As Lin Zheyuan gave the order, the entire Hunter Association sprang into action. Black sedans streamed out of the psychiatric hospital in an orderly fashion.
Despite the absence of warning lights, these black sedans encountered no obstacles.
In the Federation, all large-scale operations by the Hunter Association followed this protocol: traffic was rerouted, and green lights were universally granted, ensuring the association's teams reached their destinations as quickly as possible.
This practice was, of course, necessary, and its reasons were kept from the general public.
Consequently, eyewitnesses became more numerous, and as rumors fermented, the Hunter Association's motorcade was mistakenly believed to be a convoy of federal leaders. Under the subtle guidance of a select few, this was presented as evidence of the federal government abusing its privileges.
Inadvertently, the federal government ended up taking the blame for the Hunter Association.
This time, Wen Wen also enjoyed a taste of this privilege. It had to be said that life within an organization was significantly easier than going it alone.
Based on Wen Wen's observations over the past two days, even a hunter of ordinary strength, with such powerful support, might have hunting efficiency comparable to his own.
This was rather frightening.
Little did he know that, to others, Wen Wen's astonishing achievements as a lone individual were what was truly terrifying.
...
Sun Wei's eyes snapped open, and he sat bolt upright in bed.
The dream from yesterday had felt incredibly real, leaving him somewhat unrested.
However, as he opened his eyes, he found the surroundings unfamiliar. The cabinet, the bed, the chair – everything seemed strange, even bearing a resemblance to the scenes from his dream yesterday!
"This doesn't seem to be my home..."
The bedroom door was ajar. He peered out to see a middle-aged man in a dark brown suit sitting outside, engrossed in a novel.
The cover was familiar to Sun Wei; it was the only physical novel he had ever published.
And then... that lump on the floor was...
It was a corpse!
A corpse that had been bludgeoned by a blunt object, its original form unrecognizable!
Even more chilling to Sun Wei was that this corpse bore a striking resemblance to the pirating reader he had beaten to death in his sleep yesterday.
No, not just similar, it was identical!
The layout of the room, the corpse on the floor, apart from the middle-aged man, the rest of the scene was exactly as it had been in the dream!
"This... this is..." Sun Wei took two steps back, his legs feeling weak.
"That's right, you killed someone."
The middle-aged man, Yan Biqing, closed the book in his hands and looked at Sun Wei calmly, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
"I didn't kill him. That was just a dream... and this must be a dream too!"
Sun Wei contorted his face, hoping the pain would jolt him awake from the dream, but it had no effect.
"After I brought you here yesterday, you were quite agitated, so I guided you a little, and you killed this person. Your protagonists are always so calm and rational, but you yourself are so reckless and foolish. It truly exceeded my expectations."
After his initial panic subsided, Sun Wei forced himself to calm down. Having read so many novels, he harbored a certain belief in the supernatural and was more receptive to such events. Sun Dan Novel Network.
"Whatever you want, I'll give it to you, as long as you don't harm me." Sun Wei made the most sensible choice.
"I used to like your novels very much, so I was very curious about you. But you yourself are somewhat disappointing..."
Yan Biqing casually tossed the novel into the pool of blood, causing Sun Wei's eyelids to twitch. Sweat beaded on his forehead and back; he was terrified.
This person had brought him from his home to this godforsaken place and manipulated him into killing someone. What terrifying consequences would befall him if this dangerous individual was disappointed?
The muscles on the sides of Yan Biqing's mouth curved upwards, as if mimicking a smile, but the imitation was a failure.
"Don't be so nervous. I won't harm you for now, because I still have questions for you."
"I'll answer them truthfully," Sun Wei asked meekly.
Yan Biqing asked seriously, "In your novel, there's an organization that created a machine capable of erasing memories. May I ask what the principle behind that machine is?"
"Uh, I don't understand. I'm just a novelist."
Cold sweat broke out on Sun Wei's brow. What kind of reader was this? He had never imagined someone would ask him about the principles behind things in his novel.
Seeking reality in fantasy – was this guy not a madman?
Yan Biqing shook his head in disappointment and said, "So, the things in your novel are merely your imaginings and do not exist in reality."
"Let me ask you another question. In your novel, it's only natural for humans to kill monsters, but it's an unforgivable sin for monsters to kill humans, requiring their execution and capture. Why is that?"
Sun Wei replied, shivering, "Because I am human. From a human perspective, it should be so."
He was now anxious, fearing that if he answered a question incorrectly, this person might suddenly become violent and kill him. It felt like facing a panel of professors during a thesis defense, with them scrutinizing him from below.
"In other words, if one were to adopt a different perspective from humanity, then even if I killed someone, it would be acceptable."
"That doesn't hold true. You are human, so it's better not to kill people."
Sun Wei advised, his life hanging in this man's hands, so he wanted to dissuade this person from killing.
Yan Biqing stood up and straightened his clothes. "One last question. You said that power has no good or evil, nor its own consciousness; it is merely a tool."
Sun Wei asked nervously, "Uh, is there something wrong with that?"
"Wrong... wrong, it has never been merely a tool!"
Yan Biqing's expression turned grim, as if shrouded in a dark, oppressive cloud. The atmosphere in the room shifted.
"I used to like your books, which is why I came to see you. But after meeting you, I realized that everything you write is merely your imagination, with no basis in reality. I truly don't understand why he liked your books."
"Therefore... you have no reason to exist!"
Yan Biqing extended a finger and thrust it towards Sun Wei with lightning speed. If it struck, Sun Wei's head would explode like a rotten watermelon.
Just then, a thunderous roar echoed. A muscular giant smashed through the ceiling and landed, shielding Sun Wei with his body.
This giant was You Han!
Yan Biqing's finger, while failing to harm You Han in the slightest, did manage to damage You Han's pink sweater.
"This sweater was a gift from my boyfriend!"
You Han's hair stood on end in fury, and he let out an enraged roar, punching at Yan Biqing.
His superpower was straightforward: enhanced muscle strength!
He was currently at the peak of his mastery, and even assimilating superhumans of non-strength types would not dare to confront him head-on.
As an intelligence officer for the Furong River Hunter Association, You Han was the strongest in close combat!
Yan Biqing's eyes remained devoid of emotion. He simply extended his right hand, upon which a stream of green data flowed.
Then, with effortless ease, he caught You Han's punch!
It was as if he had caught a child's blow!