Chapter 67: The Canteen Lady's Anomaly is the Strongest
Chapter 67: The Canteen Lady's Anomaly is the Strongest
"It's because my strength isn't sufficient that I need to quickly obtain my own power. That's also the reason I didn't choose the second option."
After calmly accepting the 'vegetable' evaluation, Leon responded earnestly, "The second choice creates a consumable Anomaly, not my inherent power. Once it's used up, it's gone, and it only works on targets that recognize the value of the Golden Wheels... Oh, do you remember the tasks you asked me to choose from earlier?"
Recalling the tasks listed by the Red-Haired Director, Leon couldn't help but sigh, "The targets you gave me almost never accept the Golden Wheels. Only the Aquarians recognize gold, but they have their own currency, so they might not fully acknowledge the value of the Golden Wheels. The second Anomaly might not work at all."
"Of course, I could also be like Senior Emma, only accepting tasks I'm confident I can handle and specifically targeting those who recognize the value of the Golden Wheels. But if I make a mistake in judgment, my strongest Anomaly would be useless."
"The third choice, however, grants me power that truly belongs to me. It's effective in almost all situations, and at the very least, it can help me escape and survive. So why wouldn't I choose this option?"
"..."
Glancing at the Red-Haired Director, whose expression seemed to have an epiphany, Leon thought for a moment and swallowed his most crucial reason.
Humans may have their brains on top, but when it comes to thinking, they often consider the decisions of their behind first.
The Red-Haired Director might not have realized it, but as the director of the Virgin Cleanup Agency, her subconscious mind hoped that everyone in the agency would have distinct strengths, so they could be dispatched to solve problems accordingly.
However, the position of his 'behind' was different from hers. For himself, who severely lacked strength, what he needed most was not future potential but immediate combat power to ensure his safety.
The third choice was rumored to be terrible, but the fact that it was widely available proved that it was suitable for most people and had a decent lower limit. With a near ten percent annual death rate, if he were to give up his current combat power and choose future potential, he might end up being carried away at any moment. Even those in the agency who had chosen similar Anomalies might have had the same thoughts.
"If that's the case, then the third choice is not bad..."
Glancing at Leon, who seemed to have something to say but held back, the Red-Haired Director couldn't help but smirk. "You really are... just sixteen or seventeen years old, and you've become so cautious, thinking things through, worrying about this and that, unwilling to take any risks. You're just like another Emma!
Oh... If I had known you'd turn out like this, I shouldn't have let her take you under her wing!"
Senior Emma? Leon couldn't help but smile at the mention of her name.
To be honest, my biggest expectation for myself right now is to be like her, earning a high salary while taking care of my younger siblings and living a stable life in the Cleanup Bureau.
"Director, I think you're not entirely right."
Seeing the atmosphere ease, and knowing he had convinced her, Leon smiled and said, "Senior Emma is indeed overly cautious, but it's precisely because of her overly cautious nature that she can survive safely in the Cleanup Bureau. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, yes, yes! You're both right!"
Rolling her eyes at 'Emma II', the Red-Haired Director waved her hand and shooed him away. "Get out! In about a week, the headquarters will have a new Anomaly ready, and if it's not suitable, don't come begging me to help you change it!"
She flicked her fingers towards the door, using her hair to push Leon out. Then, she reminisced about their discussion, her eyebrows furrowing in thought.
Tsk... While some people are all about being cautious, their ambitions are likely soaring high!
My expectations for Lyon were for him to become an ordinary First-Rank Disaster Handler or a top-notch employee like Senior Emma, capable of succeeding the Bureau Chief. But Lyon probably has different plans.
Initially, he was torn between the second and third options, but upon learning that the second choice only works on opponents below the True God rank, his eyes immediately lit up with determination, and he made his decision.
Though he didn't explicitly state it, he likely believes in his continuous growth, aiming to challenge a True God-level existence. That's why his interest in the second choice diminished.
And for someone as cautious as him, such meaningless arrogance is unlikely. The secret he's hiding might be even more formidable than I imagined!
Lyon, a boy full of secrets...
He took a big gulp of the liquor from the bottle, leaning back in his chair. The red-haired director stared at the old, peeling ceiling above, his expression complex as he pondered.
So... Do you want to succeed me as the head of the Virgin Cleanup Agency, or do you aim even higher?
...
"I'll just have some grilled potatoes."
Lyon, eager to eat, pointed at the nearly empty stewed beef on the counter, where various dishes were displayed.
"One serving of that, and a bowl of white bean soup."
"Deal!"
Despite his age, the cafeteria lady's hand was remarkably steady as she scooped the food. She plunged a large iron spoon into the bucket, but even a full scoop wasn't enough. She intentionally scraped off some onions and carrots from the bucket's sides, refilled it with beef, and then dumped it onto Lyon's plate with a loud clatter. With a voice as deep as a bell, she asked, "What else?"
"That's enough! That's plenty!"
Is this enough? My chickens eat more than you!
Noticing Lyon's slender frame, the cafeteria lady frowned, hands on her hips, and said with dissatisfaction, "Look at how skinny you are. Others might think my cooking is terrible! Stand there! Have another scoop!"
She scooped another full spoonful of beef and firmly placed it on the plate. Lyon, looking surprised by the generous serving, left with a grateful expression. The robust lady, as big as a bear, smacked her lips and said regretfully to the old man beside her, "Look at this young man. He's so energetic, but why doesn't he put on any weight? What a waste of a good..."
"Hmm? Isa? Why are you only coming to eat now?"
"Ah... It's similar to last time..."
Hearing the cafeteria lady's concerned question, the female police officer carrying her plate sighed and said with disappointment, "This morning, I caught a troublemaker, but he had a deep background. I had to let him go. I've been busy dealing with the aftermath...
Forget it. I don't want to talk about these annoying things. I'll have the same as usual—rice pudding, apple pie, and stewed beef."
"The stewed beef is almost gone..."
Turning to look at the large bucket of stewed beef, the cafeteria lady felt a bit embarrassed. "I had specifically kept some for you, but you never came. Just now, a skinny kid wanted some stewed beef, and I couldn't resist giving him two extra scoops... How about I give you fried pork cutlet instead?"
"Alright..."
Hearing that her favorite stewed beef was gone, the female police officer, who hadn't eaten since morning, felt her spirits sink. Today was just not her day.
With regret, she carried the fried pork cutlet and subconsciously glanced around. She wanted to see who the lucky person was who had taken her share, but instead, she spotted a familiar figure. On their plate was a mountain of stewed beef.
"Huh?!?!?"
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(End of Chapter)
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