Master of Kaidan
Chapter 61 Discussion

Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Discussion

The lab coat-wearing individual had handled many patients returning from the Infinite City. Most of them were hardly human anymore, finding it difficult to return to normal life even after psychological intervention, with many hastily ending their own lives just after a slight recovery in mobility.

It was precisely because of this that he found it entirely unbelievable that such a place could harbor an inherently benevolent presence.

"But no matter what, rather than believing a high school girl could survive alone in that place, I’d rather believe she was saved by some Kaidan."

The representative of the tactical operations team shook his head. Fighting the Kaidan invading reality on the front lines, he knew just how troublesome those entities were. Unless the girl was an assassin or the King of Soldiers before entering that world—no, even the King of Soldiers couldn’t survive there without intelligence!

"I’m merely proposing a hypothesis. After all, the girl’s behavior was so normal, to the point where I doubt whether she was in the Infinite City we know." The lab coat-wearing individual shrugged, then seemed to think of something, turning to the middle-aged female beside him—

"Speaking of which, are the results from the sample tests out?"

The woman questioned, also in a lab coat, had a nameplate in front of her that read "Testing Team." Upon hearing the psychological consultation team’s inquiry, she nodded and said:

"The mixture collected from the girl’s shoe soles and clothing has been entered into the conservation process. The material on the shoes roughly consists of soil, blood, fragments of internal organs, and some tissue fluid, whereas her body has regular vomit. Detailed testing hasn’t been completed yet, but based on the ’non-conservation control’ sample results, most of the substances indeed belong to a Kaidan."

"So, the child at least passed through a large heap of corpses?" The lab coat from the psychological consultation team sighed before addressing the person at the head of the table.

"I think we should arrange for psychological counseling for this girl. Even if she has no mental illness, such an experience alone is enough to leave a psychological shadow."

"Her parents have been spoken to about this." The female police officer returning to her seat said, also adding:

"More pressing than this, what do you all think of her request to join the Countermeasure Bureau?"

"We don’t need to decide on that now." The middle-aged man with the "Human Resources Team" nameplate in front of him shook his head and said:

"As per the usual protocol, returnees are observed for three months to confirm their mental state. If she can pass the psychological assessment, she can join according to procedure."

"That practice is already twenty years old! Moreover, she is just a child, only seventeen!" The representative from the tactical operations team sided with the psychological consultation team, voicing opposition.

"But she returned from there." The man with the "Investigation Team" nameplate, aged and scarred, spoke, his appearance somewhat gaunt.

"The changes in that ghostly place are accelerating, and the Kaidan emerging from it are increasingly troublesome. We need more power, whether it’s the ’Weapons’ against Kaidan or ’Intelligence’ about that place..."

"Even without enlisting her, we can inquire about that."

"Ahem..." Just as the discussion bordered on an argument, a short cough interrupted the debate, and everyone’s attention turned toward the source of the sound.

It came from an elder looking around sixty, seated before a "Communication Team" nameplate. Although the Communication Team had mostly disbanded in recent years, its existing members held significant status within the Countermeasure Bureau.

For good reason—

This was one of the first departments established by the Kaidan Countermeasure Bureau, and the remaining members had all been from the initial group of elders. He had witnessed the Infinite City transform from a "simple disappearance phenomenon" to a "hell that tormented all who entered."

"Perhaps you all find this suspicious now, but thirty years ago, there were quite a few benevolent Kaidan. It’s just that humans are quite adept at forgetting, and those who hoped to be remembered gradually faded away, leaving only deep-seated malice behind..."

The elder sighed. If they had adopted a more proactive approach thirty years ago... no, even twenty years ago, things might have turned out differently. But now...

He gathered his emotions, then slowly said:

"Maybe this white-robed figure is a Kaidan adhering to an ancient approach, still harboring goodwill toward humans. I think he might serve as a bridge."

"But he didn’t leave the Infinite City." The man from the Investigation Team frowned but didn’t counter the elder’s words, only questioning the approach for contact.

"But there’s still that child." The elder pointed to the screen displaying Chen Xiyao’s file—

"Kaidan need to be acknowledged. Since he chose this child as his anchor, they will surely meet again."

At this point, the elder shook his head, glancing at the lab coat from the psychological consultation group:

"Of course, that is, if he truly exists."

"Elder Wang, I’ve been saying this is merely a hypothesis." The lab coat felt awkward under Elder Wang’s gaze, but Elder Wang waved his hand and said:

"It’s nothing. Discussion means airing every conceivable scenario. If back then I had dared to suggest ’befriending Kaidan,’ things might not have turned out this way now."

Saying that, he turned to the Human Resources Team:

"Xiao Liu, proceed with the procedure as usual. I recall the special recruitment ordinance from back then wasn’t abolished. If she passes the mental assessment, let’s first bring her in. And about her Inner Strength, you can talk to her, but don’t push too hard. Children at that age tend to be quite rebellious."

"Don’t worry, Elder Wang. Since she raised the issue of Inner Strength herself, she probably intends to share it. I won’t be muddling on such matters." Saying this, he glanced over at the Investigation and Tactical Operations Teams, the implication clear.

"I won’t be forcing a girl to hand over anything either!" The tactical operations team representative retorted boldly, causing the scarred face of the Investigation Team representative to darken.

"Are you implying that I would?"

"Enough, that’s enough. Xiao Li, you were the one in contact with her, so tomorrow, you run another round, inform her of the basic procedure and the psychological assessment matter. If she’s unwilling, we can proceed with the regular protocol."