"A billion? Not bad."
Chu Feng glanced at the final amount on the document and nodded slightly, showing no particular surprise.
Seeing his composed demeanor, Taran was inwardly surprised. It seems Chu Feng's commissions are always in the billions. No wonder he isn't overly surprised by this sum.
"Take a look at the Bizarre information in the document; it should pique your interest!"
At Taran's words, Chu Feng paused. His fingers danced across the screen, and soon he was reading the section detailing the Bizarre.
As he read, his eyes gradually narrowed.
"Terry! That name does sound a bit familiar."
"He was the liaison officer assigned to you by the federal government during the Portland incident."
Taran's words instantly brought to Chu Feng's mind a short, chubby white man with a pug nose and gold-rimmed glasses.
"I remember now! He just vanished all of a sudden..."
Chu Feng only remembered Terry from that meeting room at the New York Police Department. He hadn't seen him since, right up until Terry suddenly disappeared.
"Whatever his former identity, he's now just an inhuman Bizarre—one valued at a billion US dollars."
Taran's words made Chu Feng's heart skip a beat. A billion US dollars? Terry? No matter how I look at it, these two seem mismatched. This sum is enough to hire someone to kill a High Rank Evil Spirit! Could that flat-nosed, chubby white man have transformed into a High Rank Evil Spirit in such a short time? That's almost impossible.
Reading further, the special requirements listed in the document made Chu Feng somewhat suspicious.
The primary demand was to eliminate Terry as quickly as possible...
According to the document, Terry became a Bizarre for unknown reasons. But... isn't the federal government being too hasty?
Having dealt with the federal government numerous times, Chu Feng had a deep understanding of them. They would never pay such a high price for a Bizarre that hadn't caused significant trouble yet! Unless... they're hiding something they don't want anyone to know, which is why they're so desperate to eliminate him.
"The federal government could only confirm Terry's Bizarre classification as being Evil Spirit level or higher. As for his exact level, you'll have to determine that yourself in person."
Hearing this, Chu Feng nodded slightly. He quickly skimmed the rest of the document, closed it, and then looked up at Taran.
"Do you have information on Terry's current location?"
"According to information from the federal government, he's most likely on his way to Portland."
"Portland?" Chu Feng paused, taken aback. Wasn't Portland the topic of conversation among the employees downstairs just now? And why would he be going there?
"Why is Terry going to Portland?"
Taran was also startled by the question; it was something she hadn't considered. After all, how could humans possibly understand the mind of a Bizarre!
"Even if he's become a Bizarre, there should be a reason for his actions! And how does the federal government know Terry is heading to Portland?"
"Well..."
Taran, who had never pondered this question, was momentarily bewildered. It's difficult for humans to fathom the behavior of a Bizarre, let alone predict its destination!
"Has anything else unusual happened in Portland recently?"
"According to intelligence obtained by the agency, aside from the possible presence of vampires, there are no other unusual circumstances."
Taran finally sensed the oddity of this commission from the federal government.
"Chu Feng, maybe we should just reject this commission!"
"What? Are you willing to give up this billion?" Chu Feng couldn't help but ask with a smile, looking at Taran's doubtful expression.
"But there are too many strange things about this commission! What if the federal government has some scheme, like last time..."
"Scheme? Heh." A cold smile touched Chu Feng's lips. It just depends on whether they can bear my retaliation!
The atmosphere in Portland was especially tense today.
Countless police officers and National Guard soldiers were meticulously searching every inch of the city.
Among them, Exorcists wielding various exorcism tools occasionally moved through the area.
"Basim, any findings?"
"Only a few newly formed Bound Spirits. They've already been dealt with."
"Damn it! Where the hell is that vampire hiding? So much for my precious vacation!"
"Pete, it hasn't been confirmed to be a vampire yet! Don't let appearances deceive you."
"I know! It's just the lack of bite marks, right? I'll keep an eye out."
Just as the two Exorcists, who had recently met up, were chatting, a shout suddenly came from a distant building.
"Quick, over here! We've found something!"
Exchanging a glance, the two gripped their weapons tightly and sprinted towards the sound.
The building was a high-rise apartment complex, primarily inhabited by working-class people. It had previously housed many international students as well.
But as the Bizarre Era gradually dawned, students daring enough to study abroad became scarce. The building had long since seen its last foreign student.
After all, universities frequently canceled classes. International students hoping to graduate normally first had to ensure they could survive until graduation day.
By the time the two Exorcists reached the building's entrance, a police squad was carrying several stretchers out. More than a dozen body bags were already laid out on the ground outside.
"More desiccated corpses?" one of them asked a nearby police officer. They immediately received an affirmative.
"Yes, desiccated corpses!" the officer replied. Seeing that the new arrivals were Exorcists, he visibly relaxed.
At such Bizarre sites, the pressure on ordinary people lacking awakened Spiritual Power was immense. Having Exorcists nearby offered them a crucial sense of security.
"Damn it! That blasted vampire! If I find it, I'll stuff its mouth full of garlic!"
"Pete, let's go check inside the building," the other Exorcist suggested, ignoring his friend's bluster. He sighed, looking at the imposing structure before them.
"Okay! Maybe Officer Selina is around," Pete said, his eyes lighting up at the thought of a certain stunning policewoman with an amazing figure.
The TAP-TAP-TAP of their footsteps echoed in the building's hallway.
As they walked towards the elevator, they scanned their surroundings with suspicion.
"Strange. Officers were constantly coming and going just moments ago. Why is no one around now?"
"What? With so many officers and Exorcists here, you think that vampire would dare show its face?"
His companion said nothing, merely channeling the Spiritual Power within his body, his eyes keenly scanning their surroundings for any hint of movement.
Pete watched his friend's actions unconcerned; he had seen this cautious behavior countless times before.