The detectives exchanged curious glances. He Xiao Yi was already interested in the case. Even if the team decided to have it reassigned, he would follow.

Chief Abby frowned. Systems were unpredictable. If this one was real, then it was terrifying. He needed to call President Alix and inform her about it immediately. Sooner or later sleazy Han, as Liwu called him, would publish his findings. When that happened, whether this was fact or fiction, fingers would be pointed. Noise would be made.

Cases like these were the reason why priority investigation teams were formed.

"What kind of system can cause this?" Su Jin asked curiously, tapping a pen against a notebook. "These seem like a lot of factors to bring together under a single system. Besides. weather control can only be managed by hosts that have systems which control weather. I don’t see how such a system can conjure up flowers and props."

Han shook his head. "This host does not influence the weather, they just make small things happen. A little rain...just enough to dampen the alley.

A little wind, just enough to make leaves fall from trees in a park and bury the victim like a novel describes. Nothing extreme. Nothing that would cause alarm. I think I narrowed it down."

All the detectives looked at him, curiosity playing in their eyes.

Han smiled like an ice cream vendor who had seen a bus of children on a hot day. "It is a narration system. You know how the christian God said, ’let their be light,’ and it happened. I think maybe this is something like that. But of course, I am not 100% sure.

This was something one of the authors I spoke to suggested. She said it seemed to her like someone was narrating scenes out of her original manuscript which only two people in the world had ever seen. Herself, and the editor who died six years ago.

She is the author of Murder As A Password. In her book, a girl climbed the hierarchy in her new school by forming an elite club of students. She was from a rich family so she funded the club. These kids had money, looks and good grades. But to become a member, you had to kill an animal of her choosing.

One day, they upgraded to killing the abusive father of their friend. From their, things spiraled. More bodies, More members. And..."

"Can we get back to the case." Liwu raised her voice, cutting him off. "We will read the books and have them analyzed later. For now, let’s focus on what you said about the next murder happening in my city. Why here?"

Han tapped the folder. "Because, Liwu baby, the sea has returned. Your husband had unveiled a shiny new harbor. Hasn’t any of you read the novel The Crimson Harbor? A wealthy businessman is gutted like a fish and strung on a fishing pole in act of revenge by a mother whose daughter accidentally stumbled upon the merchants smuggling operation.

It was turned into a movie. The vigilante mother who was once a police woman slaughtered more than just the businessman. She hunted down all the smugglers, corrupt cops and judges. Then she blew up the harbor and went home to bury her daughter while the residents of the city applauded her bravery.

The movie was a hit. It made four hundred eighty million yuan. Cost of production was not even half of that." He saw Liwu’s impatience and picked up speed. "The author was interviewed last year. His first interview ever. It just so happened that he was about to die.

He said he based the fictional harbor on the old one in this city. The landmarks, the sea, the skyline--it’s all here. The killer is coming here. The murder will happen on the first day of winter."

The room buzzed with uneasy whispers.

Liwu tapped her fingers on the table. "Isn’t it a stretch to assume the killer will be coming here just because of this? There are thousands, if not millions of crime novels out there. You haven’t met this killer..."

"You uncovered a snake head smuggling operation in a dye house at the old harbor." Han raised his voice. "All the conditions are ripe. And, I am member of this super secret website were fictional murder tools from movies and books are sold. Someone has been shopping around for a fishing rod like the one in The Crimson Harbor. My gut says this is it. If I am right, some wealthy businessman is going to end up gutted and strung on your harbor.

This killer only kills one person per book, even if more than one victim was killed in the fictional world. He or she mostly goes for the big villain, the opening scene or the first murder."

Liwu rubbed her temples. "I think I have a headache already. So we don’t know the potential victim. And we know nothing about the killer except that he likes fiction."

Linlin leaned towards her. "You know, if he is right, this is a major case. Seven murders...that is too many. Looking at these pictures, the murders are too elaborate. No ordinary killer could pull this off."

The Chief looked at Liwu. "What do you want to do? Should we pass it on? As team leader, the choice is yours."

She exhaled slowly. "We vote. Who thinks we should take it even if it sounds like a nightmare?"

Every hand went up, even reporter Han.

She nodded. "Fine. We will take it and we’ll treat it seriously. But Han, if you are wrong, you will be writing obituaries for the rest of your life. I will make sure of that by buying out every media house you work for. I will even buy the internet if I must. Old Tai can afford it."

Han smirked. "I will take that risk. Besides, I like working with you, Liwu baby."

Liwu’s glare could have frozen fire. "One more ’baby’ and I will shove my boot into your mouth."