117: Chapter 117: Inside the Interrogation Room, Hidden Clues and Strategies

The next morning, Ling Ye woke up on time, guided by his biological clock.

The deep meditation from the previous night had been remarkably effective; he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

He changed into another clean academy uniform and carefully checked his personal items, confirming he wasn't carrying anything that might cause trouble, including that black stone (which he had carefully tucked away in a hidden compartment of his desk drawer).

After a simple meal of nutrient paste, he faced the bathroom mirror, readjusting his facial expression and gaze once more, completely suppressing the sharpness and weariness of "Lin Ye," leaving only the slightly pale and calm exhaustion that belonged to "Ling Ye."

At 7:45 AM, he left his apartment and took the early morning hover-bus to the academy.

Timing it perfectly, he stepped into the Security Department building at 7:55 AM sharp.

The style of the Security Department building was starkly different from the other academy structures; its lines were sharper, and the color palette was dominated by dark gray and silver-white, exuding a sense of coldness and Order.

There were identity verification turnstiles at the entrance, with two security personnel in black uniforms, equipped with lightweight exoskeletons and alert gear, standing solemnly on both sides.

Ling Ye displayed his personal terminal, passed the scan, and followed the signs toward the elevator.

The interior of the building was depressingly quiet.

Occasionally, personnel in Security Department uniforms or casual clothes hurried past, eyes fixed straight ahead.

The air circulation System emitted a low hum.

Ling Ye could feel more than one monitoring gaze and scanning fluctuation sweeping over him from the shadows.

He remained calm, his pace steady, and followed the updated navigation on his terminal to the third floor.

The corridor was wide, lined with closed, unmarked metal doors on both sides.

Interrogation Room C-7 was located in the middle of the corridor.

At 7:58 AM, he stood at the entrance of C-7.

The identifier next to the door lit up green, scanning his terminal.

"Identity confirmed, Ling Ye. Please enter."

The electronic voice sounded, and the metal door slid open silently.

Ling Ye stepped inside.

The interrogation room was larger than he had imagined and felt more high-tech.

The room was rectangular, with two simple metal chairs placed near the door, intended for the person being interrogated.

About five meters opposite them was a curved metal desk, behind which sat two people.

Tiny cameras were placed in the four corners of the room, and the ceiling was embedded with a ring-shaped soft light source, but the distribution of the light seemed specially designed to make the interviewee's face clearly visible, while the interrogators remained in light that was relatively bright but obscured details.

The two people sitting behind the curved desk were a man and a woman.

On the left was a middle-aged man, around forty, with a square face, a serious expression, and wearing a crisp Security Department uniform.

His shoulder insignia indicated he was a "Level 3 Security Officer," named "Li Feng."

He sat upright, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, carrying a sense of scrutiny—a typical image of a law enforcement officer.

On the right was a woman who made Ling Ye's heart skip a beat.

She appeared to be under thirty, with ear-length short hair, delicate features, wearing a pair of simple smart glasses, and dressed in well-fitted dark gray casual clothes, without any insignia.

Her posture was relatively relaxed, her hands folded on the desk, her gaze calm, even carrying a hint of gentleness.

However, the moment Ling Ye's High-Dimensional Information Perception made contact with her, he received an extremely faint sensation, similar to when he encountered Dr. Elena—a sense of "being analyzed"—but more restrained, and more... professional.

It was as if she wasn't looking at the person "Ling Ye," but at the "information" flowing within him.

"Student Ling Ye, please sit." Security Officer Li Feng spoke, his voice low and steady, carrying an official tone.

"Yes." Ling Ye replied, sitting down on the designated metal chair.

His back was naturally straight, his hands rested flat on his knees, and his gaze was lowered, falling onto the clean metal floor in front of him, displaying appropriate nervousness and restraint.

"I am Level 3 Security Officer Li Feng from the Security Department, responsible for investigating the Crystal-Armored Beast attack you encountered.

This is Dr. Su Qing, from the academy's 'Center for Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Analysis,' assisting with this inquiry."

Li Feng introduced simply, and Dr. Su Qing nodded slightly at Ling Ye, acknowledging him.

The Center for Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Analysis?

Ling Ye understood.

Indeed, this inquiry was not just a standard accident investigation process; it also incorporated an assessment of the "victim's psychological state," and perhaps even a screening of "those involved in abnormal events."

Dr. Su Qing was likely an expert in this field.

Dr. Elena's report might have been sent to her.

"Student Ling Ye, relax. This is just a routine inquiry to understand some details, to help you, and to help the academy improve its safety protocols."

Li Feng said, delivering his formulaic opening, but his eyes didn't relax in the slightest.

"First, please describe in detail again: from the moment you arrived at the training ground on the day of the attack, until you were attacked by the Crystal-Armored Beast, all your personal experiences, observations, and feelings during that time.

