That’s not important right now. I’ll make arrangements later. Director Cheng, any leads on the VIP lounge customers?”

Deng Yuqi wanted to know how these people had learned about “12.” Establishing such a place beneath Rong City in just two months required extraordinary means.

Cheng Shengnan replied, “The surveillance around Zhanlan was tampered with. Neither the customers nor the staff underground had any ’12’-related videos on their devices. However… during our investigation of nearby bars, we found relevant videos on a few young people’s phones.”

“These individuals enjoyed filming luxury cars. That night, they captured footage of several cars entering Zhanlan’s underground parking lot. We cross-referenced these cars and found that neither the individuals we brought in nor those on Zhanlan’s customer list matched. The investigation team has identified a few suspects. Here’s the list…”

Cheng Shengnan distributed the investigation team’s report to everyone in the office.

Deputy Team Leader Wang Han skimmed the report and remarked sarcastically, “Well, well. Almost all of Rong City’s prominent young masters are on this list? Tsk, tsk. The joys of the wealthy are indeed beyond our imagination. It’s only been two months since the anomalies were exposed, and they’re already playing with them.”

Deng Yuqi shot Wang Han a look. “Shall we send you off to experience some of that joy?”

“…” Wang Han promptly fell silent.

“The Liu family’s eldest young master is also on the list.”

“Tsk, that guy is no good—indulges in every vice. If not for his family’s wealth, he’d be behind bars by now.”

“It’d be stranger if he weren’t involved in a place like ’12.'”

Deng Yuqi extracted Liu Zongrui’s file and placed it on the table, saying sternly, “In that case, designate him as a key surveillance target. Assign someone to monitor him immediately.”

She then outlined the next steps of the investigation plan, clearly intending to uproot everyone in Rong City connected to “12.”

After the meeting, Shen Ge followed Cheng Shengnan out of the office.

“Not working overtime again today, are you? You’ve already pulled three consecutive nights. Is your boss even human?” Shen Ge asked.

Cheng Shengnan walked beside him, clutching a stack of reports. She glanced at him and said calmly, “Why didn’t you say that in the office just now?”

“…” Say it?

In other workplaces, if employees worked until 10 PM, the bosses would be long gone by 6 PM. Here, if employees worked until 10 PM, the bosses worked until midnight.

Shen Ge suspected that if he’d actually voiced his complaint in the office, the entire department would have followed the leader’s example and worked overtime until midnight.

Then again, it made sense. The fact that such a significant problem had emerged in Rong City within two months indicated that the Twelve Branches’ “infiltration” had been ongoing for quite some time, lurking in the shadows. Whether this “exposure” was part of the Twelve Branches’ plan or an accidental discovery remained an intriguing question.

What was their goal?
Targeting the Special Measures Department?
Or simply making money?

With the ability to mutate animals, selling anomalies as biochemical weapons to war-torn countries would be far more profitable than running an anomaly-themed game.

As for dealing with the Special Measures Department, this level of “investigation” wouldn’t burden their daily operations. On the contrary, it helped weed out many corrupt elements.

“I checked today’s anomaly alert list. So far, no anomaly incidents have been reported. Seems like you have some free time today?” Cheng Shengnan said.

Shen Ge thought for a moment and shook his head. “I’m not so sure. The Twelve Branches handed us such a significant ‘gift,’ clearly aiming to achieve some objective by targeting the Special Measures Department. How about a bet? I bet an anomaly incident will occur before midnight tonight.”

At the word “bet,” Cheng Shengnan’s face flushed. The last time she’d made a “bet” with Shen Ge, it had resulted in her taking a day off the next day, thoroughly exhausted.

“Not interested,” Cheng Shengnan refused flatly, her expression unreadable.

Shen Ge pressed, “Come on, it’ll be fun… There are still a few ‘words’ I’d like to… discuss with you.”

“Investigator Shen, please refrain from harassing colleagues during work hours, or I will report you to leadership,” Cheng Shengnan said, quickening her pace toward the internal affairs department.

Shen Ge was about to retort when the office door slammed shut with a thud, nearly hitting his nose.

“Hahaha!”

A burst of laughter erupted from the internal affairs front desk. Three junior staff members peeked out from behind the counter, unable to resist teasing him: “Investigator Shen, finally met your match?”

“Director Cheng is something else! Doesn’t even give face to the number one in the Special Measures Department!”

“Director Cheng is my idol!”

“Director Cheng, you’re too cool!”

Shen Ge glanced sideways at the trio and remarked lightly, “Can’t be bothered arguing with singles.”

“…”

“…”

Instant annihilation.

“Ahhh! Investigator Shen, I’ll fight you!”

“Take my flying kick!”

“From today onward, Investigator Shen is banned from the internal affairs department!”

Amid the chorus of “threats” and “challenges,” the man hailed as “the number one in the nation’s Special Measures Department” was unceremoniously ejected from internal affairs.

