Chapter 197: Pressing forward
"This place looks like some kind of abandoned site, but why is it still guarded?" Hans leaned against the car window, his gaze fixed on the warehouse door. He had already counted four guards, all dressed in casual clothes, yet exuding a dangerous aura, especially the bulges at their waists, which clearly concealed weapons.
"No one guards a pile of scrap metal," Lynn replied, his voice very low. He carefully observed the guards' movements with binoculars, noticing that they seemed to have no fixed patrol pattern, but rather were somewhat loose. This looseness was not due to laziness, but more like absolute confidence in their environment.
"Do you think the Holy Blood Alliance would hide their 'holy relics' in a place like this?" Hans chewed gum, his tone somewhat skeptical. "Honestly, I think it looks more like a drug deal spot."
"Maybe, maybe not," Lynn put down the binoculars and reached for the pistol at his side, skillfully checking the magazine. "But either way, we have to go in and see."
"You mean 'we'?" Hans raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Lynn, you know what I mean—I don't mind doing legwork, but I don't want to get shot in this damn place."
Lynn glanced at him, his eyes as calm as ice. "Stop talking nonsense. Move."
Hans grumbled a few words, but still grabbed his weapon from the seat and followed Lynn out of the car. The two carefully moved along a narrow path around the outside of the warehouse, trying to drown out their footsteps with the wind and distant industrial noise. They circled to the side of the warehouse, where there was a window slightly ajar, through which faint internal lights could be seen flickering.
Lynn took out a slender camera and inserted it into the window. The screen immediately displayed the interior of the warehouse. In the footage, several men were gathered around a dilapidated table, discussing something, with some boxes containing goods on the table. But from the camera's angle, the specific contents of the boxes could not be seen clearly.
"They don't look like Holy Blood Alliance members," Hans whispered, staring at the men on the screen. "They're dressed too casually, completely lacking that… ceremonial feel of the Holy Blood Alliance."
"They certainly don't," Lynn's tone was cautious. "But these goods might be our breakthrough."
Just as he was about to observe further, he suddenly heard the sound of a car engine in the distance. Both of them held their breath at the same time, quietly turning their heads. A few seconds later, a black SUV drove into the warehouse entrance, and several people quickly got out of the car.
Lynn's eyes instantly sharpened. This newly arrived group was completely different from the people inside the warehouse. They wore unified black tactical suits, carried rifles, and moved quickly and alertly. These people were not ordinary thugs, but trained professional killers.
"This is getting interesting," Hans whispered, his eyes fixed on the newcomers.
The newcomers went directly into the warehouse. A moment later, Lynn saw through the camera that the two sides were confronting each other. The people inside the warehouse were obviously very wary of these sudden intruders, but they did not immediately open fire, instead trying to negotiate. However, the newly arrived men in black had no superfluous words; they directly pulled out their weapons, pointing their guns at the other side.
"This doesn't look like a transaction," Hans whispered. "They're here to steal something."
"Shut up," Lynn snapped in a low voice, his attention entirely focused on the screen.
Just as Lynn was observing carefully, the atmosphere inside the warehouse suddenly tensed—gunshots ripped through the silent night! The men in black opened fire first. Bullets pierced the air, hitting the people by the table. Blood gushed out, instantly staining the ground.
"Damn it!" Hans cursed. "They're fighting!"
Lynn did not answer. He quickly put away the camera and gestured for Hans to follow. Taking advantage of the chaotic gunshots and screams inside the warehouse, the two quickly moved along the wall towards a side door. Lynn pulled out a universal lock-picking tool from his waist and opened the lock in less than ten seconds.
The moment the door was pushed open, the gunshots became clearer, the clinking of shell casings hitting the ground and people's shouts intertwined. Lynn and Hansquietly entered the warehouse, hiding behind a pile of old goods, observing the situation inside.
The interior of the warehouse was a mess. Most of the original guards of the goods were already dead, with only two or three left hiding behind cover, returning fire. The men in black, however, were prepared. They precisely cleared every corner, pressing closer step by step.
"Who are these people? They don't look like the Holy Blood Alliance," Hans whispered, gently pushing aside a wooden board that was blocking his view.
"Possibly rivals," Lynn responded coldly, but his attention was not on these men in black, but on the goods on the table.
The boxes had been knocked over in the gunfight, and several items had fallen out of them—shining metal components and several strangely shaped stones, inscribed with ancient symbols. These were definitely not ordinary smuggled goods, but something much more important.
"We need to get those things," Lynn ordered in a low voice, his gaze sharp.
"Are you crazy?" Hans's voice was lowered to the extreme, but his tone was full of disbelief. "Didn't you see what they're holding? Those aren't toys!"
"You can stay here," Lynn didn't argue with him. He directly drew his pistol and began to move silently.
"Damn it, I hate your stubbornness!" Hans cursed under his breath, but still followed. He knew that if he let Lynnrisk it alone, he would do something even more outrageous.
Lynn's movements were agile and precise. He chose a hidden route, avoiding the center of the gunfight. His target was clear—those boxes. Although he didn't know what these things were, his intuition told him that they were inextricably linked to the Holy Blood Alliance's plan.
As he approached his target, Lynn suddenly heard a rapid footsteps behind him. He immediately hid behind cover, and Hans also quickly pressed himself against the wall. A few seconds later, a man in black walked over, his steps steady, his rifle cautiously sweeping the surroundings.
Lynn was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He waited for the man to get close, then suddenly struck, a precise hand chop hitting the opponent's throat, then dragging him behind cover. The man in black struggled for a few moments before going limp. Lynn deftly pulled out his rifle.
"Truly the art of violence," Hans scoffed in a low voice, but his eyes were full of admiration.
"Shut up, don't waste time," Lynn warned him, then continued to move forward.
At this point, the gunshots gradually subsided, and the situation in the warehouse began to clear—the men in black clearly had the absolute advantage. After the last of the original warehouse guards was killed, the men in black began to clear the battlefield and load the goods back into the boxes.
Lynn knew his time was running out. Just as the men in black approached the goods, he decisively leaped out from behind cover, aimed his rifle precisely at the nearest enemy, and pulled the trigger.
Gunshots erupted again! Lynn killed the man in black closest to the goods with a single shot, while simultaneously rolling to another cover, avoiding the return fire from the others. Hans also opened fire at this moment. Although his aim was not as good as Lynn's, his bullets successfully suppressed the enemy's movements.
"Quick, get the goods!" Lynn shouted.
"You want me to die!" Hans complained as he rushed over, his movements much faster than his verbal complaints suggested. He lunged at the boxes, picked up one of the boxes containing stones with all his might, and then quickly retreated to cover.
"Go!" Lynn moved towards the warehouse exit while providing covering fire.
The men in black were clearly caught off guard by their sudden attack, but they quickly adjusted, and bullets rained down on the two. Lynn and Hans rushed out of the warehouse at an astonishing speed, got back into the car, then quickly started the engine and drove away from the scene.
"What the hell did we just steal?" Hans panted in the car, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Lynn opened a corner of the box, looking at the strangely glowing stones and metal components covered in symbols inside. His gaze grew heavier.
