Chapter 57: Public Security Bureau

Bolo Ke raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that Lei En would ask about the Demon Extermination Squad, and replied, "Our Demon Extermination Squad is a unit under the Public Security Bureau; we only handle cases involving monsters and evil‑god followers. The assignments are few, but they are very dangerous."

"How dangerous?" Lei En asked curiously.

He thought that if he could join the Demon Extermination Squad, he could act alongside them and opportunistically absorb souls.

If it's very dangerous, then never mind.

Bolo Ke took several drags of his cigarette before saying in a low voice, "Among the Demon Extermination Squad members, from the captain down, very few can serve a full three years."

"You should also know that any case involving an evil god or a Demon is never easy to handle. If we prepare in advance before investigating, it's usually manageable; what we dread most are sudden incidents like last night—one slip and the lives of the entire squad are at stake."

"I've been in the Demon Extermination Squad for seven or eight years, and I've seen the whole squad wiped out three times."

Bolo Ke's expression grew solemn, as if recalling painful memories.

Lei En fell silent, hesitating whether to change his mind. He is currently a first‑rank Wizard, perhaps impressive among Novice Supernormals, but when faced with Mid‑stage or higher, it's a dead end.

He did not decide immediately, but asked more questions about the Demon Extermination Squad.

Bolo Ke did not conceal anything either.

Longshande's Demon Extermination Squad has five units in total, each squad ranging from five to eight members, not fixed, and can be reinforced at any time.

Ordinary members are usually Novice Supernormals, the captain is Mid‑stage, and above the five captains there is a Chief Commander, who is a High‑level Supernormal.

Although the Demon Extermination Squad totals fewer than fifty people, each is a Supernormal, so its status within the Public Security Bureau is higher than that of Security Officers handling ordinary cases, even though there are dozens of times more Security Officers.

Because of the danger and special nature of the position, the Demon Extermination Squad does not need to clock in daily like Security Officers.

They are mobilized only when relevant cases arise, or they take turns patrolling at night every few days; otherwise management is relatively lax.

Moreover, the Demon Extermination Squad's pay is extremely high.

In a squad, each member earns twelve Gold Shields per month, not to mention a sizable bounty after each mission.

Lei En does not care much about the pay; he only wants the chance to absorb souls.

Bolo Ke spoke candidly, apparently guessing Lei En wanted to join the Demon Extermination Squad, and laughed, saying, "Lei En, I don't know what relationship you have with Master Luo Jue, but the Demon Extermination Squad is a good job, especially for young people who have just become Supernormals; the pay is good, and you can gain combat experience, which will benefit your future."

"When we truly face such terrifying foes, no one forces us to fight head‑on; survival is paramount, and Longshande City will naturally have stronger people to deal with them."

"When I said few can serve three years, I didn't mean they all perished; they chose to quit voluntarily for better prospects."

"If you're interested, I can recruit you into my squad."

Bolo Ke was confident in Lei En: "With your ability, the Chief Commander will certainly agree; you needn't worry about that."

Lei En gave a slight nod.

He knew each captain has the authority to recruit members, but final approval must come from the Demon Extermination Squad's Chief Commander.

In Longshande, if one wants to boost strength quickly, joining the Demon Extermination Squad is the best option; absorbing those monsters' souls carries no psychological burden.

Lei En stopped hesitating, stood up, and said earnestly, "From now on, please look after me, Captain."

"Alright!"

Bolo Ke was very pleased, having recruited a powerful teammate for his squad.

The two raised their glasses, clinked them, and drank it down in one gulp.

Bolo Ke thought for a moment, then said impatiently, "Please forward the bounty to Master Luo Jue,

I'm heading back now to report to the Chief Commander; wait for me at the inn, and it should be settled by the afternoon."

"I'll follow the captain's orders completely."

Lei En nodded in agreement, thinking that Bolo Ke was showing trust in him.

Bolo Ke handed Lei En a bag containing Gold Shields and left the inn immediately. Lei En returned to the courtyard to continue training; around noon, Luo Jue finally emerged from his room, looking refreshed.

"Master Luo Jue, here's last night's bounty."

Luo Jue took the bag, opened it and glanced casually, saying, "Longshande's Demon Extermination Squad is fairly generous, unlike many stingy cities; this bounty also includes your share."

After speaking, he turned back, quickly fetched another bag, and handed it to Lei En.

Lei En accepted it without hesitation; he had also contributed last night, so he felt justified taking the money. Weighing it in his hand a few times, it seemed to be over a hundred Gold Shields, roughly twenty percent of the total bounty.

"Master Luo Jue, if there's another such good thing next time, remember to include me." He now wished he could

"You think a vampire's lair is that easy to find?"

Luo Jue snorted, shook his head, and said, "I only managed to find a clue after a lot of effort; I tracked for half a month before locating their lair. Being a monster hunter isn't that easy; if you want a cheap deal next time, you'd have to give me a few monster lairs."

