The commotion from the secret realm's anomaly had just subsided. The surviving students and teachers, still shaken, gathered in the safety zone outside the secret realm's entrance. Rescue personnel were providing emergency treatment to the injured and registering their information.
Chén Mò, blending into the crowd, maintained a perfect facade of a weak, terrified survivor. However, he keenly noticed that in addition to the school's teachers and the rescue team, there were several investigators in official uniforms. Their gazes swept over everyone with a scrutinizing air.
As expected, after a simple diversion, all present teachers and capable students were asked to undergo questioning about the specific circumstances within the secret realm, one by one.
Soon, it was Chén Mò's turn. He was escorted into a temporarily requisitioned office and sat opposite two investigators. The elder one possessed a calm demeanor, while the younger one was responsible for taking notes.
"Classmate Chén Mò, please don't be nervous. We are just asking routine questions to understand the situation," the elder investigator began, his tone gentle. "According to our records, you were not with the main group when the anomaly occurred in the secret realm?"
"Yes," Chén Mò lowered his head, his voice slightly "hoarse" with lingering fear. "I saw a few plants I wanted to study, so I asked Teacher for permission to leave the group. Then, suddenly, the sky and earth went dark, and the monsters went berserk..." His narration was intermittent, portraying the role of a frightened patient to perfection.
The investigator nodded. These details aligned with Teacher Li's previous testimony. He then abruptly changed the subject: "We understand. There is also one more matter we need to verify. Regarding the home invasion incident that occurred at your residence last night."
Chén Mò's heart tightened, knowing they had arrived at the main topic. He looked up, his face displaying a suitably "puzzled" and "terrified" expression. "That... that incident. I was sleeping at home yesterday, and when I woke up, I found someone had broken in. I was very scared, so I... I called the police using a public phone, then I escaped through the window and found a hotel to stay in."
"We have reviewed the nearby surveillance footage and examined the scene," the investigator said, his eyes fixed on Chén Mò. "There were indeed traces of a struggle and some residual energy. However, we did not find any intruders, nor did we find any viable biological tissue samples. Can you describe the intruders you saw in detail? Or did you have any direct confrontation with them?"
How could there be no biological tissue samples? I personally dealt with them. How could there be no bodies, not even clothes? Chén Mò thought to himself, then quickly reverted to an expression of "bewilderment" and "fear." "I... I don't know. When I woke up, I heard movement in the living room. And from the sound, there seemed to be two people. I was very scared and just ran. I didn't see anyone, let alone fight them. Officer, are those bad guys back? Are they here to kill me or rob me?" He displayed the appropriate panic of an ordinary high school student.
The two investigators exchanged a glance. Chén Mò's testimony, his "crippled" persona, and the bizarre findings of the scene investigation—a fight with no biological samples—were almost impossible. They could not elicit any more useful information from Chén Mò.
The elder investigator closed his recording notebook, his tone softening slightly. "Classmate Chén Mò, we understand your situation. This matter is very peculiar. The perpetrator's methods were professional and strange, and the scene was cleaned up extremely thoroughly. Your current situation may indeed carry some risk."
He handed Chén Mò a business card. "This is our contact information. If you discover any further anomalies, or feel endangered, please contact us immediately. If you are truly fearful," he paused and offered a suggestion, "you can temporarily move to a safe house provided by us, and we will ensure your safety."
Chén Mò accepted the business card, a grateful expression on his face. "Thank you, officers. I... I will consider it. If needed, I will definitely contact you."
The questioning concluded. Chén Mò stood up weakly and departed politely. As he walked out of the temporary office, the gratitude and fear on his face vanished instantly, his eyes returning to a cold, calm state.
The intervention of the official personnel confirmed the troublesome nature of that organization. The complete disappearance of the bodies indicated the powerful technology or abilities of that organization. However, the safe house offered by the officials was no different from an elaborate cage to Chén Mò. He could not place his actions under the watchful eyes of the authorities.
"Safe house?" he sneered inwardly. "The safest place for me is within the shadows where the enemy cannot find me."
He clenched the business card in his pocket. It was not a talisman, but a reminder of how strong and bizarre his enemies were, and a reminder that he must improve his strength faster and uproot this hidden organization from the shadows sooner.
The official investigation temporarily concluded, but Chén Mò knew that the secret war between him and the mysterious organization had only just begun.