Chapter Twelve: Selection

Lin Lei had just succeeded in his application when his phone rang again. Seeing the unfamiliar number displayed, Lin Lei arched his brow. The Bureau’s PDA had a strict communications firewall; ordinary spam calls shouldn’t be able to get through.

He answered the call.

A gentle, polite voice came through. “Is this Investigator Lin Lei, Level Four? I’m calling from the Bureau’s Logistics Department. Regarding the first-tier investigation task you just accepted, there are requirements and restrictions concerning practical combat ability.”

“The Bureau conducts a simple screening and assessment for those who take on tasks as Physical-Type Source Energy Users. Please come to the Bureau this afternoon for the evaluation…”

“Understood!” Lin Lei hung up, the smile on his face fading considerably.

“No wonder I got the task so easily—it turns out that applying doesn’t guarantee you’ll be chosen as an executor. There’s still a selection process…” He furrowed his brow thoughtfully.

A Level Three Investigator could nominate others to participate in this mission. As a member of Execution Division’s Ninth Unit, Lin Lei realized the Bureau must have even more actual groups. The leader would certainly be a Level Three Investigator, but that didn’t mean only the leader held such rank. Naturally, many qualified individuals would take part in the assessment.

Lin Lei found it odd. Azure Blossom was highly valuable; this investigation was almost a second- or even third-tier task. They could easily recruit experts from the Second or Third Realm, so why insist on First Realm Source Energy Users for participation?

“A special task… Just how special is it?” he mused.

Returning to the dining table, Qi Fangyan asked, “Lei Lei, is something the matter?”

Lin Lei nodded. “Something urgent came up—I’ll have to head out soon. I’d promised to watch the show with you, Sister Yan, but I’m afraid I have to apologize.”

Qi Fangyan waved her hand dismissively. “No worries at all. It’s good that someone needs you!”

…

Afternoon.

Second floor of the Bureau.

Following instructions, Lin Lei arrived at Combat Training Hall No. 3. About a dozen people had already gathered there, standing before Hoch.

Except for a young woman among them, all shared a single characteristic: their physiques. Regardless of height, they were all noticeably more robust than average.

Lin Lei understood—these must all be Physical-Type Source Energy Users. Such users possessed bodies far tougher than ordinary Source Energy Users, and could endure far more intense training.

“Oh, everyone’s here—perfect timing.” Hoch, wearing sunglasses, looked at Lin Lei with some surprise and beckoned him over, then addressed the group:

“There’s only one opening for a Physical-Type Source Energy User in this investigation task, but thirteen have been nominated. I’ll select one among you to participate, so you must undergo a screening process.”

“The process is simple: evaluation of your strength, physical attributes, and practical combat skills…”

“First is the strength assessment.” Hoch led them to the side of the hall, to a punch-force testing machine.

“Each person can strike up to three times. Anyone whose force is below 500 kilograms will be eliminated, with no chance to proceed to the next round.”

Lin Lei had surpassed 500 kilograms in punch-force when he first joined the Bureau; now he had no concerns.

“I’ll go first!” declared a burly man, nearly two meters tall, muscles bulging.

Hoch smiled at him. “Yang Xiao, you’ve long reached the peak of the First Realm and have been with the Bureau for some time. Don’t let your juniors surpass you.”

“Hmph!” Yang Xiao cast a glance toward the female Source Energy User in the crowd. “Whatever else, I’m confident in my strength.”

He stood before the machine, took his stance, and struck with a powerful punch. The target shook, and soon a number appeared on the machine’s LCD screen—“985.”

“985 kilograms! Impressive! No wonder they call you ‘Black Bear’!” Hoch clicked his tongue.

In close combat, Physical-Type Source Energy Users were most likely to overcome adverse situations. The stronger one’s force, the greater the advantage in melee.

After the punch, satisfaction flashed across Yang Xiao’s face, and he turned away.

Hoch reminded him, “Everyone has three chances. You can strike two more times.”

Yang Xiao shook his head. “No need. This is my usual level—a couple more strikes won’t make much difference. A few points won’t matter…”

Hoch nodded, smiling, and recorded Yang Xiao’s result on his chart. Then he turned to the crowd. “Who’s next?”

Lin Lei rolled his neck and raised his hand. “I’ll go.”

The dozen or so Source Energy Users around him all cast curious glances his way.

Hoch laughed. “Allow me to introduce him—this is our newly joined investigator in the Execution Division’s Ninth Unit, Lin Lei. He’s a C+ level Natural Awakener!”

“Wow!”

Expressions varied across the group.

A C+ grade gift was already considered very high among Physical-Type users, not to mention the rare identity as a Natural Awakener.

Lin Lei’s expression remained steady as he approached the machine, took his stance, and punched.

Boom!

With a muffled thump, the machine shuddered, displaying a number.

“1350?!”

Hoch took off his sunglasses in astonishment.

The rest were in an uproar.

“Is the machine malfunctioning?”

“How can a newcomer be so powerful?!”

Hoch narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

He was the one who personally assessed Lin Lei’s abilities when he joined. Yang Xiao was at the peak of the First Realm, yet his strength did not surpass a thousand kilograms. Lin Lei had not even been with the Bureau for a month—such a leap in strength was absurd!

Even after taking the ‘Enlightenment Serum’ and advancing, it shouldn’t be this terrifying.

He stepped forward and examined the machine carefully, even testing it himself. After confirming it worked perfectly, he looked at Lin Lei with a complex expression.

“How is your strength so formidable?”

Lin Lei did not conceal anything. “I’ve reached the peak of the First Realm.”

In truth, Lin Lei hadn’t deliberately hidden his strength; his normal punch-force was around thirteen or fourteen hundred kilograms.

He had thought it through. With his ‘Gluttony’ talent, his future growth would only become more astonishing—it was better to display some of his “gifts” now, so people would more readily accept it later.

After all, as a Natural Awakener, his Source Energy affinity was already high.

And the gift grade could be improved through training or by increasing Source Energy.

Hoch’s eyes flashed, but his brow furrowed. “Did Li Xueshu give you an advanced ‘Source Energy Serum’?”

Lin Lei merely smiled, not answering.

Hoch raised his brows, stepped closer, and looked Lin Lei up and down, his eyes filled with intrigue.

“Even at the peak of the First Realm, your strength exceeds my expectations. When the opportunity arises, it might be worth reassessing your gift grade…”