Chapter 143: Silhouette in the Rain 5
In the chat records recovered by the police, the fourteen deceased had a separate small group chat named “Rain Dwelling.” This was the title of a Hollywood movie about Evolved individuals, translated into Chinese as Living in the Rain. The protagonist in the film was originally an ordinary person whose life was full of disappointments. Later, by coincidence, he completed his evolution during a thunderstorm, gorgeously transforming into a superhero, and saved all of humanity at the end of the movie.
It was a cliché and tacky plot, but because the fight scenes were filmed very excitingly, it still achieved high box office numbers back then. The group’s avatar was also a still from the moment the protagonist completed his evolution—a tall figure walking alone in the heavy rain, brimming with a hot-blooded atmosphere.
Zhuang Ningyu said, “Have you noticed that this movie and Dong Feifan’s songs are actually in the same style?”
“Exactly. An ordinary person becomes an Evolved individual and saves the world.” Yi Ke handed him a hot drink. “The victims this time were all ordinary people.” Not just this batch in Jincheng, but those in other countries around the world as well—ordinary people, and ordinary people who longed to become Evolved.
“Clearly ordinary people with average aptitude, but because they suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, they need to constantly maintain a false self-perception of being ‘superpowered.’ The gap between reality and fantasy inevitably brings them immense pain,” Zhuang Ningyu said. “You can tell from the chat records that this group of people complained almost incessantly, complaining about why they weren’t Evolved.”
Under these circumstances, whether it was the movie or Dong Feifan’s songs, they all acted as a kind of spiritual anesthetic, helping them construct and reinforce that false sense of heroism. But no matter how much it was reinforced, fake remained fake. The dream would wake up one day. During the long wait for the dream to wake, some chose suicide to “protect the final fantasy,” while others chose to make themselves true Evolved individuals—for example, through illegal drugs.
“Are their autopsy reports out?” Zhuang Ningyu asked.
“It might still take a little time?” Yi Ke guessed.
Just as they were speaking, the system prompted that a new file had been uploaded—the autopsy report sent by Forensic Doctor Zheng.
Sure enough, the presence of an evolution agent named MaximeE-S was detected in all the deceased, and corresponding empty syringes were found at the scene. Neither Zhuang Ningyu nor Yi Ke were unfamiliar with MaximeE; it was currently the most popular and common contraband evolution agent globally, with a very fast iterative development speed.
U-Dun and Tang Xiaoyuan had been injected with the 05 generation, while Zhao Kai, the university student tricked into becoming a test subject because his mother had cancer, was injected with the 06 generation. According to the black market, the S-series was different from the numbered series. The numbered series were genuine evolution drugs with a high-risk factor, suitable only for furthering the evolution of existing Evolved individuals. The S-series, however, was a “gentle version” launched for ordinary people, touted as absolutely safe and efficient.
Yi Ke was amazed listening to this. “There’s a gentle version of this stuff?”
“Yes.” The forensic doctor in the video call introduced it to them. “MaximeE-S was only developed two months ago. In layman’s terms, you can understand it as a more advanced stimulant. It enhances various bodily functions for a short time, essentially giving ordinary people an ‘Evolved Experience Card.’ Before the experience card expires, they can scale walls and fly over eaves, becoming ‘superheroes’ from comics.”
“Short time… specifically how short?”
“Depending on the dosage, generally around five minutes. Theoretically, fifteen minutes is the maximum. Also, after the drug is injected into the body, it doesn’t take effect immediately; there’s a waiting period of about four hours. But even so, MaximeE-S has been hyped to explosion in foreign black markets. Even though the drug hasn’t truly hit the market yet and you can only pre-order a ‘first batch experience qualification,’ the price is staggering. Usually, a single slot costs tens of thousands of dollars, and you need connections just to get in line.”
The reason for its popularity was, on one hand, the temptation of becoming an Evolved individual, and on the other, rumors that ordinary people receiving the S-series injection had a certain probability that the evolution agent wouldn’t be metabolized—meaning the experience card would become a lifetime card. The prize was truly enormous, so it was no wonder it attracted a large number of gamblers willing to bankrupt themselves for it.
