Armor-piercing bullets don't believe in carbon-based monsters

Chapter 115: Flower City Again?

Although it can be confirmed that this so-called "monster" is most likely a human, it seems to be of no help to Chen Jian's team's hunting operation.

Because they still have no traceable clues, no sufficient traces, and of course no means to directly locate them.

However, the attribute of "human" is really too special.

Especially a human being who is obsessed with going through the "door".

This point alone is enough to prove that this thing still retains a considerable degree of human habits.

Human habits are completely different from those of low-IQ animals.

They are destined to pursue perfect shelters and have social needs. Even in a wild environment, they will try to get as close to real human life as possible.

This has actually restricted the monster's range of activities to a very small extent.

Chen Jian glanced at the high-altitude images of the drone, and then said:
"He Shuo, focus on organizing reconnaissance along the river and lake shores."

"Pay special attention to small-scale man-made building complexes, and pay attention to abnormal smoke and abnormal heat sources."

“We will fly several times and spend several hours conducting preliminary reconnaissance of a circular area with a radius of 5 kilometers centered on Wushan Lake.”

"All high-altitude images have been saved, and we will organize a unified analysis and discussion later."

"We'll stay in Wuxue Town tonight."

"This monster hasn't come for half a month. With each passing day, the probability of him attacking Wuxue Town again is increasing."

"It would be best if we could bump into it."

"Even if we can't catch him on the spot, as long as he leaves traces, the drone can kill him!"

"clear."

Several members of the team responded one by one, and at this time, the entire exterior of the building had been thoroughly checked.

Apart from the characteristics Chen Jian discovered from the claw marks, they found no other valuable clues.

Chen Jian walked into the half-collapsed building, and the others followed him in.

There was a foul smell in the air. Zhao He frowned and asked:

"Gentlemen, it's very, very dirty in here. Do you really have to look?"

"of course."

Chen Jian nodded calmly, and then replied:

"Since we can confirm that this monster is most likely a human, then your claim of a completely random 'massacre' is no longer true."

"Monsters don't need a reason to kill, but people must have a reason to kill."

"Even if it's a random killing, it must have been motivated by some motive - so is there anything special about this family?"

Zhao He was silent for a long time, then replied:

"No."

"They are just an ordinary family in Wuxue Town. They have lived here since their ancestors."

"They mainly make a living by providing dry food to merchants, and the rotten things over there are the dough they ferment."

Looking in the direction of Zhao He's finger, Chen Jian saw dough covered with mold in a non-stick pan whose paint had completely peeled off.

“Why not dispose of it?”

"No one wanted to deal with it because it was too ominous. The house should have been burned down, but the weather has been dry recently and this place is too close to the forest, so we didn't burn it because we were worried about causing a fire."

"I see. How well do the family relate to the rest of the town, I mean?"

".I can't really say. But at least I can be sure that there is no contradiction."

"How are you sure?"

"I'm familiar with every household here. Wuxue Town is very small. If there really is any conflict, I will definitely be the first to know."

Very reasonable.

Chen Jian nodded secretly, basically agreeing with Zhao He's description.

Judging from the current situation, this family is really the most ordinary family in Wuxue Town.

And judging by the furnishings in their homes, there was no need for them to be "plundered" at all.

There are no high-value items, nor any coveted "pre-cataclysm treasures".

Like everyone else in the wasteland, they also collect scrap and garbage from all over the place, including several batteries that are obviously no longer usable, a large number of plastic bottles that have not been sold to the Mechanicus in time, and a small amount of metal materials.

None of this stuff has been touched - and honestly, nobody's going to kill someone for this pile of junk, right?

Chen Jian searched carefully but found nothing in the end.

So, he turned to Zhao He and said:

"There are no more clues here."

"Please give me a copy of the other victims' information - write it down on paper, in detail!"

"No problem, no problem!"

Zhao He immediately turned around to find someone to prepare, and Chen Jian and others also walked out of the room.

But just as he was about to lead the team back to their base, Xie Liu suddenly stopped, then turned around and walked back into the collapsed room.

Chen Jian wanted to follow in, but after a few seconds, the other party came out again.

After taking several deep breaths, Xie Liu walked into the room again.

This went on for several times. Although Chen Jian was puzzled, he did not interrupt.

Until the last time, Xie Liu walked to Chen Jian and said affirmatively:

"There's a funny smell in this room!"

“Strange smell?”

Chen Jian was stunned for a moment, then asked:

"You don't mean the rancid smell, do you?"

"No."

Xie Liu frowned, thought carefully for a moment, and then spoke hesitantly:

"I always feel that this smell is very familiar, but if you ask me where I have smelled it before, I can't remember it for the moment."

"It's not that special, but I guarantee it's not a common, ordinary smell either."

“Where have you smelled it before?”

"Holy Blood Temple? It doesn't seem to be the case."

Chen Jian walked into the room, took a few deep breaths, shook his head and said:

"I can't smell it."

"You definitely can't smell it. The smell is almost gone. Our sense of smell is slightly more sensitive than yours. Zeng Yi, can you smell it?"

"I can smell it, but it's probably the first time I've ever smelled it. I'm unfamiliar with this smell."

"But this smell is indeed a bit special. Is it some kind of floral scent?"

“It’s not a floral scent.”

Xie Liu shook his head decisively, and then said:
"We need to check out the other victims' homes. Maybe the smell will be stronger there."

“Those places have been burned down.”

Zhao He, who had returned, quickly spoke:

"It's not that we don't want to leave clues behind, but we still have to live here after all. The residents here will use fire to purify the ominousness. We have always done this."

After Zhao He finished speaking, Chen Jian looked at him with a hint of suspicion.

But he didn't have sufficient evidence, so his suspicion was just that.

He looked at Xie Liu who was thinking with his eyes closed, and asked:
"Can you find the source of the smell? Is it coming from an object in the room?"

"Certainly not."

Xie Liu shook his head and said:
"If the smell was that strong, you would all be able to smell it."

"It's just some lingering smell - it must have been strong when it was left, but it's long gone now."

“I need to think about it.”

"Not in a hurry."

Chen Jian comforted:
"Take your time to think about it. This isn't a time-limited mission. We have plenty of time."

"Let's return to our foothold and analyze the drone imagery."

"As long as this monster doesn't live in a cave for a long time like the earth dragon we encountered last time, we can always find some traces of human life."

"clear."

Xie Liu nodded slowly, his mind working rapidly.

She felt vaguely that she seemed to have received some inspiration, and that familiar feeling flashed by, as if triggered by a certain word.

So which word is it?
Humans, holes, dragons, monsters, places to stay, smells, the fragrance of flowers——
and many more!

It was as if a flash of lightning passed through Xie Liu's mind, and the hazy darkness was instantly torn apart.

Flowers, basement.

She remembered where she had smelled that scent before.

In the Blood Skeleton’s camp, in the basement.

Also, the Flower City where she had visited many years ago!

"It's the Flower City."

Xie Liu said:

"This smell comes from the Flower City."