Clue 2 of 024

"An earthquake?" Li Chengyi's heart sank.

"Yes, it's said that quite a few people died in the garage at that time. I've already sent people to try to detect the location..." Xindela frowned slightly, as if there was more to say.

"When can I expect solid information?"

"I don't know." Xindela shook his head, "It's very strange. We've used vibrational wave detection technology to search several addresses, and there's nothing underground. There's something not quite right with this parking garage."

"Not quite right?" Li Chengyi picked up on the uncertainty in his words.

"Yes, it's probably not as simple as the information mentioned. In the course of the investigation, we discovered obvious traces of data being deliberately erased. Perhaps the address information has been misdirected as well, so finding the actual location will take more time," Xindela explained.

"Alright... at least I've got a name..." Li Chengyi was a bit disappointed, but since the beginning, he had only been reaping benefits, so he didn't really have much to complain about.

After all, the other party didn't owe him anything.

"Don't worry, there are still a few days left. I've prepared quite some good stuff for you," Xindela said with a smile.

Li Chengyi had an inkling of what it might be and felt somewhat relieved.

"Right, isn't there another assistant besides me? Why have I never seen them?"

"He's out investigating his Blind Spot data and can't be seen for the time being. Besides that, there's another matter that you need to be aware of," Xindela continued.

"Someone tried to use your cell phone sign-up information to locate your exact position and find out about your family situation, along with all the data surrounding you."

"... Apart from the company's people, who else knows I entered the Blind Spot?" Li Chengyi's heart skipped a beat and he quickly asked.

"The people here wouldn't leak it. To check your data, we don't need to go through so much trouble," Xindela answered calmly.

Li Chengyi bowed his head, quickly understanding the meaning.

"Was it the person who entered the Blind Spot with me?"

"Good that you know."

Xindela approached and sat down by the table.

"Cheng Yi, you're very smart and determined. I've been following your progress all this time and I sincerely hope you can make it through your first Blind Spot," he said earnestly, looking directly at Li Chengyi.

"Thank you, boss," Li Chengyi nodded, his expression equally serious.

"Don't thank me. Our goals are aligned. As for the person who checked your data, I've blocked them for you. But this is only the first time; be mentally prepared for more to come," Xindela said.

"Understood."

Li Chengyi grasped his meaning.

To survive in the Blind Spot, one inevitably had to offend other people's backing forces.

And if you're afraid of offending people, concerned about this and that, in the end, you're the one who'll end up dead.

"Once inside, first cooperate to find the exit as quickly as possible. If it's really not feasible and time is running short, don't hesitate. The rules there are different from reality," Xindela reminded seriously.

"Alright!" Li Chengyi nodded, his expression solemn.

"I hope you truly understand."

Xindela let out a breath, about to continue when...

Beep.

Suddenly, a ringtone sounded.

He pulled out his cell phone, pressed a button, and put it to his ear.

A stream of rapid speech came through the receiver, but it wasn't Yi Country language, nor was it a language Li Chengyi was familiar with, and it wasn't White Star Language either.

After exchanging a few words with the person on the other end, Xindela's expression turned into one of surprise and delight.

Before long, he hung up the phone and looked towards Li Chengyi.

"About the true location of the Grecius Parking Garage, we've found it. And we've already started the excavation. If you want to find the exit, I suggest you personally take a trip to get a real feel for the place and walk through the entire garage," his advice was very sensible.

Finding the real-life prototype of the Blind Spot was an unexpected surprise for Li Chengyi as well.

Without any hesitation, he quickly nodded.

"When do we leave?"

"We have to wait until the excavation is complete. You definitely won't make it if you go now. It will take quite some time to dig a complete passage, after all, nobody really knows what's down there," Xindela explained, "What you need to do now is to prepare thoroughly, readying yourself for the imminent entrance into the Blind Spot."

"Indeed, since nobody knows in what way the Blind Spot will pull me back in, it could happen at any time," Li Chengyi understood, "If it happens to be when I'm not carrying anything with me... then..."

At that thought, a sense of urgency rose in his heart.

"Which means I should start staying at the company from now on, wearing all my equipment at all times, ready to enter the Blind Spot at any moment. The military portable pack I've prepared for you contains high-calorie military rations that can last a long time, though it does come with a certain weight. Think over whether to bring it."

Listening to Xindela's words, Li Chengyi suddenly thought about how he should explain this situation to his family.

"Can you provide a proof of employment for my family?" he asked.

"No problem," Xindela laughed, having a son himself, he always admired those who valued family.

"You'll definitely make it back alive," he affirmed seriously.

"I think so too," Li Chengyi nodded.

Leaving the office and stepping into the elevator, the doors had not yet closed when the Pencil Eyebrow woman he'd seen before approached quickly, handing him a bag.

"This is what the boss handed over to you in advance."

Li Chengyi took it. "Thanks."

"Remember to wear it on you and conceal the gun well," Pencil Eyebrow advised earnestly.

"Sure," Li Chengyi took the bag and glanced inside.