"I don't know," he said slowly. "But they're important enough for people to kill over."
And just then.
A young man suddenly ran past them, and a familiar tattoo pattern on him caught their attention!
The neon lights of the bar stung their eyes in the night, and the edge of the street emanated a mixed smell of alcohol and tobacco. Lynn and Hans followed closely behind the young man, whose Shadow flickered in and out of view in the dim alley.
"Don't let him get away!" Hans gasped, clutching his gun as he chased after Lynn. He could have complained, but this time, he knew time was too precious for idle chatter.
The young man was clearly familiar with the area, darting through the narrow alleys like a nimble mouse, occasionally knocking over trash cans to create chaos and obstruct his pursuers. But Lynn was clearly not someone easily shaken off; his steps were swift, his breathing steady, like a predator intently focused on its prey. The alley lights flickered, and he could even hear the young man's panicked gasps.
"Corner! Don't let him get into the small alley!" Lynnyelled, his voice deep and powerful.
Hans immediately understood Lynn's meaning, taking a small detour and bursting out from another fork in the road, blocking the young man's intended escape route. The young man slammed to a halt, nearly colliding with Hans, then sharply spun around to flee back towards Lynn. However, just as he turned, an iron-clamp like hand had already precisely grabbed the back of his collar, forcefully pulling him back.
"Alright, had enough running?" Lynn forcefully pressed the young man against a stained wall, his tone as cold as a knife. The young man struggled, but clearly, his stamina was exhausted, and he couldn't break free from Lynn's control.
"Let me go! I don't know what you're talking about!" The young man's voice was filled with fear, but also with a hint of stubbornness.
Hans approached, wiping sweat from his forehead with a gasp. "Oh, this was quite the workout. Kid, you run pretty fast, but you still need to tell us—what's with the Holy Blood Alliance tattoo on you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" The young man continued to struggle, but to no avail, his back held firmly by Lynn.
"Don't waste time." Lynn directly pulled open the young man's jacket, tearing open his worn T-shirt on the shoulder. A dazzling red pattern came into view—it was the Holy Blood Alliance's symbol, an intricate dagger design surrounded by bleeding wings.
"Still saying you don't know?" Hans reached out and poked the tattoo, deliberately using force. "This isn't something you can just get at any tattoo parlor."
"Listen! Listen!" The young man's voice trembled, clearly terrified. "This tattoo is fake! I'm not with the Holy Blood Alliance! Really, I'm not!"
"Fake?" Lynn frowned, but his hand didn't loosen. "Who would get a Holy Blood Alliance tattoo for fun? This isn't some biker gang trick, kid."
"I'm just a delivery guy! I don't even know what the Holy Blood Alliance is!" The young man was almost in tears. "Someone gave me some money to get this thing, saying it was to scare off street thugs, to make them think I had backing. I really don't know what these tattoos mean! I'm just a runner!"
Hans scoffed, tilting his head as he looked at the young man. "Oh, what a great story. The question is, why should we believe you?"
"You can check my records!" The young man stammered in desperation. "I don't have a criminal record, I'm just an ordinary person! I haven't even touched a gun! I don't know why you're targeting me... but I really have nothing to do with those lunatics!"
Lynn was silent for a few seconds, staring at the tattoo, his eyes as deep as an ancient well. His intuition told him that this young man indeed didn't seem to be a member of the Holy Blood Alliance. His hand loosened slightly, but his tone remained cold and hard: "Who told you to get this tattoo?"
"I don't know his name!" The young man shook his head frantically. "It was a guy wearing a hat. He paid me a few hundred dollars to go to an underground tattoo parlor. He said as long as I showed the tattoo, no one would dare mess with me."
"Underground tattoo parlor?" Hans frowned. "Address."
"In an old warehouse on Ninth Avenue, with a red light hanging on the door." The young man answered quickly. "But I swear, I only saw him a few times, I don't even know his name!"
Lynn and Hans exchanged a look. Lynn released the young man, pushing him aside, but his gaze remained sharp. "Listen, if you lied, we'll find you very quickly, and then, you won't get off this easy."
The young man nodded repeatedly, raising his hands to show he wouldn't cause trouble. "I really didn't lie to you, God as my witness! I'm just an ordinary person, please, don't get me involved in this kind of thing!"
Lynn said nothing more, tugged at his jacket, and turned to walk towards the alley exit. Hans looked at the young man, shrugged, then quickly followed.
The two returned to the car. Lynn sat in the driver's seat, holding the steering wheel, lost in thought for a moment. Hans sat in the passenger seat, whistling softly. "So, do you think the kid was telling the truth?"
"He doesn't seem to be lying," Lynn said coldly. "He doesn't even know who we are, let alone anything about the Holy Blood Alliance. It would be difficult to fake it that well."
"So what do we do?" Hans unwrapped a stick of gum and popped it into his mouth, leaning lazily against the seat back. "Go directly to that tattoo parlor and check it out? I bet that place is probably hiding some dirty little secrets."
Lynn nodded, but his eyes remained vigilant. He started the car, and the headlights tore a seam through the shadows at the end of the alley. "If that place really has a connection to the Holy Blood Alliance, we might find some clues."
Hans raised an eyebrow, reaching into the car's glove compartment and pulling out a spare gun. "Hope this isn't another shootout. I don't want bullets whizzing past my ear again."
Lynn ignored his complaint, and the car quickly merged into the night traffic of Manhattan.
Less than twenty minutes later, they arrived at the address the young man had given them. It was a dilapidated industrial area on Ninth Avenue, a row of low-slung warehouses looking particularly desolate in the darkness. The only light source was a shaky red lamp hanging by the door of one of the warehouses, casting a dim glow.
"Looks like the right place," Hans whispered, gun in hand, his gaze cautiously sweeping the surroundings.
Lynn got out of the car, his steps light as he walked towards the warehouse. He stopped at the door and knocked, a short, forceful sound.
A few seconds later, a middle-aged man who looked like a tattoo artist poked his head through the door crack, a hint of impatience on his face. "We're closed, no appointment—"
Lynn raised his hand, flashing his badge, and said coldly, "FBI, open up."
The man's face immediately changed. He quickly opened the door but blocked the doorway with his body, trying to appear calm. "Is there a problem, Agent?"
Lynn pushed him aside and walked in with Hans. Inside was a dimly lit room, with tattoo designs covering the walls, various tattooing tools on the tables, and several cans of rather unhygienic-looking ink.
"You tattooed a Holy Blood Alliance symbol on a young man," Lynn went straight to the point, his tone icy. "Who told you to do it?"
Cold sweat immediately broke out on the man's face. His gaze began to dart around the room. "I don't know what you're talking about... This, this place has a lot of customers every day, I can't remember—"
"Don't waste our time." Hans raised his hand and pointed at the man's chest. "Lying will only make us less polite."
The man's expression changed several times, and he finally sighed. "Alright... Someone paid me to do it. He didn't tell me his name, just said he wanted to scare people. It was just business, I don't know the details!"
"What did that person look like?" Lynn pressed on.
"He was wearing a black hat, a black coat, quite tall... He was very cautious, always making sure I didn't get a good look at him."
Lynn's gaze didn't soften, fixed intently on the man. "What else did he say?"
