Chapter 15: You Can’t Stand the Old-Person Smell on Me
To that end, Di Qiu quietly asked the living person beside her, “Grandma Fang, I have a question for you.”
Zhu Yufang glanced sideways, signaling her to speak. Seeing this, Di Qiu asked, “Why didn’t you choose the seat in front of me just now?”
“I noticed that everyone seems reluctant to talk to me, probably because they find me old-fashioned,” Zhu Yufang replied slowly, her tone tinged with a hint of pity.
Finally, she turned to Di Qiu and said, “If you mind sitting next to me, this old lady can change seats.”
A young man sitting across from her in the same row couldn’t stand it anymore. His eye twitched as he turned around and said, “Don’t blame us. Isn’t it you who kept stealing our eerie spots during the exam?”
Di Qiu leaned in, suddenly understanding. “...So that’s why you were isolated, Grandma.”
Li Yufang simply closed her eyes and began to doze off.
...
People on the bus gradually chose their seats. When An Lang reached seat 7B, Di Qiu took the opportunity to greet him. “Hey, it seems this predetermined fact can be changed.”
An Lang glanced at Di Qiu dismissively, then looked at Zhu Yufang beside her. He was stunned, then looked up attentively at the seat label. His expression shifted dramatically in just two seconds—a complete change of face.
“What the hell? How can you not play by the rules?”
An Lang was dumbfounded and sat down blankly. The last person to board was Huang Ming. Seeing the only vacant seat, 7A, he walked over and sat down.
Huang Ming glanced at An Lang, then at Di Qiu behind the seat, recalling what An Lang had said earlier. He looked at his companion beside him.
“Hey, your prediction wasn’t accurate either.”
An Lang raised his hand seriously. “Wait, let me think.”
...
The vehicle drove out of the bustling school gates. Though it was afternoon, the weather was pleasant, and many students on the road cast curious glances.
Those familiar with the school knew this bus represented the Micro Bureau. Seeing the number of people on board, many widened their eyes in surprise.
“One, two, three, four, five, six... damn, a twenty-seat bus almost full? Is this assessment really this easy this time?”
Some curiously counted the full seats, hardly able to hide their surprise.
Others immediately refreshed the forum to gather the only available intelligence about the Micro Bureau.
Sure enough, someone posted a celebratory message:
“Finally passed! Who would believe it? The tenth time participating in the Micro Bureau’s exclusive assessment, and I actually encountered an S3-level anomaly.”
...
The post was made two hours ago and had already garnered hundreds of replies.
Clicking in, the poster was anonymous.
Original poster: “That was terrifying! Luckily, I’m more than capable; otherwise, I’d be a goner. What a relief!”
Reply 1: “Stop bragging. If you really encountered an S3-level anomaly, you’d have been wiped out.”
Reply to 1: “Haha, it’s no brag. If you linger by the Micro Bureau office door and wait for the bus, you can count. We have eighteen participants this time, and seventeen have already succeeded.”
Reply 2: “Then how did you escape? There’s no way an S3 anomaly wouldn’t attack at all.”
Reply to 2: “The assessment process is confidential. I can’t disclose that.”
Reply 3: “Could it be that an S3-level esper also took part in this assessment?”
Reply 4: “Impossible. Our academy’s only S3-level esper has already taken the test. Could there be a new S3 esper among this year’s freshmen?”
Reply 5: “I’ve heard that a new S3-level esper has joined this year.”
Reply 6: “Who? Where’s that rumor from?”
...
The anonymous poster only responded to the first two comments, ignoring the rest no matter how much discussion followed.
“Damn, is this real?!”
Some students backed out and refreshed the forum for new posts. Sure enough, there was one posted thirty seconds ago.
“This year’s freshmen are on fire! Hope we get assigned to Qinglong Academy. Please, don’t be our opponent.”
The poster was also anonymous, likely connected to this assessment.
Someone quickly realized what was going on and replied:
Comment 1: “Are you saying there are freshmen in this Micro Bureau exclusive assessment?”
Original poster replied instantly: “Huh? How do you know? Isn’t it obvious?”
...
The bus left the lively city center, driving into the suburbs. After half an hour, it entered a mountain valley. The pure white surface of the vehicle gradually revealed various talismans.
Inside the valley, the scenery was strange. First, they passed a cemetery, then numerous graves lined the way. The bus traveled straight until they reached a narrow black tunnel.
Just before entering, Deng Jingxiang spoke up:
“Before entering the tunnel, please ensure all phones and communication devices make no sound. Stay quiet and do not speak.”
No sooner had she finished than the bus sped into the tunnel at 120 kilometers per hour. The passengers hadn’t even reacted.
Someone instinctively exclaimed, “Sister Xiang, why didn’t you say this earlier?”
Halfway into the tunnel, the speaker looked at the dark windshield and suddenly covered their mouth. At that moment, a phone rang, and its owner quickly silenced it.
The rear of the bus disappeared into the tunnel, and the interior instantly fell into darkness.
Sounds of something tapping against the window came from outside, and the bus shook noticeably.
The once quiet cabin grew even more silent; everyone’s breath became lighter.
It was an anomaly!
And not just one—there were many.
The students inside had only confusion, not fear. They exchanged glances and looked out the windows, using their third eye to sense the eerie presence clinging to the bus.
But in the darkness, they could barely make out any forms.
Careful discernment showed these were all A-level anomalies. They wondered why there would be anomalies on the road to headquarters.
And why hadn’t headquarters eliminated them?
They held their questions, intending to discuss once out of the tunnel.
But the tunnel had lasted a full minute with no light ahead. The repeated “duan, duan, duan” sounds of attacks on the bus created an unsettling atmosphere.
Though they had just finished a fierce battle, none of them wanted to be in danger again so soon.
On the other hand, this was the Micro Bureau’s bus. Everyone relaxed a little, thinking this was a regular route guarded by veteran employees, so it should be safe.
Di Qiu sat by the window. Even in the darkness, she felt Zhu Yufang’s gaze fixed steadily outside. This acute sixth sense seemed to have appeared only after the system emerged.
Curious, Di Qiu peered out intently.
Unfortunately, all she saw was pitch black and heard the tapping sounds.
Suddenly, a system notification sounded in her ear—one only she could hear.
...