Otaku Translation: I! Anomaly Cleansing Agent! C148

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Chapter 148: The Investigation Mystery (Part 1)

After drinking heartily with the for half the night and then passing out wrapped in a blanket on her desk, woke up to a splitting headache. By the time he opened his eyes, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.

"Mr. Leon, we are investigators from headquarters, here to look into the '' you were involved in. Are you ready to answer some questions now?"

"Huh?"

"..."

Seeing the utterly bewildered expression on Leon’s face—his unfocused gaze suggesting he wasn’t even sure whether he was human or canine—the young female investigator frowned slightly and raised her voice:

"We’re investigators sent by headquarters to examine your case. Our preliminary investigation is complete. Now, we need your cooperation for questioning."

"Oh... Cooperation... Definitely cooperating..."

After blinking dazedly for several moments, Leon finally grasped the situation and perked up. He tried to untangle himself from the blanket—but found that he couldn’t move at all.

He tugged at the red-haired chief’s arm twice, but it was no use; she still held him firmly against the table. Feeling increasingly awkward, Leon leaned over and whispered:

"Chief, let go. The investigators are here."

"Chief, wake up."

"..."

Crap...

Under the incredulous stares of the two investigators, Leon took a deep breath and awkwardly requested:

"I’ll definitely cooperate with the investigation, but could you help me first? Get me out of this situation. And... be gentle, please. I think my ribs might be broken..."

"..."

In all my years as an investigator, this is the first time someone has asked me for this kind of assistance...

Exchanging a glance with the exasperated female investigator, the older male investigator shook his head, made a few notes on the report form, and slowly approached. Carefully extending his hand toward the red-haired chief’s arm, he prepared to intervene.

"Ziiip!"

Just as the older investigator’s hand neared the red-haired chief, a sharp tearing sound cut through the air, and the entire office dimmed slightly. To everyone's astonishment, tens of thousands of crimson strands erupted outward from the desk, weaving the entire office into a massive scarlet "cocoon" within the span of a heartbeat. Every living being nearby was instantly bound tightly.

The older investigator’s vital points were immediately seized by thousands of writhing hair-like threads, their tips piercing his skin. Leon squinted and realized that if the red-haired chief willed it, those strands could drill straight through his body, shredding everything inside.

The previously intoxicated red-haired chief had somehow opened her eyes without anyone noticing. Her cold, steely gaze now locked onto the two frozen investigators.

"So it’s you two... You startled me..."

After studying the older investigator for a moment, recognition flickered across her face. A faint smile appeared as the sea of crimson hair retracted instantly, returning the office to its usual state.

"My apologies—I drank a bit too much last night."

As soon as she withdrew [Bloodtide Murder Hair], both investigators visibly relaxed. The older one chuckled lightly before retreating calmly, while the younger woman, pale-faced, bit her lip and said:

", I will report what just happened."

"Mm-hmm, go ahead, go ahead~"

The red-haired chief waved dismissively after giving the defiant young investigator a cursory glance. She yawned lazily, rolled over, and lay back down.

If this had happened two weeks ago, she might have cared a little more. But after the disastrous events of the earlier this year, the bureau’s performance rating was practically guaranteed to hit rock bottom anyway. Whether or not they reported anything hardly mattered anymore.

I’m already dead last. What else can they do to me? At this point, grades don’t mean squat. Might as well embrace the chaos.

Damn.

Clearly irritated by her nonchalant attitude, the young female investigator bit her lip again, her face hardening as she turned to Leon, who had just regained his freedom.

"Mr. Leon, since you're free now, are you ready to cooperate with our investigation?"

"Yes..."

"No."

At that moment, the red-haired chief, lying back on the desk with her back to them, spoke up irritably:

"If you want to investigate, do it elsewhere. Why are you poking around in my office? Can’t you see I’m trying to rest? Leave. Hurry up. I’ve been on duty all night—I’m exhausted."

???

Hearing this, Leon inwardly groaned as he watched the young investigator’s complexion turn pale, then red, then an angry shade of purple.

Chief... Are you deliberately trying to make trouble for me? Is this your way of ensuring these two investigators find a reason to throw dirt on me?

Even if I weren’t guilty of causing the Lion Blood Night incident, your provocation ensures they’ll dig something up to pin on me.

"Heh, come on, let’s go."

Unlike the visibly irate young woman, the older investigator seemed mild-mannered. Far from being offended by the red-haired chief’s rude dismissal, he gently nudged her toward the door, chuckling as he spoke:

"The has the smallest staff among the . It’s only natural for Chief Olivia to want to rest after pulling an all-nighter. We shouldn’t disturb her..."

"What rest?!"

Seemingly incensed by the red-haired chief’s behavior, the young investigator pulled away from her colleague, her voice sharp with accusation:

"Look at all these empty bottles! How dare you claim she’s resting after working hard?"

"I must report this. Someone as emotionally unstable as her, drinking all night in the branch office—how can she serve as a chief of a Zodiac division? Not to mention..."

"That’s enough."

The older investigator, who had been listening patiently, suddenly grew stern, his expression darkening as he barked:

"You know nothing about this situation. This isn’t your place to interfere."

"But—"

"What’s ? Recite it."

"All... All investigations must be based solely on facts. Personal emotions cannot influence the process..."

"And what should you be doing right now?"

"..."

The dynamic between the two investigators seemed somewhat akin to a mentor-student relationship. After enduring the scolding, the young woman took a deep breath, bit her lip once more, bowed deeply to the red-haired chief, and stormed out of the room.

Following suit, the older investigator gave the red-haired chief a polite bow before turning to Leon with a kind smile:

"Mr. Leon, since Ms. Olivia needs rest, let’s proceed to your office. Also, please don’t be too nervous—this is merely a routine inquiry."

"Understood."

Relieved that at least one of the investigators hadn’t been provoked by the chief, Leon exhaled softly and followed the older man out of the office.

Once outside, as Leon prepared to strike up a conversation to ease the lingering tension, he felt a slight itch on his chest.

Looking down, he noticed a strand of red hair emerging from his collar, floating behind the older investigator. Twisting subtly in his blind spot, it transformed into an exclamation mark-like symbol and quietly attached itself to the investigator’s back.

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