I'm being held captive by a monster

Chapter 279, Third Week

North City, Siege Department, Minister's Office.

Zhang Guang sat in his chair with a gloomy expression, flipping through the reports on the table.

First Week Work Report on the "Epidemic Prevention and Control Operation"

I. Search in June

The Special Operations Unit has searched all 457 communities in the North City.

During this period, the sixteenth month was not discovered, but four hidden strongholds of humans and livestock were destroyed. The group was attacked twelve times by humans and livestock, and a total of seventeen humans and livestock were killed and captured alive.

The interrogation did not yield any information about where he was hiding in June.

II. Regarding personnel reassignment and reorganization

During the search for people and animals, members of the 7th and 11th Special Operations Groups were found to be infected and have been immediately isolated and disbanded.

After observation and assessment, the two groups totaled nineteen people, of whom twelve were actually infected.

Those infected have been reassigned to tasks according to the system, while those not infected have been reassigned to other groups.

III. Research on the Origins of the Epidemic
Based on observation, the symptoms of the epidemic follow a five-day cycle.

During the first period after contracting the virus, you will experience an itchy throat and need to drink a lot of water.

During the second and third cycles of infection, symptoms such as coughing up blood, headache, and fever will appear, and the symptoms will become more obvious as the number of days increases.

During the fourth and fifth cycles of infection, patients will experience severe pain in their heart, spleen, and stomach, and their physical condition will decline precipitously.

In the sixth cycle after contracting the [epidemic], the patient's internal organs rotted, leading to death.

The first batch of inhibitors is currently undergoing clinical trials.

It is expected that the inhibitory effect will only occur if taken during the first cycle.

IV. Statistics on the Infection of the Epidemic
The committee has a total of 624 staff members (excluding the Special Operations Division).

The current number of infected people is 377, and the number of uninfected people is 253.

Two hundred and eighty-two people are in the first cycle of infection.

Sixty-three people are in the second cycle of infection.

Thirty-two people are in the third cycle of infection.

Note: According to clinical research, the transmission of the epidemic is characterized by racial segregation between humans and animals and gluttons.

For humans and animals to infect gluttonous ghosts, or for gluttonous ghosts to infect humans and animals, direct contact with bodily fluids is required.

Upon reaching the last page, Zhang Guang closed the first week's work report.

He had two more books beside him.

This is the work report for the second and third weeks.

Compared to the first week, they made no progress in their search for Sixteen Months and Zhang Hang.

The number of infections, however, is steadily increasing.

Originally there were fifteen special operations teams, but now only six remain, less than fifty people.

But more importantly...

People are gradually losing hope...

Most of those who have been infected are already in the fourth cycle, and their physical condition is declining precipitously!
Although not fatal, they suffered greatly!

And just yesterday, the first death caused by the epidemic was reported...

"Kakaka!"

Zhang Guang crumpled the paper in his hand into a ball.

Then it turned into ashes and flowed out from between his fingers.

"Boom boom boom!"

A series of knocks came at the door.

"Enter."

Zhang Guang released his grip and adjusted his expression.

"minister."

Li Lu entered through the door, holding a report.

His serious face was framed by two unusually prominent dark circles under his eyes.

It looks like he hasn't slept for several days in a row.

"what happened again?"

Judging from Li Lu's appearance, Zhang Guang knew it wasn't anything good.

"Minister, there have been two more deaths today."

"The inhibitor developed by Director Zhao is still not very effective."

Li Lu placed the documents in her hand in front of Zhang Guang.

"Minister, we have investigated the entire North City again and again."

"The human and animal harassment team was almost daily for a while, but they stopped last week."

"Right now, everyone's morale is very low."

"I think that if we let everyone continue searching like this, it will only waste everyone's emotions."

Looking at Zhang Guang's gloomy expression, Li Lu gritted her teeth and said.

"So what plan do you think we should take now?"

Zhang Guang looked up and asked.

"Minister, at least... let's give everyone a day off first."

"It has been twenty days since the outbreak of the epidemic. Everyone has been working non-stop, but we have not made any progress. Everyone is about to reach their limit."

"I feel that this is the time when you are most needed."

"You should give a speech and try to boost everyone's morale."

Li Lu also rested her hands on the desk and said earnestly.

"Hehe... Let me think of a way to boost everyone's morale..."

A cold smile crept across Zhang Guang's lips.

A nameless rage welled up in his heart.

