The Eldritch Files

”What do you mean, ’all I have to do’?”

Cui Qiao found Han Su’s words strange. ”It means you need to perform well and get a good evaluation. Then, an Investigator has to take a liking to you and be willing to mentor you. They’d use one of their slots to help you achieve Spiritual Penetration and start your training with Mysterious Power.”

”This would, of course, let you gain Mysterious Power sooner than a regular Executioner, but there’s a downside.”

She paused, then continued, ”For example, if you become an Investigator’s assistant, improving your own performance evaluation gets more complicated. Your promotion to a full Investigator will also be comparatively slower.”

”Sigh, the politics in the Disaster Management Bureau run deep!”

At this, even she shook her head. ”But there’s nothing to be done. Most of the current Investigators and Independent Investigators came up during the Disaster Management Bureau’s period of unchecked growth. The power they hold is far too great; it’s a classic case of the tail wagging the dog.”

”The Administrative Hall has already established a series of rules and procedures to rein them in. Zhang the Head was sent down here precisely to address this problem, but...”

She shook her head, clearly aware of the difficulties involved.

Han Su, however, merely nodded slightly at the issue, not seeming too affected.

’The important thing is, I need to learn that spell as soon as possible.’

’A spell that can hide my presence... for a child who has to play hide-and-seek with monsters in the Ancient Castle, it’s impossible to overstate how important that is.’

’Also, why are there no signs of my kidnapping yet?’

After the initial shock, a vague guess formed in his mind. ’Could it be because I went back to the Ancient Castle ahead of schedule that one time?’

’According to the pattern I’ve pieced together, I should be kidnapped once every fifteen days or so. But that first time after joining the Disaster Management Bureau, because of the Encrypted Spell, I was taken after just one day.’

This one variable led to two possibilities:

’One is that, starting from this new kidnapping, the timer resets, and the cycle starts over, meaning I’d be kidnapped again about fifteen days later.’

’But I wasn’t kidnapped this time, so that possibility can be ruled out.’

’Which means I have to consider the second possibility:’

’Stacking.’

’That first time, I was only free for one day before being kidnapped. That means the remaining fourteen days of freedom were stacked on top of the current fifteen days.’

’In other words, I’ll probably be kidnapped again in about twenty-nine days.’

’Of course, there are third and fourth possibilities. Maybe rescuing someone new changed the interval.’

’Or... did I just get incredibly lucky and will never be kidnapped again?’

...Han Su had to admit that last guess was a bit of a daydream.

’In any case, I’ll know for sure in twelve days.’

’I can’t do anything about the kidnappings. The only thing I can do is learn that invisibility spell in the next twelve days.’

’Maybe I should go find Zhang Chiguo again. See if I can give him a little something, try to pull some strings...’

Just as he was thinking this, while waiting with Secretary Cui Qiao for Zhang Chiguo to arrive, his phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. He curiously took it out and saw a new message from Miss Ai of the Disaster Management Bureau:

[Qinggang City Abnormal Disaster Assessment and Management Bureau B Level Investigator codenamed ”Strange Bird” has sent you an invitation. In light of your outstanding performance during your duties, he hopes you will come to his side to work and learn.]

[We hope your cooperation will be pleasant, and that together you will become the strongest line of defense against Penetration.]

[Application Period...]

[...]

”Strange Bird?”

Han Su was slightly taken aback by the notification. Cui Qiao, standing beside him, watched as the man currently being questioned simply pulled out his phone, completely ignoring her presence. She grumbled inwardly, feeling a bit disrespected.

But when she heard what he muttered, her expression changed slightly, and she immediately leaned over to take a look.

When she saw the notification in the app, her expression soured. ”How can this be?”

”That guy is applying to have you work for him? What’s the difference between that and sending you to your death? Why would Zhang the Head allow him to submit such a request?”

”...”

’Zhang Chiguo should be talking to that Investigator of Strange Birds right now. Does that mean he knew about this application?’

Han Su, however, trusted Zhang Chiguo. Although he found it very strange, he wasn’t panicked. Instead, a surprising thought occurred to him: ’If we’re going by the Disaster Management Bureau’s procedures, can this be manipulated to give me an opportunity to start training with Mysterious Power early?’

”I’m the one who had him write that application.”

Just as Secretary Cui Qiao voiced her question, Zhang Chiguo’s voice sounded from the doorway. He walked in with his hands behind his back, a hint of exhaustion on his face, but his tone was decisive.

When Han Su saw Zhang Chiguo, he also stood up, instinctively feeling that Zhang Chiguo might be displeased with him for causing such trouble.

