TYMIMA Chapter 16

A member of the Blue Pivot inspection team’s forensic group ran forward, lifting Kluova’s corpse with his gloved right hand. Her eyes were wide open, her face covered with gray dust, a blood hole about one centimeter in diameter between her eyebrows, and a third of her skull fractured at the back of her head.

 

“Bullet caliber over one centimeter, death by brain penetration, no ability damage, no foreign pheromone residue. Officer Kluova died from a human weapon.”

 

The forensic expert stood up and reported to the person beside him.

 

A captain now in charge asked: “Is it possible to extract the visual palace formed by Officer Kluova before her death?”

 

“Not likely. Officer Kluova’s restored visual palace should exist in her Spirit Realm system, but as you can see, her brain damage is severe, and the area between the frontal and temporal lobes has already deteriorated. The Spirit Realm system no longer exists,” the forensic expert regretted. “If only it hadn’t hit the brain.”

 

If it hadn’t hit the brain, the forensic expert could now extract the scene Kluova had last restored—

 

Rolling dark clouds, a lightning bolt striking down on the pitch-dark playground, illuminating Erdiff’s silhouette, and Lance’s innocent yet sinister smile not far away.

 

The forensic expert picked up his investigation box, intending to rush to Boras’s location. The Hong Suo Ability Research Institute had recently developed a pheromone extractor that could extract the scent of pheromones left after an ability was released.

 

Based on the pheromones, they could identify suspects.

 

But because the technology had just been updated, the extraction time was very strict, requiring it to be within one hour of the ability’s release.

 

The forensic expert ran while taking out the extractor, wiping away his sweat while explaining: “I heard Officer Boras died from an ability. I’ve brought the extractor; we should still have time.”

 

Thanks to the incident occurring in Capital City, where the core strength of the Blue Pivot inspection team was located, they could apply the most cutting-edge technology to solve the case in the shortest time.

 

However, the captain in charge blocked his way: “No need.”

 

The forensic expert was stunned.

 

Captain: “If extraction were possible, I would have taken you there first. But the severed vehicle suddenly exploded, and the scene has been completely destroyed.”

 

The forensic expert frowned: “How could it be so severe?”

 

Captain: “It’s unclear for now. Logically, since the car was turned off, it shouldn’t have caused such a large explosion. But there’s no way to investigate now.”

 

Forensic expert: “What a pity. If the other party killed using an ability, this secret weapon would certainly have been useful.”

 

Captain: “The other party probably has teleportation abilities. Let’s hope they haven’t escaped yet.”

 

Mad Clown, who had teleportation abilities, arrived at Lance’s side and couldn’t help teasing: “Well, now the situation is more serious. You absolutely must continue at Star University.”

 

“Let’s not talk about that now.” Lance had no time for idle chat. He crouched down to disassemble the gun, putting the VSSK back in its box in just fifteen seconds. Then, without any attachment, he tossed the box to Mad Clown, his gaze sharp. “Quickly send me back. I need to return to the dormitory before Zhan Pingchuan.”

 

Seeing Zhan Pingchuan leap down from the gymnasium roof and dash away at a funeral-rushing speed, he grew increasingly anxious.

 

If Zhan Pingchuan discovered he wasn’t in the dormitory while the shower was running, he would certainly be suspicious.

 

The Black Lantern Society was now a hot topic in the media, and with his furtive movements, it would be difficult not to arouse suspicion.

 

After all, Zhan Pingchuan had been involuntarily dragged into the Erdiff incident, suffering in silence.

 

Hearing Lance’s words, Mad Clown teased: “Young Master, you’re just like a little wife sneaking around behind her husband’s back. Even Lady Pan in her grave would like to ask, where’s the Moth Rong Weng you prepared for Wu Dalang?”

 

Lance narrowed his eyes and glanced over.

 

Mad Clown burst into laughter, snapped his fingers, and sent the about-to-explode Lance back to the dormitory.

 

The sun had already sunk to the mountain peak, the crimson afterglow compressed like silk. The halo slowly descended along the dormitory wall—in just a moment, that clear boundary line would drop below the third-floor window.

 

At this critical moment, Lance stepped on the shadow of the windowsill and landed steadily on the water-filled ceramic tiles.

 

The shower sprayed, mist permeating the air, with no sign of the door lock being opened.

 

Just as he was about to put away Mad Clown’s soul fragment, he heard an impatient knock on the dormitory door.

 

“Why aren’t you coming out! Is anyone there? If you don’t come out, I’ll use the spare key!” The dormitory manager’s coarse voice came from outside.

 

Lance’s eyes instantly sharpened. He instinctively raised his sleeve hiding the Moth Rong Weng, murderous intent exposed, but quickly realized he was in the dormitory.

 

He hurriedly unbuttoned his clothes and, with lightning speed, stripped himself completely naked. Then he increased the water flow and stood under the shower, drenching himself from head to toe.

 

Without time to dry off, Lance grabbed his clothes and rushed out of the bathroom. Closing his eyes, he forced himself to overcome his psychological barrier and put his pajamas on his wet body.

 

The key was already inserted into the keyhole, turning while the dormitory manager grumbled: “I’ve been hearing movement, but no one opens the door. Who’s spoiling you rotten—”

 

Before she could finish, the door lock suddenly clicked, and a strong force pulled the door open from inside, revealing Lance’s dripping wet, ice-cold profile.

 

The dormitory manager was startled, then couldn’t help but burst into curses: “Now you open the door? What were you doing earlier?”

