Investigation Report of the Gods

Chapter 77: Promotion Dilemma

Would this performance earn him a chance to learn the Invisibility Spell before the flickering descended?

Or even… an Investigator license?

Amidst such uncertain waiting, Han Su heard someone knock on the door. When he opened it, he saw Secretary Cui, dressed in a black suit.

She tilted her head slightly, half-smiling, and gave Han Su a once-over before saying, “I didn’t notice before, but not only do you have an Innate Ability, you’re quite talented too. Well done…”

“Come on, Chief Zhang is waiting for you in the dining hall.”

Feeling reassured, Han Su quickly changed clothes and headed to the dining hall, where he saw Zhang Chiguo sitting by the table eating wontons—shrimp-filled.

There was another bowl placed across from him, steaming hot. There was no doubt it had been left for him.

He walked over with a smile, but Zhang Chiguo suddenly looked up and said, “Stand there!”

Han Su obediently stopped in place.

Zhang Chiguo set down his spoon, his expression dark. “I assigned you that task to protect you, not to indulge you.”

Han Su quickly softened and smiled. “Uncle Zhang, I was confident before I went in.”

Unmoved, Zhang Chiguo replied coldly, “I know Song Chu‑shi better than you do.”

“He’s a genius, one of the earliest people in Qinggang granted access to these mysterious phenomena. But unlike me, who was brought in by Secretary No. 5, he created the opportunity to join on his own.”

“Because of his special status, he was initially excluded from many operations and classified matters. Yet ironically, some things couldn’t proceed without him.”

“And in the beginning, he didn’t show any signs of obsession or madness because of his sister’s incident. On the contrary, he acted calm and precise in all his tasks—remarkably competent.”

“But one day—specifically around the time when the kidnapping case was officially classified—he suddenly changed.”

“He stole a Mysterious Machine and fled. The Disaster Management Bureau deployed over half of our Investigators to capture him, but the losses were catastrophic.”

“You met him this time and came out unscathed. I know he must’ve told you something, but I must still remind you—this man is insane.”

“All he sees are his sister and that kidnapping case.”

“If given the chance, do you think he wouldn’t trade you for a chance to bring his sister back?”

“No. He could sacrifice a hundred of you, just for a one percent chance of her returning alive.”

“……”

Han Su took a deep breath and said, “I understand, Uncle Zhang.”

Seeing the sincerity in his expression, Zhang Chiguo found himself momentarily speechless. He let out a low sigh and gestured for Han Su to sit and eat. “You lack reverence for Mysterious Powers and these dangerous individuals.”

“Your task report this time was well-written, but do you really think anyone would believe it?”

“But Miss Ai already approved my report!”

“She didn’t just approve it—she gave you an S‑Level!”

Han Su was dumbfounded. “What?”

Zhang Chiguo let out a cold snort. “Miss Ai only looks at logic. If the logic checks out, she believes it. But giving you such a high evaluation—what does that suggest?”

“It means even she thinks what you accomplished was nearly superhuman.”

Han Su was genuinely startled by the S‑Level rating and curiosity was sparked. “Then… what kind of person would it take to reasonably resolve a B‑Level event?”

“Someone whose authority range matches.”

Zhang Chiguo put down his spoon, his tone serious. “Kid, do you know the types of problems we face in the Disaster Management Bureau?”

Han Su’s heart stirred. He sensed that Zhang Chiguo wanted to convey something important and immediately sat up straight. “Uncle Zhang, I want to understand.”

Zhang Chiguo nodded. “Generally, the issues the Disaster Management Bureau deals with are divided into seven levels.”

“E‑Level tasks are to handle and eliminate anomalous phenomena.”

“In this city, with too many people and too vast an area, compounded by the activities of Mysterious Cultists and the penetration of Mysterious Powers, the situations are endlessly complex. Thus, all sorts of bizarre phenomena arise.”

“Even Miss Ai at present can’t distinguish them all.”

“So under her shallow-level monitoring, a large number of phenomena potentially linked to grotesqueries and Spiritual Penetration emerged. These need professional Execution Members to patrol, investigate, and assess. That constitutes the bulk of E‑Level tasks.”

“Since these help Miss Ai manage tasks beyond her current capacity, she courteously refers to these missions as: commissions.”

"You were originally at this level."

"……"

Han Su nodded thoughtfully. This indeed was the type of task he had been assigned at the beginning.

Zhang Chiguo continued, "Next are D‑Level tasks. These usually involve patrolling and clearing zones where Spiritual Penetration has already been confirmed, and constructing blocking defenses."

"But in such tasks, Execution Members no longer act on their own judgment. They operate under the orders of Investigators or Squad Captains."

"And C‑Level tasks represent the highest level a regular Execution Member can undertake."

By this point, Zhang Chiguo's face had turned grave, and he deliberately emphasized his words, as if trying to caution Han Su: "These tasks are only accessible to Execution Members who have undergone Mysterious Power Training."

