Chapter 29: Your Handling Method Was Rather Brutal

Chapter 29: Your Handling Method Was Rather Brutal

“Other abilities?”

Lu Xin couldn’t quite grasp what Chen Jing meant at first.

He simply thought seriously for a moment before earnestly countering: “What’s Psychic Magnitude?”

Hearing this, Chen Jing smiled softly at herself before sliding a file from the very bottom of her stack towards Lu Xin. “Seems you didn’t deeply study the document I previously gave you. What we call Psychic Magnitude is the measurement unit we use to evaluate the threat level of a Source of Contamination and the ability level of a Mental Aberrant. It’s specifically designed to gauge the strength of Mental Power.”

Lu Xin took the file. It was filled with complex, cumbersome terms and units.

His previous copy of the document probably had similar content, but with English names and complicated formulas and measurement methods.

He hadn’t understood any of it except the sections discussing compensation.

Fortunately, Chen Jing went on to explain: “You can understand it this way: a healthy, adult male at his most mentally active period possesses a Mental Power of roughly ten units. Whereas an ordinary Level One Psychic Entity, or Source of Contamination, possesses a Psychic Magnitude of roughly one hundred units. This essentially determines their Contamination level.”

“However, one point demands attention: a Psychic Entity is not equivalent to a Source of Contamination.”

“Although nowadays we often conflate the two, in reality, only those Sources of Contamination that possess active aggression, even a degree of consciousness, and the capacity for corresponding changes are what we usually refer to as Psychic Entities. Similarly, there are some Sources of Contamination that themselves lack consciousness; they only distort the Mental Power of those they Contaminate, causing a certain degree of influence.”

“Today’s work clearly illustrates the distinction between the two.”

Chen Jing’s expression grew a little more serious. “Based on the initial situation and intel, we preliminarily judged this to be an ordinary Contamination Incident. It wasn’t until the very end that we discovered this Source of Contamination had already mutated into a Psychic Entity.”

“Oh…”

Lu Xin put on an expression as though he completely understood, nodding thoughtfully.

He paused for a moment, then asked: “So why did you ask if I was hiding other abilities?”

“Because you resolved this Contamination Incident alone.”

Chen Jing looked at him, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her face. “Previous assessments of you indicated your abilities fall under Spider-Type, rated C-Class. Your Psychic Magnitude was measured at roughly one hundred units, with fluctuations not exceeding fifty units either way. Generally speaking, Mental Aberrants of the same level often possess a Psychic Magnitude slightly lower than Sources of Contamination of the equivalent level.”

“After all, a Source of Contamination emerges precisely because an aberration in Mental Power has breached its limits and spiraled out of control. Whereas a Mental Aberrant is someone whose Mental Power has also undergone aberration, gaining significant enhancement, yet remains within manageable bounds.”

“Therefore, we rarely make decisions sending a Mental Aberrant to face a Source of Contamination alone.”

“Normally, the most effective method involves identifying the Logic Chain and Core Key of the Psychic Pollution Source to resolve the situation…”

“…”

Lu Xin took the cue to ask: “Then… what are the Logic Chain and…”

“The Logic Chain refers to the surface patterns and modes of a Psychic Pollution Source, typically dictating its infection methods and level. Take Special Contaminant-041, for example. The Logic Chain initially deduced was ‘Revenge,’ coupled with a discernible temporal pattern. We use this Logic Chain to analyze the Source of Contamination’s reactions and formulate plans for cleanup or avoidance.”

“The Core Key denotes the Source of Contamination itself or its trigger. Shut it off, end the event.”

“…”

Chen Jing explained crisply and clearly, then gave Lu Xin a look that plainly said, ‘I know you didn’t study the documents carefully.’ “Regardless of circumstances, finding the Logic Chain and Core Key of the Source of Contamination is the optimal handling model for cleanup. But you’re different. You didn’t look for either. Instead, you chose to directly neutralize the Source of Contamination. It was understandable with Incident 036, perhaps… but Incident 041 too…”

“It must be said, while direct, this method is quite… brutal!”

“Such an outcome is uncommon!”

After finishing this, Chen Jing paused, lit a cigarette, and smiled. “So, we still need to ask per protocol. Don’t be nervous; this is just a routine Work Report. Considering certain individuals higher up might have questions regarding such matters, I need to produce a report that satisfies them and provide an explanation…”

“…”

“Ah, I understand…”

Hearing about report writing, Lu Xin nodded; he had experience there.

“Well… Maybe it is a bit unusual…”

Considering Chen Jing’s earlier words, Lu Xin slowly thought aloud: “The key point is… I didn’t resolve it…”

Chen Jing frowned.

Lu Xin answered honestly: “It was Little Sister.”

Chen Jing’s face showed a thoughtful expression, seemingly pondering how to respond.

As if worried she wouldn’t believe him, Lu Xin pointed towards the waste bin outside the door. “The candy wrapper you threw away earlier? Little Sister ate that!”

Chen Jing couldn’t help but frown, reflexively asking: “Then where is she now?”

Lu Xin looked at Chen Jing’s head and said: “She’s right above your head… smiling at you.”

“You…”

Though it wasn’t the first time she’d heard such things, Chen Jing felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.

She forced herself to stay rigid, not lifting her head to look.

But holding out for a while proved too difficult, and she couldn’t resist flicking her eyes upwards almost imperceptibly. She saw nothing but empty air above her.

This feeling of helpless frustration became overwhelming.

Lu Xin added quietly: “You can’t see her…”

Chen Jing shot Lu Xin a sharp look. After a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh.

She leaned back slightly in her chair, perhaps allowing herself more freedom to look up later, before saying: “Forget it, we’ll set that aside for now. What I’m genuinely more curious about is this: I had already given the withdrawal order. Why did you still insist on charging towards that Source of Contamination?”

Lu Xin considered this more carefully: “Because those three team members hadn’t been Contaminated yet!”

Chen Jing naturally knew the three members of the Investigation Team hadn’t been Contaminated. Psychologists from Headquarters had assessed them and found no signs of Contamination beyond simple panic. Yet, many witnesses saw the three being physically lifted and controlled by the twisted Psychic Energy Field of the Contamination, even levitated mid-air, and firing upon Lu Xin.

Under normal circumstances, such a situation would undoubtedly be classified as abnormal.

Which meant, without Lu Xin’s intervention, the three Investigation Team members faced inevitable destruction.

And this was precisely what puzzled her.

So she asked slowly: “How did you determine the three hadn’t been Contaminated?”

“How?”

Lu Xin seemed mildly surprised by the question. After a pause, he answered: “I saw it directly…”