Chapter 73
Chapter 73
“Look! It’s the Zone Governor!”
“The Zone Governor is here, and so is the United Government’s Stability Enforcement Unit!”
“Is this a terrorist attack? This is terrifying…”
After a long delay, Yuan Risheng, the highest authority in the Safe Zone and its current Zone Governor, finally stepped out of his vehicle and into public view.
He was a calm, capable-looking man.
Though already past fifty, he remained full of vigor.
He stood tall and upright, exuding an unquestionable authority cultivated over many years of wielding great power.
This was Yuan Risheng, Zone Governor of Safe Zone 088.
“Everyone, there is no need to panic.”
“The situation will soon be under control. The dangerous individual inside will be brought to justice.”
Yuan Risheng’s voice was steady and powerful, naturally inspiring trust.
“The Stability Enforcement Unit has arrived. No matter who threatens the peace and order of this Safe Zone, they cannot escape the judgment of the law!”
“We have also notified the Anomaly Hunter Bureau. Several Anomaly Hunters are already on their way. Please remain calm.”
His expression was grave, and every word rang with conviction. Yet when he faced the public, he appeared both generous and approachable.
With only a few sentences, Yuan Risheng easily calmed the restless crowd.
With only a few sentences, Qin Lan became a dangerous criminal threatening the peace and order of the Safe Zone.
That description was not entirely wrong. Qin Lan truly was dangerous–at least, he looked dangerous right now.
Fully armed guards rapidly split into teams. In moments, they established a security cordon, pushed the civilians back, and cleared a wide-open area.
Before they could make their next move, startled cries erupted from the crowd.
Qin Lan leaped from the window. He landed with a tremendous boom, throwing dust into the air.
He emerged from the cloud with blood covering his clothes and a perfectly calm expression.
“All units, prepare for combat!”
“The target has appeared. Open fire immediately!”
The commander of the Stability Enforcement Unit ordered Qin Lan’s execution without the slightest hesitation.
Before arriving, he had received direct authorization from Zone Governor Yuan to kill the dangerous individual as quickly as possible, regardless of the cost.
The guards’ firearms were special weapons supplied by the United Government’s research division. Concentrated fire from them could swiftly kill even a 2-Star anomaly.
They could briefly suppress a 3-Star anomaly as well.
Almost every guard possessed a combat Talent of C-rank or above. They were elites carefully selected from police academies, and several had even advanced their Curse Cores to Tier 2.
Of course, Anomaly Hunters possessed extensive real combat experience. They also had access to rare items and Curse Codices through the Anomaly Hunter Bureau’s exclusive exchange store.
Combined with the cursed artifacts they carried, Anomaly Hunters held an absolute advantage even when both sides possessed Tier 2 Curse Cores.
Qin Lan was no ordinary 3-Star Anomaly Hunter.
His figure moved like an illusory bolt of lightning. Hundreds of enchanted rounds filled the air, yet he slipped between them with ease and showed no sign of pressure.
With a Spirit stat of 33 and Speed of 23, Qin Lan could effortlessly perceive the trajectories of the high-velocity bullets and evade them.
Even a direct hit would have done him little harm.
Every guard’s expression grew solemn. The commander behind them scowled.
There was only one explanation for such strength.
“A 3-Star Anomaly Hunter?”
Yuan Risheng’s face darkened as well.
So the attacker really was an Anomaly Hunter.
He had suspected from the start that only an Anomaly Hunter could cause such chaos at Qianshan Hospital.
The other man had called him without fear and openly demanded his presence, displaying absolute confidence in his own strength.
Yuan Risheng simply had not expected him to be a 3-Star Anomaly Hunter–and an elite among 3-Stars at that!
“Zone Governor, ordering my death without a word doesn’t seem consistent with your duty to serve the people, does it?”
When the barrage finally ended, Qin Lan brushed the dust from his clothes and stood there unharmed. He was even smiling.
Yuan Risheng’s face turned cold. He spoke first, his words firm and forceful.
“Anomaly Hunter, have you forgotten the oath you swore when you joined the Anomaly Hunter Bureau?”
“Anomaly Hunters must place the interests of civilians above all else, dedicate themselves to the peace and order of the Safe Zone, forever stand before the people, and remain on the front line of humanity’s resistance against anomalies…”
“Now look at what you’ve done!”
Yuan Risheng appeared deeply pained, as if Qin Lan’s actions had broken his heart.
“You enjoy the resources provided by the United Government and the Anomaly Hunter Bureau, yet you abuse your strength to destroy the lives and property of the public. This is utterly deranged!”
“Qianshan Hospital is a vital pillar of this Safe Zone’s medical system, yet you vandalized it at will and harmed innocent people. Is that how an Anomaly Hunter should behave?!”
By the end of that impassioned speech, Yuan Risheng had pinned more accusations on Qin Lan than anyone could count.
“Impressive. As expected of a career politician. Label the enemy, choose the righteous side, and repeat the oldest combination in the book. You’ve mastered it.”
Qin Lan gave Yuan Risheng an admiring thumbs-up. “With a shameless public servant like you in charge, the people’s days must be numbered.”
A vicious gleam flashed through Yuan Risheng’s eyes. He took two steps back and barked in a low voice.
“Let me remind you that resistance is futile!”
“Reinforcements from the Anomaly Hunter Bureau will arrive soon. No matter how you distort the truth, the only thing waiting for you is the judgment of the law!”
Qin Lan showed no intention of fleeing.
Instead, he calmly sat down on the ground and spoke without a care.
“That’s fine. There’s no rush. I’ll wait.”
Seeing him act this way, Yuan Risheng sneered inwardly. “Is he confident or simply stupid…?”
“He isn’t the only 3-Star Anomaly Hunter in the Safe Zone!”
“Once reinforcements arrive, he won’t even know how he died!”
“Anomaly Hunters… I’ve finally caught these bastards making a mistake. They usually look down on everyone, even United Government officials.”
Satisfaction welled in Yuan Risheng’s heart. “After an incident like this, even Lu Xingshan will be held responsible for failing to supervise his own people!”
Yuan Risheng had clashed with the Anomaly Hunter Bureau for years. Lu Xingshan had once twisted the head off one of his relatives, traumatizing a certain young man surnamed Xue who happened to witness it.
The two sides appeared cordial and impartial in public, but Yuan Risheng had long wanted an opportunity to make trouble for the Bureau.
Several sharp sounds cut through the air as reinforcements from the Anomaly Hunter Bureau finally arrived.
Yuan Risheng relaxed at once.
After learning that Qin Lan was a 3-Star Anomaly Hunter, he had genuinely feared that the young man might charge over and trade his life for Yuan Risheng’s.
Now that reinforcements had arrived, there was nothing left to fear.
“Hello, I am Yuan Risheng, Zone Governor of Safe Zone 088.” Yuan Risheng stepped forward and shook hands with the leading Anomaly Hunter, his voice grave. “The Anomaly Hunter who slaughtered civilians at will is right there. Please subdue him!”
Yuan Risheng immediately noticed the silver badge on the man’s chest, identifying him as another powerful 3-Star expert. His tone became especially courteous.
Then Yuan Risheng sensed that something was wrong.
The 3-Star Anomaly Hunter who had arrived as reinforcement was staring strangely at the surrounded Qin Lan.
“Wait… Why is it you?”
“You’re the brat who caused all this?”
Qin Lan grinned and waved to the newcomer. “Well, if it isn’t Brother Dong.”
“Here to arrest me?”