But I closed my eyes and suppressed my anger.

"Everyone is off today, but someone must stay to keep an eye on specific locations. They can take turns resting or taking time off in lieu of rest."

"People on holiday should not be reckless. The epidemic is still spreading. Be careful. If you get infected, they will be the ones who suffer."

"As for the speech... let's talk about it later. I'll get ready."

Zhang Guang waved his hand.

"...There's one more thing, Minister."

Despite Zhang Guang's impatience, Li Lu spoke again.

"explain……"

Zhang Guang frowned.

His heavy breathing seemed to carry a flame.

Li Lu also nervously swallowed.

"Minister, I think... if we want to find Sixteen Months, we can't just keep searching the North City like this..."

"This kind of group-based search approach is completely ineffective."

She rubbed the hem of her clothes and said through gritted teeth.

This model was personally stipulated by Zhang Guang...

If you weren't on the front lines and didn't know the specifics of the situation there...

If we didn't see real data every day...

There was no way Li Lu would so openly question Zhang Guang's decision under these circumstances...

"Do you have any good ideas, Li Lu?"

Zhang Guang gave Li Lu a deep look.

The sound was almost squeezed out from between his teeth.

But in this situation, the fact that he can still speak properly is already the limit.

"Minister, based on the simulation analysis by the technical department, we believe that... it is highly likely that humans and animals will use the abilities of the Foolish Ghost to cover up the traces of the Sixteenth Month."

"In this situation, we should also focus our search on the confused ghost; we can no longer avoid it."

"There's no need to keep watching those places that we've been keeping an eye on and searching for many times."

"This is a waste of time and manpower. We have fewer and fewer colleagues who are in perfect health."

Li Lu wanted to look at Zhang Guang and speak. But after their eyes met for only half a second, she dared not meet his gaze again.

Zhang Guang is now on the verge of exploding with rage!

"A waste of time and manpower...heh..."

Zhang Guang squinted.

"Li Lu, humans and animals must hide for sixteen months before they can use their abilities, and there will definitely be a period of vulnerability after humans and animals use their abilities!"

"Only by keeping a constant watch, 24/7, can we prevent humans and animals from having a chance to breathe and detect this vacuum period as soon as possible! Don't you understand this principle?"

"If we relax our efforts and give people and animals a chance to catch their breath, all the work we've done in the past few weeks will be for nothing!"

Zhang Guang banged on the table, spitting as he spoke!
"As for the muddle-headed guy, we can investigate him, but first you need to figure out what to do if problems arise."

"What if a large-scale outbreak of the epidemic causes deaths among the confused and ignorant? Will we still have the resources to deal with it?"

"If the foolish person isn't cooperating, should we take drastic measures?"

"Also, what if we accidentally reveal the true nature of this world to a fool?"

Zhang Guang questioned him with a series of questions.

Li Lu, however, suddenly found courage from somewhere, and her eyes hardened.

"Minister! We really can't afford to be timid any longer!"

"It's already come to this point, is the safety of this fool more important than ours?"

"If you agree... I'll contact the idiot's side and try to disguise it as a door-to-door census or something."

Li Lu said, clenching her fist.

Despite her firm voice, it was clear that she was still very nervous.

"...You go back first, I'll think about it."

Zhang Guang's voice was low and hoarse.

"it is good!"

Li Lu nodded repeatedly, as if afraid that Zhang Guang would change his mind, and quickly left the office.

"call……"

After closing the door, she patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Zhang Guang, who was inside the room, slammed his fist on the table.

But before he could react, the phone rang again.

Upon seeing the caller ID, Zhang Guang's face clearly showed pain. He sighed silently and quickly cleared his throat.

"Zhang Guang, it's me, Qian Sen!"

Qian Sen's rough, husky voice came through.

"Okay, one day, right? Good, go ahead, I'll wait for your good news."

Zhang Guangxian looked at the air in front of him, half-covered the microphone, and lowered his voice to speak.

Then, as if picking up a phone, he said, "Senior! I'm so sorry, a colleague just came over to report something."

He listened with a forced smile, sounding quite embarrassed.

"Zhang Guang, what's going on over there?"

"Can we find it by the 16th? Didn't you say last time that we'd definitely have results by this week?"

Qian Sen asked directly, without any politeness.

The intensity in his voice was practically overflowing from the phone!
"Haha, senior, your call came at just the right time."