 

Lance’s pupils dangerously contracted before he relaxed, his expression bewildered: “I was showering, didn’t hear you.”

 

Seeing him soaking wet, breathing unevenly, with a faint flush on his face—looking like an unwittingly seductive little spirit—the dormitory manager asked irritably: “Where’s your roommate? That A-level.”

 

Lance replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: “He went out.”

 

He was also puzzled why Zhan Pingchuan was taking so long. At that starting speed, he should have circled the school by now. Could it be that he was all show and no substance?

 

“When did he go out?” the dormitory manager pressed rudely.

 

Lance didn’t immediately answer. Looking at the dormitory manager’s jaundiced eyeballs, his expression suddenly shifted slightly as thoughts raced through his mind.

 

Boras died from an ability, Kluova from a gunshot. Being able to instantly kill a B-level animal system Awakened would narrow the suspects to A-level and above.

 

He could easily reveal the exact time of Zhan Pingchuan’s departure. An S-level disappearing for so long with no witnesses—that would be a hard accusation to shake off.

 

Zhan Pingchuan even had a motive for murder.

 

Erdiff had coveted his ability and clashed with him in the classroom… Nothing could be more logical.

 

Lance had always been a person with a gloomy heart and a ruthless nature.

 

He enjoyed seeing dazzlingly bright people fall into the mire and suffer devastation, as compensation for his own dark childhood.

 

Those not of my kind can all be killed—even those with 100% pheromone compatibility were no exception.

 

“Not long ago,” he heard himself say, then unbelievably fluttered his eyelashes.

 

He felt as if his vocal cords had disconnected from his cerebral cortex. The rational emotions hadn’t transmitted through his nerves to his throat. He had uttered three words beyond his control.

 

He had covered for Zhan Pingchuan.

 

“Where did he go?” The dormitory manager keenly caught Lance’s momentary unnaturalness, her eyes full of suspicion.

 

Lance wasn’t one to dwell on the past. Words once spoken couldn’t be taken back; only the future could be changed.

 

He quickly adjusted his emotions. Just as he was about to speak again, a lazy, unrestrained voice echoed down the corridor, flippantly flowing into his ears: “Who’s looking for me?”

 

The dormitory manager turned her face and looked up to see Zhan Pingchuan with his collar half-open, his jacket loosely draped, carrying something in his hand tied with a butterfly knot.

 

Zhan Pingchuan glanced back, his lips still curled, sweat beads sliding down his eyelids. He slightly lowered his eyelids, unconsciously exuding a suffocating pressure.

 

That was the innate aura of an S-level.

 

“You’re looking for me?”

 

The dormitory manager didn’t dare to easily offend a high-level Awakened. She suppressed her temper, lowered her head to type, and asked in the school staff group chat—

 

“Leaders, I’ve confirmed the locations of all A-level freshmen. What are the next instructions?”

 

The principal, who was mournfully grieving at the scene, glanced at the group message, then silently looked at the charred remains of Boras, wordlessly asking, What do you mean? Speak up. If you have the guts, stand up and speak.

 

Unfortunately, Boras could no longer answer him.

 

The principal twisted his lips and replied—

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

Dormitory manager: “?”

 

The leaders truly had issues.

 

She snorted with false bravado, pocketed her keys, and hurriedly left under Zhan Pingchuan’s staring gaze.

 

Zhan Pingchuan sneered at her retreating figure, then casually leaned against the doorframe, hiding the shumai behind his back, one hand in his pocket, changing his demeanor: “Classmate Lance, guess why I’m back so late?”

 

Lance lightly raised his eyebrows, his eyes immediately showing confusion, cooperatively asking: “Why?”

 

—Because you went to kill Boras and were strutting around on the gymnasium roof.

 

Zhan Pingchuan had been waiting for this question. He immediately lowered his head with a sigh, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. He described with great emotion: “I had already bought the shumai and was about to bring it back hot for you, when suddenly an Omega rushed over, grabbed my arm, and wouldn’t let go. He cried, saying the lamb and radish shumai reminded him of his mother’s cooking. You know how soft-hearted I am and how I like to help others, so I had to give it to him. You’re not angry, are you?”

 

Lance’s lips twitched imperceptibly, but he quickly concealed it, instead furrowing his brows, his expression moved: “He’s so pitiful. Classmate Zhan, you did the right thing. It’s fine if I don’t eat.”

 

—Mother’s cooking, indeed. You were actually delayed by killing people. Go ahead, make up whatever you want.

 

At this moment, Lance’s hair was wet and clinging to the side of his face, water droplets continuously flowing down. His eyes were full of clear, gentle waves, his ears still flushed from the hot water’s steam, looking very innocent and easily deceived.

 

So Zhan Pingchuan suddenly moved closer, tilting his head, his deep-set eyes approaching Lance’s profile. He smiled mischievously as he examined Lance, deliberately raising his tone at the end: “But, I couldn’t bear to let you go without eating.”

 

With that, Zhan Pingchuan’s shoulder moved slightly, his index finger hooking the convenience bag, unhurriedly bringing it out from behind his back.

 

“So I queued for another portion.”

 

Lance was stunned.

 

He lowered his gaze to see Zhan Pingchuan proudly swinging the bag with his fingers. Sweat had almost soaked through his cuffs, and the hot aroma of lamb meat, along with blatant romance, spread through the air.

 

Lance suddenly smiled, his smile rippling like the sunset’s afterglow.

 

“So that’s why you came back late.”

 

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[END OF VOL 1]

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)