In the fog city of Britain, three black cars slowly entered a historic manor. Despite the rain that had fallen just a few hours ago, there were no traces of water on the ground now, a detail that showcased the wealth and status of the household.
An English gentleman and six servants were waiting in front of the mansion. The elderly English gentleman at the forefront said, "I trust you've been well, Miss Mefala. The last time we met... you were only 12 years old."
The tall woman at the head, with long black hair cascading over her shoulders, removed her hat to reveal a strikingly noble female face. Even the silver-framed glasses perched on her nose lent her an air of authority, "Butler Walter, please lead the way. Currently, I work for the Victoria Intelligence Department."
The English gentleman smiled and led them inside, where young lady Euphy and the petite Karen were waiting, with three steaming cups of black tea set upon the table.
"Please sit down," Euphy spoke first: "I am the head of the Ranpelrouge Family, Euphy Ranpelrouge."
"Pleased to meet you," Mefala sat down and with gloved hands crossed, her serpent-like eyes peering through the spectacles as she scrutinized the two girls in front of her, "I am a public servant under Her Majesty's government, the head of the Victoria Intelligence Department, Mefala Yinhaimu Helsing."
Euphy said, "Victoria... Intelligence Department?"
"It's a special department established this year, or to be precise, 135 days ago," Mefala remarked indifferently: "Externally, it's known as the National Land Inspection Committee under the Privy Council."
Euphy then remembered. The National Land Inspection Committee had recently risen to prominence in Britain's high society, wielding enforcement powers comparable to those of the Royal Police. Whenever it operated, multiple departments would cooperate, and the great nobles dared not hinder it but instead ordered their subordinates and companies to offer their full support.
It was rumored that a consensus had been reached through an underground meeting between the nobility and financial groups. Normally, the Ranpelrouge Family would qualify to partake in this meeting, but since the Family Head had died and only the underage Euphy remained, who had not yet fully taken control of the family's business, she wasn't invited to the covert meeting of nobles. Instead, she was simply informed of the outcome—
'To cooperate fully with the National Land Inspection Committee.'
It was only now that Euphy realized that the National Land Inspection Committee was the Victoria Intelligence Department, and she nodded, asking: "So, what is your inquiry? If it's about yesterday's incident at the Black Thorn Building, I believe our Ranpelrouge Family has already handed over all the intelligence. The person hiring the Cards is very likely from my aunt's family, Baron Fulaksiman."
"Rest assured, aside from that self-proclaimed 'assassin' from the Fairy Palace, the incident has been completely investigated, and the base of the Cards hidden in the fog city has been uprooted. As for Fulaksiman... I believe your Ranpelrouge Family has plans of its own," Mefala stated.
Euphy: "Of course, so what does the Victoria Intelligence Department require?"
"I am here for that 'assassin' from the Fairy Palace," Mefala declared: "Up to now, we still can't find any trace of this person. Trains, planes, and such have all been thoroughly searched, but I believe the chances of finding him are extremely slim."
Euphy touched Karen's little head and gave a wry smile: "We also want to find him. The Ranpelrouge Family is willing to pay any reward for his Merit Points... however, he has disappeared."
"Yes, disappeared," Mefala continued: "Not only was he seen on five directional surveillance cameras, but nearly a hundred people witnessed his disappearance."
"It was no magic trick, no mechanical device, no hypnosis, no smoke—it was as if the substance that constituted him broke down into the tiniest particles, merging completely into the air."
Euphy raised her teacup, looking at the shimmering light on the surface of the tea, and said, "His marksmanship was also... transcendent."
"Indeed, and behind him, there is a vastly powerful organization that orchestrated this entire operation with the Cards," Mefala explained: "He knew precisely which guests were disguised assassins, struck without hesitation, and every move, every shot was just right."
"According to our department's analysis and the confession of the Card Assassin, we unanimously agree that the operation was executed flawlessly. Even if you could defend against the fully armed assassins, the bomb on the ninth floor would've detonated, not to mention the assassins waiting in the perimeter," Mefala asserted.
"The crude and simple assassination is a method the Cards have always favored. Your chances of survival were next to none..."
Euphy interjected: "Unfortunately for them, Mr. Assassin appeared and helped us."
"You may not have been acutely aware of it amidst the chaos, but according to the clues we gathered afterward, we realized how formidable this assassin from the Mysterious Country is," Mefala sighed: "Even in such fierce gunfire, he still managed to protect some of the guests, dispose of the assassins in the quickest manner, and escaped without a scratch... You are aware that the assassination process has been uploaded online, right?"
"I know, and it can't be deleted unless the server is shut down," Euphy responded with a smile: "I never imagined I would become famous in such a manner."
