The anomaly detector looked like a tortoise-shell-shaped hemisphere. It was actually a Containment Object, designated as Serial Number E-093.
Since its sequence level was relatively low, its side effects weren't very pronounced; the worst that would happen was that someone might feel dizzy if they stared at it for too long.
Its function was to detect anomalous energy spikes within a certain radius, allowing it to determine the direction and occurrence of an anomalous event.
Consequently, every Scavenger outpost was equipped with one of these devices to serve as an early warning system.
Right now, the red light flashing on the District 2 detector was at a level that indicated a strong and continuous anomalous reaction in a specific direction!
The Scavenger in charge of monitoring the detector in District 2 was so startled he dropped his cigarette. He scrambled to his feet and rushed toward a certain office, bursting through the door without even knocking.
Under normal circumstances, they weren't allowed to barge into a superior's office because no one knew what the boss might be doing inside.
...
“What did you say? Are you sure it's coming from the coal mine? How could something happen there!”
The head of District 2 had been about to curse when the door flew open, but after hearing his subordinate's report, he realized there was a major problem and quickly pushed the woman off his lap.
“Yes, Brother Zhao, I've confirmed it. It's definitely in the direction of the Black Smoke Coal Mine,” the subordinate said with a grim expression.
Straightening his clothes, the head of District 2 stood up with a dark face, shaking his head to clear his wine-and-lust-addled brain.
His name was Liu Yishou. He was from the Inner City and had been sent to this outpost to serve as its head.
The background of the Black Smoke Coal Mine was indeed deep; everyone knew that. His transfer from the Inner City even carried the implication that he was there to serve as their protective umbrella.
He even knew about some of the shady things the Black Smoke Coal Mine was up to, but the issue was that no one dared to provoke them. Who could have possibly forced the people at that mine to cause such a commotion?
Could it be that they had an accident in their own production?
Or did they take something too far?
“Damn it... why did this have to happen on my watch?”
Liu Yishou had a headache. He had been transferred from the Inner City to this desolate, godforsaken place, originally intending to endure a bit of hardship just to pad his resume for a promotion. Now, an accident had occurred.
He turned and glared at the woman in the room who was still frantically getting dressed, shouting loudly:
“Get out!”
The woman didn't dare talk back. She quickly grabbed her clothes and fled, closing the door behind her.
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Liu Yishou asked:
“Besides us, who else knows or might know about this?”
The subordinate thought for a moment and said hesitantly:
“The Black Smoke Coal Mine is located right on the border between our district and District 3. Those people over there should be able to detect it too.”
“Tch, those beggars...” Disdain flashed in Liu Yishou's eyes. Compared to District 2, District 3 was indeed quite impoverished.
“Should we report this immediately?”
“No! Report it to that woman Wan Qianhong? She's so narrow-minded and stubborn; there's no telling how much trouble she'd cause if we brought her in,” Liu Yishou flatly refused.
“No, no, no, I mean, should you contact the people inside?” the subordinate suggested tentatively.
Liu Yishou's expression shifted uncertainly before he finally shook his head.
“Not yet!”
As a leader, the key wasn't solving problems, but rather not making mistakes. You had to snatch the credit and shift the blame; you couldn't let the higher-ups see that something you were responsible for was falling apart.
“Right! Contact the people in District 3 first. We can go together to see what's happening!”
“Tell them not to report it either! Right, I'll contact them personally.”
As he spoke, he hurried to the telephone and dialed the number.
Beep— Beep—
The line was busy. He couldn't tell if the signal was bad or if the line was occupied.
Furious, Liu Yishou slammed the phone down and roared:
“Dammit! The Outer City facilities are pure garbage!”
“Who the hell is it! Who did this! Who dares to run wild at the Black Smoke Coal Mine?!”
...
“Shit, shit, shit, this couldn't be that little ancestor's doing, could it?!”
In the East District Third Outpost, the commotion from the anomaly detector was likewise driving the Scavengers there into a frenzy.
Especially Wang Xu and Liu Wenfeng, who had met Bai Feifei earlier.
“She's only been gone for half a day! The detector here is screaming. I haven't seen this thing go this wild in two years!”
Liu Wenfeng smoked a cigarette, pacing back and forth.
“Stop talking nonsense. Get in touch with the higher-ups and tell them what's happening here. I'm going to call her right now!”
Wang Xu spoke with feigned composure, but in reality, he was nearly pissing himself. He truly hadn't expected that woman to cause such a massive incident after being out for only half a day.
“Who... are you guys talking about? Which ancestor?” the other Scavengers in the Third Outpost asked in confusion.
“A newly arrived sinner Scavenger. I haven't had time to introduce you yet. Whatever you do, don't provoke her if you see her—assuming you even get the chance to see her.”
Wang Xu didn't have time to explain. He hurried over to make the call.
When Bai Feifei had left, Wang Xu had specifically given her a communicator from the outpost, telling her to contact them at any time if anything happened.
It had come in handy much sooner than expected.
Beep—
“Hello?”
Thank goodness, the signal was unexpectedly good this time, and the call went straight through.
Wang Xu hurriedly spoke:
“Miss... Miss Bai, where are you right now?”
At this moment, Bai Feifei had finished distributing the beef. Like a satisfied street vendor, she watched the surrounding miners eat their first meal after surviving the ordeal.
“I'm on the outskirts of the Black Smoke Coal Mine.”
“Oh, oh. Did you... notice any anomalous situations just now?” Wang Xu asked.
“...Yes,” Bai Feifei said truthfully.
“There's something wrong with the Black Smoke Coal Mine! They seem to be researching a potion that turns people into aberrations.”
“Just now, a foreman infected the miners, causing many of them to turn.”
Wang Xu: ?!
His hand slipped, and he nearly dropped the phone.
You actually said such a massive thing with such calm?!
“Then... what about after that? How are you?”
“I... killed them all,” Bai Feifei said.
“Killed them all?!” Wang Xu's voice jumped an entire octave. “You... you killed the foremen there too?”
Bai Feifei's expression instantly turned cold.
“What do you mean by that? Is it that foremen can't be killed, but the lives of the miners don't matter?”
Wang Xu swallowed hard and quickly said:
“No, no, I mean, killing people directly isn't good for your reputation.”
Bai Feifei could hear his perfunctory tone. Looking at the skeletal miners beside her who were eating meat with tears in their eyes, she said coldly:
“They caused the deaths of many people. I only feel that letting them live for even one more day would be my own failing!”
Wang Xu winced as he listened. This young lady's bloodlust was indeed too heavy.
“Let's not talk about that for now. Miss Bai, you aren't injured, are you? You should come back quickly! It'll be trouble if you stay there any longer!”
Rate on N.U.
