I Am Your Natural Enemy

As time passed, the mini-map indicated that the phone on Little Mustache was about to pass by this toll station.

He was headed to Chencang State, and this toll station was the only way through. Plus, he’d have to slow down once he got here, so Wen Yan would definitely have a chance to catch a glimpse.

Wen Yan hid himself, and after waiting a few minutes, saw a car begin to slow down as it approached the toll booth.

Through the front windshield, he caught sight of Little Mustache at once—this time, even closer than last time.

But just as he looked, Little Mustache seemed to sense something and turned his head to glance to the right.

Wen Yan immediately closed his eyes, remaining motionless in the shadows.

Little Mustache, still driving, looked at a small ornament on the dashboard—a little over an inch tall, shaped like a blue-and-white deer.

The deer was originally facing forward, but the moment Wen Yan glanced at him, the deer instantly turned in Wen Yan’s direction.

Little Mustache followed its gaze, only to see a car approaching from the side, not clear if it was trying to cut in line or sneak under the barrier, plus a few people standing by the roadside.

The deer ornament only faced that direction for a moment, then turned toward somewhere else.

Little Mustache frowned slightly—this ornament could sense malice, always facing in the direction of hostile intent.

But it wasn’t totally reliable, as it was too sensitive—any faint malice would be detected by it.

Even if someone just glanced at him with a hint of annoyance, the ornament would pick it up.

He hadn’t been fond of using it before, because of too many false alarms.

But after the last couple days, he decided it was better safe than sorry—even if it’s too sensitive, that’s better than missing something important.

Being killed by lightning from a dozen photos last time still made his heart race a little.

He still had no clue what ability could be that strong—the power was obviously beyond anything an ordinary person could have.

Even though the deer only shifted directions for a second, then turned back, Little Mustache thought for a moment before reaching out and touching the photo album on the passenger seat, opening it to the first page.

As soon as he saw the first photo, which was pitch black, a chill shot through his heart.

But in the next instant, nothing happened.

The photo was a bit blurry—it just showed the current spot, people standing by the roadside, a bunch of cars lined up at the toll gate.

He checked it over a few times but didn’t see anything wrong, then closed the album again.

One of the photos showed the little grove on the mountainside where Wen Yan was hiding; only a faint bit of his hair peeking out could be seen in the corner.

This photo album really could show a glimpse.

The Dark Night Amulet couldn’t fully escape the power of the album, but it was enough to fool Little Mustache.

The amulet’s power was basically only effective against creatures.

Little Mustache continued queuing up behind other cars, waiting to leave the toll station.

Five minutes later, Wen Yan quietly left the hillside, Dark Night Amulet worn the whole time.

He glanced at his phone—Little Mustache had already left the toll station, sticking to his plan and heading to the hotel first.

Wen Yan drew a slow breath, touched the Dark Night Amulet hanging around his neck—wondrous items really were useful.

At this point he could also confirm, based on what Black Box provided, that besides that object in Little Mustache’s bag—most likely a photo album—there should also be some kind of warning wondrous item.

Wen Yan asked Black Box what was on the passenger side when Little Mustache passed the tollgate as seen in the toll station cameras.

Black Box answered: a photo album.

Wen Yan continued: Did Little Mustache open the album?

Black Box replied: Yes.

The contents of the album were too blurry on camera to make out—only sure it was an album, and that it contained photos.

Wen Yan asked again: Besides the album, what else was in the car that wasn’t part of the original setup?

Black Box compared with manufacturer stock photos and came up with more than ten items.

From headrest, to seat cushion, to a small ornament sitting on the dashboard.

Partial images of these things were sent to Wen Yan, and he spotted the deer ornament at a glance. In the picture, it was facing some other direction.

Then, Black Box cross-referenced with Scorching Sun Department’s data and found a matching detail.

A year ago, someone posted they’d bought a limited-edition game accessory—the deer ornament could move on its own.

Pictured in the post, though it couldn’t be confirmed as the exact same one as Little Mustache’s, was definitely from the same batch.

This deer ornament was merch for a game; after releasing it once and not making enough money, the developer discontinued it.

The post only got a few replies—some were jokes, the last one from the poster said he’d already sold it. He mentioned if someone cussed him out, the deer would turn to face that person, even if he didn’t hear them do it.

Soon after, the post was deleted.

No way to know how Black Box leveraged Scorching Sun Department’s clearance to dig up that kind of info.

This detail was crucial. Wen Yan suspected the deer was another wondrous item, able to react to being watched or to malice.

That guy definitely had more than one or two wondrous items on him—maybe even something for saving his own life.