Gao Wu: After transforming into a soft girl, I became a calamity?

Before taking action, the "painted skin" seemed to have used some means to deceive the nearby surveillance, which made things easier for her as she didn't need to hide anything.

Moreover... her information cannot be found on this "low-quality order" that has been passed around countless times.

The information systems and platforms in this world are a complete mess, riddled with bugs, which greatly facilitated her.

But after this commotion, it seems I have to change my mind about my original plan to "awaken" my fire elemental abilities.

When she tested her ability yesterday, she discovered that when she activated [Ignite], her eyes would turn into a burning gold, which was very conspicuous.

While some top-ranked abilities may exhibit this trait, the [Wildfire] she intended to disguise definitely lacked this characteristic.

The plan needs to be changed... but there are other options.

All Awakened Ones gain fixed abilities and strengthen their original abilities upon advancement, including those affected by Calamity and Disease.

Other abilities in the [Element] path generally involve specializing in a particular characteristic of an element and continuously deepening one's expertise.

But a vertex sequence like hers is different.

The Calamity Sequence and the Awakening Sequence are two sides of the same coin. Her abilities can encompass almost all the top-tier abilities of this path and allow her to choose her own branch.

In other words, if Jiang Mian absorbs enough nutrients, he can advance to the second tier...

Not only can the skill "Ignite" evolve, but you will also encounter the two basic abilities "Tide" and "Gale" again, plus another new ability, choosing one of the three.

Before knowing what new abilities will be available next, Jiang Mian tentatively decided on the [Gale] ability.

This ability may seem simple, but if used properly, it can not only help you conceal your presence and make you run faster, but it can also fuel the fire, complementing the [Ignite] ability.

However... to advance to the second tier, she would need to "devour" at least ten first-tier Calamity or Awakened beings, and she is still far from reaching that level.

As Jiang Mian pondered his next move, he rode his electric scooter, blending into the evening traffic.

A few minutes after she left, a black sedan with the police department's logo quietly drove into the neighborhood.

The car door opened, and a team of special agents in black uniforms stepped out.

They quickly split into two groups: one group set up a cordon around the perimeter, while the other group hurried upstairs.

Bringing up the rear was a young man who looked quite cheerful. He was wearing a sheriff's uniform, but his shoulder insignia were those of a probationary officer, indicating that he had not yet been officially appointed.

This was Ye Chenyang's first time going out on fieldwork since joining the company, handling a case involving disaster.

In fact, he is still a student. Because of his extremely high ranking and his own excellence, he was able to participate in field practice and accumulate experience.

However, the expressions he occasionally revealed were completely inconsistent with his still immature appearance.

Only he himself knows that he is a reborn person.

In his past life, those extreme calamities caused immense losses to humanity, and he died at the hands of Sequence 1, [Silent Death], [Withering].

At that time, he was already an eighth-level expert, but in the instant of the battle, he was still afflicted by the opponent's inevitable death curse and inevitably headed towards death.

Ye Chenyang had to fight tooth and nail to get the other person replaced.

After all, he is Sequence 4, [Radiance] of [Eternal Day].

That pure, radiant power is enough to dispel all filth and even temporarily dispel the fog, making it a vital force for humanity to establish itself and build cities amidst the fog.

In this life, he chose to hide, pretending to be [Radiant Blade], sequence 49.

The reason is simple: the second calamity sequence, [Nightmare] of [Forgetful River], is lurking in the upper echelons.

Or perhaps, some high-ranking individuals, at some unknown time, had their memories and personalities erased by the [River of Oblivion], becoming his puppets.

Currently, Ye Chenyang cannot confirm the location of the other party's true body, so he can only proceed with caution.

In his past life, he just wanted to make a living.

Unexpectedly, he was able to awaken the pinnacle sequence and eventually became an eighth-tier powerhouse, ultimately perishing together with [Withering] in the final battle.

And in this life...

Whether for oneself, or for friends, family, or for others struggling to survive in this world,

He must gain the upper hand in this race against time, identifying and eliminating the most devastating calamities before they fully materialize.

