Grotesqueries of the Old Domain

Chapter 85 : Bureau 507 (Bonus chapter sponsored by Silver Alliance Lord Hu Wei's Knife)

Chapter 85: Bureau 507 (Bonus chapter sponsored by Silver Alliance Lord Hu Wei's Knife)

Facing Zhang Wenda's inquiry, 2826 neither denied nor admitted it.

『As long as you join the Third Front, they’ll definitely approve your use of the Blue Core. We can go back right now, and within an hour you’ll have access to the Blue Core.』

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『Not only that, as a Thought Stream Investigator at Bureau 507, you’ll only need to work 15 days a month and still receive a high salary. You can even choose your currency based on your Thought Stream. If it's your previous Thought Stream No. 1, you'll get 120 bucks per month.』

Hearing about such high benefits, Zhang Wenda immediately became wary. 『You think I’m stupid? If it’s really that good, why would you need to recruit from outside?』

He wasn’t some naïve college student fresh out of the ivory tower. If it were that good, they’d have had thousands of people lining up to cross a single-log bridge for the chance.

Faced with Zhang Wenda's challenge, 2826 began to explain. 『Bureau 507 doesn’t accept just anyone. Do you know why we suddenly decided to recruit you?』

Zhang Wenda gazed into the distance and seemed to spot a fight on the floating island. He immediately lowered his voice. 『Why? Don’t tell me I’m a once-in-a-century genius?』

『No, you’re already this old and still haven’t grasped the Blue Core. Calling your talent bottom-tier is being generous.』

『What do you mean by that? You trying to insult me or something?』 Zhang Wenda shot him a displeased glance.

『Not at all. It’s just a fact. The Third Front has never prioritized talent when recruiting. What they value most is a person’s character.』

Nearby, Song Jianguo, holding Cat Cat, leaned over with a sneer. 『Then you lot must be blind. This guy's character is worse than his talent. Even murderers look like saints next to him.』

『What’s it got to do with you? Get the cat to stand guard! Go, go!』 Zhang Wenda shoved her away.

Even after moving away, the cat ears on Song Jianguo's head stood tall. With curiosity on her face, she kept eavesdropping intently. If nothing else, this was her only hobby.

Seeing Song Jianguo walk off, 2826 continued. 『I won’t hide it from you. After the higher-ups read my report and learned that you didn’t embezzle the Moon, didn’t secretly sell it off, and that you’re the descendant of an Elder, they immediately decided to extend an exceptional invitation for you to join Bureau 507.』

『Once you join Bureau 507, your problems become the Bureau’s problems. No matter what you encounter, we will help you.』

Hearing this, a trace of irritation appeared on Zhang Wenda’s face. 『First of all, let me say again: you can’t help with my problems.』

『Second, stop glossing over the downsides. Bureau 507 isn’t that easy to get into.』

At this point, Zhang Wenda stopped walking and looked seriously into 2826's camera eye. 『And one more thing. I want to ask seriously: if I say I won’t join you, will you stop helping me find the Oil Tyrant?』

2826 slightly shook his Drone-head. 『No. Public duty is public duty, private matters are private matters. The business part is done. Your choice is yours. No matter what you choose, I’m your friend. Since I promised to help, I absolutely will.』

Hearing that, Zhang Wenda’s expression softened. Stepping carefully along the network lines, he continued downward. 『Then let me think about it.』

『Alright. Once you’ve decided, use this to contact me. I’ve already stored the number. It can connect across Thought Streams.』 As 2826 spoke, he pulled out a pager from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Wenda.

『Yo, thanks.』 Zhang Wenda played with the ancient device in surprise. It turned out to be quite advanced, even displaying the time—saved him the cost of buying a watch.

Just then, Song Jianguo sneakily walked over and asked in a low voice, 『You planning to join? If you do, ask them if there's a cure for amnesia in there.』

Zhang Wenda looked at her speechlessly. 『Classmate Jianguo, let me educate you. If someone says ‘let me think about it’, it actually means ‘no’. Got it?』

Hearing that, Song Jianguo exploded. 『Why won’t you agree?! Are you dumb?! That’s 120 bucks a month! Do you know how many rats you’d have to catch to make that much?!』

Glancing back at 2826 behind them, Zhang Wenda leaned close to her ear. 『You’re the dumb one. You think that money comes easy? Did you forget what kind of missions 2826 used to do? You’d be running into a den of thieves, playing undercover while scared out of your wits. Still think 120 bucks is a lot?』

『All that character talk and Grandpa’s connection aside, let me tell you the most important thing I’ve learned in life: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Any benefit shoved in your face is definitely a trap.』

As Song Jianguo left, the surroundings gradually quieted down. The three of them continued their descent in silence.

Along the way, they encountered some probing from unknown creatures, but upon realizing Zhang Wenda and the others weren’t easy targets, the creatures backed off without much of a fight.

Zhang Wenda noticed something. Most of the creatures in the Dark Web were beast-related. Even those that weren’t animals still bore beastly traits.

Suddenly recalling something, he glanced at Song Jianguo’s ears. Though he had his suspicions, he didn’t say anything.

As they continued downward, the surrounding light began to dim. Zhang Wenda also noticed the gravity shifting erratically, rising and falling in waves.

『Hey, are you sure the Oil Tyrant is down there?』 Zhang Wenda reached the edge of a floating island and looked into the abyss-like darkness below.

『According to the data I found in the database, once we pass the Rain Line, we should find the Oil Tyrant. By the way, Bureau 507’s database is the most comprehensive. If you don’t understand something, you can always find the answer there.』

『Damn.』 Zhang Wenda was speechless. This guy never missed a chance to recruit him. Still, he had made up his mind—he wasn’t ready to work in the same job as his Grandpa.

After walking for another 15 minutes or so, the situation changed. A drop of black liquid fell onto Zhang Wenda’s face.

But soon he noticed something odd—the rain was falling sideways. The torrential downpour came from the left and soaked them thoroughly in no time—except for Song Jianguo.

She had already turned Cat Cat into an umbrella and was holding it over her shoulder. Only when Zhang Wenda gave the order did she belatedly transform Cat Cat into two umbrellas and handed them to Zhang Wenda and 2826.

『What the hell kind of place has rain falling sideways?』 Drenched, Zhang Wenda had to hold the umbrella sideways.

『There’s always a reason. No matter how strange, everything has a logical explanation,』 2826 said to Zhang Wenda.

Then he looked at Zhang Wenda meaningfully. 『Do you know the original purpose behind the formation of the Third Front?』

『Trying to recruit me again? I’m not listening.』

Zhang Wenda lowered his head and kept walking. 2826’s voice came from behind.

『Do you know what kind of world is the cruelest for humanity?』

『It’s not a world lacking resources, nor one with harsh environments. The cruelest world is one that operates without any logic.』