But to his surprise, Zhang Chiguo just patted him on the shoulder, gestured for him to sit down, and said, ”I know what you’re worried about, but I’m not going to blame you. This isn’t your fault. It’s a problem with the culture in the Disaster Management Bureau.”

Han Su was rather surprised and slowly sat back down.

”Why?”

On the other side, Secretary Cui Qiao was exceptionally astonished by Zhang Chiguo’s decision. ”That guy’s reputation in the Disaster Management Bureau is notoriously bad!”

”Because this is an opportunity. Not many people have this kind of opportunity.”

Zhang Chiguo walked in, sat down across from Han Su, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ”An Investigator can apply to have two Executioners work as their assistants.”

”But usually, these slots are already full. After all, every Investigator wants a few capable assistants, so they tend to pick out promising candidates in advance to nurture them and get them accustomed to working together.”

”In a way, these assistant slots can even be seen as internal recommendations. Only Mysticism experts or families with good relationships with each other would foster candidates for one another.”

”Only this Investigator, ’Strange Bird,’ is different. His slots were full too, but not long ago, one of his assistants died.”

”So, that means he has a definite opening.”

”...”

Han Su listened attentively and said, ”Uncle Zhang, you think this opportunity is very important for me?”

”Very important.”

Zhang Chiguo slowly raised his head. ”Through this incident, I’ve discovered a problem. In the Disaster Management Bureau, forget about any other crises or malice. Just the current culture is enough to get an Executioner like you killed at any moment.”

”Therefore, you must receive training in Mysterious Power ahead of schedule.”

These words seemed to simultaneously answer Secretary Cui Qiao’s question. ”Strange Bird’s application is equivalent to a slot for early training in Mysterious Power.”

Han Su listened and said with a smile, ”That Investigator doesn’t seem very friendly. Would he be willing to help train me?”

”Not a chance.”

Zhang Chiguo shook his head. ”That guy is stingy when he should be generous and willful when he should be following the rules. Forget you—he’s not even willing to train his own real assistants.”

”Especially since he has a box that can turn people into puppets.”

”If you ended up under his command, he might erase your consciousness first thing and turn you into a human tool.”

”...”

Han Su was now curious. ”Then what do you mean?”

Zhang Chiguo sighed slowly. ”My plan is to get you this slot, and then use a favor I’m owed to have someone else train you in Mysterious Power.”

”Before you have this slot, it’s against the rules for you to receive training in Mysterious Power.”

”But once you have the slot, as long as Strange Bird allows it, anyone can train you. I’ve already reached an agreement with him on this point.”

”After you complete the training, he’ll cancel the application, and you’ll regain your independent status.”

”...”

Han Su listened thoughtfully. But beside him, Secretary Cui Qiao suddenly frowned. ”What if he refuses to cancel the application?”

”I told you, I’ve already reached an agreement with him. I’m also fairly confident that I can make him cooperate with me on this matter, even if he’s unwilling.”

Zhang Chiguo listened, then looked at Han Su. ”Of course, there are still risks. You can worry about other potential consequences, but even with the risks, this opportunity for training in Mysterious Power... do you want it, or not?”

Han Su couldn’t help but laugh. ”Of course I want it.”

’Uncle Zhang is so reliable,’ Han Su thought. ’He arranged everything before I even had a chance to go give him a gift.’

’As for Secretary Cui Qiao’s worries and the risks involved, was there even a need to discuss them? In this world, how many things come with a one-hundred-percent guarantee?’

’Especially for me. Which one of my escapes from the Ancient Castle didn’t involve taking a risk?’

Zhang Chiguo gave Han Su a look of appreciation and waved him off. Secretary Cui Qiao, however, didn’t see Han Su out this time. Instead, she deliberately came back, looked at Zhang Chiguo, and said:

”You seem different from before.”

Zhang Chiguo knew what she was trying to say and cut right to it. ”Do I look like a fool?”

”You did.”

Secretary Cui Qiao said, ”You’re much better now. At least you’ve learned to exploit loopholes.”

Zhang Chiguo was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head in frustration. ”...Maybe there really is a problem with my personality!”

”Back at the Public Security Bureau, I was benched because I couldn’t stand the way certain things were done. Now that I’m at the Disaster Management Bureau, there are still plenty of things I can’t stand.”

”But...”

He paused, then said slowly, ”I’ve already paid the price for that at the Public Security Bureau. Now that I’m at the Disaster Management Bureau, it’s about time I tried to learn how to adapt, isn’t it?”