Where did the assist come from?

In the lobby of the Lund Hotel.

Facing over a dozen men and women with malicious smiles.

The burly man and the two esper behind him turned pale. Did 'Night General' call for backup so quickly? When were they discovered?

Why were there over a dozen handlers in a hotel?

Are you guys here for a team-building event?

Roaring madly in his mind, the burly man strained his hands, intending to break free from the waiter and flee.

He was a second-awakened esper of the <True Martial> path, possessing immense physical strength and an advantage in close-quarters combat!

But his body suddenly froze.

Because, as the waiter's eyes flickered, he saw a giant monster dozens of meters tall suddenly appear and smash a fist directly at him, who was unable to move. The pain of his flesh and bones being crushed made him let out a scream of extreme terror.

In reality, he had only been looked at by the waiter before falling to the ground and screaming. The pain from the illusion was transmitted 100% to his sensory perception. The agony of being crushed alone rendered him completely incapable of fighting.

<Spirit Eyes> path, Illusory Eyes.

The two rogue espers behind the burly man, disregarding their teammate's safety, turned and fled.

They saw a female guest closest to the door elegantly stand up, then lift a heavy marble-topped dining table with one hand and swing it at them.

The two were terrified and quickly reinforced their spirit barriers, intending to withstand the impact and smash their way out.

However, when the tabletop hit their barriers, a tremendous force passed through the barriers and acted directly upon them. A powerful shockwave erupted within their bodies!

<True Martial> path, <Internal Strike>.

The violent impact caused them to vomit blood on the spot. One of them collapsed, falling into a coma.

The other, enduring the discomfort, immediately changed direction, leaped, and used air-walking, intending to smash through the glass on the first floor and break through the wall to escape.

However, the moment he leaped, a short male guest suddenly appeared before him. He threw a punch directly at his face.

He was smashed back to the ground, unable to get up again.

<Netherworld> path, <Shadow Step>.

Then, a group of people swarmed forward and tied the three up like dumplings.

"Came out to help <Puppet> secure the venue, didn't expect to earn merit points!"

"As expected of Night General! His luck is truly unmatched!"

"What Night General? You should call him, Night·Monster Grinding Cage·General!"

"Next time we encounter a fugitive, let Night General go out and roam, and we'll lurk behind him. Everything will be fine!"

"Two first-awakened, one second-awakened. If Night General were to be cornered and ambushed alone, the consequences would be dire."

"And they just happened to run into us today. It's fortunate we intervened. If we had disturbed <Puppet>'s rare date, they probably wouldn't have survived."

The handlers grumbled. They had gathered together for <Puppet>'s date.

Unexpectedly, they ran into three rogue espers. Weren't these walking merit points?

Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor.

<Li Yèlái> seemed to faintly hear screams.

After becoming an esper, his physical strength had improved significantly, and even his hearing had become much more sensitive.

But when he concentrated and listened again, only beautiful singing could be heard from outside.

'Did I mishear?'

<Li Yèlái> didn't think much of it and continued chatting with <Puppet>.

<Puppet> was very active on forums and group chats, and was lively when communicating with her signboard, like a social butterfly.

But when she took off her <Puppet> outfit and faced <Li Yèlái> in person.

She appeared nervous and awkward.

Perhaps it had been too long since she had spoken to anyone, her words were spoken in a low whisper, making her seem like a completely different person from the <Puppet> online. She had become a social recluse.

But <Li Yèlái> could understand. His dining companion had probably not interacted with anyone like this in many years.

Being able to speak slowly and clearly now was already the result of her private practice.

If one doesn't speak for a long time, they gradually lose their ability to speak.

He wondered how many nights she had spent practicing in front of the mirror.

At the same time, <Li Yèlái> also received some bad news: even a handler of <Puppet>'s level could not completely erase the effects of the curse.

How could his sister's curse be resolved? Would the anti-esper helmet still be useful?

<Li Yèlái> pondered.

Just then, a dish full of red chili oil was turned in front of <Li Yèlái> by a fair, small hand. It looked like Sichuan-style chili oil chicken.

Beside him, <Puppet>'s face was filled with joy and shyness.

"This is delicious!"

As a seasoned handler, <Puppet> certainly wasn't short on money. But having spent years within the branch, her outings were almost exclusively for missions, and no one could look her directly in the eye.

So, she usually got her food from the branch's cafeteria and ate in her room.

She had never tried dishes from a restaurant like this before.

Therefore, after tasting some delicious dishes for the first time, she would immediately recommend them and pass the dishes to <Li Yèlái>.