Lei En felt a spark; with his Soul Eye, he might actually locate a few monsters and even evil‑god followers—by lingering on the streets of Lieren District for a few hours, he could probably spot seven or eight.

"Evil‑god followers—are you interested, Master Luo Jue?" he asked tentatively.

Luo Jue glanced at Lei En, assuming he wanted to use the "Conflict Mark" on his body to lure a Shadow Blade Assassin, and said coolly, "Don't entertain that crooked idea; I don't want to provoke evil‑god followers. They're different from monsters, and killing them brings me no benefit."

"Fine." Lei En forced a laugh.

It seems he'll have to wait until he joins the Demon Extermination Squad to use that status to hunt evil‑god followers.

Just after noon, Bolo Ke returned and asked Lei En to accompany him to the Public Security Bureau.

Leaving the Basil Inn, Lei En saw a car parked outside the door, its body bearing a conspicuous shield emblem with a sword crossed with a staff, surrounded by the letters of the Public Security Bureau's name.

On both sides of the front, two flags bearing the same Public Security Bureau insignia were hoisted.

A crowd of onlookers pointed at the car, but no one dared approach.

Anyone with a bit of sense knows this is the Public Security Bureau's official vehicle, essentially a police car in the previous world.

The driver in the seat was just an ordinary person, but his face wore arrogance, periodically glancing at the surrounding paupers with contempt and superiority.

"Get in quickly."

Bolo Ke said, "The Chief Commander happens to be free today; he's waiting for you at the Public Security Bureau. To save time, I borrowed the bureau's car."

The two took the back seats, and the car set off immediately.

The slums' streets were extremely crowded; normally even buses get stuck, but no one dared to block this car, and everyone gave way, allowing it to speed out of Lieren District unimpeded.

Lei En watched pedestrians part like a tide around the car, silently marveling that he, too, was enjoying a taste of privileged class treatment.

Bolo Ke, however, was already accustomed to this and paid it no mind.

On the road, Bo Luoke carefully asked Lei En about his background, especially his faith.

Lei En's background is clean; Eagle Marsh Town is not far away, and it can be verified in a day. He was previously a student at Claidon Academy, and there is a detailed file on him in City Hall that the Public Security Bureau can retrieve at any time.

As for faith, everyone who enters the Public Security Bureau must undergo a belief screening to prevent followers of evil gods from infiltrating.

Lei En has nothing to hide; he has been praying to the God of Magic once a week lately, making him a shallow devotee of the goddess.

In the Empire, this is the most upright and honorable belief.

The car quickly entered Honeyton District, the area where the Public Security Bureau headquarters is located.

According to Bo Luoke, the headquarters is not placed in Silver Star District because it is unnecessary. Silver Star District has the Wu Shi Ta constantly watching, and it is also the garrison of the Duke's Secret Fire Guard; its defensive strength is the strongest in Longshande, so the Public Security Bureau has no need to worry about it.

The car soon entered a vast U-shaped building in Honeyton District and stopped on the lower floor at the front.

Bo Luoke got out of the car and said, "Follow me."

Lei En followed him into the Public Security Bureau, walked through the spacious lobby, and entered the interior area at the back.

"The Public Security Bureau mainly has three divisions: the Security Force, the Patrol Unit, and our Demon Extermination Squad," Bo Luoke said while walking. "The Patrol Unit has the most personnel and fine equipment, but they are members of the Silver Armored Knights; within the Bureau they are only titular, usually stationed at camps outside the city, so they cannot be seen here."

"The Security Force numbers about two thousand, the ordinary security officers spread across the city's various branches; most are ordinary people, and only senior security officers are the extraordinary ones, roughly two hundred in total."

"And then there is our Demon Extermination Squad; we usually gather here when there is business."

Bo Luoke led Lei En into a place resembling a training arena; on one side stood a three‑story office building with a sign at the entrance that read Longshande Demon Extermination Squad.

There were not many people inside, only a dozen or so, and by the pulse one could tell there were both extraordinary individuals and ordinary ones.

However, what caught Lei En's attention most was a stable‑like area beside the arena, from which the roars of beasts could be heard.

Bo Luoke noticed Lei En looking that way and explained, "Those are the griffins we have tamed in the Demon Extermination Squad; we only ride them in the most urgent situations to rush to the scene."

"Griffin?"

Lei En was very interested; he had heard of this famous magical beast.

Ai Lun E Si has countless flying creatures, massive in size and astonishing in strength, but few can be tamed by humans as mounts; the griffin is one of them, and it can be mass‑tamed as a flying mount.

The Empire has a GriffinLegion, the most elite elite force among human realms, established since the early Empire and having earned countless glorious reputations.

"When you join the Demon Extermination Squad, you'll have a chance to ride a griffin; we were able to arrive so quickly last night because we flew there on them."

Bo Luoke paused, sighing, "However, in the Demon Extermination Squad, riding a griffin is not a good thing."

Lei En understood his meaning.

A griffin can carry a person at the fastest speed to the incident site, which also means that when an emergency arises, one may face great danger.

"Let's go; the Chief Commander is waiting for you in the office."