At this point, the situation was already quite clear.

The reason X City was unwilling to deal with the Metamorphosis Society, and even colluded with them, was that they were after the drug in the society’s hands that could allow ordinary people to awaken abilities.

It went without saying; even Monica could imagine the immense value and influence it would have if such a drug were truly developed.

It might even be possible to change human society altogether.

“But that’s no reason for them to sacrifice ordinary people…”

Monica clenched her fists and murmured.

Could Xiao Rou and countless others she didn’t know be forced into sacrifice just for the sake of this drug?

“Besides, I don’t think the Metamorphosis Society can actually develop a drug that allows everyone to awaken. Who knows what those lunatics are really up to.”

Shen Qingshu’s expression was colder than usual, the mockery in her eyes completely undisguised.

“That’s why some people are truly foolish to the extreme.”

Monica fell silent.

On the other side, while Lin Han had been quietly listening to the conversation between Shen Qingshu and Monica, a part of his attention remained fixed on Zhou Ran.

From just a moment ago, Zhou Ran had been acting somewhat strangely.

He usually had a very strong presence; even when he didn’t speak, he gave off the feeling of a hot-blooded idiot.

But now, Zhou Ran felt a bit off to Lin Han, as if he had something on his mind.

In particular, when Shen Qingshu mentioned “bad luck,” Zhou Ran’s lips seemed to twitch almost imperceptibly.

Just once.

He quickly returned to normal.

If Lin Han hadn’t happened to catch that moment, he might not have noticed it at all.

“Zhou Ran,” Lin Han spoke up suddenly.

Zhou Ran looked up, a bright smile on his face. “What’s wrong, Team Leader?”

“You don’t look very well.”

“Do I?” Zhou Ran touched his face, laughing sheepishly. “I’m probably just too sleepy. After all, being woken up in the middle of a nap leaves me feeling a bit out of it.”

Just as Lin Han was about to ask another question, there was a knock at the door.

Then, Zhao Chenfeng led his team members as they filed into the room.

Lin Han stopped his questioning for the moment and turned to look at the people from the Special Operations Division.

“Did you find anything out?”

Gu Xinglan snorted, tilting her chin up slightly as she said proudly, “Of course we did. Don’t think your Intelligence Processing Division are the only ones who can do this; we in the Special Operations Division also…”

Before she could finish, Zhao Chenfeng shot her a look.

Gu Xinglan immediately shut her mouth and lowered her head resentfully, her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish.

Zhao Chenfeng looked at Lin Han and said in a steady tone:

“We didn’t get much out of them. Neither the drug dealer nor the boy who bought the medicine are core members.”

He handed a brief record to Lin Han.

“The drug dealer confessed that the source of the drugs he had came from people whose backgrounds he didn’t know; he only knew there was a high probability they were connected to the Radiant Foundation.”

Tang Xiaoman immediately shared the information she had just uncovered with everyone.

“The Radiant Foundation is a non-profit organization in X City, but its actual operations span multiple fields, including medical aid, food supply, low-cost housing, educational grants, and some post-disaster reconstruction projects.”

Her voice grew quieter as she read.

“Based on public records, this foundation has an excellent reputation. It has received numerous municipal commendations and has long-term partnerships with several hospitals in X City.”

Monica froze.

“Medical aid…”

The group of people who came to the orphanage yesterday claimed to be from a medical rescue agency.

Zhao Chenfeng continued:

“The drug dealer said he didn’t manufacture the drugs; he was only responsible for selling them to designated individuals.”

“There’s more than one middleman like him. His superiors deliver the drugs to them through different channels, and they, in turn, make contact with those desperate to gain abilities.”

“However, he doesn’t know the actual manufacturing site of the drugs, nor does he know exactly who is in command at the very top.”

“Of course, perhaps he just didn’t dare to say it.”

Lin Han flipped through the records.

“Did he say anything else?”

Zhao Chenfeng paused for a moment.

“He said we broke the rules.”

“…Rules?”

“He said that X City has its own rules, and that we shouldn’t overstep.”

Gu Xinglan gave a cold laugh.

“He even said we’re going to be in trouble soon. His attitude was quite arrogant; if the Captain hadn’t held me back, I would’ve shown him what it means to be in trouble right now.”

Zhao Chenfeng ignored Gu Xinglan and continued:

“As for the boy who bought the medicine, his mental state is very poor; it’s almost impossible to communicate with him normally.”

“He keeps shouting his father’s name over and over, saying we’re detaining him illegally and that his father will make us pay the price.”

Tang Xiaoman pulled up another file.

“Lu Jingyan, one of the board members of Blue Ray Technology.”

“Blue Ray Technology is a large local enterprise in X City. They mainly deal in civilian supernatural equipment, such as low-power mana lighting devices, simple protective amulets, calamity pollution detectors, and so on.”

“It’s a large-scale operation with many factories and sales channels in X City.”

“Additionally… Blue Ray Technology has a collaborative project with the Radiant Foundation. In the past year, Blue Ray Technology has donated three batches of medical equipment and mana detection instruments to the Radiant Foundation.”

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

This time, everyone fell silent.

Zhao Chenfeng raised his hand, signaling the members of Team 3 to be on guard.

Lin Han frowned slightly and looked toward the door.

“Who is it?”

A familiar voice came from outside.

“Team Leader Lin, it’s me, Chen Shao.”

Lin Han and Zhao Chenfeng exchanged a look, and then Lin Han walked to the door and opened it.

Outside, Chen Shao stood in the hallway with several staff members from the X City SAVE Branch.

The smile was still plastered on his face, but it was much stiffer than it had been during the day, as if forced, and there was visible exhaustion in his eyes.

“Working so late, everyone? You’ve truly been working hard.”

Chen Shao glanced at everyone in the room. When he saw Gu Xinglan’s unfriendly expression as she rested her hand on the short sword at her waist, his eyelid twitched slightly.

“I heard you’ve made a major breakthrough, so I came specifically to take a look.”

“Manager Chen is certainly well-informed.”

The hotel was not far from the SAVE branch, and Lin Han had long been prepared for the fact that he wouldn’t be able to keep this from them.

However, the speed of their reaction still exceeded Lin Han’s expectations.

“It’s my duty, after all. I wouldn’t dare be irresponsible,” Chen Shao said with a smile.

“This is X City, after all. You’ve come a long way; we can’t truly just ignore everything and let you do all the work, right?”

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the room.

“I heard that you’ve apprehended two suspicious individuals?”

Lin Han did not answer immediately.

Chen Shao continued, “Since this happened in X City, according to procedure, the suspects and relevant evidence should be handed over to the X City Branch. We can deliberate and discuss how to proceed afterward.”

His tone was polite, but his words were clear and carried an undertone that brooked no compromise.

“Team Leader Lin, wouldn’t you agree?”

Lin Han understood.

Some people weren’t even planning to pretend anymore.