"He said... he said this was just a warning, that the real big event hadn't started yet. He also told me to shut up, otherwise—" The man didn't continue, but his eyes revealed everything.
"He's with the Holy Blood Alliance, isn't he?" Lynn asked in a low voice, a hint of danger in his tone.
Chapter 198 Things are getting worse
The man nodded, his face pale, "I don't know who he is, but… he does have the Holy Blood Alliance's mark on him."
Lynn was silent for a moment, then turned to Hans and said, "We need to find this person."
Hans let out a soft whistle, "Looks like it's another sleepless night."
Lynn and Hans's car was parked at the edge of an abandoned parking lot, surrounded by dilapidated buildings and musty-smelling garbage heaps. This was the location provided by the tattoo artist—a place frequently visited by low-level thugs from the Holy Blood Alliance. At the end of the parking lot, several Shadows were vaguely visible, gathering and smoking, their postures loose and lazy, seemingly unaware that hunters were approaching in the dark.
"I really don't understand how you convinced the tattoo artist to talk," Hans whispered, taking his gun out of its holster, checking the magazine, and quickly putting it back. "That guy looked like he was about to wet his pants at any moment."
"He fears the Holy Blood Alliance," Lynn replied, observing the situation in the parking lot, his voice low and cold, "but he fears me more."
Hans chuckled, "You're a truly likable guy."
Lynn ignored his sarcasm. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the target in the distance across the parking lot, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. This was a risk, as they didn't know what useful information this so-called lead would uncover. But Lynn knew some things had to be gambled on.
"Remember," Lynn whispered to Hans, "we want him alive."
"You always deprive me of the pleasure of shooting," Hans shrugged, but still followed behind Lynn, carefully approaching the target along the periphery of the parking lot.
Their target was a low-level thug named Ramos, said to be an outer enforcer for the Holy Blood Alliance, responsible for relaying messages and handling some "odd jobs." But from the tattoo artist's description, he didn't seem to know the Holy Blood Alliance's true plans—more like cannon fodder used as a shield.
As Lynn and Hans approached, they overheard Ramos and a few other thugs talking.
"Listen, I don't care what those guys want to do," Ramos's voice was hoarse and anxious, "but what I want is money. If they don't pay, why should I risk my life for them?"
"Shut up, Ramos," another thug warned, lowering his head to light a cigarette. "You don't know what those people are like. If they knew you were saying these things behind their backs, your body probably wouldn't even be found."
"Damn the Holy Blood Alliance!" Ramos spat, his voice full of resentment, "They only use those scary symbols and threats to control people. I tell you, if I didn't owe them a ton of debt, I would have blown my own brains out a long time ago; it would be better than this."
Lynn and Hans stopped behind a pile of abandoned cars, listening to Ramos's complaints. Hans muttered, "Well, well, it seems this guy doesn't have much loyalty to his boss."
"Loyalty isn't important, intelligence is," Lynn responded coldly.
Ramos's complaints continued, but soon his voice became alert. "Wait a minute," he whispered, his gaze sweeping around, "did you hear anything?"
Lynn cursed under his breath; he knew they had been discovered. There was no time to waste; he stepped directly out from behind cover, his pistol steadily aimed at Ramos.
"Don't move, FBI," Lynn's voice was as cold as ice, cutting directly through the night wind.
"Fuck!" Ramos cursed under his breath, and his subordinates immediately made a move to draw their guns, but Lynn was faster. His gun muzzle shifted slightly, pointing directly at the thug attempting to resist.
"Don't move, or you'll be the first to fall." There was no emotion in Lynn's tone, as if he was accustomed to scenes of violence.
Hans also emerged from behind cover at this moment, his gun pointed to the other side, "Gentlemen, we don't have time to waste with you. If you're smart enough, you'd better cooperate."
Ramos raised his hands, forcing a seemingly nonchalant smile, but his eyes were full of tension. "Listen, listen, brothers. There's no need to get so agitated, is there? We're just… uh, chatting."
"Chatting?" Lynn sneered, "Your 'chatting' with the Holy Blood Alliance made me chase you for three entire streets. Now let's talk about something truly important."
Lynn quickly stepped forward, pushing Ramos against an abandoned car, his gun pointed at his forehead, "Tell me, what is the Holy Blood Alliance looking for?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Ramos said frantically, waving his hands wildly, trying to appear innocent, "I'm just a runner! Really, I don't know anything!"
"You're a very bad liar, Ramos," Lynn's voice was chillingly cold. "We know you deliver messages for the Holy Blood Alliance, and we know you owe them a ton of debt. If you don't want to be responsible for a few more deaths, you'd better tell me the truth."
"I swear!" Ramos's tone became more and more urgent, "I don't know what they're looking for! Those people never tell me anything specific! They just tell me to relay messages, or deliver packages; I don't even know what's in those packages!"
"What messages did you relay?" Lynn's gaze was like a blade.
"Just… just some threats, or warnings or something!" Ramos said quickly, "They told some people not to meddle, and they also told me to relay the message that 'time is almost up!' That's it! I don't even know what those words mean!"
Lynn's brows furrowed tightly. He stared at Ramos, trying to find a flaw in every subtle expression on his face. But he knew that what Ramos said might be true. This guy was just a runner, used as a tool by the Holy Blood Alliance, with no access to the real core.
"Who contacts you? Who gives you instructions?" Lynn's tone remained cold.
"A person named Marco," Ramos swallowed, his voice almost trembling. "He's my only contact. I don't know his real name, and I've never seen his face. He always wears a hat and sunglasses, and his voice is strange, like he's deliberately disguising it."
"Where is Marco?" Lynn continued to press.
"I don't know!" Ramos almost shouted, "He always contacts me and tells me to meet him in different places; there's never a fixed location! I swear, I really don't know!"
Lynn took a deep breath, released the other party, and stepped back. But his eyes remained sharp, "Listen, Ramos. This is your only chance. If you lie again, we'll make you spend the rest of your life in prison, or worse. Now, I want you to tell me what the Holy Blood Alliance's next move is."
"I don't know!" Ramos said almost tearfully, "They don't tell me such things at all! I've heard some rumors that they're looking for some 'sacred object,' but what exactly it is, I have no idea!"
A hint of disappointment flashed through Lynn's heart, but his expression didn't change at all. He knew that Ramos might truly be a peripheral character, but even so, this information was still valuable.
"Alright, Ramos," Lynn said coldly, "but if I find out you've hidden anything from us, you'll regret living in this World."
Lynn turned and left, Hans following him, leaving Ramos slumped beside the abandoned car.
"What do we do next?" Hans asked, a hint of weariness in his voice, "This guy is clearly just a runner; he knows less than half of what you do."
"He mentioned a name, 'Marco,'" Lynn whispered, "That's our only lead."
Hans shrugged, "Hope this time we find something real, otherwise I seriously need to consider a lighter job."
The night was deep, and the streetlights were dim, casting a cold, desolate glow. As Lynn and Hans got into the car, the low rumble of the engine was particularly clear in the night. Their minds were still circling Ramos's confession and the mysterious "Marco." Though scarce, these clues were like a fuse, faintly pointing towards a greater crisis.
