According to Hoshimi Miyabi, she discovered a new attribute—[Rock]—on Twelfth Street, the site of a secondary Hollow outbreak a few days ago.
Although Twelfth Street is not under Zhu Yuan's jurisdiction, it borders her district.
When the outbreak occurred, the Public Security Bureau dispatched a team to gather data, maintain order, and evacuate civilians. Zhu Yuan, however, was occupied with another investigation and didn't go. Later, she heard various rumors about the incident from her colleagues.
At first, the disaster seemed severe, prompting Section Six of the Anti-Hollow Division to intervene personally. News stations covered it extensively, and alarm broadcasts echoed across the city, stirring up a storm of speculation.
Many assumed it was a B-level Hollow disaster—perhaps even A-level. But in the end, reports suggested it barely reached C-level, or maybe even lower. The situation was resolved within a single day.
As of now, the Hollow has completely subsided. Once the security teams finish their cleanup, the area will return to normal.
As for this "new attribute" and the meteorite, Zhu Yuan was hearing about them for the first time.
"Don't worry, Miyabi. If that meteorite appears in my jurisdiction, I'll definitely find it for you," Zhu Yuan assured her seriously.
"I believe in your abilities."
Ending the video call, Zhu Yuan restarted the patrol car and continued toward Sixth Street.
"I never expected a sixth attribute to exist besides Ice, Fire, Electricity, Physical, and Ether. Senior, do you think this will change the power dynamics in New Eridu? Senior? Senior?"
Zhu Yuan called out several times but received no response.
She turned her head and saw that her senior was lost in thought.
Hearing Zhu Yuan's voice, Qingyi finally snapped out of it. "What did you just say?"
Zhu Yuan repeated, "I got word from Hoshimi Miyabi at Section Six. The Anti-Hollow Special Operations Department has identified a sixth attribute and wants me to keep an eye out for it. What do you think?"
"The sixth attribute?" Qingyi was momentarily stunned.
"Yeah. Miyabi said they're tentatively calling it 'Rock.' Based on the name, it's probably related to stone or earth. What's your take?"
"Some see a ridge, others a peak. Perspective changes with distance…"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Zhu Yuan asked, puzzled.
Qingyi, still seated in the passenger seat, replied calmly, "I mean that new attributes naturally exist beyond the known ones. As the saying goes, there are always people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. It's not that surprising."
It sounded reasonable… but something about it felt off.
She continued driving along their planned patrol route, while Qingyi simply gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Her mind drifted back to yesterday, to the unusual attribute she had seen on Sam Li.
That golden glow—warm, reassuring, unlike anything she had encountered before.
If she had to describe it, it felt solid, unshakable… like a mountain or a massive boulder.
Then, suddenly, Qingyi froze.
A mountain. A boulder.
Could it be that Sam Li's radiant golden aura was actually the Rock attribute?
The realization made Qingyi's lips curl into a knowing smile.
Zhu Yuan noticed. "Senior? What's up?"
Qingyi chuckled. "Nothing, just thought of something interesting."
Half an hour later, they followed their patrol route through street after street, finally arriving in the Sixth Street area.
Zhu Yuan hit the brakes.
The patrol car came to a stop in front of Tingman Coffee Shop.
"Master Tingman, one New Eridu special and one fruit bubble latte, please…"
Just as Zhu Yuan and Qingyi stepped out of the car to place their order, they noticed a familiar figure sitting on a bench nearby.
That distinctively vintage outfit. That unique birdcage…
In all of New Eridu, there was probably only one person who fit that description.
Zhu Yuan immediately recognized the figure and, upon closer look, confirmed—it was Sam Li.
"What a coincidence, Mr. Sam Li. We meet again."
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi took a seat across from him.
"It really is quite the coincidence," Sam Li said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Sam Li quickly noticed that Master Tingman's coffee was far from ordinary. It seemed to contain some kind of energy that left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Before long, Master Tingman walked over and placed two cups of coffee in front of Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.
Seeing that Sam Li and Zhu Yuan knew each other, Master Tingman looked a bit surprised. No wonder Sam Li could sit here so boldly, drawing in clients—turns out he had connections.
After Master Tingman left, Zhu Yuan brought up yesterday's events.
"About yesterday—I'm really sorry. I should have planned better for backup support. Because of my oversight, you and Qingyi nearly ended up in danger."
Sam Li responded calmly, "No need to worry. A job is a job—taking risks comes with the territory. Captain Zhu Yuan, you don't have to blame yourself."
Qingyi smiled. "Exactly. With Sam Li and me working together, those small-time thieves were nothing. Even if there had been more of them, we could have handled it just as easily."
Hearing Qingyi's words, Zhu Yuan nodded. "Of course. I've never doubted your strength, Senior."
She certainly didn't doubt Qingyi's abilities.
Zhu Yuan had heard Qingyi praise him multiple times—describing him as towering like a mountain, an expert marksman, radiating golden light as if a divine being had descended to the world. The more Qingyi spoke, the more fantastical it sounded.
It wasn't that Zhu Yuan didn't trust her senior.
It was just that the compliments were a little too exaggerated. And considering how Qingyi always had a way of speaking in riddles, Zhu Yuan couldn't help but feel like she was hearing something even more cryptic than usual.
From what Zhu Yuan knew, Sam Li was just an agent responsible for bringing in clients—a desk worker at Hare's House. Even playing the role of a treasure appraiser yesterday had been unexpected.
As for his combat abilities? How strong could a clerical worker really be?
Not wanting to dwell on the thought, Zhu Yuan changed the subject, bringing up the antique smuggler boss who had escaped during transport.
"Senior Qingyi, your guess was spot on. That thief leader did go looking for revenge against his rivals—but unfortunately, we arrived just a bit too late."
"Don't worry. He won't get far."
"You're right! Still, it's a shame we didn't catch him yesterday. If we had, we wouldn't have to waste so many officers tracking him down now. We were so close—if only we had upgraded the W-Engine and Drive Disk, we definitely would have caught up."
Zhu Yuan sighed in frustration.
She should have upgraded them sooner.
Just then, Sam Li's voice came from the side.
"Captain Zhu Yuan, what exactly are the W-Engine and Drive Disk?"