Chapter 411: Social Person

Leon, for the second time that day bursting out of his ward, made no hesitation—he dodged the crowded reception area and leapt out the second-floor window, sprinting full speed toward the Clearance Bureau.

Since fleeing with Anna was impossible, his only choice left was to rush to the Clearance Bureau and alert them—to bring someone who could handle the Uncontrolled Contaminant!

Whether it was the illusion of slowed time from mental overload, or whether "reporting to the Clearance Bureau" counted as work eligible for the Probationary Badge's bonus, he didn't know.

Though Leon hadn't slept all night and was utterly exhausted, his speed was far faster than before; soon, he reached the base of the Clearance Bureau building.

But when Leon, lungs burning with pain, staggered into the innermost office, all he found was an empty room.

Where is everyone? Why is no one here?

Glancing through the window at the darkened sky, Leon suddenly realized—the time had long passed when civil servants finished work; the mysterious red-haired woman had surely left.

This is trouble… Should I search the building first, see if anyone's on duty?

Leon, having come up empty, clenched his teeth and turned to leave the red-haired woman's office—when a heavy thud echoed behind him, as if something had fallen onto the carpet.

Leon turned in surprise and saw a goat-head ornament had toppled off the desk. Too anxious to care, he started to turn away—then noticed the goat-head twitched twice, flipping itself upright on its own.

In Leon's stunned gaze, the goat-head with its mouth sewn shut rolled its eyes, then glared at him with murderous intent.

?!

The dim corridor, the opulent yet bizarre office, a goat-head with its mouth stitched shut by red thread, glaring at you with a snarling face…

'What the hell are you staring at?'

A voice thick with fury erupted beside Leon, shattering the eerie atmosphere.

After rolling over several times on the carpet without righting itself, the black goat scowled at Leon and growled:

'Hurry up and pick me up! When we were still Great Demons, creatures as clueless as you would've been smacked dead by one swipe!'

Great Demon… that black goat? It's been barely an hour—how'd you end up as just a head?

'Y-You… Your Excellency!'

Recognizing the creature as the black goat from earlier, Leon, desperate about his sister's condition, took a deep breath and blurted out:

'I just encountered an Uncontrolled Contaminant—at the hospital three streets over. Is there anyone still on duty at the Clearance Bureau?'

Are you kidding? If there were anyone else here, do you think you'd just barge in like this? They'd've been torn apart by the lunatics long ago!

Just as the black goat rolled its eyes, ready to keep cursing, Leon—who knew exactly how to handle it—quickly added:

'If you help me find someone, I'll buy you cigarettes! One pack of Gao Te! No—two packs!'

'…'

Two packs… tsk… I'm such a kind soul, I can't stand human suffering—helping you isn't out of the question, but…

'Sigh…'

With Leon watching anxiously, the black goat sighed, then shook its head regretfully:

'Let's forget the deal. I'm a demon of honor—I never take rewards for tasks I can't complete. There's no one left in the bureau now. Even if I wanted to help, I can't.'

No one's left?

Leon's voice rose in panic:

'How can an entire building like this have not a single person on duty?'

'Blame that red-haired bitch,' the black goat grumbled.

'She's always sloppy with her work, so her evaluations are always low. Worried she wouldn't pass the year-end review, she sent everyone out last month to chase performance quotas—now the bureau's so empty you could run rats through it…'

Kid, don't let her looks fool you!

Sure, she's beautiful—even better than pure-blooded succubi—but she's a drunk, greedy, petty, filthy slob. I've even seen her shut her office door and pick her toes in private! That bitch is pure… hey?

Mid-insult, the black goat suddenly twisted its head eastward, noticed something, then cracked its stitched mouth into a grin toward Leon.

'Lucky you, rookie—you've landed your first performance bonus! Pick me up and hold me tight—someone who can actually work's back! I'll take you to her to sort this out!'

'And don't forget—you promised me two packs! Miss one cigarette, and I'll kill you!'

If you can solve this, I'll give you two boxes—no problem!

…

Hearing there was hope, Leon's spirits soared. He snatched up the goat-head and sprinted out of the Clearance Bureau, following its directions east for nearly two streets, until he finally intercepted a tall woman wrapped head-to-toe in bandages.

'You're… uh… the bureau actually hired a new recruit?'

After locking eyes with the goat-head in Leon's arms, the bandaged woman seemed to have received a flood of information from it. She smiled warmly and extended her right hand:

'I'm Emma. I've been with the Clearance Bureau for six years—I know the procedures well. If you need help with anything on the job, don't hesitate to ask.'

'Y-Yes… yes…'

When Leon first stopped this bandaged oddity, he'd expected another eccentric like the black goat—but instead, he heard the most 'social person' opening line imaginable.

But… she seems easy to get along with?

Remembering the hospital situation, Leon pushed aside his discomfort, shook her bandaged hand briefly, then pressed urgently:

'At the hospital…'

'I'll go—but not now.'

The bandaged woman smiled gently, speaking calmly:

'According to the Clearance Bureau's Four-Step Operational Protocol, we must first carefully observe, determine the type and danger level of the anomaly, and identify the Uncontrolled Contaminant's identity;

Then, based on the victim's condition, infer the contaminant's abilities and potential impact;

Next, locate targeted tools and special items, confirm our own status, and formulate a complete action plan;

Only then do we act—minimizing casualties and disruption, controlling or eliminating the target to complete the clearance.'

Seeing Leon's dazed expression, the bandaged woman kindly reminded him:

'The sun has set. Our visibility is reduced, lowering our operational capacity. Without sunlight's suppression, most anomalies grow more active at night—this is not a favorable time to act.

Also, I've just returned from a two-and-a-half-month mission. My physical and mental state are at their limit. I need at least a week of rest to regain sufficient focus—I'm unfit for a new, high-risk assignment right now.

So the correct course now is to return to the Clearance Bureau, wait until the Director returns tomorrow, and hand this task over to her. So let's…'

'Why are you doing this again…'

Leon, stunned by her cold professionalism, was speechless—until the goat-head in his arms twisted and grumbled:

'The Director's on a business trip to Wales. She won't be back for three days. Are you just gonna wait for her?'

'I'll wait for her to return.'

Watching Leon's expression suddenly harden, Emma—the bandaged woman—smiled gently again, her eyes tinged with regret:

'Your expression… you have a relative in that hospital, don't you?

I'm sorry—but I have a reason to live at all costs. Until I'm certain it's absolutely safe, I won't act recklessly under any circumstance. Please wait three days!'

(End of Chapter)