Bakerland, Jowood District. An ambulance slowly pulled up to the hospital entrance where its rear doors were flung open. A patient, completely wrapped in a straitjacket, was slid out along with the stretcher. The dical staff, who had been prepared, imdiately took over, rushing the stretcher inside with expert practice. Subsequently, several more relaxed dical workers stepped out of the ambulance. They seed to breathe a sigh of relief as they made their way into the hospital.
However, once these doctors entered the hospital, their deanor changed completely. They removed their white coats, revealing practical attire underneath, more befitting agile action than dical work. At this point, they no longer bore any resemblance to healthcare workers; they looked more like...well-trained soldiers.
Nestor ntal Health Clinic was, on the surface, a hospital credentialed to cater exclusively to the ntal health needs of the upper class, admitting patients with considerable family wealth. The fees listed on their price board alone were staggering enough to make an ordinary person’s jaw drop.
But in reality, this place held another identity —
It was the headquarters of Victoria’s Military Intelligence Ninth Bureau in Bakerland.
Also known as the official organization in Victoria responding to Kaidan incidents.
...
"Hard at work as usual, Miranda." The age-indiscernible female director waved in greeting to the shapely Miranda from her office.
"It’s all thanks to C-21." Upon hearing this, Miranda handed over a handbag, her charm subsiding. Although she still possessed a body that could incite sinful thoughts, the extraordinary allure that once made it impossible to look away had quietly vanished.
Not until this mont did Miranda appear to relax, her body easing as she complained offhandedly,
"This thing works well for luring criminals, but it’s disgustingly unpleasant. Feels like getting licked nonstop!"
"Using extraordinary powers always cos with a cost." The age-indiscernible woman gently shook her head, placing the handbag in a black storage box. As she secured the complicated locks with a click, she pressed half-lted seal wax on the side of the box and stamped it, before continuing,
"How did the operation go?"
"Code na ’Shadow Ghost’ has been definitely captured. We found three Magic Items on him. His ability to move stealthily in the shadows likely cos from his bodysuit, which we can assess as a ’B’ grade Item. The functions of the other two require testing, but it seems there are no Storage-type Items present, nor did we discover any ’companion Items.’ Perhaps we acted a bit too hastily."
Miranda shook her head with a touch of regret as the age-indiscernible woman jotted sothing on a piece of paper before lifting her head to say,
"It couldn’t be helped. The fool was too showy with his actions. Bakerland Police Departnt needed to give the public so explanation, and the impact he created was no small matter. Hype it up in the dia, and we might just get a chance to secure the ’companion Items.’"
Changing the subject, she then asked,
"How was C-103-2?"
"Not as effective as a Flash Bomb, but its effect on shadow-based Magic Items and ghosts has been confird. It has minimal impact on our own, with no significant side effects. It should be suitable for mass distribution."
The woman nodded as she listened to Miranda’s report, making a few more notes on the paper before saying,
"You’ve had a tough few days. Go rest for now. You have the best compatibility with C-21, and we might need you for ’The Kitchen Demon’ capture plan."
Miranda, who had planned to leave, paused slightly at the ntion of ’The Kitchen Demon’ before finally speaking, "Ma’am... Do you really think ’The Kitchen Demon’ is a ghost?"
"I don’t know, but its behavior patterns align with what we understand about ghost behavior," the chief replied uncertainly. Miranda quickly pressed on,
"But from the testimonies of eyewitnesses so far, it is unlike any known ghosts, possessing the ability to communicate with humans and seeming to harbour no malice towards them. This seems to contradict our established model of ghosts..."
After hearing Miranda’s comnts, the supervisor was silent for a mont before responding, "The powers of Magic Items are varied and strange; the ergence of abilities like Telepathy isn’t impossible. Besides, these ghosts aren’t stupid. It wouldn’t be strange if one or two learned to speak Victoria. You haven’t been in this line of work long, so you might not know that over twenty years ago... actually, in the 1990s, there was a ghost known as ’AIDS Mary’..."
"’AIDS Mary’? Wasn’t it ’Harry’? And wasn’t that legend just the actions of so vengeful AIDS patients?" Miranda looked surprised, but the supervisor shook her head,
"In reality, it was a ghost that used people’s fear of AIDS to spread its influence. Clever, it knew to bind its legend to a feared disease. At that ti, we didn’t have a clear understanding of ghosts, allowing it to complete its mutation and spread widely before we could respond effectively."
After saying this, the supervisor took a sip from her water cup before continuing under Miranda’s inquisitive gaze,
"In actuality, ’AIDS Harry’ didn’t have AIDS, and the n who had relations with her were ultimately just given a false alarm. However, this doesn’t an the ghost was harmless.
"As the rumor of ’AIDS Mary’ spread, discrimination against people with AIDS also increased. The darkness in the hearts of those already discriminated against was awakened by this event, leading many to beco copycat offenders after her.
"The original ghost wasn’t associated with any ’disease,’ and the ’gift’ it gave was nothing but a malicious joke. But after it, countless Harrys, Hahns, Marys, and Marins arose, and the negative social impact far exceeded thugs like Shadow Ghost who only knew how to kill."
Hearing her superior’s profound words, Miranda felt a constriction in her throat as she said,
"Are you worried that ’The Kitchen Demon’ might turn into another anomaly like ’AIDS Mary’?"
"Who knows?" her superior shrugged, responding indifferently,
"If you ask the director, he will talk to you about grand principles, inform you about the sanctity of our work and the protection it offers to the people. But I will only tell you to capture those ghosts, seize their Magic Items, and uncover their secrets. As for the rest, leave that to when you’re in my position, understood?"
"Yes, ma’am!"
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