Netherworld Retrograde

53: Chapter 25 Where Did the Assist Come From?_2 53: Chapter 25 Where Did the Assist Come From?_2 Doll’s face flashed a hint of panic, seemingly wanting to retract her legs, but ultimately, she did not move.

Pretending as if nothing had happened, she remained quietly against Li Yelai’s right leg.

Her face, however, turned red once again.

The physical touch, the flushed face, along with the tender tongue, lent her features a hint of seductiveness.

Unfortunately, Li Yelai did not pay attention to these things, but after a moment of serious thought, responded, “Since you like spicy food, how about we go for hotpot next time?

There’s a hotpot restaurant that claims to be very authentic from Shu Chuan Giant City.”

Doll’s eyes lit up, as she keenly caught the key point.

‘Next time’

“Can we, eat together again?” Doll leaned in and asked cautiously, her words filled with anticipation.

And as she leaned in again, Doll felt her warm breath already scattering across Li Yelai’s face.

Feeling shy in her heart, she also quietly pulled away a little distance.

“Of course, it’s not a big deal,” Li Yelai nodded and said, “Next week…

no, how about once a week?

You can set the time.”

After all, even the investigators from headquarters had suggested he interact more with Doll, and he was currently the only person unaffected by her curse.

If he did not pay her any attention, it would be too pitiful.

Li Yelai could not imagine what would have happened to Li Yunyan if he was not there to take care of her.

In any case, it was best to avoid the worst-case scenario.

And for Li Yelai, accompanying someone for a meal was not a problem; he might actually gain a dining companion.

Maybe he could even apply for some funding.

“Mhm, next time…

I’ll treat you!” Doll said joyfully, her eyes filled with delight.

Soon, after they had eaten their fill, Doll put her teddy bear costume back on and left the private room with Li Yelai.

This left the processors in disguise in the lobby feeling very disappointed.

They say after a full meal, one’s thoughts turn to desire, but it seemed nothing had changed between them after their meal.

Under the regretful gaze of the processors, the two left the Lund Restaurant.

Afterward, Li Yelai sent Doll back to the East City Branch and took the Crimson Long Sword to practice the Single-handed Eighteen Strokes himself.

Of course, he did not use his ability.

Calamity was too frightening, and he would not use this power unless absolutely necessary.

And after many battles and training sessions, Li Yelai had fully absorbed the experiences from the illusion.

He was now fully in control of the Single-handed Eighteen Strokes and the Overlord’s Spear throw.

However, the Crimson Long Sword was, after all, a Long-Handled Blade, which differed somewhat from a long spear or a long spear.

Some moves were not quite suitable, and Li Yelai had to adjust them himself.

In the evening, when Li Yelai left the branch, he received a strange message on the official communicator.

[Mr.

Night General, you participated in an operation to capture Wild Spiritual Ability Users and successfully apprehended three hunting Spiritual Ability Users.

You have been awarded four Merit Points.]

Li Yelai looked at this message completely bewildered.

Where did this assist come from?

He had only had a meal with Doll today, then went back to the branch to train.

How did he get involved in capturing Wild Spiritual Ability Users?

Did he just score three assists while being confused?

Could it be that today, after treating Doll to a meal, she turned around and took down three Wild Spiritual Ability Users?

Because they had a full meal together…

so it counted as an assist from him?

That didn’t make sense though, if that counted, wouldn’t the Processing Department’s cafeteria be taking off?

Moreover, when leaving just now, Doll had still greeted him, so it probably wasn’t her…

Though puzzled, Li Yelai couldn’t find anyone to answer his questions.

In the end, he had to let it go; after all, earning a few extra Merit Points was good.

Then, he saw a second message.

It was from Cheese, who had been preparing for her Third Awakening ceremony over the past couple of days.

That is, to calmly observe her Soul Well and be ready to take medication at any time.

Now, she had found the opportunity and expanded her Soul Well.

Upon successfully achieving her Third Awakening, she notified Li Yelai.

“Xiao Ye, you’ll have a strong support to latch onto from now on!

Hahaha!” Cheese sent a smug emoticon.

She had acquired a rather strong attack ability, Spiritual Language!

From now on, she wouldn’t have to be so passive.

Li Yelai internally scoffed, thinking that she had also clung onto his “big leg” before.

But he still sent congratulations.

“Thanks, I’m glad we can still boast to each other,” Cheese replied with a sentence that left Li Yelai somewhat puzzled and bewildered.

