Chapter 78

As the Red-haired Bureau Director explained, the function of the [Watchtower Palace] is to monitor and control crises that could bring destruction, and notify the Clearing Bureau in advance.

Now, relying on the resistance provided by [Materialism], I’ve managed to block part of its surveillance. Doesn’t that mean I’ve successfully bypassed the strongest defense of the Clearing Bureau and fulfilled the prerequisite conditions for world destruction?

Hiss… This feeling is really… kinda strange…

…

“Leon?”

After waiting for half a day and hearing no response from him, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. She then reached out and patted Leon’s arm, eagerly extending her hand.

“You didn’t say you brought me a good bottle of wine? Where’s the wine?”

“…”

So quitting drinking was just nonsense, right?

After being pulled back from his thoughts about the [Watchtower Palace] by the Red-haired Bureau Director’s inquiry, Leon couldn’t help but sarcastically remarked, “When Director Taurus was still here, didn’t you say you quit drinking? It hasn’t even been five minutes yet, has it?”

“In front of Honorable Taurus, I am the pure Bureau Director, but in front of you, I’m a buddy who drinks heartily with you. These two are completely separate~”

After finishing her classic catchphrase, the Red-haired Bureau Director stretched her hand forward again. Her five slender fingers skillfully moved up and down as she urged with a smile,

“Hurry! I can already smell the alcohol on you. You must have brought some wine. Let me try it quickly~”

“…”

You’re beyond saving…

Seeing the Red-haired Bureau Director’s face full of anticipation, looking like she might pounce at any moment to search him, Leon had no choice but to reach into his chest and pull out a small bottle of wine prepared for the [Martyr of Liquor] and handed it over.

Just this little bit…

Disappointed, the Red-haired Bureau Director took the small bottle, unscrewed it, and drank all the slightly warm alcohol inside in one gulp. Still not satisfied, she smacked her lips and looked at Leon expectantly once more.

“Is there more?”

“There is!”

Although the Red-haired Bureau Director sometimes causes trouble, she has always taken care of him. Plus, since he plans to ask her for a favor now, Leon naturally wouldn’t hesitate to give her benefits. With a deep breath and a stomp of his foot, he firmly promised,

“After work today, I can invite you to drink again…”

“Stop right there!”

Upon hearing Leon’s words, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s expression changed instantly. Instinctively touching her wallet, she eyed him warily and said,

“What exactly do you want to do?”

“Eh?”

Confused by her strange reaction, Leon hesitantly repeated,

“Did you hear wrong? I just said that after work today, I can invite you to drink again…”

“I won’t go!”

Recalling Leon’s terrible drinking behavior, the Red-haired Bureau Director, who had learned her lesson, swallowed hard and rejected him with great determination,

“If you have something to ask, just say it directly. If I can help, I’ll generally agree. But if you give me benefits first before asking for help, the nature changes!”

Ah, so you’re actually such a principled person? Then who was the one who taught me how to cheat on field expenses on my second day of work? Although Leon wanted to ask the Red-haired Bureau Director why she seemed to be acting strangely today, considering that he needs to pay rent this week and also pay tuition for his younger siblings, being able to save money on alcohol is very appealing to him. Therefore, after organizing his thoughts a bit, he directly told her his troubles.

“It’s like this. Last night…”

After briefly explaining Anna’s situation, Leon scratched the back of his head and somewhat embarrassedly requested, “My sister… she has a rather stubborn personality, and I’m a bit worried she might get stuck in a rut. So I want to go to the archive department of the Public Security Bureau to look through our family’s files.

If possible, I’d also like to investigate that photo and the old photography studio to see if I can figure out what she’s so worried about.”

“That’s simple.”

After taking Leon downstairs and returning to her own office, the Red-haired Bureau Director rummaged through a cabinet filled with empty wine bottles, found a crumpled notebook, scribbled a few lines, and handed it over.

“This is the approval form the Public Security Bureau gave me. Take this to the archive department of the headquarters building. Administrative-level and lower administrative-level archives should all be freely accessible.”

“Thank you, Director!”

After sincerely thanking her, Leon was about to leave with the approval form when the Red-haired Bureau Director called him back.

“Wait a moment. It doesn’t matter if you check the archives a few minutes later.”

Pointing to Leon’s right hand clutching the necklace, the Red-haired Bureau Director smiled sweetly and said,

“Little Liang~ You just obtained an anomalous item with nearly fifty Leon Value. Many directors of smaller branches’ main anomalous items are probably only at this level. Don’t you want to test how strong it is?”

Of course I want to test it, but… here?

Looking at the office filled with empty wine bottles and walls starting to peel off in many places, Leon thought the venue wasn’t quite suitable. But considering the Red-haired Bureau Director would cover for him, he shouldn’t worry about damaging public property. So he nodded,

“Sure… How should I test it?”

“Very simple.”

Casually pulling out a strand of red hair and making it float on the table, the Red-haired Bureau Director propped her chin on her hand and watched interestedly, saying: “Regarding the rules of that thing, Honorable Taurus roughly explained them to me. Use… um… approximately the amount of energy needed to jog a kilometer as currency to buy a single mental slash.

The target of the slash will temporarily be this strand of hair on the table. After I feel the force of the slash, I should be able to directly tell you its approximate power.”

“Alright!”

Nodding to show he understood the testing rules, Leon took a deep breath and then unfastened the clasp of the Holy Spirit Pendant, hanging it around his neck.

“Zzzz…”

[Obtained and worn anomalous item “Holy Spirit Pendant,” you successfully activated the Bronze Badge “Devout One”]

[Devout One (Bronze): Having witnessed the descent of the Holy Spirit and engaged in a friendly conversation with it, your unique philosophy and devout faith have genuinely impressed the Holy Spirit]

[Wearing effect: Increased affinity with anomalous items marked as “Holy.” Slightly reduces usage cost while significantly enhancing effects]

[Advancement path: Wear and use the “Holy Spirit Pendant,” exterminate ten heretics who are not followers of the Scale Gold Religion, and this badge will automatically upgrade to the Silver Badge “Practitioner.” Current progress 0/10]

[Hidden characteristic (no need to wear): As a devout follower, your soul is firm and pure, easily winning the favor of certain orderly entities]

[Your Taint Value has increased]

[Current Taint Value: 1.1]

(End of Chapter)