"Thanks. It's indeed good," <Li Yèlái> nodded after tasting a piece.

"My tongue is just a little numb," <Puppet> said, sticking out her pink tongue.

The private room had a large round table, and <Li Yèlái> and <Puppet> sat side by side.

As <Puppet> turned to look at <Li Yèlái>, Under the table, her fair, slender legs brushed against <Li Yèlái>'s right leg as she shifted.

<Puppet> could even feel the warmth of <Li Yèlái>'s calf through the fabric.

A flicker of panic crossed <Puppet>'s face, as if she wanted to retract her legs, but she ultimately didn't move. Pretending nothing had happened, she simply kept her leg pressed against <Li Yèlái>'s right leg.

Her face turned red again.

The physical contact, her flushed face, coupled with her pink tongue, lent her an air of allure.

Unfortunately, <Li Yèlái> didn't notice any of this. After a moment of serious thought, he replied, "Since you like spicy food, how about we go for hot pot next time? There's a hot pot restaurant that claims to be very authentic from <Shuchuan>'s <Giant City>."

<Puppet>'s eyes lit up, and she keenly caught the key point.

'Next time.'

"Can we... eat together again?" <Puppet> leaned closer and asked cautiously, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

As she leaned in again, <Puppet> felt her breath wafting onto <Li Yèlái>'s face.

Feeling shy, she subtly moved back a little.

"Of course, it's not a big deal," <Li Yèlái> nodded. "How about once a week? You can set the time."

After all, even the investigators from headquarters had suggested he interact more with <Puppet>. He was currently the only one unaffected by her curse. If he continued to ignore her, she would be too pitiful.

<Li Yèlái> couldn't imagine what would have happened to <Li Yúnyān> if he hadn't taken care of her.

In any case, he had to avoid the worst-case scenario.

For <Li Yèlái>, accompanying someone for a meal was not difficult. Instead, he had found a dining companion. He might even be able to apply for some funding.

"Mhm, mhm! I'll treat you next time!" <Puppet> chirped, her eyes full of joy.

Soon, after they had both eaten their fill, <Puppet> put back on her little bear costume and left the private room with <Li Yèlái>.

This was a great disappointment to the handlers disguised and waiting in the lobby.

They said that after a good meal and drink, one's desires awaken, but the two seemed unchanged after their meal.

Under the disappointed gazes of the handlers, they left the Longde Hotel.

Afterward, <Li Yèlái> sent <Puppet> back to the <East City Branch>, and he himself went to the branch to practice the "Eighteen Single-Handed Slashes" with the <Crimson Longsword>.

Of course, he didn't use his abilities. Misfortune was too terrifying; he wouldn't use such power unless absolutely necessary.

After numerous battles and training sessions, <Li Yèlái> had thoroughly absorbed the experience from the illusions.

He could now fully master the "Eighteen Single-Handed Slashes" and the <Hegemon's Spear Throw>.

However, the <Crimson Longsword> was ultimately a polearm, different from a spear or a halberd.

Some moves were not entirely applicable, and <Li Yèlái> had to adapt them himself.

In the evening, as <Li Yèlái> left the branch, he received a strange message on his official communicator.

[Mr. Night, you participated in an operation to capture wild psychics and successfully apprehended three psychic hunters. You have earned four merit points.]

<Li Yèlái> stared at the message, utterly bewildered.

Where did these assists come from?

Today, he had only eaten with <Puppet>, and then returned to the branch to train.

How did he get involved in an operation to capture wild psychics?

He had somehow gotten three assists in a daze?

Could it be that because he treated <Puppet> to a meal today, she went and captured three wild psychics? Because she had eaten well with him, it counted as his assist?

That didn't seem right either. If that counted, then the branch's cafeteria would be booming.

Moreover, <Puppet> had waved goodbye when they left just now, so it shouldn't have been her.

Although he was puzzled, <Li Yèlái> couldn't find anyone to answer his questions.

In the end, he could only let it go. Earning a few more merit points was a good thing anyway.

Then, he saw the second message.

It was from <Cheese>, who had been preparing for her third awakening ceremony for the past two days.

This involved calmly observing her soul well and being ready to take medication at any time.

She had found the opportune moment to open her Soul Well.

Upon successfully reaching the Third Awakening, she notified Li Yèlái.

"Little Ye, you'll have a strong shoulder to lean on from now on! Hahahaha!" Cheese sent a smug emoji.

She had gained a highly aggressive ability, Spirit Words!

