Chapter 49: Too Perfect

【Investigation of the "Desecration Slaughterhouse by the River" completed】

【You witnessed a sinful scene: SAN Value -7, Spirit Vision +2】

【Reward obtained: Title "Junior Investigator", Physical Function +1, Ancient God's Silver Coin ×1, $100】Zhuishu Shenqi, read novels daily at ttks. tw, incredibly convenient

【Junior Investigator: Negative effects from status reduced by 35%, stranger friendliness +15%】

【After a period of experimentation, your profession has changed: Homeless Person → Informer, skill "Concealment" acquired】

【Zoe's approval has been achieved, Anchor Point +1】

【Anchor Point effect: Skill "Medical Knowledge" unlocked, SAN Value shangxian +1】

After reading through the prompts, Roger did not immediately delve deeper, but first

lifted his foot to pull out the pistol bound inside his pants.

For this investigation, he had prepared for the worst.

Fortunately, things had not turned out as badly as they could have.

The vehicle crept slowly along the street, occasional shrill sirens echoing from nearby, accompanied by vehicles bearing the names of major TV networks and news agencies.

"Tch, these guys moved faster than I thought."

Roger smirked: "I just wonder if these guys dare report everything."

Juan said nothing, but Jose barked twice.

"Little guy, hungry, huh?" Roger pulled a sausage from behind the seat and tossed it to Jose; the German Shepherd immediately leapt to catch it, then tore open the packaging and devoured it ravenously.

"He's really smart."

Juan chuckled: "He's mainly greedy for food."

"Eating sausage is better than eating people."

Roger sighed, propped his foot up on the seat, and glanced at his panel.

【Roger West】

【Title: Junior Investigator (Negative effects from status reduced by 35%, stranger friendliness +15%)】

【Profession: Informer】

【Spirit Vision: 19】

【SAN Value: 4/24 (Daily recovery: 2 points)】

【Status: Edge of the Rift】

【Physical Function: 10.1 (Status +10%)】

【Skills: Anchor Point, Camouflage, Concealment, Firearm Proficiency, Medical Knowledge, Scavenging, Electrical Repair】

First, the Junior Investigator title increased his stranger friendliness; though not enough to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination, it at least made Roger's investigations smoother.

Second, the profession change granted him a new skill.

【Concealment】

【Skill description: To go unnoticed, best become air】

【Skill effect: In crowded environments, as long as you don't speak, your presence will diminish, making you less likely to attract attention.】

Is this meant to turn me into an assassin!

Roger marveled, wondering just how effective this "unnoticeable" ability could be.

Could it make me into the legendary assassin Mountain Master?

That would indeed be very concealed.

In any case, Roger welcomed any skill that promoted discretion—he certainly didn't want acute copper poisoning.

Moreover, Zoe had unexpectedly become a new Anchor Point, granting him a new skill.

Medical Knowledge, as the name suggests, granted him the abilities of a medical professional. Though currently of little use, it might come in handy someday.

After reviewing the rewards from this investigation, Roger calculated what he had spent.

First, the delicious sausage he had drawn days ago was given to the shepherd dog, preventing this clever creature from ruining the plan.

Second, the Bronze Coins he had accumulated from recent missions were all spent at once, yielding three new items:

【Sharp Pliers: Even the strongest wire mesh bows before it】

【Flammable Cigarette: Light this cigarette, you may choose to smoke it—or throw it onto someone you dislike, turning them into a torch】

【Painkiller Tablet: It eases pain and reduces sensation, without addictive properties】

I have to say, the items drawn were all excellent.

But the Flammable Cigarette and Painkiller Tablet were consumables; the cigarette, of course, came in packs of twenty.

There were only five Painkiller Tablets total, and Roger would have to use them sparingly.

After inventorying these items, he lay back contentedly in the rear seat, watching the moon grow brighter as the clouds drifted away.

The vehicle soon arrived at Xin Yidunweier Shequ; today, Juan and Jose would stay in the garage to prevent any mishaps if they returned to the homeless encampment at night.

Roger lay on the mat and slept until the sun was high.

"Ugh."

The man stretched out violently upon waking, then twisted his body outside the garage.

"What a nice day today."

After warming up, Roger pulled out his phone.

He found seven missed calls—all from Vanessa.

From 7 a. m. to 9 a. m., she had been trying to reach Roger, but the man had his phone on silent.

"Duu, duu." Roger called back.

"Oh! God, you actually remembered to answer the phone!" the female journalist answered quickly, complaining: "Don't tell me you got drunk last night and slept straight through until now."

"Are you that concerned about what I did last night?" Roger teased.

"No, I'm not at all," Vanessa denied. "I care more about my front page—I've been working ten straight hours and must publish the full story before any other news outlet!"

"Why, what happened?" Roger feigned ignorance.

Vanessa spoke rapidly: "Last night someone filed a formal report against Margaret Retirement Home, accusing it of secretly trafficking organs. Every month it recruits homeless people and sells their organs to middle-aged and elderly patients with organ failure."

"God, you wouldn't believe what I saw last night. I'm certain this will explode across all of Meilijian, but I don't have time to explain now—just check our website's front page."

"I'm calling you to reconfirm the details of the Gundam deal. Right now, we have the most information on this case. If it weren't for those damn cops, we might've already dug up Margaret. Damn it, forget that—tell me the deal details again…"

Roger could feel the reporter's urgency.

After all, for news media, whoever gets the first-hand information first gains the advantage and wins public favor.

So the Seattle Times must have been swamped last night.

After he helped Vanessa recount the details of the Gundam deal, he opened his news app.

Sure enough, all major outlets had given their front page to the Margaret Retirement Home incident.

New York Times: "A Whistleblower's Accusation Sparks Serious Questions About Oversight Failures at Margaret Retirement Home"

Seattle Times: "Margaret Retirement Home Accused of Long-Term Exploitation of Homeless for Organ Trafficking; Involved Doctors Currently Missing"

Fox News: "Doctor Exposes Elite Retirement Home Killing Homeless for Organs, Then Murders Two Colleagues and Flees"

ABC News: "Police Say: Doctor Accuses Retirement Home of Organ Trafficking, Then Kills Three and Escapes Scene"

Roger looked at these headlines—superficially similar but differing in meaning—and at their respective emphases, and couldn't help sneering.

The New York Times was clearly attacking the system, attacking the government.

Fox News focused squarely on the doctor's crimes, elite crime.

The Seattle Times emphasized regional safety; ABC News simply parroted police statements.

"Too classic."

"This stench is overwhelming!"

"When it comes to news, only Meilijian can do this!"

"I bet these media outlets will soon be fighting so hard they'll brain each other."

Roger couldn't stop laughing. As the only one who knew the truth, the louder the outside chaos grew, the happier he became.

Like a murderer who must return to the crime scene.

"A bit twisted, but damn satisfying."