Can't I Just Raise Myself? Chapter 7

"Of course, I'm one hundred percent sure."

"Why didn't you inform me?!" Anger flashed in Kahn's eyes. "Why didn't you tell me about something this important?"

The criminal behind the Central District murders! If he caught him, getting transferred to headquarters for a promotion and raise would be no dream!

"Chief, listen to yourself. It was an emergency." Ryan shrugged. "I was only planning to investigate and see what I could find. Who knew I'd actually run into him? If I'd come back to notify you then, the criminal would've already escaped. There wasn't enough time."

"Did you consider what would happen if the criminal escaped because of you?" Kahn's tone shifted. "Fortunately, he was caught. You must be tired, so go back and rest first. I'll speak to the director."

Ryan shook his head. "No, I have to see this through."

"What, are you worried I'll steal your credit?" Kahn glanced around and lowered his voice. "Don't worry. I'll tell the director that the main credit is still yours."

Ryan raised his voice excitedly. "What do you mean, the main credit? I caught this guy all by myself from beginning to end! Chief, is someone trying to steal my credit?"

"Why are you shouting so loudly?!" Hearing the murmurs around them, Kahn's expression darkened. He was about to say something when someone in the crowd shouted, "The director's here!" The crowd immediately parted to both sides as a steady-looking man in a black uniform strode over.

"Where's the criminal?"

the man asked.

"Director." Before Ryan could speak, Kahn hurriedly said, "He's right here. Our entire Patrol Division followed your orders to hunt down the killer, and after much effort, we finally caught the culprit."

Jonathan, director of the Bureau of Governance branch, glanced at Sam. His expression changed slightly as he asked, "Who caught him?"

"Director, I did." Ryan gave Kahn no chance to speak. "I caught him by myself."

Kahn was about to say something, but Jonathan waved a hand. "Bring him to my office. You come too..." He then looked at Lin Qi. "Who is she?"

"This Nun discovered the killer. She's a witness."

"Mm. Come along too."

Jonathan had two Security Officers haul Sam to his office, then told Ryan and Lin Qi to follow.

Ignoring Kahn's murderous glare, Ryan followed Jonathan into the office.

He was actually somewhat puzzled. Logically speaking, shouldn't interrogating a captured criminal take place in the director's office?

"You two, leave first."

The director waved the two Security Officers out, then walked to his desk, picked up a cigarette, lit it, and took a hard drag.

"Tell me, how did you catch him?" Jonathan asked.

"A gun." Ryan patted his waist. "Mostly by catching him off guard."

He recounted what had happened at the café.

"...When I saw black fur growing out of his head, I was startled. I didn't think much and just fired. Director, what exactly is this guy? He can even transform."

Jonathan smoked as though he were considering something. After a while, he looked at Lin Qi and said, "Miss Nun, is what Ryan said true?"

Lin Qi nodded. "Yes. In Janus's name, I testify that Mr. Ryan is not lying."

"I understand."

A Nun from Janus Church—such an oath was absolutely trustworthy. Jonathan also saw no reason for Ryan to lie, since Ryan himself was a Security Officer.

"Miss Nun, did you tell anyone else about what happened last night?"

"No. This is my sin. I lied to that Security Officer this morning."

"Good. You were right not to tell anyone."

Jonathan crouched down and examined Sam's injuries. Only then did Ryan notice that the wounds on Sam's legs had already scabbed over on their own. The injury to his chest was probably more serious; otherwise, Sam likely would not have gone to an underground clinic last night.

"Miss Nun, please step outside. I need to speak with Ryan alone."

"Alright."

Lin Qi glanced at Ryan, then walked out of the office.

The door closed again. Jonathan stubbed out his cigarette and exhaled one last cloud of smoke.

"I have to say, kid, you're pretty lucky. You ran into a Supernatural Being from the Blood Cult and not only survived, but caught him all by yourself."

"The Blood Cult?" Ryan froze. So the Bureau of Governance knew about Supernatural Beings.

"You can think of it as a cult. They gain power beyond ordinary humans through evil ritual practices... Have you heard of Supernatural Beings?" Jonathan asked.

Ryan shook his head.

"That's normal. Most people haven't heard of them. In general, they're people with supernatural powers. It's a complicated group. There are good people and bad people, just like on the surface—good people catch bad people, and bad people kill good people."

"Is the director a Supernatural Being too?"

Jonathan did not deny it. He smiled faintly. "Weren't you afraid then?"

Ryan spread his hands. "If being afraid were useful, what would I need the gun in my hand for?"

"A handgun isn't all-powerful. There are some Supernatural Beings who won't be affected even if you hit them... Though if someone like that appears, you probably won't even have a chance to fire." Jonathan shook his head. "In any case, don't spread this matter around. He isn't some werewolf, just an ordinary person. Understand?"

Ryan asked doubtfully, "Can something like this really be kept hidden? I mean, if there are many Supernatural Beings, surely word will get out eventually?"

"That's not something you need to worry about. In principle, information about Supernatural Beings should not be disclosed to ordinary people. But since you've encountered one, and to keep you from running around talking about it, I need to warn you first: anyone who leaks this kind of information will face severe punishment."

Ryan's mouth twitched. "Then you might as well not have told me in the first place."

"If I didn't tell you, could you keep your curiosity in check? Rather than let you investigate recklessly, it's better to tell you first." Jonathan chuckled. "Of course, there's another reason for telling you: to prepare you for a new job."

"A new job?"

"Yes. Ryan, from this moment onward, you'll serve as a Reserve Investigator for the church, doing work completely different from what you did before." Jonathan extended his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself again. Jonathan Jade, Level 3 Investigator of the church."