Chapter Seventy-Eight: A Series of Strange Incidents Erupts

Urgent broadcasts from the Paranormal Affairs Intelligence Unit crackled incessantly in Qi Chen’s headset. He quickly counted—six paranormal incidents had erupted simultaneously across City Three, ranging from neighborhood-level to regional-level crises! To borrow a phrase familiar from his previous life, the entire city was now a pot of chaos boiling over.

The outbreak of so many incidents at once was a severe test of the city’s emergency response capabilities.

Just then, Fu Ying’s voice sounded in the headsets of all paranormal operatives. Her low, authoritative tone carried such composure and force that it steadied everyone like a pillar anchoring a storm-tossed ship.

“All paranormal operatives currently in the city, commence emergency procedures according to the contingency plan and begin resolving the incidents immediately!

“Paranormal operatives, you have full command of nearby Special Operations teams and the Security Bureau. Be vigilant for enemy attacks! The threat at Shangfu City Community has been eliminated. Old Lord and I will form a mobile support unit to assist you!”

The sudden upheaval rendered all previous strategies worthless; both the Paranormal Affairs Division and the hidden enemy factions had launched their operations ahead of schedule.

Those who would survive now could only rely on their strength and unwavering resolve.

...

“Mask, proceed immediately to your designated location and carry out the paranormal cleansing mission. Any suspicious individuals encountered along the way may be eliminated without reporting!”

After assigning the general orders, Fu Ying connected with each operative individually, giving Qi Chen and the others their specific missions.

Qi Chen responded at once, raising the pedal of his bicycle, preparing to head for the site where he was supposed to deal with the concealed paranormal weapon.

But before he could start, a cacophony of shouting erupted along the street.

A dense crowd appeared suddenly, men and women, old and young alike. Yet they shared the same chilling features: bloodshot eyes streaked with crimson veins overtaking the whites, saliva dripping thickly from their mouths, staring hungrily at others on the street like starving beasts.

Crash!

A string of car accidents exploded onto the road; Qi Chen saw, just a few dozen meters away, several vehicles slam into each other. Doors were flung open, and drivers and passengers, their eyes equally red, crawled out.

“My happiness! My happiness is gone!” someone screamed, their face twisted in agony, then threw themselves onto an innocent passerby, biting and tearing without a word!

With the first gunshot, more people, faces contorted in grief and agitation, surged in every direction. Many stunned pedestrians were tackled and mauled, and the street was instantly engulfed in a frenzy of blood.

---

“Captain Fu! The western city exit boulevard has erupted with a paranormal event! Preliminary assessment: free-type anomaly!” Qi Chen’s eyes widened as he relayed his situation to Fu Ying through the headset, sprinting toward the crazed citizens.

“Tyrant!”

A hulking, gray-white figure leapt forward, his palm shaped like a blade as he struck the necks of the frenzied citizens, leaving blurred afterimages in the air.

Yet, the force that would normally knock an ordinary person unconscious only made these red-eyed citizens pause for a moment before they resumed their wild assaults on those around them.

“I want candy! I want candy!” the shrill cries pierced Qi Chen’s ears. Hearing their words, he hastily fished from his pocket the candy he’d never had a chance to eat.

The brightly colored wrapper was now pitch black. He tore it open quickly, finding the candy inside exuding an overwhelmingly sweet, cloying odor.

Most alarming of all, a faint but unmistakable paranormal aura began to seep from the candy.

Qi Chen's heart clenched tight. He could not fathom how many people had consumed such candies.

“Damn it…”

A rage unlike any he’d ever felt exploded in his chest, burning his soul and pounding against his temples with painful intensity.

A Special Operations armored vehicle suddenly barreled into Qi Chen’s view, showing no sign of slowing down. It plowed through the congested street, smashing aside cars and people alike, heading straight toward him!

Roar!

The engine howled as the black beast-like vehicle charged right up to Qi Chen.

“Roar!!”

Tyrant and Qi Chen unleashed a thunderous bellow together. With a deafening crash, the armored vehicle was halted abruptly in place, its rear lifted off the ground. The four-wheel drive’s back tires spun wildly in midair, unable to gain any traction.

“Take him out!”

Voices shouted from inside the vehicle as several figures in Special Operations uniforms leaned out of the already-lowered windows, rifles in hand, aiming at Qi Chen and firing without hesitation.

Ratatatat!

Qi Chen could clearly see the muzzle flashes, but Tyrant’s massive form shielded him entirely.

Physical objects could not touch the paranormal, but the paranormal could choose when to interact with reality.

---

The shooters watched in disbelief as their bullets stopped dead a meter in front of Qi Chen, unable to go any further, no matter what they did.

“Use this!” Even faced with such an impossible scene, the men in the armored vehicle showed no sign of retreat; instead, they pulled out a lethal weapon—

A standard-issue grenade launcher.

“Kill that monster!”

Boom!

Fire erupted, a surge of flames exploded between the armored vehicle and Qi Chen, and the forceful shockwave threw both aside.

Tyrant maneuvered to block nearly all the blast for Qi Chen, but still suffered for it, rolling several times across the ground, his senses spinning.

The heavy armored vehicle was tossed over by the blast, its windows shattered and several parts of the body warped. Four Special Operations officers scrambled out of the wreck.

Dazed, they immediately raised their guns, intent on shooting Qi Chen.

“Now! Now’s our chance!”

A command rang out, but the red-eyed mob, drawn by the commotion, surged toward the four officers.

Gunfire erupted—the four armed men showed not a hint of mercy to the citizens, spraying bullets with ruthless efficiency.

Scarlet blossoms of blood burst forth, crimson liquid painting wild, chaotic murals across the road.

Qi Chen shook his head slowly, his expression contorted in agony.

The familiar voice of Mask sounded at his ear.

“Hurry! Merge with Tyrant! Tear those bastards apart!”

...