The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 60

Shen Ge theorized that while the Ghost Domain was active, he could manipulate terrain within it—but those changes wouldn’t affect reality.

That explained why Wu Xing (the Invisible) had triggered multiple collapses inside the domain, yet floors 13 and above remained intact after the domain dissolved.

As for the system’s note about terrain adapting to the supernatural entity’s traits, Shen Ge suspected it referred to the Ghost Space—like how Wu Xing’s ability had turned half the building invisible.

Of course, this was just speculation. Unfortunately, his mental energy was too depleted for further testing. He’d have to wait for it to recharge.

“Shen Ge, do you copy? Respond if you hear me!”

Deng Yuqi’s voice crackled repeatedly over the walkie-talkie. Shen Ge had cut the signal during the fight, prompting her to order Feng Chengxiu and the others to abandon their survivor search and confirm his status instead.

He finally responded, eyeing the “23” on the stairwell wall. “Director, I’m on the 24th floor. The entity’s been blown to smithereens by the breaching charges. Tech teams can move in.”

As he spoke, he headed upstairs.

“It’s resolved?” Deng Yuqi sounded surprised—but she knew it couldn’t have been as simple as Shen Ge claimed. He was hiding something. No one took down a Tier-2 entity without a few aces up their sleeve.

And that cut signal was deliberate.

Feng Chengxiu and two soldiers arrived first, followed by Deng Yuqi and her team—including Cheng Shengnan, whom they’d met on the way. With the Ghost Space newly dispersed, no one risked the elevators. They took the stairs.

At the hallway entrance, Deng Yuqi surveyed the scene: walls, ceiling, floor—all splattered with blue fluid and chunks of octopus flesh.

But these weren’t Wu Xing’s remains. They were thermal-bagged octopus scraps.

While Shen Ge debriefed her, Li Xiang emerged from the elevator with his tech team. Feng Chengxiu frowned. “Director said to avoid elevators.”

Li Xiang shot him a disdainful look. “I’m a technician, not a musclehead like you. Making me climb 24 floors is murder.”

Ignoring Feng Chengxiu, he began his usual disinfectant spray routine, directing assistants to collect samples for analysis.

Based on Shen Ge’s report and Deng Yuqi’s assessment, Wu Xing was classified as Tier-2—its energy readings fell far short of Tier-3.

This surprised Shen Ge. Given the 4-year time gap, he’d expected a 1-2 tier drop in strength. Yet Wu Xing, capable of a semi-functional Ghost Domain, was on par with Tier-5 Stillness?

Pathetic.

Wu Xing’s Ghost Space had covered half the building, reshaping terrain and collapsing floors at will… yet its true strength was this weak?

Shen Ge almost pitied it. Was it lurking in the seafood section all this time, too feeble to hunt, waiting for other octopuses to die so it could scavenge?

And its recent “mutation”? Maybe Cheng Shengnan’s purchase was the final piece—the last octopus it needed to awaken its Ghost Space.

But with Wu Xing gone, speculation was pointless.

In his report, Shen Ge omitted the “mincing” and “absorption” details, ending the story at the breaching charge explosion. Plausible enough—Li Xiang agreed even a Tier-2 entity wouldn’t survive their specialized explosives.

Plausible, but not convincing.

Deng Yuqi clearly wasn’t buying it. Still, with a mountain of post-op work ahead, she’d have to grill him later.

Since cleanup wasn’t his job, Shen Ge escorted Cheng Shengnan home.

Inside her apartment, she asked, “What’ll you drink? Tea? Water? Soda?”

“An ice-cold fatty’s happy juice, thanks.” He dropped his gas mask and submachine gun, plopping onto the floor.

“No cola. These are your options.” She set out an array of health-conscious juices from the fridge.

Shen Ge grabbed one, chugging half the bottle.

“Why the floor?” Cheng Shengnan asked.

He gestured to his blue-stained gear. “That couch looks pricey. One sit, and its value halves.”

“…”

After a pause, she said, “You saved me again. Name a date—I’ll treat you to any restaurant in Rong City. Or I can arrange it.”

“Tsk.” Shen Ge rubbed his chin, studying her. “I’d say I’m decent-looking.”

“?”

She blinked, lost.

“They say ‘life-saving favors’—if the hero’s handsome, it’s ‘I’ll repay you with myself.’ If ugly, ‘next life, I’ll be your ox or horse.’ Me? I get downgraded to a meal?” He sighed.

“…Any help you need in the future, just ask.”

*”Well, I do have a 200-million project—”*

“I’m serious.”

“Fine. This was just work—don’t overthink it. But about today’s events… I trust you’ll know what to say in your statement?” He grinned.

Cheng Shengnan nodded. “While searching for survivors, we encountered the entity. You told me to retreat to the stairwell for safety. Soon after, I heard an explosion.”

“And thanks for assisting me during the fight.”

She feigned confusion. “Me? A helpless woman? Oh—you must mean this pistol you dropped. I returned it.”

“And that’s why I love dealing with smart people.”

…..

6:30 PM.

“This is the evening news. Rong City, accelerating scientific innovation, has achieved a major breakthrough in stealth technology. Today’s anti-terror drill featured a new ‘invisibility cloak’ prototype, successfully rendering half a building invisible. This ‘anti-reconnaissance stealth system’ will soon be adapted for fighter jets and naval vessels…”

On-screen, a reporter gestured toward the semi-vanished high-rise, spinning the supernatural incident as a citywide counterterrorism exercise.

In the Special Response Division’s conference room, Shen Ge stared at the broadcast, barely containing his laughter. “This is PR’s solution?”

Deng Yuqi didn’t glance up from her files. “Standard procedure. You’ll get used to it.”

Shen Ge sighed. Tony Stark was right—when in doubt, blame it on a drill.