"Honestly," Hans said, chewing gum while fiddling with the car's navigation, his tone lazy, "I've listened to too much nonsense tonight. If I have to face another jerk like Ramos, I might actually break down."
"Shut up, Hans." Lynn's eyes were fixed on the rearview mirror, his brow slightly furrowed. He felt that something was amiss, and although the surrounding streets appeared quiet and still, his intuition, honed over many years, kept sounding the alarm.
"Oh, that tone again." Hans rolled his eyes, "Every time you speak like that, something bad is about to happen—"
His voice abruptly cut off because, at that moment, the rear of the car shook violently, as if struck by a heavy object. Lynn decisively slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching against the pavement, and the car jerked to a halt.
"What the hell?" Hans cursed, quickly drawing his pistol and scanning the area behind the car.
Lynn gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. Under the faint streetlights, a blurry figure slowly emerged from the shadows. His build was tall and distorted, his shoulders unnaturally broad, and his skin reflected a strange metallic sheen under the light. Even through the car window, Lynn could feel an unsettling sense of oppression.
"What is that thing?" Hans swallowed, his finger already on the trigger.
"A Mutant," Lynn said in a low voice, a voice as deep as a stone falling into a deep pool.
The Mutant's eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and his face was devoid of any expression. He stood there like a cold-blooded machine, then suddenly moved. His speed was astonishing; in an instant, he rushed to the side of the car and slammed a fist into the car door. The steel door caved in like paper, and the entire car body shook.
"Go!" Lynn roared, stomping on the accelerator.
The car roared and shot forward. The Mutant's fingers scraped across the car's rear, creating a series of harsh metallic grinding sounds, but Lynn's driving skills were incredibly precise; he instantly adjusted direction and quickly drove away from the spot.
"That guy wants to tear us to shreds!" Hans yelled, looking back at the receding figure.
"Don't look back," Lynn said coldly, his hands gripping the steering wheel steadily, his gaze focused, "He won't let us go easily."
No sooner had he spoken than a dull thud came from the car roof. Lynn immediately understood; that guy had caught up.
"Damn it! He jumped onto the roof!" Hans yelled, having already drawn his pistol, "What do we do? Should I shoot?"
"Don't mess around!" Lynn gritted his teeth and sharply turned the steering wheel, trying to Throw off the Mutanton the roof with a sharp turn. However, the guy's arms gripped the roof like iron hooks; no matter how violently the car shook, his body remained as steady as a rock.
Suddenly, a harsh tearing sound came from the car roof. Hans looked up, and the metal panel above his head had been torn open by the opponent's bare hands! A huge hole appeared in the roof, and half of the Mutant's face peered down from the hole, revealing a chilling smile.
"He's coming in!" Hans suddenly raised his gun, aimed at that face, and pulled the trigger.
The gunshot exploded inside the cramped car, and the bullets directly hit the Mutant's face. However, shockingly, the bullets were like hitting steel, sparks flying, completely unable to penetrate the opponent's skin.
"Fuck! What is this guy made of?" Hans exclaimed.
Lynn didn't answer. He knew that if this continued, they would eventually be torn to pieces by this monster. He suddenly slammed on the brakes, and the car spun around in place; the Mutant lost his balance, tumbled off the roof, and fell heavily to the ground.
"Should we go?" Hans shouted, his eyes still fixed on the rearview mirror.
"No," Lynn said coldly, then opened the car door and stepped out.
"You're crazy!" Hans yelled, but he quickly followed, jumping out of the car, his gun pointed at the Mutant on the ground.
The Mutant slowly got up from the ground, completely ignoring the impact of the fall. His movements were mechanical and stiff, but his red eyes still gleamed with dangerous light. He let out a low growl, a sound like metal clashing, then suddenly charged at Lynn.
Lynn reacted extremely quickly; he rolled to dodge the opponent's charge, while simultaneously drawing his pistol and firing several shots at the opponent's knees. Although the bullets did not completely penetrate the opponent's metallic skin, this time, their force successfully hindered the Mutant's movements.
"The leg joints are weaker!" Lynn loudly reminded Hans, while continuing to retreat, increasing the distance from the opponent.
"Good news always comes late," Hans mumbled, but still adjusted his aim and fired two shots at the Mutant's knees. This time, the Mutant's movements were noticeably slower, but he still didn't fall.
The Mutant roared and suddenly swung his arm. His hand was like some kind of huge metal hammer, directly smashing towards Lynn's position. Lynn dodged with a quick movement, but the ground was smashed into a deep pit, and gravel flew everywhere.
"This guy won't stop!" Hans shouted, continuing to fire, "We have to find a way to deal with him!"
"Lead him over there!" Lynn quickly pointed to one side of the street, where a discarded truck was parked, "We need more firepower!"
Hans didn't ask any more questions but immediately began to retreat, moving towards the truck. He fired to attract the Mutant's attention while quickly approaching the target. The Mutant roared and chased after him, completely ignoring Hans's bullets.
Lynn took the opportunity to circle behind the Mutant and quickly climbed onto the truck. He pulled open the driver's side door, checked it, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Is the car still okay?" Hans asked loudly, while continuing to guide the Mutant closer.
"Yes," Lynn replied simply. He quickly started the truck's engine, adjusted the direction, and waited for the best moment.
When the Mutant finally got close, Lynn slammed on the accelerator. The truck let out a roar and directly crashed into the Mutant. A huge collision sound exploded in the night; the Mutant's body was violently thrown back, crashing heavily into the ruins nearby.
"This time it should be over, right?" Hans gasped, looking at the Mutant almost embedded in the ruins on the ground.
Lynn jumped down from the truck, gun in hand, and slowly approached the target. He knew that this type of Mutant was by no means an ordinary enemy; even if he appeared to be defeated, he could not let his guard down.
However, just as Lynn approached, the Mutant's body suddenly began to convulse violently. His eyes flickered a few times, then he surprisingly emitted a mechanical sound, after which his body slowly stopped moving.
"Is he… dead?" Hans asked cautiously, his gun still pointed at the Mutant.
"No," Lynn frowned, carefully observing the opponent's body, "He's not dead. He was remotely shut down."
"Remotely shut down?" Hans was stunned for a moment, "You mean, he was… controlled by someone?"
Lynn nodded, his gaze stern, "This guy isn't an ordinary Mutant. He's the product of some experiment. And the person controlling him… is likely connected to the Holy Blood Alliance."
Hans was silent for a moment, then cursed in a low voice, "Things are getting worse and worse now."
The lights in the FBI Headquarters conference room were cold white, making one's eyes ache slightly. Lynn stood at one end of the long table, behind him a whiteboard covered with case photos, evidence reports, and a few blurry surveillance screenshots. The coffee cups on the table emitted a strong bitter smell, but no one was in the mood to touch them.
Hans sat at the table, chewing gum and idly twirling a pen in his hand; although his expression was relaxed, the fatigue in his eyes betrayed his true state. The other Agents were either standing or sitting, the atmosphere so heavy that the air itself felt oppressive.
"So, what do we know now?" Lynn began, his tone sharp as a blade, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.
