Chapter 55

"Human Bone Building Blocks 5: The Ultimate Challenge"

Mo Fei watched as Wang, the forensic doctor, ate steak in a bizarre manner. The raw steak crunched under her teeth, and blood trickled from the corners of her blood-red-lipsticked mouth... After the last incident with human flesh pie, Mo Fei decided to add steak to his list of forbidden foods. He sighed inwardly, lamenting yet another dish lost from his dining table.

Yet, the thought of the future suddenly filled Mo Fei with a sense of loss and melancholy. If he were to die today, he would never see An Ge'er again. Even though he was still alive, he already missed An Ge'er, inexplicably so.

He suddenly regretted not going further that morning... If he had, he would have died without regrets. He wondered if An Ge'er would be greatly saddened by his death.

With that thought, Mo Fei shook his head, deciding he shouldn't give up so easily... An Ge'er would come to his rescue! His brilliance would surely lead him to save Mo Fei immediately.

Lost in these thoughts, Mo Fei took a deep breath, glanced at the forensic doctor Wang, and then at the stranger who was intently painting nearby.

"When do you plan to kill me?" Mo Fei asked.

"I'll do it after I finish eating," replied Wang, the forensic doctor, with a shrug. "I can explain the process of your demise, if you like."

Mo Fei frowned, suspecting that the doctor's indifference to human life was a byproduct of his profession.

"It won't be excruciatingly painful," Wang said. "Just a few stabs to cover you in blood, then releasing the rats to devour you... Of course, you'll be alive throughout this process. In the end, when you're reduced to bones, he'll assemble them into a church."

"Why a church?" Mo Fei asked, puzzled.

Wang shrugged and replied, "Perhaps he misses his homeland. I'm not entirely sure."

Frowning, Mo Fei asked, "His homeland... He's not a local?"

Wang smiled slightly and said, "I'm not sure. I was just investigating some bones found by Oss when I stumbled upon him... Then, I saw the church he built from bones and got an intriguing idea. Eventually, we struck a deal: I provide him with canvas and paint, and he builds churches for me."

"Why would you do this?" Mo Fei inquired. "Is this targeted at the police department?"

Wang scoffed disdainfully, "The police? With Oss's incompetence, what's there to target? You should know, before An Ge'er came along, he solved cases thanks to me!"

"Oss has his strengths. He possesses qualities neither you nor Anger have. There's no need to demean him so. If he were truly worthless, he wouldn't be the chief of the detective squad," Mofei said, then paused, realizing something, "Oh... I get it, your target is Anger."

"Hehe," Dr. Wang, the coroner, smirked, revealing teeth stained with faint bloodstains, "That’s right... I hate Angler because ever since he appeared, it’s like the police have forgotten about us coroners. Sometimes, before we even begin the autopsy, we get news that Angler has already solved the case and the culprit is caught."

"Isn't that good?" Mofei asked. "You work in forensics to bring justice to the victims and punish the perpetrators. Why does it matter who solves the case?"

"It's different!" Dr. Wang glared at Mofei. "What do you know? Do you understand what it feels like to have your existence's value stripped away overnight?"

"Value of existence stripped away?" Mofei frowned.

"The reason I despise Anger is that he nullifies my purpose for existing!" Dr. Wang said neurotically. "How pitiful is a person whose reason for being is eradicated? What's the point of living when Anger makes me feel like my life is meaningless? Tell me... isn't that another form of murder?!"

"You mean, the meaning of existence... is solving cases?" Mofei asked, trying to stall for time.

"It's not just about solving cases!" Dr. Wang snapped. "It's about solving them with my help."

Mofei, feeling she was an extremely empty person, blurted out, "But a career only occupies one-third of a person's life, right?"

"What?" Dr. Wang looked at Mofei, puzzled. Mofei inexplicably heard Anger's voice, "One-third of life is career, one-third is love, and the last third is for oneself. You're a forensic pathologist, but also a woman. Have you considered marriage, having children? That's the other half of your future..."

"Shut up!" Dr. Wang interrupted Mofei angrily, exclaiming, "Who told you all this nonsense? Ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous?" Mofei chuckled. "I actually find it quite true... What would you regret the most if you were about to die?"

Dr. Wang squinted slightly and countered, "What about you? You're the one about to die right now."

Mofei was silent for a while before saying, "I want to say something to someone."

