Mu Heng extended her right hand, only then noticing she was wearing a pair of white silk gloves. With the Black-Clad Man's assistance, she slowly rose to her feet. The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt a sharp discomfort.
It wasn't her legs that were the problem, but the high heels she was wearing. Mu Heng glanced down at her side, the white hem of her dress clearly visible.
Recalling the "Robin" identity displayed on the Alternative Identity System, it was obvious: this outfit was the iconic attire from Robin's official artwork in Star Rail.
The Black-Clad Man seemed to notice as well. "Would you like to change your shoes?" he asked.
However, as Mu Heng left the bedroom, crossed the living room, and approached the entryway, she spotted a pair of khaki-colored shoes on the rack. These "Iraq War-Torn Edition" shoes were riddled with holes—her toes would likely poke through the openings. While the design was unique, the ventilation was certainly impressive.
"No, never mind," Mu Heng said, shaking her head. Though it was her first time wearing high heels, she felt surprisingly balanced in this body. As long as she didn't run, it shouldn't be a problem.
"Alright," the Black-Clad Man replied nonchalantly, leading her downstairs. They were in a six-story building without an elevator, and her "home" was on the third floor.
As they exited the building, Mu Heng looked up and saw a black vortex hanging in the sky like a second, ominously conspicuous sun.
"What is that...?"
"A Dimensional Rift," the Black-Clad Man explained. "It's different from the videos and pictures you see online, isn't it? The oppressive feeling you get from witnessing one in person is completely different."
"We came to investigate because this Dimensional Rift appeared in the area. The frequency, scale, and location of these things are unpredictable, and the effects vary wildly. Sometimes monsters materialize out of thin air, sometimes people get sucked into alternate dimensions, and sometimes, like in your case, Ability users emerge."
Mu Heng wore a thoughtful expression as the Black-Clad Man continued, "The impact of this Dimensional Rift is relatively localized, likely confined to your current residence, the Tianming Residential Complex. We evacuated all civilians first, and then discovered you during our detailed investigation."
As he spoke, the men gradually filed into the police car. Mu Heng sat in the back, replaying every word they had said in her mind.
Qin Chuming... That's what they had called her when they first entered the bedroom. So, she had most likely undergone soul transmigration into this Qin Chuming's body, acquired that "Alternative Identity System," and somehow ended up transforming into Robin.
The whole situation felt somewhat peculiar. Normally, shouldn't soul transmigration involve inhabiting the body of someone with the same name, identical appearance, and nearly identical experiences?
Well, not necessarily. Soul transmigration into entirely unrelated individuals seemed common enough. But this made things complicated. Since Mu Heng knew nothing about Qin Chuming's personality, wouldn't it be easy for her to slip up and reveal her true identity?
-
The scene shifts to a small, pristine white room within the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations, barely twenty square meters in size. Mu Heng sat stiffly on a chair, smoothing the pleats of her skirt and keeping her legs neatly together, appearing somewhat restrained.
This was essentially a police station, and she was currently being interrogated. Given that Mu Heng had previously been an ordinary person, it would be strange if she weren't feeling anxious.
The Black-Clad Man sat opposite her. Through their conversation, she had learned his name: Zhong Wanhong, a veteran in this line of work for nearly a decade. In his early forties, he held a pen and paper, scribbling notes as he asked:
"This condition is typically referred to as a Transformer. Whether you transform into a person, an animal, a plant, or something else entirely, you acquire an Identity. Qin Chuming, can you focus and see if any new information has appeared in your mind?"
"Um..." So, Star Rail doesn't exist in this world? Otherwise, he would have recognized me immediately.
Moreover, being addressed as "Qin Chuming" made Mu Heng feel deeply uncomfortable. Her sakura lips parted slightly. "Would you... would you mind calling me Robin instead?"
After all, she couldn't very well reveal her real name, Mu Heng.
Zhong Wanhong's pen scratched across the paper. "Robin, then. And what about your Ability?"
"Emmm..." Mu Heng frowned slightly, racking her brain. She genuinely couldn't sense anything special about this body. Tentatively, she suggested, "My ability... could it be that I'm a really good singer?"
Zhong Wanhong blinked, surprised. "And...?"
"That's... it?" Mu Heng searched her memory for Robin's skills from the game. "Maybe... I can give buffs to people who listen to my songs?"
Zhong Wanhong raised an eyebrow. "A support-type ability? Can you use it now? Want to try singing something?"
"..." Mu Heng's expression froze. Not this again. She was just an ordinary person—not socially awkward, but definitely not outgoing enough to sing in front of a crowd of strangers, especially in a police station under the watchful eyes of officers.
Ugh, just kill me now.
"Never mind if you can't. Many people can't control their abilities at first," Zhong Wanhong said, waving dismissively. "How about joining us? The Bureau of Anomalous Investigations? Are you interested?"
"This... I'll need to consider it." Mu Heng only knew that this was an official organization, likely a force for good. She needed to learn more before making a decision.
"Mm-hmm," Zhong Wanhong said, lowering his head to resume his paperwork with a brisk scrawl. "Because of the Dimensional Rift, you definitely can't go back to your old apartment complex. Even if it's safe now, there's no guarantee it will stay that way. We'll arrange new housing for you. Is that alright?"
"No problem," Mu Heng replied. It was perfectly reasonable; she had no reason to refuse.
"Then that's settled. Your new identity documents will be ready in a day or two. I'll bring them to you when they're processed."
"That's... that's it?" Mu Heng blinked in surprise. Had it really only been five minutes since she'd arrived? All they'd asked was her name and ability, and now it was over?
"That's it. You don't sing, and you don't have any other special abilities. What else is there to do?" Zhong Wanhong shrugged.
Just like that, minutes after entering the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations, Mu Heng found herself back in the police car. Ever since her "transmigration," one thing had led to another, forcing her to absorb a torrent of information. She felt her brain was already overloaded.
Thankfully, she finally had some downtime and could finally take a proper look at her System.