A young Agent wearing glasses raised his hand, flipping open his notebook, "Uh, according to our current intelligence, the Holy Blood Alliance's scope of activity has clearly expanded recently. They are no longer limited to traditional drug trafficking or black market activities; instead, they have begun to pursue something more secretive and… frankly, more bizarre."
"Like what?" Hans interrupted, with a hint of impatience in his tone, "Don't tell me about those so-called 'holy relics'; we've heard enough."
Chapter 199: A Big Challenge
"Yes, but they are clearly key," the young Agent said, pushing up his glasses. "According to information from our informant, these 'holy relics' seem to have a direct connection to the Holy Blood Alliance's belief system. They believe these items are not just symbols or heritage, but tools that can grant them power, and even—"
"Supernatural abilities?" Hans scoffed. "Sounds like a low-budget horror movie script."
"Enough, Hans," Lynn interrupted him, a hint of impatience in his voice. "Whether these things are real or not, the Holy Blood Alliance clearly cares about them. That's what we need to focus on."
He turned and pointed to a blurry photo on the Whiteboard, which they had obtained from a transaction location mentioned by Ramos as "Marco." In the photo, a blurry figure stood in a dimly lit warehouse, holding a metal box. Although the face was unclear, the symbol on the box was unmistakable—a dagger-shaped emblem surrounded by blood drops.
"Marco might be our breakthrough," Lynn said, his tone calm yet authoritative. "But we all know the Holy Blood Alliance is aware we're investigating them. Tonight's attack is the best proof."
"Speaking of that Mutant," Hans looked up, his gaze turning to Lynn, "do you really think he was remotely controlled? That doesn't sound like the Holy Blood Alliance's style; don't they prefer traditional knives and bloody rituals?"
"Their style is changing," Lynn's voice was low. "They're becoming more sophisticated and more dangerous. The technology to control that Mutant isn't something an ordinary gang could get their hands on. This means—"
"They're cooperating with a larger organization," another older Agent took over, his brow furrowed. "Perhaps a tech crime syndicate, or some Shadow agency with government backing."
"Exactly," Lynn nodded. "Our current intelligence isn't enough to prove it, but what's certain is that the Holy Blood Alliance is no longer just a simple underground gang. Their actions are starting to show a strategic nature—and this time, their target is clearly more important than any before."
"The question is, what exactly are they looking for?" Hansshrugged. "An amulet that can summon demons? Or some ancient artifact that can turn them into superhumans?"
"Don't forget, their belief system is mixed with a lot of distorted religious elements," the young Agent flipped open his notebook. "The Holy Blood Alliance believes they are 'the chosen ones,' and they've been pursuing an ancient legacy…something that can make them 'transcend mortals.' This could be a legendary artifact, or it could be some kind of technological creation."
"If it's true," Hans clicked his tongue, "that sounds like a superhero movie villain's plan."
Lynn ignored Hans's sarcasm and turned to a Agentresponsible for technical analysis. "What about that Mutant? Has the body been sent for analysis?"
"Yes, it's already been sent to the lab," that Agentnodded, seeming a bit hesitant. "However, the preliminary report indicates that his body isn't entirely 'Mutant'; it's more like a product of biochemical modification. We found implanted metal organs and neural interfaces…these things might be the key to his control."
Lynn's expression shifted slightly. Although he didn't say it directly, this news clearly deepened his concerns. "These technologies can't be obtained by street gangs," he said, his voice low. "We need to find out who is providing support to the Holy Blood Alliance behind this."
"Maybe some crazy scientist," Hans said casually. "There are always some madmen who like to play with these human experiments."
"Whoever it is," Lynn turned around and tapped his finger on the Whiteboard, "they are now our number one target. And our most urgent task is to find 'Marco.' He is the only lead we can grasp at this stage."
"Do we have his whereabouts?" the older Agent asked.
"Not yet," Lynn shook his head. "However, according to the information we currently have, the Holy Blood Alliance has been frequently active in some abandoned buildings in West Manhattan recently. That might be where Marco is hiding."
"Abandoned buildings, gangs, biochemically modified humans…" Hans rubbed his Sun. "This sounds like a nightmare."
"Welcome to reality," Lynn said coldly. "I need you all to go all out. Split into two teams: one continues to investigate the Holy Blood Alliance's financial flow and its supporters, and the other locks down the operational points in West Manhattan. Don't alert them, but don't miss any clues."
"Understood," the other Agents nodded and began organizing their materials.
Hans stood up, picked up his jacket, "Alright, Lynn, looks like we're hitting the streets again."
"Be careful this time," Lynn said in a low voice, a deep premonition in his eyes. "The Holy Blood Alliance has realized we're tracking them; it will only get more dangerous from now on."
Hans patted Lynn's shoulder and grinned, "Dangerous? Man, that's the fun part of this job."
Lynn didn't respond, simply picked up his weapons and equipment, and walked out of the conference room. His steps were steady, but each one felt heavy, as if burdened by something unseen.
The cold midnight wind carried a hint of dampness as Lynn drove his car into a quiet street in Brooklyn. The houses along the road were neat but old, their porch lights dim like fireflies, exuding a peaceful aura. For Lynn, this was a rare Haven. He parked his car in the familiar driveway, let out a long breath, his fingers caressing the steering wheel, lingering before getting out.
He rubbed his brow, feeling a wave of fatigue. The day's chases, gunfights, and the mystery-shrouded investigation felt like a giant rock on his shoulders, and the Holy Blood Alliance's Shadow was like an inescapable nightmare. He needed a moment to breathe. And he knew that here, he could at least find a sense of home.
He pushed open the car door, and as he stepped out, a familiar sound of metal clanging reached his ears. He looked up at the yard, light streaming from the open garage, its warm yellow glow enveloping an old vintage car. The car's hood was open, and a thin but still strong figure was bent over, tools in hand, busy under the car.
"George," Lynn called out, a faint smile involuntarily curving his lips. He approached the garage, his hands in his jacket pockets. "Still tinkering with this old car at this hour, George?"
George Stacy looked up, his wrinkled face appearing particularly warm in the light. His White hair was a bit messy with grease, and his metal-framed glasses had slipped down his nose from sweat. He glanced at Lynnand grinned: "You're back, kid? Aren't you supposed to be working all night today?"
"Got to rest sometimes, don't I?" Lynn walked over to the car and glanced at the vintage car's engine. "Does this thing still run? Or do you just like the sound of metal clanging?"
George shook his head, tapping the wrench in his hand against the engine hood, producing a crisp sound. "It runs better than you think. This was your favorite car to ride in when you were a kid, don't tell me you've forgotten."
Lynn narrowed his eyes at the car, memories slowly surfacing. This Ford sedan was George's beloved possession for many years, and it was the only "luxury" Lynn enjoyed as a child. He remembered George driving him around the streets of Brooklyn, when the Worldwasn't as complicated as it was now.
"I thought it would have been scrapped long ago," Lynnsaid softly, his gaze sweeping over the car's body.
"Don't underestimate it," George straightened up, shaking the grease from his hands. "It's tougher than you and I. Like us, no matter how many injuries it takes, it can always be repaired."
