Chapter 44 – I want them all

Translator: Xena

Editor: cottoncat

On the internal website of the Supernatural Management Bureau, several posts quietly appeared on the homepage. At first glance, it was all information about the autumn recruitment.

Every year, newcomers were the main focus of all investigators.

Because they weren’t just colleagues they would be working with in the future, but also potential partners.

Investigators were an acknowledged expendable resource because their deaths were common.

This was by no means an exaggeration, because sometimes there were even terrifying situations where monsters with a certain level of intelligence came knocking on your doorstep for revenge…

Some people may not believe it, but it was not uncommon for the number of partners to drop to 0 or 0.5 after a weekend.

Half the body was there, half was gone—it was the kind of scene that made even coroners abandon their professional integrity and vomit uncontrollably.

[Which department will this year’s top 1 newcomer go to?]

[Is there anyone in charge of the assessment here? I’m dying to know the details] 

[As one of the examiners, I’ll give you a hint: there is a candidate who is definitely not below A-level, and five departments are fighting over him] new!

Less than half a minute after the last post appeared on the homepage, the constantly refreshing section froze as if the interface had suddenly gotten stuck. But immediately afterwards, the comments count surged, and the number of replies shot up to hundreds!

1L OP:

Lmfao this is the first time I’ve seen a newcomer end their autumn recruitment assessment early.

Those Special A-level employees didn’t even get this kind of treatment back then… That’s right, my department is ready to roll up our sleeves and personally visit them at home to win them over. Can you believe it?

All that’s missing is a live brawl for this newcomer.

2L:

Is this true? Five??? I’ve never heard of anyone getting so many offers?!

3L:

Omg, I suddenly had a vision of the admissions office of top domestic universities scrambling to recruit a student for early admission. This must be a Special A-level one, right?

The OP replied:

…possibly more than that.

This reply was like a bolt from the blue, like a nuclear bomb suddenly dropped from the sky!

The discussions on the following floors completely revolved around these four simple words. For a moment, all kinds of speculations flew out in a short period of time, leaving everyone dazzled.

What does “possibly more than that” mean?!

The rows of punctuation marks densely packed together, appear to stretch the webpage to its full width, clearly conveying the shock felt by everyone.

Cheng Li scrolled down the interface for a long time, which was basically filled with dense exclamation marks and question marks, almost hurting his eyes. He lost interest after looking at it for a while and raised his eyes from the phone, only to find Jian Xie still looking down, biting his spoon and eating ice cream, his eyelashes long and beautiful.

——He had no awareness of being the center of attention at all.

To be honest, when Cheng Li heard the word “five departments”, his heart started beating so wildly that it almost jumped out of his chest.

He didn’t understand how Jian Xie could remain so calm.

It was not until he saw the reply from the OP in this building that he felt that his guesses had been too conservative all along.

Higher than Special A-level …what level of existence was that?

It was important to note that even the most advanced instruments available to the bureau could only achieve an S-level rating. Logically speaking, any investigator above Special A-level would inevitably succumb to mental insanity, but Jian Xie was in front of him, perfectly normal. On the contrary, anyone who knew about the matter seemed more agitated than him.

Cheng Li tried hard to put himself in the situation, but found that he could not relate to it at all and was seriously lacking in imagination.

Suddenly, a detail he had previously overlooked flashed through his mind, frightening him.

—The shocking incident that had occurred back at the class president’s house suddenly flashed through his mind.

When the monster’s energy couldn’t even be detected by the “Eye” but Jian Xie found it instinctively.

He was practically above the so-called instrument!

Then he had totally been deceived. The monster last time couldn’t have been an A-level monster. It should have been a Special A-level.

He licked his lower lip and stared at Jian Xie, as if he was seeing him for the first time: “…”

The two men were still wearing suits, sitting outside a roadside shop under the parasols set up. The heat from the afternoon sun was still steaming off the earth, bringing an irritatingly high temperature.

Cheng Li was afraid of the heat and had already unbuttoned his tie and shirt, but Jian Xie, who was sitting opposite him, had meticulously fastened his tie, buttoning up all the way to the last button. He looked like an ascetic top student, and his clean and clear temperament gave people a cool and refreshing visual effect.