"Little Deer just reported to me that they caught two more people and animals yesterday, and the interrogation results are just out."

Zhang Guang smiled and took a sip of water.

"What was the result? The hiding place in the 16th month? It seems like all our efforts were in vain!"

Qian Sen, puffing out his beard, made no attempt to hide the distrust in his voice.

"Oh, Minister, there's absolutely no problem this time! We've caught two big fish this time, and our interrogation methods are all from your time!"

"Besides, we've already waited so long, what's a day or two more?"

"I'll organize the manpower right away, and this time I'll personally take charge!"

Zhang Guang patted his chest and laughed heartily as he spoke!

This reassuring tone of affirmation softened Qian Sen's already imposing manner.

"Senior, Qiongzhi... is she alright?"

Zhang Guang also seized the opportunity to ask quickly.

After all, the reason why Qian Sen, a founding member of the committee, was so anxious was that Qian Qiongzhi was among the first to contract the "epidemic".

"She was wearing a mask, and outwardly showed no reaction."

“Alright, that’s good. Senior, please let Qiongzhi suffer for a few more days. We’ll take her off after we kill Sixteen Months…”

Zhang Guang looked at the air in front of him again, "What? Okay, okay, I'll go right away, don't let that beast die!"

He stood up and deliberately put the phone to his mouth as he spoke.

"Senior, I'll have to get back to work now. Please wait for my good news!"

Before Qian Sen could speak again, Zhang Guang hung up the phone.

"call……"

He closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.

"Damn it... fuck!"

Zhang Guang finally couldn't contain his nameless rage and started swearing!

In all his years on the committee, he has never felt so much pressure!
We could only watch helplessly as one person after another got infected!
We also have to report to the committee members every day in different ways, pretending that everything is progressing smoothly and that everything is under control!

Day after day it's been delayed, and day after day there's been no progress!

"If this drags on any longer..."

"Then all our efforts will have been in vain..."

Zhang Guang gritted his teeth, his eyes seeming to spit fire!
He doesn't care about the lives or deaths of those Class C and Class D gluttons!

These lowly trash, they're dead, so what?
All Zhang Guangzhi cared about from beginning to end was his position as a committee member!
This bunch of trash, the largest group of trash, is dead. Who will vote for me for them?!

"I've already lost my confidence... and you still want me to give a speech to boost my confidence..."

"These useless trash! These damned pieces of trash don't even deserve to be called good!"

Zhang Guang slammed his fist on the table.

It's not that he doesn't want to give a speech, it's not that he doesn't want to appear in public.

But he was the head of the siege department, and the epidemic was caused by humans and animals!

Therefore, if this matter is not resolved, everyone will only remember this one thing!

What did he do to promote fairness in the human-animal lottery? What did he do to kill Taoyuan? All his achievements are useless!

The more he shows up and the more he tries his best, the more likely this huge accusation will be pinned on him!
Everyone remembers that he has only this one stain!
"Humans and animals..."

"Humans and beasts!"

Zhang Guang kicked the table, making a loud bang!
Li Lu is right.

Searching and staring like this won't really get you anywhere.

But what could he do?!

This method was personally specified by Zhang Guang on the first day.

Once the decision is revoked, it means that he has personally admitted his mistake!

This means that Zhang Guang himself admitted that his method was useless and that the past twenty days had been a waste of time!
Who will vote for him then?!
So things have come to this!
I can't change it even if I grit my teeth!
He was caught in the middle, bearing the greatest pressure, yet he didn't earn as much as those who hid in the back and just comforted their colleagues on the front lines...

What the fuck is this?
"At times like these, we must use extraordinary people..."

The first person Zhang Guang thought of was Lin Xing'an.

Who would have thought that Taoyuan, who had been hiding for so many years, would die at the hands of Lin Xing'an?
"Oh shit……"

Zhang Guang then thought of Xu Zhe's dying words.

Lin Xing'an will definitely try his best to return to Beicheng.

Lin Xing'an must know where Shiliuyue is, and in the end, Lin Xing'an will definitely be the one to kill Shiliuyue.

But it's been more than twenty days, and Lin Xing'an hasn't called him once since he said that last time!
Now Zhang Guang really hopes that what Xu Zhe said is true!
"..."

He rested his hand on the table, hesitated for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed Lin Xing'an's number.

At times like these, he needs Lin Xing'an.

Or rather, in this situation, perhaps only Lin Xing'an could save his life...

(End of this chapter)