Chapter 418: Reward (Extra Dish)

"Send it to the kitchen to be stewed."

Amid the black goat's utterly stunned gaze, the red-haired woman closed the archived file of the "Red Brick Road Hospital Incident," then picked up the goat's head and tossed it to Leon at the desk, calmly instructing:

"We share the kitchen with the Police Department. After you take this to them, tell the head chef it's to be made into goat head soup—same as the last few times."

"No ginger slices or scallion segments. Add extra cinnamon and cardamom, double the stinking cooking wine, toss in a spoonful of white pepper and Eastern-imported soybean paste. Today's lunch gets an extra dish. Go."

"Wait… wait a minute! You bastard!"

Unexpectedly, after accomplishing such a great deed, he was met with this fate—the black goat bristled with rage, struggling in Leon's arms:

"Olly… you bitch! We helped you bring in new recruits and solved this incident—this is how you repay us? Do you even have a shred of decency?"

"I've been perfectly reasonable!"

Hearing of a large-scale injury incident in the capital, the red-haired woman, who had rushed back overnight, snorted, then sharply tapped her knuckles against the desk, narrowing her beautiful fox-like eyes in a hostile glare:

"Since you want to talk reason with me, let me ask you—do you know what he was doing before you and the recruit killed him?"

"What? Wasn't he controlling a bunch of people to attack Emma?"

"It was more than that!"

Recalling what she'd read in the operation report, the red-haired woman roared in fury:

"He thought he had Emma cornered and was gloating about his origins—right as he was about to reveal who his master was, your bullet took him down!"

"…"

After gaping in shock, the black goat frowned and retorted:

"That… can't be that coincidental. You're just pulling my leg, aren't you?"

"Hmph…"

Seeing the black goat's skeptical expression, the red-haired woman pressed her aching chest, too weary to explain further, and flung the report onto the desk.

"Read it yourself!"

Fine, I'll read it myself! I've got backup now—I don't need you anymore!

The black goat snatched the thrown report with its mouth, then turned and passed it to Leon, who understood at once: one hand steadied it, the other opened it and held it directly before the goat's eyes.

Black goat: …

Leon:?

"It means you're supposed to read it aloud."

Watching the human and goat staring blankly at each other across the desk, the red-haired woman downed a gulp of wine, sneered, and waved her hand:

"Just read it for him. This idiot can't read."

"…"

"I'm not completely illiterate… I just… don't know many characters…"

Meeting Leon's astonished gaze, the black goat flushed with shame and snapped:

"I'm a demon! Do you understand? I speak demon tongue—that's enough! Why should I learn your human script? Hurry up! What does it say? Tell me right now!"

"Oh…"

Though the black goat's tone was brusque, Leon, mindful of the creature's many favors and its willingness to teach him its methods free of charge, felt he owed it a demon's favor—and so he let it slide, turning instead to read the report.

【Red Brick Road Hospital Incident Cleanup Report】【Incident Rating: Accident Level】

【Incident Status: Cleared】

【Case Officer: Emma Alman, Leon Ryan】

【Abnormal Objects Deployed: Demon Horn, Snake Bandage】

【…】

Skimming the initial forms at a glance, Leon flipped quickly to the second page, eager to find details on the mastermind—but as he read, his pace slowed involuntarily.

【Subsequent investigations revealed the true identity of the uncontrolled contaminant: the director of Red Brick Road Hospital. He is suspected of having received an infusion from a True God, fusing his directorial authority with the hospital itself, fully corrupting the building into his own abnormal object.】

【This abnormal object has two confirmed abilities. The first is controlling hospital staff, forcibly turning them into puppets under his command—a power suspected to be a distorted manifestation of his corrupted authority.】

【Additionally, during the cleanup operation, I observed one medical worker who remained untouched by his control. Even under threat, she persisted in leading patients to safety. I therefore hypothesize this ability does not affect those with kind hearts or those who dare resist authority.】

【The second ability of this abnormal object is absorbing patients to strengthen itself. Upon entering its range, any individual with severe illness will be instantly devoured by the entire hospital, slowly draining their life force.】

【Each successful absorption increases the hospital's structural resilience. After absorbing over three hundred fifty patients, a specially designed nail capable of piercing six walls could no longer penetrate beyond two.】

【Subsequent investigations suggest this life-force absorption ability stems from the hospital's long-standing practices: overcharging patients, prioritizing sales of expensive drugs, and deliberately prescribing addictive medications to exploit their wealth…】

So that's how it was…

As Leon reached this point, his expression turned solemn. He felt genuine admiration for the Bandage Woman's meticulousness.

Last night, when he arrived with his sniper rifle, she had already gone ahead to the sixth floor, rummaging through the director's office—not only taking numerous items, but even smashing open the safe and emptying its contents.

Back then, unaware she was conducting an investigation, he'd assumed she was after the director's "secret stash." Yet overnight, she produced this detailed, professional report. No wonder she was a veteran of the Cleanup Bureau—her competence was undeniable.

"You kid… why are you just nodding? Read it out!"

After waiting in silence, fearing he'd truly be sent to the stewpot, the black goat panicked and snapped:

"Hurry up! If you don't want to read, just check the records and tell me if she's telling the truth!"

"It's true."

After swiftly scanning the relevant records, Leon nodded helplessly:

"Just as the director opened his mouth to reveal his master's identity, we pinpointed his location and shot him dead through the office door…"

"…"

This… could it really be that unlucky? How incredibly bad luck!

Seeing Leon's expression was genuine, the black goat, who had moments ago been brash and defiant, slumped, shrinking his head and mumbling weakly:

"I… I was hundreds of meters away! How was I supposed to know that intel was so critical? Even if I ruined your chance to get the info, it was still understandable…"

(End of Chapter)