<<Lord Ranen asked me to send his regards to you>>

Archie’s heart unconsciously raced as he forced himself to calm down and asked, “What do you need from me?”

“It’s like this,” Geffer said, “I heard that you are the psychological consultant for the bureau. If possible, could you conduct a psychological assessment for one of our members?” 

“Psychological assessments are inherently professional,” Archie interrupted him, displeased. “Besides, I heard that your bureau has the most highly qualified psychologists. Why would you need a small-time consultant like me to help?”

Geffer forced a smile. “Come on, your reputation in the field of psychology is well-known. Besides, the headquarters is currently short-staffed, and the most qualified psychologist in Arkham City is you. What do you think?”

Archie only intended to make a habitual sarcastic remark. He had something else he wanted to report, something he had been holding back. He pressed his lips together and said, “Fine, have your person come over. I just happen to have some time right now.”

It was just as well to help them with this task; later, when he brought up the matter of Ranen, it would carry some weight.

After Geffer thanked him, he quickly called Edmund to Archie’s office.

In his office, Archie organized his materials. Since he was considering reporting Ranen to the inspection bureau, he took out the documents he had previously hidden. He hadn’t discarded this particular set of documents, thinking that he might need them in the future. If Ranen couldn’t resist taking action against Albert, at least he would have some leverage in hand and wouldn’t be completely powerless.

Hearing a knock on the office door, Archie coldly said, “Come in.”

He turned and looked at the patient, who seemed quite young—probably just over twenty—with brown hair, freckles on his face, and a reserved expression. His sea-blue eyes instinctively darted away when meeting someone’s gaze. He didn’t walk alongside Geffer but lagged slightly behind by half a step.

He appeared emotionally sensitive, capable of reading others’ expressions but hesitant to make eye contact. There was a hint of underlying insecurity, a lack of opinions, and it was likely that he had grown up in an environment devoid of love and attention during his teenage years.

As soon as Edmund walked in, the professional psychological assessment had already begun. Archie rotated his pen and lifted his chin slightly. “Please take a seat in the chair opposite. I’m not used to having a third person beside me while I’m evaluating.”

The leader shrugged and pressed Edmund into the chair, reassuring him with a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry; it’s just a routine reassessment. Since we’re not at headquarters, we’ve asked Dr. Archie to help you. I believe you’ll be fine.”

Edmund scratched his head awkwardly at the remark. “Sorry for causing trouble before; I was just too nervous…”

“Ha ha, it’s alright. I was just like you on my first mission; everyone understands,” Geffer said, giving him a supportive pat on the shoulder, filled with concern for the younger man. “I’ll step out for now. The rest is up to Dr. Archie.”

Archie nodded.

With the office door closed, only Archie and Edmund remained in the room.

Archie had no interest in making small talk with the patient. He said succinctly, “I’ll use a psychological questionnaire to briefly assess your mental state. I’ll ask the questions, and you’ll answer. Try not to take more than three seconds to respond. I want the answers that come from your subconscious. Understood?”

After receiving Edmund’s acknowledgment, Archie got straight to the point. “You find yourself on a deserted island. There are three places for you to choose from: the mountain top, the forest, or the beach. Which one do you choose?”

Edmund hesitated for a second. “The beach.”

Archie glanced at him. “Which place would you choose to gather food: the beach, the riverbank, or the mountainside?”

“The riverbank.”

Archie’s questions came faster and faster. At first, Edmund could pause to think, but he soon got swept up in Archie’s rapid pace and serious expression, unconsciously speeding up his responses. Sometimes, he answered without thinking.

This question-and-answer process lasted nearly an hour, and by the end, Edmund was left in a daze, his responses nearing a state of numbness, while Archie’s initially relaxed demeanor gradually grew more serious.

The early questions weren’t too bad; Edmund’s answers aligned closely with Archie’s profiling results, painting him as an insecure young man lacking confidence and a sense of security.

