Chapter 56: Applying for the Police (Part Two)

After editing his message, he typed: "Hello, I am very interested in the position you posted. Could we discuss it in detail?" Without the slightest hesitation, he tapped the send button.

The moment the message was successfully delivered, his eyes became glued to the phone screen as if drawn by a magnet, making it seem as though this tiny square of light was the entirety of his world. Seconds ticked away, his heartbeat accelerating with every passing moment as he silently prayed for a prompt reply.

To his utter astonishment, however, mere tens of seconds later, the status indicator showed the recipient was online! Immediately following that, a "Read" receipt flashed into view. This rapid sequence of events left him both startled and thrilled. Had the other person really seen and read his message in such a short time?

Before he could recover from his shock, the next prompt appeared—"Typing..." Gazing at these familiar yet intensely anticipated words, his agitation grew. He felt his breathing turn somewhat shallow, his fingers instinctively tightening around the device as if trying to physically feel the impending response through the glass. Every subtle vibration made his nerves taut, his mind racing with guesses about what they might say.

Seeing that the avatar now displayed the "Read" status while switching to "Typing," a surge of joy bloomed within Zhang Heng. He fixed his gaze on the screen, hungering for a reply.

Time trickled on. After about a minute, a message finally arrived. It contained a link accompanied by text: "Hello, and welcome to apply for this position within our bureau. Below, I am sending you a link containing detailed information regarding our job opening and the associated benefits. Please review it carefully. Once you have finished reading, be sure to reply to me."

Realizing the message instructed him to check the introduction via the link, Zhang Heng tapped it without a second thought.

Upon opening the link, the page first displayed an overview of the police bureau, along with some interior footage filmed inside the facility. Although the video quality was somewhat blurry, it still provided a basic impression of the establishment. This was immediately followed by specific details concerning salary and benefits...

With barely a minute passing as he swiftly scanned all the information, he picked up his phone once again and his fingers flew across the keyboard. "I have finished reading. The position your esteemed organization offers perfectly aligns with my career expectations and development plan, and I feel a deep sense of fondness and aspiration toward it. I sincerely hope to secure an interview opportunity. Thank you for your attention!" Having polished the text, he pressed send without a moment's delay, dispatching the message into the digital ether...

Once the message was successfully sent, Zhang Heng's eyes remained locked onto the screen, brimming with anticipation as he anxiously awaited a response. Yet, as time dragged on, every single second felt agonizingly long, while the other side remained utterly silent. Gradually, a seed of doubt sprouted in his heart, making him question the authenticity of this recruitment process.

Just as he was preparing to send another inquiry, the phone resting on his desk rang without warning. An entirely unfamiliar phone number flashed across the display. Staring at the glowing digits, Zhang Heng hesitated for a fraction of a second before finally swiping to answer.

"Hello! Is this Mr. Zhang Heng?" a deep, solemn voice came from the other end of the line.

"Yes, I am. May I ask who is calling?" Zhang Heng replied cautiously.

"I am the person in charge here at the police bureau. First of all, I must congratulate you on successfully passing our initial screening. Now, please proceed immediately to XX Tower for the next round of interviews," the speaker said in a steady tone.

Hearing this, a wave of relief washed over Zhang Heng. The lingering doubts he had harbored about this sudden recruitment melted away, replaced by the reassurance that he had cleared the preliminary hurdle. It seemed this opportunity might genuinely be worth a shot. Quickly memorizing the interview address, he hung up the phone and rushed eagerly toward XX Tower.

Yet, when he arrived at his destination, out of breath, the sight before him left him utterly dumbfounded. The entire XX Tower was completely deserted, devoid of a single living soul. The surrounding air seemed shrouded in some mysterious force, heavy with an eerie, spine-chilling atmosphere...

Zhang Heng furrowed his brow, filled with confusion and unease. Subconsciously, he reached for his phone to contact the official who had just spoken with him, but no matter how many times he dialed the number, all he got was a busy tone. In an instant, an ominous premonition washed over him like a tide.

At that moment, a piercingly cold gust of wind howled past, making Zhang Heng shiver violently as goosebumps erupted across his skin. He couldn't help trembling, fine beads of sweat beginning to ooze from his forehead. Gazing at the terrifyingly silent environment around him, his heart pounded harder, various thoughts racing through his mind.

Right then, a wisp of white smoke drifted out from the towering edifice, floating slowly toward him like a ghost...

Zhang Heng was filled with suspicion. There wasn't a soul around this empty building, so where on earth was this white smoke coming from? He widened his eyes, staring fixedly at the eerie, approaching fog as he debated whether he should flee immediately.

Seeing the smoke advancing toward him at an astonishing speed as if about to envelop him the next second, Zhang Heng felt the situation turn increasingly ominous. He made a decisive choice to turn and leave at once, retreating far away from this baffling and dangerous place. Once home, he planned to report the matter to the police immediately, exposing this fraudulent recruitment scam and pleading with the authorities to investigate the perpetrators who had impersonated the police bureau.

