Chapter 121: Sequence 011, ****

Federal Weird Investigation Bureau, Zui Gao Zhanlue Huiyishi.

The massive circular conference table was as cold as iron, and the seats around it were filled with core members of the Investigation Bureau.

The atmosphere was oppressive like the deep sea, even the air turned viscous.

Because they had taken part in the investigation of this incident, Nie Yang and L also had a seat in the conference room.

Nie Yang sat in his spot, his face that always wore a warm smile now showed not the slightest curve.

Beside him, L clutched the laptop that never left their side, and beneath the heavy black‑rimmed glasses lay a stillness like dead water.

But their fingers that had been striking the keyboard had long since stopped.

Directly ahead in the conference room was a massive holographic screen that covered the entire wall.

On the screen was the Federation's map.

And over the map, countless crimson dots were densely scattered, like a rotting wound, shocking to the eye.

"Clack."

The conference room door was pushed open.

Wei Gong walked in.

He wore a plain Zhongshan suit, his hair was graying, yet his back was upright.

He looked at no one, walked straight to the main seat and sat down, his gaze fixed on the crimson map.

"Three days."

Wei Gong spoke, his voice not loud but clearly reached each person's ears.

"From the moment the propagation pattern of 'Midnight Nightmare' mutated, until now, seventy‑three hours have passed."

He extended a finger and lightly tapped the void.

The numbers on the holographic screen began to flash wildly, finally freezing on a blood‑stained figure.

【1147】

"One thousand one hundred forty‑seven victims."

Wei Gong's voice was terrifyingly calm.

"Spread across 103 cities of the Federation. On average each hour, fifteen qualifying 'minors' are killed in their sleep, simultaneously meeting death in reality."

"Everyone."

He scanned the room; those seemingly clouded old eyes were now as sharp as knives.

"This is a war, a war in which we cannot even see the enemy."

No one spoke.

Nie Yang's hand, placed under the table, unconsciously clenched the Thermal Cup.

The cold metal feel could not grant him any calm.

"Technology Department." Wei Gong's voice rang out again.

A technical supervisor sitting in the corner immediately stood up, his voice trembling slightly.

"Report, Wei Gong: after further technical verification and screening, we have fully confirmed the propagation method of 'Midnight Dream Drowning'... no, of Sequence 011."

"It does not require a fixed 'source' of information."

"It itself is the source."

The technical supervisor took a deep breath:

"'Knowledge'. It is the knowledge about it that spreads... anyone who gains awareness of it, who understands its Murder Rule, will passively become a new propagation node; this is an unstoppable—"

"Curse."

As the words fell, the conference room filled with a collective gasp.

Wei Gong's expression did not change; he merely nodded, indicating the technical supervisor should sit.

"So, the conclusion is clear."

He looked at everyone.

"What we face is a Quasi‑S‑rank tale."

Quasi‑S‑rank!

S Ji means the annihilation of a nation.

Quasi S‑rank is also enough to threaten the entire Federation's social order with total collapse!

"The reason it is 'Quasi' S‑rank is not because it lacks strength."

Wei Gong's voice carried a bone‑deep chill.

"Rather, because it is still relatively 'merciful'; its blade currently targets only those 'minors' bearing guilt."

"If one day its rules no longer contain these restrictions..."

He did not continue.

But everyone understood the unspoken words.

If it begins indiscriminate killing, that would be the end of human civilization.

"Conventional containment methods have already failed."

Wei Gong stood, both hands on the conference table, his body leaning slightly forward.

"Since it is thought that spreads, we can only use the most extreme measures to combat thought."

He spoke haltingly, each word squeezed out as if from his teeth, heavy and seemingly reluctant.

"Block! And forget!"

"From now on, I order that Sequence 011 be classified as top‑secret. Prohibit any form of text, audio, or image that records its name and Murder Rule!"

"Network Security Department, give me twenty‑four hours to monitor the entire net, delete any discussion related to it, regardless of truth, erase all!"

"Externally, all related cases shall be filed uniformly under the name 'Adolescent Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome'!"

"Internally, all investigators are prohibited from discussing! Prohibited from inquiring! The content of today's meeting, once it passes this door, must stay in my gut!"

"What we need to do is not to study it, understand it, or contain it."

Wei Gong's voice echoed in the spacious conference room, bearing an unquestionable iron‑fisted will.

"Rather, make the entire Federation completely forget it on a cognitive level!"

"This is… the only way we can oppose it."

After the meeting ended.

Federal Weird Investigation Bureau, Central Database, archives room.

A cold mechanical arm moved precisely among endless rows of server arrays, eventually extracting a black data chip.

The chip was inserted into a reading device.

On an isolated encrypted screen, a file slowly materialized.

【Weird Sequence: 011】

【Name: ■■■■】

【Threat Level: Quasi‑S】

【Category: Ghost Story】

【Source: ■■■■】

【First Appearance Location: ■■■】

【Rule Description: This weirdness kills by way of ■■■■■■■■】

【Once subjected to ■■■■, there is no way to survive.】

【Any cognition of ■■■■'s existence, including its source, murder rule, or name, will become contaminated.】

【■■■■■■ target ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■, extremely dangerous】

【Warning! Naming, describing, or discussing this sequence is strictly prohibited. Any form of cognitive activity may generate a contamination mark and become a new propagation node.】

【Containment Recommendation: Information isolation. Completely erase every trace of its existence until it is utterly forgotten.】

Most of the text on the screen had been painted over with glaring black squares.

Each black square resembled a bottomless black hole, exuding an ominous and weird aura.

Just looking at this file gives one the illusion of being watched by an indescribable entity, causing one's reason to wobble.

At the end of the file, there is a line of bright red annotation.

【Note: Forgetting is humanity's only weapon against it.】

Meanwhile.

Overseas.

In a corner of an antiquated military forum.

A "Paranormal Incident Discussion" skyscraper that had been active for months was topped by a newly registered ID.

A new post silently appeared in the forum's latest activity feed.

【【Discussion】 Regarding the Dragon Summer Federation's 'Dream Murder' incident that was erased from the entire web, I have a backup here......】