Be as detailed as possible, including any details you felt were unusual, no matter how small."

Here it comes.

Ling Ye adjusted his breathing and began to narrate.

His speaking speed was moderate, with occasional pauses, as if he were struggling to recall.

The content was basically consistent with the memories he had organized last night, but he omitted the specific reason for his "distraction" (his parents), only saying he was "a bit absent-minded."

He focused on describing the abnormal state of the Crystal-Armored Beast when it appeared—the dull, cracked crystal armor, the bloodshot, frenzied eyes, and its slightly stumbling but extremely fast charge.

He emphasized the "suddenness" and "targeted nature" of its attack (coming straight for him) and truthfully expressed his fear and inability to react at the time.

"...When it crashed into me, I felt like I had been hit by a car, and then my back slammed into the rock, and I didn't know anything after that."

Ling Ye finished his narrative, slightly lowering his head.

Security Officer Li Feng recorded on the touch pad in front of him while asking a few follow-up details: the direction and distance of the Crystal-Armored Beast's initial roar; the specific positions and reactions of other team members at the time; the approximate time Instructor Zhao arrived; and whether Ling Ye smelled any special odors (like blood or rot) or heard other strange noises before the attack.

Ling Ye answered them one by one, mostly using "I didn't really notice" or "I was very scared at the time, I can't remember clearly" to cope.

Only when asked about "strange noises" did he hesitate for a moment and whispered: "Before I was knocked unconscious... it seemed, it seemed like I heard that Crystal-Armored Beast roar again.

It wasn't quite the same as the first time, not just pain... it seemed, like there was something else..."

"Oh? How was it different? Describe it specifically." Dr. Su Qing spoke for the first time, her voice soft but carrying a guiding quality.

"I can't quite put it into words... It just felt more... angry? Or, not entirely angry..."

Ling Ye weighed his words, his brow slightly furrowed, as if trying to capture a vague feeling.

"It seemed... a bit anxious? Or, as if it was being forced by something?"

He gave a very vague description, leaving room for multiple interpretations, which could be understood as the Crystal-Armored Beast's own pain and madness, or implicitly point to the possibility of being "influenced."

A faint shimmer seemed to flicker on Dr. Su Qing's smart glasses.

She nodded, did not continue to press on this point, and made a record on her device.

Security Officer Li Feng continued to ask: "Before the attack, during the training, did you feel any physical discomfort?

For example, dizziness, palpitations, inexplicable anxiety, or... a special sense of alertness?"

This question went a bit beyond the scope of a normal accident investigation, leaning more towards asking "if he had a premonition of danger" or "if he had been subjected to some invisible influence."

Ling Ye was vigilant in his heart, shaking his head: "No, I was just a bit tired and distracted."

"Then, after the attack, until you woke up in the hospital, did you have any blurred memories or perceptions during that time?

For example, dreams, auditory hallucinations, or inexplicable fragmented images?"

This time it was Dr. Su Qing who asked, the question digging deeper into the subconscious level.

Ling Ye shook his head again, his expression carrying appropriate confusion and lingering fear: "No, it was just pitch black, then pain, and then I woke up in the hospital."

The inquiry continued for about another twenty minutes.

Security Officer Li Feng's questions gradually shifted to routine matters: Ling Ye's current recovery status, psychological state, requests for the academy, and whether he had any other questions about the incident or needed to add anything.

Ling Ye's answers consistently maintained a tone of "cooperative, but with limited knowledge, condition okay, no extra requests."

Just when Ling Ye thought the inquiry was about to end, Security Officer Li Feng suddenly changed the subject and asked casually: "Student Ling Ye, regarding your parents' situation, the academy and we all feel very sorry.

Living alone, have you encountered any difficulties in the community?

Or... have you noticed anything unusual happening near the community?

For example, strange noises at night, or seeing strangers wandering around nearby?"

Finally asking about the community!

And linking the disappearance of his parents with the potential anomalies in the community!

Ling Ye's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged, only showing a slight despondency as if sad memories had been stirred up.

He was silent for a few seconds before whispering: "The community... it's all fine.

The Neighbor takes good care of me.

Strange noises..." He paused, as if recalling, "It seems Uncle Chen mentioned once that there were sometimes noises near the Old Factory District at night.

It might have been stray dogs or the wind; I didn't pay much attention to it."

He proactively threw out the "Old Factory District" and "strange noises," but attributed them to "hearing it from a Neighbor" and "possible causes," making it seem like he hadn't experienced it himself and hadn't investigated further.

"The Old Factory District?" Security Officer Li Feng's gaze sharpened, and he exchanged a look with Dr. Su Qing.

Dr. Su Qing nodded slightly.

