Deep in the Living
Chapter 84 - 78 Assistance

Chapter 84: Chapter 78 Assistance

The next day, at Fifth Hospital

The City Investigation Bureau had already sent over the documents, designating the patient detained here - Luo Di, to assist them as an "assistant" in dealing with a rather special anomaly case.

Once completed, not only would it prove the meaningfulness of Luo Di’s strange behaviors during his hospital stay, but it would also prove that his mental stability was fundamentally stable, capable of making contributions to the nation.

Of course,

even if the Investigation Bureau had specifically asked for him, Luo Di still needed to pass the basic psychological detection before being discharged.

[Psychological Detection Room]

Luo Di passed all the tests, and his communication with the primary physician was completely normal.

Compared to the erratic gaze and his tendency for inexplicably peculiar conversations when he was first admitted two months ago, it seemed as if he had truly fully recovered.

In that case,

the doctor signed off on the certificate, and Luo Di could temporarily leave the hospital.

He shouldered his heavy backpack and took the elevator downstairs.

If you don’t count the last time he was discharged while unconscious, this was his first time leaving the hospital since he arrived in Mingwang City.

Who knew that he would just happen to meet the Dean, who was preparing to go upstairs, in the lobby,

or rather, the Dean already knew that Luo Di would be leaving the hospital temporarily today and was waiting here in advance.

"Luo Di, you must be careful when assisting the Investigation Bureau this time.

Although our Mingwang City is least affected by the Corner, occasionally some bizarre incidents do occur. If you feel your mental stability is unstable, be sure to take your medication or come back for a consultation, and don’t push yourself too hard."

"Sure, Dean."

The Dean watched Luo Di as he walked further and further away, his gaze lingering on the backpack behind him, and recalled the strange occurrence that happened in his office yesterday.

He actually wanted to check the backpack under the guise of seeing him off today,

Watching Luo Di pass through the hospital entrance’s security scanner, he immediately went to the side of the security officer to request a replay of the backpack as it went through the machine just moments before.

Indeed, there were only crumpled papers inside, even the smiley face and the signature given to the Dean were clearly visible on the high-resolution screen.

"Although Luo Di is a Connector, he couldn’t possibly turn crumpled papers into a human head out of thin air. Even if it really did change, it would be his own private matter. As long as we can confirm his mental stability and his ability to work for the nation, that’s what matters.

Ah, I’m also approaching retirement age; it’s time to properly enjoy my later years and not add burdens to the hospital."

The Dean rubbed his bald head and took the elevator back to the third-floor office.

He happened to meet the cleaner who was tidying up the office. The Dean greeted her politely and instructed her to clean up the bloodstains left by Luo Di’s self-harm as thoroughly as possible.

"Dean, where should I put this?"

"What is it?"

"This, a crumpled paper ball with some blessing words written on it."

The cleaning lady, who was cleaning between the sofa and the bookcase, had surprisingly found a paper ball,

Looking at the paper ball held in the hands of the cleaner,

The old Dean collapsed into his seat,

thinking back to the moment when he saw the black hair and pale skin, his heart rate immediately soared.

But it soon stabilized, and he lit a cigarette that he hadn’t smoked in a long time, looked out the window with a resigned expression.

...

[Mingwang City Investigation Bureau]

Unlike Jupiter City’s circular layout with a landing pad in the middle and vastly extensive grounds,

this was just a single deep grey high-rise building in the Beast Style, with the landing pad located on the rooftop. Though smaller in size, the whole building towered into the clouds, massive and profound, imparting an immense visual pressure to the visitors.

As a peripheral city, Mingwang City has fewer anomaly incidents, but it seems that they are also responsible for handling other matters, and the number of employees at the Investigation Bureau is no less than those in other regions.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that,

Jupiter City mainly consists of people of Huaxia nationality, while Mingwang City is primarily made up of Italian nationals, accounting for over 70% of the total population.

[Face Recognition]

Upon acquiring Luo Di’s facial information, in less than half a minute,

a black curly-haired Italian gentleman took the initiative to come forward and greet him. Despite his mature clothing, the man’s face suggested he was no more than 27 years old.

"Hello~"

A clumsy attempt at Chinese greeting, a signature smile, and a very firm handshake.

Luo Di responded during the handshake: "You can speak the language you’re most comfortable with, I can understand."

The man intended to switch to Italian, but still chose the most commonly used Russian.

"Marco Rubio, Intern Investigator.

