Chapter 420: It Really Is Time to Stew

You damn well need 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:

"Uh… Director, my sister was badly frightened yesterday and is still in the hospital. If there's nothing urgent, could I take an afternoon 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 wriggling 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 old 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 is his behavior so normal? As if he hasn't lost any memories at all?

At this thought, the red-haired woman's eyebrows lifted slightly as she recalled a small detail she'd previously overlooked.

Yesterday afternoon, when this kid came running over, trying to join the Cleanup Bureau based on 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, pulled open a drawer, retrieved 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: In the three supreme loves—parental love, filial love, romantic love—you will forever lose one. If anyone develops such a supreme love for the anomaly's host, they instantly lose all memories of that love.】

【File: This anomaly is held by Olivia, Head 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.】

【Head of the Sixth Division, Olivia, disguised herself as a singer and used public broadcasts to play songs widely, 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 heavy.】

【Corruption Value: 7】

【Through your own observation and deduction, you gained 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 gripped his right hand, Li Ang, standing at the office door, nodded in sudden understanding.

No wonder I forgot the Cleanup Bureau's work—it was temporarily blocked.

According to the black goat's "rules," the more truth one knows, the more likely an anomaly will target them. The Director blocked these memories to protect me from danger before I could defend myself. But since my emotional reaction was weak, the effect was minimal. Then the badge heated up as a warning, giving me a disguised alert from the corrupted entity, breaking the block and restoring my memories.

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

"Li Ang?"

A soft voice called out, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up—and his eyes were suddenly 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 tall woman's beauty was utterly non-threatening. Though 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 glided forward, clutching a file folder, and stood before him with a smile:

"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 the reliable senior from yesterday—wearing a bird-mask and wrapped head-to-toe in bandages—and this gentle-eyed, tall beauty was too extreme. 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, her beauty exploded in impact—spoke with slight shyness:

"Uh, 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 immediately 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 full, delicate lips curved upward 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 came to his senses and let out a silent whistle.

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 wouldn't even whimper… 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! No chance for you~ Better give up now!"

(ーー゛)

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

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

(End of Chapter)