[Warning! Warning! Warning! Host is approaching a Tier-4 anomaly (Trait: Unforgetting). Host’s current attributes are insufficient for combat. Evacuate immediately—do not throw your life away!]

Behind the bulletproof glass, in the center of the containment chamber, stood a one-meter-tall cylindrical pedestal resembling an exhibition stand. Atop it rested a silver tray, overflowing with blood that had seeped over the edges, pooled on the floor, and drained into a filtered storage tank via a corner outlet.

And in the middle of that tray sat… a lump of pig’s brain?

The “brain” appeared to be alive, pulsing faintly like a heart—a thoroughly unsettling sight.

But.

Just a lump of “brain jelly,” and the system claimed he was no match for it?

Shen Ge felt personally insulted. Rolling up his sleeves, he seriously considered storming the containment chamber to duel the thing—except, unfortunately, the door required a passcode.

Noticing Shen Ge’s scrutiny of the brain, Deng Yuqi explained, “If you followed the news, you might recall a fatal explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern suburbs in 2019. Officially, over a dozen died in an industrial accident. In reality, a mutated Tier-2 anomaly—originally a wild boar—had breached the facility.”

“Every agent dragged into its anomaly space ended up brain-dead. To minimize casualties, I requested headquarters to authorize a missile strike, leveling the factory. Our tech team later identified its brain as the source of mutation. It’s been sealed here ever since.”

So it was genuine “pig-brain delicacy”!

Shen Ge leaned closer to the glass, studying it with interest. “Any breakthroughs on its anomaly energy effects?”

Deng Yuqi replied, “Animal trials suggest it stimulates memory. Test subjects retained trained behaviors and commands flawlessly—until the energy dissipated. Then, immediate brain death followed.”

“Bet it’d taste great grilled with chili flakes,” Shen Ge mused.

Deng Yuqi, long accustomed to his mental detours, said flatly, “I’ll pass. Liver-and-kidney stir-fry is already the limit of my local cuisine tolerance. Also, this is anomaly tissue, not supermarket offal. Are you trying to drop dead? And given its post-mutation resemblance to human brains, how would you even—”

“I’d just say ‘Hakuna Matata’ first. Man, now I’m craving brain hotpot. Can I have this one? Hey, where’re you going?” Shen Ge called after her as she walked away.

“To assign you two psychiatrists,” Deng Yuqi tossed over her shoulder.

Shen Ge adopted a solemn tone. “Unnecessary. As someone who nearly certified as a therapist, I self-diagnose via mirror sessions daily. Trust me, I’m very sane.”

“…”

Deng Yuqi silently upgraded “mandatory psychiatric evaluation” to the top of Shen Ge’s training agenda.

“Speaking of which,” Shen Ge pressed, “if I transfer to R&D, can I request research access to this thing?”

“All elite agents can apply to utilize anomaly remains for equipment or energy extraction—after tech team confirms safe handling protocols. This brain stays locked up because every test subject died. Would you approve turning it into gear?”

She turned to him. “By division rules, agents who secure two anomaly corpses in operations earn rights to one for personal use. Thanks to you, we’ve bagged three. So yes, you qualify.”

Shen Ge’s eyes lit up. “So—?”

“Denied,” Deng Yuqi said calmly. “Not until I’m sure you won’t grill it, eat it, and keel over by morning.”

“That’s discrimination!”

(Admittedly, he did want to “consume” it—via system assimilation to bypass the brain-death side effect.)

Deng Yuqi relented slightly. “But you can request pre-made anomaly gear.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Then I want a cryo-unit and a pair of anomaly gauntlets.”

“Approved.”

“Whoa, that was easy. Director, you’re not into me, are you? My body’s on the payroll, but my soul’s off-limits.”

“Pick one item.”

“My apologies! I was wrong!” Shen Ge executed a flawless 90-degree bow, radiating remorse at speeds that outpaced consequences.

“…The cryo-unit stores concentrated anomaly energy. Unauthorized removal is prohibited. The gauntlets will be issued by Logistics.” Though the gauntlets were practically Deng Yuqi’s signature gear, she trusted Shen Ge’s… creative

applications more.

(If nothing else, his insanity might unveil new functionalities even the designers hadn’t imagined.)

As they proceeded deeper into containment, the next chamber housed a crow wreathed in black mist. Its crimson stare triggered primal dread—a Tier-1 anomaly, per the system.

“Tier-1 four years ago, still Tier-1 now… Trash.” Shen Ge dismissed it, moving to the third cell: their “old friend,” the charred skeleton of the anomaly car.

The fourth room contained a one-meter-long, fog-emitting rat anomaly—minus its tail.

“Wait, this rat? Didn’t Li Xiang dissect it? How’s it alive in pieces?” Shen Ge blinked.

Deng Yuqi sighed. “After energy extraction, Li wondered if reassembling the corpse would trigger regeneration. It… worked.”

“Anomalies are wild,” Shen Ge muttered.

The fifth cell stored the corpse of the cat anomaly.

“Only five anomalies in total?” Shen Ge asked.

Deng Yuqi arched a brow. “Expecting more?”

“Nah. Just claiming dibs on the brain.”

Deng Yuqi: -_-

Done talking.

“Hey, wait up!” Shen Ge trailed her out, already plotting: Infiltrate R&D, request the brain, let the system devour it, then blame “accidental incineration.”

(Assuming no one beat him to it.)

Exiting the tech wing, Deng Yuqi considered summoning Assistant Zhang to handle Shen Ge’s uniform and ID logistics—but opted to escort him personally.

The后勤 (Logistics) staff froze upon seeing the director herself ushering in a newcomer. At “Shen Ge’s” name, realization dawned—this was the rookie who’d soloed three anomalies pre-recruitment. Three junior staffers promptly swarmed him.

“Ge Shen, will you dorm here?”

“Ge Shen, what hobbies do you like?”

“Ge Shen, do you game?”

“Ge Shen—”

“…” Watching the trio’s starry-eyed admiration, Deng Yuqi coughed pointedly—a mercy intervention.

Don’t be fooled by the pretty packaging, kids!

“Director, sore throat?”

“Director, have some water!”

“Director, please sit!”

They scrambled—fetching water, pulling up chairs.

“Still here, Director?” Shen Ge chimed in.

Deng Yuqi: …Get lost.

Amused, Shen Ge examined his new ID. The photo—taken that morning during psych eval—looked sharp.

Special Events Management & Anomaly Countermeasures Division

**Badge No. *9320

Elite Agent, Rong City Branch: Shen Ge

He flashed the card at Deng Yuqi. “Next time some idiot crosses me, can I slap this on their face like in the movies?”

Deng Yuqi deadpanned, “Technically yes. Your clearance roughly equals a deputy police commissioner.”

“I’m that badass?” Shen Ge smirked.

“No. It’s the division’s name that’s scary.”

“Sure, boss. You’re the boss.”

“…”

I really want to hit him.