Chapter 64: Chapter 63: Such a person is more than suitable to be a dependable supporter.
"Me?"
"I don't have that kind of capability."
Chen Miao shook his head, preparing to refuse. Helping someone become the Bureau Chief was pie in the sky for him, let alone the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau. Although technically it was a lateral move, anyone with common sense knew just how much more actual authority one had over the other.
Moreover, that position wasn't vacant.
Someone was already in it.
Did he think he could just waltz in there? He didn't have that power; he was just a Level 3 Gunner. They shouldn't overestimate him.
"There is a way."
This middle-aged man glanced around, his eyelids drooping slightly as he lowered his voice and said, "To sit in the position of the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, you need to fulfill three conditions."
"The first condition, regardless of the supernatural occupation, is that you must reach Level 20."
"The second condition is that you must have been employed within the Events Bureau for over three years, familiar with the bureau's procedural operations."
"The third condition is to clear the Level E secret challenge 'Three-Two-One Wooden Man' in the Secret Realm Building and beat the record set by the current Deputy Director of the Event Bureau."
"After meeting these three essential conditions, and considering that I am on par with the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, if I maneuver things a bit, I can naturally take over the position."
"I meet the first two conditions; I'm a Level 21 'Fist Dominator' and I've spent three years in the Events Bureau before, so I'm familiar with their case procedures. The main difficulty lies in this Level E secret challenge."
"Every Deputy Director of the Events Bureau must fulfill a mandatory condition, which is to surpass the clearing record of their predecessor."
"It's a simple boss challenge. The boss is invincible when turning its head back. Players need to dodge its attacks and strike swiftly when the boss turns away, to kill the boss as fast as possible."
"The previous Deputy Director's clearing record was 7 minutes and 58 seconds."
"This Deputy Director's record is 4 minutes and 21 seconds."
"This Deputy Director is a 'Thief' occupation, constantly circling behind the boss, the damage from each backstab is doubled; the damage output is extremely high. I've tried it secretly, and my best record is 9 minutes and 31 seconds."
"I can't complete this secret challenge on my own."
"But with your help, Miao, these problems would all vanish. I could smoothly sit in the position of the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, and at that time, both you and I would benefit immensely."
Chen Miao's brows knitted slightly, and after a moment of silence, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is this a duo challenge?"
"No, it's for solo players."
"Then what are you talking about? How can I get in there?"
"I have a special item."
Seeing that Chen Miao seemed somewhat swayed, the middle-aged man hastily pulled out a prop that looked like a Barbie doll from his bosom, presenting its panel.
'Prop Name': Cursed Doll.
'Prop Level': Level E.
'Prop Effect': You can continuously attack this doll and the attacks it receives within one minute will be absorbed into the doll's space. Upon reactivating the prop, these attacks will rebound from the space, hitting the enemy without fail.
'Prop Restriction': The prop can only be used in stable environments; it's not suitable for chaotic combat as there's a risk of explosion, and it shatters into pieces after one use, becoming unusable.
'Prop Description': "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, I curse you."
Chen Miao stood there, leaning on his cane with a calm expression, looking at the panel without saying a word. It was indeed a miraculous item; with this prop, he could indeed help the Deputy Director. Storing a minute's worth of firepower and releasing it in a burst, it could deal a devastating blow to a Level E challenge boss.
Even if the boss was a bit tougher, it would be enough.
It seemed like he really could help the Deputy Director.
But... he seemed to have no particularly good reason to help, having listened for a long time, he only heard about the benefits for the other party after success, not his own.
However—
This Deputy Director of the Law Enforcement Bureau was extremely decisive, immediately kneeling on both knees and kowtowing resoundingly to Chen Miao in the wilds.
"I'm not afraid of Miao laughing."
"Zhou Shen has drifted half his life, faced countless setbacks and hardships, only regretting that he hasn't met a wise master, making every step an arduous journey."
"If you do not abandon me, I am willing to proclaim you as my sworn father."
"As long as my sworn father helps me this once, once I occupy the position of Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, I can guarantee three things."
"Firstly, any information about special events within the government that I come across, I will inform you at once, so you won't miss any opportunities."
"Secondly, your biggest problem right now is having no one on the inside. If someone wants to target you, you wouldn't even know who is behind it."
"Thirdly, the Events Bureau handles many special cases, and where there are special cases there's bound to be substantial benefits; as long as my sworn father arrives early, a share of those benefits will be yours."
"As a token of our meeting—"
"This contains a detailed list and names of all members that the Envy Organization from Gaobei City has infiltrated into Fengtian City in the past few days, including their chief and deputy chief, who may be coming after you."
"This USB drive contains evidence of the corruption I have been involved in over the years. If it were to be leaked, I would effectively be ruined."
"Here are also 60 'AI pills,' likewise a gift for meeting my sworn father."
"..."
Extremely decisive.
This man named Zhou Shen, the Deputy Director of the Law Enforcement Bureau, nearly blurted out a torrent of words in one breath, his knees earnestly planted on the ground.
It was this morning.
He received news that the Chi Family was inquiring about a person named Chen Miao, intending to recruit him into their ranks, but Chen Miao used to pass messages through the young Princess Chi. He had always thought that Chen Miao was one of the Chi's.
Now it seemed that Chen Miao was not connected to the Chi Family at all, but was a Supernatural with simple social ties and formidable strength.
Such a person would be more than suitable as a backer.
He wouldn't have to worry that one of his mortal enemies was one of Chen Miao's men nor would he have to worry about being used as a disposable pawn; Chen Miao only had him as a piece, and there was also no need to fear being a casualty in the whirlpool of familial power struggles, for Chen Miao was the sole voice, with no one to interfere with his decisions.
After becoming aware of all this, the desires that had been suppressed in his heart for years began to surge uncontrollably. Since his failure to compete for the position of Deputy Director of the Event Bureau three years ago, he couldn't face staying at the bureau any longer, as that incident made him the subject of much ridicule behind his back.
Over the years, he was always looking for a backer, always following others.
But... no one could help him.
"Breaking the record of the previous Deputy Director," this was the requirement that had to be met before taking office as the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, a rule set by the current head of the federation that no one dared to overstep.
But Chen Miao could.
It wasn't that he couldn't find other Supernaturals with formidable strength; it's just that those people had too many complex social connections. He couldn't be sure they wouldn't leak this affair at the drop of a hat. Furthermore, if he had to get his hands dirty anyway, why bother finding someone new to do the dirty work when Chen Miao had already been implicated; getting dirty again wouldn't make much difference.
"..."
Chen Miao looked at the familiar small box held aloft by Zhou Shen, containing the 'AI pills,' momentarily silent and unsure of what to say.
Reciprocate the gesture?
How is this different from returning a New Year's gift that was given by someone the very next day?
And aren't you calling me 'sworn father' a bit too readily?