The two detectives, one young and one old, began their covert investigation into the connection between Smart Brain and the recent missing persons cases, working against pressure from their superiors.
The results immediately showed numerous irregularities. Surveillance records indicated that over the course of a year, people had entered the main gate on at least several occasions but were never seen exiting. These individuals were all on the list of missing persons, and their cases had mysteriously gone cold without a thorough investigation.
"Senior, look, don't these two people look familiar?" Detective Sawamura quickly spotted two figures on the surveillance footage: Yuji Kiba and Yuka Osada. The date on the footage coincided with the first time they were invited to the Smart Brain headquarters.
"The woman appears to be Yuka Osada, the only student from the missing basketball team case whose clothing or belongings were never found. She's also the sister of the victim in the later street death case."
"And this man, isn't that Yuji Kiba, the one we were pursuing last time? The one suspected of killing his former girlfriend and his cousin." Sawamura pointed to the two figures on the screen, shocked.
Detective Soeno narrowed his eyes, his expression serious. "It seems this is definitely not a coincidence."
"All the evidence and clues suggest that these missing persons cases are inextricably linked to this Smart Brain company," Sawamura declared, believing the gathered intelligence was enough to bring the company down.
Meanwhile, in the research lab of the Smart Brain headquarters, Murakami was, naturally, unaware that he had been targeted by the police again, right after he had managed to quiet down the investigation into the missing persons cases. His focus was entirely on confirming the results of the cellular research being conducted on the Orphnochs.
"President, the results are in…" A Smart Brain researcher nervously handed Murakami the freshly analyzed data.
"The Orphnoch cells suddenly begin to massively differentiate, leading to cell death and degradation after reaching a certain stage of growth." The researcher spoke with trepidation.
Upon hearing this news, Murakami slumped onto the sofa behind him, his spirit severely crushed. Though he was mentally prepared, the factual confirmation was difficult to accept. Are the Orphnochs truly a species destined for extinction?
And the Orphnoch King was an extremely unstable factor. Its awakening required consuming high-level Orphnochs, and being granted eternal life meant they could no longer hide as humans, forced to live out the rest of their existence in their Orphnoch form. That was incredibly inconvenient.
"Have the results for the other cell sample come out yet?" Murakami asked next.
"You mean the Amazon cells? We are still awaiting the final results," the researcher replied.
This sample of Amazon cells had been collected from Saeko Kageyama. Smart Brain had been observing her physical condition over the past few days. The conclusion was that her vitality was incredibly robust. Aside from an increased appetite and a greater preference for meat, no other issues had been discovered yet.
Before long, Murakami received the investigative results regarding the Amazon cells.
"President, this cell is truly… miraculous. Its vitality is extremely vigorous. Even at the cellular stage, it demonstrates a craving for protein, acting more like a microscopic life form."
"Theoretically, as long as it is continuously supplied with protein, this cell can indeed achieve the condition of eternal life!" another researcher exclaimed excitedly, holding the Amazon cell report as though he had discovered a new continent.
"So, what that man said wasn't a lie…" Murakami's emotions were complex upon hearing this.
"Damn it, is this truly the only way?"
It was at this moment that a call suddenly came in for Murakami. After answering the phone, his expression grew serious, and he immediately headed to the company's reception room.
Detectives Sawamura and Soeno were sitting quietly on the sofa in the reception room, waiting. They had come to gauge the reaction of the Smart Brain president.
Murakami walked in, immediately putting on a warm and friendly smile. "Officers, how can the Smart Brain Group assist you?"
"President Murakami, we are currently investigating some missing persons cases. We were wondering if you recognize the people in these photos." Sawamura stood up and handed him pictures of individuals who had entered the Smart Brain building and subsequently disappeared.
"Officer, with so many people coming and going from our company every day, how could I possibly recognize them all?" Murakami replied with a calm smile.
"In that case, what is your company's stance on these people who entered your building and were never seen again?" Sawamura pressed.
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