Deep in the Living
Chapter 366 - 354: World Bureau Headquarters

Chapter 366: Chapter 354: World Bureau Headquarters

World Bureau (E.I.A, Exploration, Investigation, and Analysis)

Using anti-gravity technology brought from the Corner Depths, it was re-established in the skies above the Capital City, enabling direct surveillance of the entire island nation.

Among them, the Investigation Bureau and the Research Bureau are set on the side rings,

while the center is the World Bureau Headquarters,

the most mysterious, important, and highest authority area in the world.

Whether in the Capital City or standing on the side rings, the specific architecture is invisible.

Either obstructed by sight,

or covered by clouds,

Any high-precision visual instrument that attempts to spy will have its internal components damaged. If the same view is repeatedly spied upon, some form of prohibition will be violated, and the individual might completely disappear from this world.

The World Bureau Headquarters is an integrated structure,

internally containing several extremely important "parts":

The Exploration Bureau, representing humanity’s highest combat power,

The Containment Area, detaining and isolating Monster Avatars and rare Pseudo-Persons,

The Portal, developed by humans to stably connect to the Corner, allowing Exploration Bureau personnel to enter.

There are three ways to go to the World Bureau Headquarters.

1. Through internal recruitment by the World Bureau, become an internal employee and complete a one-year internship in a specific area without leaving home.

2. Formal employees of the Investigation Bureau or the Research Bureau can fill out an application and go at the designated time after the application is approved.

3. Individuals invited by the World Bureau can go after completing identity verification.

...

Currently.

The anti-gravity train that can travel in the air departs from the Investigation Bureau and heads to the World Bureau Headquarters, taking less than five minutes.

There is only one carriage, and there are only two people inside.

Luo Di and Yu Ze sit on the cold metal benches on either side, and originally, their junior sister Yun wanted to come along, but unfortunately, her application was not approved.

This train, besides taking them to a fixed location, will also conduct a thorough scan of their entire bodies through the built-in scanning system.

Surprisingly,

Luo Di thought the Crow Colt, Hell Blade Handle, would be considered dangerous items, yet they were allowed.

The inspection here does not directly determine the danger of an object but judges it based on the user’s connection with the item.

In the view of the World Bureau, Luo Di, being able to manage such tools, can carry them safely.

Most importantly, as this serves as Luo Di’s means of enhancing combat strength, it is allowed into the Corner and cannot be forbidden due to safety concerns.

≮ The train is about to arrive at the World Bureau Headquarters gate ≯

The train stops, and the doors open.

Luo Di originally thought the Headquarters was built on a huge Sky Island, and the train would arrive at the island’s edge.

But outside the door, there is no island, nor road,

only rows of concrete steps.

When Luo Di steps out of the train and onto what appears to be an ordinary staircase, the Old Spine passively activates into a strong supporting state.

Slightly bent knees quickly adjust as Luo Di instinctively starts moving his body, seemingly adapting to something.

"Gravity... About three times? Four times?"

Yu Ze remains unchanged and responds with a smile, "Four times gravity. If you can’t move freely in this gravitational field, you are not qualified to go to the World Bureau Headquarters. This is the basic environmental adaptation."

"Hm."

After completing a set of warm-up exercises, Luo Di completely returns to his usual state, although his maximum running speed may decrease, his basic movement is unaffected.

Looking up,

the building’s front is a pure gray plane, with no end in sight at either the top or the sides. It presents a deep gray, possibly some kind of alloy concrete, and there might even be unknown energy transmissions inside.

Luo Di just glances at the wall for a while and feels that his vision is seemingly tinted by the wall material, some uncomfortable spots forming on his eyeball surface.

Once he removes his gaze, the effects quickly disappear.

Stepping up the stairs,

at the end is an arch gate made of similar material to the wall, approximately twenty meters high.

The center of the gate body is the titanium relief of the World Bureau (E.I.A) emblem*.

*1. Three-Ring Gear

Composed of three nested gears, labeled E (inner ring), I (middle ring), and A (outer ring), symbolizing the logical loop of exploration, investigation, and analysis.

*2. Central Earth and Torch

The gear center embeds a simplified earth’s outline, topped with a golden torch, symbolizing the light of human civilization penetrating unknown realms.

*3. Double-Winged Olive Branch

The gears extend iron wings formed by data chains on both sides, the base crossed by olive branches, symbolizing union and peace.

...

"It’s not the working hour right now. The gates are closed, but since we’ve already applied for a visit, we just need to wait at the gate,"

With Yu Ze’s indication, the two stood at the gate.

As the gears on the World Bureau emblem began to rotate, the gate gradually opened inward.

[General Administration Hall]

An enormous globe hangs at the center.

A large number of people are moving about in the hall,

there are no unified iconic costumes, everyone wears simple attire in styles from their own country or personal preference, with seemingly clear objectives in their eyes, moving at the fastest pace.

Luo Di even spotted some people in Zhongshan suits from Huaxia mingling in the crowd.

"So many people in the World Bureau?"

"After all, handling national and Corner-related affairs requires enough people to ensure the perfect operation of this system.

If a large array of gears is arranged properly, even if some gears suddenly stop working, the remaining ones can still achieve the same effect."

Within ten seconds of entering the door, a woman with golden curls in business attire holding a file board walked out of the crowd.

"Hello! I am the receptionist of the World Bureau.

According to your application intention,

It’s been determined that Investigator Luo Di has a deep connection with Mr. Craft in the Containment Area, this has been confirmed, and Luo Di Investigator is currently allowed a basic visit. Meeting with Mr. Craft needs to wait for the evaluation team to provide a final answer.

As for Investigator Yu Ze,

You have just turned 28 this year, and all indicators meet the conditions for applying to the Exploration Bureau.

However, it seems that your department hasn’t issued you a recommendation letter.

The Exploration Bureau would like to conduct a qualification review for you. If you pass, they will communicate directly with the Investigation Bureau to complete your personal data transfer."

Yu Ze rubbed his temples with his fingers, "Hmm~ that’s the situation. Can Luo Di accompany me to the Exploration Bureau? We’re old comrades, and anyway, he is free now, it can count as a visit."

"Please hold on, I need to inquire."

After some communication through her earpiece, the receptionist nodded, "The Exploration Bureau is very welcoming to Mr. Luo’s visit, but please be aware, Mr. Luo, due to your younger age, you cannot submit any application to join the Exploration Bureau now. Please focus primarily on the visit."

Before Luo Di could respond, Yu Ze already gave a mysterious smile and made an OK gesture.

They followed the receptionist onto an exclusive elevator bearing the [E] mark, directly reaching the corresponding floor.

Ding! The elevator opened, and outside, there wasn’t the grandeur like the previous hall.

Instead, it was a straight dark gray corridor with a counter at the end.

"Please fill out the registration form here. Investigator Yu Ze, please fill out this red assessment application form. Mr. Luo, please fill out this white visit application form.

Once completed, put them into the adjacent transfer mailbox, and the Exploration Bureau will quickly provide the application result."

However, Yu Ze directly took two red forms, one for himself and one for Luo Di.

This left the receptionist puzzled, "Hmm? Mr. Yu Ze, didn’t you listen carefully just now? The red ones are..."

Before she could finish speaking.

Yu Ze suddenly turned his head. Although his eyes were covered by sunglasses, the receptionist seemed to see a gaze that made her whole body uneasy.

Soon Yu Ze returned to smiling and continued filling out the forms.