VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 976: Violet Aide’s Hidden Words

Fireseed Tactical Manual, V2.7, Part 3, Section 6, 3.6.211.

“…Based on their characteristics, threats are divided into four types:

Interference Type. D-level threat. Detectable by most ‘existent beings,’ these entities disrupt common sense through mimicry, illusion, or temptation. When independent, they are typically immobile; parasitic forms may produce multiple variants. (See Part 6, Section 2, 6.2.100.)

Intrusion Type. C-level threat. Visible to the naked eye, existing as either ‘ethereal’ or ‘physical’ forms. They actively probe, invade, react to, and assimilate any entity within their range. Once confirmed, eliminate immediately unless otherwise ordered.

Physical Type. B-level threat. Capable of altering physical laws, with rare variants switching between ‘ethereal’ and ‘physical’ states. Their attack and behavior patterns lack consistent logic. Upon detection, lone operatives must retreat; units require Level 3+ commander authorization for reconnaissance.

Contagion Type. A or AA-level threat. Entities that control a region or enforce anomalous laws within it, classified as disaster-level. Upon detection, all units must avoid engagement, abandon remains and equipment, and retreat immediately. (See Part 1, Section 4, 1.4.036 for protocols.)”

“No surprise from a Tongmo elite. You still know the manual after years retired… But Ying Tian isn’t Tongmo’s territory. We have our own rules.”

Azi scoffed at Yi Qing’s words, pulling the man from the closet’s wreckage with one hand and foot. His blood spread across the pale hardwood floor.Yi Qing couldn’t watch. “Keep that up, and he’ll bleed out. Even if he passes your test, what test is worth a life?”

Azi didn’t turn. She snapped her fingers. Two seconds later, a propeller’s whir sent wind through the ceiling’s hole.

A strong rope net fell to the floor. Azi dragged the man onto it, glancing at Yi Qing. “This test wasn’t about killing the six-legged creature. When he pulled those grenades, he passed. For some, passing proves their life’s value. He won’t die.”

Yi Qing snapped. “A test? You call this a test? That creature’s strength would need three squads to take down! If it reached the city, it’d cause chaos!”

Azi secured the man, calm. “That’s why he drew it away from crowded areas and fought on government property, keeping civilian and property damage low. His choices were right.”

“This is madness! What kind of test is this?”

Azi’s cold eyes met Yi Qing’s, silent. She raised her arm, signaling upward. The net, with the man, rose slowly.

In the shaking noise, the man stirred, seeing Azi’s thumbs-up—a signal to ascend. He weakly returned it, mumbling, “Miss Zi Mu, you’ll call me Commander Qin Ke soon…”

“Don’t get cocky! You don’t outrank me!”

Yi Qing, annoyed, shouted at him, “Is a title that important?”

Azi turned, her face cold, answering Yi Qing. “This is the Fireseed’ Citadel Three, Yue Citadel’s commander selection test! Qin Ke will be the first supreme commander of the T.P.E.F.!”

Yue Citadel? T.P.E.F.?

It hit Yi Qing. She’d heard Zhang Dulao mention these. The Fireseed was setting up a new branch in Jiangnan Province, codenamed Yue Citadel.

And T.P.E.F.—To-Paranormal Event Force, or “Paranormal Response Combat Force.”

This was the nation’s first professional paranormal combat unit, as Zhang Dulao had said!

Yi Qing looked at Azi again. She’d thought the girl was just YiQueen’s aide. She’d underestimated her.“What about Ye Shisan?”

Azi glanced at Yi Qing, then at the unconscious Ye Shisan. “YiQueen said Yue Citadel needs every resource. But Ye Shisan can’t control his Heart Demon yet, or he wouldn’t be so weak. So, I’m leaving him be.”

“Leave him be? Yue Citadel’s too reckless!”

Yi Qing was shocked. If Zhang Dulao were here, he’d have killed Ye Shisan or taken him for study.

“Yue Citadel isn’t Tongmo,” Azi said. “You’ve been retired for years, Officer Yi Qing. Now you’re involved again. Worry about yourself.”

Yi Qing huffed. “I’m not afraid to die!”

A faint smile crossed Azi’s lips. “I know you’re not afraid. So, Ye Shisan’s your responsibility now… And you felt something for him, didn’t you?”

Heat rushed to Yi Qing’s face. “Pfft! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Azi walked to the tall black box, pressing a hidden switch. Its top opened with a buzz, a sharp feeling like a blade in Yi Qing’s back.

Ye Shisan, unconscious, began convulsing.

Azi said, “It’s his instinct. His Heart Demon’s damaged but still reacts to threats or danger. Be careful, Officer Yi Qing.”

She closed the box, and quiet returned.

Yi Qing watched Azi shoulder the box and leap through the ceiling’s hole.

A faint scent carried Azi’s final words: “I hope we don’t meet as enemies next time, or I won’t spare you or him.”

Cold air flowed through the hole into the basement. Yi Qing felt drained, her strength gone.

She understood what happened at Dragon Gate Inn and the car crash.

Ye Shisan was innocent.

The Heart Demon was to blame.