"Even then, Execution Members who have received Mysterious Power Training usually serve only as firepower or support units for Mysterious Powers, and they face extremely uncontrollable risks."

"C‑Level tasks are privately called the Execution Members' Meat Grinder, because they frequently result in massive casualties."

"……"

Han Su recalled the crazed Infected Individuals on Beidi Street, trying hard to absorb everything Zhang Chiguo said. Then he asked, "What about higher levels?"

"Higher? Isn’t that the B‑Level task you tackled all by yourself?"

Zhang Chiguo shot him a cold look. "The Disaster Management Bureau doesn’t just face signs of Spiritual Penetration. There are grotesque phenomena that have already fully penetrated and begun to pollute and destroy reality!"

Han Su showed a hint of surprise. "Fully penetrated? Like the Impostors in the elevator during the test—they’ve already entered the real world and evolved into 'people'?"

"Yes."

Zhang Chiguo nodded with a heavy expression and said, "The Disaster Management Bureau has officially existed for only three years, but Spiritual Penetration has been around for who knows how many years."

"Many grotesque entities have already hidden themselves in the real world and are anchoring themselves to prepare for the descent of some insane force into reality. Finding and clearing them is part of the Disaster Management Bureau’s responsibilities."

"But such tasks can only involve Investigators. Execution Members may at most provide support. There’s no way they can handle them alone."

"……"

At this point, Han Su finally understood why Zhang Chiguo had been so harsh.

This Crystal Plague task he completed had, for him, essentially been a solo operation across several levels.

Luckily, he hadn’t been greedy for credit. Anything he couldn’t explain, he claimed ignorance. If they wanted to confront someone, they’d have to go to Song Chu‑shi, or Mr. Strange Bird…

Feeling slightly moved, he asked slowly, "This only goes up to B‑Level. What about A‑Level… or higher?"

"There are higher levels. A‑Level, S‑Level, and the final Tide, all exist. But I hope you never encounter them."

Zhang Chiguo sighed and shook his head. "A‑Level tasks are no longer about dealing with Infected Individuals caused by Penetration. They involve confronting the very sources of contamination."

"These sources—never mind what kind of power they control—their very existence has reached an inconceivable state. They can devastate an entire city with ease."

"If everything before A‑Level is Penetration, then A‑Level represents a breach in the dam."

"Of course, even A‑Level tasks are usually not handled by Investigators. They often require Independent Investigators."

"These Independent Investigators typically don’t engage in direct combat. Instead, they must remain vigilant, using intense surveillance and ruthless methods to eliminate or block such anomalies before they invade reality."

"That’s why every Independent Investigator holds an exalted status."

"In terms of identity, they are like guardians of the real world."

"In terms of ability, they’ve already begun to steal Divine Authority, surpassing the limits of ordinary people."

"You must remember this going forward."

Zhang Chiguo looked seriously at Han Su and said in a low voice, "Within the Disaster Management Bureau, Execution Members, Senior Execution Members, Investigators, Independent Investigators, Patrolling Investigators…"

"These are not merely titles. Each rank is granted different Divine Authority and endowed with different Mysterious Powers."

"In daily work, their responsibilities are usually not even on the same level."

"In the future, you must never act recklessly and provoke things beyond your capabilities…"

"……"

Han Su saw Zhang Chiguo’s seriousness and suddenly realized—was he trying to make him understand the limits of his own abilities?

Was he worried Han Su might die a meaningless death due to carelessness?

Upon that thought, Han Su suddenly asked, "Uncle Zhang, what level does Song Chu‑shi belong to?"

Zhang Chiguo gave him a deep look, clearly reluctant to discuss the matter. But facing Han Su’s concerned eyes, he let out a sigh and said, "Back when he was still in Qinggang City, he was already an Independent Investigator."

"However, before the Disaster Management Bureau was even established, everyone who was recruited counted as Investigators. If one had enough ability, promotion came quickly."

"He was the fastest to rise at the time, reaching Independent Investigator level with ease."

"Perhaps because he made it look so easy, we got the illusion that people like him were easy to find and train..."

"It was only later we realized—he was the ceiling."

"Of course, when he returned this time, I caught a glimpse of him from afar. He seemed even more terrifying than before. I have no idea what he’s been through over these past few years."

"……"

"Song Chu‑shi’s ability already surpasses the current Independent Investigators in the Disaster Management Bureau…"

From Zhang Chiguo’s expression, Han Su could easily deduce Song Chu‑shi’s current level—or rather, the minimum level of his power—which stirred his heart.

If so, what level did that guy who could observe all of Qinggang, as mentioned by Song Chu‑shi, belong to?

At the very least, they couldn’t be far apart, right?

Suddenly, a chill ran through him. According to Song Chu‑shi, that guy might complete his transformation in less than half a month...

"Eat."

After speaking so much in one go, Zhang Chiguo saw the seriousness on Han Su’s face and knew he had taken it to heart. His own expression softened.

Scooping up a Small Wonton, he added, "By the way, your Investigator promotion has already been approved."