Watching Zhu Yuan struggle desperately to hold back, Ignis tilted his head and pointed his thumb toward the sink behind him in the kitchen.
"Although this is the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, the way they died was... rather gruesome." Qingyi handed the cup in her hand to her junior, then turned back to continue questioning. "You look surprisingly calm."
"I didn't see it happen myself. Just sounds awful, that's all." Ignis curled his lip, his tone flat and detached.
In truth, his heart was pounding—eight people, and all of them had lost their heads.
Both the number and the way they died were far too unnatural.
Ignis had been clinging to a sliver of hope, thinking that only he had crossed into this world—that neither the Emperor nor the Four Chaos Gods had noticed this place.
Since Space Marines themselves shared a certain connection with the Warp, he had always kept silent about the Emperor and the four Chaos Gods in this world, avoiding even the slightest mention of them.
But what Razor of the Mountain Lion Gang had done… was simply too sinister.
Clack. Qingyi snapped the kettle lid shut. After a sip of hot water, Zhu Yuan's color improved a little.
"Sorry for showing you such an unflattering side." Zhu Yuan gave a weak smile. "Let's return to the case."
Ignis pushed away his suspicions and nodded to the two officers, indicating he was listening.
"From the clues we've gathered so far, Razor of the Mountain Lion Gang is an extremely dangerous man. He's obsessed with revenge." Zhu Yuan swiped across her tablet a few times, pulling up Leonard's records.
"Leonard had a grudge with him. That might be why he was targeted."
"There were nearly a hundred people in that raid. Yet Razor went after only him." Qingyi exchanged a glance with Ignis—the small officer's eyes had a strange, almost mechanical beauty to them.
"Senior…" Zhu Yuan's expression darkened. "Maybe skip those details."
"Zhu Yuan, if you don't say it, he won't understand." Qingyi ignored her partner and continued staring straight into the Salamander's eyes. "You know, we deployed armored vehicles and helicopters—and found nothing. Only Leonard Russo's team was wiped out, within mere minutes. And the way they died… was horrific."
"You're trying to tell me that Razor will come after me next, aren't you?" Ignis frowned deeply.
"Actions of the past come back to haunt us. Old enemies always cross paths again." The small officer stretched and leaned back in her chair.
Damn it, those words came back to bite me after all. Ignis regretted his past arrogance. He wasn't afraid of a gang leader—even without his power armor, his enhanced body was more than enough to take the man down.
But… what about the others in the Cunning Hares? Would they be in danger too? Eight, and the skulls… such an ominous symbol.
Though he kept warning himself not to think of that possibility—not to recall that terrible name—it still forced its way into Ignis's mind.
The Blood God, Khorne.
Impossible. This world had no evidence of Chaos, no records of the Emperor, no mention of the Adeptus Astartes.
Then he suddenly thought of the worst possible scenario.
Because of him—because Ignis had come to this world—it might have formed a connection with the Warp. A new, untouched realm the four Chaos Gods could now sense.
And that might really be possible. He'd been blown into a Warp conduit by the self-detonation of a Nurgle beast—when he regained consciousness, he was already inside a Hollow. That meant the Warp and this place were connected.
The moment he reached that conclusion, the Salamander's blood ran cold.
Images of worlds devoured by the tides of Chaos filled his mind; the horror of those visions made his very soul tremble. If even one of those four dark gods set foot here, it would be utter annihilation.
The Emperor… please, save this world.
"Hmph." Qingyi let out a sharp hum through her nose. "So, you do understand—being noticed isn't exactly a good thing. Especially by a violent gang boss."
"That's why the Public Security's Criminal Investigation Special Response Team intends to assign personnel to monitor and protect your residence." Zhu Yuan noticed Ignis's uneasy look. "We've also learned that members of Gentle House seem to live here as well."
What use are public security officers? Ignis wanted to shout it, but he knew full well that the root of this problem was himself. Now, with things as they were, even Nicole and the others could be dragged into it. He felt both his hearts pounding, sweat pouring down his temples.
The two officers exchanged glances, watching the giant pant and tremble.
"Ignis? Mr. Ignis Demara?" Zhu Yuan called several times before his focus returned.
"Please calm down. The Public Security Bureau is capable of protecting every law-abiding citizen." Zhu Yuan's voice was calm, but carried quiet authority. "You can trust us."
Though she was young, her eyes were firm, her will forged like steel. Ignis believed she was a woman who would uphold her oath—but how could that fragile body stand against the forces of the Warp? Forget Chaos Space Marines or Bloodletters; even a single blessed cultist would overwhelm her.
"I…" Ignis took a deep breath. "I'm glad to hear that promise, but I doubt you have the manpower for it."
