Chapter 76

Leon furrowed his brow after suspecting that the one calling for him upstairs wasn’t the Red-haired Bureau Director but her anomalous item. He thought for a moment and then decided to test it out:

“By the way, Director, I specially brought you a fine bottle of wine. Would you like to come down and try it?”

“Thank you.”

After hearing Leon’s words, the “Red-haired Bureau Director” politely thanked him and continued inviting:

“I’m not very convenient right now. Could you bring it up instead?”

“…”

Not rushing down immediately for the wine… it must be fake!

Based on his understanding of the Red-haired Bureau Director, Leon easily tested the authenticity of the “Director,” and his alertness instantly skyrocketed.

Although unclear about the exact level of the Red-haired Bureau Director, from the Black Goat’s behavior, he could still make some estimations. The Black Goat always had sarcastic remarks for the Red-haired Bureau Director, but never questioned the Director’s strength.

According to his calculations, when the Black Goat was at its peak, the taint value could reach above 56, so the Director’s strength must be no less, likely translating into a taint value over 60.

As for himself…

Never mind, better not compare.

For someone who just started as a probationary employee with only a measly taint value of 0.9, far below the minimum average standard, if the thing upstairs really is the Director’s anomalous item and has gone out of control for some reason, the difference would only be whether he dies miserably or extremely miserably! Stay calm; the more situations like this arise, the more crucial it is not to panic! Realizing he might have encountered an uncontrolled anomalous item, Leon took two deep breaths first, then quietly activated the [Alcohol Martyr] ability from his wine bottle to keep calm.

Immediately afterward, he turned around, slowly retreating toward the Clearing Bureau’s entrance while calmly continuing the conversation: “Since you’re not convenient, I won’t bother you by going upstairs. I’ll save the wine for you.”

“It’s no problem.”

After hearing Leon’s response, the “Red-haired Bureau Director” smiled, her voice becoming increasingly eerie: “Come upstairs. The matter I’m busy with is related to you anyway, so your coming isn’t a bother. As for the wine, drinking it or not doesn’t really matter.”

“I’m fine; you can continue your work!”

“What work? Didn’t I tell you to come up?”

“Uh-huh, okay, I’ll come up right away!”

When Leon heard the line about “drinking the wine or not doesn’t matter,” he suddenly felt his hairs stand on end. While continuing the conversation to stabilize the out-of-control anomalous item upstairs, he activated [Running Rookie] and bolted toward the Clearing Bureau’s gate at the fastest speed of his life!

“Bang!”

“LEON!!!”

Just as Leon twisted his body and rammed open the heavy door of the Clearing Bureau and started sprinting for his life, the window on the second floor of the Clearing Bureau was suddenly pushed open, and the Red-haired Bureau Director appeared at the window, furious, grabbing toward his fleeing back shadow.

“Get your butt up here!!”

…

“So this is the very promising rookie you told me about.”

After glancing at Leon in front of her, the silver-haired old lady smiled faintly and extended her hand voluntarily.

“I’m the one who crafted your anomalous item this time. According to the Bureau’s requirements, I must hide my real name to avoid curses from evil gods or other beings, so I can’t tell you my name. You can call me Taurus.”

“…”

Taurus… Honorable Taurus, right? So it wasn’t an out-of-control anomalous item, just the Director entertaining guests upstairs?

Looking at the kind-faced old lady in front of him and then glancing at the red-haired Bureau Director beside her with black lines on her face, Leon, somewhat stunned, subconsciously reached out and shook hands with the old lady.

“Hello… I’m Leon…”

“Hmm-hmm, I know, ‘Leon Value’!”

The old lady smiled, withdrew her hand, looked at the very young-looking Leon, and said appreciatively:

“Ah… What you’re referring to isn’t actually called ‘Leon Value’…”

Because of the badge system on his person, Leon sincerely didn’t want too many people to know his name and attract unnecessary attention, so he quickly corrected her, trying to change the term back to taint value.

However, before Leon finished speaking, the back of his head was slapped hard by the Red-haired Bureau Director, followed by her harsh reminder in his ear:

“Director!”

“Ah?”

You dumbass! Looking at Leon, who ran off after chatting for just two sentences and completely dismantled her platform, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but glare at him again and reminded sternly:

“This is one of the twelve directors of the Bureau! So you should address her as Honorable Director!”

“Hehe, it’s just a title, don’t be so picky.”

Waving her hand to indicate there was no need to be so formal, the silver-haired old lady glanced at the red-haired Bureau Director glaring angrily and teased with a smile:

“Olivia, didn’t you just tell me that you’ve quit drinking for quite some time? Why did this little guy run away the moment he heard you weren’t drinking?”

“Well… Although I’ve quit drinking, everyone’s impression is still strong, and it hasn’t changed yet… Haha… Excuse me… Hahaha… Let’s talk about something else!”

Embarrassingly making up a lie and barely patching things up, the Red-haired Bureau Director secretly marked Leon with a mental black mark in her heart and then seriously praised:

“Honorable Taurus, Leon isn’t just talented in researching anomalous items; he also excels in handling abnormal situations.

Regarding the Scale Gold Religion Holy Spirit incident, I won’t go into details since you already know. Additionally, on his first day of employment, he eliminated an out-of-control tainted individual. Later, he even keenly discovered the whereabouts of another anomalous item through some subtle clues.

Even the recent event was similar; if someone less cautious were in his place, they would have directly followed my request to go upstairs. However, he immediately noticed the anomaly and promptly made the most correct judgment—choosing to stabilize me while evacuating as soon as possible.

Through these detailed actions and his past experience of dealing with the Holy Spirit alone, you should be able to see the potential he possesses.”

“Hmm-hmm, very impressive.”

After carefully listening to the Red-haired Bureau Director’s words, the silver-haired old lady approvingly nodded:

“This kid will do well if he takes it steady. In the future, he might become an ace like Emma… Come on, little guy! Don’t let Olivia’s efforts go to waste!”

After smiling kindly at Leon, the silver-haired old lady lightly snapped her fingers, and Leon felt something hard in his palm. When he looked down and spread his hand, he was astonished to find a necklace with a golden toad hanging in his palm.

[Name: Holy Spirit Pendant (Sacred, Interference, Whisper)]

[Appearance: A necklace with a hanging golden toad. If you look down and make eye contact with the toad, you’ll find it staring at you with intense hatred.]

[Ability: Sacred Belief, Willpower Interferes with Reality, Mental Shock]

[Cost: Activation requires payment of certain “currency.” Currency does not necessarily mean money. If enough currency is paid, the effect will be enhanced.]

[Archive: Material derived from the Scale Gold Religion Holy Spirit “Gold Exchanging Toad.” After being destroyed by Leon Lane, a probationary employee of the Sixth Division of the Clearing Bureau, the remaining debris was personally forged by Taurus Director of the Clearing Bureau into this anomalous item.]

[Assessment: With the superior and cruel craftsmanship of the forger, part of the original power of the “Gold Exchanging Toad” that would have been lost was preserved. It no longer consumes a large amount of physical strength and willpower but instead activates upon paying the corresponding cost.

Please note, “cost” does not necessarily mean “burden” but rather an equivalent exchange where both parties benefit.]

[Taint Value: 48 (0.9)]

(End of Chapter)