He was familiar with the appearances or identities of the other apex calamities.

Only [Doomsday] never showed himself until his death, at most releasing his abilities from an extremely long distance, being frighteningly cautious.

This is why the calamity of [Doomsday], which has the largest area of ​​effect, actually causes the fewest casualties, and most of those killed are the awakened ones who are chasing her.

Now, all he has to do is wait quietly for the "Prodigy Cultivation Program" to begin. Before that, he has a little time to catch up with his old acquaintances.

"Stay close, newbie. Remember what I taught you before: don't touch anything on set."

The sheriff Cheng Qiao, who was walking in front of him, did not turn his head, but simply gave him some instructions.

"Understood, Captain Cheng."

Cheng Qiao's words brought Ye Chenyang's attention back to the present.

The group arrived at the fifteenth floor.

The woman who reported the incident was wrapped in a blanket and was still shivering, incoherently describing how her boyfriend had been burned to a crisp in front of her.

Ye Chenyang's gaze swept over the chaotic living room and finally settled on the human-shaped scorch mark on the bedroom floor, and the charred skin lying quietly on the floor.

The [Radiance] path ability grants it an extremely strong ability to perceive and purify anything that comes from the mist.

Therefore, he could sense the lingering aura of calamity in the air, which was rapidly dissipating over time.

"Team Leader Cheng."

Ye Chenyang stepped closer and said slowly:

"The deceased... or rather, this thing that was burned, should be Calamity Sequence 97, [Painted Skin]."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiao squatted down to the side and carefully examined the wreckage on the ground.

In the calamity sequence, there are quite a few calamities with the ability to disguise themselves, especially those in the [Nightmare] path, which can even mimic the mind.

Things like "Painted Skin" can develop higher intelligence as the number of people they devour increases, which is indeed troublesome.

"Yes, it is indeed 'Painted Skin.' But the way it died..."

Cheng Qiao nodded. There have been reports of "Painted Skin" being discovered in other districts recently, but this is the first case in their southern district.

He seemed lost in thought, then instantly burned to ashes, almost without warning before the spontaneous combustion—a power that seemed to be activated remotely…

"Is it a prairie fire? Or a wildfire?"

If Ye Chenyang were to take over Cheng Qiao's business, only these two abilities would best fit the criteria.

Because he left early in his previous life, he wasn't involved in this case, but he had heard that sudden deaths and calamities frequently occurred in this area.

It is highly likely that a higher-order calamity is roaming and foraging.

But it's strange that it managed to refrain from attacking humans...

The Awakening Sequence and the Calamity Sequence are inherently corresponding to each other, and they will have some similarities in the same position.

For example, both are Sequence 83, but the Awakening Sequence is "Prairie Fire," while the Calamity Sequence is "Wildfire." Both abilities involve spreading imperceptible sparks to instantly ignite the target.

In comparison, [Wildfire] is more precise and has a stronger initial burst of power, while [Wildfire] is more uncontrollable and has a larger range.

"[Wildfire]?"

Cheng Qiao raised an eyebrow, but his expression was not relaxed.

"If an awakened individual with such advanced abilities were to pass by and kill this harmful thing, it would be considered doing a service to the people."

"But that's strange."

"Confirming the kill of a Calamity, especially one with a relatively high sequence like [Painted Skin], is standard procedure; reporting it to the Sheriff's Office will yield a substantial reward."

"In this day and age, who would do a good deed anonymously, refusing even the reward? A legendary 'warm-hearted citizen'?"

After speaking, Cheng Qiao said no more and began to issue orders.

While having team members take the woman to give a statement, they also contacted colleagues in the testing department to conduct a detailed examination of the wreckage.

……

Jiang Mian rode his electric scooter leisurely back to his apartment building in the evening breeze.

Although she didn't find a second Calamity, the extra meal she had just had clearly put her in a good mood.

However, just as she reached the fifth floor of her building, a tall figure came down from the stairwell and blocked her way.