Chapter 17: 17 Indeed, It

17 Indeed, it’s time to stew

You damn well deserve to be stewed!

Using every ounce of strength, he clamped the black goat’s mouth shut, silencing its foul words, then looked up at the red-haired woman, still smiling sweetly, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly:

“Um… Director, my sister was badly frightened yesterday and is still in the hospital. If there’s nothing urgent, could I take a day off?”

“Mm-hmm, go ahead! After such a dangerous cleanup mission, you definitely need a rest.”

With a smile, she approved Li Ang’s leave. Once he left, clutching the struggling goat’s head, the red-haired woman’s faint smile vanished. She interlaced her fingers, leaned back in her chair, and gazed thoughtfully at the aging ceiling.

Something’s off…

I clearly blocked Li Ang’s memories, making him temporarily forget the Cleanup Bureau’s work. So why, after the badge alerted him, did he know to come here for help?

And just now, I deliberately released a bit of charm—he clearly reacted. But why did he behave normally this time, as if he hadn’t lost any memories at all?

As she thought of this, the red-haired woman’s eyebrows lifted slightly, recalling a small detail she’d previously overlooked.

Yesterday afternoon, when this kid came running over, trying to join the Cleanup Bureau using his “anomaly,” he didn’t immediately reveal his ability. He hesitated slightly, then said his power was forced information acquisition…

“Heh. Interesting.”

A faint smile curled her lips. She picked up the feather pen from the inkwell, opened a drawer, pulled out Li Ang’s file, found the ability field marked 【Information Acquisition】, and drew a tiny question mark beside it.

Careful little thing~ What secrets are you really hiding?

…

【Encountered an incomprehensible special entity. Anomalous Badge “Materialist Soul (Crimson)” activated. Your cognitive boundaries expanded, and you gained partial information about this entity.】

【Name: Memoryless Love (Forgetting, Whispering)】

【Appearance: Non-corporeal】

【Ability: When someone develops affection, fondness, or reverence toward the host, the anomaly grants the host memory-blocking ability, temporarily obscuring a short segment of the other’s recent memories.】

【Cost: Among the three supreme loves—parental love, filial love, romantic love—the host will forever lose one. If anyone develops such a supreme love toward the host, they instantly lose all memories of that love.】

【File: This anomaly is held by Olivia, Chief of the Sixth Division of the Cleanup Bureau. She has no parents, no partner, no children; thus, it is impossible to determine which supreme love she lost.】

【Additionally, the last recorded use of this anomaly was during the Crimson Moon Event of 1794.】

【Chief Olivia disguised herself as a singer and used public broadcasts to play songs, gaining the affection of countless Moon Folk. She simultaneously blocked the memories of over seventy thousand people, thereby completely thwarting the Moon Folk’s descent plan.】

【Evaluation: An extremely powerful ability, but the cost is severe.】

【Infection Value: 7】

【Through personal observation and deduction, you acquired extensive information about “Memoryless Love.” The Anomalous Badge “Materialist Soul (Crimson)” activated.】

【Having understood the mechanism of “Memoryless Love,” your resistance to it has greatly increased. You can now block its effects at a normal level.】

…

So that’s how it is…

Watching the new anomaly information suddenly appear as the red-haired woman took his right hand, Li Ang, standing at the office door, nodded in sudden understanding.

No wonder I forgot the Cleanup Bureau’s work.

My memories had been temporarily blocked.

According to the black goat’s “rules,” the more truth one knows, the more likely an anomaly will target them. The Director must have blocked these memories to protect me from danger before I could defend myself.

But my emotional reaction at the time was weak, so the effect was minimal. Plus, the badge later heated up and alerted me, acting as an indirect warning from the uncontrolled infection, which broke the block and restored my memories.

Still, she could’ve just told me this outright. Why did she…

“Li Ang?”

A soft voice called out, interrupting Li Ang’s thoughts. He looked up and felt his eyes dazzled—a tall, beautiful woman in a beige skirt suit stood at the far end of the corridor, smiling gently at him.

Unlike the strikingly dangerous red-haired Director, this woman’s beauty was utterly non-threatening. Though tall and slender, her figure carried the full, feminine curves of womanhood.

Her skin, pale as if infused with jade, paired with delicate, refined features, radiated a sweet, tranquil aura that made one instinctively wish to draw near…

“Thank you for yesterday.”

The gentle woman seemed familiar with Li Ang. After greeting him, she stepped lightly forward, clutching a file folder, and smiled as she asked:

“Has the Director finished speaking with you? I’d like to submit my report on another solo mission. Is it convenient to go in now?”

“…”

Yesterday’s incident, solo mission, knows me… Could you be that bandaged… no! You’re Senior Emma?!

The contrast between yesterday’s reliable senior in the bird-mask and full bandages and this gentle, tall beauty was staggering. Li Ang froze for a moment, then hastily stepped aside, embarrassed:

“Of course! Absolutely! I just finished talking with the Director. Sorry for blocking the door.”

“It’s fine.”

Smiling, Emma—now transformed with a dramatic boost in beauty—spoke with slight awkwardness:

“Um, I have another mission coming up in a few days. When I return, could you do me a favor?”

“Don’t worry—I guarantee you won’t be in any danger. It’ll just be tiring…”

“No problem at all!”

Li Ang instantly grew serious, nodding earnestly:

“You risked your life to save my sister yesterday. No matter how exhausting or difficult it is, I’ll give it everything I’ve got!”

“Hehe, then I thank you in advance!”

Her plump, delicate lips curved again as she smiled at Li Ang, then pushed open the door and stepped into the Director’s office.

Watching her slender figure vanish inside, Li Ang finally snapped back to reality and whistled inwardly.

Holy hell… If her voice hadn’t been the same, I wouldn’t have recognized her! The difference is insane! If only…

“If only the bedbugs on my mattress were as beautiful as her—go ahead and bite, I won’t even groan… Boy, that’s what you’re thinking, right?”

“…”

After receiving Li Ang’s deadpan stare, the black goat grinned, chuckling coldly:

“Heh, I’d advise you not to get any ideas. She’s got kids already! You’ve got no shot~ Better give up now!”

(ーー゛)

What shot? I was just stunned by the massive contrast between her yesterday and now—I couldn’t believe it was the same person! Why do you always think of that?

And how the hell have you lived this long with that obnoxious mouth? Is it because your stew tastes good?