Passersby couldn’t help but take a second look when they walked by.

He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but Cheng Li felt that even the ice cream in his hand had less sugar than Jian Xie’s. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the shop staff who was smiling at Jian Xie with a blushing face and was obviously more enthusiastic than towards Cheng Li. He fell into silence.

So, during these situations, there can still be such differential treatment based on appearance?

Although he knew that Cheng Li was staring intently at him, Jian Xie had become immune to his occasional gazes, so he appeared unusually calm. Only when he finished eating the yogurt ice cream in his hand did he raise his eyes and say, “Your ice cream is melting.” 

“It’s fine.” Cheng Li came to his senses, scanned the QR code on the table, and paid. 

He actually had no interest in desserts.

This was mainly because when he dropped off Jian Xie at the entrance of the residential area, he looked at this store a few more times, which suddenly gave Cheng Li the idea of coming here to eat.

He was still a child after all.

Thinking of this, Cheng Li’s tense shoulders relaxed and he became less restrained than before.

“What do you want to ask?” After a moment, Jian Xie put down the spoon and wiped his hands with tissue. “Say it now, there’s no need to delay any further.” 

Cheng Li: “…”

This was too direct. He was completely seen through by the person in front of him.

He tried to struggle. “Can’t I take the initiative to treat you to food? I am your recommender after all, isn’t this a time to celebrate?”  

Jian Xie glanced at him. “All right.” 

Cheng Li: “…” Don’t say it so reluctantly!

That being said, since Jian Xie was so decisive, he would not delay any further.

“Um… have you decided where you will be assigned to work?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed and he subconsciously stared at Jian Xie’s face, not wanting to miss any of his micro-expressions.

There was no doubt that this was currently the most pressing issue for all departments, anyone with inside information, and even special A-level investigators.

Cheng Li originally thought that Jian Xie would definitely join the [Investigation Department] like him, but after seeing the boy’s reaction to the emails, he suddenly became unsure. He considered himself to have some friendship with him, so he might as well ask him clearly, or else he would have to suffer for a long time after letting him go.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Jian Xie said. 

Cheng Li was stunned.

“W-what?” He opened his eyes wide in surprise. 

Jian Xie stood up, picked up his schoolbag, lowered his head slightly, and looked at Cheng Li, “I told you from the beginning that I was going to work part-time in the Bureau. As you can see, I’m preparing for the college entrance examination. Anyone who received nine years of compulsory education knows how important the third year of high school is.”  

This remark immediately gave the latter a bad feeling about his next response.

“Do temporary workers also need to have a valid employee ID?” There was a hint of doubt in his eyes which completely stunned Cheng Li, who was sitting there. He realized belatedly that he had forgotten this detail. “They also accept temporary workers in the autumn recruitment, right? I thought it was like before, where you would only call me when you encountered problems you couldn’t solve.”  

Jian Xie had no intentions of joining the Supernatural Management Bureau full-time from the very beginning.

Cheng Li had previously introduced the Bureau. This part-time job had very flexible hours and the salary was good, so from the very beginning, he made it clear that he was seeking a part-time position

Jian Xie was not the kind of person who could sit idly by. He had already thought about how to use the dagger Qin Zhuo gave him to create more hells and re-imprison all the monsters that shouldn’t exist in this world. But this had nothing to do with the Bureau, right? He could do it alone.

Of course, Qin Zhuo would accompany him.

If he really became a full-time employee, wouldn’t his senior year of high school be wasted? He was not ready to give up college and become a corporate slave.

Facing the strange expression of the person in front of him, Jian Xie paused. “As a temporary worker, I want to say that if there are monsters that even the A-level investigators in the Bureau cannot handle or missions with a high mortality rate, please contact me directly. During those instances, I will definitely ask for leave from school to solve the issue.” 

It would be great if the energy detector could be improved. He would suggest skipping the step of leaving a will and connecting directly to his contacts instead.