…

The following two days passed by very peacefully.

Li Yelai entered the routine of the antique store, the family apartment, and the East City Branch—three points that formed a line in his life.

This was actually the daily life of a Processor who was not on duty.

As for the patrols in certain areas that could earn some Merit Points, Yang Chen hadn’t arranged any for Li Yelai.

He believed that Li Yelai still needed to continue training to lay a solid foundation.

Because, in a few days’ time, in October,

it would be the turn of the first team’s Processors to go down to the Black Prison to guard the Taboo Items.

Li Yelai would also be part of it.

Of course, he was going to stay in the upper half of the Black Prison, namely the first and second levels, with a few other Awakened Spirit Users of the First, Second, and Third Awakening.

They would be guarding some D-level and Level C Taboo Items.

Whereas a powerful person like Yang Chen would be stationed in the lower half of the area, suppressing some Class B Taboo Items that were always ready to escape or go out of control.

As long as they safely got through a month, the whole team would earn Merit Points.

This was also one of the ways for Processors to steadily gain Merit Points.

For this reason, Li Yelai especially asked the Doll to help deliver meals to Li Yunyan while he was guarding the Black Prison.

However, on the third day while having a meal with the Doll,

Li Yelai, who was reading history books in the antique store, suddenly heard an urgent ring.

Li Yelai was a bit bewildered, then quickly realized it was an alarm from the official Communicator!

Li Yelai checked it out.

Coordinates Old City District XX Street, XX Building.

It was an urgent call, just like the alert Li Yelai had issued himself when he encountered the Big Black Umbrella, which would be received by all nearby Processors.

“Something happened at this place?” Li Yelai tensed up inside.

This place was just over two kilometers from the antique store, which wasn’t too far, but it was hard to get a cab there, probably had to run over.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Yelai grabbed the Big Black Umbrella, verbally asked for leave from the boss, and then bolted out the door.

When he was in danger before, his colleagues came to support him immediately.

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

Then, having run only a few hundred meters, Li Yelai heard the sound of brakes, the tires leaving evident skid marks on the asphalt surface.

Li Yelai frowned but saw a sedan abruptly come to a screeching stop beside him.

The young man in casual clothes at the driver’s seat shouted to Li Yelai, “It’s you, get in the car!”

“Starfire?” Li Yelai was a bit taken aback; the person turned out to be the rookie, Starfire, who had fought side by side with him.

His arm had been cut off by the Void Realm Creatures at that time, and it was said he had been recuperating ever since he had his arm reattached.

After that, he joined the second team!

Li Yelai had not expected such a fortuitous encounter.

Without delay, he got in the car.

Starfire floored the gas pedal, and the engine of the vehicle roared to life once more.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Li Yelai asked.

“I don’t know, I only knew that the signal was sent by my teammate ‘Ma Da’.

We have a good relationship, and it was he who invited me to join the Processing Department.” Starfire drove the vehicle swiftly past the road: “He is a policeman, originally went to investigate a missing person case but somehow issued this distress signal.”

“Could it be that he encountered a Sufferer?” Li Yelai thought of ‘Doctor Wang’.

“Not sure, we should be the fastest to arrive, let’s rescue him first,” Starfire smirked, “I would be somewhat scared alone, but having you with me gives me confidence.”

Starfire remembered that evening when Li Yelai challenged the monster like a hero.

Even with his competitive nature, he had to admire Li Yelai’s courage and strength.

Soon, the vehicle reached the scene.

It was a residential building.

There was a police car parked nearby, with not many pedestrians to speak of.

Instead, there was a figure who had arrived at the foot of the residential building ahead of them.

From the communicator on his wrist, it was obvious that he was also an official Processor.

And given the number of his Awakenings, he was not weak!

But he didn’t go upstairs; instead, he looked at them with a numb yet sorrowful expression.

“Which one of you is Starfire?” he asked softly.

“I am!” Starfire responded.

“Good, go on.

Finish him off, fulfill his last wish,” the unfamiliar Processor said flatly.

“What last wish, you…” Starfire was taken aback, his face instantly turned pale.

Li Yelai, after a moment’s stun, fell silent too.

He understood what the Processor meant.

Starfire’s good friend, that ‘Ma Da’…

had transformed…

Li Yelai suddenly understood the words Cheese had said that day.

(Sent metal hardware today, sorry for being late coming back)