Chapter 367

Holding a wallet that seemed to have come from nowhere, after returning to the Clearing Bureau, Leon immediately knocked on the door of the Bureau Director’s office and said with a serious expression: “There really is an issue with Pink Mystery! The Aquarius Director must have arranged some sort of backup plan over there! Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, the wallet you asked me to investigate was likely taken by Nicole, the Level 1 Cleaner from the Gemini Division!”

Huh? What did you say? After hearing Leon’s words, the Red-haired Bureau Director, who was fiddling with an empty wallet, paused slightly, then replied with a look of astonishment:

“Did you actually find something out? Not… what I mean is, are you really sure?”

“Pretty much.”

After recalling the intelligence from the [Evil Degeneration List], Leon recounted his observations and experiences, then solemnly concluded: “We still can’t be completely certain, but once Jerry comes back, if even he can’t find that wallet, it’ll be pretty much confirmed.

After all, the [Secret Tail] in possession of that female journalist is capable of erasing the aura of items. I think she’s a very big suspect… By the way, Director, what exactly was in that wallet?”

“…”

The wallet contained my newly collected salary… But that doesn’t matter anymore! After Leon finished recounting his observations, the Bureau Director’s fox-like eyes involuntarily narrowed as she began to notice something slightly off.

Although I did drink quite a bit, forgetting my wallet really shouldn’t happen, possibly due to the influence of some special anomalous item. Additionally, because I had just bragged in front of Leon during the day, I didn’t originally intend to drink too much that night.

But Pink Mystery happened to have received a new batch of wine that suited my taste, causing me to lose control and drink more than I should have, losing my wallet in the process. And the only person who could immediately retrieve the wallet, Jerry, left on a mission due to an emergency in Merino County and isn’t currently at the bureau…

This reeks of conspiracy…

After twirling her hair between her fingers a couple of times, the Red-haired Bureau Director vaguely responded while furrowing her brows, pondering the true objective of the “enemy”.

The direct goal seems to be stealing my wallet? But my wallet only contained money, which isn’t worth them putting in so much effort, so their true purpose is most likely related to the subsequent impact of me being broke.

Considering that the Aquarius side has a [Otherworld Door] capable of briefly glimpsing into the future, they must have seen something I would do after going broke that made them feel they could take advantage of the situation!

So what would I definitely do after going broke? Borrow money from Emma like yesterday? Use the [Loan Interest Bag] to borrow money like today? Or go to the usual tavern to run a tab? Strange, these things are all pretty normal. Which one would make me expose a weakness? Or… should I try doing all of them?

With a splitting headache from thinking so much, the Red-haired Bureau Director started unconsciously fiddling with the empty wallet in her hand, continuously snapping the wallet’s clasp open and shut.

Noticing her actions, Leon’s eyebrows twitched slightly, remembering the wallet that suddenly appeared in his hands. He then lightly tapped his cufflink and pulled out the bulging wallet.

“By the way, aside from that [Evil Degeneration List], I encountered another incident that might be related to an anomalous item.”

Placing the wallet on the table, Leon briefly explained its mysterious origin, then worriedly said: “You know how bad my luck is, so it’s unlikely for such good fortune to fall into my lap. Therefore, I think… Hmm? What is this?”

“You’ll know once you touch it.”

After tossing her own empty wallet to Leon, the Red-haired Bureau Director calmly opened a small golden puppy’s wallet, took out five Golden Wheels, and put them in her pocket before handing the wallet back.

“I’ll give you ten extra Golden Wheels next payday. Remember to help me return the money to the owner later!”

????

What… what does that even mean? How am I supposed to understand any of this?

Confused, Leon frowned, then followed the Red-haired Bureau Director’s instructions and touched the empty wallet in his hand.

[Name: Loan Interest Bag (Wealth)]

[Appearance: An abnormally old-fashioned men’s leather wallet, the once sturdy hard leather bottom has been completely worn out, to the point where you can stick your fingers through the hole in the bottom into the wallet]

[Ability: Unexpected Wealth]

[Cost: After using this anomalous item to gain unexpected wealth, you need to return double the amount to the owner]

[File: This is a genuine antique anomalous item from the initial country of Anbara, with a history of over five hundred years. It was acquired by the fourth director of the Clearing Bureau Virgo Branch and has always been stored in the branch’s warehouse.

Four years ago, after spending all her salary and having no money to buy alcohol, the then-director of the Virgo Subdivision, Olivia, found this long-unused anomalous item in the warehouse and subsequently used it for small “loans”.

In four years, she used this anomalous item forty-nine times, borrowing a total of one thousand twenty-three Golden Wheels, finding twenty-five wallets, uncovering four secret cellars containing private property, exchanging fifteen winning lottery tickets…]

[Assessment: A severely underestimated anomalous item. Instead of paying back double the amount each time you borrow money, its true use should be to directly “borrow” a large sum at critical moments and never pay it back]

[Taint Value: 2.3]

“…”

Not a single mistake in the content inside! So… the wallet I “submitted” earlier was actually borrowed by you using this thing? No wonder the process was so ridiculous! After reading the description of the [Loan Interest Bag], Leon couldn’t help but smack his lips and sarcastically commented:

“Who knew such bizarre anomalous items existed… Also, you have to pay back double with this! Compared to borrowing money from it, why don’t you just properly find a bank to borrow from? My annual salary is only six hundred plus Golden Wheels, and the interest you’ve paid from using this thing is already enough for two years of my salary!”

“Theoretically speaking, finding a bank would indeed be better.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director shrugged:

“But I repay too slowly, and the major banks in the Capital City have blacklisted me. The remaining ones willing to lend me money don’t want me to repay, but rather hope I repay with favors. In that case, I’d rather just borrow directly from this thing, wouldn’t you agree?”

“…”

Agree my ass! With such a high salary, if you just controlled yourself and drank less, would you lack money? “Ah well, everyone has times when money doesn’t come together. It’s just for emergencies~”

After glancing at Leon’s sullen face, the Red-haired Bureau Director, who successfully “borrowed” five Golden Wheels, sat up straight and seriously changed the subject: “Also, if I’m not mistaken, within a week at most, something unpleasant will definitely happen. You need to be extra careful recently.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Because of Jerry’s return time.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director narrowed her eyes, tapping her fingers on the table: “If it wasn’t accidentally discovered by you, Jerry would start helping me look for the lost wallet a week from now, then, unable to detect the wallet’s aura, cause me to become alert about this matter.

Therefore, reasoning backwards, if they want to do something and don’t want to alarm me, they must get it done within this week. So I speculate that something will definitely happen within this week before Jerry returns!”

(End of Chapter)