Chapter Forty: The Special Operations Unit

Life in the Department of Anomaly Handling ultimately revolved around dealing with supernatural incidents related to anomalies and the mind. Qi Chen’s brief vacation ended quickly, but he was in high spirits. At last, he had received the long-awaited order to join the Special Task Force!

"There's only half an hour left before the meeting, why isn’t Mr. Nice Guy here yet?" Glancing at the watch sent to him by Fu Ying during his leave, Qi Chen paced back and forth in front of the department’s building. As a responsible employee, he naturally waited for his partner to arrive so they could attend the meeting together.

As if summoned by the mention of his name, the moment Qi Chen lowered his hand, a gleaming red off-road vehicle pulled up before him. The door swung open, and his partner stepped out—a man in a long black leather coat, his face less than cheerful.

"You’re here early? No need to be so enthusiastic," he said, openly reluctant, even punctuating his words with a yawn.

This added another layer to Qi Chen’s understanding of his partner. Wasn’t he always passionate about anomaly work? Why did he seem vaguely resentful today? Yet, adhering to the basic social boundaries between people, Qi Chen restrained his curiosity. The meeting took precedence.

...

The central conference room of the Department of Anomaly Handling, reserved for major missions, had been assigned to the Special Task Force for the Vertical Eye Society. When Qi Chen and his partner arrived, they found the room already occupied by several others. Representatives from the Analysis Division, Special Operations, and Logistics were present, though they all sat in the back rows. The front row held only four seats.

"Let’s go, that’s where we belong," his partner sighed, sounding resigned to the inevitability of their task.

Qi Chen peered curiously at the seats, noticing a man and a woman already settled there, who seemed to have noticed their arrival.

"Those two are from the second team. You sit next to them, I’ll take the end," his partner said.

Qi Chen tilted his head, puzzled, but his partner offered no explanation, simply dragging him forward and leaving him the seat beside the pair.

Under their gaze, Qi Chen sat down, uneasy, and offered a sheepish smile in greeting. He didn’t know why he suddenly felt uncomfortable, but suspected it had something to do with the psychological atmosphere his partner had created.

"Hello, newcomer," the girl beside him greeted with a friendly smile, extending her hand. Her large, bright eyes sparkled. "Team Two, Refract."

"He’s Qi Chen, hasn’t picked a codename yet," said his partner, who had claimed to want nothing to do with Team Two, yet unwillingly introduced Qi Chen to them.

"That guy’s codename is Old Sovereign," Qi Chen noted, glancing at the blond man beside Refract. Instinct told him the reason for his partner’s reluctance probably lay with Old Sovereign.

The spirit of gossip quietly flared within him, his eyes shining, but a figure appearing at the conference room door made him sit up straight.

"Is everyone here?" Fu Ying strode briskly to the front, dressed in a sharp black suit. Her voice silenced the room instantly, like a strict homeroom teacher subduing her class.

"Let’s officially begin today’s meeting." Fu Ying was all business as she picked up the projector remote, illuminating the screen at the front of the room.

"Today marks the first official meeting of the Special Task Force. As tradition dictates, I’ll clearly outline our mission: Investigate the series of man-made anomalous incidents starting with the Confession Guillotine case, and, in the shortest time possible, deliver a decisive blow to those who threaten City Three!"

As Fu Ying spoke, Qi Chen unconsciously grew serious—her words perfectly matched his own resolve. Those who recklessly wielded anomalous power and disregarded life must pay dearly.

Click!

The projection shifted, displaying a mind map reminiscent of a crime film’s investigation board.

"Up till now, we’ve collected evidence on three related anomalous incidents and two anomalous agents," Fu Ying said, sliding a long metal pointer across the projection, highlighting the Confession Guillotine and the two anomalous agents Qi Chen had encountered.

"After analysis by the Intelligence Division, we can confirm that the Vertical Eye Society is behind this series of incidents targeting City Three."

...

"You’re all familiar with this third-rate organization, and you know they aren’t foolish enough to openly declare war on us," Fu Ying continued.

The attendees nodded in agreement. The Vertical Eye Society had a long history of pestering City Three—not a mortal enemy, but more like persistent flies. Multiple crackdowns had severely weakened the group, relegating it to a minor player lost in the fog.

Qi Chen listened intently, absorbing the new information. On the stage, Fu Ying pressed on: "During the search of the East City warehouse, Team One captured a member of the Vertical Eye Society. After interrogation, we obtained new intel."

"The Vertical Eye Society was merely hired muscle; behind them lurks a far greater hand."

The mood grew grim; thoughts began to wander. What organization now had its sights set on City Three? The Divine Envoy Church shrouded in mist? The Hunter Organization? Or perhaps another city?

Bang, bang!

Fu Ying rapped the wall with her metal pointer, drawing everyone’s attention.

"The true mastermind remains to be uncovered, but we’ve identified a suspected stronghold—our next target: The Grand Concert Hall."

With the task ahead revealed, Fu Ying dismissed everyone but the anomalous agents, instructing them to start planning in detail.

Qi Chen realized there must be something more to communicate.

"The reason you four have been kept behind is simple," Fu Ying said bluntly. "You will be the main force of the Special Task Force, and you are the only ones I trust absolutely."

"I’ve learned something from the Vertical Eye Society’s captive..."

"The one who hired them comes from within our own ranks."

...