Glimpses

"The strongest Support-Attribute?"

"That's right!" Gu Yan nodded, but his tone wasn't particularly proud. He took a sip of cola, looking dejected.

He revealed some non-critical facts to his sister.

"Why do you look so unhappy about it?"

"Of course! I just wanted to be a slacker, but they've saddled me with all this stuff." With a gentle squeeze, the cola can crumpled into a ball, which he idly played with in his hand.

"And I'm just a support, but they're using me as combat power. It's pure oppression and exploitation!" As he spoke, Gu Yan put on a wronged expression, implying: I'm actually very well-behaved and don't like fighting; it's them who force me to.

Besides, if even a support like me can participate, it must not be that difficult!

Although he didn't tell Gu Li how dangerous the battles he participated in were, hinting at it beforehand would make it easier for her to accept later.

Gu Yan was afraid his family would worry.

Gu Li let out a cold laugh and pointed at the cola can, which had been casually crushed into the size of a marble: "This is what you call a support? Supports have this much strength?"

Besides, she hadn't forgotten how Gu Yan had instantly killed monsters that night.

"People's physiques are different."

"..."

Gu Li was momentarily speechless.

"Sigh, I'm just afraid you're too gullible. If someone good-looking and with high status says a few deceptive words, you'll run off and risk your life for them."

"Sis, I'm an adult now, I won't be fooled by two pieces of candy..." Gu Yan was equally speechless. They were only two years apart, yet he felt like he was being lectured by an overprotective mother.

"Alright, I'm just worried about you. Be careful."

To outsiders, Gu Li might seem aloof and short-tempered, difficult to get along with. But to Gu Yan, one of her only two blood relatives, she was extremely caring.

"Go to work after you finish eating." Gu Li returned to her room, and the sound of her changing clothes could be heard.

"Work? What work?" Gu Yan was bewildered.

"The Haishi Ability Bureau, you idiot!"

Buzz!

His mind went blank. Everything around Gu Yan seemed to disconnect from him.

How could this be? The food Gu Yan had been eating instantly lost its aroma, becoming bitter and tasting foreign.

He chewed carefully, trying to recapture the former taste, but after repeated attempts, there was only one meaning: Work!

I must be tired, he thought, and the world seemed to dim in his eyes.

Damn it, can't I be a slacker for just one day!

"Yo, isn't this little bro Gu Yan! What's up? Decided to show up for work after more than ten days?"

As the siblings walked past the Ability Bureau's medical building, they ran into Zhang Yu, who was carrying a pile of cleaning tools. It looked like he was heading to clean the training grounds.

The two exchanged a look, a smile playing on their lips.

"Hey, Brother Yu," Gu Yan greeted casually, unfazed by Zhang Yu's teasing.

"Brother Yu?" Gu Li, however, raised an eyebrow. She emphasized the word "Brother" and glared at Zhang Yu with a dangerous look.

"Uh... is there a problem? I'm a senior, and I'm a few years older than him, so calling him 'Brother' isn't... normal... is it?" His voice grew softer and less confident as he spoke.

Zhang Yu took a wide detour to try and get closer to Gu Yan, but after being locked onto by Gu Li's gaze, he immediately froze, not daring to move.

"Heh, he's my brother. You should be calling him 'Brother'," Gu Li's tone was completely different from when she was at home, but Gu Yan wasn't flustered at all. He was even interested in seeing Zhang Yu make a fool of himself.

"How can I do that? If I don't call him 'little bro,' can you not make me..."

"No, you can't call him 'Brother.' You're not worthy."

"..."

Zhang Yu swallowed his words of gratitude and silently picked up his tools, continuing on his way.

"What kind of work do we even have here that requires us to be at the office?" Gu Yan complained after Zhang Yu had gone.

"Dealing with rogue Ability Users, protecting the public when necessary, and handling all sorts of heavy and difficult tasks that ordinary people can't manage. That's our job."

"But if something happens, they just notify us directly. We don't need to come to work!" Although he knew it was unreasonable, Gu Yan still wanted to try and snatch an opportunity to slack off.

Besides, if he were really needed, Xu Muchi would probably descend like a bolt of lightning, and he'd be dragged off to do hard labor.

"So, for the employees of the Ability Bureau, training and strengthening their abilities is their daily work."

"Then, as a support, I shouldn't have to..."

"No, everyone has to work, including supports."

Gu Yan fell silent, cursing inwardly.

"Actually, gathering people like us together makes them easier to manage. After all, we're all powerful individuals, and if we were to break free from control, the harm caused would be comparable to a small war."

"Also, not everyone can be like that woman from before, ordering people around whenever she pleases."

"Speaking of which," Gu Li lowered her voice, glancing around cautiously before continuing, "there are actually a lot of pretty girls in the bureau. Want me to pick one for you?"

"Huh? Sis, are you messing with my perception? Are you actually Mom?"

Bang!

Gu Li punched Gu Yan on the head. Although he felt no pain, he still instinctively covered his head, a consequence of the bloodline suppression.

They didn't stop walking as they talked, and in just a moment, they entered the office building.

"Oh right, your office is on the fourth floor, 401. I've had people cleaning it for the past ten-plus days."

"What do I need an office for?" Yes! Room 401, got it. I'll book a bed and quilt right away.

"Everyone above B-Class gets one, so of course, you're no exception. Don't even think about slacking off and sleeping. According to regulations, you'll also be responsible for managing a specific area and joining an Ability User squad."

"Most cities only have one squad, but Haishi is special and has four. I originally planned to have you join mine, but the higher-ups disagreed."

"Can I still quit if I wanted to?" Gu Yan seemed to have lost all hope, his eyes dim and lifeless.

He wouldn't shirk his duty to fight the Honkai, but going to work? That was another story.

"Hmph, weren't you trying to sneak into the Ability Bureau without telling me before? Regretting it now?" Gu Li had already reached her office door.

"Too late. Get to work honestly!" With that, she opened the door, only to find several people pressed against it, eavesdropping. Without exception, they were all members of Gu Li's squad.

"Cap... Captain Gu, good morning!" The speaker's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and his teeth chattered slightly.

It was two in the afternoon. Good morning, my foot!

Watching the show was human nature. Gu Yan, pulling a can of cola from who-knows-where, leaned against the wall, looking forward to seeing his sister scold these people with great interest.

Gu Li smiled, saying nothing. The group, consisting of both men and women, couldn't help but want to flee.

Hiss—

The escaping gas broke the awkward atmosphere.

"Eavesdropping?" Gu Li, in front of outsiders, once again transformed into the cool and irritable older sister.

"Captain Gu, don't worry, you'll always be our cool goddess!"

Hearing this, Gu Yan chuckled inwardly. Aren't they basically turning themselves in? It's practically like they're saying we heard everything.

Just as he raised his can, Gu Li snatched it away.

"Get to work!"

Then, with a "bang," she shut the door.

"..."