Cleaner

Joining Shangguan Yan's department would have been the quickest way to start work, but Xia Shou ultimately refused.

After all, the notes had warned him to stay away from Shangguan Yan, so Xia Shou turned down her invitation in the end.

Shangguan Yan was very understanding and readily accepted his decision.

At the time, she said, "Of course! You haven't officially started yet, so you're free to choose your department. But if you turn me down now and want to join me later, my price will go up.

"Besides, as your guide, I should still finish showing you around. After the tour, I'll take you to the temporary department. You can keep working there until you decide where you want to end up."

And so, Xia Shou was led to the first stop on the tour.

"This is the Intelligence Department. They collect and archive intelligence, and provide analytical support to Cleaners during missions. No department works more closely with the Cleaners.

"Investigation Department employees can use their ID cards to look up information on Sealed Anomalies at the self-service archive terminals. Most files are accessible to everyone.

"For example, the pocket watch in your pocket is a Sealed Anomaly with publicly available information," Shangguan Yan said.

Xia Shou inserted his newly issued employee card into the slot, intending to look it up, only to realize he didn't know the watch's name.

"If you don't know its name, you can enter its characteristics or take a photo. Of course, right now you can just enter [Dorian Gray's Pocket Watch]." Shangguan Yan reached out and typed in the name for Xia Shou.

A brief file popped up.

[Name: Dorian Gray's Pocket Watch]

[Utility assessment: Grade A] (Extremely high practical value)

[Anomaly level: 1]

[Serial number: 61-125]

[Containment risk: None]

[Description: A special pocket watch that chooses its own owner. Once fully wound, it allows the owner's self-portrait to absorb a portion of the damage inflicted on the owner for ten minutes. The more lifelike the self-portrait, the greater the proportion of damage it absorbs.]

"So if I want to use this watch, I have to learn how to draw?" Xia Shou muttered.

"Grade A Sealed Anomalies are rare treasures anywhere. But no matter how good you are at drawing, you might not be able to use this one. Its anomaly level is only 1, which means only level 1 Transcendents can use it. If your anomaly level is higher than 1, it won't work for you.

"So next, I'm taking you to have your level tested."

As she spoke, Shangguan Yan pushed open a door and headed deeper into the Intelligence Department.

Along the way, they encountered many researchers in white lab coats. Every one of them had disheveled hair and dark circles under their eyes, looking as though they had stayed up so many nights that they might drop dead at any moment.

Shangguan Yan led Xia Shou through the crowd to an enormous, irregularly shaped Purple Crystal.

"Here we are. Put your hand on it."

The sight of the enormous crystal, as tall as a person, inevitably reminded Xia Shou of the "third stage of Dou Disciple" scene. When he placed his hand on it, the instrument beside it began to hum continuously, and then a huge "1" appeared on the screen.

"Does this mean I can use the pocket watch?" Xia Shou asked.

Shangguan Yan stared at the number for a long time, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper, as though she couldn't make sense of it.

She turned toward Xia Shou, looking puzzled. "Only level 1? How could that be?"

"Is level 1 weak?" Xia Shou asked tentatively.

"It's the lowest level among Transcendents. Do you think that's strong?" A low, gravelly voice suddenly came from near Xia Shou's feet.

Xia Shou looked down. A dwarf who barely reached his thigh stood beside his feet, holding a cup of coffee.

The dwarf took a sip of coffee and explained, as though delivering a lesson, "Even when level 1 Transcendents have special abilities, their priority is often so low that they're useless in many situations."

"But level 1 anomalous traits also have a unique advantage: almost no restrictions on using Sealed Anomalies.

"Higher-level Transcendents have powerful abilities with higher priority, but that also prevents them from using many lower-level Sealing Items... The best example is [Dorian Gray's Pocket Watch]. It only protects weak Transcendents. Used perfectly, it effectively grants ten minutes of immortality."

Xia Shou studied the dwarf before him, silently guessing what position he held in the Containment Bureau.

Judging by his clothes, he seemed to be a researcher.

"Kid! I don't like that look in your eyes. The gap between your brain and mine is as wide as the gap between our heights. Show some respect!" The dwarf smacked Xia Shou's calf with a file and angrily berated him.

"Xia Shou, let me introduce you. This brilliant scientist, whose extraordinary intellect gives him ten times our IQ, is Dr. Modis. He has made remarkable achievements in the study of anomaly taxonomy."

Shangguan Yan stepped between them and extended a hand, introducing the short-tempered dwarf as though presenting some rare exhibit at a circus.

Dr. Modis snorted, glanced at Shangguan Yan, then turned and waddled away.

Shangguan Yan patted Xia Shou on the shoulder and reassured him. "The doctor has a terrible temper, but he's actually a good person. When you see him in the future, compliment his astounding intellect. It'll make him happy.

"All right, let's continue the tour. Our final stop today is the Mission Assignment Office."

At the mention of mission assignments, Xia Shou instantly focused.

He had joined the Containment Bureau precisely so he could devour anomalies.

If he failed to devour an anomaly in the next two days, he would probably soon sink to a depth of 1,300 meters...

"The place to pick up missions is just ahead. Keep going straight." Shangguan Yan pointed Xia Shou in the right direction. "I have a few things to take care of myself, so we'll part ways here. I'll send the locations of the temporary department and your dormitory to your Employee Phone."

As Shangguan Yan turned away, Xia Shou hesitated, then finally said, "Thanks for spending so much time showing me around."

Despite being deeply wary of Shangguan Yan, Xia Shou maintained basic courtesy. After all, she really had helped him a great deal, and she hadn't forced him to join her department... Though her reputation might indeed be rather poor, she didn't seem that bad.

"You're welcome." Shangguan Yan smiled faintly and waved without turning around, disappearing through a door with light steps.

Xia Shou withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and headed straight to the Mission Assignment Office.

On the counter in front of him sat a sign that read: [Fill out the form to search for yourself]

Xia Shou picked up the tablet and entered his newly assigned employee number. The anomaly level field that followed filled itself in automatically.

Aside from anomaly level, the form included a prominently asterisked

field-Cleaner rank.

His status was "Not a Cleaner."

He tapped to open the detailed explanation: [A title determined by combat record and overall capabilities-the Containment Bureau's first maxim: "Strength alone is not enough. What we need is strength we can use repeatedly."]

Xia Shou pressed the confirmation button at the bottom, and the interface automatically switched screens.

After a few seconds of loading, a message appeared on the screen: [No assignments suitable for you]

"Huh?" Xia Shou was stunned.

How could there be no assignments?

Was this organization really that idle?

They didn't even have any work on an ordinary day?

"Hey, kid. In such a hurry to get yourself killed?"

For some reason, Dr. Modis, who had just walked away, had circled back.

He approached Xia Shou with his coffee cup, then leaped onto the chair beside him with unbelievable agility.

"Level 1 Transcendents have to go on missions with a team. Otherwise, they're just cannon fodder. There aren't any assignments here that suit you."

"Can't I take missions above my level? Right! Alice. Can you test Alice's level?"

It suddenly occurred to Xia Shou that Alice was a separate being from him. She should have an anomaly level of her own.

Xia Shou's expression abruptly grew serious. "This is too slow. Is there any way to get out on a mission sooner?"

Modis narrowed his eyes and muttered, "Just as I thought. Another poor sap wrapped around that witch's finger."

"What do you mean?"

"...uoy llet em tel! HpmH"