From now on, she would no longer be so passive.

Li Yèlái inwardly grumbled, Didn't you lean on that shoulder yourself before?

Still, he sent his congratulations.

"Thanks, I'm glad I can still brag with you," Cheese replied with a statement that left Li Yèlái somewhat puzzled.

The next two days were quite peaceful.

Li Yèlái fell into a routine of visiting the antique shop, the family apartment, and the East City Branch.

This was, in fact, the daily life of an off-duty handler.

While patrols in certain areas could earn merit points, Yáng Chén hadn't assigned any to Li Yèlái.

He believed Li Yèlái still needed to continue training and build a solid foundation.

Because, a few days later in October, it would be the First Team's turn to guard the forbidden items in Black Prison.

Li Yèlái would also participate.

Of course, he would be in the upper levels of Black Prison, the first and second floors, with other First, Second, and Third Awakening psychics.

They would be guarding low-level forbidden items, rated D and C.

Meanwhile, powerhouses like Yáng Chén would be in the lower levels, suppressing Class B forbidden items that were on the verge of escape or loss of control.

As long as they safely endured for a month, the entire team would receive merit points.

This was one of the stable channels for handlers to earn merit points.

For this, Li Yèlái specifically asked Puppet to deliver meals to Li Yúnyān while he was guarding Black Prison.

However, on the third day of eating with Puppet, Li Yèlái, who was reading a history book in the antique shop, suddenly heard an urgent ringing. Li Yèlái was momentarily confused, then immediately realized it was the alarm from the official communicator!

Li Yèlái clicked it open.

The coordinates were an apartment building on XX Street in the old district.

This was an emergency call, similar to the one Li Yèlái had encountered with the black umbrella, which would alert all nearby handlers.

"Something's happened here?" Li Yèlái's heart tightened. It was just over two kilometers from the antique shop, not too far. However, it was a difficult area to get a taxi, so he'd likely have to run.

After a moment's hesitation, Li Yèlái grabbed his large black umbrella, took verbal leave from the boss, and rushed out the door.

Before, when he was in danger, his colleagues had immediately supported him.

Now it was his turn to help others, and he naturally wouldn't back down.

Then, after running only a few hundred meters, Li Yèlái heard the sound of brakes, tires leaving conspicuous skid marks on the asphalt.

Li Yèlái frowned, only to see a car suddenly stop sharply beside him.

From the driver's seat, a young man in casual clothes shouted at Li Yèlái, "It's you! Get in!"

"Starfire?" Li Yèlái was somewhat taken aback. The person was none other than Starfire, a rookie comrade who had fought alongside him before.

His arm had been severed by a void creature at the time. It was later reattached, and he had reportedly been recuperating since. He had since joined the Second Team!

He hadn't expected such a chance encounter.

Li Yèlái didn't delay and got into the car.

Starfire stepped on the accelerator, and the car's engine roared to life again.

"Do you know what's going on?" Li Yèlái asked.

"I don't know. I only know the signal came from one of my teammates, 'Mada'. We're good friends, and he invited me to join the Handling Department," Starfire said as he drove the car quickly down the road. "He's a police officer. He was investigating a missing person case, but for some reason, he suddenly sent out this distress signal."

"Could he have encountered a victim?" Li Yèlái thought of 'Doctor Wang'.

"I'm not sure. We should be the fastest to arrive. Let's go rescue him first," Starfire grinned. "I was a little scared by myself, but with you here, I feel more confident."

Starfire still remembered that evening when Li Yèlái provocatively challenged the monster like a hero.

Even with Starfire's competitive nature, he couldn't help but admire Li Yèlái's courage and strength.

Soon, the car arrived at the scene.

It was a residential building. A police car was parked nearby, and there weren't many pedestrians.

However, a figure had already appeared at the bottom of the residential building.

Judging by the communicator on his wrist, he was clearly an official handler, and not a low-level one. His strength was not weak!

But he didn't go upstairs. Instead, he looked at the two with a numb yet sorrowful expression.

"Who is Starfire?" he asked softly.

"I am!" Starfire replied.

"Good, go. Finish him, fulfill his last wish," the unfamiliar handler said calmly.

"What last wish, you..." Starfire froze, his face instantly paling.

Li Yèlái, after his own moment of stunned silence, fell into thought.

He understood the handler's meaning.

Starfire's friend, that '[Mada|M]', had become distorted.

Li Yèlái suddenly understood Cheese's words from earlier.

(Went to send off five golds today, sorry for being late)