"Have you seen the news?" Detective Chester offered his cigarette to Ian, who accepted it. Ian placed it on his lips, and Chester handed him the lighter.
"No, what happens in the world doesn't affect my life. By the way, why are your subordinates following Roe?" Ian sucked in the smoke, filling his lungs, and exhaled.
A woman approached, pushing a stroller, and Chester led Ian to a secluded spot away from the mall visitors. Ian guided him towards the park, at least the cigarette smoke would be purified by the trees.
As they walked, Chester replied, "He's not following Roe to catch him, you idiot. We want to catch the person who's taking advantage of you."
Ian's attention was piqued. "Oh, really? Who?"
"You can be dumb, but don't pretend to be foolish."
"Pfft... You've been playing detective with riddles all this time."
"I've been watching your game on Apex System."
Cough... Cough...
Ian choked on his smoke upon hearing Chester's question. 'Of course, what else does Chester mean by taking advantage of me.' Ian thought, flicking the accumulated ash off his cigarette onto the grassless ground.
They found an empty bench in a secluded area and sat down. Ian crossed his legs and silently enjoyed his cigarette. He had to be careful. What would he say to Bartwin about his meeting with Chester? 'I should be grateful that I managed to escape last time. Now there's an added potential problem.'
"So, does the police want to get involved now too? Is there a latest ban on gaming?" Ian asked.
"That's why I asked if you had seen the news. But it seems you haven't. Well, let me tell you."
Detective Chester turning on his cellphone, showed Ian a news clip on the internet from an environmental caretaker channel, featuring a report from its environment activist. It showed a shocking discovery, as a marine activist recorded sightings of a large number of ancient giant squid swimming near the surface.
["This is an extraordinary occurrence! A delightful revelation! Once considered a mere estimation, the species Architeuthis dux, we now witness with our very eyes that it is more than just a theory. The legend of this ancient creature is not a mere fabrication."]
'Ah, merely a coincidence,' Ian inwardly retorted, though the likelihood of it being a mere chance happening was minuscule.
"And what about it? You can't possibly connect that news to me? Come on... You truly lack the skills of a detective."
"Pfft... You underestimate me," Chester retorted, presenting yet another video. This time, it showcased amateur footage.
"This is a calamity! Our entire harvest has been devoured by them, as well as the foliage and livestock. Nothing remains! Their numbers are overwhelming! Look! We managed to survive by seeking refuge in our homes. Terrifying. And this is just the beginning... You can't fathom the cacophony that engulfs us during the nights! It could drive one to madness!"
The video depicted a swarm of crickets clinging to windows and blanketing every inch of the ground—a sheer abundance of their presence. Meanwhile, the landscape exhibited in the footage appeared desolate and barren.
Ian was taken aback. Was it truly a coincidence? Or was there a genuine connection?
"Now you understand what I mean, correct?"
"It could still be coincidental," Ian pondered, yearning to relate the phenomenon to himself. Yet, who was he? He lacked the extraordinariness necessary to exert such profound influence. Wait, was this what Magenta referred to? His distinct capability?
"I sense you're starting to believe me. What if we make a bet?"
Ian lazily regarded Chester. 'This man is a police officer, yet he loves to gamble. That's why he knows my game. Hmm, but he doesn't know about me working for Bartwin, which means he's not watching through Bartwin's intermediaries. Is this game widely broadcast but concealed?" speculated Ian.
"Hey, fool, let's place a bet!"
"What?"
"In the next game, you shall choose an extinct animal."
"It's not as simple as that, you know. I must ascertain my opponent first."
"Then you concur?"
"Very well, but supposing your hypothesis proves accurate, what's in it for me?"
"It signifies that the game harbors a separate agenda for our planet."
"Hm? It's just a game, detective. You seem overly fond of making conspiracy theories."
"Keep denying it, Ian. I know you'll eventually realize that what I'm saying isn't mere nonsense."
Chester tapped his cigarette onto the pavement to extinguish it, then stood up and left Ian, who now leaned back in the park chair, savoring his cigarette. His mind wandered as he contemplated Chester's words.
