CHAPTER 534: CHAPTER 262: GOLDEN KINGDOM_2

"Research department?"

"After you submit your application, they’ll take you to a special plane. It’s said that there are many tools for investigation and research there. They’ll conduct a comprehensive examination and study on you, which might take over a month. I’ve heard that their methods are not very gentle; it’s quite painful."

Blood extractions, removing parts of organs and tissues—these are the confirmed examination items by investigators, all in the name of "reducing risk."

If you complain to the higher-ups, the research department can come up with a series of righteous excuses.

In some planes, there exist severe sources of contamination, and investigators might get infected without realizing it. To prevent them from spreading contamination to others, a thorough medical examination is necessary.

As for the evaluation standards, they are very flexible—based on the interests of the researchers.

Su glanced at Ethan.

This bizarre digital face would naturally pique their interest.

"I’ve dealt with some people from the research department; their thoughts and mental states are somewhat... not quite normal."

She doesn’t like dealing with those people; in their eyes, every species is merely a guinea pig.

"No worries, if I don’t pass the interview, I can just come back."

Su was momentarily speechless.

Generally, once someone goes to the Guild, failing the interview is unlikely, and there’s no such thing as "just coming back." For those who learn too many secrets and refuse to work for the Guild, they often meet an end like Merlin.

Silently disposed of by the Guild, they might not even realize such a person existed.

The digital face’s mind reading made this conversation much smoother.

Su thought to herself, all this "defamation" against the Guild and the research department are things the digital face found out on his own through mind reading. She had never spoken ill of the Guild in any context.

"One more thing."

Su said, "This plane is very strange. Since coming here, I’ve been unable to contact the Guild. If you plan to have me introduce you to the Guild, you’ll first need to find a way to send me back."

.........

Meanwhile, at Transfer Station 003.

The city was teeming with undercurrents, a suffocating sense of oppression spreading among the people.

The tavern was crowded, with investigators of various ranks gathered, trying to extract more information from each other. You could even see many A-level investigators here, whom you usually could only look up to.

Since the news of Zack and Zul’gara’s disappearance spread, this unsettling atmosphere began to quietly grow. If the rumors of their demise while exploring the planes were true, it would mark the first death case in nearly a hundred years. It’s hard to imagine what kind of ripple this would cause among the Guild’s top brass.

Of course, the upper echelons are not truly concerned about Zack and Zul’gara, but about the power that could sever the blessing of the goddess and take away their godly powers.

This means that none of them are safe anymore.

"Kind brothers and sisters, be generous; does anyone have any inside info? Please share some!"

The tavern was filled with such pleas. For those low-level investigators without connections, they could only hope that someone would be kind enough to share.

Quite a few Guild members noticed that the support investigation commissions were withdrawn, but this doesn’t mean the Guild abandoned the investigation; it’s that they are handing over the investigation to the real "professionals."

Several A-level investigators were surrounded by people, with the table piled high with untouched liquor.

Trading liquor for information is an unspoken rule of the Guild.

Everyone knows about the existence of "professionals" and "mysterious organizations." These mysterious beings only appear when the Guild encounters unsolvable problems.

But in actuality, no one has ever seen these people, nor could anyone ascertain their identities or races.

Perhaps in the near future, they could witness their arrival at Transfer Station 003!

Investigators speculated on the grand entrance of those big shots.

Riding a dragon descending from the sky?

Or perhaps in a special craft from one of those dangerous planes?

This is the most magnificent entrance they could imagine; only such a spectacle would match the status of those big shots.

Incalculable Guild Points, holding the information of all explored planes—this is every Guild member’s goal.

The mere thought is enough to excite them.

Yet, the A-level investigators surrounded by others wore bitter smiles. This is the highest rank achievable by investigators. Each of them has gone through unimaginable dangers. Despite being under the goddess’s blessing, the pain brought by death and the fear and anxiety when facing those indescribable contaminators are very real.

The most dangerous commissions followed, leading them step by step to their current status. All that they’ve exchanged for is a mere glimpse at what’s above.

It’s an insurmountable chasm for them.

The roar from above drowned out the discussions in the bar. Low-level investigators instinctively covered their ears. It wasn’t the roar of a dragon, but some mechanical roar. Moist, sticky liquid dampened their palms, with blood trickling down through their fingers.

But they soon ignored the pain, scrambling to rush out of the tavern, onto the street.

At that moment, no one could utter a single word.

They looked up, seeing the ripped-open sky, and the black clouds rolling inward. They could sense that some colossal entity was emerging from the tear.

Before this colossal entity, a dragon seemed as insignificant as a small animal.

The president of Transfer Station 003 also made his way to the street, looking up at the sky’s tear with the other investigators, his hand gripping the staff trembling uncontrollably.

More than excitement, it was terror that filled his heart.

The president had a premonition, and just before the colossal entity manifested in the clouds, he closed his eyes in time.

The second roar came.

He thrust the staff into the ground, with enough force to sink half of it into the earth. Only in this way could he stabilize himself against the wind pressure caused by the roar.

He could still hear the cries of the investigators in pain, accompanied by the continuous sound of bodies being flung and landing.

Even with eyes shut tight, the dazzling brilliance encompassing the whole sky still scorched his eyes.

This process lasted for several minutes until the blinding light dimmed a bit. The president slowly opened his eyes.

His vision was now blocked by a colossal entity larger than Transfer Station 003, with gold becoming the only color in the sky.

The president glanced at the street, where low-level investigators were strewn about, covering their eyes and ears, howling in pain.

Once upon a time, he was just like them.

But as his position rose higher, and his understanding of the Guild deepened, he increasingly didn’t want to meet those from above.

Yet soon, a beam of light descended from the clouds and illuminated in front of him.

The president could only grit his teeth, raise his staff, and step towards the beam of light.

High above, a figure lazily resting its chin on its left hand sat on a throne, wearing a golden mask that obscured its face.

The people beneath the throne also wore the same masks.

His gaze slowly drifted over the crowd, landing on a certain woman among them.

It was a golden mask with a smile, seemingly freezing her expression forever.

"Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since you last returned."

Upon hearing this, the woman’s body trembled slightly.

The figure on the throne spoke, "In terms of time, it’s been 1,647 years since you last left. The changes there must be beyond your imagination."

This seemingly casual conversation enveloped the hall with a strong sense of oppression.

"Times have changed, is it nostalgia now?

"Cynthia?"

...

Facing the man’s question, the woman beneath the throne simply shook her head lightly.

She didn’t utter a sound, nor could anyone see the expression on her face.

Only that golden mask continued to smile.