Wei'en ate his biscuits, staring at Lisi, Marco, and Tina—who was still clutching the corner of his shirt—with a look that questioned his very existence.
This sudden encounter with a Contaminant made him seriously wonder if he should ever leave the house again.
There were plenty of ways to make money, and just as many to gather intelligence, but you only get one life!
In just two half-days—not even one full day in total—he had "come into contact" with two Taboo Objects, one Contaminant, and one Vengeful Spirit…
If he stayed at the Secret Investigation Department, Heaven knew what other bizarre things he'd encounter.
After mulling it over, Wei'en finished the biscuits in the box, patted his now-content stomach, and asked, "Can you tell me what's going on now?"
Marco looked at him with concern. "Wei'en, first, tell me—have you noticed any changes?"
"My body's gotten stronger, but my Spiritual Power is much weaker. And there's something else… something I can't quite put my finger on."
Wei'en wasn't sure if they knew about "Origin," and explaining it would be a hassle, so he decided to be vague.
"Is that all?"
"That's it."
"That's good," Marco breathed a long sigh of relief. "Thank goodness it wasn't your innate ability that was sealed."
'Sealed innate ability?'
Wei'en recalled the notification on his panel. The companion contract had sealed one level of his "Origin." 'That should count, right?'
"This whole thing… well," Marco paused, looking over at Lisi. "You should explain it. You know more about Tina than anyone."
"Alright."
Lisi sighed softly. "Wei'en, first of all, I need to apologize."
"Lisi, I'm the one who should be apologizing. If I had just stopped Tina…"
"Shut up!"
"..."
Marco tactfully shut his mouth. Even with his innate ability restored, he was still no match for Lisi.
"Wei'en, this is rather complicated… Tina's condition is unique. Simply put, she must rely on forming contracts with people to survive."
'Survive?'
'Is it that serious?'
Wei'en stared at her in surprise. "You mean if she doesn't form a contract, she'll… she'll die?"
"It's not that absolute."
Lisi's expression darkened. "However, without a contract partner, her body becomes exceptionally fragile. So fragile that she could break a bone just from tripping and falling. It would cause Tina to suffer immense pain."
Wei'en's mouth fell slightly agape. 'A condition like that actually exists?'
"And that's not all. If she goes too long without a contract, her body will undergo other changes."
Lisi took a deep breath. "It's a very unique, and very terrifying, kind of mutation!"
Wei'en asked in confusion, "Mutations have tiers?"
Lisi nodded. "A common mutation refers to one that happens to ordinary people with no Extraordinary traits. The mutations they undergo from mysterious influences or the corruption of the crimson moon are only considered Tier One."
"A Tier Two mutation is what happens to an Extraordinary like Roger, someone who already has supernatural traits. The stronger they are, the more powerful the mutation they become after losing control."
"A Tier Three mutation, also known as Calamity-class, can turn an entire city-state into an inferno. For example, that Taboo Object we dealt with, 1-83 Demon Clown, falls into this category."
"And above that is the highest tier of mutation, known as Contaminant-class—which is what Tina is."
"If she goes more than three days without a contract, she'll become a Tier One mutation. After five days, she'll become Tier Two. After ten…"
At this, Lisi gave a bitter smile. "We've never let it get to that point."
'Contaminant-class, Contaminant…'
'So under certain conditions, a Contaminant can become a Contaminant-class mutation!'
Wei'en looked at Tina, whose blank expression made her seem completely harmless. He never would have guessed she was such a terrifying being.
"I don't get it. If Tina is that dangerous, why don't you…"
"Lock her up? Or seal her away?"
Wei'en nodded. "Yes."
'In my view, she's a ticking time bomb—a nuclear one,' Wei'en thought. 'How can they just let her wander around freely?'
"We've tried. It's no use. We can't even get her to leave Caster…"
Lisi glanced behind him. Seeing Ariana approach, she began to speak more quickly. "In any case, I can guarantee the contract with Tina won't cause you any serious harm."
"Also, you must not tell anyone about your contract with Tina."
Wei'en heard the footsteps behind him as well and nodded. "I understand."
Marco clapped him on the shoulder and whispered, "I'll tell you a few things to keep in mind about living with Tina when we get back."
"Okay."
'The contract is already made,' he thought. 'I can't break it now even if I wanted to.'
Just then, Ariana from Investigation Division Two walked up to them. "Lisi, it's time to go."
"Let's go."
With that, the group started walking toward Laos District, on the outskirts of the city-state.
Wei'en looked calm, but inwardly, he was a wreck.
Being shackled to a ticking time bomb like her left him feeling deeply unsettled.
'Is it really okay to let such a terrifying Contaminant wander around freely?'
'Is there really no solution at all?'
Wei'en didn't have answers. He needed time to gather more information about Contaminants—about Tina.
'Hm?'
Just then, a notification appeared on his panel.
[You have once again heard the name "Taboo Object 1-83 Demon Clown." Your path of fate has been slightly altered. Current encounter progress: 4/100. Evaluation: When it comes to courting death, you're a real pro. Special Reward: Spirit Level +1.]
'4/100?'
'Lisi had just mentioned the Demon Clown again…'
Wei'en frowned slightly. 'Doesn't she know about the karmic pull of Taboo Objects?'
"Lisi, can you tell me the objective of this mission now?"
Ariana was not what you'd call handsome. Compared to Wei'en and Marco, he was downright plain.
He had the same hair color as Lisi, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a broad nose, and full lips. A shadow of a beard dusted his chin.
He had a stocky build but was half a head shorter than Wei'en, a perfect embodiment of the traits of the Oldes Race.
"We'll discuss your business later."
Lisi glanced back, gesturing for Marco and the others to keep up, then continued, "About that… Yegor wants the investigation conducted without alerting the Dawn Church, if possible."
"Without alerting the Dawn Church?" Ariana asked, puzzled. "Lisi, how does one of your cases involve them?"
"Ariana, you haven't forgotten the regulations for the Logistics and Investigation Department, have you?"
Lisi shot him a look. "According to regulations, you're only permitted to know about the parts of this case that fall under your purview."
Ariana: "..."
'Just as I thought,' he fumed silently. 'I never should have agreed to Yegor's request!'