Lynn smiled faintly, saying nothing more, instead picking up a clean rag and reaching to wipe the oil around the engine. George looked at him, didn't stop him, and instead handed him the wrench: "Since you're idle, come help an old man out."
"Alright, but don't expect me to fix it faster than you," Lynn took the wrench and bent down to tinker with the engine.
The atmosphere in the garage was quiet and warm, with only the sound of tools clanging echoing in the air. Lynnliked this quiet; it allowed him to temporarily forget the gunshots and the smell of blood outside. Georgeunhurriedly guided Lynn in repairing the car, their communication simple and casual.
"You look tired," George said suddenly, his voice low but with a hint of concern.
Lynn stopped what he was doing and looked up at George. "It's been a bit busy this week."
"Busy enough to make you so preoccupied?" Georgefrowned, took off his glasses, and wiped them. "I know you, Lynn. Ever since you first tried to lie when you were ten, I've known you're not good at hiding your emotions."
Lynn didn't answer immediately. Instead, he lowered his head, pretending to continue fiddling with the engine. He didn't know how to explain the recent events, especially the Holy Blood Alliance. Although George had once been a famous Captain in the Police Department, the current situation was far more complex than any ordinary case. Lynn wasn't sure if George could fully understand.
"This case is tricky," he finally said, his voice so low it was almost a whisper, "and more... dangerous than usual."
George stopped what he was doing and quietly watched Lynn. There was no urgency in his eyes, only patience. He knew Lynn needed time.
"Dangerous?" George slowly spoke, his tone gentle. "Kid, I've been a Police for thirty years. I've heard the word 'dangerous' more times than you've eaten meals. What kind of danger can make a calm guy like you feel uneasy?"
Lynn was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. "Have you heard of the Holy Blood Alliance?"
George frowned. He put down the wrench and leaned his hands on the engine hood. "Of course, I've heard of them. That crazy underground organization that likes to use blood sacrifices and intimidation to promote their 'holy mission.' What, is your case related to them?"
"They're not just an ordinary criminal organization." Lynnstraightened up and looked George in the eye. "They're looking for something, something that can make them even more dangerous. And they seem to have higher-level support—some kind of technology or resources that ordinary gangs can't access."
George's expression became serious. He muttered under his breath, "This sounds like more trouble than any previous case."
"Yes." Lynn nodded. "We've touched a nerve with them. Last night, they sent a Mutant to attack Hans and me. That thing... wasn't a normal human."
George's face grew even darker. He took off his gloves, crossed his arms over his chest, and fell into thought. After a few seconds, he looked up. "Lynn, this kind of thing is beyond the scope of ordinary cases. You need more resources and support. You and a few Agents can't deal with an organization like this alone."
"I know." Lynn's voice was a little tired. "But headquarters doesn't think we have enough evidence right now. Besides, even if we did, I'm not sure I could trust everyone."
Upon hearing this, a complex expression appeared on George's face. He was silent for a few seconds, then walked over to Lynn and patted his shoulder. "Listen, kid, no matter what happens, remember one thing—don't let your instincts fail you. I've watched you grow up. I know you have ability and judgment, but sometimes, don't be too stubborn."
Lynn looked up, and for the first time all day, a slight smile appeared on his face. "That sounds like advice for me to be obedient."
"Maybe." George shrugged, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "But it would be even better if you could come back alive to listen to my nagging."
Lynn chuckled but said nothing more. He lowered his head and continued to fiddle with the engine, while George continued to repair the car body nearby. They stood side by side by the car, a silent, unspoken understanding between them.
The morning Sun filtered through the thin mist onto the streets of Brooklyn. Lynn leaned against the kitchen counter, holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee, his gaze fixed on the clock on the wall. The hands moved slowly, approaching eight o'clock. His phone lay silently on the table, its screen dim, with no missed calls or message notifications.
"Damn it," he cursed under his breath, putting the coffee cup aside, then grabbing his phone and dialing Hans's number.
The phone rang a few times before connecting. Hans's voice came from the other end, clearly still groggy: "Don't tell me you're not even letting me off in the morning, Lynn."
"Any news?" Lynn went straight to the point.
"No." Hans sighed. "Our people have been searching the West Side all night, and Haven't found a single Shadow. The Holy Blood Alliance is more cunning than we thought; they won't show themselves easily."
Lynn was silent for a few seconds, his brow slightly furrowed. "What about the lab? Are the Mutant analysis results out yet?"
"Not yet." Hans also sounded a bit frustrated. "But they said the technology for that metal implant is very complex; it's definitely not something that can be obtained through ordinary channels. This might involve certain private labs, or even Military projects."
Lynn gripped his phone, a hint of irritation flashing through him. The Shadow of the Holy Blood Alliancealways seemed to hang over the city like a thick fog; he could see it, but he couldn't grasp it.
"Alright." Lynn finally sighed. "Keep an eye on it. Let me know immediately if there's any progress."
"Understood." Hans hung up the phone.
Lynn put down his phone, his fingers tapping lightly on the counter. He knew waiting was the most draining part of an investigation, but each wait made his intuition stronger—the Holy Blood Alliance must be brewing some big, unspeakable move. And at this moment, time was their enemy.
His thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. He turned to see Gwen hurrying down the stairs, her backpack slung over her shoulder, a folder of sheet music in her hand.
"Lynn, can you drive me to school?" She looked up at him, her voice tinged with urgency. "I don't want to be late. There's a rehearsal today, and the teacher said I'd lose points if I'm late!"
"Rehearsal?" Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you don't like these performances?"
"Yes." Gwen bit her lip, a little embarrassed, and whispered, "But this time it's for the band, not those boring choruses. I'm playing the main melody, Lynn, the main melody! Do you know what that means?"
Lynn looked at her slightly proud expression and couldn't help but smile. "Alright, the main melody. I get it. I'll take you."
"Thanks!" Gwen turned and rushed towards the door with a relaxed expression, then looked back and shouted, "Hurry up! I don't want the whole band staring at me."
Lynn grabbed his coat and car keys and followed her out.
As their car drove through the streets of Brooklyn, Lynnremained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. His thoughts were still on the Holy Blood Allianceinvestigation, desperately trying to piece together the fragmented clues into a complete picture.
"Lynn, why are you so quiet today?" Gwen, sitting in the passenger seat, turned her head to look at him. "Is something wrong at work?"
"No," Lynn replied casually, his gaze still fixed on the front.
"You're lying." Gwen exposed him directly, her tone light. "Every time you lie, you subconsciously clench your teeth. I can tell."
Lynn gave a helpless smile. "Can't I have some private space?"
"No." Gwen gave a mischievous smile. "You're my brother, tell me, what happened?"
Lynn glanced at her, then finally sighed. "Nothing major, just that the recent case is a bit tricky. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"Then why do you look like the whole World is on your shoulders?" Gwen frowned, clearly not convinced.
Lynn hesitated for a moment, then finally decided to change the subject. "Why don't you tell me about your performance? What's the piece today?"
Gwen stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly wanting to press further, but finally compromised. "Alright, since you don't want to talk... It's Tchaikovsky's 'Andante Cantabile.' I'm in charge of the main melody, and the whole band has to follow my rhythm. It's a big challenge."