"Are you making a final statement?" Dr. Wang asked with a smirk. "What do you want to say? I can pass on the message."

Mofei remained silent, thinking that this message needed to be delivered in person. The thought of it being conveyed by someone like Dr. Wang was unimaginable.

Dr. Wang swallowed the last piece of beef, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said to Mofei, "If you have any last words, better say them now... otherwise, you might not have the time."

Mofei slowly raised his head, murmuring to himself, "You'll never win against Anger."

"Killing you will be a blow to him!" Dr. Wang declared with some pride. "I think it will upset him... There's nothing more satisfying than seeing someone like Anger in distress."

Mo Fei slightly furrowed his brows, firmly planted his feet on the floor, and, disregarding the ropes biting into his wrists, grasped the back of the metal chair... pulling upwards, he felt a slight give... a small joy blossomed in his heart.

All it took was hearing Wang, the medical examiner, say "Ange will be heartbroken," and Mo Fei was inexplicably infuriated. He was grateful that Wang hadn't tied his legs, as long as his feet could touch the ground, he could exert force. Even if he couldn't break free from the ropes, he could... lift the metal chair off the ground.

Mo Fei's movements were exceedingly covert, gathering his strength, he waited for the medical examiner to approach.

"It seems you have no last words," said the medical examiner, extracting a long, sharp knife from a nearby tray and slowly advancing towards Mo Fei. "Then, I shall begin! Seeing those people screaming and begging as they're gnawed by rats always lifts my spirits!"

Mo Fei frowned, keeping his composure. He wasn't sure if he could successfully lift the chair... but success or failure would be determined in one strike.

"Where should I cut first?" the medical examiner mused, stepping closer. Mo Fei knew he couldn't let her get behind him, or it would be over... With this thought, the medical examiner had already reached him, raised her knife, and aimed it at Mo Fei's shoulder... at the same moment, Mo Fei let out a loud roar.

The medical examiner paused, startled by a "crack" sound from the floor. She stepped back in shock, but Mo Fei had already risen with the iron chair. Perhaps exerting too much force, he lunged forward... striking right at the medical examiner's waist.

"Ah!" the medical examiner screamed, a sharp pain in her stomach from the impact. She thrust her knife down, only to hear a "ding" as the blade struck the iron chair behind Mo Fei... She had also used too much force, and the knife flew out of her hand.

Mo Fei, colliding with her, fell to the side.

"The commotion finally caught the attention of the person sketching in the corner. Glancing up at the two, they flipped to a new page and began diligently drawing the scene of their fall."

"After regaining his composure, the medical examiner Wang fiercely pushed Mo Fei, who had collided into him. Standing up to retrieve his knife... Mo Fei, still tied up and unable to stand properly, realized he must prevent Wang from getting the knife. Struggling to his feet, he lunged again, sending Wang crashing into the wall."

"Furious and embarrassed, Wang retorted, 'You think I only have a knife?' and pulled out a gun from his coat."

"Mo Fei's heart sank at the sight of the gun... It seemed his fate was sealed."

"But before Wang could fire, a strange sound interrupted them... a low growl, akin to that of a wild animal."

"Startled, Wang turned to see a massive Husky standing at the door, its fur bristled and teeth bared in a growl."

"Seeing Ace, Mo Fei's spirits lifted. Ace's presence meant that..."

"A dog?" Wang, holding the gun, sneered and aimed at Ace."

"Wait!" Mo Fei cried out in desperation, but before Wang could shoot, a scream pierced the air, 'Ahh...'"

"Mo Fei, puzzled, saw the medical examiner Wang's grip on the gun loosen, the gun falling as she reached to clutch her neck... Her neck was already drenched in blood, a fierce, long-haired rodent savagely biting into it."

"Wang only felt something furry biting her, unaware of its nature, growing increasingly terrified. Just as she attempted to swat it away, Ace burst forth with a few fierce barks, lunging to bite her leg..."

"Ah!"

"Mo Fei frowned. The heart-wrenching cries of a human being torn by beasts stirred a primal fear... He couldn't understand why anyone would find pleasure in such sounds."

"So it was that medical examiner." At that moment, a familiar voice echoed from the door, and Anger walked in slowly."

"Anger!" Mo Fei exclaimed in surprise."

