The handcuffs on Luo Shu and his teammates were unlocked, and the bindings around their legs were cut. The three stood up, stretching their limbs before turning to face Hunter He, who remained seated in the center. Several bodyguards collected the chairs and set them aside against the wall.
Hunter He, exuding an air of authority, looked fatigued and grim, his expression subdued yet barely betraying any sorrow over the loss of his only daughter. His gaze was icy as he addressed them, "I suggest you avoid trying any tricks. These explosive devices around your necks will detonate if you leave Harbor Island. If I want them to explode, they will; if you try to remove them, they will explode. So…you have only one path forward: solve the case and find my daughter's killer!"
Angela Yu and Frank Zhang exchanged uneasy looks. The bomb collars were an oppressive reminder of the danger. Although every game script world carried its own risks, none had felt this immediate.
Luo Shu, on the other hand, was thinking. If the explosive devices around their necks weren't forced by the system but part of the NPC's plot, there could be a way to dismantle them. However small the possibility, it was there. But rather than fixating on it, he found himself intrigued by the idea of solving a murder.
After all, in the Horror Game, could there really be such a thing as a "simple" murder case?
He asked, "What's the current time?"
Frederick Chen glanced at his watch, replying, "It's 8:40 PM."
Luo Shu pressed further, "And the DNA results were ready in a day?"
Frederick's expression grew puzzled, seemingly at odds with the detective's line of questioning. "Yes, to be precise, it was available in just three hours."
His teammates were equally confused by Luo Shu's line of inquiry.
Luo Shu paused, then asked, "What year is it again?"
Frederick scowled, exchanging a look with Hunter He, who remained impassive. Then, visibly irritated, he addressed Luo Shu, "Are you toying with us? Do you even know who Mr. He is?"
Luo Shu replied, his tone sharp and unbothered, "Don't waste my time! I've only got 24 hours! Now, answer me—what year? It's crucial for the investigation!"
His acting startled the assistant, who, after a deep breath, responded, "It's 2029."
Luo Shu nodded in understanding. With his medical background, he had noticed something odd. While the body appeared freshly preserved, DNA analysis would typically take days to complete. But now, with eight years' worth of technological advancements in forensic science, it suddenly made sense.
Having silenced the "troublemaker," Frederick rolled his eyes and turned to the other two. "What about you two? Any questions?"
Frank, who worked as a mechanic outside the game, was at a loss when it came to detective work. Angela, however, took a moment to consider before asking, "Do you have an initial police report?"
Luo Shu nodded in agreement; even an unreliable police report might offer some useful insight.
Frederick shrugged, "There is one, but it doesn't offer much. I can summarize it briefly: the police suspect it could be the work of a copycat serial killer."
For several minutes, he relayed the police's theories, though Luo Shu noted the progress was sparse and mostly speculative.
Finding little value in the report, Luo Shu redirected, "Does T Plaza have any specific significance?"
Frederick replied, "Hmm…the Dior beauty counter there is the largest in Harbor Island, and it was Miss Yvonne's favorite shopping spot."
Without formal criminology training, Luo Shu was left to rely on logic, noting a few aspects that didn't add up. He asked, "Has the autopsy been conducted?"
Frederick answered, "Yes, Mr. He insisted on it immediately. The cause of death was cardiac arrest due to electrocution—like she was struck by lightning. Additionally, her mouth sustained injuries, with all her teeth knocked out, suggesting she may have been held captive and tortured."
At this, Hunter He's face twitched, his expression betraying a hint of pain.
Luo Shu frowned deeply.
Even Angela could tell Frank wasn't suited for solving cases. However, their seemingly quirky Level 2 teammate appeared to have some useful insights. She asked, "Any thoughts?"
Luo Shu replied, "This whole situation feels…strange and irrational."
He lowered his gaze, musing as if to himself, "First, why would anyone flay her? A simple act of copying a serial killer?"
"People have flayed others for centuries. Should we trace this back to Emperor Hongwu? Or to prehistoric times? It's just an excuse the police give when they have no real answers."
"Is it some kind of ritualistic obsession? Or is it meant to prove something?"
"Tossing her near her favorite shopping center…was that part of some ritual? Or was she killed nearby and dumped there?"
"And why knock out her teeth? Torture?"
Luo Shu was reminded of the previous game script, with its gouged-out eyes and slashed face. Perhaps it was due to a similar motive?
An "eye for an eye" approach? Maybe Yvonne had angered a truly ruthless individual, leading to her teeth being forcibly removed as punishment.
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