While Lu Ren was still contemplating whether to accept Pandora’s proposal to search for clues in the southern part of City A,
in the quiet conference hall of a military base in the western part of City A, a young girl pushed open the door and walked in.
“Miss Sapphire is here! Come, have a seat,” Director Xu greeted her with a wave upon seeing Sapphire’s arrival.
“Spit it out. What do you need me to do this time?”
Sapphire sat opposite Director Xu, folding her arms as she asked.
“Not so fast. Take a look at the case files first and get a grasp of the basic situation.”
Director Xu placed the unsealed folder in front of Sapphire, gesturing for her to review the materials.
Sapphire took the stack of printed documents and photos, scanning the various conclusions and summaries before furrowing her brows slightly.
“A missing persons case?”
“Yes, it’s the recent high-profile disappearance case in the Satellite City. It even made the hot search list,” Director Xu nodded in confirmation.
“What does that have to do with us?” Sapphire asked with some displeasure. “We’re already busy—not only tracking Shadow Beast traces but also handling the aftercare and maintenance for purifying them. Let other departments handle their own mess. I don’t want to get involved.”
“Oh, come on. This is also a major public safety issue, and it’s somewhat related to our responsibilities. Helping out can’t hurt,” Director Xu persuaded.
“…Was the person asking for your help a friend of yours?”
After hearing Director Xu’s reply, Sapphire was silent for a few seconds before suddenly asking without any particular reason.
“Don’t be like that. They’re really not friends,” Director Xu said sheepishly, scratching his nose. “To be honest, they just had no other options and came to us for help. There haven’t been any Shadow Beasts recently, so I thought lending a hand would help them get through this tough spot.”
“If it’s your own problem now, why don’t you handle it yourself? Why drag me and Meteor into this?” Sapphire retorted without mercy.
“I’m an old man. I don’t have as much energy as you Magic Girls…” Director Xu said awkwardly.
“I have the College Entrance Examination next year, and Meteor does too. Isn’t that time enough of a problem?” Sapphire countered.
Director Xu was completely at a loss for words.
He looked at the relentlessly pressing Sapphire and let out a soft sigh. His voice sounded old and weary, as if mourning his own helplessness.
Sapphire snorted coldly, propping her face up with one hand and speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Director Xu, you’ve done a lot for Meteor and me, and for City A as a whole. I truly respect you.”
“So, before you ask me to help, please consider Meteor’s and my circumstances. At least give us a call first to see if we have the time instead of making decisions on your own without telling us anything.”
Director Xu closed his eyes and sighed quietly once more.
He never imagined that at his age, he would be lectured by a girl young enough to be his granddaughter.
It was embarrassing beyond words.
“Tell me the real reason. If you say nothing, it’s hard for me to handle,” Sapphire said, looking at Director Xu.
“…The Bureau Chief is a very responsible and serious young man. I don’t want him to be demoted over something so absurd.”
Out of helplessness, Director Xu finally revealed the reason behind his request.
“Give me an example?” Sapphire raised an eyebrow.
“He found himself suddenly putting on weight, so he went to see a doctor. The doctor said it was a work injury. He was told to leave work on time, rest, and keep a regular diet.”
Director Xu lowered his voice, telling Sapphire about the Bureau Chief’s complaints.
After listening, Sapphire fell silent for a few seconds before bursting out laughing.
“Heh. You should’ve told me this from the start instead of beating around the bush with useless stuff. What a waste of time.”
“Are you willing to help, Miss Sapphire?” Director Xu asked in surprise.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I just got tired of studying foreign languages and wanted to go for a walk,” Sapphire said as she grabbed the case files from the table and resumed reading. “Don’t expect too much from me—I’m not a professional investigator.”
“I believe in your abilities, so I’ll just wish you success here,” Director Xu smiled.
“Don’t celebrate too soon. There’s no clue at all. This is going to be tough for me too,” Sapphire said casually. “Get me two walkie-talkies. I’ll see if I can get Meteor to help.”
“All right, I’ll get them now.”
Director Xu nodded, stood up, and left the conference hall, heading toward the equipment room.
Sapphire flipped through the materials in her hands, frowning deeply as she muttered to herself.
“There’s absolutely no similarity among these twelve people. From children to the elderly, every age group is covered.”
“Unconscious motive for crime?”
……
In the southern Satellite City of City A, the Warehouse District of Seventy-Two Streets, inside the White Warehouse.
A human figure wearing a red cloak and a clown mask sat in the room, clapping their hands near the microphone.
The clear sound of applause quickly echoed through the warehouse, causing the pitch-black hall to be lit up by the incandescent lights triggered by sound sensors.
The person wearing the clown mask looked at the twelve people in the hall, leaned close to the microphone, and issued a purely mechanically synthesized voice.
“Congratulations to all of you for receiving my invitation to participate in my game…”
“Get lost! This is obviously a trash game! I’m not playing! I want to go back and play shooting games with my mom!”
But before the clown could finish speaking, an angry young man shouted loudly, interrupting him.
The “Clown”’s expression darkened, and he immediately pressed the blue button marked number eight in the room.
The next moment, the young man’s body convulsed with electric shocks, trembling uncontrollably as he whimpered and couldn’t speak.
Only when the young man was about to lose consciousness did the “Clown” press the blue button again, temporarily sparing the poor youth.
“Each of you wears a specially made necklace around your neck. If you interrupt me again, your fate will be the same as his.”
After this severe punishment, the mechanically synthesized voice once again resounded throughout the hall, warning the remaining people not to challenge his authority.
The other eleven, who had not been punished, exchanged glances filled with obvious fear.
Seeing their quiet demeanor, the “Clown” laughed with satisfaction and addressed the microphone again.
“Good, it seems you’re all smart people. That puts my mind at ease.”
“Now, let me begin the introduction to the game.”
The person wearing the clown mask deliberately paused before looking at the twelve people and enunciating the carefully prepared lines.
“First of all, congratulations on participating in this real-life version of…”
“…Game: Who is the Werewolf!”