Chapter 23: Equipment

"By the way," Lin Lei suddenly recalled what Hodge had mentioned earlier and asked, "I heard from Advisor Hodge that advancing one's Source Energy level isn't just a matter of accumulating enough energy—it also requires some kind of external aid?"

Zhou Wei nodded. "Advancing your Source Energy level, also known as breaking through a boundary, requires two things. First, your own Source Energy must reach a state of overflow. Second, you need breakthrough materials."

"Although the materials needed for each breakthrough aren't strictly limited to a single type, they are all extremely rare. If you want to obtain them, either you wait until your Source Energy overflows and then use a set number of Investigation Points to apply through the Bureau, or you receive them as rewards for certain special investigation assignments—"

"Of course, if you're lucky and obtain them by other means, that's fine too, so long as you don't join any evil cult or perform forbidden rituals to get them."

Lin Lei arched an eyebrow. So, I need my Source Energy to overflow and enough Investigation Points to request these 'breakthrough materials'—which means I can't be in a rush.

Afterward, Lin Lei asked a few more basic questions about Source Energy cultivation. Zhou Wei answered with utmost seriousness, no longer teasing him.

When all his questions were answered, Lin Lei thanked Dr. Zhou again and rose to his feet. "Then, Dr. Zhou, I'll take my leave."

Zhou Wei nodded. "If you ever run into problems with your cultivation, or if you're experiencing emotional turmoil, you can come to me anytime."

Lin Lei nodded as well. His earlier unfavorable impression of Zhou Wei, born from her playful demeanor, was completely overturned.

Dr. Zhou really is a good person!

...

Stepping out of the room, Lin Lei paused in surprise.

Li Xueshu was still waiting outside.

It had already been a while since Lin Lei entered—at least an hour or two. He wasn't sure if she'd waited there the entire time or if she'd left and come back.

Her gaze immediately fell on the pendant Lin Lei was holding.

"Looks like your first attempt at cultivating Source Energy didn't go so smoothly," she remarked.

Lin Lei spread his hands helplessly. "Maybe... this is just... the price of having too much talent?"

Li Xueshu rolled her eyes and said dryly, "Your assignment has come down from above. The Operations Division organizes by team, and you've been temporarily placed in my unit—Team Nine. I'm the team leader."

Lin Lei immediately straightened his posture. "Leader Li!"

A fellow student, now his superior.

Li Xueshu smiled and nodded, then continued, "You've also been assigned your first investigation mission. Remember what I said before? Besides you, there have been other incidents near your home that hint at ghoul attacks. In other words, there might be a hostile ghoul group lurking in the Upper District."

"Since you survived a ghoul attack yourself, your first assignment is to investigate the existence of this ghoul group. If they exist, your task is to exterminate them!"

"Isn't that a bit unreasonable?" Lin Lei's eyes flickered, his expression subtly shifting as he coughed and said, "I mean... isn't it a bit much for me to handle alone?"

Truth be told, ghouls were communal monsters. Even a small group would be a challenge for a newly awakened Source Energy user to clear out alone, no matter how talented. Lin Lei wasn't afraid, but he couldn't very well show it.

Li Xueshu replied, "I'll accompany you as your guide and examiner, and the Operations Division will assign support personnel as well. This is your first mission, and it's important. If you do well, it will help you become a formal member."

"Don't worry. Ghouls are weak and common anomalies. With your C+ level Blessing, you can easily overwhelm these low-level anomalies."

"In fact, the Investigation Bureau rarely even needs to deploy investigators for ghoul exterminations."

"And with me present, even if the number of ghouls exceeds expectations or other issues arise, you don't need to worry. If things go beyond your ability to handle, I'll intervene."

Lin Lei nodded with a peculiar expression. He certainly wasn't afraid—he just found it all a bit awkward. He'd already killed half that ghoul nest himself, and the survivors had scattered. Tracking them down wouldn't be easy.

Li Xueshu continued, "I should remind you, though I'll step in if necessary, my main role is as examiner. Unless there's a special situation, I won't use powers beyond the first boundary or other advanced means."

"I'll give you advice, but the real decision-maker on this mission is you. Any questions?"

Lin Lei shook his head. "No problem."

Li Xueshu nodded. "The mission starts tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll help you get familiar with the Investigation Bureau and take you to apply for weapons and some basic equipment."

Lin Lei's eyes instantly lit up.

...

The Investigation Bureau had two things that fascinated Lin Lei most: the Source Energy Cultivation Methods and its weapons.

His own painstakingly crafted Tang blade was serviceable, but it was nothing compared to what the Bureau could provide. Not to mention, the Bureau had 'Source Weapons'—artifacts infused with Source Energy.

But when it came time to actually apply for weapons, Lin Lei found the process surprisingly complex. Standard weapons were straightforward; approval was simple, and you could even keep them for long-term use. If they broke, it wasn’t a problem.

But Source Weapons with special abilities were another matter entirely. Not only were they restricted by investigator rank and specific missions, but you also had to fill out detailed application reports. Extending their use required extra Investigation Points, and so on.

Of course, there was some basic standard-issue equipment distributed directly to all investigators—no application needed.

At this moment—

In a wide training field, Lin Lei, dressed in black tactical gear, played with a sleek silver pistol, loading special bullets with a metallic sheen into the magazine one by one.

The tactical suit and pistol were standard-issue for investigators. He also carried a Bureau-issued PDA that looked identical to an ordinary smartphone.

Aside from the standard equipment, he'd also applied for an alloy long blade, though this weapon was subject to approval and not yet in his hands.

He stood up and struck a pose in front of the mirror at the edge of the training field.

The tactical suit, though light and resembling a mountaineer's outfit, was actually made of nanomaterials, providing excellent impact resistance while remaining lightweight.

Both the pistol and its bullets were specially engineered. The bullets in particular were infused with Source Energy through a secret process, giving them a major advantage against anomalies compared to ordinary ammunition.

These bullets, however, were precious—Lin Lei had only been issued thirty.

At his current rank, his monthly allotment was just thirty Source Energy bullets. If he used them up on a mission, he could apply for more, and as his rank rose, so would his monthly quota.

Lin Lei held a bullet in his hand and licked his lips.

The pistol, though specially made, was still an ordinary object and couldn't be "devoured"—but the bullets were different. He tried to activate his Devouring power on one.

His Gluttony talent allowed him to test the effect without fully activating his ability.

The answer: it worked!

"Devouring" a Source Energy bullet required only a minuscule amount of Gluttony energy, not even a full unit. It was even less than what he’d needed to devour the vial of medicine Li Xueshu had given him.

His eyes flickered. "So, maybe it’s not about special abilities—it’s anything that contains Source Energy that can be devoured?"

He shook his head. Only after actually devouring a bullet would he know the precise effect, and in the Investigation Bureau, he wasn’t about to take such a risk.

Just then, Li Xueshu approached, pistol in hand, and called out, "Come on, let’s get some shooting practice in. Don’t forget to switch to regular bullets!"

Source Energy bullets were far too valuable to be wasted on target practice.

Lin Lei nodded. Even in his past life, he’d never fired a handgun. Now, he intended to practice diligently.

He and Li Xueshu spent the afternoon on the shooting range.

As evening fell, they dined together in the Bureau’s cafeteria before finally leaving.