Chapter 94: We, the Seventeenth Bureau, Are Not Idling Around!

Three days have passed since the grand meteor shower, and the sky is now a clear blue, with sunlight reflecting off the buildings.

It's Monday, and everyone is back to work.

This massive meteor shower left an unforgettable mark on the world, perhaps signaling the beginning of a new era.

People only remember the beauty of the event, but not the sequence of events, as they are immersed in the romance of that night.

"Sigh..."

Since such a significant event occurred in the northern region, it's difficult for the official announcements to explain everything to the public...

Naturally, the Seventeenth Bureau, in conjunction with the government, used all available resources to block the internet and control public opinion to the maximum extent possible.

The information was wiped clean, and it seems like nothing ever happened.

Except for the victims of that night, who were honored for other reasons, and the nation mourned for them.

Meanwhile, during these three days, the Seventeenth Bureau has thoroughly investigated the situation at that time.

And now, they've pretty much figured everything out.

So...

"On the night three days ago, you and Luorou were at the observatory in the northern district, right?"

In the president's office of the Ji Group, Himizuki, the President, interrogates Alister, her eyes narrowing, with Minister Ji Yi observing nearby.

"Yes."

Alister reluctantly answers while holding a cup of tea on the table.

The warm tea produces a slight mist, and after taking a brief sip, Himizuki turns the investigation files to the next page.

"Was the meteor shower beautiful?"

She casually props her cheek on one hand and asks, seemingly bored. "Did you notice anything unusual?"

"No, there was nothing unusual," Alister replies, looking at the potted plant beside him while sipping his tea.

"Then the next question..."

Himizuki yawns and then raises her eyes to examine Alister, the oppressive aura of an A-rank player gradually emanating from her.

In her role as an agent of the Seventeenth Bureau, she asks seriously, "During the B-rank Sequence game that night, did you not follow the rules of 'kill' and 'die'?"

Alister continues sipping his tea, remaining silent, as if he were an ordinary person with his field of view blocked.

He's actually curious about the official investigation methods – do they have players with precognition abilities? The surveillance at the time had been thoroughly handled by the Shadow.

At this moment, Minister Ji Yi, like a stern secretary, walks over and places both hands on Alister's head.

Then she slowly moves him to face Himizuki, looking directly into her interrogating eyes.

"Please tell the truth," Ji Yi says calmly.

Meeting Himizuki's gaze, Alister sighs again, sets down the tea cup, and says, "I was slacking off the whole time and didn't participate in anything."

Seventeen Bureau must have already discovered his identity as a player; there's no point in pretending anymore.

"Hmm, that's good then," Himizuki seems relieved. She closes the investigation files and sets them aside.

Then, she stands up from her office chair, leaning on the desk and leaning toward Alister.

Her curves are accentuated by the black shirt she's wearing, and the fabric seems to gently stretch and tighten.

With her crimson eyes, she seems capable of piercing through Alister as she warns seriously, "Although you may look like an ordinary E-rank player, don't underestimate the information network of the Seventeenth Bureau. Do you understand?"

We, the Seventeenth Bureau, are not idling around.

"I know I was wrong, and I apologize," Alister responds sincerely.

Himizuki continues to scrutinize him for a while before easing the pressure and pushing a Seventeenth Bureau form toward him, saying, "Since you concealed your player identity, I won't pursue it for now. Fill out this form."

It's an extremely detailed investigation form about players.

Taking the black pen handed to him by Ji Yi, Alister reluctantly starts filling it out.

After a few minutes, he finally completes it.

"A martial player?" Himizuki reviews the information on the form and asks Alister to prove himself.

"Confess and show us your ability," Himizuki says, seemingly satisfied, "Z country treats every player fairly, and I hope you understand that."

Though her tone is somewhat friendlier, she remains high and mighty.

"Alright," Alister stands up and walks to the open space in the office, closing his eyes for a moment to contemplate.

He has a plan for this situation, so there's not much to say.

He converts a small portion of his accelerated regeneration stamina into the unique Qi value of a martial player, and then...

An E-rank martial aura emanates slowly, with just the right amount of power.

A martial player passes by, unrelated to 'Shadow' or the chief, just an ordinary person.