However, as they progressed, the answers became increasingly bizarre.

Compared to other colors, Edmund was more sensitive to shades that resembled blood.

He didn’t like small animals and lacked empathy for those around him, but he pretended to care.

It seemed he had long concealed his true nature but had recently decided against doing so. In subtle ways, he boldly revealed a cold-blooded side, like a bloodthirsty beast seeking recognition, exposing its dangerous fangs to test its owner’s limits.

Damn it, how did someone like this get into the Inspection Bureau? Don’t they check backgrounds when hiring?

Archie maintained his facade of indifference, and when the hour-long Q&A session finally concluded, both sides breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door from outside.

“Is Dr. Archie in? The prisoner from the last interrogation had an incident.”

“Wait a moment.” Archie stood up and glanced at Edmund, who was still sitting in the chair, seemingly a bit dazed. He instinctively tightened his grip on the notebook in his hand and said nonchalantly, “You can leave now.”

“Hey, what’s the result…”

“I’ll give it directly to your leader once it’s out. The psychological assessment is over; you’re no longer needed here,” Archie replied impatiently. Edmund shivered slightly, his round blue eyes seemed to convey something, looking as innocent as a fawn in the forest.

Archie was not fooled by his appearance. Edmund ultimately remained silent and walked out of the office under Archie’s supervision. The two quickly parted ways at a corner.

…

After dealing with matters on that side, Archie made a phone call to summon Geffer to the office. He intended to discuss Edmund’s situation in person, as well as the more pressing issue regarding Ranen.

Just as he reached the office door, his hand grasped the doorknob, and his expression shifted slightly.

He distinctly remembered locking the door before leaving.

Moreover, this was the police station—who would dare commit a crime here?

He pressed down gently, pushed the door open, and Archie stood at the doorway cautiously, peering into the office. There was no one inside, and the documents were all in their original places.

Archie entered the office, leaving the door ajar. Suddenly recalling something, he hurried a few steps forward to his desk and keenly noticed that the position of a certain document had changed.

At that moment, the office door closed quietly behind him. Archie didn’t turn back; his hand slowly moved toward the gun in the drawer.

Just as he was about to grip the gun’s handle, a hand suddenly pressed down on his, with immense force that left him unable to resist. Archie jerked his head around and found himself almost face-to-face with a brown-haired young man.

The young man’s appearance was now completely contrary to Archie’s initial profile. He curled his lips into a smirk, his skin deathly pale, and beneath his innocent blue eyes lay madness and bloodlust, like a seemingly harmless creature tearing away its facade to reveal the true monster within.

“Shh—Dr. Archie.” Edmund flashed a toothy grin, his face pale, the corners of his mouth almost stretching to his earlobes, and he spoke in a hushed voice:

“Lord Ranen asked me to send his regards to you.”

Inside the office, the air became thick, almost stagnant.

Archie’s mind went blank in an instant.

“Dr. Archie? Are you in there?” Geffer’s voice called from outside. Archie heard Edmund whispering in his ear, “I hope you’re a smart man, doctor.”

The next moment, the figure standing behind Archie vanished.

Archie didn’t even know how he did it. He stood still for a moment to collect himself, only to discover that the document about Ranen had indeed disappeared from his desk.

However, Edmund’s document remained.

It was as if he were waiting for Archie to make a choice.

The knocking continued outside. Geffer knocked a few times with no response, hesitating as he wondered if Archie had stepped out for an urgent matter. In the next moment, the office door opened, and Archie stood at the entrance, looking coldly at Geffer before turning and saying, “Come in.”

Geffer hurried to follow Archie, unaware of his sudden cold demeanor. To him, this highly professional psychologist had always been rather aloof; such a personality trait was hardly noteworthy in the eccentric environment of the inspection bureau.

“How did it go?”

Archie lifted his gaze, remained silent for a moment, then replied, “He’s quite normal; there’s nothing too serious.”