However, just as he took a step to leave, a strange sensation suddenly flooded his body. It felt as though he had inhaled the mysterious vapor; instant physical distress wracked his frame, and a blinding, hammer-like pain exploded inside his skull accompanied by a violent wave of dizziness that caught him entirely off guard. In a fraction of a second, his vision went completely black, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

Unconscious, Zhang Heng's mind uncontrollably began to conjure all sorts of bizarre thoughts and scenes... Right at that moment, a vivid image flashed sharply into his awareness:

A black sedan drove up and halted right in front of Zhang Heng. The window rolled down to reveal a face obscured by dark sunglasses.

"Mr. Zhang Heng, I presume? Please get in the car." The man's voice was ice-cold, devoid of any human emotion.

Zhang Heng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately climbed inside. The car sped forward, finally coming to a stop in front of a dilapidated building.

"Where is this..." Zhang Heng's words were cut short before he could finish.

"We've arrived. Get out." The driver pushed open his door, gesturing for Zhang Heng to descend.

Filled with trepidation, Zhang Heng stepped out and followed the driver into the building. The interior was dim, reeking of a foul, decaying odor. Feeling increasingly that something was terribly wrong, Zhang Heng turned around to flee, only to find the heavy doors locked tight... He scanned his surroundings in panic, desperately searching for another exit. At that moment, a figure stepped out from the shadows.

"Who on earth are you? Why have you brought me here?" Zhang Heng demanded loudly.

"Don't be afraid, Mr. Zhang Heng." The person removed their sunglasses, revealing a pair of piercing eyes. "We merely wished to conduct a special interview."

Zhang Heng froze, realizing he might have stumbled into a perilous trap.

"What is the purpose of this interview?" he tried to maintain his composure.

"Simple. We are testing your courage and wits. Only by passing the trial can you become one of us," the mysterious individual said in an icy tone.

Drawing a deep breath, Zhang Heng resolved to face the challenge head-on. He told himself inwardly that he must find a way out of this place. The mysterious person led him into a room filled with various strange props. "Your task is to solve this puzzle within the allotted time." The figure pointed to a box sitting on a table.

Zhang Heng approached the table and inspected the box closely. It was covered in intricate combination locks and mechanical traps, looking utterly confounding.

Time was pressing. Focusing all his energy, Zhang Heng tried multiple approaches. Just as he was about to give up, he spotted a hidden button.

Upon pressing it, the lid of the box slowly lifted, revealing a key nestled inside. Picking up the key, Zhang Heng felt a wave of relief.

"Well done, Mr. Zhang Heng," the mysterious voice echoed. "But that was only the first test. More trials await you."

Clutching the key tightly, his gaze hardened with resolve. He knew the road ahead would be arduous, but to uncover the truth, he had to press forward. The guide led him into a second room, which was pitch black. Handing him a flashlight, the figure said, "Find the exit, and you will pass this round of trials."

Switching on the flashlight, Zhang Heng stepped cautiously into the darkness. As he groped along the wall, a sudden gust of cold air rushed past him. Stopping in his tracks, he swept the beam forward, only to see a pale face materialize right before him.

Startled, Zhang Heng took a few steps back. Gathering his wits, he realized it was merely a mask. Relieved, he resumed his journey forward.

As he walked, a faint sound caught his ear. Following the noise, he discovered a door. Pushing it open, a blinding glare pierced his eyes.

When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a brightly lit office. The mysterious figure sat behind a desk, looking at him with a smile.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhang Heng. You have passed all the trials. Now, you are one of us." The person stood up and extended a hand toward him.

Hesitating for a moment, Zhang Heng finally shook the outstretched hand. He wasn't sure if he had made the right choice, but he knew his destiny had changed forever. Looking perplexedly at the figure, he asked, "What exactly will I be doing by joining you?"

The corners of the person's mouth curled upward slightly. "Our organization specializes in investigating paranormal phenomena and solving bizarre cases. Your duty will be to assist us and protect society from the encroachment of evil forces."

A profound sense of mission surged through Zhang Heng upon hearing this. He decided to accept this mysterious assignment and become a warrior safeguarding justice.

Handing him a dossier, the mysterious person said, "This is your first assignment. Several bizarre missing persons cases have occurred recently in the downtown area, all the victims being young women. You are tasked with investigating this matter."

Taking the file with a solemn expression, Zhang Heng replied, "I will do my utmost to complete the mission."

Shortly after, Zhang Heng left the building, embarking on his new journey. Fully aware that the road ahead was fraught with danger, he felt no fear, for he carried the heavy responsibility of defending justice. He immediately set to work investigating the strange disappearances, visiting the families and friends of the victims to gather clues. In the course of his inquiry, he discovered that every victim had received a mysterious invitation to attend a party called the "Night Feast."

Determined to dig deeper, Zhang Heng made inquiries until he finally learned the location of the gathering. That very night, disguising himself as one of the potential attendees, he infiltrated the party venue.

