The Song of Control

“Actually……this truck is a member of the rescue team. It suddenly went out of control on its way to the destination, and no matter how we tried to communicate, it didn’t respond. We never expected it to come crashing towards you all.”

Yao Jing used his large sword to cut open the driver’s door, pulling out a man with a vacant and lifeless gaze. His pitiful appearance was hardly compatible with the skilled driver from earlier.

“He must have been controlled by the song, just like those thugs were.”

Villy compared the melodies in her mind and explained, “The song, you mean? I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but during the time the truck was out of control, no one present heard any such song. That means……”

Yao Jing took out a rectangular box and placed it on the driver’s forehead. He pressed a button on the left side, and rows of diagnostic data appeared on the screen.

“Apart from you, we can’t prove the existence of a mind-controlling song. A single instance is not enough to draw conclusions.”

“It’s not just me who heard it; Liu Yu heard it too……”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time!!”

An unusually enthusiastic female voice drowned out Villy’s words. Under the confused gazes of the two, the gray-haired girl performed an awkward bow, shouting in a deafening voice, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Yao….. this unknown hunter. My name is Liu——Ling!!”

She then pinched Villy’s soft flesh at her waist and whispered in her ear, “Don’t reveal my identity, you stupid flat-chested idiot.”

“Um……”

Villy gave a soft murmured response. She casually introduced, “This is Miss Liu Ling. She is…… she is my friend. She also heard the song.”

Liu Yu agreed, “Right, right, I also heard that song.”

“Liu…… Ling…… Miss?”

What new trick is this girl playing?

Yao Jing wasn’t sure if it was due to excessive time travel, causing some sort of aftereffect. He felt increasingly unable to understand the minds of today’s youth.

He rubbed his temples, trying to relieve his eye strain. The recent events had been too overwhelming. The bloodsuckers were still unresolved on one side, and now another potential mind-controlling entity had emerged.

The most troublesome part was that both incidents were connected to Liu Yu, making him have to be extra cautious.

“Sigh, you can continue.”

Yao Jing sighed, fearing that his heavy concerns might soon lead to a heart attack.

Villy continued, “I remember a type of black-blooded creature called a Siren, which can control minds through sound. They usually appear in the form of a human woman. If they infiltrated the city to do this, it would be quite easy.”

“Siren? I’ve never heard of that. It should never have appeared in Dongchuan, so you’re suspecting the out-of-control incident is the work of a black-blooded creature?”

“Yes.”

Villy stated confidently.

After a moment of silence, Yao Jing spoke again, “I understand your point. I’ll go to the agency and check the records on this Siren. However, Villy, I have a question for you. If it’s inconvenient to answer, you can pretend you didn’t hear it.”

“Go ahead and ask.”

Yao Jing walked up to the two and asked, “Where did you learn about the Siren from?”

“Eh?”

“You see, black-blooded creatures come in all sorts of forms. Even within the same category, there can be significant differences. Even seasoned hunters wouldn’t dare claim they can identify a creature by appearance alone.”

“Yet, based solely on sound and mind control, you deduced it was a creature called a Siren. That seems a bit too far-fetched, don’t you think?”

“……I just happen to know about it.” Villy replied.

“Is that so…… then another question arises.”

Yao Jing looked directly into Villy’s eyes and said slowly, “The list of black-blooded creatures made public by the Management Bureau doesn’t include a Siren. As a combat student, you’re far from qualified to access restricted files.”

“So, how did a local girl like Villy come to know about a black-blooded creature that’s never appeared in Dongchuan?”

“……I don’t know, no, I do know.”

Villy spoke in contradictions, her beautiful face visibly paling. If Yao Jing’s words were true, she would face dire consequences.

I haven’t been to prison, but you might be first, huh?

Liu Yu, who was idly by, thought to herself. To protect her friend, she stepped between the two, her arms crossed, signaling to Yao Jing, “I’ve got your back.”

“This isn’t your business.”

“Kid, stay out of adult matters.”

Unfortunately, neither accepted her mediation. Each pushed her aside, their expressions of annoyance evident. Liu Yu stomped her feet in frustration, deciding to ignore them for a whole day, no, 24 hours.

Watching the gray-haired girl storm off, the two continued their unfinished conversation. Thanks to Liu Yu’s interruption, the tense atmosphere had eased significantly.

“Let’s return to our previous topic, eh.”

Yao Jing stretched lazily, but a sudden pain in his arm made him twist into an odd position.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing, nothing. You continue.”

He couldn’t very well say he got hit when pushing Liu Yu aside, as that would reveal he wasn’t favored by the kid.

“Alright, then I’ll proceed.”

“To be honest, I don’t know the specifics.”

“It’s incredible, but when I heard the voice and saw it controlling humans, the name Siren just popped into my mind, as if it had always been there.”

Villy explained, her expression visibly calmer, no longer agitated.

“That kind of explanation won’t hold up.” Yao Jing sighed.

“It’s the truth.”

“Even if it’s true, no one will believe it.”

“……” Villy remained silent.

“Forget it.”

Yao Jing said, “Do you know where the Management Bureau’s black-blooded creature data comes from?”

Before Villy could respond, Yao Jing continued, “During the Bureau’s early days, it received significant support from the Association, providing various equipment and dispatching technical personnel under the guise of exchange. Most of the black-blooded creature data came with those personnel.”

“In other words, if you’re part of the Association, it’s all smooth sailing. I have work to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”

With that, Yao Jing picked up the unconscious driver and walked away, leaving Villy standing alone.

Just like that, it ended after a few words?

Villy’s face showed disbelief.

She was fully aware that despite their close friendship, Yao Jing was a hunter employed by the Management Bureau, and their different roles would inevitably lead to different perspectives on issues.

Not to mention, their thought processes were undoubtedly shaped by rigorous evaluations, as a single misstep from such a powerful combat unit could endanger the entire city.

But Yao Jing’s handling of the situation didn’t align with the Bureau’s usual approach, which meant he was taking a significant personal risk to help her. No……

“If you’re part of the Association, it’s all smooth sailing.”

Recalling Yao Jing’s final words, Villy glanced at Liu Yu, who was sulking in the distance, rummaging through the truck’s scattered parts.

She suddenly understood.

So that’s it. Yao Jing was implying: as long as she stayed with Liu Yu, even if someone questioned her about her information source, she could use the Association’s name as a cover.

“Thank you.”

Villy genuinely expressed her gratitude to Yao Jing’s retreating figure. Then, she approached the still-pouting Liu Yu and extended her hand.

“Wha…t…are…you…doing, Villy? Why are you still here? Aren’t you leaving with Mr. Yao Jing?”

It was the familiar sarcastic tone they had grown accustomed to. As their interactions deepened, Liu Yu’s words had become increasingly sharp.

If this was what they called childish honesty, Villy would rather pass.

“Stop messing around, it’s time to go home.”

“Humph, who says I need your help…… Wait, don’t touch me, you perverted flat-chested freak!!”

“It seems Miss Liu Ling enjoys being carried.”

Villy teased the girl in her arms, receiving a few gentle, almost weightless punches in return.

They were so light, they barely hurt.

But……

Where did these strange memories come from?

With a hint of bewilderment, Villy carried the squirming Liu Yu into the night.

****

Translated Title: “The Song of Control”