It is merely suspected to be late-stage dissociative identity disorder, where the other personality is a high-IQ sociopath and has become a loyal mad dog under a certain evil deity.

“Oh, that’s good to hear.” Geffer chuckled, “I knew that kid wouldn’t be easily knocked down; I believed in him from the start!”

Archie couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Yes, he wasn’t defeated, because this person betrayed him without hesitation.

“Thank you very much for your help this time, Dr. Archie.”

“It’s nothing; it was just a small favor for me,” Archie replied before falling silent again, his expression seemingly hesitating over something. Geffer keenly sensed that Archie had more to say. “Is there anything else you need? If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know, and I’ll do what I can.”

“Well, not really…” Archie rubbed the pages of his notebook. “I’m just a bit curious about how your inspection bureau selects people.”

“Do you want to join us?” Geffer’s eyes lit up, and his expression became eager.

Due to certain reasons, the inspection bureau had a high demand for psychologists, especially for their frontline investigation teams. A capable psychologist was a coveted teammate, and even if they couldn’t work together, it was essential to build a good relationship since they would always find themselves in need of assistance.

“No… I just want to understand a bit more. If it’s confidential information, just consider I never asked.”

“Haha, it’s not a secret at all.” Geffer answered readily. “The inspection bureau has many channels for selecting talent. For instance, retired military personnel and agents are the first batch. Besides them, we also recruit outstanding individuals from various fields, just like you, Dr. Archie. If you’re willing to join, you could become a formal investigator immediately.

Psychologists directly affiliated with the bureau have their own dedicated offices, and in addition, we also recruit some special talents.”

He lowered his voice, “I mean, the people from the grassroots who can perceive special things. You might call them wizards or mediums, but to us, they’re just a group of pitiful souls… Well, I can’t say much more about that.”

Archie pretended to be very interested. “Don’t you need to investigate their backgrounds when you recruit those people?”

“Of course, we do. The recruitment of these talents is the most rigorous because they are the most likely to go astray. Therefore, not only do we investigate their backgrounds, but we also look into their beliefs. We require these individuals to be atheists or to follow a mainstream religion, such as Catholicism. That’s why these talents are incredibly rare—there might only be a few in a year, and each one is a prized asset for every investigation team. Yet, despite this, their attrition rate remains high…”

Geffer sighed, “So now you understand why I value that kid so much, right? Even though he’s as nervous as a rabbit, at least his personality makes it hard for him to go astray. Most importantly, his entrance exam showed he doesn’t have any strong beliefs, except for wanting to escape the place he was born.

I like young men like that; in a crisis, I don’t have to worry about him suddenly turning on me.”

Archie almost couldn’t maintain his indifferent expression.

“By the way, Dr. Archie, aren’t you really considering joining us? The salary and benefits are great.”

“No, I’m not considering leaving my job for now.”

Archie maintained a stern face as he sent Geffer off. After closing the office door, he couldn’t help but scoff internally.

Is this the result of the inspection bureau’s strict hiring process? Ha, what an eye-opener.

It seems so easy to infiltrate them; the inspection bureau is clearly not trustworthy.

It looks like he’ll have to figure things out on his own now.

But how can he get Albert to back off without revealing Ranen’s identity?

Archie was quite troubled, and he couldn’t come up with an answer until the end of his shift.

When Archie left work, he could still see other officers busy at their tasks. However, this didn’t affect his punctual departure. Archie’s job as a psychological consultant mainly involved interrogating suspects, conducting mental evaluations, and dealing with extremely difficult serial killers. Nowadays, the police station was busy dealing with cult issues, so there was no need for him to work overtime.

However, when he reached the underground parking garage, he unexpectedly ran into Albert. Logically speaking, Albert should have been at his busiest at this time; it didn’t make sense for him to leave work so early.

