The fellow named Gvass didn't even have time to react to what was happening before a crossbow bolt helped him "open his mind." He'd never have to worry about those pesky, lingering problems ever again.
The sudden turn of events instantly drew the attention of the several people on high alert. Neither side knew whose reinforcements had arrived, so they all turned in unison toward the escape passage behind them.
"Everyone from Lungmen, please don't be so tense. Although I'm not exactly a 'good person,' I can guarantee that this time, our two sides are definitely not in an adversarial relationship."
The silver-haired Gin slowly stepped out from the escape tunnel. He held an umbrella in his hand, now stained with the dead man's blood.
Walking out behind him was a man built like a brick wall with a distinct underbite—Jeanne recognized him at a glance. Wasn't this Vodka, the one Ursus sent to go undercover in Lungmen? He had gone to such lengths to hide his identity before; why was he suddenly showing his face in front of Lungmen Guard Department officers?
Looking at the massive, heavy crossbow slung across his back, this Ursus man certainly lived up to his race's reputation for raw strength. If that thing hit its target, never mind a person—even a car would likely be pierced straight through! The prototype of that weapon was never meant for individual infantry use.
"You show up and murder someone right in front of a police officer, then claim you have no ill intent? Do you really think I'd believe that?"
Ch'en looked at Gin with a hostile expression. Although she didn't sense any immediate hostile action toward them, this "killing to silence witnesses" approach made her highly suspicious. Furthermore, the fact that these people knew exactly where the secret escape passage was—and had the capability to ambush it—was extremely fishy!
Moreover, when Ch'en looked into Gin's eyes, which were overflowing with murderous intent, she understood one thing: this man had absolutely killed before, and the number of people who had died by his hand was by no means small. That kind of killing intent made the serial killer she'd caught last year look like a harmless kitten in comparison. When had such a person appeared in Lungmen?
"Though the words are harsh, I must admit they are true. As you can see, I am indeed not a good person," Gin said, shrugging his shoulders. While he seemed to admit to being a villain, his predatory grin didn't fade in the slightest. Coupled with a smile that could stop a child's crying through sheer terror, the others felt more and more that this guy was bad news and needed to be dealt with quickly.
"Sigh, I knew it would be like this. Catch!"
Seeing their suspicious glares, Gin shook his head. Suddenly, he tossed an object toward them. He then aimed his hand-crossbow directly at Dr. Donald, while Vodka took the hint and pressed his heavy crossbow against Ivanov's head.
At this range, no matter how terrifying the Ursus man's defense was, it was useless. If he dared to make a move, Vodka would give him a "mind-opening" hole of his own. Whether it was Jeanne's imagination or not, she felt that Vodka looked as happy as if it were New Year's Day while pinning Ivanov down—he was even struggling to suppress a laugh.
On the other side, Ch'en caught the object thrown at her and examined it. It was a radio communicator! And from the looks of it, it was a model manufactured in Lungmen.
"Hello? This is the Guard Department. If you receive this, please respond!"
Ch'en glanced at Gin, then skeptically answered the call. A moment later, whatever was said on the other end caused Ch'en's expression to change instantly.
"I'm going out for a moment. You all keep these people under control first."
No one else heard who was on the other end, but seeing Ch'en's serious expression, they could guess a few things.
Meanwhile, Swire pulled out her handcuffs and snapped them onto the defenseless Dr. Donald, preparing to bring this man who had committed so much evil to justice. As for the Ursus man? His handcuffs were specially made to suppress Originium Arts as much as possible. Combined with a sedative, they would ensure he had no strength to resist.
There was no other way; his raw strength was simply too great. Plus, now that he was an Infected, he could unleash power far beyond his normal limits, so caution was necessary.
"Could you loosen them a bit? Your handcuffs are a little too tight, don't you think? I'm just a scholar; are you really afraid I'll suddenly burst with power and break free to run away?"
Donald showed no panic about being arrested. He maintained that inscrutable expression, speaking to them with a mysterious smile.
"Do you think that's possible? Stop obstructing official business and just accept your legal punishment!" Swire shot him a disgusted look and turned away, refusing to deal with him. Her expression of pure loathing looked as if she'd just seen something nauseating.
In truth, no officer in the LGD would have even a shred of goodwill toward this creature. For a long time to come, the only people he'd be interacting with would be these LGD officers; one could imagine what his life would be like.
"I probably won't go to jail. I'm not a citizen of your Yan, after all; I can be extradited back to my country. I am Columbian; even if I am to stand trial, it should be in Columbia."
Donald was completely indifferent to Swire's threats. This was a society of laws; could you really use a sword of Yan to cut a Columbian like him?
"Who knows? Do you really think Columbia will bail out a researcher regardless of the consequences? Looking at your value versus the cost they'd have to pay, you simply aren't worth that price!"
Jeanne spoke as she walked over to where Donald had been standing. She scanned the area, trying to figure out what little tricks he'd been planning. All she found was a jumble of wires. It looked like he'd intended to cause a blackout to escape under the cover of darkness.
Unfortunately, the plan was interrupted before it even started. Jeanne couldn't see any obvious signs of tampering on the wires—mostly because she had no idea what she was looking at. They were tangled together like a spiderweb, as if designed to prevent anyone from discerning their purpose.
"Why don't you tell me how you found out about the medicine? Who told you its specific location? If you do, I might put in a good word for you so they hit you for a few minutes less."
Since they had to wait for Ch'en to finish her call anyway, Jeanne figured she might as well ask what she wanted to know.
"Oh, just that? It's quite simple, really! We disguised ourselves as an Infected aid group to distribute the 'medicine.' Our intention was to expand the experimental data."
Donald spoke with a rhythmic sway of his head; he was clearly obsessed with explaining things to others. As long as you asked sincerely, he would tell you almost anything. Perhaps he was too desperate to show off his eloquence and intelligence—likely due to something that happened back in Columbia—resulting in his eccentric personality.
"Back then, there really was an experimental subject I pulled back from the brink of death. His attitude toward me... how should I put it? It was fanatical! As long as I wanted to know something, he would get it no matter what! But that friend of yours... was too stupid."
Hoshiguma didn't speak, but her hand holding Hannya began to twitch, as if she were looking for the best place to strike. How could she not understand? Yesterday, Rope—that rabbit—had sought her out in a panic, saying the stolen item was in his hands. And the reason it was stolen was because there were bad people in the slums!
"That child isn't stupid at all. The reason you think she is stupid is likely because your own withered humanity can't perceive kindness."
Before Hoshiguma could say anything, Jeanne's cold voice reached her ears. Jeanne then looked at Donald with a sneer:
"But you don't need to worry about any of that. You won't be coming out for the rest of your life anyway. Your evil experiments will end up as nothing more than an unfulfilled result that disappears from this world."