Strategic-level fantasy syndrome patient

On the outskirts of Shen City, as an ambulance slowly came to a halt outside an unfinished building, it drew the odd glances of various Security Administration Bureau and police personnel.

"Why are they using an ambulance?"

"Psychiatric Hospital, an ambulance, what's the problem?"

"Uh... seems like there's no problem."

Although the sign read 'Abnormal Human Research Center', in the eyes of the people of Shen City, it was simply a psychiatric hospital.

Because they indeed housed some regular psychiatric patients.

That is, psychiatric patients without superpowers.

The low-EQ explanation was—to use more cases to enhance the medical level of the research center, thereby curing more patients like Ji Tianqi and Luo Xiancheng.

The high-EQ explanation was—the research center possessed advanced medical expertise in mental illness, and based on the principle of not wasting medical resources, it was open to ordinary psychiatric patients.

Because there were two completely isolated wards, the conditions of ordinary psychiatric patients were stabilized, and even cured and discharged, they couldn't really explain why.

But it gave others a feeling of deep taboo, making the Abnormal Human Research Center appear exceptionally mysterious and unpredictable.

Bai Xiuchu, who alighted from the ambulance first, was very sensitive to people's expressions and gazes, so she spoke in a slightly worried low voice.

"Don't pay too much attention to others' stares. They are just a bit puzzled and curious."

Ji Tianqi, the second to get out of the vehicle, was already accustomed to the unusual stares from around him.

"You don't need to worry. I've gotten used to it a long time ago. What of it?"

Bai Xiuchu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that was indeed the case.

These Security Administration personnel, who came along for the act, didn't even know what Ji Tianqi's condition was like, let alone seen the many 'solo performances' of Ji Tianqi without props; their expressions and gazes were not that strange.

The people from the research center were different, and in these seven years, the people who came and went were no less than those present today.

"That's good. Hmm, before the next operation, I'll request a normal vehicle. Also... your clothes."

Bai Xiuchu indeed felt that arriving in an ambulance was somewhat strange.

Especially since one side of the ambulance was sprayed with 'Abnormal Human Research Center' and the other with 'Shen City First Psychiatric Hospital'.

Speaking of which, ordinary psychiatric hospitals are usually numbered, aren't they? They wouldn't directly state that they are psychiatric hospitals.

And 'First Psychiatric Hospital' at that...

What was even more bizarre was that Ji Tianqi was wearing patient attire which also had the 'Abnormal Human Research Center' badge on it.

"That's not necessary."

Ji Tianqi waved his hand.

"If we can use the hospital's vehicle, we should. If we were to request our own, that would mean spending our already limited funds. As for the clothes, I can change; I can't fit into my old modern clothes anymore."

Our own!

These words left Bai Xiuchu momentarily unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Indeed.

When Ji Tianqi was confirmed 'discharged' for the mission, based on the rules and his status as a single soldier level hero, a Hero Team was established.

After all, unequivocal psychiatric patients aren't suited to become superpower users of the Security Administration—the enforcement authority spoken of by the head of the research center was critical!

Currently, there were only two official members of this small team: Ji Tianqi and Bai Xiuchu.

And the need for the team to 'cover its own expenses' was also a kind of restriction.

"If you're happy, that's good."

After Bai Xiuchu said this, the on-site leader of the Security Administration of Shen City had already jogged over to them, standing just outside the cordon.

It was Captain Luo Xingyi of the Li Yuanhong team.

"We've detected the criminal's trail, but his superpower is bullet speed, so he's very fast. We couldn't capture him immediately; he fled here and is holding three hostages.

Now, he's trapped in Building Three. Since there are hostages and he has a superpower, although he's unarmed, we can't storm the place."

There were loopholes, but not many.

Ji Tianqi had not noticed anything since learning that he was to be 'discharged' for the mission, and he was in an excited state.

He felt as though his years of arduous training were finally paying off, giving him the opportunity to fully display his abilities.

"I already understand his superpower,"

Ji Tianqi spoke before Bai Xiuchu could, taking the initiative as if leading. After all, the team was tentatively named 'Tianqi Team', after him.

"Now, I need to confirm whether his superpower is only at the tactical level, that is, one-third the speed of sound. And whether he possesses any firearms."

Luo Xingyi was somewhat surprised inside, as from these two questions, this Patient No.9 seemed very normal.

But, he didn't show it, and instead kept his expression serious and his tone earnest.

"We are very sure about these two points because we've successfully captured him before and conducted tests. During today's pursuit, we also confirmed that he has no weapons, not even cold weapons."

As he spoke, Luo Xingyi probably felt the loopholes were a bit glaring, so he added, "Hmm, he trusts his own strength and disdains using weapons."

"Good, I trust you,"

Ji Tianqi nodded then said, "Please lend me an anti-stabbing suit and a few shock bombs according to the plan we discussed earlier while coming here in the ambulance. I can act now."

"..."

Although this was the combat strategy they had discussed on the way here by ambulance, seeing Ji Tianqi's serious and normal demeanor at this moment, Luo Xingyi felt even more astonished inside.

Was this psychiatric patient too normal?

So, was he truly cured?

