Chapter 409: Level-3 Handler

This hidden trait... Scapegoat?

Looking at the glaring words "Terminated," Leon, who had just crawled out of "hell," shuddered involuntarily and instinctively tried to remove the badge—but received the feedback "Temporarily Unremovable," forcing him to reluctantly give up and instead silently pray.

Heaven protect me—during these next two months before this badge upgrades to Bronze, please let the Cleanup Bureau not have any major incidents. My whole family is counting on this job to turn things around, and Anna's illness…

Of course! Anna!

Remembering his sister still lying on a hospital bed waiting for treatment, Leon, newly hired, immediately requested leave, then rushed out of the Cleanup Bureau to use his newly acquired benefits and secure better care for Anna.

After he hurried away, the Black Goat, who had been silently watching, clucked twice and smirked at the Red-haired Woman:

"Heh! You didn't even want him to know what the Cleanup Bureau does—so you didn't plan to assign him to missions, right?"

What? You noticed this kid's completely cornered, and now you've gotten sentimental and decided to pull him up?"

"No."

Pulling out another bottle of wine from nowhere, the Red-haired Woman downed a large gulp, then wiped the smile from her face and said coldly:

"The more truth humans encounter, the deeper they're tainted by the Dark Side, and the more their scent attracts new anomalies."

Leon's talent is excellent, but right now the Bureau is short-staffed—we can't spare anyone to guard him constantly. I've temporarily blocked this part of his memory to keep anomalies from finding him."

As for the specifics of his duties, we can tell him later, once we find an anomaly object suited to him."

Pfft—he's got zero talent!

Completely disbelieving the Red-haired Woman's explanation, the Black Goat sneered:

"Don't lie! Sure, he withstood our 【Whispers of Corruption】, but that doesn't mean his willpower is exceptional—he's just relatively rational and has a slightly stronger moral compass than most."

In my opinion, this guy, whose spirit has been completely crushed, who's grown accustomed to obedience like a sheep, isn't even worth as much as a death-row convict meant to be cannon fodder—he won't survive his first mission."

"He'll survive."

Without revealing Leon's "anomaly" to the Black Goat, the Red-haired Woman took another large gulp of ale and said calmly:

"I'll take him on his first few missions. Also, Emma's assignment is nearly over—she should be back tonight."

After that, if I have time, I'll guide him myself; if I don't, Emma will take over until he can stand on his own."

Wow, you're really babying him, huh? What's so special about this kid?"

"Don't you dare mess around!"

The Black Goat frowned, visibly annoyed:

"The Bureau's performance is calculated by the number of full-time members. Our Sixth Bureau is second-to-last in rankings. Two months until year-end review—and you're bringing in this huge liability now? Worried you won't be last?"

"Don't worry about it."

"I don't care!"

The Black Goat sneered:

"You've killed more people than I've ever seen in my life—I've always admired you, except when you go around playing the bleeding heart."

You're the most insane executioner in the entire Cleanup Bureau—why not just stick to your job? Why pretend to be some noble savior? Don't you know how disgusting you look when you play the good Samaritan?"

"Oh."

"…"

"Hmph… You really think pulling this kid up will save his life?"

Watching the Red-haired Woman drink with a blank expression, clearly uninterested in him, the Black Goat's face darkened and he sneered:

"I understand humans too well. If you've been struggling in darkness, you can endure it through numb habit—but now you've dragged him onto shore, shown him what sunlight looks like, and there's no going back."

When he fails the year-end review and gets fired, feeling the fall from heaven back to hell, this kid might go completely mad—or worse, he might hate you for pulling him up, just like that one guy…"

By the way, what exactly did that guy say back then?"

Striding boldly into the dim office, the Black Goat sank into the plush sofa, crossed his legs, and, facing the silent Red-haired Woman, raised his forehooves to mimic with mocking glee:

"I hate it! Olivia! I hate you! I could've kept enduring the darkness—but why did you drag me into the sunlight and show me how a person is supposed to live?"

"Squeak!"

The moment the Black Goat finished speaking, a shrill scraping sound—like blades slicing through bone—rang out.