"We'll allocate capable agents to handle this mission." Zhu Yuan's gaze burned like fire. "Please trust the Bureau."
"Our company provides personal security services," Ignis said with a strained smile. "We can handle our own protection."
Nicole would never agree to having the Bureau monitor their home. Most of the Cunning Hares' business skirted the law anyway—they'd have to take care of it themselves.
"But…" Zhu Yuan began, but Qingyi raised her hand to stop her.
"This isn't a request, Mr. Ignis—it's a notification." Qingyi's tone carried the weight of authority, leaving no room for argument. "You're the only known person with ties to Razor. Whether you like it or not, we'll be keeping an eye on you."
"Using me as bait?" Ignis understood at once. But what if the fish they caught turned out to be a shark—one that ripped the line apart and dragged the angler with it?
"We call it surveillance protection," Qingyi countered, unyielding.
"Senior Qingyi…" Zhu Yuan looked between the two as the tension thickened, unsure how to defuse it.
What's with her today? Zhu Yuan thought. This lazy woman suddenly so serious?
"Whate—"
"Damn it! So, this is where you live, huh?! Bastard!"
Before Ignis could finish, the sound of shouting came from outside.
Both officers and Ignis froze. That fast? They were still in the middle of the talk, and someone had already come for him.
Qingyi gave Zhu Yuan a look, unfastening her baton from her belt. Zhu Yuan immediately drew her gun.
But in those few seconds, Ignis had already charged to the door, a kitchen knife in hand.
"Open up, you bastard!" Bang! Bang! The door rattled under furious pounding. A heavy stench of cheap alcohol wafted through the cracks.
"Dad! It's not like that… please, listen to me!"
It was Emile's voice—the boy was begging.
Ignis yanked the door open. The man pounding on it stumbled forward, almost falling.
"Damn it!" The drunken man grabbed the doorframe to steady himself, the smell of liquor overwhelming.
He looked seventy percent like Emile—the same features, but years of toil had aged him badly. His hair was streaked with white, not what you'd expect from a boy's father.
The two officers rushed over, and seeing it wasn't gang members but just a drunk, they both relaxed slightly.
"Ignis, put the knife down." Zhu Yuan warned.
The Salamander sighed, setting the blade on a nearby cabinet.
Emile's father, who had flinched at the sight of the massive man with a knife, regained some courage when he saw the officers.
"Officer, you've got to help me!" The drunk grabbed his son and shoved him forward. "This dangerous man's been corrupting my boy!"
Ignoring the officers' confusion, he yanked open Emile's backpack and pulled out a stack of sketch paper, covered in strange drawings.
"Look! Look at this!" He threw them to the floor. "He wanted my son to design tattoos for him! What kind of person does that?!"
Still unsatisfied, he stomped on the sketches, leaving grimy shoe prints.
"Dad, listen to me! Mr. Ignis isn't a gangster! He saved me!" Emile struggled to break free, but he was no match for the drunken worker.
"Officer, look what he's turned my boy into!" The man kicked Emile's leg, sending the boy sprawling.
"Arrest him! Look at how he dresses—does that look like a decent person to you?"
"My son should be studying in school, not wasting time drawing or designing tattoos for gangsters!"
"You useless brat! I work my ass off in the factory, come home, and see you drawing this crap! You'll be the death of me!"
"I've spent everything I have to send you to school, feed you well, and this is what you do? Drawing this voodoo garbage?!"
Each word came with a kick. The boy made no sound, curling into a ball, shielding his head and protecting the now-dirty drawings.
"If you don't stop, I'll arrest you right now," Qingyi snapped, stepping between them.
"Officer, kids need a beating when they don't behave! Everyone knows that—a good kid comes from under the stick!" The man smiled obsequiously as Qingyi approached.
"You've long crossed the line from discipline into assault," Qingyi said coldly, stepping closer until the man backed away.
"He won't listen! We just want him to study hard, get into a good school, and find a decent job." His gaze flicked back to his cowering son, turning fierce again.
"You little bastard! Your mother and I slaved to send you to school, and you go run with gangsters! You think bringing this guy home scares me?!"
Seeing Emile's bruised, trembling body, Ignis finally snapped. He'd already had too much bad news today—his restraint was gone.
"You little punk! I'll teach you a lesson!" The drunk lunged for his son—only for a massive black hand to clamp around his head.
"First—I'm not a gangster. Second—your son is exceptional, far better than some coward who domestically abuses their own child."
Ignis shoved him against the wall, struggling to contain his rage. He could crush the man's skull if he wished. But this was Emile's father—he couldn't hurt him in front of his son.
"Officer! Officer! He's going to kill me! He's going to kill me!" the man screamed in panic. "Arrest him! Quick!"
Ignis could feel the last strand of his reason beginning to snap.