episode_0032
by fnovelpia“Go to hell!”
Just as Xu Nian and Su Qingya’s consciousness teetered on the edge of fading, a furious roar erupted from nearby.
A massive fist slammed into the black-uniformed female staff member, instantly shattering her body into scattered fragments.
With her death, the two immediately snapped out of their strange state.
The extreme visual impact assaulted Xu Nian and Su Qingya’s nerves, nearly making them retch.
“Hah, looks like you two really are just girls who somehow became Emotion Bearers but have no clue how to handle your powers. It’s a complete mess.”
The teasing voice of a middle-aged man came from beside them.
Soon, his voice was drowned out by a smooth, domineering feminine tone.
“Enough, stop bickering. Head to the haunted house—it’s finally appeared. We need to find a way to exorcise this Terror Beast.”
“Damn Emotion Beasts. Can’t even let us have a peaceful weekend.”
Xu Nian and Su Qingya supported each other as their gazes fell on the two figures who had abruptly appeared before them.
“Who are you?”
“As you can see, Terror Beast minions. They’re common cannon fodder units—corpses granted a fraction of the Terror Beast’s power through its blessing. They’re not strong, but they’re still not something a one-star Emotion Bearer on the [Fear] path can handle.”
“I was asking about your identities.”
“A-City Public Security Bureau, Special Emotion Beast Task Force—Cold Owl.”
The domineering woman flashed her badge.
“Cold Owl is just a codename.”
“You’re finally here.” Relief was evident on Xu Nian and Su Qingya’s faces.
“Don’t get your hopes up. Our mission is to eliminate Emotion Beasts. Protecting civilians isn’t our responsibility. Whatever danger you face during this disaster has nothing to do with us.”
“Hey, come on, don’t be so cold. She’s actually pretty warm-hearted deep down. What she means is that the only way to protect more people is to eliminate the Emotion Beast as soon as possible. So, ladies, interested in joining the Security Bureau? The benefits are great—seven insurances, three pensions, a monthly salary of 20K, performance-based year-end bonuses, and an ironclad job guarantee. You won’t find a better deal anywhere else.”
The middle-aged man’s booming laughter drowned out the woman’s voice as he made an enthusiastic recruitment pitch.
“What… if we refuse?” Su Qingya ventured cautiously.
“Then we’ll have to treat you to a knuckle sandwich.”
“Stop joking around.” The woman shot a cold glare at the man beside her.
“Nothing will happen. You’ll just need to register, promise not to advance in rank or misuse your powers, and you can return to your normal lives. Of course, there’s an annual review. If you’re caught committing crimes, well—knowingly breaking the law means harsher punishment.”
“We’ll join.”
Before Su Qingya could say anything, Xu Nian quickly cut in.
“Glad to hear it.”
“But we’re still high school students.”
“No problem. I’ll register you now. You won’t even need to take the college entrance exam—just head straight to A-University’s affiliated institute after graduation. Your acceptance letters will be mailed to you, and jobs are guaranteed upon graduation. If your grades are outstanding, you’ll likely even stay in this city.”
Instead of handing Xu Nian any forms, the woman gave her a business card.
“Call me when the time comes.”
“Got it.”
With that, the two picked up their strange cases and headed toward the haunted house.
“Nian, why did you agree?”
“First rule when encountering the supernatural—find an organization.”
“Huh?” Su Qingya blinked, not following.
“Don’t you get it? Only within an organization can freelancers like us get the resources to grow.”
“R-Really? But don’t protagonists in novels usually go solo?”
“Are you the protagonist?”
Su Qingya shook her head.
(Though, in truth, she was.)
But… if Su Qingya went solo, what would happen to her?
“You’re not, and neither am I. So we’d better follow the crowd.”
Xu Nian’s reasoning was so convincing that Su Qingya was immediately swayed.
“Look, right now we know nothing. Everything about Emotion Beasts is just guesswork. You and I don’t even know how to use our abilities properly. What else can we do besides joining an organization? Go find Lin Ye?”
At the mention of that name, Su Qingya shuddered.
“N-No, not him.”
“Exactly. Honestly, even if we hadn’t run into them today, I was planning to visit the Security Bureau anyway.”
“Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”
Xu Nian suddenly smirked mysteriously.
“Besides, doesn’t this mean we won’t have to worry about college applications?”
Hearing this, Su Qingya realized it was true.
Their academic performances were worlds apart.
Ensuring they got into the same school would’ve been nearly impossible.
Though Xu Nian’s family had arranged for her to attend A-University’s business school after graduation, meaning Su Qingya just had to apply there too…
But what if something went wrong?
This had always been a quiet worry in Su Qingya’s heart.
(Of course, it was Su Qingya’s worry.)
Xu Nian knew the truth all too well.
The Xu family didn’t have absolute influence in A-City.
They could only secure one spot.
Once the true heiress returned home, the guaranteed admission to A-University’s business school would undoubtedly go to Su Qingya—making her the family’s new hope.
With her own grades, Xu Nian stood no chance of getting into A-University.
And without value, she’d be cast aside.
Even if Su Qingya could get in on her own merit, sparing the Xu family from calling in favors…
That would mean four years of long-distance.
Xu Nian refused to accept that.
Now that she knew Su Qingya was the true heiress, with no threat of being sacrificed to the plot…
She wouldn’t let Su Qingya slip away.
Su Qingya had to stay by her side—nowhere else.
Besides…
This was a world where the supernatural existed.
Between a university specializing in the occult and an ordinary one…
The choice was obvious.
“So, what do we do now?”
“The Ferris wheel.”
The security officers were professionals, but who knew if they’d fail?
Only after simulating the outcome could Xu Nian truly relax.
It was insurance.
Even if they eliminated all the Emotion Beasts, she had to confirm it was truly safe.
Su Qingya didn’t object.
She didn’t understand Xu Nian’s obsession with the Ferris wheel, but she trusted her.
With no further obstacles, the two soon arrived.
The Ferris wheel stood at the convergence of all paths, drawing an astonishing crowd.
The line stretched endlessly, yet only one staff member was on duty—a woman in a pink uniform, her face alight with enthusiasm.
She cheerfully directed the flow of visitors, ushering them into the cabins in waves.
“Please remain orderly and avoid crowding! Our Ferris wheel is one of the city’s most famous attractions. From the top, you can see the entire amusement park! It’s also the largest romantic hotspot in the city—confess your love at the peak, and any couple is guaranteed to be united!”
Her voice rang out, met with cheers from the crowd below.
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