The lighting inside was dim, the music deafening, while the guests wore bizarre attire and behaved mysteriously. Navigating the crowd with extreme caution, Zhang Heng searched for clues. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed past and vanished into a corner.

Following the shadow, he tracked it to an abandoned warehouse. The air inside reeked of a pungent chemical odor. Covering his nose and mouth, Zhang Heng crept closer and saw the dark figure crouching on the ground, busy working over a large wooden crate.

Stealthily slipping up behind the silhouette, Zhang Heng raised his weapon in preparation for an ambush. At that exact instant, the figure turned its head, and to his astonishment, Zhang Heng saw the careworn face of a woman.

Gazing at her warily, Zhang Heng asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Lifting her head, despair written across her eyes, the woman whispered, "I am one of the missing persons. They captured us to conduct a horrific experiment."

His heart sinking, Zhang Heng pressed, "What kind of experiment?"

Trembling, she pointed toward the crate. "Inside... is a demon. They want to use the demon's power to rule the world."

Eyes widening in fury, Zhang Heng muttered, "Wretches! I will never let them succeed!" He resolved then and there to rescue the trapped women and shatter this evil plot.

Silently retreating from the warehouse, he rendezvoused with his companions outside and formulated a rescue plan. As night fell once more, they infiltrated the party grounds and engaged the thugs in a fierce, breathless battle. Following a thrilling clash, they successfully rescued all the captives and prevented the awakening of the demon.

Yet, just as they thought it was all over, Zhang Heng received a mysterious phone call: "The mission is not yet complete. The true mastermind remains at large..."

Knowing that the fight had only just begun, Zhang Heng vowed to keep chasing the truth and guarding world peace.

Lost in deep thought, Zhang Heng wondered who the mastermind could possibly be. He decided to start with the rescued woman to unearth more clues.

During the questioning, however, he realized her memory seemed to have been tampered with, rendering her unable to provide any valuable information.

Just as frustration began to set in, he received an anonymous letter mentioning an ancient laboratory.

Determined to find any trace of the mastermind, Zhang Heng resolved to investigate the facility in person.

Inside the lab, he discovered strange experimental apparatus and documents. Studying the materials closely, the mysteries in his mind began to clear.

The mastermind, it turned out, was a mad scientist attempting to harness demonic forces to fulfill his megalomaniacal ambitions.

Realizing the battle ahead was far more arduous than he had imagined, Zhang Heng knew he had to secure evidence swiftly to bring the villain to justice.

A fire of determination ignited in his chest as he swore to expose the true face of the mastermind. Continuing his search through the laboratory, he accidentally stumbled upon a journal chronicling the scientist's criminal schemes.

As he was engrossed in reading the diary, footsteps echoed through the room. Snapping his head up in alert, he spotted a mysterious figure standing in the doorway.

Tensing his fists, he braced for a confrontation. Yet, upon recognizing the face of the newcomer, a trace of surprise washed over him.

"Why is it you..." Zhang Heng murmured.

"I've been investigating this case in secret all along," the mysterious person said, walking up to him and handing over a document. "This is the crucial evidence needed to thoroughly expose the mastermind."

Taking the papers, Zhang Heng looked at the visitor with gratitude. "Thank you, but why are you helping me?"

A faint smile touched the person's lips. "Because we share the same goal—to uphold world peace and justice."

Nodding with a steadfast gaze, Zhang Heng declared, "I will definitely hand this evidence over to the police so that the mastermind receives the punishment they deserve!"

Walking out of the laboratory together, the sunlight washed over them, imbuing them with boundless strength. Zhang Heng believed that as long as justice dwelt in their hearts, no difficulty could ever defeat them.

Handing the evidence over to the police, Zhang Heng and his ally prompted a swift and comprehensive crackdown.

Thanks to the authorities' efforts, the mastermind was finally apprehended, and his sinister plot laid bare.

As the world returned to its peaceful routine, people cheered and celebrated the heroic deeds of Zhang Heng and his companion.

Through this perilous adventure, Zhang Heng had reaped invaluable experience and friendship, deeply convinced that justice would ultimately triumph over evil.

"Hey, young man! Young man!"

Suddenly, a low, urgent voice broke into his consciousness. The sound possessed an inexplicable penetrating quality that shattered the surrounding stillness. At the same time, he felt his body being gently nudged by some force.

Slowly, he fluttered his eyelids open, his vision gradually clearing. The very first sight that met his eyes was an elderly sanitation worker standing directly before him in a uniform. Though her stature appeared somewhat diminutive, she radiated a steady, resolute presence.

Noticing that Zhang Heng was finally lifting his heavily leaden eyelids, the wrinkled sanitation worker in her orange reflective garb stared right at him, her eyes brimming with profound concern. Parting her slightly raspy lips, she asked in a soft tone, "Young man, how on earth did you end up sleeping in a place like this? With the night air so damp, it's awfully easy to catch a cold!" Though her words carried a hint of mild reproach, the sentiment behind them was overwhelmingly maternal—full of care and affection for a stranger.

Only then did a realization dawn upon Zhang Heng:

Oh, so it had all been a dream?