Archie felt something was off. After hesitating for a moment, he followed Albert, watching him drive out of the underground garage. Archie quietly got into his car and followed suit.

After driving behind him for a while, Archie began to recognize the route more and more.

According to the information he had gathered, this road seemed to lead to Ranen’s therapy room?

Archie found it hard to believe. Is Albert actually skipping work to see Ranen??

Having grown up with Albert, Archie knew him better than anyone. Albert had always possessed a strong sense of responsibility and justice, never once neglecting his duties. He wouldn’t take time off to handle personal matters, especially during busy hours at the police station.

In shock, Archie even forgot to maintain a safe distance. At the next traffic light, Albert’s vehicle turned into an alley, and Archie instinctively followed. He soon realized that Albert’s car had stopped deep in the alley, with no one in the driver’s seat.

*Click.*

A dark gun barrel pointed through the glass at the driver’s seat. Archie slowly turned his head to look at Albert, who was standing outside with a cold expression.

It was rare for him to see Albert without his sunny, goofy smile. For a moment, he was dazed and inexplicably reminded of Edmund he had encountered before.

Of course, it was just an illusion. When Albert realized that the person in the driver’s seat was Archie, he was taken aback, and the cold expression on his face immediately disappeared.

He knocked on Archie’s car window with the gun barrel, signaling him to roll it down, and asked irritably, “What are you following me for? I almost thought you were some clueless gang member.”

Archie brushed off the previous illusion and replied coldly, “I was about to ask you the same thing. Everyone at the station is busy, and here you are, chasing someone during work hours?”

Albert was taken aback. “I’m not! I’m tracking Karens. According to my informant, he’s become a hotshot in Arkham lately and is likely to take over as the new leader of the Black Poker.”

Archie hadn’t expected that answer, but soon he sensed something was off. “But this road doesn’t lead to the underground area; it’s actually closer to Ranen’s therapy room, isn’t it?”

Albert’s expression grew even more peculiar. “I shouldn’t have taken you to Ranen’s therapy room before, so how do you know?”

Archie’s heart skipped a beat.

“Are you two meeting behind my back??” Albert exclaimed loudly.

Archie twitched his mouth. The anxiety he had felt lifted, and he couldn’t help but scoff at himself internally. He had indeed been overly suspicious lately. What could Albert possibly sense? Albert was just a clueless dog…

“I just heard that someone opened a psychology clinic nearby, and it’s been quite popular. I thought there couldn’t be anyone else who could get prisoners to talk besides Ranen… and haven’t you heard? Don’t answer my question with another question,” Archie said, putting his hands in his pockets and sneering. Due to his demeanor, he appeared proud and acerbic when making that expression. “Ultimately, you’re still going to see him.”

“Uh, it’s really not that. At least not entirely. The reason I went to Ranen’s therapy room was to wait and see. After the incident with the Arkham gang, Karens’s movements have become unpredictable. The intel I received recently indicates that he frequently appears near Ranen…”

Under Archie’s gaze, Albert’s voice grew quieter as he spoke, finally shrugging, “Fine, I’m a bit worried about Ranen too. I don’t think it’s a good thing that the Black Poker is looking for him. It’s my fault he got involved; otherwise, he wouldn’t have caught their attention.”

Archie didn’t say anything further and walked to the front of Albert’s car, opening the door. “Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

“Go to work. Aren’t you supposed to be waiting for a chance?”

“Oh! Right!” Years of unspoken understanding allowed Albert to immediately grasp Archie’s meaning. He quickly returned to the driver’s seat and grinned, “This reminds me of when we first joined the police department. It’s a shame you rarely go to the scenes; I’m still used to working with you.”

Archie replied with a nonchalant “Mm” and said, “I prefer to stay back.”

“I know. Your skills are more suited for the rear. Besides, if you were to become a cop too, your mom would probably kill me. She was already upset that you joined the police department with me, and now she doesn’t even offer me cookies when I visit.”

