LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 24: Chapter 19 The Sixth Reserve Group
Brian and the other successful interviewees were finally collected and driven back to where they had previously parked after being sieved out by Susan and her second-generation peers.
Some asked about the subsequent arrangements.
The security escort simply replied with an icy tone, "Wait for the notification."
"What a crappy day..."
Brian rubbed his hungry stomach and turned his car around, driving toward the city in somewhat speechless frustration.
...
Back at the apartment.
Even until the evening,
Brian had not received any new email notifications.
This made him feel vaguely uneasy.
As far as he knew,
such departments would likely conduct strict background checks.
Brian, on the surface, was indeed an orphan adopted at age eight, with a clean personal history; otherwise, he would not have passed the Forensic Bureau's Z-screening in the first place.
But his ties to the Kamor family could not withstand in-depth investigation.
If he couldn't get into the NW organization,
it meant he couldn't fulfill the agreement with his uncle.
And without completing the agreement,
he wouldn't get the money!
Without money,
he couldn't even afford his foster parents' medical bills for the next month.
...
"If it really comes down to it, I'll just have to strike first!"
Thinking this,
a hint of ruthlessness flashed through Brian's eyes.
He retrieved an unused cell phone from a hidden compartment in his apartment and silently dialed the number of the psychiatrist who had once helped him.
The psychiatrist had connections deep into the shady world,
able to secure many prohibited items.
The critical part was the fee.
The psychiatrist didn't just take money.
Gritting his teeth,
seeing it as a bitter necessity,
Brian felt he could still afford the price.
..
Just as Brian was preparing to do something desperate,
the information of these candidates had already been transmitted by Ace Training Camp to the FBI's Los Angeles Branch intelligence team.
One by one, the candidates' files were approved and sent back.
At that moment,
a sleek buzz-cut Caucasian young man said to the supervisor who was leisurely reading the newspaper, "Supervisor, there's a candidate here whose information has been flagged."
"Send it over."
The supervisor folded his newspaper unhurriedly and then opened the computer, clicking on the file sent by his subordinate.
After a moment,
he frowned slightly.
"Brian Lee... orphan... foster parents..."
According to the system input, he did not find anything unusual about this person.
No criminal record.
His growth trajectory was also clear and straightforward.
The fact that he had previously passed the Forensic Bureau's screening implied that his data was most likely in order.
So, who had flagged this man's information?
The FBI's intelligence database actually shares many areas with various major police databases, but inside the FBI, there are many specialized teams responsible for different domains, so occasionally, a criminal apprehended by one department could actually be an informant for another.
To avoid misunderstandings,
information on some special individuals would be flagged.
The question was,
this mark.
Even the supervisor of the Los Angeles Branch's intelligence team had never seen it before.
The supervisor did not dare to delay and immediately used his managerial privileges to send Brian's situation to his superiors.
His superiors, who recognized the mark, forwarded it once more.
Thus,
half an hour later,
a scammer middle-aged woman leisurely walking her dog in a park received an urgent transmission from her superior: "Veterinarian, why have you flagged a Lurker's relative?"
Laura hugged her dog, her mobile phone in hand, and responded with slight confusion: "You mean Brian?"
"Yes, this man is currently trying to join the NW Hunting Team being established in Los Angeles."
Laura replied matter-of-factly,
"Brian is my latest amusement.
He's a kind-hearted handsome guy.
Boss, you know I can't resist this type.
But I extracted his body fluids for testing and can confirm he's not a new Awakener, so there's no need to be so tense.
It's probably Lurker number 132 using him as expendable bait to test the waters.
Someone close to number 132 must have leaked our existence."
After a moment of silence, the voice on the other end said coldly,
"I know what to do.
Leave that Brian alone for now.
If you play him to death,
it might alert number 132.
Number 132 is a very promising target that needs to continue to grow freely; it's not time for us to harvest him yet."
"Alright, Boss."
"How's your current mission progressing?"
"It's too soon; I'm still fishing."
"Don't drag your feet.
The frequency of number 112's crimes has increased a lot, and it looks like she might spiral out of control.
We need to harvest her as soon as possible."
"Understood."
Ending the call,
Laura put away her mobile phone and cheerfully patted the little dog curled up in her arms, "Shi San, it seems like you won't be returning to Los any time soon. Stick with me for now. Let's hope your owner's blooming period doesn't wither too quickly, as that would really make me angry!"
"Whimper~"
Shi San's voice trembled, weak and helpless.
...
Late into the night, just past ten.
Just when Brian was bored watching soap operas and nearly dozing off,
Ding dong~
The computer speaker finally delivered the sound of a new email notification.
Brian sprang up and rushed to the computer, opening the new email:
[Dear Mr. Brian,
Congratulations on passing the first round of interviews for the NW reserves.
You have become a member of the Los Angeles NW, Group Six Reserves.
Please arrive at the Western Branch on September 30th, at ten in the morning, to join your Group Six Reserves for the second round of assessments.]