“Did the deceased in other countries also have the same drug in their bodies?”
“The four countries that have results so far all have it. This is also the first time MaximeE-S has left theory and appeared in physical form.”
The forensic doctor continued, “But its physical form seems inconsistent with the theory. The Order Maintenance Department is still conducting further analysis on the drug, and results aren’t out yet, so it’s hard to say to what extent it can evolve an ordinary person. However, according to our autopsy results, among the fourteen deceased, some died directly from trauma caused by falling from a height. Others didn’t die immediately but lost mobility due to the high fall. The temperature in the mountain forest during the rainstorm was very low, which was fatal for the injured who had lost too much blood.”
Yi Ke followed her meaning: “In other words, the expensive evolution agent they injected didn’t actually have any effect? Falling from a height, excessive blood loss, death from hypothermia—an ordinary person falling from that height would face nothing more than these consequences, right?”
Forensic Doctor: “Yes.”
Zhuang Ningyu asked, “Is it possible it was fake medicine?”
The forensic doctor spread her hands. “Who knows? No one has seen this stuff before. We can only make judgments based on theory, some data, combined with autopsy results and the empty packaging at the scene.”
Zhuang Ningyu nodded. “Understood, thank you. Sister Sun, go ahead with your work.”
During the time the two consulted the forensic doctor, the number of similar cases in various countries had risen from 9 to 11, and it was estimated to rise further. It couldn’t be hidden. One didn’t need to think hard to know what kind of bloody storm was brewing on the global internet right now.
The same was true domestically. Nine out of the top ten trending searches were about this incident. There was one advertisement, but within an hour, it was scolded into oblivion by netizens, so currently, the top ten were all occupied by this topic.
“In this chat record, the group members were previously actively discussing arrangements for the music festival, including the chorus and support uniforms. They clearly wanted to attend the event.” Zhuang Ningyu scrolled the mouse, signaling Yi Ke to sit closer. “Until the day before the concert started, the group owner ‘Rex Xingxing’ suddenly @everyone, asking everyone to gather punctually at 11:30 the next day under the red street lamp next to the West Zone parking lot of Mingzhu Mountain, saying there was a big surprise.”
Rex Xingxing’s real name was Xiang Xinxing, a junior university student and a big fan of Dong Feifan. Among ordinary people, she was considered one of the more outstanding ones: good grades, a key member of the student union, outgoing personality, and very good at organizing various activities. She and the kidnapper “1” had added each other as friends two months ago, but they hadn’t chatted much.
“The police unlocked Xiang Xinxing’s computer, which had dark web chat software installed,” Yi Ke said. “According to her roommate, she frequently searched for news related to Evolved individuals on the dark web daily and would also look at some medical modification pictures—very hardcore stuff.”
“Another Evolved fanatic,” Zhuang Ningyu said. “That Roman who harassed Xiao Tian is the same, but the difference is that Roman is a real Evolved individual.”
“So, the kidnapper used Xiang Xinxing to pull a busload of people into the deep mountains and old forests to experience MaximeE-S, preparing to ‘become their true selves’ like the Evolved in the song at 4:50 PM. But unexpectedly, the evolution agent failed. Waiting for them wasn’t explosive physical ability to conquer the cliff, but normal death after falling.”
Looking at it this way, the MaximeE-S related components detected by the forensic doctor might have only served to embolden them, giving them the momentary illusion of “having evolved,” thus giving them the guts to jump off the cliff. As for whether anyone regretted it before jumping—even if there were, it was too late, after all, everyone was holding hands.
“It’s simply absurdly ridiculous,” Yi Ke concluded.
Human lives were lost in such a joke-like manner, and the number reached into the hundreds.
MaximeE was initially developed by the Invisible Giant. Later, driven by huge profits, although some generic and counterfeit drugs appeared on the black market and other underground organizations were researching it, the main force was still the Invisible Giant. As for this MaximeE-S, it was even called the Invisible Giant’s “breakthrough work.” Who would have thought the breakthrough would lead to such a result?
