The System Rewards
Zhao Xuan wakes up in a hospital bed, relieved to have survived. He remembers collapsing from exhaustion after using the [Lesser Adrenaline Potion] and plunging the steel leg into Shimada's heart.
He immediately checks the system and finds Main Quest Two is marked "Completed."
The system's cold, mechanical voice confirms the success:
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing Main Quest Two: Kill one Parasyte!"
"Ding! Mission rewards are now being issued. Would you like to receive them?"
Zhao Xuan selects "Receive" without hesitation.
"Ding! Since this is the Host's first time completing a Main Quest, the reward is doubled! Drawing rewards..."
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for receiving: [Loot Synthesizer] X1, [Loot Grade Enhancer] X1!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing a Main Quest and clearing this Novice Trial World! The Host may choose to leave this world and enter the next world at any time. Does the Host wish to leave?"
He ignores the offer to leave for now and checks the new rewards:
[Loot Synthesizer]: Can synthesize multiple items of the same type into a more powerful item.
[Loot Grade Enhancer]: Can increase the grade of a loot item by one level.
The Parasyte Component
Zhao Xuan then notices a blinking red dot in the system's storage space, revealing a floating item:
[Parasyte Component] (Grade A-): A component obtained after killing an alien parasitic organism. Equippable Positions: Limbs and Head. Grants the full abilities of a Parasyte upon equipping, with full compatibility and no risk of the Parasyte seizing the body. (Note: This item was dropped by Hideo Shimada. Shimada was powerful but unlucky! Additionally, equipping this item has a very small chance of causing minor side effects!)
Zhao Xuan is stunned. This component, dropped like a video game item, suggests he can gain Parasyte abilities. He realizes he could gain a "Migi-like" entity on his limb, or if equipped to the head, become a "chrysanthemum monster" like other Parasytes.
Trembling with excitement, he selects the component and drags it to the Left Hand position on his character panel.
An unusual sensation sweeps over him—his left hand feels like it has "come alive." With a thought, his index finger twists and transforms into a small, snake-like tentacle. Another thought, and the tip sharpens into a cold, metallic blade.
He quickly reverses the change and removes the component in the system before anyone can see. As soon as the component is unequipped, the bizarre sensation disappears, and his hand looks perfectly normal.
The Police Interrogation
A nurse walks in, sees Zhao Xuan awake, and rushes to call the doctor. Shortly after, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department, Daisuke Hirama (平間大介), enters with his colleagues.
"Hello, I am Detective Daisuke Hirama from the First Investigation Division. Zhao Xuan, would you be able to tell us what happened yesterday?"
Hearing the detective's words, Zhao Xuan is immediately overwhelmed by the memory of Yūko Tachikawa's tearful, smiling face before she died. He lowers his head, his chest aching and his body shaking uncontrollably.
Hirama and the doctor exchange a knowing glance, concluding that the boy is severely traumatized.
Hirama comforts him, urging him to be strong for his deceased classmates and friends, and asks him to recount the events.
Zhao Xuan composes himself: "I'm fine! Yesterday..."
He recounts the massacre truthfully, but his story ends after the monster (Shimada) knocked him down and he hit his head, claiming he immediately passed out and woke up in the hospital. He omits all mention of Shinichi Izumi and the final battle.
The Detective's Doubts
After the statement, Hirama leaves the room with the younger officer.
"Senior Hirama, it seems this kid doesn't know who killed the monster," the young officer states.
Hirama shakes his head: "The boy wasn't telling the whole truth."
The officer is surprised. Hirama explains: "I asked the doctor. He said the reason for his collapse was physical exhaustion. He only had minor injuries to his head. I suspect he's lying."
"Why would he lie? Could he have been the one fighting the monster?" the junior officer asks excitedly.
Hirama knocks the officer's head lightly. "Don't be ridiculous. The scene shows extensive cutting and slashing, suggesting a fierce battle with a worthy opponent. However, the doctor's thorough checks, including X-rays and even me personally plucking his hair, confirm he's just an ordinary human high school student."
"The person who fought the monster must be someone else. But why he lied... he might just be scared. Even adults can suffer mental breakdowns after such an event, let alone a child."
Hirama concludes by ordering his subordinate to contact Zhao Xuan's family for his discharge and to keep an eye on him.
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