As if sliced a thousand times by countless thin, razor-sharp blades, the Black Goat, hooves raised, instantly shattered into pieces, his limbs and organs scattering across the floor with a clatter.

Yet strangely, no bloodstain or scent of gore appeared in the office. The woman behind the desk remained in the same posture, as if nothing had happened, drinking her ale in large, steady gulps.

Only her bright red hair had dimmed noticeably; the slightly curled ends now bore faint, strange streaks of crimson.

"I've warned you many times—don't call me by my name."

Throwing away the empty bottle she'd somehow finished, the Red-haired Woman gestured with a finger toward the sofa. A sheep's head, stitched shut with red thread, floated over and landed neatly on her desk.

Meeting the Black Goat's furious, terrified gaze, the Red-haired Woman named Olivia shook her head:

"I allowed you free movement in the Bureau because you did well last time. But now it seems this form suits you better."

Also, I plan to take some time soon to visit Wales County and investigate what exactly happened back then—and why you fear men from Wales."

Until I return, stay like this. When I find out what you're truly afraid of, I'll make you pay dearly for your mouth."

"Mmm? Oooh! Ooooh!!"

…

Unaware of what had happened after his departure, Leon rushed back to the hospital and knocked urgently on the door of the Respiratory Department's office, handing over his still-warm new credentials before the department head could leave.

Sixth Cleanup Bureau? Is that under the Police Department? And what's a Level-3 Incident Handler?"

Catching the credentials Leon offered, the fat department head flipped through them skeptically, recognized several special markings, and instantly stiffened.

The Kingdom's civil service system has five tiers: Executive, Administrative, Clerical, Assistant, and General Staff."

As head of this low-tier hospital's respiratory ward, he was near the top of General Staff—and after another twenty years, if he played his cards right, he might just scrape into the tail end of Assistant."

But this skinny young man in an old coat was already Assistant-level—and his benefits matched Clerical-level! He'd likely rise to full Clerical within three to five years."

Damn! That's the same rank as our hospital director!"

Looking at the youth who probably hadn't even turned twenty, the fat department head's eyes filled with deep envy—and a hidden thread of jealousy.

Leon Lyon—the same surname as the Duke of Lionheart—plus Assistant-level status before twenty? His background needed no explanation: he was from one of the empire's most prestigious noble houses, likely a direct heir with top-tier resources."

He'd spent twenty years grinding in this hospital, hoping only to reach Assistant-level before retirement—but this kid was already near the top of Assistant at barely a teenager, sitting exactly where he'd dreamed of ending his life—and even getting extra perks on top. Where could he even complain?"

Cursing silently at this damn connection kid, he labeled him as someone absolutely not to offend, then his fat face unfolded into layers of smiles as he rubbed his hands and beamed at Leon:

"Mr. Leon, is there something wrong with you?"

"Not me—my sister."

After briefly explaining Anna's condition, Leon hadn't even asked for anything when the fat department head immediately volunteered to transfer her to the best ward, supply the finest medicine, and personally oversee her treatment, guaranteeing her the highest-quality care in the entire capital.

Uncomfortable with the man's excessive enthusiasm, Leon forced himself to exchange a few polite words, then sat down on the soft sofa in the private ward under the nurse's guidance, waiting for Anna to be wheeled in.

Sitting alone in the quiet, clean room, staring at the fresh hospital bed covered in white sheets, Leon felt a strange sense of dislocation.

Less than an hour had passed since he'd stormed out of the hospital with a scalpel in hand—but the crisis that had driven his family to ruin had already vanished.

Not only was Anna's illness solvable, but his family, once struggling at the bottom of the capital, could now live decently on his salary—all for the price of…

Hmm? What was the price again…? Ouch! So hot! So hot!!!

As Leon strained to recall what he'd paid, a searing pain suddenly flared in his chest—the badge of the Sixth Cleanup Bureau, shaped like a dung beetle, erupted with the unbearable heat of a branding iron, burning through three layers of clothing.

【Uncontrolled taint subject detected. Black Iron Badge "Probationary" activated. Your efficiency has slightly increased.】

(End of Chapter)