Chapter Sixteen: The Resolute Li Juetian

The moment the teddy bear appeared, it began frantically absorbing the lingering fear in the air, paying no mind to Feng Tianlin and Long Mengting. Eerie beings survive by consuming the fear of humans—none are exceptions—and this teddy bear was clearly drawn here by the scent of that emotion.

But this act was undoubtedly an infringement on the interests of Feng Tianlin and Long Mengting. Feng Tianlin wasn't particularly bothered; after all, this meager scrap of fear meant little to him now. Long Mengting, however, was different. Seeing her rightful share of terror being devoured so wantonly, her instincts surged forth; she enlarged her arm and charged at the teddy bear.

Feng Tianlin had never before witnessed a battle between eerie beings and was naturally intrigued. Besides, Long Mengting was ranked E, whereas the teddy bear was only F; there was no need to worry for her safety, so he stayed out of it.

The teddy bear swiftly drained what little fear remained at the scene and, upon finishing, its power surged from F to E—a leap that explained its boldness in challenging Feng Tianlin and Long Mengting for their prize.

Unfazed by Long Mengting’s attack, the teddy bear calmly split off a miniature version of itself. Just as Feng Tianlin was puzzling over the sight, the small teddy bear darted toward Long Mengting. She slapped at it, but the instant her hand connected, the little bear exploded. The violent blast made the entire unfinished building tremble, and Long Mengting was thrown back several meters by the shockwave.

A guttural snarl escaped her, and in the next instant, she vanished into the night.

Seeing his opponent disappear, the teddy bear’s keen instincts warned him that things were not so simple. Sure enough, a second later, he was swatted into the air by a massive blow. Even as he flew, the bear split off yet another miniature bear and flung it at Long Mengting.

She was blasted away once more, but this time, seemingly prepared, she steadied herself in no time and vanished, intent on continuing her assault.

"Stop!" Feng Tianlin commanded, striding toward the teddy bear.

Seeing the doll approach, the teddy bear, without hesitation, split off another miniature bear and sent it toward Feng Tianlin. He didn’t dodge or defend, simply braced himself and took the hit.

The explosion’s shockwave didn’t make Feng Tianlin falter for even a second, nor did it leave the slightest mark on him. He continued toward the teddy bear unperturbed—the dreadful resilience of a Nightmare Body at level 10.

The teddy bear, apparently unwilling to give up, split off several more miniature bears in quick succession, but these efforts were as futile as trying to stop a chariot with a mantis.

The teddy bear finally realized the overwhelming strength of the doll before him. This time, without hesitation, he leapt out the window through which he’d arrived, placing a small bear behind him to use the explosion’s shockwave to propel himself away.

He must have used this method to enter as well—such intelligence was rare among eerie creatures.

Watching the teddy bear’s hasty retreat, Feng Tianlin simply smiled. “What an interesting little fellow.”

In recent days, as he spread his urban legend throughout the city, he’d collected thirty-five thousand units of fear. He’d spent sixteen thousand to upgrade his Disguiser and Spatial Blockade to level five. Some might say Disguiser was a useless skill, but in truth, the higher its level, the longer its effect lasted, and the harder it became to see through the disguise.

Moreover, he could disguise himself as air for invisibility, pretend to be a G-rank eerie creature to lure in stronger prey, or pose as an S-rank being to frighten off enemies.

Feng Tianlin was also well aware that someone had been investigating and searching for him. Though he’d never truly met Li Juetian, he was certain that Li Juetian was the one hunting him.

He hadn’t confronted this investigator because he didn’t want to alert the Eerie Investigation Bureau and bring trouble upon himself.

Another reason was that Li Juetian was a D-rank, with an E-rank subordinate, and Feng Tianlin wasn’t sure of his chances in a direct confrontation.

Not only that, he’d used his remaining fear points to upgrade Long Mengting’s Piercing Claw to level five, and her Invisibility to level four. Now, if Long Mengting faced that teddy bear again, she could dispatch it with ease.

After all these upgrades, he was left with just four thousand fear points in reserve.

Gazing into the vast night, Feng Tianlin fell into deep thought. Gathering fear points by spreading urban legends was simply too slow. The fear he inspired in those who’d heard his legend brought only paltry single digits, and the truly bold weren’t even frightened. He needed a more efficient method.

…

Inside the Eerie Investigation Bureau of Wellshaft City, Li Juetian and Han Zhen stood before Director Tian, who seemed particularly congenial today.

Director Tian smiled, then said to Li Juetian, “The eerie beings in Spirit City have been restless lately. Headquarters has decided to transfer you back.”

Spirit City, the provincial capital of Qin Province, Huaxia, was a second-tier city far more prosperous than Wellshaft. It was also Li Juetian’s hometown.

Upon hearing this, Han Zhen immediately broke into a grin, swinging Li Juetian’s arm. “Brother, we can finally go home! Sister Ruyan must be missing you terribly!”

Sister Ruyan—Ji Ruyan—was the combat team leader of the Spirit City Investigation Bureau and Li Juetian’s longtime sweetheart.

Li Juetian smiled at the news, but then his expression fell as if grappling with a difficult decision.

“What’s wrong? Not happy about the transfer? Grown fond of Wellshaft?” Director Tian asked with a twinkle in his eye; it was a jest, for Spirit City was much livelier than Wellshaft, and who wouldn’t prefer to be there?

Just then, Li Juetian’s phone rang. He answered without hesitation, but after hanging up, the struggle vanished from his face, replaced by unwavering resolve.

“I’m not leaving! I won’t go until I’ve eliminated that doll. I, Li Juetian, am not a coward!” he said to Director Tian, enunciating every word.

Before the director could react, Li Juetian dragged the bewildered Han Zhen away, calling over his shoulder, “That doll’s on the move again! Come on!”

Han Zhen managed a wry smile at Director Tian and let himself be pulled along.

The two drove to an unfinished building, where several police officers stood outside. After the captain briefed them, he pushed Miao Wenhao forward.

Miao Wenhao was still trembling, unable to recover from the trauma. Li Juetian, experienced as ever, took out two tranquilizers and gave them to him, then asked, “Are you sure it was a doll and a little girl in red?”

After taking the medication, Miao Wenhao finally seemed normal and nodded emphatically before recounting what had happened. Meanwhile, Han Zhen scribbled furiously in his notebook, not daring to miss a word.

Li Juetian climbed to the third floor and, seeing the traces of explosions, frowned. “Could it have been the Explosive Berserker Bear?”

The question made Han Zhen’s hand tremble, his pen pausing over the blast marks. “These traces are very much like those left by the Explosive Berserker Bear,” he replied.