Chapter 362

"Director!"

While all officers of the Secret Investigation Bureau were deployed to hunt for a suspicious suspect, Li Ang rushed back to the Cleanup Bureau and urgently knocked on the Director's office door.

"I'd like to take half a day off!"

After stating his request, Li Ang frowned slightly and said:

"The Police Department is investigating the attack on the boarding tower. Because it was rushed, many details weren't handled discreetly—I'm worried they might uncover something."

"Director, please grant me half a day off this afternoon. I want to contact the rebels who joined me in attacking the boarding tower and erase some obvious traces we left behind."

"Fine."

After listening carefully to Li Ang's request, the red-haired Director paused while pouring tea into a whiskey bottle, then pulled a sheet of paper from his drawer and handed it over.

"Don't bother taking leave—I'll count this as an external assignment. But after you finish, you'll have one extra task."

New mission?

Hearing the red-haired Director's words, Li Ang's expression grew serious as he picked up the note and read it.

After 6 p. ., go to the VIP section of the Pink Mystery Bar on Taole Street, find a waiter named Jacob, and ask whether he picked up a wallet left on the bar counter yesterday.

"Understood."

After memorizing the note's contents, Li Ang asked with a serious expression:

Director, who is this Jacob? A naturally awakened anomaly holder? A servant of some evil deity? Or a remnant of the Scale Gold Cult?

"… "

He's nothing—just an ordinary waiter who probably stole the wallet I left on the bar… but how can I possibly say that to you?

"He… it's complicated to explain, and you've got other business—no need for details…"

After mumbling a few vague phrases, the red-haired Director nodded solemnly and said:

"In any case, handle this with extreme caution. Keep contact with him to the bare minimum. Don't ask about anything unrelated to the mission—especially not the wallet's owner. Doing so will raise his suspicions."

Even his name and appearance? Then the wallet's owner must be someone powerful…

"I understand."

After internalizing the Director's earnest warning, Li Ang cautiously asked:

"What if this waiter Jacob didn't take the wallet? Should I try to recover it?"

"Huh?"

The red-haired Director blinked in surprise:

"Aren't you only good at finding people? When did you gain the ability to find objects?"

"I can't find objects myself—but I can use Dream Invasion techniques to indirectly glimpse someone's memories."

Pointing to the 【Dream Invader of Desire】 hanging from his chest, Li Ang replied:

"This is a new usage I discovered recently. After sufficient interaction with a target, I can briefly drag them into a dream and replay events that occurred.

If the target's memory of an event is strong enough, I can follow along in their dream and witness that portion of their recollection, gaining partial relevant intelligence."

So… if the waiter didn't take my wallet, but saw who did, you could replay the night's events in a dream and see the thief's face and build?

That's an incredible ability—perfectly tailored for Cleanup Officers!

After hearing Li Ang's explanation, the red-haired Director was momentarily tempted—but then remembered how he'd shown off in front of Li Ang before, and was flooded with intense shame. He quickly shook his head:

"No no! Just confirm whether he took the wallet. Don't do anything else."

"I see…"

Li Ang frowned slightly at this.

This opponent must be formidable—possibly even dangerous. That's why the Director doesn't want me to interact with him too much.

Also, judging by the Director's alarm, is the wallet perhaps an anomaly artifact containing dangerous items?

"Go take care of it."

Seeing Li Ang frowning in deep thought, the red-haired Director feared he'd ask more and expose himself—he hurriedly shooed him out:

"Remember, safety first. Just complete what's written on the note. Don't do anything else. Leave the rest to me!"

"Understood!"

Watching the red-haired Director, who faced a clear threat yet repeatedly stressed his safety, Li Ang felt a quiet warmth in his chest. He nodded seriously and left the Director's office.

Once he was gone, the red-haired Director, who had been sitting stiffly and solemnly, let out a long breath and took a deep gulp from the whiskey bottle filled with tea.

Now he genuinely hoped his wallet had been taken by that waiter.

He'd accidentally slipped up earlier, and Emma, furious, had snatched back the money she'd lent him—and Jerry, who could find the wallet, hadn't returned yet.

If Li Ang fails too, he won't have a drop to drink for days… Maybe he should file a report to the Police Minister, suggesting the cafeteria serve alcohol?

…

Unaware that his "important mission" was actually the Director's personal errand, Li Ang arrived punctually at Taole Street as half the sun dipped below the horizon.

As one of the busiest streets in the Canal District, close to the harbor, Taole Street received a flood of visitors after every ship entered the port of the Capital, bringing countless tourists eager to unwind.

Thus, it boasted the Capital's highest concentration of bars and nightspots—a world that slept by day and roared awake at night. The Pink Mystery, the target of his mission, was the brightest jewel in this street that only stirred after six p. .

"Sir, ahead is the water gate of the Pink Mystery."

Pointing to the arched structure ahead like a tunnel, the boatman, clad in a bright pink uniform, expertly pushed his pink-painted pole, guiding the small boat along the artificial canal toward the right, then smiled warmly:

"First time here? The Pink Mystery has nine distinct zones, each completely isolated—no roads or bridges connect them, only waterways. Wherever you're headed, now's the time to decide."

"… "

This Pink Mystery place seems a bit too upscale…

Looking at the nine waterways, each flowing in a different direction beneath the brightly lit "arch," Li Ang, holding the goat's head, studied the signs and pointed to the canal marked with a bottle symbol:

"Is that the waterway to the bar? If so, take me there!"

"The Beverage Zone? Got it, sir, just a moment."

The pink-clad boatman nodded with a smile and steered the pink boat into the leftmost canal—but after glancing at the goat's head in Li Ang's hand, he added kindly:

"Sir, according to regulations, bringing your own ingredients into the Beverage and Dining Zones is prohibited. Perhaps you should leave this item in storage…"

"Bullshit!"

At that moment, a furious shout erupted from the shopping bag.

"You're the ingredient! Your whole family's ingredients!"