"Sounds great." Lynn nodded. "But that also means if you make a mistake, the whole band will blame you, right?"
Chapter 200: Reveal All Their Secrets
"Thank you, Lynn, that's incredibly comforting," Gwenrolled her eyes, but the smile on her face didn't disappear.
The car quickly pulled into her school's parking lot. Lynnstopped the car and watched Gwen grab her backpack and sheet music, hurrying out.
He rolled down the window and called out, "I'll wait for you here."
Gwen looked back at him, a little surprised, "You're staying?"
"Yeah," Lynn leaned back in his seat, pulled out his phone, "I need some time to catch my breath too."
Gwen narrowed her eyes at him for a few seconds, a smile playing on her lips, "Alright, suit yourself. But don't run off, I need you to evaluate my performance after the show."
"No problem," Lynn waved at her.
Gwen ran towards the school auditorium, while Lynnleaned back in the driver's seat, his gaze fixed out the window. His fingers lightly tapped the phone screen, dialing Hans's number.
The phone rang a few times before connecting. Hans's voice came from the other end, still sounding weary: "It's you again, Lynn. What new trouble is it this time?"
"No trouble," Lynn's tone was calm, "Just wanted to confirm if you have any new leads."
"No," Hans sighed, "I just had an argument with those people at the laboratory. They still haven't figured out the source of the technology behind that Mutant. However, they mentioned a possible supplier – a private research institute called 'Konos Laboratory'."
"Konos Laboratory?" Lynn repeated, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Yes. Their name often appears in certain government's grey projects, but we don't have enough evidence yet to prove their connection to the Holy Blood Alliance."
"Keep investigating," Lynn said in a low voice, "I need to know what exactly the Holy Blood Alliance's relationship is with these people."
"Understood," Hans hung up the phone.
Lynn put away his phone and looked up towards the auditorium. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering on the ground, and students in performance costumes moved in and out of the entrance. At that moment, he felt a rare sense of peace.
The school auditorium was filled with a tense yet excited atmosphere. Students were busy with their final rehearsal, the conductor stood below the stage waving his baton, and the band's music was at times urgent, at times soothing. A group of parents sat in the back rows, whispering, waiting for the official performance to begin. Lynn stood by the back wall of the auditorium, hands in his pockets, quietly watching Gwen in the front row. She sat at the piano, her hands dancing gracefully on the keyboard, her gaze focused, seemingly completely immersed in the World of music.
For Lynn, this was a brief moment of relaxation. Although his mind was still filled with the Shadow of the Holy Blood Alliance, at this moment, he tried to focus on Gwen's performance. The music slowly stopped, the conductor called out "Very good!" and then let the band rest for five minutes. The auditorium immediately filled with relaxed whispers and laughter.
Lynn's phone vibrated. He glanced down; it was a text message from Hans: "We found some background information about Konos Laboratory. I'll tell you when you get back."
He was about to reply when a sudden clamor of shouts reached his ears. Lynn looked up and saw some chaos in the front rows of the auditorium. A tall male student suddenly rushed to the center of the band, knocking over two chairs, roaring like an out-of-control Beast. His eyes were bloodshot, his face twitching, and his entire body's muscles appeared abnormally tense. He grabbed a harp stand and violently smashed it towards another student nearby.
"Kevin! Are you crazy?!" a female student screamed, dodging away, while the male student who was hit let out a cry of pain, clutching his shoulder as he fell to the ground.
Lynn's gaze immediately turned sharp. He quickly took a few steps from the wall, pushing through the crowd towards Kevin. At the same time, other students screamed in panic, scattering to both sides, the scene a mess. Gwen stood up from the piano stool, her face filled with shock and confusion.
"Stand back!" Lynn shouted in a low voice, his tone containing an undeniable command. His voice cut through the noisy crowd, and Gwen quickly pulled a few classmates back.
Kevin's movements became increasingly violent. He grabbed another instrument stand and slammed it hard on the ground, producing a deafening metallic crash. Lynndidn't waste time; he quickly approached Kevin from the side, ducked to avoid the metal stand Kevin swung, then decisively grabbed the opponent's wrist and twisted it hard. Kevin let out a pained roar, and the metal stand in his hand clattered to the ground.
"Enough, calm down!" Lynn used all his strength to suppress Kevin's movements, but the opponent's strength was surprisingly great, almost unlike a normal high school student. His body twisted wildly, trying to break free from Lynn's control, the bloodshot in his eyes becoming more pronounced, and low, incoherent growls escaping his mouth.
"What are you doing?" Gwen called from behind, her face full of worry.
"Stay back, Gwen!" Lynn shouted sharply, then quickly folded Kevin's arm behind his back, pressing his knee against his leg, forcing him to the ground.
Kevin struggled on the floor, his head hitting the ground, veins bulging on his face, clearly having completely lost his mind. A trace of White foam even flowed from the corner of his mouth, which immediately tensed Lynn's nerves.
"This isn't a normal state of rage…" Lynn muttered to himself. He used one hand to firmly pin Kevin's body down, and with the other, he reached for the opponent's cuff, quickly pulling up his sleeve, searching for any possible clues.
On Kevin's arm, Lynn found some tiny needle marks, as if something had just been injected. The surrounding skin was slightly red, with an abnormal swelling.
"Damn it," Lynn cursed inwardly. His first reaction was that this student might have taken some kind of drug, and this was likely the cause of his loss of control.
Several teachers finally rushed through the chaotic crowd, their faces showing panic. "What's going on? What happened to Kevin?" One of the teachers knelt down to examine Kevin, apparently still trying to awaken his reason.
"Don't come closer!" Lynn warned in a low, stern voice, "He's not conscious right now and could harm anyone."
"But he's a child—" The teacher was clearly hesitant.
"Right now, he's a threat," Lynn swept a sharp gaze over her, his words carrying undeniable authority. The teacher immediately closed her mouth and took a step back.
Kevin's struggles gradually weakened, seemingly because the effects of the drug were fading. His breathing became heavy and rapid, and he finally collapsed weakly on the floor. But his eyes remained dull, his lips trembling slightly, as if still trying to say something.
Lynn turned Kevin over and gently patted his face, "Kevin, can you hear me? Who made you take these things?"
Kevin's eyes opened slightly, his lips trembling as if he wanted to speak, but in the end, he only managed a vague word: "…They…medicine…take away…me…"
"Take away?" Lynn frowned, leaning closer, "Who took you away? The Holy Blood Alliance?"
Kevin didn't answer again. His body completely relaxed, as if he had fallen unconscious.
The chaos in the auditorium gradually subsided, but the surrounding students and teachers still whispered with expressions of terror. Gwen ran to Lynn's side, her gaze darting between him and Kevin, "What exactly happened to him? He's never like this normally!"
"He was injected with a drug," Lynn stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "This drug temporarily enhanced his strength and rage, but also made him lose control."
"A drug?" Gwen's eyes widened, "How is that possible? Kevin is just a normal student, how could he…?"
"That's exactly what I intend to find out," Lynn interrupted her, his gaze cold, "Gwen, you and the other students leave here and let the teachers handle the remaining chaos. I need to take him to the hospital and confirm the drug's components in his system."
