Chapter 29: Countermeasures Bureau Postscript
"This meeting is to discuss the incident in Le Ping City." In a dark room, over a dozen flickering images appeared on various screens. Most of the faces were obscured, each image labeled with a code. The speaker, a middle-aged man whose face was visible, held the position of Deputy Director Zhang.
"First, a report, then a summary. Aya, distribute the relevant documents and take notes." Deputy Director Zhang began his report:
"On [date], our observer in Le Ping City reported a supernatural occurrence at the No. 2 Middle School, termed the Black Wind Incident. Details are on page two of the document."
"From [date] to [date], Le Ping City experienced a series of murders, identified as the work of a supernatural entity. See pages 3-5 for the full report."
"Following discussions on [date], we decided to send a response team to Le Ping City, under my full authority. I assigned members G0158, P1374, and P1546 to the task. G0158 was a survivor of last year's Cthulhu Incident in Le Ping City. Detailed information is on pages 6-8 and in attachment (1)."
"On [date], the Wujiang Bridge in Le Ping City saw the appearance of a humanoid figure formed from black mist, identifying itself as Fear King Dark River. This marked the beginning of the Black Mist Incident. Details are on pages 9-10."
"On [date], the response team arrived in Le Ping City and began documenting information. Based on their abilities, they gathered the following intelligence:"
"Cultists in Le Ping City manipulated seven citizens into a deadly ritual involving masks, aiming to summon a Cthulhu-like entity. Detailed information on the ritual is in attachment (2), data on the seven citizens is in attachment (3), and data on the cultists is in the main report."
"In their attempt to stop the ritual, G0158 perished alongside the enemy, P1374 was gravely injured and triggered a mechanism that destroyed the masks but resulted in their death, and P1546 was ambushed but later rescued. They are currently in a coma. Relevant evidence and information are in attachment (4)."
"This concludes the Le Ping City incident. Continue monitoring as per standard protocols." Deputy Director Zhang finished his report and continued, "If there are no questions, the meeting is adjourned. Aya, stop recording. This incident is classified as S-level."
"Deputy Director Zhang! I have a question!" A young voice interrupted, drawing attention. The young man, with a stern expression, was one of the few whose face was visible.
Deputy Director Zhang, anticipating this, nodded, "The rest of you are dismissed. Lin Tong and I will talk privately. Aya, turn off the surveillance and leave."
As the images on the screens disappeared, only Deputy Director Zhang and Lin Tong remained.
"What's your question? Once you're done, I have something to tell you," Zhang said, his voice tired and weak.
"Why are we concluding the Le Ping City incident so quickly? There are still many unresolved issues. Why not investigate further?" Lin Tong asked angrily. "Uncle Zhang, Uncle Hu was your old friend and often looked after me. I can't just let him and the others die without clarity."
"It's also because your father, the former director, died in Le Ping City, isn't it?" Deputy Director Zhang smiled, though his voice carried pain. "But Lin Tong, it's best to end this matter here…"
"How can we end it here? The Black Wind Incident's root cause is still unknown, and the final destruction of the masks doesn't add up. The mask fragments contained shadow magic elements but shouldn't have triggered such a powerful response."
"Uncle Hu's life-saving toad is missing too. Everything indicates there are unresolved issues!" Lin Tong argued passionately. "I request to continue investigating this matter, even at the cost of my life."
"Nonsense! Leave this alone. The matter is closed. I…cough, cough!" Deputy Director Zhang began to cough violently, his image flickering.
These transmissions were top-notch, using advanced technology, making signal issues unlikely. Lin Tong sensed something wrong and saw Zhang coughing up black worms, which disintegrated upon exposure to light.
After a bout of coughing, the connection stabilized. Deputy Director Zhang's mouth was covered in black slime. He smiled weakly at the worried Lin Tong, "Le Ping City's entity has marked me."
"This is a warning. Stop investigating the Le Ping City incident. Continuing will only cause more harm. The deaths of Old Hu and the others were all on my orders, so the link ends with me. But if this continues, the consequences will be dire."
"So ignore those doubts. Even if we investigate, we might not uncover anything, and it could escalate the situation." Zhang said, smiling, "We Da Yue people never compromise, but that doesn't mean we should act recklessly. Know the difference between steadfastness and foolishness."
"Lin Tong, you're the son of the former director, talented but inexperienced. The old director was my mentor, and I watched you grow up. I see you as my own son. Don't throw your life away. Your family still needs you to carry on the lineage."
"Uncle Zhang, stop talking. I'll call the medical team. This is just a curse; there must be a way!" Lin Tong's eyes were red, shining with a strange light.
"Calm down. Remember, as a member of the Countermeasures Bureau, maintaining your sanity is essential!" Deputy Director Zhang barked, coughing up black blood. "Do you think they haven't tried? It's useless! I'm already isolated."
"This is my final order as Deputy Director of the Countermeasures Bureau!" Zhang said sternly, "Code P1334."
"Yes!" Lin Tong clenched his fists, having lost his father a year ago and recently another uncle. Now he was losing one more.
"You're now promoted to Senior Member, code G1334. You have a new mission. The Western Alliance's Miskatonic University is opening a branch in Jingzhou, Yue Nation. I assign you to enroll and gather information. Aya will contact you privately. That's all!"
Zhang's image went dark, leaving Lin Tong, red-eyed and fists clenched, to say, "I will complete the mission!"