Netherworld Retrograde

12: Chapter 6 Disaster Handler_2 12: Chapter 6 Disaster Handler_2 The billboard immediately displayed text.

“Ginger is still spicy with age (￣▽￣)~*”

On the other side, Li Yelai, who had removed his Face, followed behind Yang Chen, listening as he began to introduce the situation at the division headquarters.

“Don’t mind it, those few just now were actually captains of the division, the East City Branch has a total of six captains.

Including me, you’ve now met four,” said Yang Chen.

“As for the one dressed in the Doll costume, codenamed ‘Doll,’ due to his extremely special curse, he generally doesn’t leave the branch.

You can greet him another time.”

Li Yelai nodded slightly, remembering the codenames of the captains.

“In addition to the official Spiritual Ability Users, there are even more civilian personnel here.

Although they’re not Ability Users, they’re also on the front lines of combating the Calamity,” Yang Chen pointed to the office area not too far away.

Each workstation had several computer screens.

There were civilian employees at their workstations, wearing headsets and communicating with the other end.

“Their job is to provide off-site support to Ability Users in the field.

Intelligence, strategy, fire support, or mission information, all deployed through the communication headset,” said Yang Chen.

“Later on, you’ll also have your own support staff so that you can receive off-site support in case of emergencies.

For example, requesting the Guard Hall or City Defense Army to seal off the scene, or even if necessary, applying for strong support from the Border Iron Guard.

Of course, by that time, the Processors from various teams will have already arrived at the scene.

It will be a tough fight!”

“And now, comes the important part.”

Yang Chen led to a pitch-black elevator but didn’t approach it.

Instead, he said to Li Yelai, “This is the most strictly defended, yet also the most dangerous place in the branch.

A team of Processors must always be stationed here for guardianship, and without permission, no one is allowed to approach.”

“The Black Prison, where various Taboo Items are stored!”

“Taboo Items?

What are those?” Li Yelai asked, looking at the elevator.

“You can understand them as the manifestations of the Void Realm’s power or living entities in the Physical Universe.

Their abilities and effects vary, as does their level of danger,” Yang Chen explained without approaching the elevator since Li Yelai did not yet have permission to enter the Black Prison.

So, Yang Chen explained outside of the elevator.

“We’ve categorized them into four levels: Class A, Class B, Level C, D-level.”

“D-level and Level C Taboo Items have limited impact and harm.

But if they fall into society, tragedy is bound to occur.”

“Here’s an example, there was a Scavenger who obtained a Compass in the wilderness.

It could point to whatever non-sapient thing its owner most desired.

But the price was a sacrifice of flesh and blood.

The more precious the desired object, the more sacrifices required.

In the end, to gain more wealth, that Scavenger murdered his companions.

That Compass was a D-level Taboo Item.”

“Level C is even more harmful.

One case involved a Wanted poster.

All that was needed was to place the target’s photo or portrait on the Wanted poster.

Within three days, a powerful humanoid monster would appear near the target and hunt them down.

Even if destroyed, it would revive after three days and attempt to assassinate again.

Until the target was confirmed dead or the user cancelled the target.

The fee is linked to the target’s power.

If the fee could not be covered, the monster would kill the user and all life around them until it deems the fee satisfied.”

“As for Class B Taboo Items, there is a piece of Black Dragon Armor that bewitches anyone who sees it to put it on.

And once the armor is worn, the wearer instantly gains the strength of an Ability User who has undergone five Awakenings.

But once you put it on, you can’t take it off.

And the wearer will become corrupted by the armor, growing Dragon Claws and Dragon Scales, turning into an uncontrollable monster.

The Dragon Slayer becomes the dragon itself…

Only death can remove that armor.”

“It’s similar to us Ability Users, all power comes with a price,” Li Yelai summarized after hearing three examples: “As we gain power, we also acquire the risk of curses and twisted reality.

Taboo Items make the user pay the price.”

“Correct, the higher the class of Taboo Item, the more dangerous it is.

Some Class A Forbidden entities even have their own consciousness, enough to destroy the entire Giant City.

So, our responsibility is to safely guard or suppress them,” Yang Chen thought for a moment and added, “Of course, when necessary, we may also apply to use Taboo Items.

But the risk is significant.

