Since this villa turned out to be unfavorable due to the noisy neighbor, he needed a backup plan. Deciding to make the most of his ti, Carn ventured out to scout other nearby properties.
However, his search only yielded disappointnt. While these hos appeared abandoned from the outside, subtle details betrayed the truth.
A faint flicker of light through thick curtains, fresh tire tracks in driveways, or even the faint hum of conversations revealed that these so-called empty houses were occupied by undercover agents, likely using the properties as safe houses or private retreats.
After an hour of searching, Carn returned to the first villa. It was the only truly vacant property in the area, untouched by residents and free from covert surveillance. Though far from perfect, it was the best option available.
Standing in the dark villa, Carn began his work as he couldn't afford to let his mother live in such a dusty place. He cast a holy spell.
"To think I have to use an interdiate spell for house chores. Welp, purification…"
Carn's fingertip shone for a brief mont before he suppressed the holy energy from going ham. He touched the ground with his index finger and channeled his energy through the surface of the building.
Dust, microorganisms, ants, and bacterias floated and condensed into a basketball-sized mass. As for the floors, walls, ceiling, and ventilation ducts, everything were sparkling clean as if they were freshly minted from a factory.
Seeing the clean house, Carn was satisfied. He teleported back to Gwen's house.
.
Entering Gwen's house directly via teleportation, Carn appeared in the living room, which surprised both Gwen and Wong. He canceled his transformation and let out a long sigh.
"I've found an empty house. It's directly opposite of a cartel mansion. If we don't use electricity during the nightti, nobody can find us there."
Gwen was interested in the location. She asked, "Can I go there with you? I want to see the place!"
"It's a blank house. There's no bed or TV. Why do you want to go?"
"Soone has to clean the house, right?"
"I already cleaned the house."
"…Huh?"
"We just need pillows, sheets, and blankets for sleeping. Then, we can settle there for a couple days."
Gwen didn't give up. Her adventurous spirit urged her to tag along, "But soone has to get you food. How will I know where it is without going there myself? Take there with you."
"…"
While Carn conversed with Gwen, Wong had been smiling. She looked between the two and finally added, "Before that, Carn, Gwen. You two need to f-ck."
"…"
"…"
Carn and Gwen dully stared at Wong as the topic was so random and awkward. They ignored her and proceeded with the conversation.
"Anyway," Carn concluded their purpose. "Now that we've secured a retreat route. I hope you can let us stay here for a while until the ECD n show up or we gather enough resources and cash to leave the country. Is that okay with you?"
Gwen had no problem with that, "As long as your lottery tickets win the jackpot."
"We'll see."
.
The night was unsettlingly quiet. The ECD was preoccupied with cleaning up the chaos that they had caused, while both FBI agents and Ferdinand's private forces scoured the city for rogue entities.
At the FBI headquarters, Han sat in an interrogation room. His eyes bore heavy black bags. His body sagged under the weight of exhaustion, but his spirit remained unbroken.
A group of five agents huddled around laptops on a table just outside the room, analyzing surveillance footages and data. Another agent, stationed nearby, was attempting to call Wong using Han's confiscated phone. After several failed attempts, the agent scowled at the screen.
"No luck," he muttered, placing the phone down. One of the agents glanced at Han through the open door and sneered.
"Looks like your family has abandoned you."
Han smirked despite his fatigue. "My wife and kid are smarter than any of you. You won't catch them."
The agent chuckled. "Big talk for a man who's about to ride the electric chair. You've been officially labeled a doppelganger sympathizer. You'll be fried in a week."
Han's grin widened, defiant. "Do what you want. I've given up on this corrupt country anyway."
Another agent, clearly the leader, stepped in, silencing his subordinate with a sharp glare. "Enough. Out. All of you."
The agents begrudgingly filed out of the room, leaving Han alone with the man. The lead agent approached Han, uncuffed him, and gestured to an aide to bring a paper bag stuffed with premium burgers.
The scent of freshly grilled at filled the room, and Han's stomach growled. The agent placed the bag in front of him.
"Eat."
Han didn't need a second invitation. He tore into the food, the first real al he'd had in days.
As Han ate, the agent leaned back against the wall, watching him carefully. After a mont, he asked, "One last ti. Are you absolutely sure your son isn't a doppelganger?"
Han paused mid-bite, "We tested him three tis. Using your ECD machines, no less. All results ca back negative. If he is a doppelganger, maybe the problem lies with your fancy tech, not ."
The agent nodded solemnly. "Fair point. But you know as well as I do, logic doesn't matter here. The laws in this country stopped making sense a long ti ago."
Han snorted and resud eating, too drained to argue further.
The agent pulled a folder from his briefcase and slid it across the table. On top was a photograph of Arthur.
"Do you know this man?"
Han glanced at the photo and scoffed. "Triple-A? The lunatic who thinks he's L from Death Note? What about him?"
"The president ordered the destruction of the ECD base in Florida. Ferdinand activated the self-destruct protocol. Arthur was buried with it."
Han shrugged, unimpressed. "So?"
"Arthur was digging into so very sensitive matters. Before he turned his attention to your son, he uncovered information about a governnt plan to release a zombie virus. And more importantly, he found a cure."
Han froze, his appetite suddenly gone.
The agent leaned in closer, "Ferdinand and the Secret Service silenced him before he could expose the truth. But now that we know, the question is: will you help us stop this?"
Han let out a bitter laugh. "Are you serious? You've confird the governnt's planning a zombie apocalypse, and instead of preparing for that, you've spent days torturing over my son? This is so ridiculous. You people need an education about priorities! No, you don't need my help. You deserve whatever's coming."
The agent smirked, standing upright. Without another word, he collected the folder and headed for the door. But just as he reached it, he turned back.
"You're right. Our priorities don't make sense. After all, we just want to make sure that you don't know anything. Now that we know that you're clueless, we'll be leaving for the bunkers now, with the cure in hand. As for you..." He flicked off the light switch, plunging the room into darkness. "You can stay here and join the undead. Goodbye, Han Yunho. Your service won't be rembered."
The door slamd shut, and Han was left alone in the pitch-black room.
Han sat motionless in the darkness. If everything the agent said was true, the world was on the brink of chaos, and he was powerless to stop it.
For now.
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