Albert continued to chatter in the driver’s seat, and although Archie didn’t say anything, the frost on his face melted a bit.

“It’s a pity if Uncle and Aunt were still alive…”

Albert’s words immediately stopped, and he awkwardly glanced at Archie. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing.”

Archie’s face showed no negative emotions, but the atmosphere in the car was no longer as harmonious as before.

Fortunately, when they arrived outside Ranen’s psychological therapy office and began to wait, they managed to spot their target in less than an hour.

Seeing Karens get out of a black sedan and head straight for Ranen’s clinic, Albert could no longer hold back. Before Archie could react, he jumped out of the car and positioned himself in front of Karens.

Karens’s lackey immediately pulled out a gun, but Karens stopped him. He coldly looked at Albert, curling the corner of his mouth. “Isn’t this our big captain? What brings you here to block me, a little guy?”

“You’re not a little guy anymore, Karens. We both know what you’ve been up to lately.”

“Since you know, why do you still dare to show up in front of me?”

“I can’t let you harm innocent people. Step aside, Karens; our grievances shouldn’t involve outsiders.”

Karens opened his mouth, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

At this moment, Archie also rushed over, helplessly watching the two sides in confrontation and could only stand behind Albert.

Their combination conveniently blocked the entrance to the therapy clinic, making it impossible for the players not to notice, especially since three of them were good-looking men, each with their own distinctive features. It was well-known that characters with good appearances were usually important NPCs in games because there was no need for bystanders to have well-defined faces.

In other words, with three important NPCs appearing at once, the players found it hard to look away and began to crowd around, with some even trying to sneak closer to eavesdrop.

Archie was sensitive to the stares around him and didn’t want to be the center of attention. “Excuse me, can you find another place to talk?”

“Sure, let our big captain go first. I have business to attend to inside,” Karens said, pointing to the therapy clinic blocked by Albert.

“If anyone’s leaving, it should be you first.” Albert crossed his arms. “Protecting citizens from the threats of gang members is one of the police’s duties.”

“Oh? Really? Then why don’t you think of a way to save those who are being threatened elsewhere?” Karens scoffed. “And don’t get it wrong; that person inside is not under your protection.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Archie’s expression changed instantly.

Albert frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

Karens stared at his expression and suddenly understood something. He glanced at Archie’s face, smirking slightly. “Looks like you really don’t know anything.”

He originally thought that Albert was the first to learn about Ranen’s identity, but now it seemed that Albert was completely unaware of it. This put him in a good mood; great, he wouldn’t have to worry about getting along with his new colleagues on Ranen’s side. Just thinking about having to work with this hypocritical cop in the future makes him want to vomit.

“What exactly do you want to say?” Albert wanted to ask further, but Archie suddenly grabbed his arm. “That’s enough, Albert. Let’s go back.”

They can’t stay here any longer! He finally understands that this Karens also knows about Ranen’s identity, and it seems he is still working for Ranen.

Staying here is too dangerous.

“Archie, what’s wrong with you today? Your attitude is so strange. You should be on my side,” Albert said, looking completely confused.

Archie almost broke into a sweat. Where has his once quick-witted and brave friend gone? Is there a side effect of love that makes one’s intelligence drop?

“Don’t come any closer, Albert!”

He was genuinely worried about his dear friend. If he continues to focus on Ranen, one day he might uncover something he shouldn’t know, and he won’t know how he dies!

“Why not? You don’t support me either?” Albert stared at Archie in shock and blurted out, “Could it be that you also like Ranen?!”

That one sentence left Archie utterly dumbfounded.

He opened his mouth and glanced at Karens, who was watching the drama unfold nearby, and weakly countered, “Can you just not talk for a moment?”

Albert (the wary dog): “Why do you want me to be quiet? Did I guess right?”

Archie sighed in desperation and rubbed his forehead.

The players stared wide-eyed at the three men, their faces written with just one word.

Gossip.