https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-208-Relief-and-Unanimous-Approval/12969841/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-210-The-Greatest-Influence-on-Joseph/12969843/
Chapter 209: Countermeasures and More Countermeasures
Chapter 209: Countermeasures and More Countermeasures
【Usurper: Driven by immense ambition, they seek to overthrow legitimate governments or organizations through improper or unethical means, aiming to completely upend the existing order.】
【Effect when Equipped: When engaging in illegal or unethical activities, your stealth and efficiency will be significantly enhanced.】
【Advanced Path: Upon successfully usurping a national-level organization or ten regional-level organizations, this emblem will automatically advance to the hidden golden-tier emblem, "False King of Injustice."】
【Hidden Trait (No Need to Equip): After successfully overthrowing a regime or organization, you will forcibly seize a high-value item from the usurped party.】
...
"..."
With the official confirmation from the Emblem System, Lyon, now firmly established as the leader of the rogue gang, couldn't help but heave a long sigh.
Damn... The Commissioner's prediction came true. I've gone from an undercover agent to the leader... But this emblem seems quite powerful?
Glancing at the dim, flickering silver light on the interface, Lyon couldn't help but turn his gaze to the middle-aged Joseph standing nearby. The new emblem seemed ready to emit a sinister, cold laugh at any moment.
Unfortunately, he had obtained the Usurper Emblem after completing the act of usurpation. If he had acquired it beforehand, he might have had a chance to strip the Portal Beyond from the middle-aged Joseph.
But now, given the Water Bottle Director's usual behavior, if Lyon were to make a move on the Portal Beyond, it would likely activate immediately, taking Joseph away to safety.
Wait a minute!
As Lyon pondered this, a sudden realization struck him, causing his eyebrows to arch slightly. He then addressed the rogue gang members:
"Since everyone trusts me, I won't refuse.
Additionally, attacking the Dock Tower involves the Corlok Kingdom, and I'm not very familiar with their affairs. For now, let's put the attack on hold but start the investigation. Does anyone have any objections?"
"No objections."
"I agree!"
"Well... I was hoping to set something on fire."
"..."
"Since no one is opposed, let's conclude today's meeting here!"
Lyon had two reasons for this decision: he hadn't figured out how to handle these rogue gang members, and he had come up with a way to separate Joseph from the Portal Beyond.
Without waiting for the late-arriving Senior Emma, Lyon decided to disband the meeting:
"If there's nothing else to discuss, let's take advantage of the 'door' Joseph opened before it closes. You can all return for now. We'll regroup once we have some leads on the Dock Tower investigation. Oh, and Phoebe and Lucy, please stay."
Us?
Upon hearing the new leader's request, the elderly woman, whose appearance was quite aged, was momentarily taken aback. She nodded and remained still, holding the sleeping Little Fifi in her arms. The other five rogue gang members, filled with anticipation, complied with Lyon's request and left the meeting room one by one, passing through the 'door.'
Sigh...
Lyon watched the expectant figures depart, then rubbed his temples.
These core members of the rogue gang couldn't be considered bad people, but under the misguided leadership of Joseph, they had committed numerous misdeeds. Lyon didn't have the right to forgive them on behalf of their victims, nor could he bring himself to eliminate them according to the kingdom's laws.
After all, they were victims themselves. Aside from Joseph's poor leadership, they had been led by the Water Bottle Director to nurture Anomalies, causing their Imbue Value to skyrocket. This had fueled their radicalism and hatred, leading to their uncontrolled actions.
Perhaps he could ask the Commissioner after the inquiry if these individuals met the recruitment standards of the Virgin District Police Station? If they were willing to risk their lives, working to protect the normal world from Anomalies, it might be considered a form of redemption.
"Leader?"
As Lyon's expression shifted, his eyes conveying a range of emotions, the elderly Lucy couldn't help but speak up:
"You asked us sisters to stay. Is there something you need our help with?"
"Yes, there is something I need your assistance with."
Lyon nodded and said, "Your sister Phoebe, at Nathan's request, used her Anomaly some time ago to erase the memories of many people. Can you ask her to undo that effect?"
"Of course, it's not a problem," Lucy replied, agreeing to Lyon's request. But as she looked at the sleeping Little Fifi in her arms, she couldn't help but ask, "Leader, if possible, can you wait until my sister wakes up before asking her to release the ability?
You don't know, but her ability was used excessively last time, and the sleepiness is actually a way for her to recover her spirit and stabilize her soul. If she doesn't get enough rest, I'm afraid she might..."
"Don't worry, it's the same whether she releases it now or after she wakes up. Also..."
Lyon, having already checked the soul conditions of the two sisters through the Black Sheep's soul vision, knew their situation well. He thought for a moment before offering a reminder:
"Your abilities are quite unique. You can pay an additional cost to unleash effects far beyond your Imbue Value... far beyond your own limits. Only after excessive depletion will you end up like this. For now, try to use your Anomalies as little as possible. I'll think of a way to help you, and there might be a chance to return to normal."
