Chapter 82: The Rule-Type Aberration

“What kind of situation?” Qi Chen tightened his coat around himself, looking at the gentle man in confusion, unable to grasp what he truly meant. Yet, judging by the gravity on both his and Fu Ying’s faces, it was clearly nothing good.

“If I recall correctly, I once gave you a brief rundown of the categories of the uncanny,” the gentle man said, his gaze fixed on the Minsheng Mall. Qi Chen began to recall the knowledge he had previously gleaned from this man.

Indeed, his earliest understanding of uncanny classifications had come from him. Back then, the explanation was far less detailed than the material he’d since received from the Department of Uncanny Affairs, dividing the uncanny simply into person-born and naturally occurring types.

But he vaguely remembered the man also describing a third, more elusive category.

“In fact, the greatest threat comes from domain-type anomalies.”

Qi Chen immediately thought of the Confessional Guillotine and the haunted hotel—both standard domain-type anomalies. Anyone caught within the boundaries of their domain would be assaulted by their uncanny powers. The Confessional Guillotine, in particular, was exceedingly tyrannical; simply stepping into its domain was enough to trigger its effects.

From this perspective, domain-type anomalies were indeed troublesome. Still, Qi Chen thought the claim that they were the greatest threat was a bit of a stretch. From what he’d seen, such as the current candy incident preliminarily classified as a free-form anomaly, the destruction wrought was far greater than anything the Confessional Guillotine had done.

“I know what you’re wondering, kid,” the gentle man exhaled. “You have to understand, the uncanny can sometimes evolve and iterate.

“While it’s rare for most, every anomaly possesses the potential. If you leave an E-level anomaly unchecked, given enough time, it might advance to D-level.

“But the most frightening thing about domain-type anomalies is their potential to develop into rule-based entities.”

“Rule-based?” Qi Chen pondered this new term, sensing its significance.

“A true rule-based anomaly is far more difficult and insidious than anything you’ve faced. The Confessional Guillotine displays some traits of a rule-based anomaly, such as its activation mechanism.

“But compared to a true rule-based anomaly, it’s nothing.

“A genuine rule-based anomaly is at least region-level in threat, with a mental strength of at least C+, surpassing the collective mental strength of a thousand people. Each possesses a self-contained domain and set of rules. The most vital warnings I gave you when we first met were specifically meant for dealing with rule-based anomalies.”

Qi Chen gradually understood, anxiety clouding his gaze as he looked at the mall. “You’re saying this mall could become a rule-based anomaly?”

Fu Ying, her tone cool and composed, answered before the gentle man could. “The birth of a rule-based anomaly is shrouded in mystery. Like all anomalies, it’s something we still don’t fully understand.

“However, we’ve observed certain triggers for this evolution… and a large number of victims is one of the most likely causes.”

The essence of the uncanny was, in some sense, bound to the mind—and perhaps human consciousness was its nourishment.

…

“At present, our initial estimates put the mental strength of the anomaly within Minsheng Mall at the peak of D-level, potentially breaking through to C-level at any moment. It’s not safe for us to go in anymore.”

Qi Chen fell silent at Fu Ying’s resigned and faintly regretful tone.

He wanted to investigate, but both the gentle man and Fu Ying clearly wouldn’t allow it so easily.

Suddenly, another thought struck him.

“Captain Fu, has the mastermind still not shown themselves?”

For someone to orchestrate chaos on this citywide scale, they must have a purpose. Yet aside from Minsheng Mall, most other uncanny incidents had already been resolved. The orchestrator couldn’t have set all this up just for entertainment.

“No sign of them,” Fu Ying replied simply.

The gentle man elaborated for Qi Chen, “Aside from the constant interference from the Oversight Division, since the candy anomaly broke out, the Administrative Office hasn’t issued any unusual orders.”

No anomalies might just be the greatest anomaly of all… Qi Chen kept the thought to himself, knowing the others were surely thinking the same.

If he were the mastermind, this was the perfect moment to act.

With uncanny incidents at their peak, Chief Administrator Li had led most uncanny walkers out of the city, leaving City Three at its weakest. The satellite towns outside the city had to guard against their own outbreaks and couldn’t offer support.

Not taking action now would be foolish.

Perhaps… the enemy had already achieved their goal.

Qi Chen’s gaze returned to Minsheng Mall, the six-story behemoth crouched on the ground like a silent beast. Its brightly lit floors resembled countless wide-open eyes, and the two entrances, seething with uncanny energy, gaped like bloody maws.

Suddenly, a neat formation of dark silhouettes appeared in the distance, their synchronized footsteps thundering.

Qi Chen nearly reacted on instinct, but the gentle man pressed a steadying hand to his shoulder.

“That’s the City Guard reinforcements. Don’t be so tense.”

After a moment, Qi Chen saw that the newcomers were indeed City Guard troops in uniform—five hundred strong, enough to encircle the entire mall. They brought with them heavy weapons.

There were even a few cannons among them!

As expected, Fu Ying had called for backup.

“Officer Fu! Third Battalion of the City Guard reporting in!” The commanding officer jogged to Fu Ying’s side, snapped to attention, saluted, and immediately began his report.

Qi Chen, standing nearby, caught every word. Intelligence analysis had determined there were almost certainly no survivors left inside Minsheng Mall. Sending in uncanny walkers or special ops would only increase casualties.

Thus, the City Guard had been summoned to raze the entire mall to the ground with heavy firepower.

At present, the mall hadn’t yet exhibited the distinctive traits of a rule-based anomaly—best to destroy its physical foundation first, then conduct further investigation amid the ruins.

This approach would maximize the safety of the investigation team.

But… had all of the over one thousand missing people inside truly perished?

The choice rested in Fu Ying’s hands.

…