Shen Ge hummed “How Lonely It Is to Be Invincible” as he exited the comprehensive building, planning to stroll around the city and perhaps earn some random event rewards.

It would be even better if he encountered a (four-years-later) high-level anomaly.

“Investigator Shen, kicked out again?” the guard at the entrance teased upon seeing Shen Ge being shoved out by the junior staff.

Buddy, that “again” is very telling.

Thanks to his status and abilities, Shen Ge commanded considerable respect within the Special Measures Department. However, he was also quite approachable (?) and easy to get along with (?), making him one of the most popular figures in the department. Likely due to his years as a “top salesperson,” he knew exactly what to say to please others. He often had the female staff in stitches before they kindly showed him the door.

But even so, Shen Ge could chat for hours with anyone in the Special Measures Department, from the workaholic leadership to the guards at the gate.

“Yeah, the good-natured get bullied, the tame get ridden,” Shen Ge said, pulling two sausages from his pocket. The two police dogs by the guardhouse immediately wagged their tails and crowded around him.

“Big Black, Little Black, you’re the only ones who treat me well,” Shen Ge said, feeding them the sausages and ruffling their heads.

The guard shook his head in amusement. Since Shen Ge had joined the department, he’d spent his free time “bribing” the police dogs with sausages. After months of persistence, he’d won over all dozen-plus dogs in the department, much to his delight—and Deng Yuqi’s exasperation.

After chatting with the guard for a bit, Shen Ge left the Special Measures Department. He was contemplating whether to take a taxi for a city tour or ride the subway aimlessly when two black sedans and a luxury car pulled up in front of him.

Men in black suits, wearing sunglasses and earpieces—typical “bodyguards”—emerged from the sedans. A man around sixty years old stepped out of the luxury car’s passenger seat.

“Hello, are you Mr. Shen?” the man asked.

Shen Ge raised an eyebrow, joking, “Wow, shooting a movie? Let me guess—your next line is ‘Our boss would like to see you,’ right?”

“…” The man was speechless. He’d been about to say exactly that.

Shen Ge laughed again. “Let me guess again… your ‘boss’ is probably some big shot in the municipal government, or someone on Rong City’s rich list. The Liu family?”

“…” The man was at a loss for words. This conversation was impossible.

Without waiting for a response, Shen Ge walked to the back of the luxury car, opened the door, and got in. He leaned out and said to the man, “Let’s go. What are we waiting for?”

“…”

What kind of lunatic is this? He doesn’t follow the script at all!

Despite his bewilderment, the man didn’t forget his mission. As long as he brought the person back, it didn’t matter whether it was “voluntary” or “involuntary.”

The man got into the car and instructed the driver to set off. He introduced himself as the Liu family’s butler, specially tasked with inviting Shen Ge to a “banquet.”

During the investigation of Zhanlan over the past two days, the “boss” in the control room had fled, destroying computers and deleting data before escaping.

However, the technical department had managed to recover some information, including Shen Ge’s “wanted” notice. The fact that someone could offer a hundred million bounty for him indicated that numerous wealthy individuals were colluding with the Twelve Branches.

The luxury car stopped at Rong City’s largest and most luxurious hotel. Under the butler’s guidance, Shen Ge arrived outside the hotel’s most exclusive private room.

A waiter opened the door. It was less of a “private room” and more of a “hall.” A large round table capable of seating over twenty people dominated the center, with a stage at the front where several extravagantly dressed “peacocks” were dancing.

Over a dozen people were already seated at the table, attended by exceptionally beautiful and well-mannered hostesses providing close-fitting service. Two rows of black-clad bodyguards stood stiffly on either side of the hall.

Shen Ge scanned the room. Although he didn’t recognize most of the attendees, he spotted several of Rong City’s “leaders” he’d encountered during operations.

Noticing Shen Ge at the entrance, someone eagerly stepped forward to greet him, ushering him to a seat before making introductions and explaining their purpose.

“Mr. Shen, this is the Liu family’s eldest young master, Mr. Liu Zongrui. He would like to discuss a business proposal with you,” a middle-aged man, one of Rong City’s top figures, introduced Liu Zongrui to Shen Ge.

Shen Ge raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly at Liu Zongrui. “What kind of business did Young Master Liu wish to discuss?”

Liu Zongrui smiled. “No rush. Let’s talk over dinner. Are you familiar with our Rongda Group’s song and dance troupe, Mr. Shen? They’ve all received ‘professional’ training and are sure to satisfy. Come over here, let Mr. Shen have a good look. Pick whichever you like.”

With that, Liu Zongrui clapped his hands. Over a dozen hostesses lined up beside Shen Ge for his selection.

Shen Ge smiled, about to speak, when he noticed a fist-sized, raised red mark on Liu Zongrui’s neck. His expression instantly darkened.