Chapter 86

“Hehe, I knew I couldn’t hide anything from you.”

When caught red-handed stealing right in front of everyone, the short man didn’t seem embarrassed at all. Instead, he grinned and said:

“You don’t have to be so serious, it’s kinda scary! If I really wanted to steal his stuff, I’d have plenty of chances. Why would I do something so dumb as to try it in front of you?

I just heard there’s a newbie at the bureau who hasn’t even been officially hired yet but already killed a Holy Spirit. Got me curious, so I just kinda… poked around…”

“So where’s the item?”

Ignoring the short man’s long-winded explanation, the Red-haired Bureau Director let her hand hover slightly downward, tapping the table with force before narrowing her fox-like eyes and warning: “Jerry, don’t make me ask again.”

“I’m getting it, I’m getting it!”

Seeing the director’s eyes narrow further, the short man felt himself tense up too, quickly pulling out a photo from his pocket and placing it on the table obediently.

A photo?

Picking up the photo from the table, the Red-haired Bureau Director glanced at the happy couple standing together and the little girl holding her parents’ hands, smiling radiantly. Her expression shifted slightly.

Besides controlling animals, Jerry’s standout abnormal ability is called [Fortune Stealer], which allows him to forcibly steal an item that has had the biggest impact on the target’s life after touching them. It doesn’t matter if the item is currently with the target or even destroyed—it still works.

So if his ability didn’t mess up, the most impactful item for Leon’s past must be this photo on the table?

“Director, what’s the power of this thing? Can you tell me?”

Looking at the thoughtful expression of the Red-haired Bureau Director, the extremely curious short man started fidgeting anxiously, trying hard not to blurt it out but failing miserably. He asked flatteringly: “If this can give a rookie who’s only been dealing with abnormalities for less than a month the strength to take down a Holy Spirit alone, its power must be pretty great, right?”

Huh? So this photo is actually an anomalous item? But why does it feel so faint? Could it have been destroyed multiple times?

After hearing the short man’s question, the Red-haired Bureau Director raised an eyebrow and shook her head: “I don’t know much about that. The perception-type anomaly I usually use was that sheep, which I’ve already given to Leon. I haven’t gotten a new one yet, so my perception abilities are pretty basic now.

If you really want to know the power of this anomalous item, asking me won’t help. But we do have someone in our bureau with the ability called [Information Acquisition]. By simply touching it, they can learn the details of most anomalies. You could go ask them.”

What?! We have someone like that in the bureau?! Hearing this, the short man perked up immediately. This ability would be perfect for him! To put it simply, over the years, he’s ‘borrowed’ quite a few things, but either they don’t activate or he doesn’t know the rules and costs, so he dares not use them recklessly.

If he could get [Information Acquisition] to help, then out of all the anomalies he’s hoarded over the years, if even a third of them could work, his strength might jump several levels, possibly even advancing him to a Level One Disaster Handler!

“Director, why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”

Drumming up the courage to scold the Red-haired Bureau Director a bit, the short man rubbed his hands together excitedly and asked: “Who is this person? Oh, and does their [Information Acquisition] anomaly swap? If they’re willing to trade, I’ll let them pick anything from my collection!”

“Swapping is probably impossible. Their ability seems more like a talent embedded in their soul. As for who they are…”

The Red-haired Bureau Director gave the short man a teasing glance, waving the photo in her hand and smiled slyly:

“Here, it’s the guy you just stole from.”

“…”

“This… you know me…”

Looking at the teasing gaze of the Red-haired Bureau Director, realizing he’d been toyed with, the short man’s face fell. He muttered somewhat sheepishly:

“I may have a bit of a thievery habit, but I never touch acquaintances. Usually, I just take a peek and return it. And even with strangers, if they aren’t bad people, I generally don’t take things that mean a lot to them. So… can you…?”

“You want to get this back and sneak it back without Leon hating you, right? Afraid he won’t help you?”

“Ahhh… That wouldn’t be easy~ Little Leon just joined the Clearing Bureau, but he and I hit it off really well. He even treated me to a big drinking session. If I helped you hide it from him, how could I live with myself knowing I betrayed our drinking buddy bond?”

“…”

“I see, you’re looking for a higher price, huh?”

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director’s smug smile, the short man reluctantly abandoned any侥幸 thoughts and suggested with a painful expression: “How about I treat you to drinks…?”

“Cough cough, no need for that. I’m not that kind of person.”

Cutting off the short man before he could suggest something irresistible, the Red-haired Bureau Director cleared her throat dryly and said seriously:

“If I’m not mistaken, you want Leon to use his abilities to appraise your ‘collection’ over the years, right?”

“Yes…”

“That makes things easier.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director tapped her knuckles on the table again and smiled:

“I don’t know how many items you’ve accumulated over the years, but judging by your style, there must be quite a few. Appraising all of them at once will cost a lot of physical and mental energy—it’s definitely a tough job. So… letting him choose one as a service fee wouldn’t be unreasonable, right?”

“Not unreasonable, not unreasonable.”

Though still reluctant, the short man, who knows the Bureau Director’s character well, understood that bargaining would only make it worse, so he quickly agreed.

“Alright then, I’ll keep the item here for now. I’ll speak on your behalf later.”

Satisfied, the Red-haired Bureau Director pulled out a strand of hair, tied the suspicious anomalous photo neatly, placed it in a drawer, and dismissed the short man with a smile:

“But appraising everything might take some time. Leon has an important investigation mission today, so he can’t be distracted. Once the mission is done, I’ll ask him to appraise your collection.”

“Got it, I’ll wait here in the bureau!”

Nodding happily, the short man couldn’t help but ask curiously while looking at the smirking Red-haired Bureau Director: “By the way, Director, does Leon… know other branch directors well? Or is he favored by some board member? Or maybe… you…?”

“You’re wondering why I care so much about him, right?”

Glancing at the short man with deep meaning, the Red-haired Bureau Director sighed: “Before you ask that, I suggest you think carefully about the kinds of people we have in our bureau.”

Not waiting for the short man to answer, she began ticking off names on her fingers:

“Failed coup plotters, lustful adulterers who slept with the prime minister’s wife, notorious thieves who swiped from the royal family, gambling addicts who lost the kingdom’s reserve funds, supply officers who almost starved three thousand people on the battlefield, potion makers whose mistakes flooded half a county in poop…”

Looking at the slightly awkward short man, the Red-haired Bureau Director concluded with narrowed eyes: “If you weren’t part of the Clearing Bureau, you guys would all be facing capital punishment at the very least. Even now, you’re constantly monitored, and you need to report every move you make outside the capital city.

As for Leon, he’s clean, virtuous, smart, diligent, and exceptionally talented. He killed a Holy Spirit before his probation ended… Tell me, compared to you guys, shouldn’t I be taking care of him instead?”