Luo Xingyi, somewhat pleased inside, had someone bring the equipment over while, based on his role and lines, he frowned and asked,

"According to your registration information with the Hero Association, your superpower is physical enhancement and energy release. How will you ensure the safety of the hostages?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Tianqi couldn't help but silently laugh.

He did not explain anything, but asserted confidently, "No guarantees needed. Just give me a chance, and I'll give you a miracle."

"..."

Crazy!

Luo Xingyi suddenly got a bit angry. As a member of the Security Administration Bureau, the last thing he liked was this kind of arrogant behavior.

Bai Xiuchu, seeing that the situation was not right, quickly spoke up to explain.

"Our captain can climb up the side of this building without the aid of any tools, silently. And since there are no windows or observation points on the side, the criminals can't possibly spot him.

He's very fast and can throw objects very accurately, managing to toss a Shock Bomb right into the criminals' location almost instantly.

The Shock Bomb won't affect him, but it will affect the criminals, allowing him to seize the opportunity to capture the criminal and rescue the hostages."

This was actually the battle plan content that had already been communicated and confirmed on the way here.

So after Bai Xiuchu had finished speaking, Luo Xingyi and Ji Tianqi were both a bit dissatisfied.

The former wanted a guarantee, a confirmation that Ji Tianqi would be able to continue executing similar missions in the future.

Of course, it would also give the Abnormal Human Research Center a reason to cooperate with Ji Tianqi in gaining adventures in the otherworldly realm.

It was all just talk, but Ji Tianqi's answer wasn't satisfying to anyone.

And Ji Tianqi's dissatisfaction lay in the fact that,

"The hostages have been held by the criminals for a long time now, and their mental state is very bad. The more time we waste talking here, the worse their condition gets. I came from a Psychiatric Hospital, so I understand very well how big an impact this has on them!"

"..."

Hearing Ji Tianqi's words, Luo Xingyi and Bai Xiuchu were stunned.

They wanted to object, but didn't dare.

Ji Tianqi took the anti-stabbing suit handed to him by a security officer and put it on, finally covering up the 'Abnormal Human Research Center' label on his patient attire.

Noticing this, the Security Administration Bureau personnel waiting to hand him the Shock Bomb looked even more puzzled—after being covered, he looked a bit more presentable, but it felt even more awkward inside.

Ji Tianqi's tone became stern.

"If you don't trust me, don't ask me to come here. Having asked me to come, in a situation where I am confident, you should trust me unconditionally.

Beating around the bush, dawdling, whose time are you wasting?"

Although he was eager to save people, and therefore reluctant to explain, but... it still felt a bit strange.

Bai Xiuchu really wanted to give Luo Xingyi a indicating glance—the goal of this act has already been half achieved, it was now time to start the other half.

But she didn't dare, for fear of being discovered by Ji Tianqi.

Fortunately, Luo Xingyi also appreciated some traits Ji Tianqi exhibited—planned, confident, responsible, and a sense of urgency…

He really has been cured.

"Alright, we believe you."

Luo Xingyi cautioned, "But the target criminal holds crucial information, and up until now, he hasn't harmed anyone. So, please don't hurt him, just capture him alive."

"Don't worry, if it weren't for that, I wouldn't need the Shock Bomb."

[Then what other weapons do you want?]

Ji Tianqi finally successfully received three Shock Bombs, although he could have taken them earlier.

But he wasn't a madman; he was a hero, so how could he possibly steal from the state.

Moreover, his Genetic Lock had not been released.

Once Ji Tianqi was ready, Bai Xiuchu took the device and unlocked the Genetic Lock on his neck.

No security personnel from the Abnormal Human Research Center were needed because there was no need—people like Luo Xingyi and the target criminal, Li Yuanhong, could help capture Ji Tianqi.

"If I have a relapse," Ji Tianqi took a deep breath and advised seriously, "make sure to call me back immediately."

Bai Xiuchu looked at the earpiece Ji Tianqi was wearing and nodded firmly with the communicator in hand.

"I will!"

Ji Tianqi turned around and left, transforming into a phantom as he leaped over the police line.

In just three seconds, he had already appeared below Building 3, a hundred meters away, moving much faster than before.

Then, his whole body soared into the air, appearing directly at a nearly twenty-meter-high position on the building's facade, as if his hands had suction cups, he adhered tightly to the outer wall.

He continued to climb swiftly upwards.

Seeing this scene, Luo Xingyi asked quietly, "He doesn't seem to be... faster than the criminal."

Bai Xiuchu watched Ji Tianqi's figure anxiously and nodded.

"Yes, he can't match the straight-line speed yet, but he has his advantages."

"What advantages?"

"Er..."

Bai Xiuchu couldn't disclose the advantages brought about by martial arts such as the Wave Striding Steps, as it was classified.

She thought for a moment, then suddenly relaxed and smiled.

"The advantage is, Ji Tianqi is stronger."

"Stronger?" Luo Xingyi frowned, "How can he be stronger if he can't match the straight-line speed?"

He was thinking of possibly collaborating with Ji Tianqi in the future, so he wanted to understand thoroughly.

But Bai Xiuchu did not answer and instead continued to watch anxiously the unfinished building ahead, where Ji Tianqi had already climbed up and was about to start the most critical action.

Her inside was filled with worry, yet her tone brimmed with confidence.

"You'll know very soon."