The Eldritch Files

Chapter 35: Chapter 33: Cipher Talent

"What in the world is this?"

Everyone looked at each other, stunned. This was especially true for those who, unlike Han Su, had specifically applied to join this department; their expressions were ones of utter bewilderment.

’What the hell kind of rulebook is this?’

’Two of the first three rules are about cleaning up after a kill. This seems more like a manual on how to legally kill people, doesn’t it?’

In the dead silence, it was clear that many questions had arisen. The instructor at the front, however, seemed to read their minds. His gaze swept over them as he suddenly said, "Just memorize it. Don’t ask unnecessary questions."

"We don’t welcome overly curious people in this line of work."

"Additionally, you don’t have much time to memorize this manual. This afternoon, we’ll begin other training sessions, and the next few days are also fully scheduled. Therefore, you only have the time right now, plus any free time you can find."

"This will be your final assessment. However, you’ll soon discover that it may also be the fairest one. If you want to be placed in the D1 or D2 Group, you’ll need to earn at least three A’s."

"This will be the only one you can pass through sheer effort."

"..."

The crowd below was stunned for a moment. Whether they had questions or were resentful of the instructor’s cold arrogance, they all suddenly snapped to attention.

Instantly, the rustling sound of flipping pages filled the room.

These people, drawn from all walks of life and mostly elites, began to show their different approaches.

Some began reading rapidly, their eyes scanning the pages as they recited the words under their breath.

Some would flip a page, then roll their eyes toward the ceiling to commit it to memory.

Others went word by word, craning their necks as if their lives depended on it.

Han Su, however, was unhurried. He slowly flipped through the rules, finding them listed one by one in exhaustive detail, filled with many terms not commonly seen in everyday life.

He first went through it slowly, searching carefully, wanting to see if there was any content related to the monsters in the Dark Bunker.

But unfortunately, there wasn’t.

These were truly just operational protocols, and they were all simple statements. Examples were rare, and there were no explanations at all.

One rule and the next were often completely unrelated.

After flipping through it once, he immediately determined that it would be impossible to memorize the entire thing in just a few days.

The first morning passed just like that. Barely a word was spoken throughout the entire training facility, only the droning sound of recitation. The most peculiar person, however, was a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

Han Su had noticed him. The man seemed to have only flipped through the manual once slowly before sitting there in a daze. After a while, he got up to go to the bathroom. A little later, he went to the water cooler for a drink. Then, after another short while, he started doing eye exercises.

Han Su, sitting next to him, got annoyed. "Can you please settle down for a bit? You’re distracting me!"

Glasses froze, then said apologetically, "Sorry. I’ll go outside."

Then he walked out with his paper cup, leaving the manual behind. It was just tossed on the table, and the people nearby stared, their eyes wide.

’Has this guy just given up completely?’

Soon, it was time for lunch. All the trainees still had their manuals with them, memorizing while they ate. But after lunch, the instructor quickly ordered them to put the manuals down and focus. It was time to begin the second training session.

For the second training session, they were unexpectedly brought to the place where Han Su had heard that mysterious voice when he first arrived.

Recognizing the room, Han Su couldn’t help but be alarmed. ’I was just kidnapped and brought back early because I heard that voice. Don’t tell me they’re going to put me through it again?’

"The previous manual was to increase your survival rate on missions. This assessment, however, is to test your potential."

The instructor’s gaze swept across the trainees as he said, "In the other assessments, you’ll need to get as many A Level ratings as possible to ensure you’re placed in one of the top groups."

"But for this assessment, if you perform exceptionally well, you can cut the line and be placed directly into the D1 Group."

"..."

After being tormented by the manual’s contents all day, the trainees, who had been in agony, suddenly perked up. They even thought, ’An assessment this good, why didn’t they put it first?’

’I used to go back once every half-month, and I always felt nervous. Now it’s only been two days, and I have to go back again. I’m actually feeling a bit eager...’

’This isn’t a damn trip home to visit family. What’s the point?’

’...’

As Han Su was anxiously watching the room with the speakers, he suddenly saw the instructor next to him hear something in his earpiece. The instructor’s expression was one of surprise. He then nodded and said to Han Su and the girl in the black hood:

"You two don’t need to go. Stay here!"

"’Stay here?’"

Han Su, who had been contemplating what to do if the Flashing happened again, abruptly looked up.

It wasn’t just him; the other trainees nearby also looked confused, not understanding why these two were being treated differently.

The instructor glanced at Han Su and said, "Because you just heard the secret whispers three days ago. We don’t recommend trainees face that kind of pressure twice in one week. Therefore, your performance from that time will count as your score."

