231. Mission

Inside the coffee shop.

"Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Sean from the Bureau 11, and this is my superior— Horatio!"

Sean took a sip of coffee, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Bro... your secret's been discovered, but take it easy, it's okay. Like me, I thought they'd send me to the lab for dissection, but nothing happened in the end... Aside from the tough training, low pay, and no holidays... everything else is bearable."

"Ahem..." Horatio coughed, signaling Sean to shut up.

His face was sharply defined, and his expression gradually turned serious, as if he wanted to put pressure on Sulu: "We've noticed... you've been quite active in some circles lately!"

"Yes... I need to earn money to support my family and pay rent... I have always obeyed Federation laws."

Sulu answered calmly.

"We don't mean to blame you, but you should know that many superhumans have extreme psychological tendencies and are prone to causing trouble, so they need to be controlled..."

Horatio's expression softened slightly. "I think... a limited degree of transparency and surveillance is better for both of us, what do you think?"

He was very confident that, basically, any extraordinary person who caught their attention had no choice.

"Cooperation? What a wonderful word! How do we cooperate?"

"Sulu asked."

"You've been honest with us about your profession and regularly report to us on the happenings within the city's secretive circles..."

Horatio said, "In return... we guarantee your safety, provided you obey the law."

"So... you want me to be an informant?"

Sulu crossed his fingers. "Yes... but you can't betray me. My information must be kept confidential."

"A wise choice!" Horatio shook hands with Sulu. "What is your profession?"

"Similar to a [Spellcaster], I am skilled in some occult rituals and gain power through incantations..."

Sulu's Words of Arrogance were exposed.

"A niche profession, one that didn't exist before!"

Horatio quickly jotted it down. "Do you feel like you're being influenced by madness, and sometimes you become particularly impulsive?"

"No, how could that be?" Sulu quickly shook his head.

A moment later, he got up and left.

Sean stared blankly at Horatio: "That's it? I think his background is very suspicious. His identification was forged by the Shark Gang..."

"Otherwise what?"

Horatio rubbed his temples, his head aching. "These wild superhumans will only increase in number, and we can't capture them all... We can only cooperate with them on a limited scale and control them. And... it's rare to find an informant who can join the ' Shadow Council '... He has strong self-control and is very useful right now."

Sean immediately shut up.

The Shadow Council is a circle of superhumans that has existed almost since the Lori City, and it is extremely hostile to official forces.

Like a shadow under the sun, it has always coexisted with Lori City, its tentacles reaching into every aspect of life.

The opponent's recent actions have made things very difficult for the Bureau 11.

After all, the Church of the Goddess of Light on the West Coast has little influence, consisting of only a small chapel.

Furthermore, not every city can be garrisoned by powerful professionals; neither the Church nor the Federation has that many people!

'It seems... Sean is having a great time as an agent for the Bureau 11. Hopefully, he'll stay safe...'

Sulu sighed as he walked out of the coffee shop.

The Bureau 11 is extremely dangerous! Its agents have to deal with all sorts of supernatural incidents, many of which are deadly!

Even he himself had some of the Fang Cheng's blood on his hands.

"Fate..."

Back in his apartment, Sulu rubbed his temples. "It's a pity... my soul hasn't fully recovered yet, otherwise, there would be plenty of ways to break this deadlock..."

The seemingly peaceful Lori City is actually rife with undercurrents.

The Bureau 11, the Shadow Council, Margaret and the Demon Cultists, Owen's Nightmare... This made Sulu realize that under the Tide of Transcendence, there is no truly peaceful paradise in the world.

The only thing that can truly protect you is the power you control!

'Fortunately... I'm currently playing the role of a lowly character who knows a lot of esoteric knowledge... no one will really take me seriously.'

Sulu's body relaxed.

The following week passed peacefully.

He continued to wander around the Lori City, searching for mysterious materials and traces of magical creatures suitable for hunting.

Apart from Owen sending his butler, Kingdom, to inquire about solutions and bring an invitation to his 25th birthday party, nothing major happened.

Soon, the day for the ' Shadow Council ' to convene arrived again.

Midnight.

Disguised, Sulu entered a sewer and navigated through a complex, maze-like route until he finally arrived at the ' Hall of Shadows '!

"Welcome, Scholar!"

The ' Saintess ' greeted him with a smile, choosing to sit next to Sulu: "Today... you will face a choice."

"Will you accept the test and become a full member?"

Sulu nodded. "What are the benefits of being a full member? Specifically? I have no plans to establish a family, not at the moment!"

He has absolutely no interest in being a formal member; he's just stalling for time.

"Many, many... For example, truly involved in core secrets, gaining voting rights in meetings that decide the future development of Lori City, and controlling a portion of Lori City's covert power... As for higher-level extraordinary materials and intelligence, those are merely incidental!"

"The ' Saintess ' whispered sweetly in Sulu's ear."

Sulu believed that this was the ' Speaker's' intention.

Through his observations in the Mind World, he has discovered that this Shadow Council is no ordinary organization; it contains at least three masters of the fourth rank.

As expected of the hidden ruler of Lori City, he is able to resist and even suppress the local Church and Federation forces.

"Ladies and gentlemen... I hereby declare... the gathering open!"

As Sulu, the group gradually arrived.

The Speaker tapped on the table, the sound echoing throughout the hall.

"First..." He looked at Sulu: "' Scholar,' do you wish to become a full member?"

"Would you like to know the contents of the 'test' in advance!"

Sulu asked, feigning some trepidation.

"Hehe... Don't worry, the mission won't be too difficult for a newcomer!" the ' Saintess ' comforted her from the side. "However... you must make a choice, break with the forces that are hostile to us, and show your stance."

'So that's how it is...'

Sulu roughly understood that if his identity was real, then attacking an official agency or hunting down an official superhuman would mean breaking with the government and facing endless manhunts and battles, leaving him no choice but to seek refuge under the Shadow Council.

'Unfortunately... you don't know that my face and identity are fake, and... when I go berserk, I'm ruthless and indiscriminate; the official superhumans would have already killed more than a dozen of me...'