Inside the opaque bag was a set of black, thick vests, and nestled at the center of the vest was a black compact pistol, the DeLing G17 model he had practiced with before.

"Remember not to let others find out," Pencil Eyebrow cautioned once more. "Don't worry about things like metal detectors on the subway; the engineering plastic material should pass most checks."

"Relax. I'll be careful," Li Chengyi affirmed once again.

He raised his hand in an ok gesture to the other party.

Slowly, the elevator doors closed.

He opened the bag, took out the bulletproof vest to inspect it, and quickly stripped off his sports jacket to put it on.

The heavy bulletproof vest gave him a substantial sense of security.

Then it was the handgun.

The gun also came with a belt holster. Li Chengyi skillfully tied the belt and placed the gun into the rear waist holster, securing it firmly.

He then put on his jacket again.

Hiss.

The zipper trailed up, and with the slight frictional sound, the bulletproof vest and handgun were completely concealed.

He took the public bus, heading back to Happiness Community.

Li Chengyi felt somewhat uneasy in his heart—after all, this was the first time he brought a gun home, er, that sounded a bit strange.

He repeatedly simulated in his mind how he would respond if his family discovered it.

Before he knew it, he had already arrived at his front door.

Standing in front of the black and red anti-theft door, he looked up at the red "fu" character sticker for a long while without taking out his keys to open the door.

"Aren't you going in? What are you standing at the door for?" An impatient female voice suddenly came from behind.

Li Chengyi turned his head to look back.

It was Li Chengjiu.

As siblings born in the same birth as the original owner of the body, Li Chengjiu's appearance somewhat resembled Li Chengyi's.

Both had common, unattractive looks.

But the one thing unique to both were their eyes that slanted upwards at the corners and very fine eyebrows that clung closely to the lids, making it seem like they were always smiling.

Li Chengyi's smile was very common, gentle in demeanor.

His sister Li Chengjiu, on the other hand, was completely different.

Her face was on the thin side, her cheeks sunken, her cheekbones pronounced, and her lips were deliberately painted a dark red.

Just standing behind Li Chengyi, she exuded an icy and fierce disposition.

Along with the smile brought on by her upturned eyes, her look turned into a mocking, sinister grin the moment she spoke.

"If you're not going in then move aside." Li Chengjiu pushed her brother aside and took out her keys to open the door.

She seemed to be in a very bad mood.

No, in the memories of his predecessor, she seemed to have never been in a good mood when she came back, always in a temper, extremely irritable, and smashing things whenever things didn't go her way.

Click, the door opened.

Li Chengyi noticed that his sister's hand, as usual, was carrying a silver metal briefcase with noticeably more scratches on its surface.

He didn't say anything, followed her indoors, changed shoes, washed his hands in the bathroom, then returned to his own room and shut the door behind him.

Both parents had not yet arrived home, and the sky outside had not completely darkened.

He sat at his desk, listening to Li Chengjiu cursing loudly in the next room, unsure of what she was so angry about.

With an outstretched hand, he gently touched the Deling G17 at the small of his back, the cool and hard feel of the engineering plastic, which was much lighter than metal and had a matte, frosted surface that provided a good grip.

After drawing the curtains, Li Chengyi pulled out the gun while sitting at the desk, removed the magazine, and started to remove the bullets one by one to count them again.

After counting the bullets, he began to inspect other parts of the gun, ensuring that everything was functioning and would not lead to any jamming.

The intensive training over the past month, though it made him somewhat clumsy during the inspection process, didn't let him miss any step.

Finally, after reinserting the magazine into the gun, Li Chengyi made a light aiming gesture.

Bang.

Suddenly, the sound of the anti-theft door closing came from the living room.

Then it was followed by the noise of his mother, Feng Yurong, entering and changing shoes, her plastic bag filled with meat and vegetables rustling continuously, the ingredients for dinner.

Li Chengyi quickly inserted the handgun back into its holster, stood up, zipped up his jacket, walked to the door, opened it, and he needed to talk to his family about finding a job.

Click.

The door opened.

He suddenly paused, stunned.

Looking up and ahead.

Before him was not the familiar living room of his predecessor's home, but the closed and dangerous blind spot he had entered several times before!

The Grecius Parking Garage!!

And right across the door, in an empty parking space, stood a black-clad woman who looked vaguely familiar to him.

The woman had her back to him and, hearing the noise, trembled and slowly turned her body to look at him.

"....!!?"

"...."

The two locked eyes.

"Hello...we..." Meng Dongdong forced a smile, while slowly advancing forward, she stealthily reached for the handgun in her jacket pocket.

But after only two steps, her pupils shrank, seeing that the man opposite her had already produced a black gun muzzle in his hand.

Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang...!!

Casings flew from the side of the Deling G17 like living things, hitting the ground.

All seventeen bullets were fired rhythmically in a mere five seconds.

Meng Dongdong's body shook violently from the impacts, like a sieve, until after the last shot ended and she gradually stilled, her eyes rolled back as she slowly collapsed to the ground.