Chapter 22: Technical Personnel Relocation Zone 2

Danika’s squad consisted of five members, herself included, and at this moment, Leon and Hall were seated, surrounded by three of her subordinates.

Compared to Hall, who was shivering beside him, Leon appeared remarkably composed. Gazing at the back of Danika’s head in the passenger seat, he began to ask about their destination: "Miss Danika..."

"Call me Captain." Danika interrupted him without turning back, answering the question he hadn't quite finished asking: "We are heading to the Technical Personnel Relocation Zone 2. Or rather, we just came from there."

"Understood, Captain."

Leon adapted quickly. Although he had no desire to join this so-called Public Security Bureau, it was an acceptable trade-off if it meant gaining a legal identity. With that thought in mind, he prepared to ask for more information regarding "extra-legal citizens."

Before he could speak, however, he noticed Danika leaning back in her seat, her breathing gradually deepening into a steady rhythm.

*She... she fell asleep?*

Leon glanced at the three team members beside him. Seeing that they seemed accustomed to this, he kept his mouth shut and remained silent.

Soon, the blue-and-white medium transport vehicle carried the group of Public Security officers and Leon to their destination—a large area filled with dormitory-like structures, many of which had already collapsed.

Danika opened her eyes, let out a yawn, and pushed the door open to step out. "We're here. Get out."

After disembarking, Leon noticed that many Public Security officers had already gathered at the Technical Personnel Relocation Zone 2. Leaving her team behind, Danika walked straight toward a sturdy man whose skin was a deep, crimson red.

"Chief Marcus, we caught one." She gestured with her chin toward Leon, who was standing not far away.

The red-skinned man, addressed as Chief Marcus, looked at Leon with a hint of surprise. "A Professional, really? What’s his crime? How’s his strength?"

"Illegal entry. His strength is unclear, but he was sensible enough not to attack us."

"?" Upon hearing Leon’s offense, Marcus’s expression turned peculiar. "People are actually willing to stow away into this dump? Whatever. He’s just an ordinary Level 1 Professional; handle him as you see fit. The Bureau is short-handed anyway."

"Yes, sir."

Standing by the vehicle, Leon naturally noticed Danika whispering about him with a male creature who looked remarkably like Hellboy. He could tell that this non-human entity was likely in charge.

Hall, standing beside him, seemed to be trying to make up for his earlier behavior, whispering a clarification: "That’s the Chief of the Public Security Bureau, Marcus. He’s a half-human, half-demon."

Before Leon could ask what a "demon" was, he saw Danika finish her report and head back toward him. The exhausted-looking, tall woman stopped in front of him and told one of her team members, "Get him some gear."

Leon took the standard-issue uniform from the member and climbed into the vehicle to change. It didn't take long. Though they called it "gear," Leon noticed it lacked weapons; it was merely a set of clothes and basic supplies, such as a communication device with no signal and an imaging scanner.

He understood perfectly well. It was only natural for Danika’s squad to be wary of him; he wouldn't hand firearms to a suspicious individual either.

Danika then began to brief them on the mission: "I won't say much. There are still people trapped in the area behind us, and there are likely plenty of bugs inside. Our mission is to rescue them. As you know, those technicians aren't like us; they have no means of self-defense. Alright, let's move."

Leon followed behind Danika, his mind replaying the information he had seen on the communication device. Technical Personnel Relocation Zone 2 housed extra-legal citizens who had immigrated from other planets, typically those with professions like "technician." "Doctors" and "researchers" were housed in Zone 1. That explained why the Bureau had only just arrived—the talent in Zone 1 was considered more valuable.

Just as Leon was contemplating whether he should pursue a technical profession himself, the group entered the first dormitory building. He immediately equipped the imaging scanner. In an instant, the pitch-black corridor became clear.

"Stay sharp. The bugs this time are different from the ones before." Danika stretched her shoulders and neck, then signaled for Leon to take the lead. As she had mentioned earlier, she needed to test his strength.

The crisp sound of her heels echoed through the silent corridor. Danika didn't seem to care if any bugs were attracted by the noise—or perhaps, that was her intention all along. Leon had no objections; he couldn't hide his abilities forever, and showing a proper level of capability would help him integrate into this world.

Soon, a bug took the bait. Seeing the deep red figure suddenly appear on the scanner, Leon felt no panic. Having killed three of the creatures earlier, he managed to add another notch to his belt without much effort.

[Engaged in combat using Inverse Origin Triad. Skill experience +5.]

Behind him, Danika raised an eyebrow as she witnessed the feat, mentally evaluating him. *Not bad. He’s barely reached the average level of a Level 1 Professional.*

*As for his profession-specific abilities...* Danika recalled how Leon’s body had turned slightly pale, and she felt uncertain. Judging by the performance, it was definitely a physical enhancement type, but she felt it wasn't that simple.

*Let's see more.*

Unfortunately, after eliminating the first bug, Leon didn't encounter any others, and Danika remained unable to continue assessing his strength.

Until they reached the top floor.

A nauseating scent of blood assaulted their senses. Danika stepped forward, blocking the group. Her previously lazy expression was replaced by rare, genuine seriousness. "On guard."

"Cole, go back down and inform Chief Marcus that there’s an abnormal situation here." The team member named did not hesitate and turned to run downstairs.

It was no wonder they were so tense; the scene before them was like something out of purgatory. The deep corridors were smeared with crimson blood, and the severed limbs of humanoid creatures were scattered everywhere.

Seeing this, Leon secretly pushed his vigilance to the limit. It was clear that this top floor was home to a bug far more dangerous than the cannon fodder they had encountered before.