He could still help with this kind of thing.

Cheng Li: “…” Don’t put yourself in the role of a temporary worker so quickly!

Most people were trying their best to join the investigation department, and they would be happy for a long time if they received an invitation email. However, the person who was invited by five departments at the same time only wanted to be a temporary worker. The contrast was so great that he wanted to cry for the other candidates who were still running around under the scorching sun…

Cheng Li knew that temporary workers were hired on a contract basis, meaning they could fill in for other departments when there was a shortage of staff, but they were often not very useful.

But with Jian Xie’s level and ability, he was definitely not just a so-called substitute, but only someone the investigators could turn to for help outside the field.

In other words, it seemed that Jian Xie would not choose anyone.

——But in a sense, he actually wants them all…!

……

After explaining his thoughts to Cheng Li, the other party promised to help him communicate with the management bureau. However, for some reason, the expression on the other’s face was still twitching when he left.

Jian Xie returned home and locked himself in his room.

To start doing homework.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but just when he finished answering the science paper, the coin that was originally in his coat pocket suddenly flew out, rolled onto the table without warning, and then slowly collided with the tip of the pen in his hand, making a crisp “ding” sound which drew his attention.

Jian Xie: “?”

He had heard that people who keep cats at home often find them troublesome, as they tend to jump onto computers or spread out on top of books, completely distracting their owners.

…Compared to the physics class where It prevented him from taking notes, this was an improvement.

At least this evil spirit waited until he had finished answering questions before moving and did not interrupt his studies.

From his peripheral vision, he could see that Qin Zhuo had appeared on his left side at some point. Emerging from the black mist, It’s true face was revealed, one hand propping up It’s chin. The two of them were very close to each other, and It seemed to be quietly looking down at his profile.

Jian Xie accidentally misjudged the distance between them. He turned his head and almost kissed the other person’s Adam’s apple, catching him off guard.

At such a close distance, he could see that there was a small mole on His Adam’s apple.

Does our agreement still stand?】 Seeing Jian Xie stop writing, It spoke in a lazy tone. The black mole rolled up and down as It spoke, making one want to reach out and touch it. 【I found the information.】

“What information?”

Realizing that he was staring at something in a trance, Jian Xie looked away discreetly, clenched the pen in his hand, and focused his eyes on the paper again.

Strange, my heart is beating a little fast.

Qin Zhuo raised his eyebrows with interest at his reaction. The tentacles that emerged from the black mist suddenly stretched out, picked up Wu Qinghe’s phone that was thrown on the bed by Jian Xie, and held it in front of the two of them. The other then placed it on Jian Xie’s paper.

Jian Xie: “…”

So, while he was doing his homework, It was playing with the phone?

【Look at this.】

As Qin Zhuo finished speaking, the tentacles of the black mist tapped the screen amid his subtle mood, opening the inbox which contained several messages, all from the same number.

Although Jian Xie couldn’t remember whose phone number he had saved, there was a note from the sender on the message—

Wu Qinghe.

Surprisingly, the news was found quickly.

This Special A-level monster who called himself a fence-sitter, has pretty good business skills, or perhaps overly eager…

Was it because Qin Zhuo was too scary?

Little did he know it was because of his performance in the autumn recruitment that Wu Qinghe became doubly enthusiastic. Jian Xie’s thoughts on the matter were fleeting.

Upon tapping on the latest information, it was very brief and had no unnecessary content.

There was only one line of text, which appeared to be an address.

Although Jian Xie came from an average family and was struggling to make ends meet by working, his classmates all came from relatively affluent backgrounds. Although he had not participated in many conversations with them, even as a bystander, he had heard them mention that this was a famous auction house in the city.

It was said that each piece from their collection was of great value, and being able to auction off antiques among them was not only a manifestation of strong financial resources but also a symbol of a powerful background.

Brochures showing the items to be auctioned were not provided to customers until one hour before each auction. When there was no auction, this place was not open to the public. From the perspective of creating a sense of exclusivity, the auction house was quite adept at creating an air of mystery.

