Chapter 21: 0017 It's really time to stew _1
"You damn well deserve a beating!"
Using all his strength, Leon clamped the Black Goat's mouth shut, stuffing its cheeky words back down its throat, then looked up at the still-smiling red-haired woman with a slightly awkward scratch on his head and said, "Um... Director, my sister was quite scared yesterday and is still in the hospital. If it's not too much trouble, could I take a day off this afternoon?"
"Yeah, go ahead! You just finished such a dangerous clean-up mission, you definitely deserve a break."
Smiling, she granted Leon his leave. After he left with the struggling goat head, the slight smile on the red-haired woman's face faded. She clasped her hands together and leaned back in her chair, thoughtfully staring at the old ceiling.
*Something felt off...*
*She had clearly suppressed Leon's memories before, making him temporarily forget the Purification Bureau's work content, so why did he know to seek help from the Bureau after the badge warning?*
*Furthermore, she deliberately released a bit of her charm earlier, and by the looks of it, Leon was indeed affected. But why did he act so normal, as if he hadn't lost any memories at all this time?*
Thinking of this, the red-haired woman raised an eyebrow slightly, recalling a small detail she had overlooked before.
Yesterday afternoon, when this kid came running over, wanting to join the Bureau with his "anomaly," he didn't immediately reveal his ability but hesitated slightly before saying it was Compulsory Intelligence Acquisition...
"Haha, interesting."
Her lips curled slightly as she reached for the quill pen from the inkwell, then opened the drawer to take out Leon's file. Finding the section titled [Intelligence Acquisition], she penned a small question mark next to it.
The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
*Cautious little guy... What secret are you hiding in your heart?*
...
[Encountered an incomprehensible special existence, heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" activated, your cognitive boundaries expanded, and you gained some information about the existence.]
[Name: Love Without Memory (Forgetfulness, Whisper)]
[Appearance: Non-corporeal]
[Ability: When someone has feelings of fondness, love, or admiration for the host, this anomalous object's host acquires the ability to temporarily mask a small segment of recent memory from that person.]
[Cost: Among parental love, child's love, and partner's love, one will be forever unattainable. If someone develops such deep affection for the host, they will immediately lose all memories of that love.]
[File: This anomalous object is held by Olivia, the head of the sixth branch at the Purification Bureau. She has no parents, partner, or children, making it impossible to determine which deep love she lacks.
Additionally, the last recorded use of this anomalous object was during the Red Moon Fall event in 1794. Olivia, disguised as a singer, utilized mass public broadcasting to garner immense affection from the Moonfolk, thereby masking the memories of over seventy thousand people and successfully thwarting their summoning plans.]
[Evaluation: Incredibly powerful ability, but the cost is quite steep.]
[Contamination Value: 7]
[Through your own observation and deduction, you gathered substantial intelligence about "Love Without Memory," activating the heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)."
Understanding the effectiveness rules of "Love Without Memory" significantly increased your resistance to this anomalous object, allowing you to deflect its typical influence.]
...
*So that's how it is...*
Seeing the new anomalous object intelligence pop up when the red-haired woman grabbed his right hand, Leon, standing at the Director's office door, nodded in sudden realization.
*No wonder I forgot about the Bureau's work contents. Turns out those memories were temporarily blocked.*
*According to the "rules" explained by the Black Goat, the more "truth" you know, the more likely anomalies will find you. The Director temporarily blocked those memories to prevent me from encountering danger before I am capable of self-preservation.*
*Yet my level of "attraction" was not that high, thus the influence was minimal. Plus, later, when the badge heated up a warning, I received a disguised "reminder" from the Uncontrollable Afflicted, breaking the barrier and regaining my memories.*
*But they could have just told me about this, right? Why...*
"Leon?"
A soft call interrupted Leon's thoughts. He looked up to see a high-heeled beauty in a beige skirt at the other end of the corridor smiling warmly at him, causing his eyes to squint from the shine.
Unlike the charming yet perilous red-haired Director, the tall woman's allure was almost non-threatening. Her slender frame was not lacking in feminine fullness.
Her skin, white with a hint of jade, and her soft, delicate facial features exuded an amiable sweetness that made you want to get closer...
"Thanks for yesterday."
The gentle woman seemed quite familiar with Leon and, after greeting him, walked up lightly with a folder in her arms, standing before him with a smile and asking, "Has the Director finished speaking with you? I'd like to submit another solo mission report. Is it convenient for me to go in now?"
"..."
*Yesterday's incident, solo mission, familiar with me... Could you be that bandage... ah no! Are you Senior Emma?!*
The reliable senior with the bird-beak mask and body wrapped in bandages yesterday bore a striking difference in complexion to the gentle-eyed tall beauty before him, leaving Leon momentarily unresponsive. After a moment's pause, he hurriedly made way at the doorway, feeling slightly embarrassed, saying, "Of course! Of course, you can go in! I've finished talking with the Director, sorry for blocking you."
"It's no problem."
After a change in attire, Emma's sky-high beauty smiled bashfully and said, "Hey, in a few days, I have another mission. When I return, could you help me with something?
Don't worry, I can guarantee that you won't be in any danger at all, just maybe a bit tired..."
"No problem, no problem!"
Upon hearing this, Leon immediately responded seriously, sincerely promising, "You risked such danger yesterday to save my sister, so no matter how tiring or hard, I'll definitely give it my all!"
"Haha, then I thank you in advance!"
With a slight smile and a nod, the woman wrapped in bandages... also known as Emma, pushed open the door and went into the Director's office.
Watching her elegant figure disappear inside, Leon, now processing the situation, couldn't help but feel astonished.
*My goodness... If it weren't for the identical voice, I wouldn't have dared to recognize her! The difference is just too great! If only...*
*If only the bugs in my bed were as beautiful as her, that'd be perfect. Let them bite, I won't even groan... Kid, is that what you're thinking?*
"..."
Receiving an exasperated look from Leon, the Black Goat bared its teeth and snickered, "Hehe, I'd advise you to give up on those pervy thoughts. She's got kids who are a few years old already! You're out of luck~ Better give up early!"
(-_-;)
*What chance, what desire... I was just a bit taken aback by the drastic contrast between yesterday and now; a bit hesitant to recognize her, alright? Why do you always lean towards that interpretation?*
*And seriously, how have you lived this long and not been beaten to death with that foul mouth of yours? Are you just good at making delicious stew or something?*