What?!
Upon hearing Lyon's words, the elderly Lucy, who looked far older than her years, couldn't contain her joy.
At this moment, she couldn't care less about her apparent familiarity with the rules of Anomaly ability usage, which was clearly not something a Little Bavin would know. She trembled with disbelief and asked, "Lea... Leader, are you serious?"
"Can my sister and I truly return to our original forms?"
"Yes, we can," Lyon affirmed, recalling the assurance he received from Black Sheep's Lyon. "The process should be reversible, but it will take an incredibly long time, and it won't be a complete restoration. There will still be some lingering issues."
"For instance, your physical condition will age faster than normal, and your sister's mental age will be much more immature than her peers. However, your appearances should be able to return to normal."
"That's enough! That's more than enough!"
Lucy, now an old woman, touched her wrinkled face and couldn't help but cry tears of joy. Large tears streamed down the crevices of her face, wetting Phoebe's neatly braided hair.
"We don't need to be exactly like normal people. Just being able to revert a little is more than enough! Thank you, Leader! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome. It's the least I can do."
...
After seeing Lucy off with a smile, Lyon silently returned to the now-empty conference room. He walked over to Joshua, who was lying on a pile of broken wood, and couldn't resist giving him a hard kick on the butt.
"You've really done some terrible things! With a plot straight out of a web novel, you were supposed to be the male lead who time-traveled to save everything. Instead, you've been causing chaos and destruction, becoming a third-rate villain who only knows how to cause trouble for others."
Lyon paused, considering his own words. He hadn't personally experienced what Joshua had gone through, and it might be unfair to judge from the outside. Nonetheless, he felt this kick was well-deserved.
Suppressing the urge to spit at Joshua, Lyon tied him up with a rope. He then took off the watch that could detect 'aptitude' and threw it into the small mirror. He knocked on the mirror's surface, summoning Yuhua.
"What's going on? Why isn't Senior Emma here?"
"Woof! Woof woof!"
(She's not here! She's not at the Purification Bureau!)
Senior Emma wasn't at the Bureau?
Lyon's eyebrows furrowed at Yuhua's report. Before leaving for the inquiry, Senior Emma had promised to stay at the Bureau, ensuring she could support Lyon whenever needed. Given her responsible nature, it was highly unlikely that she would neglect her duties. So, was there an 'anomaly' attack in the Capital City, or had something happened to her daughter?
"Woof woof woof, woof woof!"
(She's not here, but there's a letter for you on her desk!)
Since she had the chance to leave a letter, the situation probably wasn't too dangerous.
Lyon felt slightly relieved after hearing Yuhua's words. He took the letter, still bearing Yuhua's tooth marks, and tore it open, quickly scanning its contents.
'Lyon, about an hour after you and the Director left, investigators from the Central Agency arrived. They claimed that several nobles who had betrayed the Ba Jin family were found dead with marks similar to those left by my 'Execution Platform' on their bodies. They demanded that I go to the Central Agency for questioning.
The situation was sudden, and I had no choice but to find a way around the investigators. I also left a letter for Jerry's 'friends,' asking them to stand in for me at the Bureau and support you. However, their previous task hasn't been completed, so it will be difficult to receive news from them before then.
If you're reading this letter, it means you've encountered danger. Please hold on for two days! He will definitely arrive within that time!'
...
Damn the Water Bottle Director!
After reading Senior Emma's letter, Lyon's face darkened. He suspected that the Water Bottle Director was behind this.
Lyon and the Director had planned to take advantage of the Water Bottle Director's absence to raid the Rogue Gang's hideout. However, the Water Bottle Director had also been busy, and Lyon guessed that he had used a method similar to Senior Emma's to kill her enemies.
His goal was likely to send someone to raid the Purification Bureau while the Director and Senior Emma were away, seizing the photograph from the Director's drawer. As for the person chosen for this task...
Hmm...
Lyon looked into the mirror world, where the watch, trembling as it stuck to the 'photograph,' was covered in six needles. He didn't need to guess; it was definitely Joshua. This watch was meant to locate the 'photograph,' but fortunately, Lyon had usurped power quickly, capturing Joshua in advance. Otherwise...
Well, even if Joshua had gone, he could only steal a fake photograph.
Assured that the situation was under control, Lyon smiled. He couldn't resist kicking the Water Bottle Director, who was busy with his schemes, once more.
In terms of cunning, the Director was no less skilled than the Water Bottle Director, and perhaps even surpassed him. Not only had he created a fake, but he had also sent Lyon ahead to raid the Rogue Gang's hideout.
Thinking about the 'Thievery Mastermind' who could steal the very thing that had the greatest impact on a person's destiny, Lyon looked up at the 'Portal Beyond' that remained open after Lucy and Phoebe's departure. He smiled, knowing that in terms of things that had the greatest impact on Joshua's destiny, it was probably the only one.
(End of Chapter)
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