Regarding Lin Wuming's request, Saten Ruiko first apologized—she had limited information to offer.
Because she wasn't interested, in Saten Ruiko's opinion, the news that 'Lin Wuming was defeated by Kamijou Touma' was clearly fake and didn't deserve to exist as an 'Urban Legend'.
Others might have been fooled, but Saten Ruiko knew Lin Wuming personally and had even met him several times, so she certainly didn't believe Lin Wuming would be defeated by a Level 0.
Moreover, Saten Ruiko was an expert in 'Urban Legends'. Although she often delved into inexplicable things with great enthusiasm, it was undeniable that her ability to discern information and intelligence had indeed been honed.
"...So I didn't pay special attention to this topic, and therefore I'm not very sure," Saten Ruiko said, "But based on my experience, the source of the topic is probably those few message forums, right? Many of the latest Urban Legend topics spread from there."
"Forums?" Lin Wuming nodded. This was a clue. If he asked Misaka Mikoto for help...
"Is Senior Wuming really concerned about that topic?" Saten Ruiko suddenly asked again.
"I am a little concerned," Lin Wuming nodded, "After all... I am one of the parties involved in the topic."
Lin Wuming glanced at Kamijou Touma in front of him and decided to save him some face—it was better than directly telling Saten Ruiko, "Kamijou has been driven to a dead end by that rumor," right?
"Okay, then let me help investigate!" Saten Ruiko said with full fighting spirit.
Whenever something was related to 'Urban Legends', Saten Ruiko would burst forth with strong initiative.
"Thank you very much, but how do you plan to investigate?" Lin Wuming asked.
"Of course, through the forums," Saten Ruiko said, "Hmm, I can also ask Haruue to help."
Upon hearing the name Haruue Erii, Lin Wuming was completely relieved.
—As long as the rumor truly spread from online forums, then finding the mastermind was only a matter of time.
"Alright," Lin Wuming hung up the phone, put away his cell phone, and looked at Kamijou Touma, "It's done! We can go back and wait for news."
"Be careful," Kamijou Touma reminded him, "Outside are all your ardent supporters. Don't be scared when you see them."
"Let's go to the underground parking lot. We'll take a car out; no one will find us. I'll take you back first," Lin Wuming said, "By the way, where's Index?"
"Index, ah..." Kamijou Touma's already gloomy face became even more shadowed, "She... she got lost."
Or, to be precise, Kamijou Touma actively stayed away from Index to avoid the crowds 'hunting' him all over the streets, acting as bait to draw the pursuers away.
Now, Kamijou Touma wasn't very clear about where Index was.
As soon as he thought of this, Kamijou Touma couldn't sit still: "I need to go out and find her quickly!"
So, a moment later, two wheelchairs successively drove out of the ward...
Saten Ruiko hung up the phone but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she continued to stand in place, pinching her chin in thought.
—She had promised to help, but it seemed inappropriate to go directly to Haruue without doing anything herself... However, if she delayed Senior Wuming's matter, it seemed even more inappropriate.
"Hey, Ruiko~" The blonde girl who had just been shooed away came closer again, "Are you done with your call? Then hurry up and continue shopping. I found your favorite discounted soy sauce!"
Saten Ruiko came back to her senses and looked at her friend with some guilt: "Sorry, I suddenly have something urgent to do right now. Today's lunch might have to be slightly delayed..."
"Huh? Is it because of that call just now?" The blonde girl looked like a cat with its fur bristling, "What's wrong with Lin Wuming again?"
"Senior Wuming, he..." Saten Ruiko suddenly froze, looking over in surprise, "Frenda, you know Senior Wuming too?"
"A Level 5, the legendary 'hero', how could I not know him?" Frenda waved her hand and said, "But you, Ruiko... Ah, you're a student at Sakugawa Middle School, so it's not surprising."
"Eh... you know a lot about me too," Saten Ruiko's expression was a bit subtle.
However, with Haruue Erii by her side, she had long been accustomed to the leakage of personal information.
After all, in Academy City, as long as one possessed the appropriate technology, one could easily obtain the personal information of ordinary citizens.
"Hmph!" Frenda put her hands on her hips, "Lin Wuming doesn't seem like the type to care about rumors and false fame, so don't worry about him! In the end, these inexplicable rumors will dissipate on their own in a few days. In contrast..."
Frenda pointed at the items in the shopping cart and said, "We finally managed to grab canned mackerel today, we can't waste it!"
"Canned goods have a long shelf life."
"But my stomach can't last much longer," Frenda said, "I haven't even eaten breakfast. If I skip lunch too, I'll definitely faint from hunger!"
"You should eat breakfast properly," Saten Ruiko said helplessly.
"Anyway, I want lunch, lunch cooked by you, Ruiko!" Frenda said, "We agreed, I pay for the ingredients and seasonings, and you're responsible for the cooking!"
"That's true..." Saten Ruiko smiled bitterly and helplessly—who would have thought there was such a familiar girl? They had only known each other for a short time, yet she felt closer than Haruue?
Moreover, Frenda shamelessly took advantage of her petite and cute figure, forcefully playing the role of a "younger sister," pouting to Saten Ruiko without any psychological burden.
According to their actual ages, Frenda should have been older.
Saten Ruiko was an older sister at home, and she really couldn't resist her "younger sister's" pouting. In the end, she had no choice but to compromise and agree to treat Frenda to lunch as originally planned.
However, she didn't forget Lin Wuming's request. Since she was busy, she could only ask Haruue Erii for help with the investigation.
After relaying the relevant situation over the phone, Haruue Erii actively expressed her willingness to help.
Then, Saten Ruiko finally relaxed and walked with Frenda towards her rented student apartment.
Frenda, having gotten her wish, seemed to be in a very good mood. She walked briskly and hummed her self-composed "Canned Mackerel Song" along the way.
Thinking of the delicious meal she would soon enjoy, Frenda couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Honestly, is it that fun?" Saten Ruiko looked at her, smiling with a doting expression.
Feeling that this doll-like blonde girl was truly adorable, Saten Ruiko couldn't help but reach out and pat her head.
The next moment, Frenda let go of the convenience bag in her hand, raised her hand to press down on the hand on her head, and at the same time, tripped Saten Ruiko with her foot.
In just an instant, she easily threw Saten Ruiko to the ground!