"Hospital?" Gwen still wanted to say something, but she saw the determination in Lynn's eyes and finally nodded, "Alright. But be careful."
Lynn didn't answer, but instead called over a teacher, asking them to help stabilize the scene, then he dialed Hans's phone.
"It's you again," Hans sounded like he was chewing something when he answered, "Don't tell me you've run into more trouble."
Yes, and it's a big problem," Lynn said quickly. "I just encountered a boy who suddenly went crazy at Gwen's school. He had obvious injection marks on him, and I suspect it's related to the Holy Blood Alliance."
Injection marks?" Hans's tone immediately became serious. "Are you sure?"
Very sure." Lynn said in a low voice as he quickly left the auditorium. "I'm going to send him to the hospital to find out what's in his blood."
I'll contact the Laboratory and have them prepare." Hanspaused, then added, "Lynn, this doesn't sound like a random incident. If the Holy Blood Alliance has started targeting ordinary people, our situation might become more complicated."
I know." Lynn hung up the phone, a hint of coldness in his eyes. He looked down at Kevin's pale face, a vague sense of unease in his heart.
Lynn placed a small cooler containing a blood sample on the metal workbench at FBI Headquarters's Laboratory, glancing down at his watch—1:00 AM. He had spent too much time tracking this case, and this time, he felt closer to the truth.
Is this the sample collected from that student?" Rosa, the Laboratory director, stood opposite him, wearing gloves and goggles, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
That's right," Lynn said, his voice steady. "I suspect it's related to Mutants. His behavior, strength, and the injection marks are all abnormal."
Rosa raised an eyebrow. "Mutant? You think the Holy Blood Alliance is using ordinary people for some kind of experiment?"
That's exactly what I need to find out," Lynn replied, his tone cold. "First, let's test the blood and see if we can find any key clues."
Rosa nodded, asking no further questions, and turned to transfer the sample to the analysis instrument. An automated analysis machine slowly started, its robotic arm precisely extracting blood and beginning a series of complex chemical and genetic tests.
Lynn stood by, hands in his coat pockets, his gaze fixed on the progress bar on the screen. His thoughts, however, were far from calm. If the Holy Blood Alliance was indeed injecting Mutant genes into ordinary people, this was not only a conspiracy against society but also a biological disaster.
A few minutes later, a series of complex data began to appear on the screen. Rosa frowned, her eyes glued to the display. "This is impossible…" she murmured, a hint of shock in her voice.
What's impossible?" Lynn quickly moved closer, his gaze sweeping across the screen.
Rosa looked up, removed her goggles, her face filled with disbelief. "His blood contains some kind of… highly abnormal gene fragments. These fragments clearly do not belong to a normal human genome; they were artificially spliced in."
Mutant?" Lynn asked, his voice as low as a muffled thunderclap.
Yes," Rosa nodded. "The characteristics of these gene fragments are highly similar to some of the ability genes we've seen in Mutant cases. Especially these gene sequences," she said, pointing to a portion of the data on the screen, "they were clearly extracted from a Mutantwith superhuman strength."
Lynn's brows furrowed even more. "Extracting Mutantgenes and then injecting them into ordinary people… What the hell is this?"
Rosa pondered for a moment, then said, "This is certainly not something any random underground Laboratory could do. It requires highly specialized bioengineering technology, and it seems they're not just replicating genes, but enhancing them in some way, possibly even accelerating the gene's adaptation to the host. This explains the boy's sudden increase in strength and his emotional breakdown."
They are creating weapons." Lynn said in a low voice, a chill in his tone.
That's right," Rosa nodded. "But this kind of experiment carries extremely high risks. An ordinary person's body cannot fully withstand the side effects of Mutant genes, which is why that violent, out-of-control situation occurred."
Lynn looked up, his gaze as cold as a knife. "The question is, why would the Holy Blood Alliance do this? What is their ultimate goal?"
That's the most terrifying part," Rosa said. "If they find a more stable way to implant these gene fragments into ordinary people… Can you imagine? They would create an army that ordinary people cannot fight against."
And we might not even know where their Laboratory is." Lynn gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.
Rosa looked at him and gently patted his shoulder. "I'll continue to analyze this data to see if I can trace the origin of the genes. Maybe we can find a clue."
Hurry, I need to find their weakness as soon as possible." Lynn said, then turned and left the Laboratory.
At 2:00 AM, Lynn sat in his office, his desk piled high with Holy Blood Alliance case files. His phone screen lit up; it was Hans calling.
Why are you still awake?" Hans's voice sounded tired but still carried his usual casualness. "Don't tell me you're still studying that boy's blood sample."
Just got out of the Laboratory." Lynn leaned back in his chair, rubbing his Sun. "There were indeed traces of Mutant genes in the blood, and they were artificially implanted."
Hans was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, then cursed softly, "Damn it. How did the Holy Blood Alliance get Mutant genes? This isn't something ordinary people can just extract; someone must be supporting them from behind."
Rosa said it requires very specialized technical support." Lynn nodded. "The Konos Laboratory we mentioned before is very likely the accomplice behind this."
You think it's them?" Hans asked.
It's the most probable lead right now." Lynn replied. "They've been accused in the past of involvement in illegal human experimentation and have intricate ties to certain Military projects. If the Holy Blood Alliance wants Mutant genes, they might choose this clandestine channel."
Sounds like a dead end," Hans sighed. "This kind of Laboratory has resources, hidden financial support, and a Military background. It'll be difficult for us to find a breakthrough."
But we have to try." Lynn's voice was deep but firm. "The Holy Blood Alliance won't wait for us to find them. They've already started acting, and Kevin is just the first victim. If we don't investigate quickly, they'll soon find their next target."
Hans was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'll continue to track Konos Laboratory's financial flow to see if I can find any clues. You be careful too; don't let these bastards push you too hard."
You too." Lynn hung up the phone, tossed it onto the desk, and took a deep breath. He looked at the messy files on his desk, his mind replaying the scene of Kevin losing control, and the increasingly disturbing actions of the Holy Blood Alliance.
A few hours later, Rosa sent a message, asking him to return to the Laboratory immediately.
Lynn practically sprinted into the Laboratory. Rosa was already waiting by the microscope, her eyes gleaming with excitement and tension.
I found something," she said, turning the screen towards Lynn. "Among these gene fragments, there's a very unique marker sequence. This kind of marker is typically used in scientific experiments to track the origin of genes. And I found its registration record—this is a marker exclusive to Konos Laboratory."
Damn it." Lynn cursed under his breath, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.
This means," Rosa continued, "they are not only connected to the Holy Blood Alliance but are likely the Holy Blood Alliance's direct technology provider. They are funding this horrifying genetic experiment."
That's enough." Lynn straightened up, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "We need to find the location of Konos Laboratory and expose all their secrets."
Rosa looked at him and nodded. "Be careful, Lynn. If they are truly involved in these experiments, they might be far more dangerous than you imagine."
Lynn didn't answer, just turned and left. He knew this lead might be their only breakthrough, and their only chance to stop the Holy Blood Alliance's actions. He wouldn't let it slip away.