Mastermind Behind The Scenes

"It seems the authorities are determined to cover this up. I wonder who those twelve 'unlucky' guys really are-death row prisoners or just fabricated identities?" Ethan smiled, set down his phone, and opened the system interface.

[Emotional Value: 536,053]

"This police operation brought me quite a lot of emotional value," Ethan murmured, his smile widening. "Open the exchange list."

[Exchange List]

• [Alex]

Recovery Ability: 500,000 Brain Enhancement: 200,000

Total: 700,000

• [Gina]

Invisibility: 300,000

X-ray Vision: 50,000

Voiding: 5,000,000

Total: 5,350,000

• [Chloe]

Psychedelic Body Fragrance: 30,000 Psychedelic Pollen: 300,000

Flower Spores: 1,000,000

Total: 1,330,000

"As expected, Gina's Voiding ability is the most valuable, but five million is too expensive. Chloe's Flower Spores cost one million-still too pricey."

After some thought, Ethan exchanged for Alex's Recovery Ability. As the transaction completed, a warm current flowed through his body-but nothing else happened.

Suspicious, Ethan tested it. Using a nail, he lightly scratched his left arm, creating a three-centimeter cut. Blood seeped out but stopped flowing within seconds. The wound itched, then rapidly closed. Within moments, it vanished without a trace.

A smirk spread across Ethan's face. He now possessed regeneration capable of healing even severed limbs. Testing that theory, however, wasn't on his agenda.

A week passed quietly. Ethan operated his barely-visited tavern and lived uneventfully. Gina spent her days counting money and enjoying herself, staying up past midnight with her newfound wealth. Ethan had given her the entire $1.4 million and only borrowed from her when needed. He didn't care if she embezzled-unless she ran off with the money, which he knew she wouldn't. His creations, both body and mind, were under his absolute control.

Alex remained in hiding, his whereabouts unknown. Meanwhile, Chloe thrived, leveraging her abilities to dominate Riverton City's political and business elite. Yet, her success invited trouble.

By the Corbin River, a drainage outlet was surrounded by curious onlookers. Police had cordoned off the area.

Daniel stood by the water, frowning as Adam retrieved something from the drain. Soon, a black body bag emerged, clearly containing a corpse.

"Thanks for your hard work," Daniel said, patting Adam on the shoulder.

Covered by a cloth to shield the scene from public view, Daniel unzipped the bag and froze. His pupils shrank as he processed the sight.

At the Riverton Police Station, outside the autopsy room, Daniel and Adam waited nervously. The body was highly abnormal. It appeared desiccated, reduced to skin and bones, as though every trace of life essence had been drained.

The forensic doctor, Stan, emerged with a report and a sealed bag.

"What's the verdict?" Daniel asked anxiously.

"This is the strangest case I've encountered in 20 years,"Stan replied. "The entire body, even the bones, is unnaturally shriveled, as if all nutrients were extracted."

He handed Daniel the report.

[Autopsy Report]

• Deceased: Male, approximately 30 years old.

• Time of Death: 11-14 hours prior (10 PM-1 AM last night).

• Cause of Death: Almost all bodily nutrients were inexplicably drained.

Daniel's heart sank. The bizarre condition and cause of death made it impossible not to consider 001 or 002. Though it didn't match their known methods, the possibility of a new threat-003-loomed.

"This could be the worst-case scenario," he muttered.

Stan added, "Oh, there's one more thing..."