Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 28: Price Just Went Up!

Lin Xu was heading to the police station to find more detailed information about Xu Jin.  

He wanted to know exactly how Xu Jin got involved with the Planetary Reincarnation organization and what major deeds he had committed.  

If possible, he also hoped to confirm Xu Jin's current status—whether he was still imprisoned or had already been executed.  

With this information, he could make more informed plans moving forward...  

The distance from Tianqiong Technology Park at the city's edge to downtown Jinling was a full 40 kilometers. However, thanks to efficient express routes and sparse late-night traffic, Skull Head's car reached the city center in just 20 minutes with Lin Xu onboard.  

This was Lin Xu's first visit to downtown since entering Bracelet World.  

At first glance, the city seemed largely unchanged from twenty years ago.  

But upon closer inspection, the world had indeed transformed dramatically.  

Giant billboards and neon lights had been completely replaced by holographic projections. The Qinhuai River now floated with holographic lotus lanterns while faint strains of Pingtan music drifted from the shore.  

The circular overpass at Xinjiekou had evolved into a three-dimensional transport hub, with newly constructed maglev trains snaking through the city like giant pythons.  

The entire city appeared vibrant and bustling—except for the mandatory blackout zone around Yuhuatai.  

There, the towering memorial stood unchanged as the city's sole constant landmark.  

Lin Xu watched the passing scenery with curiosity through the car window. Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Skull Head finally eased up.  

Apparently no action was planned for tonight.  

But going to the police station?  

What was that about?  

"So what exactly are you going to the police station for?"  

"To look up someone's information," Lin Xu replied absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on a giant smart bracelet advertisement outside.  

"Looking for someone?" Skull Head blinked.  

"If you needed to find someone, why didn't you tell us earlier?"  

"Our intel might not be as detailed as official records, but it's just as accurate."  

"If you'd asked us beforehand—"  

"I only just figured it out myself—I didn't even know I needed to find him until now."  

"...Fair enough." Skull Head scratched his head.  

"Then how about waiting a bit longer? Hand this job to me—I'll give you a discount?"  

"Won't take long at all—two days max!"  

"...Dude, how broke are you? Jumping at every chance to make sales?" Lin Xu eyed Skull Head suspiciously. The latter offered an awkward smile in response:  

"Business is war... But seriously, even if you go to the police station, you won't get what you want!"  

"What's your status anyway? You think they'll just hand over records because you asked?"  

"What, you gonna file a police report?"  

"Tell them the apocalypse is coming and you need info to steal a rocket and escape?"  

"They'll lock you up as a lunatic!"  

...I wish I could do that.  

Lin Xu couldn't help rolling his eyes.  

Truth be told, even in the real world where he lacked sufficient evidence and had reservations about immediately collaborating with authorities, he could still attempt such approaches within Bracelet World.  

For instance, the intel about "Mars" from that Maritime Security Bureau interrogator had been quite valuable.  

But the crucial issue was the one-hour time limit.  

Even if he provided verifiable proof, officials would need time for verification—a process that would inevitably exceed sixty minutes regardless of efficiency.  

This wasn't about bureaucracy but immutable logistical realities—bottom-up information channels inherently require processing time, especially when human decision-makers are involved.  

Thus, this approach was fundamentally unworkable.  

His only option was entering the police station—accessing their internal systems to retrieve Xu Jin's records.  

But storming in violently wouldn't work.  

His mercenary squad might handle civilian aerospace facilities or private security at chemical plants, but confronting government forces?  

Sure, they could take a small local precinct, but what then?  

They'd be facing military retaliation, not just police.  

Skull Head wasn't stupid—without reset privileges, he'd never agree to such suicidal plans.  

Therefore, Lin Xu's plan was simple:  

Sneak in, abduct someone, extract them, use their credentials to access Xu Jin's file, then exfiltrate immediately.  

Thinking this, Lin Xu spoke up:  

"It's useless—even if they believed me, there's no time for official procedures."  

"Then what's your plan?" Skull Head asked confusedly.  

"Just walk in and ask?"  

Lin Xu shook his head again.  

"Asking directly won't get results."  

"If the information was that easily available, I'd just buy a computer and search online."  

"So... our mission is simple."  

"Snatch someone, escape with them, then make them give me the intel."  

"I've got 32 minutes left."  

"Can we make it?"  

"Snatch someone?!" Skull Head gaped.  

"Brother, whether we can make it isn't the main issue here!"  

"Police stations are where people get arrested—you want to arrest someone from a police station?!"  

"What, you planning a jailbreak?!"  

"No." Lin Xu quickly waved his hands.  

Skull Head sighed in relief.  

"I'm kidnapping a cop."  

"..."  

"Do you even hear yourself?" Skull Head ground his teeth.  

"Kidnap a cop? You say it so casually?!"  

"Do you realize what this means? This is direct confrontation with state authority!"  

"Stealing from an aerospace facility is one thing—at least that's private enterprise. However extreme we get, it's still internal conflict—maximum penalty is execution, no collective punishment."  

"But now you're telling me you want to snatch someone—a cop—from a police station?!"  

"This means opposing state organs!"  

"Forget collective punishment—in ancient times they'd execute nine generations of your family!"  

"...You know your history." Lin Xu remarked teasingly.  

"Big bro, this is life-or-death—how can you joke right now?!"  

Skull Head's facial muscles contorted violently.  

He'd probably never imagined that what seemed like a lucrative, moderately risky job would escalate into attacking government institutions.  

Across from him, Lin Xu shook his head.  

"Relax, this is still internal conflict."  

"I have a grudge against a particular officer—I'm kidnapping him for revenge."  

"...You think I'll buy that?"  

Skull Head stared at Lin Xu like he was an idiot.  

Lin Xu spread his hands.  

"Just tell me—can you do it or not?"  

"...We can do it!"  

Skull Head clenched his jaw.  

"I know what you really want—the demographic data stored in police databases."  

"True, even dark web markets don't sell that intel anymore—only police and government agencies have it."  

"But... kidnapping isn't strictly necessary."  

"Targeting specific objectives differs fundamentally from assaulting public officials."  

"Here's the deal—I'll get you their terminal device. After retrieving the data, I'll hand it over."  

"Same result. Agreed?"  

"Deal!" Lin Xu nodded decisively.  

Professional matters required professional solutions.  

While he only knew crude abduction methods, Skull Head had proposed a superior approach.  

Finally relieved by Lin Xu's agreement, Skull Head exhaled deeply.  

"Then it's settled."  

"Since you're pressed for time, we move immediately."  

"But there's one last problem."  

"What?" Lin Xu asked.  

Taking a deep breath, Skull Head glared fiercely:  

"Price just went up!"