"Seeing Mo Fei unharmed, Anger finally relaxed. He walked over, picked up the knife and gun from the ground, and used the knife to cut the ropes binding Mo Fei."

"Mo Fei tore off the ropes binding him, rubbed his wrists, and looked outside the door, asking, 'Anger, what about the others? Did you come alone?'"

"Anger shook his head, saying, 'I asked them to search elsewhere first.'"

"Mo Fei frowned and said, 'You coming alone... It's too reckless.'"

"With Ace and Elisa here, we're set," Anger pointed towards the door. "There's another who didn't get a chance to act."

Looking out, Mo Fei saw Jiu Yi leaning against the door, waving. "Xia Qi and Xia Fan are leading Os and a bunch of cops in circles. But I doubt they'll be at it for long."

"Circling?" Mo Fei asked, puzzled.

"Elisa," Jiu Yi called from the doorway, "come back now, a lady shouldn't bite people."

Finally, Elisa released Wang's neck, hopped onto Ace's head, and started grooming herself with her paws, squeaking twice.

"Anger, what are you planning to do?" Mo Fei asked, perplexed.

"Mo Fei, you must understand, sometimes the law can be a cold and hurtful thing," Anger spoke softly. "For instance, if someone unrelated causes the death of your dearest, what does it matter if they end up dead? Can it compensate for your loss?"

Mo Fei frowned slightly, watching Anger.

"Ace, move aside," Anger commanded quietly.

Ace immediately stepped aside, and Anger raised the gun, aiming at Wang.

"Anger..." Mo Fei exclaimed in shock.

Anger's face was expressionless, his mouth curling slightly. "Mo Fei... there's nothing more satisfying than exacting revenge with your own hands, nothing more gratifying than seeing the wicked reap their own misdeeds... That's why I love being a detective." He then fired two shots at Wang's leg and shoulder.

"Ah..." Wang screamed. Anger lowered his gun, asking coldly, "How does it feel to scream like that, Wang? Are you satisfied?"

Wang cried out in agony, "Anger, what kind of detective are you... knowingly breaking the law!"

Anger shrugged. "That's why I'm a detective, not a cop... I've always wondered, what's wrong with fighting fire with fire? Why reason with scoundrels? If you're dealing with a thug, why remain a gentleman? For a murderer, you must use a murderer's methods... This world has its own laws, and an eye for an eye is the truest form of cosmic justice. For those past screams, let's hear you scream today."

At that moment, Anger gestured towards Dr. Wang and beckoned Ace to come back.

"Ace firmly gripped Wang's ankle with his teeth, dragging her towards the rat cage, regardless of her struggles."

"Ah... what are you doing... ah!" Wang screamed in terror, seeing Anger opening the cage that held the rats."

"Elisa scampered down from Ace's back and swiftly dove into Jiu Yi's arms, covering her eyes. Jiu Yi, with a sigh, shielded her, saying, 'Elisa, that's silly. Covering your eyes won’t help, just close them. It's your ears you should be covering!'"

"Elisa paused... closed her eyes and covered her ears!"

"Anger opened the cage, and thousands of rats poured out onto Wang like a flood, squeaking in panic and scattering in all directions."

"Ace then ran to stand beside Anger and Mo Fei."

"Hearing Wang's screams, Mo Fei frowned and turned away, only to see Anger looking at him. After a long gaze, Anger finally said, 'I hate rats. The underground is filthy.'"

"After a moment of silence, Mo Fei lowered his head and embraced Anger, saying, 'Indeed, it's filthy.'"

"Anger smiled contentedly and gently caressed Mo Fei's cheek, saying, 'I knew you'd hold on until I arrived. You've never disappointed me.'"

"I'm afraid I have this time," Mo Fei murmured.

"Hmm?" Anger looked at Mofei, puzzled.

"Our bet..." Mo Fei sighed softly. "Anger, I concede defeat in that bet."

"Anger was momentarily confused, amidst the ongoing screams, Ace's barks as he herded the rats, Jiu Yi's muttering at the door, and the sound of Os and a large group approaching. Mo Fei whispered in his ear, 'Anger, I love you, and I willingly become your slave.'"

"Anger gazed up at Mo Fei for a long time, a smile finally breaking through his previously sullen expression. He tenderly cupped Mo Fei's face with one hand, tilted his head up, and kissed him."