Chapter 4: The Closer

Choosing to join Shangguan Yan’s department was the quickest way to start work, but Xia Shou ultimately declined. After all, his notes had already warned him to avoid Shangguan Yan, so he refused her invitation in the end.

Shangguan Yan was remarkably understanding and readily agreed.

“At this stage, since you haven’t officially started, you’re free to choose any department. But if you refuse me now and later want to join my team, it’ll cost you more,” she said. “Besides, as your guide, let me take you through the tour first. Afterward, I’ll escort you to the temporary department. You can work there until you decide your final placement.”

And so, Xia Shou was led to the first stop of the tour.

“This is the Intelligence Department. They’re responsible for gathering and archiving intel, and they provide analytical support to the finishers during missions. This department works most closely with finishers,” Shangguan Yan explained. “Employees in the Investigation Department can use their ID cards to query information about restricted items through self-service archive terminals. Most of the data is publicly accessible. For example, that pocket watch in your hand is a publicly documented restricted item.”

Xia Shou slid his newly issued employee card into the slot, intending to look it up, but he didn’t know the watch’s name.

“If you don’t know the name, you can input characteristics or take a photo. But right now, just enter ‘Dorian Gray’s Pocket Watch,’” Shangguan Yan said, pointing her finger and typing the name for him.

A simple file popped up.

[Name: Dorian Gray’s Pocket Watch]
[Function Rating: A] (Extremely high practical value)
[Anomaly Level: One]
[ID Number: 61-125]
[Control Risk: None]
[Description: A special pocket watch that chooses its owner. After winding it fully, within ten minutes, it can project the owner’s self-portrait to absorb part of any damage inflicted. The more lifelike the portrait, the greater the damage absorbed.]

“So, if I want to use this watch, I have to learn how to paint?” Xia Shou muttered to himself.

“A-level restricted items are rare treasures anywhere, but even if you’re a skilled painter, you might not be able to use this item because its anomaly level is only one. That means only Level One transcendents can wield it. If your anomaly level is higher, it won’t work for you,” Shangguan Yan said. “So next, I’m going to take you for a level test.”

She pushed open a door and led him deeper into the Intelligence Department.

Along the way, they passed numerous researchers in white lab coats. Each looked disheveled, with dark circles under their eyes—like they were constantly sleep-deprived and on the verge of collapse.

Shangguan Yan guided Xia Shou through the crowd until they arrived before a massive, irregular amethyst crystal.

“This is it. Place your hand on it,” she instructed.

Seeing the towering crystal, Xia Shou’s mind involuntarily recalled the storyline of “Battle Force Level Three.” When he placed his hand on the crystal, the nearby device emitted a continuous hum, and then a giant “1” appeared on the screen.

“Does this mean I can use the pocket watch?” Xia Shou asked.

Shangguan Yan stared at the number for a long moment, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper, clearly puzzled.

She turned to Xia Shou, bewildered. “Only Level One? How could this be?”

“Level One is weak?” Xia Shou ventured.

“The lowest rank among transcendent beings. Do you think that’s strong?” a hoarse, deep voice suddenly emanated from at his feet.

Looking down, Xia Shou saw a dwarf no taller than his thigh, holding a coffee cup and standing next to him.

The dwarf took a sip of coffee and, as if lecturing, explained, “Even with supernatural abilities, Level One transcendents often have such low priority that they’re mostly useless. But Level One anomaly also has a unique advantage: nearly no restrictions on using restricted items. Higher-level transcendents have powerful abilities but can’t use many low-tier sealed items… The best example is the Dorian Gray pocket watch—it only protects the weak transcendent. If used perfectly, it grants ten minutes of effective immortality.”

Xia Shou stared at the dwarf, guessing his position within the Control Bureau.

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a researcher.

“Kid! Your look annoys me. The gap between your brain and mine is like the gap between your height and mine. Show some respect when you’re around me!” the dwarf growled, slapping Xia Shou’s calf with a file.

“Xia Shou, let me introduce you. This brilliant genius scientist here, with ten times our IQ, is Dr. Modis. He’s highly accomplished in the study of anomalies,” Shangguan Yan said, stepping between them and presenting the grumpy dwarf as if introducing a rare exhibit in a circus.

Dr. Modis snorted coldly, glanced at Shangguan Yan, then turned and waddled away.

Shangguan Yan patted Xia Shou’s shoulder reassuringly. “The doctor has a bad temper but is a good man. Praise his world-shaking brilliance when you see him; it makes him happy.”

“Now, let’s continue the tour. The last stop today is the Mission Assignment Office.”

The words “mission assignment” immediately sharpened Xia Shou’s focus.

He had joined the Control Bureau to devour anomalies.

If he couldn’t swallow any anomalies in the next two days, he’d soon sink to a depth of 1,300 meters…

“The mission assignment office is just ahead, straight down this hall,” Shangguan Yan directed. “I have some errands, so this is where we part ways. I’ll send the location of your temporary department and dorm to your employee phone.”

Watching Shangguan Yan turn away, Xia Shou hesitated, then finally said, “Thank you for showing me around for so long.”

Despite his wariness, Xia Shou maintained basic courtesy—after all, she had helped him significantly and hadn’t forced him to join her department. Though her reputation was questionable, she didn’t seem so bad.

“No need,” Shangguan Yan smiled faintly, waving her hand over her shoulder before disappearing behind a door with a light step.

---

Xia Shou withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and headed straight to the Mission Assignment Office.

A sign on the counter read: [Fill out form to inquire].

He picked up a tablet and entered his newly assigned staff number. His anomaly level was automatically filled in.

Besides anomaly level, the form highlighted one starred indicator—the Finisher Rank.

His status read: Non-Finisher.

Opening the details: [A title determined by battle record and overall strength — Control Bureau’s First Maxim: “Strength alone is not enough; we need strength that can be repeatedly utilized.”]

Xia Shou pressed the confirm button at the bottom, and the interface switched automatically.

After a few seconds of loading, a message appeared on the screen: [No suitable missions available for you].

“Huh?” Xia Shou was stunned.

How could there be no missions?

Was this organization really so idle?

No work at all on a normal day?

“Hey, kid, looking to get yourself killed in a hurry?” The recently departed Dr. Modis inexplicably circled back.

Holding his coffee cup, he leapt with incredible agility onto a nearby chair.

“Level One transcendents have to stick with a team to get missions; otherwise, you’re cannon fodder. There are no assignments suitable for you here.”

“Can’t you do missions cross-level? By the way! Alice, can you do a level test for Alice?” Xia Shou suddenly remembered that Alice was separate from him and should have an independent anomaly level.

“You mean the lingering spirit behind you? Of course. Fill out the form first, then proceed with the process,” Modis shrugged.

Xia Shou’s expression suddenly grew serious. “That’s too slow. Is there any faster way to get missions?”

Modis squinted and muttered, “Sure enough, another poor soul controlled by the witch.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmph! Let me tell you…”