Zhuang Ningyu roughly categorized the three uninvited guests who had appeared on Mingzhu Mountain on paper—
- Kidnapper “1”: Kidnapped Pei Zheng, giving the reason as dissatisfaction with Andao Medical’s research on Evolved individuals. Initiator of the “MaximeE-S Death Incident.” Highly suspected to be related to the Invisible Giant. At large.
- Roman: Appeared in Jincheng two months ago, harassed dozens of Evolved women. Like the fourteen deceased, an Evolved fanatic. Member of the Invisible Giant. At large.
- Qin Ya: Reason for appearance unknown. At large.
“By the way, I asked Auntie Qi this morning,” Yi Ke tapped on Qin Ya’s name. “Auntie Qi is the mother of Qi Hui, who was scammed by her. Back then, Auntie Qi took money to redeem him, originally intending to grease some palms locally. But she was obscurely told that behind the casino was the Litai Group, which she couldn’t afford to offend, and was advised to just pay up. And this Litai Group is Roman’s property.”
“So Qin Ya is actually Roman’s subordinate and also a member of the Invisible Giant? No wonder these two abandoned their cars and ran away together,” Zhuang Ningyu said.
Two members of the Invisible Giant, and one highly suspected member, appearing in the same place at the same time. It was reasonable to infer they were likely there for the same thing.
The doorbell suddenly rang ding-dong-ding-dong.
His thoughts interrupted, Yi Ke glanced at the video doorbell and saw his own mother standing at the door.
Zhuang Ningyu sprinted back to the bedroom to change into a more mature, high-quality loungewear set.
Deng Zongyun had dropped by on her way to deliver stewed soup to the two of them. There were two portions in total; one had already been delivered to Pei Yuan at the hospital just now. She sat on the sofa, watching Zhuang Ningyu drink the soup while sighing repeatedly, “I wonder how that child Xiao Zheng is doing now.”
“The kidnapper still wants to use him to exchange for benefits with Andao Medical, so he shouldn’t be in danger in the short term.” Yi Ke gnawed on a bone. “Mom, don’t worry. We’ll go to the unit after eating and will definitely rescue the child as soon as possible.”
“Actually, I’m not only worried about Xiao Zheng, I’m also worried about you two.” The gloom between Deng Zongyun’s brows didn’t disperse. “Why do I feel like society is getting more and more chaotic lately? Whether in the news or people actually around us, plus those increasingly inexplicable Rule Zones… Why don’t you two just resign? Come home, Mom will support you both.”
Zhuang Ningyu obediently gulped down the soup, his expression unchanged, only kicking Yi Ke under the table.
Yi Ke immediately spoke righteously, “Mom, what are you saying? This is my dream job, how can I resign? I definitely won’t agree!”
Deng Zongyun cast her gaze toward Zhuang Ningyu.
Zhuang Ningyu put down the empty bowl. “I listen to whatever Auntie says.”
Yi Ke: “No! Not only will I not resign, I won’t allow you to resign either! Who wears the pants in this house?”
Zhuang Ningyu: “You. Okay, then I won’t resign.”
Deng Zongyun: “…”
Yi Ke grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, stuffed it into his mother’s hand, and forcefully escorted her out the door. “Alright, we have to go to work. You go to the company early. Take the fruit to eat on the way. Take more vitamins so you can defeat Auntie Liu. She walks her dog every day recently, and her physical condition is so good, she looks eighteen… Bye Mom, be careful on the road!”
The elevator door closed with a ding. Yi Ke breathed a sigh of relief, ran back home, and pounced on his wife—
Zhuang Ningyu’s stomach: Glug glug glug.
Yi Ke asked in surprise, “…How much did you actually drink?”
Zhuang Ningyu was in unspeakable misery. “Finished a whole thermal bucket.”
Last time he didn’t finish it, he heard that Ms. Deng seriously studied the soup dregs for half a day after returning home. She even discussed and analyzed with the chef why her daughter-in-law, who always loved soup, suddenly didn’t love it anymore—was it a problem with the ingredients or a problem with the chef? So today, he specially finished it in one go. Who knew Ms. Deng wouldn’t check this time?
Where could he go to reason about this?