That’s still a long way off for you, just get a basic understanding for now.”

Li Yelai nodded again.

Yang Chen led Li Yelai away from the elevator and after a short walk, pointed to a noisy room and said, “This is our equipment area.

All the gear for processors in our branch is crafted here.

In addition to technological creations, this place can also forge suitable Spiritual Ability Equipment for us.”

“Spiritual Ability Equipment?

Weapons and gear exclusive to Spiritual Ability Users?” Li Yelai tried to ask.

“Yes, because Spiritual Ability Equipment needs to be driven by Spiritual Energy,” Yang Chen nodded.

“When a Spiritual Ability User or Calamity monster dies, if its Soul Well isn’t completely destroyed, the craftspeople can extract Mysterious Material from it.

That way, they can create equipment containing a specific ability of the Spiritual Ability User or monster.”

“So the Soul Well becomes a material…

Does that mean a Spiritual Ability User with several pieces of Spiritual Ability Equipment is equal to having multiple abilities?” Li Yelai said.

“Then the more equipment, the stronger the user.

But what’s the cost?”

Li Yelai now understood one thing: every power came at a price.

It was so with Spiritual Ability Users, with Taboo Items, and probably the same with Spiritual Ability Equipment.

“The cost is a multiple increase in the risk of distortion,” Yang Chen said with a smile when he saw Li Yelai catching on.

“Even I wouldn’t dare to use more than two pieces of Spiritual Ability Equipment at the same time.

Every processor must be careful using Spiritual Ability Equipment.

You as well…”

“I can have Spiritual Ability Equipment?” Li Yelai was taken aback.

“Of course, you’ve killed the Skin Stripping and earned 10 Merit Points; you can use the points to request Spiritual Ability Equipment of a corresponding level.

However, you have to wait until you’ve completed your training and obtained your own code before you can be sure you can safely use Spiritual Ability Equipment.”

Yang Chen paused, seeming somewhat regretful, and said, “Too bad, you were unlucky this time; the Soul Well of the Skin Stripping shattered.

Otherwise, the craftspeople might have been able to forge you a piece of Spiritual Ability Equipment that could change your appearance, to better conceal yourself…”

‘After all, your ability is quite special and needs more protection and concealment,’ Yang Chen thought.

Hearing this, Li Yelai felt somewhat guilty.

Of course, the Skin Stripping wouldn’t have any leftover Soul Well.

It had already become a sacrifice to ‘Black Shadow,’ consumed whole and flayed alive.

After introducing the situation within the branch,

a clerical staff member approached Yang Chen.

“It seems your paperwork is ready; this will be your proof of identity.” Yang Chen said with a smile as he handed over the documents and a metal Protective Bracelet to Li Yelai: “From now on, you can present this document to receive assistance from the Guard Hall and the City Defense Army.”

Li Yelai examined the documents for a moment; they had his photo and a complex code.

But his name wasn’t written, and the code space was also left blank.

He carefully put the ‘Catastrophe Processing Certificate’ in his pocket, then began to inspect the metal Protective Bracelet.

“This is a Communicator, operating it is not much different from a smartphone.

You can check information related to Spiritual Ability Users, as well as your personal information and assets,” Yang Chen explained with a smile: “Speaking of which, the bonus and Merit Points from the Skin Stripping have already been deposited into your account.

Merit Points can only be used within the branch, and as for cash, you can withdraw it to buy things for yourself.”

Looking at the 25,000 Giant City Coins in his account, Li Yelai was somewhat excited.

This was a huge sum of money!

Keep in mind, buying a house near the city center in the city required over 800,000 Giant City Coins.

And now, he had suddenly acquired one fortieth of that.

With a little effort, in a few years, he and his sister could move into a nice house.

“So what do I need to do on a day-to-day basis?

Patrol the streets?” Li Yelai was instantly filled with job enthusiasm.

“No, you can continue to work at the antique shop or do whatever else you want; when a task arises, we will contact you to head to the target location,” Yang Chen said with a smile: “However, you’ll still need training.

During this time, Cheese will pick you up and bring you here for training.”

A pick-up service too?

Great!

Li Yelai nodded repeatedly.

But Cheese was looking at Li Yelai with a stern face: “Just make sure to keep your curse in check, I just got a new car!”