"Yes, that's the abandoned Ore processing plant on the edge of the community." Ling Ye added, his tone normal.

"Have you been near there recently? Or, have you seen any suspicious people or vehicles active near the Old Factory District?"

Li Feng pressed, his tone still steady, but Ling Ye could feel a trace of imperceptible tension.

Here it was, it was indeed related to the surveillance vehicle!

The Security Department knew there was a problem with the Old Factory District, perhaps even monitoring it, or looking for the people behind that surveillance vehicle!

"No." Ling Ye shook his head, his expression carrying a teenager's slight confusion.

"I've only been out of the hospital for two days, and I've been resting at home preparing to return to school; I haven't been over there.

Suspicious people or vehicles... I haven't noticed."

He answered flawlessly, completely distancing himself, while implying that he had "just been discharged and hadn't gone out," which fit the normal behavior of an injured student.

Security Officer Li Feng stared at Ling Ye for a few seconds, seemingly trying to see something in his face.

But Ling Ye's gaze was open and slightly tired, without any evasion or abnormality.

"Alright, Student Ling Ye, thank you for your cooperation."

Finally, Security Officer Li Feng ended the inquiry, his tone returning to an official one.

"We have understood your situation.

Regarding the Old Factory District, it is an abandoned, dangerous area and must not be entered without permission.

If you hear or see any further abnormalities, please be sure to report to the community management office or the Security Department via your terminal immediately.

Do not investigate it yourself, do you understand?"

"I understand." Ling Ye nodded.

"Dr. Elena and Dr. Su Qing will follow up on your physical and psychological assessment reports.

The academy will provide the necessary support.

You may go back now; remember to attend classes and psychological counseling on time."

Security Officer Li Feng signaled the end of the inquiry.

"Thank you, Security Officer Li, Dr. Su."

Ling Ye stood up, bowed slightly in a polite manner, and then turned, walking out of the interrogation room with a steady pace.

The metal door closed behind him.

It wasn't until he walked out of the Security Department building and was bathed in the morning sunlight again that Ling Ye let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

The interrogation process seemed smooth, but only he knew the hidden barbs within it.

The Security Department, or rather the "Center for Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Analysis" that Dr. Su Qing represented, had a clear focus on the Old Factory District and had vaguely linked the "Crystal-Armored Beast attack" with the "community anomalies (Old Factory District)."

They likely possessed some information he didn't have, at least knowing that it wasn't peaceful there and that unknown forces (the surveillance vehicle) were active.

They interrogated him, on one hand as a routine investigation, and on the other, they were likely trying to see if they could find new clues from him—a student who "lived nearby and had just experienced a potentially related event"—or... to confirm if he was connected to those "unknown forces."

His answers just now shouldn't have revealed any flaws.

But the Security Department's attention undoubtedly made the situation at the Old Factory District even more complicated.

He now had to face not only lurking strange creatures and unknown observers but also potentially enter the sights of certain departments within the academy and the Security Department.

However, this might not be entirely bad.

At least, he confirmed that the "authorities" had a certain awareness of the existence of anomalies (even if the levels and perspectives might differ), and the Old Factory District was indeed a focal point.

This might give him a more reasonable reporting channel for some of his subsequent "discoveries"... Of course, he had to be extremely cautious.

He checked the time; the morning class was about to start.

He needed to get to the classroom as soon as possible.

However, just as he was walking toward the teaching area and passing through a relatively quiet tree-lined path, his High-Dimensional Information Perception suddenly sent a warning—someone was behind him, following him at a steady speed, about twenty meters away.

It wasn't just walking in the same direction; the step frequency and path were highly coincident with his own, and the other person seemed to be deliberately controlling the distance and line of sight.

Was he being followed?

Was it someone from the Security Department?

Or... the group from the surveillance vehicle at the Old Factory District?

Ling Ye didn't look back, nor did he change his pace, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

But he tilted his head slightly, using his peripheral vision, and with the help of the reflection from a smooth metal sign on the side of the road, he took a quick glance.

It was a boy wearing a regular academy tracksuit and a baseball cap, making his face unclear.

He was of medium build, with a light step, holding something like a magazine, appearing casual, but Ling Ye's perception told him that the other person's attention was completely locked on him.

It wasn't the Security Department's style (too young), and it didn't look like the group from the surveillance vehicle (if it were, they would be more professional and covert).

Was it someone from that "Anomaly Research Society"? Or... other students interested in him?

Thoughts flew through Ling Ye's mind.

His direction remained unchanged, and he continued to walk toward the main teaching building where foot traffic was starting to increase.

He needed to figure out who the follower was and what their purpose was.

Perhaps this was an opportunity—an opportunity to actively make contact, obtain information, or even... use them in reverse.