The information Chester revealed was the common thread connecting him to Magenta. Previously, he couldn't grasp why Magenta was so serious about a game. It couldn't be solely about monopolizing the game for money; Magenta's level was far different from Bartwin's.
But if what Magenta desired was to uncover the agenda behind the creation of this game, then what? He retraced the timeline from when he started playing to the footage Chester had provided earlier.
Less than a month.
And if it was indeed engineered, had our scientific knowledge advanced to such an extent that we could recreate living creatures from nonexistence to abundance?
'Whatever it is, I will find out later when I attempt to choose another extinct living creature.' Ian concluded, extinguishing his cigarette butt, ensuring it was completely extinguished before discarding it into the trash bin.
"Sigh... Today's operation failed. My agility dulls when it's not honed regularly." Ian sighed, running his hand through his hair as he walked casually in the direction of home.
Passing Mayhem Road, his steps halted at the intersection of an alley, unsure whether to proceed with his original intention of going home. Eventually, he dismissed his hesitation and turned towards the corner of the alley, lifting the manhole cover and descending inside.
He wasn't surprised to find Josh there, currently "high," with a short stub of a joint in his hand, unresponsive as Ian intentionally walked, creating noise.
Ian entered the nook and lay on his portable bed. His gaze shifted to the concrete ceiling, but his thoughts wandered far away.
The constant sound of flowing water mixed with household waste emitted an unpleasant odor, and the darkness that enveloped them paradoxically brought a sense of calm to Ian.
This place feels like a sanctuary for them, and Ian only just realized it. It's no wonder Josh chose to escape here to enjoy his joint.
"Is there a problem, Ian?" Josh's voice suddenly broke the silence. Ian was surprised, thinking that Josh had lost consciousness.
"Well, I just missed this pool," Ian replied.
"Do you think I believe that? There's no Roe here if that's what makes you hesitant to tell the truth."
Ian smiled, realizing that Josh understood him without needing further explanation. And so, he recounted his encounter with Chester. Although they whispered, their voices echoed, bouncing off the concrete walls.
"I don't understand..." Josh responded after Ian finished his story.
"Well, it is indeed hard to comprehend."
"I mean, from your story, Magenta seems to have noble intentions of uncovering the agenda behind the creation of the Game. But why did they go as far as killing Mr. Cheng? It feels contradictory, doesn't it?"
"Yes... You're right, but we don't know Magenta's true intentions for sure, Josh. It's still speculation, and I need to confirm it. However, what if we were wrong to accuse Magenta? We didn't see the killer with our own eyes back then."
"Yeah, we accused them based on instinct. Their aura was terrifying, and it always gives me goosebumps when I think about it." Josh raised the sleeve of his jumper and felt the pores on his hand tighten.
Ian and Josh fell silent, sensing footsteps on the surface above.
"Who would have thought that we'd end up back here after trying so hard to escape... Haha." Ian chuckled.
"Hey, Roe," Josh greeted someone who was sneaking in through the manhole above.
"Hey! You scared me! I thought I was alone down here."
"Well, Ian is here too."
"Really? Hahaha... Oh, by the way, Ian, was that Chester earlier? I saw you talking to him. But why did he instruct his subordinates to follow me?"
"Well, it's only natural for them to follow you, Roe, considering your pickpocketing tendencies."
"Yeah, I guess... But it's rare for him to go to such lengths and have his subordinates tail us." Roe reached the final step and joined Ian, sprawled on the old sofa.
"Why did you come here? How's Yue?" Ian tried to change the subject.
"That's exactly why I came here. She's so nagging, telling me to clean up the flat and our scattered clothes. I got fed up, and I thought having an additional woman in our group would be more fun, but turns out it's not. What about you guys?"
Ian and Josh didn't answer, as they also came here to escape from Yue. There was a moment of silence as they guessed each other's reasons.
"Pfft..." They burst into laughter simultaneously.
They knew each other too well.