The police station remained brightly lit in the early hours of the morning. Photos of explosion sites, maps, and various analytical notes were plastered across the whiteboard. Lu Chenzhou stood in front of the evidence board, holding an enlarged screenshot from the surveillance footage, his eyes silently fixed on it.
Su Wanqing walked in, holding the latest lab report fresh from the forensics department.
"The test results are back," she said. "The metal residue found at the library explosion site contains a new type of composite material—an experimental alloy rarely seen in civilian use, typically applied in miniature remote-controlled devices. This means—"
"They weren't just building explosives. They were monitoring remotely," Lu Chenzhou cut in, his tone calm but edged with sharp intensity.
"Exactly. It's highly likely we've been under their surveillance all along." Su Wanqing spread the documents across the table, pointing to one of the pages. "More critically, this metal is only registered in three experimental factories—one in this city, and the other two overseas."
"What about the local factory?" Lu Chenzhou asked immediately.
"Our team already went to investigate, but unfortunately, the factory caught fire the night before last," Su Wanqing's gaze turned cold. "All records destroyed, and the place is abandoned. The person in charge is missing."
A tense, oppressive atmosphere settled over them.
"This wasn't a coincidence," Lu Chenzhou said under his breath. "They're more cautious, more organized than we anticipated. They've even infiltrated our intelligence pathways."
Just then, the tech team came in with a new report.
"We just decoded the signal from the security camera outside the library," said a young forensic technician as he entered. "Though the footage is blurry, we captured one frame that clearly shows the suspect using an optical masking device—an invisibility mask that refracts light to avoid facial recognition. This type of equipment is military-grade and completely inaccessible on the civilian market."
"Another military connection…" Su Wanqing's brows furrowed deeper. "This 'Phantom Ring'—or rather, this new version of the organization—may be supported by remnants of the old military-industrial complex."
As they continued their analysis, an alarm blared across the police station.
"Explosion reported outside East District No. 8 Middle School! Students injured, several taken to the hospital. Unknown if it's connected to the same organization!" The urgent call came through over the radio.
The two of them rushed to the scene at once.
This explosion was different from the previous ones. Among the injured were three middle school students and one critically wounded teacher. The bomb had been hidden in a public trash bin outside the school gates and detonated by timer.
"This is the first incident with real casualties," Su Wanqing said coldly as she examined the debris. "They're escalating."
"Maybe this time, they're sending a message," Lu Chenzhou said grimly. "Targeting a school—one of society's most symbolic safe havens—means they're starting with fear. Tearing it from the heart."
And his words proved prophetic.
On their way back to the station, a high-speed motorcycle suddenly cut them off. The rider hurled a tear gas grenade, instantly shrouding the street corner in a thick white fog. Su Wanqing reacted swiftly, putting on her gas mask and pulling Lu Chenzhou into a nearby alley. But by the time they gave chase, the motorcycle had vanished without a trace.
"This wasn't a hit. It was a test," Lu Chenzhou said, eyes sharp as blades.
"And they know we're at the explosion scenes. They know we're getting close," Su Wanqing muttered. "This is a warning."
That night, the police station received an unmarked envelope in the mail. Inside was a blank sheet of paper. But under UV light, a line of text slowly emerged:
"You have reached the edge of illusion. Continue forward, and you will be lost."
The writing was printed, completely untraceable. But the signature at the end was unmistakably provocative: Ω (Omega).
It was their first time seeing the organization's signature.
"Omega," Su Wanqing repeated the symbol. "It's not a typical signature. In Greek philosophy, it symbolizes both an end and the beginning of a new cycle."
"In other words—they haven't even started yet." Lu Chenzhou stared at the blank page, the exhaustion on his face replaced by a suppressed, simmering will to fight.
The Phantom Ring was no longer just a myth. Nor were they just a scattered terrorist group. Behind them may lie massive financial networks, weapons supply routes, remnants of military factions—even possible international ties.
"They're not just criminals," Su Wanqing said. "They're a belief system—with structure, doctrine, and the ability to manipulate minds."
Which meant that what they were up against was no longer just a criminal case—but a war of information, psychology, and ideology.
And they had to win.
"We've never really left the battlefield," Lu Chenzhou's voice was hoarse, but ironclad. "Only the enemy changed masks."
The lights in the station stayed on. They worked through the night, continuing their investigation into the source of the explosive devices.
Outside, the night cloaked the city in thick, ink-like darkness, shrouded in fog. And hidden within that fog were their true enemies—and trials far crueler yet to come.