Subject of Investigation: Dog of Death
Species: (Dog?)
Urban Legend: Whenever someone in the slums dies a destitute, sinful death, their corpse, if left unattended, will be devoured by the Dog of Death.
Rumor has it that the corpse's Wandering Soul is devoured along with it, never to find release for all eternity.
Time of Origin: 30 years ago
Scope of Legend: Within a 300-kilometer radius of Talin City, across 15 cities of various sizes.
Point of Suspicion 1: It only appears in slums, and its range of activity is regular.
It is highly suspected that this creature possesses an intellect far beyond that of an ordinary dog.
Point of Suspicion 2: The creature's appearance has continuously changed over the past thirty years, evolving beyond the category of "dog." Its lifespan has also exceeded the limit for dogs (15–20 years).
This was Taruno's investigation report, which also included numerous photos of the [Dog of Death] published in tabloids.
The evolution of a dog could be clearly seen in these photos.
Initially, it was just a black dog with eyes that glowed green. Later, it grew tall, and then even larger.
As for growing a Spiral Horn, that happened ten years ago.
The most recent photograph was taken by chance three years ago by an investigative journalist.
By then, the black dog already looked identical to how it did when Chen Qi encountered it.
'It seems my encounter with that dog was no accident after all!'
Chen Qi recalled the events of that night, which were still fresh in his mind.
At the time, he had only thought he was lucky to have a dog help him dispose of the body and eliminate the evidence.
He never would have imagined that the dog was specifically after Ireland's corpse.
Poor Ireland. In the end, he followed in Jomoya's footsteps and ended up in the dog's stomach.
"An intellect far beyond that of a dog, hmm?"
Chen Qi circled this part of the analysis. Recalling his own various encounters with the dog, he couldn't agree more with this assessment.
"The most recent sighting was in Saran City, 150 kilometers away?"
"Good. Very good!"
"Taruno, get your gear. You're coming with me to Saran City!"
After giving Taruno his orders and having him prepare for the trip,
Chen Qi casually opened "Unsolved Mysteries of Humanity" to pass the time.
Chen Qi's current Realm of learning had reached a stage of fixed, measured progress.
Even with the suppression from the bronze dice, his brain still couldn't voraciously Devour the Rope Text. Instead, he needed to savor it constantly and absorb it slowly.
Moreover, the amount he could absorb each day was limited.
This left him with a considerable amount of free time outside of studying the ancient script.
Chen Qi naturally wouldn't let this time go to waste. He picked up textbooks like "Celestial Star Geography" and "Earth Vein Structure Science" again, reading them as extracurricular material.
It had to be said that Chen Qi's brain was truly filled with 'Spiritual Light' now. He now read textbooks on Xuanxue, which had once been dull, abstruse, and complex, with great relish.
In particular, the book "Unsolved Mysteries of Humanity" shocked Chen Qi so much it shattered his entire worldview.
For instance, the book dedicated a tenth of its pages to paleoanthropological research on the origin of humanity.
Regarding the origin of humanity, particularly the Ancestor of the human race, the academic world has long been divided by two completely different viewpoints.
The first viewpoint holds that humanity originated from the Primitive Ancient Ape.
The Ancient Ape is the creature in the natural world most closely related to humans.
This is true in terms of both appearance and genetics.
According to archaeological discoveries, about 300,000 years ago, a certain group of Ancient Apes received the [Apocalypse] and gained Wisdom.
From then on, intelligent humans were born, and humans and Ancient Apes embarked on completely different paths.
Human civilization may have faced many disasters along the way, but at least it's the Ancient Apes, not humans, who are now locked in zoo cages for people to gawp at.
The most direct evidence for this viewpoint is a 300,000-year-old early human fossil.
It was named [Apocalypse] and is currently housed in the national museum of the [Apocalypse Empire].
Since the Apocalypse Empire is the third-ranked great human nation (NO.3 in the ranking of great powers), this viewpoint is quite prevalent and can be said to be the mainstream.
As for the second viewpoint, although it's somewhat unconventional, it is also supported by irrefutable evidence.
Scholars of this school believe that humans evolved from insects—or to be precise, from [butterflies].
Chen Qi found this viewpoint laughable when he first read it.
'How could a High-level intelligent species like humans possibly be related to butterflies?'
But these scholars had locked onto a segment in the human genetic sequence: the [Ancestral Gene].
It is an incredibly unique gene, so unique that no other life form besides humans possesses it.
Until, that is, archaeologists recovered a paleontological fossil from a certain ruin.
It was a butterfly sealed in amber, its body composed entirely of black and white. The two colors were starkly distinct, yet incomparably harmonious, perfectly adhering to the golden ratio of mathematics.
And yet, from within the body of this ordinary-looking butterfly, humans detected the [Ancestral Gene].
In fact, the [Ancestral Gene] within the Black and White Butterfly was even more primitive and complete than that found in humans.
Thus, this butterfly was named the [Ancestral Butterfly], and scientists proposed an alternative evolutionary path for humanity.
The insect breaks from its cocoon to become a butterfly, and the butterfly undergoes Feathering, sublimating into a human.
Although the supporters of this faction are few, they formed the [Feathered Divine Court] and have created quite a stir on the international stage.
Because the [Ancestral Gene] cannot be refuted, the [Feathered Divine Court] has a foundation for its existence. Even though the [Apocalypse Empire] angrily calls them "heretics," there is nothing it can do.
In truth, the one with the most authority to speak on human origins should be the V5!
However, neither the V5 nor the World Government it leads has given a clear opinion on the matter.
This has only made the debate more heated, turning it into one of humanity's unsolved mysteries.
...
Time always flies when you're enjoying a good read.
Chen Qi had just finished reading about a new unsolved mystery when Taruno appeared at the foot of the Chris Building.
Alongside him was a five-person team.
Given the dog's unique nature, capturing it might require Chen Qi to act personally.
But as for finding the dog, well, someone had to do the legwork.
"Boss, I've brought the Lanyu Kingdom's most advanced smart drones, equipped with state-of-the-art Biological Radar."
"Never mind a dog—not even a bird could escape our pursuit!"
Eagerly opening the car door for his boss, Taruno gave Chen Qi a detailed report of his various preparations and took the opportunity to introduce the five-person team.
"Hello, Boss. We are the Hummingbird Mercenary Corps. We specialize in intelligence analysis, tracking, and infiltration."
The Mercenary Captain, Leiteri, was a burly man built like a black bear, but he possessed a calm mind and a steady personality, creating a stark contrast.
The other four members, three men and one woman, were not carrying heavy equipment. The scent of blood on them was also very faint, suggesting they didn't specialize in direct combat.
Chen Qi wasn't displeased by this in the slightest; this was exactly the type of talent he needed.
'If they were like Flette and his gang of brutes, who would just blow the dog's leg off with a rocket launcher, what would I have left to experiment on? The fur?'
After the introductions were complete, the convoy of three cars started up and drove off into the distance.
Chen Qi and Taruno rode in the same car. They had some "confidential" matters to discuss.