Chapter 470: The Cafeteria Lady

It's precisely because my strength isn't enough yet that I need to acquire my own power as soon as possible—and that's also why I didn't choose the second option.

After frankly admitting the assessment of "weak," Li Ang replied with serious expression:

"The anomaly created by the second option is consumable, not my own power—it vanishes once used up, and it only works on targets who recognize the value of the Golden Wheel… By the way, do you still remember the tasks I was asked to pick from earlier?"

A blood rain that drained thousands of animals, a giant beast five meters tall, underwater sea folk, sand worms capable of hollowing out a mountain…

Recalling the tasks listed by the red-haired chief, Li Ang sighed helplessly:

"Almost all the targets you gave me don't recognize the Golden Wheel. Only the sea folk acknowledge gold, but even they have their own currency and may not fully accept the Golden Wheel's value—whether the second anomaly would even work is uncertain.

Of course, I could follow Emma's example and only take tasks I'm confident I can handle, targeting only enemies who recognize the Golden Wheel's value—but if I misjudge even once, my strongest anomaly becomes useless.

The power gained from the third option, however, is truly mine, effective in nearly all these situations, and at the very least can help me survive and escape. So why wouldn't I choose it?"

"…"

Seeing the red-haired chief's expression had turned thoughtful and she had calmed again, Li Ang considered for a moment, then swallowed the most important reason.

Though the human mind sits atop the head, when thinking, one often begins by considering the decision of the seat beneath.

The red-haired chief may not even realize it herself, but as chief of the Virgin Cleanup Bureau, her subconscious wishes every member to have a clear strength, so someone can be dispatched to solve any problem.

But my position—my "seat"—is different from hers. For someone as severely lacking in strength as I am, what I need now isn't future potential, but immediate combat capability to ensure safety.

Though the third option is said to be common, the fact that something becomes common proves it's at least suitable for most people and most situations, with a reliably decent floor.

With the Cleanup Bureau's annual death rate nearing one in ten, if I gave up current combat power to chase future potential, I might get carried out at any moment—and perhaps those in the bureau who chose similar anomalies thought the same way.

…

"If you put it that way, the third option isn't bad…"

Seeing Li Ang's hesitant expression, the red-haired chief guessed a little of his thoughts and couldn't help sneering:

"You're just… sixteen or seventeen, and already you overthink everything, worrying about this and fearing that, refusing to take even the slightest risk—you're a perfect copy of Emma!"

"Ugh… If I'd known you'd turn out like this, I never should've let her take you under her wing!"

Emma?

Li Ang couldn't help smiling at that.

Honestly, my greatest hope for myself right now is simply to be like her—earning a high salary, protecting my younger siblings, and quietly "getting by" in the Cleanup Bureau.

"Chief, I think you're not entirely right."

Seeing the atmosphere ease, knowing he'd convinced her, Li Ang smiled:

"Emma is indeed overly cautious, but it's precisely this excessive caution that lets her survive safely in the Cleanup Bureau—don't you agree?"

"Fine, fine, whatever you say is right!"

Giving "Emma II" an irritated glare, the red-haired chief waved him off:

"Go, go! The central bureau will deliver the new anomaly in about a week—if it's unsuitable, don't come begging me to swap it for you!"

With a flick of her fingers, she used her hair to shove Li Ang out the door, then, recalling every expression he'd shown during their discussion, raised an eyebrow in thought.

Hmph… Some people preach caution, caution, and more caution—but their ambition is probably sky-high!

I expected Li Ang to become just an ordinary Level One Hazard Handler, or perhaps a top agent like Emma capable of leading a branch—but he himself likely doesn't think that way. He was hesitating between the second and third options, but the moment he heard the second anomaly only works on opponents below Divine level, his eyes hardened instantly—he made his decision.

So although he didn't say it outright, he probably believes he'll keep growing, eventually facing Divine-level opponents, which is why he lost interest in the second option.

And someone with a cautious personality wouldn't harbor such pointless arrogance—so the secret he's hiding might be even stronger than I imagined!

Little Li Ang, full of secrets~

After gulping down a mouthful of tea from the bottle, the red-haired chief leaned back in her chair, staring blankly at the old, peeling ceiling above, her expression complex:

So… do you intend to replace me as chief of the Virgin Cleanup Bureau? Or do you want to go even further?

…

"I'll just have a baked potato."

Looking at the buffet's array of dishes, after ordering his staple, Li Ang eagerly reached out and pointed to the dwindling stewed beef.

"One serving of that, plus a bowl of stewed white bean soup."

"Got it!"

Though elderly, the cafeteria matron's serving hand was astonishingly steady—her large iron ladle plunged to the bottom of the tub, scooped up a full helping, then scraped off excess onions and carrots against the rim before refilling it with beef, dumping it with a splash onto Li Ang's tray, then boomed:

"Anything else?"

"That's enough! That's plenty!"

That's enough? My chickens eat more than you!

Glancing at Li Ang's thin frame, the matron frowned, hands on hips, dissatisfied:

"You're so skinny, people'll think my food's terrible! Stand there! One more scoop!"

She scooped another heaping ladle of beef and firmly plopped it onto his tray. Watching Li Ang leave, stunned and grateful, the massive woman, as broad as a bear, clicked her tongue in regret and chatted with the old man beside her:

"Look at this kid—so lively, yet so lean. What a waste of a good… Huh? Little Yisha? Why are you only coming to eat now?"

"Ah… Same as last time…"

Hearing the matron's concerned question, the policewoman trudged over with her tray, sighed, and said with heavy eyes:

"This morning I caught some jerk causing chaos, but turned out he had deep connections—we had to let him go. I've been stuck cleaning up ever since…

Forget it, no need to talk about that nonsense. I'll have rice pudding, apple pie, and stewed beef like usual."

"The stewed beef is almost gone…"

Turning to look at the stewed beef tub, the matron said apologetically:

"I'd saved some special for you, but you didn't come, and just now a skinny kid wanted beef—I couldn't resist giving him two extra scoops… How about fried pork chop instead?"

"Fine…"

Hearing her favorite stewed beef was gone, and having eaten nothing since morning, the exhausted policewoman's face fell—today was just one misfortune after another.

Disappointed, she carried off her fried pork chop and glanced around absently, wondering who'd snatched her beef—only to spot an unmistakably familiar back, and on that person's tray, a mountain of stewed beef.

"Huh?!!!"

(╯╬￣ Min ￣)╯︵┻━┻

(End of Chapter)