Chapter 632: Reward (Part 2)

"Alright…"

Seeing the Taurus Director's resolute expression, the Red-haired Director sighed and completely abandoned that unrealistic idea, settling for a compromise:

"Then can we adjust our performance ranking this year? If we count this incident, aren't we nearly first, if not actually first?"

"Hmm… how about we count it toward next year?"

Never expecting her to care about this, the Taurus Director hesitated before saying:

"The performance stone slab has already been finalized. The only Director with authority to adjust rankings is absent. Changing it now would be no small hassle…"

"Then I won't change the ranking—can I just add a note?"

"Huh? How do you add a note?"

"Just temporarily rename our Virgo Branch."

Unable to bear the shame of having worked tirelessly all year only to finish dead last, the Red-haired Director suggested with hopeful eyes:

"If we change the name from 'Virgo Branch' to 'Virgo Branch (Actually First)', then our ranking on the performance stone slab will display as '87th, Virgo Branch (Actually First)'—and we won't be last anymore… Is that acceptable?"

"…"

Only you could come up with such a bizarre idea…

After opening his mouth in disbelief, feeling he'd owe her something if he refused, the Taurus Director sighed and reluctantly approved the Virgo Branch's eccentric name change.

As the Red-haired Director took the chisel and cheerfully went to carve the performance stone slab, the Taurus Director turned to the Leo Director and asked:

"And you, Beverly?"

"My request is the same as before."

Beverly, who had already decided what she wanted, grinned and made her request:

"I'd like you to find someone to replace me as Director for a month, then send me to the Divine Realm of the Sweetness God, so it can make me sweets for a whole month."

"Fine. You can depart tomorrow."

After hearing the identical demands of the "Gluttonous Duo," the Taurus Director chuckled slightly and immediately agreed, then turned to Li Ang with a kindly gaze and asked:

"And you, Li Ang? What's your request?"

Hearing this, Li Ang hesitated, then ventured:

"For me… could I make multiple requests?"

"Of course."

Unlike the two Directors, whose contamination levels reached seventy points and who, beyond gluttony, desired nothing, Li Ang—as a Level Three novice—wanted only to rapidly increase his strength.

He already possessed too many powerful anomalies, even too many to use effectively; contamination level couldn't be raised overnight. The only thing still open to rapid improvement was his badge and the newly acquired secret art—so…

"My first request is… could I borrow the God of Wine's bead?"

Seeing the Taurus Director's slightly furrowed brow, Li Ang quickly explained:

"I'm not asking for the bead on behalf of the Director—I just want to taste it myself, and I won't drink much. Just one sip of each brewed liquor."

One sip each?

The Taurus Director asked, puzzled:

"Why only one sip?"

Because one sip is enough to complete the collection and upgrade the 【Wine Country Martyr】 badge.

Looking at the golden-glowing 【Wine Country Martyr】 on his badge panel, Li Ang's heart swelled with anticipation.

To upgrade the Gold-rank 【Wine Country Martyr】, one must taste one thousand wines of "Crafted" grade or higher, one hundred of "Fine" grade or higher, ten of "Aged" grade or higher, and one of "Intoxicating" grade or higher.

This requirement was impossibly difficult. He'd accompanied the Director several times but hadn't even completed a tenth of it. Yet if the God of Wine's bead truly held such power, perhaps he could instantly complete the 【Wine Country Martyr】 and directly upgrade to the Chromatic badge 【Wine Immortal】!

That was Chromatic! The power of a Chromatic badge was evident from the 【Materialist】—its effect rivaled the most top-tier anomalies. Faced with the chance to obtain a second Chromatic badge, every other reward paled in comparison!

…

"Actually, I like drinking too, but I don't like getting drunk—just tasting the flavor. One sip per kind is enough!"

Desperate to obtain his second Chromatic badge, Li Ang, fearing his alcoholic Director would drag him down, swore solemnly:

"Director Taurus! Don't worry—I swear I'll drink only for myself, and I won't give her even a single drop!"

"…"

Watching Li Ang unhesitatingly betray Olivia just to get a drink, the Taurus Director sighed.

Ah… he was such a good boy before. Too bad he fell under Olivia's influence—she's corrupted him.

Now his physical condition is average and his alcohol tolerance low. But once his body improves, he'll likely become another drunkard equal to Olivia…

"Alright…"

Rubbing his temples in exasperation, the Taurus Director reluctantly said:

"You must keep your word—don't give her even a drop. She really needs to quit drinking. If she keeps this up, she'll eventually cause a disaster."

"Yes yes! I promise not to give her even one drop!"

"Then I'll have someone deliver the bead in a few days… What else do you want?"

"My second request… I'd like to touch the Aquarius Constellation."

"???"

Seeing the Taurus Director's sudden serious expression, Li Ang quickly explained:

"You know my ability works through touch, and I've just acquired knowledge of the Anomaly Creation Secret Art—so…"

"So you want to try touching it, to see if you can figure out how to gain the Constellation's recognition and learn the Aquarius Secret Art?"

Understanding Li Ang's intent, the Taurus Director frowned:

"That's problematic… The Twelve Secret Art Constellations are enormous, and all are Zodiac Constellations, constantly orbiting the Sun—you couldn't possibly reach them."

"Though Directors can temporarily summon a small portion of the corresponding Constellation, their rank is extremely high—though not as high as the Watchtower, they surpass most True Gods. Are you certain you can sense anything from it?"

"I'm not sure… but I still want to try…"

Knowing the Taurus Director was a genuine "good man"—a saint who silently burned himself for all humanity—Li Ang revealed a little more, probing:

"Director Taurus, I suspect my anomalies' rank is exceptionally high. Maybe I really can sense something."

"Besides, I suspect our Branch doesn't fully understand the Constellations' secrets. If I uncover even a little, it might help more people learn the Secret Arts—that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?"

"…"

If you put it that way… it's true…

"Fine. I agree!"

After pondering for a moment, the Taurus Director slowly nodded, convinced by Li Ang's argument, then said seriously:

"Only the corresponding Director can summon the Constellation. Since Aquarius has defected, its Constellation has been sealed by the Director. So I can only summon a portion of the Taurus Constellation for you to touch."

"Li Ang, if you truly find a way to learn the Secret Art without the Constellation's recognition, I can't promise the others—but I swear I'll personally teach you the Taurus lineage's 'Anomaly Forging' Secret Art. How much you learn, I'll teach you that much!"

(End of Chapter)