"Mr. Yuuto Kagami!"
"Thank you so much for this!"
Zhou Hongwei stepped forward, his expression filled with excitement and gratitude.
"No need for that."
"It's a win-win."
Yuuto Kagami waved it off with a smile.
Then he glanced around the area and apologized, "Though, I do have to say sorry for accidentally damaging your training ground during the demonstration of the Demon Blade: Thousand Edge."
"Think nothing of it," Zhou Hongwei shook his head, completely unconcerned.
Seeing that, Yuuto Kagami felt at ease.
Then he pointed to the blade beside him.
"Director Zhou, I've more or less finished explaining the background of the Demon Blade: Thousand Edge."
"As for its specific abilities, I assume you've seen them clearly just now."
"Yes, yes, absolutely!"
"Thank you so much for the detailed explanation!"
Zhou Hongwei quickly added, "Honestly, if it weren't for your insights, we might never have discovered how to properly utilize this blade. For that, our entire Bureau of Paranormal Security is deeply grateful!"
"There's still a few precautions I need to mention," Yuuto Kagami said.
"Please, go ahead!"
Zhou Hongwei perked up immediately. Any information related to the Demon Blade was vital.
"For this weapon," Yuuto Kagami began, "you'd best assign it to someone with excellent physical conditioning and refined swordsmanship."
"Also…"
"Using the Demon Blade consumes stamina. So the stronger the user's physique, the more power they'll be able to draw out from it."
"Understood!"
Zhou Hongwei committed that information to memory immediately.
Next to him, Li Yayun had already started recording everything with a voice recorder, not missing a single word.
"Well, I won't take up more of your time."
Yuuto Kagami pointed at his livestream setup, hinting that he was about to resume his treasure hunt.
Zhou Hongwei of course didn't object, simply expressing hope that Yuuto Kagami would visit again in the future.
Then—
Under Zhou Hongwei's watchful gaze, Yuuto Kagami waved his hand, and in the air before him, a bright pink door suddenly materialized out of nowhere!
"T-That's… the Anywhere Door?!"
Zhou Hongwei's heart skipped a beat!
His eyes were locked onto the door, awe written all over his face.
The Anywhere Door — a fantastical device that could transport someone anywhere within ten light-years!
And more unbelievably… it was actually a technological construct, not even a magical artifact.
If such a device belonged to their Bureau...
But of course, that thought stayed only in his head.
No matter how valuable the item, maintaining a good relationship with Yuuto Kagami was far more important.
However—
Just as Yuuto Kagami was about to push the door open...
A panicked voice rang out as someone came rushing over.
"Director! Director! Something's happened!"
"What is it?"
Hearing the commotion, Zhou Hongwei forgot all about the Anywhere Door and quickly stepped forward.
"D-Director!" the agent stammered. "It's Donghai City—there's a monster! A talking monster!"
"What did you say?!" Zhou Hongwei's expression instantly changed. "A monster? That can talk?!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Look—these are the pictures and videos sent in by citizens at the scene!"
The agent handed over a tablet.
Zhou Hongwei took it without hesitation.
Yuuto Kagami, who had been about to leave, paused and leaned over to take a look as well.
And at first glance—
Yuuto Kagami's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"What the heck is that?"
"A wolf?"
"But… why is it walking on two legs like a human?"
"And... it's wearing a hat?!"
The image showed a tall, black-furred humanoid wolf walking upright on two legs — with a cap on its head!
Zhou Hongwei stared at the photo, utterly dumbfounded.
"Director Zhou."
"I'd advise against making any sudden moves against it," Yuuto Kagami said calmly from the side.
"Mr. Yuuto Kagami…"
"You know what this creature is?" Zhou Hongwei couldn't help but ask.
Yuuto Kagami nodded. "I think I do. But I'd prefer to go to the scene and confirm it in person."
"The scene, huh…"
Zhou Hongwei hesitated for a moment.
But quickly composed himself and made a firm decision.
"Then I'll trouble you once again!"
He immediately ordered the agent to provide the monster's exact location.
"Donghai City, huh… Found it."
Yuuto Kagami tapped a few settings on the Anywhere Door's control panel and quickly locked onto the coordinates.
But instead of leaving right away, he turned back and asked:
"Director Zhou, would you like to come along?"
"Go with you…?"
Zhou Hongwei hesitated.
Truthfully, he was very tempted to experience the Anywhere Door for himself — but this was still a potentially dangerous situation involving an unknown creature.
Sensing his hesitation, Yuuto Kagami added, "This one might be a bit more complicated. Having someone from the Bureau of Paranormal Security on-site might help resolve it more smoothly."
"…Us, huh?"
Hearing that, Zhou Hongwei gritted his teeth and made his decision.
"I'm going!"
Thus—
Zhou Hongwei, Li Yayun, and Shen Lele stepped forward one by one.
Together with Yuuto Kagami, the four of them passed through the Anywhere Door, their figures vanishing from the Bureau's base.
Meanwhile — Donghai City.
The once peaceful and quiet city streets were now filled with shrieks and chaos.
"Aaah! M-Monster!!"
"Monster? Where?!"
"Holy crap! Look! That wolf is walking on two legs!!"
"What the hell? Must be some kind of cosplay, right? There's been a lot of mascot suits lately…"
"Bullsh*t, that's a real monster! What kind of costume looks that realistic?!"
"Dear god! A monster's here! RUN!!"
On every street and alleyway, panicked citizens were screaming and fleeing.
As if something terrifying was right on their heels.
And the cause of all this commotion—
A humanoid wolf, covered in black-grey fur, sporting an orange-patched cap, an apricot-colored scarf, and a scar across his face, stood amidst the chaos.
He looked up at the skyscrapers and cars around him, eyes filled with confusion and wonder.
"Where... am I?"
"What a strange place."
"These buildings are so tall!"
"And these… what are these things? No fur at all?"
"So ugly!"
The wolfman turned his head, looking around in bewilderment.
Then, seeing the fleeing crowds, he tilted his head curiously.
Sniff sniff—
"What's that smell?"
"So fragrant!"
As he walked, the wolfman caught a whiff of something irresistible.
It was a scent unlike anything he'd ever encountered before.
Yet just the smell lingering in the air made his mouth water — and his stomach let out a loud grrrr.
"The scent... it's coming from that direction!"
Eyes gleaming, the wolfman was practically entranced.
On tiptoe, his entire body seemed to float as he followed the aroma, moving swiftly through the streets.
And in his wake—
Another wave of sheer chaos was about to erupt.
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