"The research on unique pollutant No. 041 has yet to reach a concrete conclusion. The research department has only provided some clues so far."<br><br>When Corporal Bing Han spoke about these matters, she appeared very serious. Even her somewhat gentle voice took on a more rational and forceful tone:<br><br>"Through in-depth research and investigation, it was discovered that the unique pollutant—041—1, which is the body of the original wild wanderer Ryan Quinn unearthed from the lake bottom, matches the DNA of tissues collected from the location where Charlie Wong was dismembered. The unique pollutant—041—2, which appeared as a corpse resembling Charlie Wong, had DNA matching hair collected from Charlie Wong's home!"<br><br>"From the interrogation of employees from Quad Logistics and Ryan Quinn's cohabitor, it was learned that:<br><br>Ryan Quinn originated from the wilderness, his age unknown, and is estimated to be between thirty to forty years old by appearance. There are four people within the company familiar with him, but among them, the longest acquaintance is three years. From the interrogation, these four claim to have known Ryan Quinn for a long time, but they could only accurately recount their impressions of him over the past year;<br><br>On the day of the incident, three subordinates followed Ryan Quinn for a transaction. Their statements did not reveal any significant anomalies; all claimed it was indeed Ryan Quinn who killed Charlie Wong, and they even helped to dispose of the body... However, it was noted that after the incident, Ryan Quinn's appetite suddenly increased significantly. Although he always had a large appetite, it seemed exaggerated during that period..."<br><br>"…"<br><br>Hearing this, Lucas remembered when he first encountered "Ryan Quinn," how he displayed an unusual hunger for food, like he couldn't get enough, and quickly asked, "What does this indicate?"<br><br>"At present, not much can be confirmed; in fact, often, others' testimonies cannot represent much," Bing Han explained. "For some mental deviants, altering memories is not difficult!"<br><br>"This…"<br><br>Lucas was stunned upon hearing this: Memories can be altered?<br><br>How crazy!<br><br>"Indeed, that is precisely why the research department has provided a hypothesis!" Bing Han continued, "They believe that the initially related figure, Ryan Quinn, was merely the contaminated, and significantly so. His true identity was Charlie Wong, but he didn't know it and thought of himself as Ryan Quinn. The unique pollutant discovered at the lake bottom—041—has the ability to capture, devour, and assimilate other spectral forms, eventually giving rise to another self!"<br><br>"However, this is merely a hypothesis, and the research department did not sign the final result confirmation nor take responsibility for it!"<br><br>"…"<br><br>"This..."<br><br>Lucas took a long moment to accept this explanation and couldn't help but ask, "Then why did he initially seek revenge on Ryan Quinn?"<br><br>"And why was there nothing unusual about Ryan Quinn until his death..."<br><br>"…"<br><br>"This is precisely why the research department does not dare to jump to conclusions!" Bing Han answered. "But there are several directions that can be used as references!"<br><br>"Firstly, the initially captured spectral form still possessed its own will, which is why they hated the pollution source's main body!"<br><br>"The influence on passersby seeking revenge against Ryan Quinn may not necessarily be the pollution source's main body but possibly spectral forms already captured by the pollution source but not yet fully integrated. These spectral forms influencing passersby may be a kind of 'hunting' method by the pollution source!"<br><br>"Secondly, no spectral form is perfect, just as everyone has their own flaws!"<br><br>"The essence of a spectral form entails a primal desire to grow and protect itself, but its state is unstable. Sometimes, the spectral form itself may engage in actions contrary to its primal desires, such as a strong self-destructive tendency, self-loathing."<br><br>"In the past, there have been cases where the capabilities generated by a mental deviant resulted in creating a spirit monster that devours itself!"<br><br>"Thirdly, the Ryan Quinn we encountered might merely represent a youngling to some extent..."<br><br>"Youngling?"<br><br>"Yes!" Bing Han organized her explanation, "It is now certain that because the 'Ryan Quinn' mental pollution source deeply contaminated Charlie Wong, it resulted in Charlie Wong becoming Ryan Quinn. This transformation included not just appearance but also memory and self-awareness. However, until the end, when he encountered the pollution source's main body, only then did he experience cognitive dissonance..."<br><br>"Hence, the research department hypothesized that the Ryan Quinn Charlie Wong transformed into is merely a youngling. Given time, not only will he completely become Ryan Quinn, but he might also recall more, such as his form and why he became that way!"<br><br>"Unfortunately, due to the urban guards' misfire at the time, we lost this research target."<br><br>"Nonetheless, research continues, and potentially useful clues may be found in other cases."<br><br>"…"<br><br>"Does her tone imply there have been many similar incidents before?" Lucas thought about previous disaster events he had heard concerning several neighboring satellite cities.<br><br>Before formally engaging with them, Lucas even considered the strange occurrences he was experiencing as unique, something others couldn't comprehend. The first time he encountered the monster in the café, he felt he had seen a ghost. But now, as he continued to interact with them, he realized that many mental pollution cases must have occurred in this city, although the truth might have been concealed previously.<br><br>"Is there anything else?" Lucas noticed colleagues intending to come out for a smoke in the stairwell but quietly leaving upon seeing him on the phone. He decided to hasten the conversation process by asking Bing Han.<br><br>"Further research and analysis require time, and if there are any results, you will be notified!" Bing Han's gentle voice reassured before adding, "But in any case, this time, Mr. Lucas has made a significant contribution. The reward of thirty thousand dollars has already been transferred to your account. Additionally, Team Leader Jane Chen requested an additional six thousand dollars from her superiors for you!"<br><br>Lucas nodded: "Oh!"<br><br>"Apart from the reward, Colonel Andy Chen has arranged a comprehensive evaluation for you in the coming days, so please prepare!" <br><br>"Evaluation? What kind of evaluation?"<br><br>"It's a comprehensive assessment of your state and capabilities."<br><br>Bing Han paused slightly, "Before formal recruitment, there is usually such an evaluation as a customary procedure!"<br><br>"Formal recruitment?" Lucas's heart stirred, and he calmly responded, "Oh!"<br><br>"Also, during this incident, it's heard that you fired a shot before. The consumed bullet can be replenished at the local patrol office!"<br><br>"…"<br><br>"They even considered that?"<br><br>Lucas was somewhat surprised and quickly responded, "Thank you, thank you, I appreciate it!"<br><br>After discussing the serious matters, Bing Han became courteous, "No need, no need, it's you who worked hard…"<br><br>"No, no, it was you who worked hard…"<br><br>"No, no, it was you…"<br><br>"…"<br><br>Hanging up the phone, Lucas calmly smoked a cigarette at the staircase entrance. He leaned against the railing, brows furrowed, as the smoke dissipated faintly, seemingly contemplating the bizarre logic within these pollution incidents.<br><br>Silently, silently, he suddenly discarded the cigarette butt and leaped lightly: "Thirty-six thousand..."<br><br>He was about to stride away gracefully, but he returned, extinguished the cigarette butt on the ground, and put it back in his pack. Then he leaped lightly once more: "Going to be officially recruited!"<br><br>Taking a deep breath to stay calm, he walked towards the office with relaxed steps. Though he tried to control it, he couldn't help but walk with the gait of someone no longer short of money, like an officially employed staff member!)
