Chapter 79: 78 Test

78 Test

What the hell?

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

According to the Red-haired Woman, the function of the Watch Palace was to monitor and control threats capable of destruction, and to alert 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?

Hss… this feeling is really… 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 with eager anticipation.

“Didn’t you say you brought me a good bottle of wine? Where’s the wine?”

“…”

So quitting alcohol was definitely just bullshit.

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

“Didn’t you just tell the Director you’d quit drinking? It’s been less than five minutes since then!”

“The version of me in front of the Golden Bull is the Director of the Virgin Cleanup Bureau, but the version of me in front of you is the drinking buddy who treated you to a night of liquor—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:

“Hurry up! I can already smell the alcohol on you—you definitely brought wine up! Let me taste it!”

“…”

You’re truly beyond saving…

Seeing the Red-haired Woman’s impatient face, 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 the [Wine Country Martyr], handing it over.

That’s all?

Disappointed, she twisted open the small bottle and downed the lukewarm liquor in one gulp, then smacked her lips and looked back at him with hopeful eyes.

“Any more?”

“Yes!”

Although the Red-haired Woman sometimes pulled dirty tricks, she’d always looked out for him, and since he needed her help now, Li Ang wouldn’t hold back—he gritted his teeth and made a firm promise:

“After work today, I can treat you to another drink…”

“Stop.”

Hearing Li Ang’s words, the Red-haired Woman’s expression changed instantly; she instinctively patted her wallet and eyed him warily.

“What 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 can treat you to another drink…”

“I won’t go!”

Recalling Li Ang’s abysmal drinking behavior and having suffered the consequences before, the Red-haired Woman swallowed hard, refusing with ironclad determination:

“Just say what you want outright—if I can do it, I usually will. But if I take your favor and then do you a favor, it changes everything!”

“…”

Wait—you’re actually this principled? Then who was it who taught me how to scam field expenses the day after I joined?

Though he wanted to ask if she’d taken some wrong medicine today, with rent due this week and tuition for his younger siblings to pay, saving even a little on alcohol for household expenses made him happy—so after organizing his thoughts, he laid out his problem directly.

“Here’s the thing—last night…”

After briefly explaining Anna’s situation, Li Ang scratched the back of his head and asked hesitantly:

“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 review our family’s records.

If possible, I’d also like to investigate the photo and the original photo studio—to find out what exactly she’s worried about.”

“That’s simple.”

Taking Li Ang downstairs 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 authorization log the Police Department gave me. Take this 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 authorization log, but the Red-haired Woman called out to stop him.

“Wait—your archives can wait a few minutes.”

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

“Little Li Ang~ You just acquired a powerful anomaly worth nearly fifty Li Ang points! Many small branch directors’ main anomalies are probably only at your level—don’t you want to test how strong it is?”

Of course he wanted to test it—but here?

Glancing at the office cluttered with empty bottles and walls peeling in places, Li Ang thought the setting was ill-suited—but since the Red-haired Woman was backing him, he didn’t worry about damaging property, and nodded:

“Of course I do… how do I test it?”

“Very simple.”

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

“The Golden Bull told me a bit about its rules—use the stamina equivalent to jogging one kilometer as currency to buy one mental slash.

For the target, lock onto this strand of hair on the desk—I’ll feel the force of the slash and tell you its approximate power.”

“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.

“Hss…”

【Acquired and equipped anomaly “Holy Pendant,” you have successfully activated the Bronze Badge “Devout Believer”】

【Devout Believer (Bronze): Having witnessed the Saint’s descent and engaged in a friendly exchange with it, your unique beliefs and devout faith have earned the Saint’s genuine approval】

【Wearing Effect: Increased affinity with anomalies marked “Sacred,” slightly reducing usage cost while greatly enhancing effectiveness】

【Advancement Path: Wear and use the “Holy Pendant” to eliminate ten non-Balance Faith heretics—this badge will automatically upgrade to the Silver Badge “Practitioner.” Current progress: 0/10】

[Hidden Trait (No Equipment Required): As a devout believer, your soul is steadfast and pure, easily earning favor from certain Order entities]

【Your contamination value has increased】

【Current contamination value: 1.1】