Chapter 87: 86 Skillful Hands and Care

86 Skillful Hands and Care

“Hehe, knew I couldn’t fool you.”

Caught red-handed stealing, the short man showed no embarrassment, grinning instead:

“Don’t be so serious—it’s scary! If I really wanted to steal his stuff, I’d have plenty of chances. Why would I be so stupid as to do it right in front of you?”

“I just heard a new recruit joined the Bureau, and he killed a Holy Spirit before even being confirmed—got curious, so I casually reached out…”

“So where’s the item?”

Ignoring the short man’s long-winded excuse, the red-haired director extended her hand downward and sharply tapped the table with the back of her hand, then narrowed her eyes in warning:

“Jerry, don’t make me say it a third time.”

“I’m getting it, I’m getting it!”

Seeing the director’s fox-like eyes narrow further, the short man tensed up and hurriedly pulled a photograph from his chest, placing it squarely on the table.

A photograph?

Picking up the photo, the red-haired director stared at the couple embracing, and the little girl smiling happily as she held her parents’ hands—her expression froze slightly.

Aside from animal control, Jerry’s most outstanding anomaly is [Stealing Fate’s Hand], which, upon contact with a target, forcibly steals the single object that most profoundly shaped their past life—regardless of whether the object is on the target’s person, or even if it’s been destroyed.

So if his ability didn’t fail, the object that most profoundly shaped Li Ang’s past life is this photograph on the table?

“Director, what’s this thing’s ability? Can you explain it to me?”

Watching the red-haired director’s thoughtful expression, the extremely curious short man fidgeted anxiously, held back as long as he could, then couldn’t resist and asked with a pleading smile:

“Someone who’s been an anomaly for less than a month and already took down a Holy Spirit solo—this anomaly must be incredibly powerful, right?”

Huh? So this photo is an anomaly? But why is its aura so faint? Has it been destroyed multiple times before?

Hearing the short man’s question, the red-haired director raised an eyebrow slightly, then shook her head decisively:

“I don’t know. My most commonly used perception anomaly is that sheep—I already gave it to Li Ang. I haven’t applied for a new perception anomaly yet, so my perception ability is pretty average.”

“If you really want to know this anomaly’s ability, asking me won’t help—but there’s someone in our Bureau who has the ability called [Information Acquisition]. Just touch it, and he can know the details of almost any anomaly. You should go ask him.”

What? There’s someone like that in our Bureau?!

The short man perked up instantly—this ability was perfect for him! He’d stolen—borrowed—countless items over the years, but most either couldn’t be activated or had unknown rules and costs that scared him from using them.

If he could get [Information Acquisition] to help, even just a third of his collected anomalies could become usable—and maybe even elevate his rank to a Level One Hazard Handler!

“Director, why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”

Summoning courage to scold the red-haired director, the short man rubbed his hands together, eyes blazing with excitement:

“Who is he? Oh, and can he trade his [Information Acquisition]? If he’s willing, I’ll let him pick anything from my collection!”

“He can’t trade it—it’s more like a talent embedded in his soul. As for who he is…”

The red-haired director glanced at the short man with amusement, then waved the photograph, grinning:

“There—he’s the one you just stole from.”

“….”

“This… you know me…”

Seeing the director’s mischievous gaze, the short man’s face fell, his expression flushed with embarrassment:

“I do have a stealing habit, but I never target people I know. I just peek, then return it. Even with strangers, if they’re not evil, I don’t take what they cherish. This… could you possibly…”

“You want to get it back and sneak it back so Li Ang won’t hold a grudge and refuse to help you, right?”

Seeing through the short man’s plan instantly, the red-haired director wagged a finger, grinning:

“Oh dear… that’s tricky~

Little Li Ang just joined the Hazard Bureau, but he’s already very close to me—and he treated me to a huge drinking session. If I hide this from him, how could I face our wine-bonded friendship?”

“….”

Got it. Time to raise the price.

Looking at the director’s smug smile, the short man reluctantly abandoned any hope of luck and offered reluctantly:

“How about I treat you to a drink…”

“Cough, cough—no need. I’m not that kind of person.”

Quickly cutting off the short man before he could propose something he couldn’t refuse, the red-haired director cleared her throat and spoke with solemn seriousness:

“If I’m not mistaken, you want Li Ang to use his ability to identify your collection of items over the years, right?”

“Yes…”

“Then it’s simple.”

The red-haired director tapped the table with her knuckles, then grinned:

“I don’t know how many things you’ve hoarded, but knowing your style, the number must be substantial.”

“Helping you identify all of them at once would drain considerable stamina and willpower—it’s a real chore. So… letting him pick one as payment isn’t unreasonable, is it?”

“Not unreasonable at all.”

Though still reluctant, the short man knew his director’s nature—bargaining would only get him ripped off worse, so he nodded quickly in agreement.

“Alright, I’ll keep it for now. I’ll speak well of you later.”

Satisfied, the red-haired director plucked a strand of hair, tied up the suspected anomaly photo, and tucked it into her drawer, then smiled and shooed him out:

“But identification will have to wait—he has an important investigation today and can’t be distracted. Once that’s done, I’ll ask him to identify your collection.”

“Got it! I won’t go anywhere—I’ll wait right here in the Bureau!”

Nodding eagerly, the short man, still watching the director’s smiling face, couldn’t suppress his curiosity again and ventured cautiously:

“By the way, Director—is Li Ang… well-acquainted with other branch directors? Or favored by some board member? Or… are you…”

“You’re asking why I’m so attentive to him, right?”

Glancing at the short man’s suggestive tone, the red-haired director looked utterly exasperated:

“Before you ask that, I suggest you think carefully about who’s currently in this Bureau.”

Before the short man could answer, the director began counting off on her fingers:

“Failed coup plotters, the Prime Minister’s mistress, thieves who stole from the royal family, gamblers who lost the kingdom’s reserves, supply officers who got lost on the battlefield and nearly starved thirty thousand soldiers, alchemists whose failed experiments drowned half a county in fecal seas…”

Watching the short man’s embarrassed expression, the red-haired director narrowed her eyes and concluded:

“Without joining the Hazard Bureau, you’d all be facing execution at minimum. Even now, you’re all under constant surveillance—even leaving the capital for a mission requires prior approval.”

“But Li Ang? Clean background, good character, sharp, diligent, and exceptionally talented—he killed a Holy Spirit before his probation even ended. Tell me—who else would I care for, compared to you lot?”