Chapter 481: Test

What the hell?

Hearing the prompt in his ear and seeing the red badge suddenly flashing on the panel, Li Ang couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

According to the Red-haired Woman, the function of 【Watch Palace】 is to monitor and control threats that could bring destruction, and to notify the Cleanup Bureau in advance.

Now, with the resistance provided by 【Materialism】, I've blocked part of its surveillance—does that mean I've already bypassed the Cleanup Bureau's strongest defense and met the prerequisite for destroying the world?

Huh… this feeling is… kind of weird…

…

"Li Ang?"

After waiting a long time without a response, the Red-haired Woman raised an eyebrow, then patted Li Ang's arm and extended her hand expectantly.

"Didn't you say you brought me a good bottle of wine? Where's the wine?"

"…"

So all that talk about quitting drinking was just bullshit, huh?

Hearing the Red-haired Woman's question, Li Ang's thoughts snapped back from 【Watch Palace】, and he muttered dryly:

"Didn't you just tell Director Niu you'd quit drinking? Not even five minutes have passed since then!"

"The version of me in front of Director Niu is the Director of the Virgin Cleanup Bureau—but the version in front of you is the drinking buddy who treated you to a night of booze. These two versions are completely separate~"

After delivering his classic catchphrase, the Red-haired Woman extended her hand again, her five slender fingers flicking up and down playfully as she smiled and urged:

"Come on! I can already smell the alcohol on you—you definitely brought some up! Hand it over, let me taste it~"

"…"

You're truly beyond saving…

Seeing the Red-haired Woman's impatient expression, as if she might pounce and search him at any moment, Li Ang reluctantly reached into his chest and pulled out the small bottle he'd prepared for 【Wine Country Martyr】, handing it over.

That's all?

Disappointed, she twisted open the tiny bottle and downed the slightly warm liquor in one gulp. Then she smacked her lips, still unsatisfied, and turned her hopeful gaze back to him.

"Any more?"

"Yes!"

Though the Red-haired Woman could be a real pain sometimes, she'd always looked out for him—and now he needed her help, so Li Ang wouldn't hold back. He gritted his teeth and made a firm promise:

"After work today, I'll treat you to another drink…"

"Stop."

Hearing Li Ang's words, the Red-haired Woman's expression changed instantly. She instinctively patted her wallet, then eyed him warily:

"What exactly are you planning?"

"Huh?"

Caught off guard by her strange reaction, Li Ang hesitated and repeated:

"Did you mishear? I just said—after work today, I'll treat you to another drink…"

"I'm not going."

Recalling Li Ang's abysmal drinking behavior and having suffered the consequences before, the Red-haired Woman swallowed hard, her refusal firm and resolute:

"Just say what you want outright. If I can do it, I usually will—but if I take your favor before helping you, the nature of things changes!"

…Wait, you're actually this principled? Then who was it that taught me how to scam field expenses the day after I joined?

Though he really wanted to ask if the Red-haired Woman had taken some wrong medicine today, with rent due this week and tuition for his younger siblings to pay, saving even a little on alcohol would help the household. So after organizing his thoughts, Li Ang simply laid out his problem:

"Here's the thing—last night…"

After briefly explaining Anna's situation, Li Ang scratched the back of his head, embarrassed:

"My sister… she's stubborn. I'm worried she'll fixate on something, so I want to go to the Police Department's Archives Bureau and look up our family records."

"If possible, I'd also like to investigate that photo and the photo studio from back then—to find out what exactly she's worried about."

"That's simple."

Taking Li Ang downstairs and back to her office, the Red-haired Woman rummaged through a cabinet piled with empty bottles, pulled out a crumpled notebook, scribbled two lines, and handed it over.

"This is the approval log the Police Department gave me. Take it to the Archives Bureau in the headquarters building—you can freely access any file ranked administrative level or below."

"Thank you, Director!"

After sincerely thanking her, Li Ang turned to leave with the approval log—when the Red-haired Woman called out to stop him.

"Wait a moment. You can check the archives in a few minutes."

She pointed at Li Ang's right hand, clenched around the necklace, and smiled:

"Little Li Ang~ You just acquired a powerful anomaly worth nearly fifty Li Ang Points! Most small branch directors don't even have anomalies that strong. Don't you want to test how powerful it is?"

Of course he wanted to test it—but here?

Glancing around the office filled with empty bottles and peeling walls, Li Ang thought the setting seemed ill-suited—but since the Red-haired Woman was here to cover for him, he didn't worry about damaging property. He nodded:

"Of course I do… How do I test it?"

"Very simple."

She casually plucked a strand of red hair, made it float above the desk, then propped her chin on her hand, eyes gleaming with interest:

"Director Niu told me a bit about its rules. Use the stamina equivalent to jogging one kilometer as currency—pay once for a single mental slash."

"For the target, lock onto this strand of hair on the desk. Once I feel the force of the slash, I'll tell you roughly how strong it is."

"Got it!"

Nodding to confirm he understood the test rules, Li Ang took a deep breath, unclasped the golden toad pendant, and hung it around his neck.

"Hiss…"

【Acquired and equipped anomaly "Sacred Pendant." You have successfully activated the Bronze Badge "Devotee."】

【Devotee (Bronze): Having witnessed the descent of the Sacred Spirit and engaged in a friendly exchange with it, your unique beliefs and devout faith have earned its genuine approval.】

【Wearing Effect: Increases affinity with anomalies marked "Sacred," slightly reducing usage cost while greatly enhancing effectiveness.】

【Advancement Path: Wear and use "Sacred Pendant" to eliminate ten non-Balance Gold Cult followers. This badge will automatically upgrade to Silver Badge "Practitioner." Current progress: 0/10.】

【Hidden Trait (No Equipment Required): As a devout believer, your soul is steadfast and pure, easily earning the favor of certain Order entities.】

【Your contamination value has increased.】

【Current contamination value: 1.1】

(End of Chapter)