"On the internet, many believe it was a movie, simply because the assassin's methods were so meticulous, calm, perfect—fit only for the silver screen. In real life, it would be considered a fantasy," Mefala explained: "Moreover, his organization controls immense energy... and based on the locations of the video cameras, we questioned many people, but without exception, none of them noticed the filming equipment."
As Mefala peeled back the layers, Euphy also gained some clarity: "So you are suggesting that this assassin is even more shocking than the Cards?"
"Exactly. While I can't reveal detailed information, the organization backing the assassin is beyond anyone's imagination," Mefala confirmed.
Mefala nodded: "And my current visit is to ascertain his objectives."
At that moment, both Mefala and Euphy naturally turned their gaze toward Karen, who sat quietly by the side. Karen blinked, scooting closer to her sister, clutching Euphy's sleeve tightly.
"Without a doubt, he wanted to protect the two of you," Mefala stated: "But according to the assassin's performance, his most crucial target might have been to protect Miss Karen."
"But my sister..." Euphy gently embraced Karen, somewhat puzzled: "Does she... possess anything special?"
Mefala paused for a moment, then turned to look at the English gentleman, who immediately understood and signaled the other servants to leave. Euphy suddenly said, "Butler Walter need not excuse himself."
```
Mefala didn't mind and ordered her subordinates to leave as well. Once only the four of them remained in the living room, Mefala finally said, "I suspect that Miss Karen possesses a unique talent."
"A unique talent?" Euphy asked, puzzled.
"In fact, part of the corporations and aristocracy are already aware. The Ranpelrouge family is definitely among those qualified to know, so I will speak plainly," Mefala said, looking at Euphy seriously. "What do you think was the method the assassin used to disappear?"
"Um?" Euphy didn't quite understand why Mefala suddenly changed the topic, but she still answered, "Perhaps... some kind of unknown ability."
"We think so too," Mefala took a sip of her tea and continued, "However, about half a year ago, people with 'certain unknown abilities' started to emerge one after another."
"Generally speaking, these individuals are called Transcendents, and their special abilities... are known as supernatural powers."
As a noble, Euphy quickly grasped the crux of the matter, "Is the goal of the Victoria Intelligence Department to..."
"Exactly, searching for Transcendents and information about supernatural powers is precisely our department's duty."
Euphy fell silent for a moment. She was no ordinary person, and had experienced the extraordinary event from the previous night. Besides, there was no need for Mefala to lie when a single phone call could reveal the truth. "You think my sister is one of them? But she is so young and has never shown any sign of..."
"We don't know what ability your sister has, as Transcendents' powers are incredibly varied. But checking for such talents... is not difficult..."
————
Treasure Box?
That was when Ren Suo remembered that in addition to merit points, he had acquired a Treasure Box after clearing a free game. However, he was too tired at that point and went directly to sleep.
In the Content Preservation Vault, there was only one item: a One-Star Treasure Box.
'One-Star Treasure Box: Don't even think about getting a Divine Artifact from it.'
'Would you like to open it?'
Ren Suo of course chose yes, but the next second, the system popped up a message: 'You have 0 Treasure Box Keys left.'
Ren Suo blinked his eyes.
Do I need a key to open a Treasure Box?
Seeing such a normal requirement, Ren Suo was a bit baffled.
"Do I need to pay for it…" Ren Suo was ready to take out his wallet. After all, the Mini-World Game Console seemed mysterious and incomprehensible, and playing games inside it ended up happening identically in real life...
It's just money, take it!
Ren Suo knew he must have stumbled upon a tremendous opportunity!
Yet, the system prompted, 'Searching for a key… Searching for a key…'
'Do you wish to keep the search ongoing? Note, if a key is successfully found, 1 merit point will be automatically deducted. Searching will stop automatically when merit points reach 0.'
What's this? But it looked like no merit points would be deducted if a key wasn't found, so it seemed fine to leave it on. Ren Suo glanced at his remaining 15 merit points and let the search continue.
"When I tear apart the fabric of this dim universe, a three-foot gleaming blade shall whirl and cleanse the smoky air~"
The phone suddenly rang, Ren Suo grabbed it and looked, immediately answering, "Director Ye, what's the matter?"
"Yes, Xiao Suo, there's an urgent matter. Can you come over before three o'clock?"
"What happened? Why the rush?"
"I got busy and forgot that today we have to conduct a civil servant physical examination. The new recruits who haven't started working yet also need to attend. It's urgent that it's done today, I just remembered that we haven't informed you new folks yet, and attendance is mandatory."
"Alright, alright, I'm on my way."
```