Chapter 915: 513 Parting Ways

Since there’s nothing more to share, let’s part ways for now.

As Prince André masked himself and began seeking support from the Executioners’ Guild, the Scorpio Chief, smiling warmly, nodded to Li Ang, then extended his right hand toward the stern female journalist.

For the next few days, Miss Nicole, please accompany me and assist our Scorpio Branch in continuing the investigation.

…

Upon hearing the Scorpio Chief’s words, the frustrated female journalist sneered, stepped away from Li Ang, and stood beside the chief—but ignored his outstretched hand entirely.

The Scorpio Chief, unfazed by the snub, smiled casually, retracted his hand, and turned to Li Ang with a friendly expression.

Li Ang, Alger is one of our Scorpio Branch’s elites. In terms of strength, he’s slightly below your Virgo Branch’s Executioner Emma, but among all Level-One Cleaners in the Bureau, he ranks among the top.

I’m confident his strength will be enough to ensure your and Princess Filia’s safety, and if you need to do anything, feel free to consult him—he may well be of assistance.

Assist me? More likely he’s here to watch me.

Li Ang, fully aware of the Scorpio Chief’s thinly veiled intent, smiled, then reached out his hand to the tall, visibly uneasy man before him, as if he’d noticed nothing amiss.

Then I’ll rely on you, Senior Alger.

No, no, it’s no trouble at all.

After a forced chuckle, and under the Scorpio Chief’s persistent signals, the reluctant giant reluctantly grasped Li Ang’s outstretched hand.

【Name: Skin Thread (Corruption, Thread, Seize）】

【Appearance: A complete set of normal human male skin, formed from countless detachable threads. The male subject stands approximately 190 cm tall and weighs about 230 jin, with a physique suggesting long-term physical training—muscle lines smooth and powerful.】

【Abilities: Demon Disguise, Thread Skin, Skin Seizure】

【Cost: Must strip off one’s original skin and completely replace it with ‘Skin Thread’ to use it freely.】

【File: One of the works of the Great Demon “The Dissector,” Angolphis. Alongside ‘Flesh Thread,’ ‘Bone Thread,’ ‘Nerve Thread,’ ‘Organ Thread,’ and seven other similar anomalies, it forms a complete set, kept by Angolphis in his bedroom and frequently admired.】

【During a joint operation between the Scorpio Branch and the Aquarius Branch, the Dissector Angolphis was captured and killed. This set of his beloved artwork, after partial neutralization, was seized and stored by the Scorpio Branch.】

【Years later, during a field operation, Scorpio Branch Level-Two Cleaner Alger Bentley was captured by a prehistoric race and sacrificed; his muscles, skin, and bones were severely damaged beyond recovery. He applied for this anomaly and has used it ever since…】

【Evaluation: Not particularly destructive, but highly practical. When combined with body-enhancing anomalies to temporarily strengthen the threads, it may produce astonishing results.】

【Corruption Value: 5】

…

Entire body turned into threads? So this is what a “Thread Man” really is.

Hmm… and it carries a Corruption tag? Looks like my Demon Seal has found its use again.

After reviewing the full details of the Skin Thread, Li Ang’s eyes flickered with understanding. He said nothing—but the tall man who had shaken his hand felt his entire body stiffen slightly, as if every thread composing his flesh might tear away at any moment.

Is this the true weight of the former “Demon Scholar,” now the Bureau’s “Food God”?

Feeling the strange, eerie premonition that his very flesh might be momentarily seized, Thread Man Alger involuntarily shuddered, then fixed his gaze downward, standing rigidly at Li Ang’s side.

After a moment’s thought, he even stepped half a pace back, yielding a full body’s distance, positioning himself behind Li Ang—only then did he feel slightly more at ease.

…

What the hell are you doing, Alger?

Watching Alger, arms folded over his abdomen, spine subtly hunched despite his nearly two-meter height, radiating the aura of a mistreated wife, the Scorpio Chief’s lips twitched twice—a strange, unsettling premonition of misplaced trust surged within him.

Though his strength ranks high among Level-One Cleaners, just slightly below elites like Executioner Emma and Dice King Tang Mu, Alger’s courage is pitifully low. Assigning him to “monitor” Li Ang seems a poor choice.

But… are the others any better?

Glancing at the others beside him, the Scorpio Chief sighed inwardly, regretting he hadn’t brought more personnel.

For this investigation, he had only assigned four Cleaners: “Thread Man” Alger, “Flora Fairy” Ruben, “Fisher” Frankie, and “Forward Path” Mo Na.

Mo Na’s ability is supportive—only with her could he move freely through this metal-and-cement city without damaging walls. She could never be spared for monitoring Li Ang.

Ruben and Frankie are no slouches, but I’ll need them for the next phase of the investigation. That leaves Alger. I just hope he finds the courage to step forward and stop Li Ang if he tries anything reckless.

Hmm… maybe I’m overthinking it. Li Ang was kicked out of this mission—he probably won’t get a chance to stir up trouble… right?

After glancing at Li Ang, who was smiling at him, the Scorpio Chief—who had been smiling moments before—suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine. He couldn’t smile anymore. Was this a mistake? But…

Then I’ll take my leave.

Unaware of the Scorpio Chief’s inner turmoil, Li Ang gave the female journalist a glance—silently telling her not to cause trouble, to prioritize mission completion—then bowed slightly to the chief.

I must return to the embassy to retrieve those left behind. I won’t stay longer. Wishing you success in your investigation.

Uh… thank you. Hope things go well on your end too.

A vague unease gnawed at the Scorpio Chief—he couldn’t pinpoint why, but he nodded to Li Ang and watched him and Alger depart.

Once Li Ang and Alger were far away, the still-stern female journalist spoke up:

Lord Edward, what’s your next move?

Next…

Let’s head to the Gemini Branch first!

After glancing at the two Gemini Branch Cleaners, bound like zongzi in the “Prohibited Net,” the Scorpio Chief suppressed his hesitation and spoke with sharp intensity:

Since we’ve already kidnapped a royal member, our presence can no longer be hidden.

At this point, the priority is to neutralize the enemy’s resistance. No matter what the Krook Royal Family does, securing those Gemini Branch Cleaners is the right move.