【One of the materials that can reproduce my clone is at the auction.】 Qin Zhuo pondered, 【It should be a 20-centimeter-long wooden sculpture. I’m not sure whether it will be in the form of cattle, horse, fire, or bones. The people in this world hold certain imaginations about my existence.】

It sounds like something that was used for sacrificial offerings, and it probably looked spooky too.

Jian Xie: “Who made it?” 

【I don’t care, they’re just my worshippers.】 Qin Zhuo answered casually, sounding extremely self-indulgent and completely disregarding those people. 【Their goal is for me to descend from hell and fulfill their wishes—but I have never responded.】

But It did open It’s eyes once during It’s sleep, so this wood carving could indeed be one of the materials that could house It’s power.

After pondering for a moment, Jian Xie took out his mobile phone and checked the balance.

Three digits.

No matter what the world has become, he was still so poor. How wonderful.

“I have no money.” Jian Xie said, “From your description, the auction price will start from at least a million, right?” 

【A million?】 Qin Zhuo sneered, his disdain obvious, 【Even ten million would be considered modest.】

Jian Xie: “…”

Jian Xie: “Very good, that’s even more unaffordable.” 

【Can you receive money from me on this matter?】 Qin Zhuo curled his lips, and his scarlet eyes moved closer to Jian Xie, forcing the latter to hide to the other side. 【Although I don’t know where your weird insistence is coming from, I enjoy spending money on you.】

Hearing this, Jian Xie’s gaze drifted away.

Come to think of it, this matter actually made him want to ask something.

He had no idea where Qin Zhuo, as the evil god, got money from. The price of the watch lying in his drawer was shocking. Giving him such an expensive gift on their first meeting showed that the other party was very generous.

As if knowing what he was thinking, Qin Zhuo retracted the dangerous distance between them, narrowed his eyes and looked at Jian Xie, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

A crack suddenly appeared in the void, like an eye that opened lazily. Simultaneously, black mist as thick as magma rolled out, filling the air with gloom, as if it would swallow up the entire space in the next moment.

This scene was extremely familiar.

However, as the eye-like crack widened, the air stagnated, and countless expensive things suddenly poured out!

……What?

Jian Xie was only stunned for a moment before his body was already covered with all kinds of things that were obviously expensive beyond belief. If he hadn’t misjudged, even a random small gem on his body or the diamond that rolled under the table and was covered in dust, would be enough to sell for a sky-high price.

“These—”

【Yes, they’re stolen.】

Jian Xie: “?”

【I was kidding.】 Qin Zhuo raised his hand and waved it; the crack disappeared in an instant. He said with a click of the tongue, 【These things are very valuable in the eyes of you humans, right? It was used to worship me, but it was worthless on the road to the underworld and were just pieces of filth that cannot be taken when one falls into the six realms of reincarnation.】 

【However, it seems to be somewhat useful now.】 He cast a thoughtful gaze on Jian Xie and curled his lips slightly.【The card needed for the auction is here.】

Another tentacle stretched out from behind him and put a black card directly into Jian Xie’s pocket. The entire action was filled with an air of inevitability.

Jian Xie: “…”

For some reason, he had a feeling that the reason these physical objects could be converted into tradable cash was inseparable from Wu Qinghe’s help.

Money made the world go round. This saying applied equally well to monsters.

“When is the auction?” He took away his belongings and paused. “Don’t tell me it’s on a school day.” 

【Friday.】

“All right.” Just as he finished speaking, Jian Xie suddenly remembered something. He raised his eyes to look at Qin Zhuo and said hesitantly, “Wait a minute, this… could this be considered an anomalous object?” 

He had just learned from Cheng Li about the existence of non-living monsters, but he didn’t know what the management bureau’s criteria for judgment were.

Was it possible that——

【Maybe.】 Qin Zhuo’s answer was ambiguous and a bit careless. 【After all, the group of investigators you mentioned probably couldn’t tell the difference.】

“…………”

He hoped not to run into any of his classmates or the staff of the 【Anomalous Object Containment Department】 while spending a lot of money at the auction…

Otherwise, things would become much more troublesome.

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