I’m very grateful that Mr. Di could come to assist our authorities with a rather special anomaly case. During the period of dealing with the event, I will be liaising with you."

"In a moment, I will tell you the details of the event, and then I will instruct you to go to the temporary residence."

Luo Di asked, "Don’t I, as a mental patient, need to stay here with you guys?"

"Since you have already passed the discharge test, you are no longer considered a patient during this period.

The most important thing is that the event you are needed to assist with is related to the temporary residence arranged for you, please have a seat."

"There’s no need to go to the archives or your office?"

Marco waved his finger, "No need, I have brought the relevant documents, and we only need to talk in the lobby, efficiency first, you know.

Besides, the Investigation Bureau prohibits non-internal personnel from going to other floors.

This is the case file, feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

The two sat on the opposite sides of the lobby sofa, with a marble table between them.

A file folder that wasn’t too thick was pushed over, and

Marco suddenly realized something and stood up to bow, "Oh~ I apologize! I failed to notice your physical condition, please allow me to open the files for you."

"It’s okay, I can manage quite well with one hand."

Luo Di opened the file folder with nimble finger movements, and took out the internal documents, which were recorded in official Russian.

≮Chinese Street Male Disappearance Case≯

Summary: From 2023.08.05 to present, a total of four people have disappeared in the Chinese Street district, including one tourist from outside of Mingwang City with Huaxia nationality.

No issues were found in the corners of the Chinese Street district, ruling out disappearances caused by Physical Corner anomalies.

Those missing are all young males aged between 18-22 with Huaxia nationality.

Investigators have conducted a thorough search of the district but have not found the source of the disappearances.

...

After a quick review, Luo Di roughly understood the other party’s intentions.

"You want me to also ’disappear’, right?"

"Yes, you perfectly fit the profile of the victims. With your abilities, you should be able to handle this event from ’inside’. Of course, you have the right to refuse."

Luo Di suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at the investigator in front of him, "I’ll take it, but I have one condition."

Facing the pressure given by Luo Di, Marco maintained a professional smile, "Our agency will try its best to accommodate you, let’s hear it."

"Since I will be handling the event alone, if it’s related to Pseudo-Person, I want their ’brain pituitary’ for myself; the rest does not matter."

"Give me a moment, I need to make a request to my superiors."

Marco immediately sent a string of messages and quickly received a response,

"Hmm! As long as you independently investigate and manage the event, and complete the pituitary retrieval, the corresponding [brain pituitary] can be given to you. Of course, this will need to be recorded in your personal file."

"Alright."

Luo Di then poured out four storage cards from the file folder, each labeled with the Chinese names of the four missing persons.

"What’s this card?"

"These are video compilations taken from local surveillance footage in the 24 hours before they disappeared; you can take a closer look when you get back."

Luo Di nodded, "I’ve got the gist, just give me the key to the residence; I can go there myself. If an investigator like you were to take me there, it might very well tip someone off."

"Indeed, but please go directly to the residence as soon as possible, Luo Di, and try to avoid unnecessary places."

"Got it."

Just as Luo Di was about to get up and leave, the other party’s palm gently landed on that missing left arm at his shoulder.

"Your bodily disfigurement might cause you to be excluded from the[event target], after all, the four missing people all had intact bodies.

Director Wang had discussed this with us before; it seems you are reluctant to fit a mechanical prosthesis."

"That’s correct."

"How about this?"

Marco took out a suitcase from beside the sofa, which was already prepared, opened it, and turned it towards Luo Di.

Inside was a human arm, at least it appeared to be genuine flesh and structure from the surface.

"This is a relatively inexpensive bionic arm, not equipped with the combat features of mechanical prostheses, and is only for daily use.

This arm was commissioned by Director Wang and made perfectly to match your body’s proportions, able to satisfy daily needs.

Once fitted, you will appear no different from a healthy person, want to give it a try?

Although you may have a strong aversion to anything that isn’t your own flesh, I still suggest you consider it; a complete body better matches the victims’ profile."

As he said this, Marco also leaned in close with his face,

"I’ve heard that you, Luo Di, have a deep hatred for things related to the Corner, and I believe you’ve been itching for the past two months in the hospital, right? You wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity like this.

There’s also another item; Director Wang made a point of insisting that I personally hand it over to you."

The compartment in the case holding the bionic arm was opened, and instantly, a gasp of all-too-familiar stench of decay rushed out...