Ivy arrived home close to midnight.
Wang Suli, who hadn’t slept, was waiting anxiously in the living room.
While buying neutralizers at the store, she’d overheard a neighbor whisper that her son had gotten into trouble and been harassed by two thugs from the Qinglang Gang. The neighbor’s husband was a street vendor, and she’d mentioned that the thugs ate five bowls of food without paying.
Wang Suli had tried calling Ivy, then Eric Ruiz, then Audrey, but none of them answered.
Ivy had put her phone on silent mode while committing the murders.
Eric Ruiz was busy supervising a stakeout, and his phone was turned off.
Audrey had been out partying, hoping to encounter members of the extremist organization. She wanted to find five members so that the reward could be fairly distributed.
Audrey hadn’t silenced her phone; she simply didn't want to use her old phone in front of her friends.
Seeing Ivy enter, Wang Suli, clutching her phone, looked up.
“You’re back? Why are you so late? What happened with those thugs?” she asked anxiously, immediately examining Ivy.
Ivy’s jacket had some small holes where she’d torn away blood-soaked cloth.
Her shoes were covered in dirt, evidence of digging.
Her right index finger was wrapped in a crumpled tissue, with a hint of blood visible. It was injured.
Wang Suli unwrapped the tissue, revealing a pale, exposed bone fragment. Her eyes welled up. “They hurt you. They cut your fingertip.”
Wang Suli’s voice was choked with tears. “Why did they hurt you? No, you mustn’t go out. Stay home until your father returns.”
Ivy looked at her mother, her wounds bandaged, and said calmly, “No need. It was a misunderstanding. It’s settled. They won’t bother me again.”
Seeing Ivy’s reluctance to speak, Wang Suli wiped her tears, still wanting to know more.
Ivy reluctantly explained, telling Wang Suli why she was involved.
In short, the Qinglang Gang leader’s son had died, and he suspected the students from school were the murderers.
“I explained everything. Those thugs are now harassing a lame man. They won’t bother me anymore,” Ivy said vaguely, ending the conversation and returning to her room.
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Wang Suli was far from reassured. Hearing Ivy’s explanation, she was both frightened and angry.
She decided to tell Eric Ruiz everything.
Her daughter couldn’t possibly be a murderer. While Ivy might be less talented, she was usually quiet and unassuming. She wouldn’t commit a crime, let alone murder.
Ah, yes, Ivy had mentioned the evening of the 15th.
She’d returned home late that night, and Eric Ruiz and Audrey were out. She’d gone to bed early, so…
It was a while ago, but Wang Suli remembered seeing Ivy come home that night, only slightly later than usual. If anyone asked, that’s what she’d say, even to Eric.
Wang Suli rubbed her temples, her gaze firm. She wasn’t lying to protect Ivy; she wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble and prevent Eric from further alienating his daughter.
Ivy closed the door, leaning against it for a moment.
She felt a pang of guilt for subtly manipulating Wang Suli. After all, she was the only one who truly cared about her in this family.
Although, Wang Suli was more concerned about Audrey and Eric. Ivy was, after all, the least important.
But that was understandable. Ivy knew she would repay Wang Suli later.
In this family, Wang Suli was the only one who deserved her gratitude.
“The precinct has already closed the case. The Qinglang Gang is about to resolve things. I just need to fill in the missing evidence and throw suspicion away.”
Ivy considered the situation and felt she had covered all the bases.
No matter who investigated this case in the future, it would be difficult to connect it to her.
Although Ivy didn’t think anyone would reopen the case after dealing with the Qinglang Gang, she was cautious and wanted to cover all her tracks.
Sitting at her desk, she reviewed her actions for the day.
The pen scratched across the paper. Each item on her checklist was marked with a √, indicating Ivy’s satisfaction with her performance.
Her objectives, the results, and her handling of unforeseen events had all been perfect.
Except…
Ivy held the pen, her gaze clouded with confusion. “I correctly guessed Ma Ban’s intentions. I could have found a safer way, observing from the sidelines. Why did I feel such an urge to participate?”
She reviewed her actions again. She wouldn't have contacted Ma Ban.
Although her gains were significant, she'd needlessly increased her risk and drawn unwanted attention.
Ivy frowned, pulling open a drawer containing several syringes.
“Drawing blood daily has reduced my blood volume, causing [Blood Frenzy] to remain active 24/7, subtly changing my rationality, or perhaps my personality.”
Ivy identified the root cause—[Blood Frenzy]!
“When I’m not fighting, my inherent goodness and rationality can suppress this influence.”
“But in combat, I lose control and become someone else. When I provoked the blond man, I wasn’t lying. I genuinely hoped he’d push me to the brink, allowing me to fight back.”
Recalling her mental state during the fight, a cold sweat broke out on Ivy’s forehead.
“I wanted his attacks to be stronger, to inflict greater injuries. I craved the tearing of my skin and muscles, the severing of blood vessels, the unrestrained flow of blood, until only a drop remained.”
“Because that's when I'm closest to transcendence. My body instinctively craves it, even if the price is death.”
This fight had deepened Ivy’s understanding of [Blood Frenzy], her expression shifting.
“So, when I see an opportunity for conflict, I can’t suppress my excitement because [Blood Frenzy] rejects calmness. It inherently seeks danger and death.”
“The only thing I can be sure of is that, even under the influence of [Blood Frenzy], I won’t back down and will fight to the death.”
“Wait, my decision to stand my ground, to engage in a brutal, life-or-death fight, wasn’t affected by [Blood Frenzy] at all?”
Ivy’s thoughts paused. Her gaze fell upon [Blood Frenzy].