A punch might be enough to break a wall – Alister flawlessly embodies this ordinary E-rank image.

After a moment, Alister, who has put on a show, asks casually, "Is that enough?"

Himizuki doesn't answer immediately; instead, she puts away her scrutinizing gaze, looks back at the form, and continues, "What's the name and level of your ability?"

"I wrote it down already," Alister says with a shrug.

"Hmm?"

"...The ability is called 'Dohuang,' and it's at level C. The ability allows the user to manipulate any martial art through the Qi value," Alister answers, pretending to be serious.

With narrowed eyes, Himizuki looks like a noble princess and smiles playfully, "Since you're a martial player, show me a move."

"Excuse me?" Alister doubts if he heard correctly. Then, seeing Himizuki's unconvinced expression, he realizes she's asking Ji Yi to demonstrate.

"Jiyi, show him."

In response, Ji Yi, like a coach, performs a backflip effortlessly...

"Okay," Himizuki nods as Ji Yi finishes her demonstration. "That.  let this prove your potential as a martial arts player."

She is still testing the authenticity of Alister's ability.

With no other choice, Alister mobilizes his Qi value and imitates Ji Yi's actions, performing a backflip.

After a moment.

Alister feels like he's been played, especially when he sees the mischievous look in Himizuki's eyes, he becomes even more certain.

Sooner or later, he'll make Himizuki demonstrate something for him.

"Alright, alright, I believe you're a martial player," Himizuki says with a smile.

At the same time, she touches her phone, chatting with someone.

After about half a minute, Himizuki finishes the chat and turns to Alister with a final question.

"I want to verify your Sequence Title, so show it to me."

"... I'm sorry, but I decline."

Himizuki doesn't press the matter, playing with her hair, her expression meaningful.

Because...

"Queen: I've found the person you entrusted me to look for, a martial player (video)."

"Xiaoxue: Understood."

"Queen: He's now in my custody."

"Xiaoxue: You just need to take care of him."

"Queen: I finally understand why you emphasized the codename that night, keeping each other's identity a secret, planning to surprise each other?"

"Xiaoxue: Our business is none of your concern."

"Queen: Alright then, Miss Qingxian (Queen at work)."

"Xiaoxue: (A gaze from a beautiful girl)."

Understanding the intimate exchange between the two, Himizuki decides not to check Alister's Sequence Title, keeping an air of mystery.

She crosses her long black legs, enjoying a high-end pastry.

Thus, Alister doesn't need to come up with excuses anymore.

He has successfully passed the interrogation of the Seventeenth Bureau's executives and become an ordinary player under Z country's jurisdiction.

Next is Himizuki's impromptu lecture, explaining in detail the player regulations set by the Seventeenth Bureau...

Her smooth and natural recitation is similar to Alister's earlier memorization of the employee rules, leaving no room for argument.

"...And that's the requirement for being a player under Z country."

Himizuki takes a sip of the premium rose tea to soothe her throat, acting as if nothing happened, and then presents two options:

"Join the Seventeenth Bureau for three years of formal training or serve under me as an off-the-record member, choose one."

"So, most E-rank players found by the Seventeenth Bureau are sent to some nurturing institution?" Alister asks.

Himizuki lightly nods.

Then, she looks at Alister with a meaningful gaze, and says, "As a new recruit, you'll be stationed in Z country or one of its special administrative regions."

"Can I leave?"

"Unless you graduate or have special reasons, don't even think about it."

"...Then I'll serve you," Alister pretends to be distressed. "I lean toward having no restrictions."

"Following me will have its benefits in the future," Himizuki is satisfied with his choice and says in a teacher-like tone, "Your Psychological Recovery Department will be transferred to my side for the group's team-building event the day after tomorrow. Any objections?"

"...No objections."

"At that time, we'll negotiate with the Dawn Consortium, and I'll give you a good opportunity for personal growth. Be prepared."

"Understood..."

Alister looks at the company schedule handed to him by Ji Yi.

Day after tomorrow, in the coastal island region.

It's where the upper-class elites gather, a world-famous luxurious tourist destination.

At the same time, it's where the Ji Group and the Dawn Consortium will engage in another round of negotiations.

The world is changing...