Then he looked at the girl in the black hood and said, "She doesn’t need to."

Han Su was stunned. "Huh?"

"So what’s our rating?"

...

...

Meanwhile, in an office at the base, Zhang Chiguo was sitting in front of the monitors. The other researchers were all standing by his side.

Holding a thick file of data on the trainees who had registered for the assessment, he asked casually, "Are the protective measures ready?"

"Are the emergency protocols in place?"

Faced with Zhang Chiguo’s seemingly relaxed questions, the staff members all nodded. "No problem, Zhang the Head. We’re well-practiced. Security, protection, stretchers, body bags... everything has been prepared in advance."

"Good."

Zhang Chiguo picked up the list and pointed casually at Han Su’s name. "I brought this trainee back a few days ago. We were worried he might have suffered from aberrant contamination, so we tested him in advance. He doesn’t need to listen to it again, does he?"

A researcher quickly replied, "Of course, of course. That’s clearly stated in our regulations."

"The girl who just returned from the wilderness doesn’t need to take the assessment; she can actually be placed directly into the D1 Group. As for the one who was recruited due to contact, we can just evaluate him based on his last performance."

Zhang Chiguo nodded slightly. "So, what rating do you plan to give him?"

The researchers looked at each other. A bald researcher standing nearby hesitated for a moment before saying, "A C Level rating should be appropriate, right?"

"According to the report, his performance was mediocre. He fell right asleep. How poor must his Spiritual Intuition be for that to happen?"

"It’s only because we don’t have a habit of giving out D Level ratings right off the bat..."

"..."

Hearing his words, many of the staff members nodded in agreement.

Zhang Chiguo listened without a word, simply lowering his head to look at the files.

The top page was Han Su’s. On it were all sorts of records about his background, experience, and so on. Compared to the files of the others, it seemed extremely ordinary.

He looked like a natural-born workhorse, prime cannon fodder. Wanting to get into the D1 or D2 Group was nothing short of a dream.

’If he gets a low rating on this assessment too, then wouldn’t that be...’

He didn’t voice his opinion, merely refraining from the discussion. Gradually, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy as the pressure mounted.

The bald researcher and the other staff members looked visibly baffled. They sensed that something was off.

Just then, Cui Qiao, Zhang Chiguo’s slender secretary in a black suit, suddenly spoke up. "How are you doing your jobs? Are you sure the rating has taken all aspects into consideration? Are you certain the Executioners selected this way will be competent enough for the work they’ll face?"

The bald researcher next to her was dumbfounded. "Huh?"

Cui Qiao couldn’t help but frown at their reactions. She added, "This student from Qinggang University displayed astonishing composure when he encountered the Ghost Truck."

"He wasn’t killed by the Ghost Truck in his sports car, he dodged it several times, and he even saved someone. This speaks volumes about his rationality when facing the aberrant, and it’s enough to prove he has a strong and stable mental state."

"..."

"So what?"

the bald researcher said blankly. "He fell asleep. He fell asleep while listening to the secret whispers..."

Cui Qiao said coolly, "Don’t you think that when faced with the ramblings of the Gods, he possesses an extremely powerful resilience? This is highly beneficial for resisting contamination from the unknown and the aberrant. Doesn’t that make him a good candidate for containment work?"

"Of course, I’m also aware that the level of one’s Spirituality is very helpful for future training in Mysterious Power. However, finding suitable Executioners is the main focus of our recruitment efforts. A monolithic mindset and routinized work—this is not a good culture for the Disaster Management Bureau!"

"..."

The bald researcher was completely lost this time. He said blankly, "But... it’s always been like this..."

At that moment, another staff member suddenly spoke up. "Giving this trainee only a C is definitely not right. I think a B Level rating..."

He shot a quick glance at Zhang Chiguo before saying decisively, "...is also not right!"

"The fact that he could fall asleep while listening to the Encrypted Spell shows that he is resilient... no, that his personal will is firm and his mind is pure. Only someone like that can avoid being easily contaminated when dealing with the aberrant."

"On top of that, he was able to escape the Ghost Truck unscathed, and with another person in tow..."

"...This is talent!"

The more he spoke, the more impressed he sounded. He looked at the bald researcher and said, "Teacher, S-Class might be a bit much, but I think giving him an A Level rating is appropriate."

The bald researcher’s brain seemed to freeze for a full three seconds before he finally processed what was happening. He glanced at the silent Zhang Chiguo, who was still reading the files, and said hesitantly:

"Right... right?"

"..."

Only then did Zhang Chiguo slowly nod his head. "I think what you all said makes sense. Once the report is written up, bring it to me for my signature!"

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