Chapter 67

“It’s precisely because my strength isn’t enough that I need to obtain my own power as soon as possible. The reason I didn’t choose the second option is also because of this.”

After candidly admitting to being “weak,” Leon responded with a serious expression: “The anomalous items created by the second choice are consumable and not part of my own strength. Once they’re used up, there’s nothing left. Plus, they only work on targets that recognize the value of the Golden Wheel… By the way, do you remember the tasks you had me pick from before?”

Blood rain that killed thousands of animals, beasts towering five meters tall, the sea-dwelling Sea Folk, sand worms capable of hollowing out an entire mountain…

Recalling the tasks listed by the Red-haired Bureau Director, Leon said helplessly:

“Almost none of the targets you gave me accept the Golden Wheel. Only the Sea Folk recognize gold, but they have their own currency and may not fully recognize the value of the Golden Wheel. Whether the second anomalous item would be effective is questionable.

Of course, I could follow in Emma Senior’s footsteps and only take on tasks I’m confident I can handle, specifically targeting enemies who recognize the value of the Golden Wheel. But if I misjudge, my strongest anomalous item would become useless.

However, the power obtained from the third choice truly belongs to me. In these situations, it almost always works. At worst, it could help me survive or escape. So why wouldn’t I choose this option?”

“…”

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director, whose expression showed she had grasped something and had calmed down, Leon hesitated but ultimately swallowed the most important reason.

Although the brain is located above, when thinking, people often consider the decisions made by their “buttocks” first.

The Red-haired Bureau Director might not have noticed, but as the director of the Virgin Clearing Bureau, deep down, she hopes each person in the bureau has distinct strengths so they can be dispatched accordingly when problems arise.

But my “position” is different from hers. For someone like me, severely lacking in strength, what I need most now isn’t future potential but immediate combat capability.

Although the third choice is rumored to be quite common, something becoming widespread proves it suits most people and most situations, ensuring a decent baseline.

With the Clearing Bureau having an annual fatality rate approaching one-tenth, if I were to give up current combat ability for future potential, I might end up getting carried away at any moment. Even those in the bureau who chose similar anomalous items might think the same way.

“…”

“If that’s the case, then the third option isn’t bad…”

Glancing at Leon, who seemed hesitant to speak further, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but pout and said: “You really… at just sixteen or seventeen years old, you already habitually overthink things, worrying about this and fearing that, unwilling to take any risks, just like another Emma! Oh well… If I knew you’d turn out like this, I shouldn’t have let her bring you along!”

Emma Senior? Hearing this, Leon couldn’t help but smile.

Honestly, my greatest hope for myself right now is to be just like her—earning a high salary while guarding my younger siblings, living comfortably and staying in the Clearing Bureau.

“Director, I don’t think everything you said is entirely correct.”

Seeing the atmosphere ease, knowing he had convinced her, Leon smiled and said: “Emma Senior does indeed err on the side of caution, but people with such overly cautious personalities are the ones most likely to survive safely in the Clearing Bureau, right?”

“Yes, yes, yes! Whatever you say is right!”

Annoyed, the Red-haired Bureau Director shot a glance at “Emma Version Two” and waved her hand dismissively:

“Go, go! In about a week, the General Bureau will send over your new anomalous item. If it doesn’t suit you, don’t come begging me to change it!”

She flicked her finger toward the door, using her hair to push Leon out. Recalling all the expressions he displayed during their discussion, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow thoughtfully.

Tsk… Although some people keep repeating how cautious they are, their ambitions must be quite high!

My expectation for Leon was merely for him to become an ordinary Level One Disaster Handler or a top-notch employee capable of handling a branch office like Emma. However, he probably doesn’t see himself that way.

Even though he didn’t explicitly say it, he must have believed he would continue to grow, eventually possibly facing opponents at the level of True Gods, which is why his interest in the second choice diminished significantly.

A relatively cautious person probably wouldn’t harbor such meaningless arrogance, so the secret he’s hiding might be stronger than I imagined!

Little Leon full of secrets~ After taking a swig of tea from her wine bottle, the Red-haired Bureau Director leaned back in her chair, gazing pensively at the old, peeling ceiling above her head, her expression complex as she thought.

So… Are you planning to succeed me as the director of the Virgin Clearing Bureau? Or do you aim even higher?

…

“I’ll have a serving of roasted potatoes.”

Looking at the various dishes on the counter, after ordering his main course, Leon eagerly pointed at the stewed beef that was nearly gone.

“One serving of this, and a bowl of white bean stew.”

“Got it!”

Although Leon wasn’t very young anymore, the canteen auntie from the Public Security Bureau served with incredible precision. Her large iron spoon, dripping with sauce, plunged straight to the bottom of the bucket, scooping up more than a full portion of vegetables, even scraping off some onions and carrots against the wall before refilling it with beef, plopping it onto Leon’s plate with a splash. She then asked loudly: “Anything else?”

“That’s enough! That’s plenty!”

Is that enough? My chickens eat more than you! Looking at Leon’s slim frame, the canteen auntie furrowed her brows, placing her hands on her hips and looking dissatisfied: “Look at how thin you are; people might think my cooking is terrible! Stand there! Here’s another scoop!”

Without room for refusal, another generous scoop of beef was added to his plate. Watching Leon leave with a look of surprise, the robust auntie, resembling a bear, clicked her tongue regretfully and chatted with the old man beside her: “Look at this young man, so spirited, yet he can’t seem to gain weight. What a waste of such good… Hmm? Little Isa? Why are you eating so late today?”

“Ah… It’s about the same as last time…”

Hearing the canteen auntie’s concerned inquiry, the female police officer sighed, looking dejected: “This morning, we caught a guy causing trouble everywhere, but it turned out he had deep connections, so we had to let him go. I’ve been busy dealing with the aftermath ever since…

Never mind, let’s not talk about these frustrating things. I’ll have rice pudding, apple pie, and stewed beef, just like before.”

“There’s not much stewed beef left…”

Looking back at the large pot of stewed beef, the canteen auntie said apologetically: “I actually saved some for you earlier, but since you didn’t come, I couldn’t resist giving a couple extra scoops to a skinny kid just now… How about I replace it with fried pork cutlet?”

“Alright…”

Hearing that her beloved stewed beef was gone, the female police officer, who hadn’t eaten or drunk water since morning and was feeling weak, immediately slumped, feeling like nothing went right for her today.

Regretfully leaving with her fried pork cutlet, she subconsciously glanced around, wanting to see who the lucky person was who took her share. Unexpectedly, she spotted a very familiar back and saw a mountain of stewed beef piled on that person’s plate.

“Huh?!!!”

(╯╬￣皿￣)╯︵┻━┻

(End of Chapter)