I! Cleaner!
Chapter 480 - 416: The Rising Sun...

Chapter 480: Chapter 416: The Rising Sun...

Invincible in the present world...

Hearing the Aquarius Director’s evaluation of the red-haired director, a trace of doubt appeared in the female reporter’s eyes.

Though the Scarlet Hair Lady’s battle record is terrifying, it is ultimately just pure physical damage. Many anomaly items have disturbingly strange abilities, sometimes not even requiring a direct appearance to control or even kill their target.

Of what I know, there’s the [Netherworld Streetlight] and [Steward’s List], which killed half of the director’s soul, the [Whisper Blade] from the Sagittarius Sub-bureau that can disable anomalies, the [King’s Parade] from the Lion Sub-bureau that suppresses the soul, and the [Brilliant Tail Robe] from the Peacock Sub-bureau that destroys vision.

Even the three-piece time set created from the Time King’s remains held by the director, the [Reflecting Lake Evil Moon] from the Pisces Sub-bureau that forcibly alters consciousness, and the [Hunting Death Hunting Sparrow] from the Crow Sub-bureau, and many more.

Even if the Scarlet Hair Lady can pierce through the moon in three days, how could she possibly deal with things that can harm her without even appearing before her?

"What? You don’t believe it?"

Sneering at the female reporter’s skeptical expression, the Aquarius Director smiled and said:

"Haha, I know what you’re thinking. You think you can avoid a direct confrontation with her and use some covert methods against her.

But don’t forget, the [Twelve Ant Nests], numbered 004, is stored in the Virgo Sub-bureau. It can kill all humans in one breath and is nearly as important as the [Watcher’s Palace] and the [Star Dome Compass]. It’s almost the most dangerous thing in the bureau.

So have you ever thought, why such a deadly thing isn’t stored at the headquarters but rather in the Virgo Sub-bureau?"

"?!"

In the female reporter’s startled expression, the Aquarius Director dropped his smile and said seriously:

"That’s because all the directors, including myself, who made this decision back then, agreed that it’s even safer in Olivia’s hands than it would be at the headquarters!"

"..."

"Nicole, even though her nickname is the Scarlet Hair Lady, she’s not limited to just one anomaly like the [Slaughter Blood Hair]."

The Aquarius Director sat cross-legged, gazing nostalgically at the sun rising from the horizon, and said:

"The Director of Taurus got along very well with her, treating her like his own daughter and prepared many things for her.

Additionally, to protect the [Twelve Ant Nests], the Director of Taurus went all out, even asking me to lend a hand in forging a complete set of protective anomaly items for her.

Flesh Sustainment, Soul Revival, Cognition Enhancement, Memory Purge, Mental Reset, Danger Forewarning... all the means you can think of are almost included. At the very least, I can’t think of a way to bypass these defenses and take her down.

And once she senses danger or sustains any kind of harm, these anomaly items will immediately activate, eliminating all ’abnormal’ states...

Hmm... I guess in hindsight, this was like shooting myself in the foot. Had I known this day would come, I would’ve secretly kept a backup plan."

"..."

With a slight look of frustration, the Aquarius Director summed up in front of the female reporter, unsure of how to react:

"In summary, while Olivia may not be the strongest Cleaner, she is definitely the one with the fewest weaknesses.

Even if twenty True Gods descended upon her at once, they would have to endure the fatal [Slaughter Blood Hair], daring the risk of being ripped apart, to exhaust her completely.

Yet, the trouble is that during such a prolonged battle of attrition, if any rotating director detects something amiss and judges the [Twelve Ant Nests] to be at risk, in no more than half an hour, a quarter of a sun would fall directly on your head. I wouldn’t attack her even if I was bored out of my mind.

After all, someone like her, encased in such a tough shell, is the kind of opponent I am least adept at dealing with. Otherwise, I wouldn’t send you to steal her wallet."

"..."

So... why exactly am I supposed to steal her wallet? Does making such an impeccable person short of money somehow cause her to expose a flaw?

"Haha, don’t ask me about the wallet; I’m not going to tell you."

Stopping her question before it could be asked, the Aquarius Director chuckled:

"Though I trust you wouldn’t sell me out to the Clean-up Bureau, you’re indeed a good-natured person, so I need to take some precaution. If you know my plan and it leaks to the Scarlet Hair Lady, giving her preparation time, I’ll end up in a tough spot."

"..."

"By the way, since our conversation has reached this point, there’s one last thing I’ll say."

Seeing the female reporter’s slightly depressed yet subtly relieved expression, the Aquarius Director, with a youthful face and a kind demeanor, said:

"Nicole, regarding this plan, I’m not entirely confident of success.

So remember, if I ultimately fail and am unable to replace the Director of Taurus and ascend to the throne, and end up being killed by the Scarlet Hair Lady or Leon, don’t think of avenging me. Just live your life well."

"..."

Hearing what sounded like final words, the female reporter couldn’t help but look up and meet the Aquarius Director’s eyes. Seeing the kindness in his gaze, her heart was touched with a tinge of sadness.

The Director may not be a good person, but without him, she would have rotted in a lightless pirate ship, never having the chance to personally avenge her murdered parents.

And since the age of seven, he brought her by his side, even teaching her to read and write. As she grew older, she accompanied him on countless missions, saving many just as he had once saved her.

Over these many years, though she still called him Director, in her heart, he had long replaced the parents whose faces were fading from memory, becoming her family without blood relation, which is why she couldn’t bear to be harsh even though she knew he was wrong...

"Understood."

Mumbling a reluctant response, the female reporter turned her head slightly with a strained expression and said:

"Director, your face may look young, but you’re still as old and long-winded as ever... Is there anything else? If not, I’m heading to the Dream Realm."

"No, go ahead!"

Waving his hand to urge her to leave, the Aquarius Director, who had sat beside the clock tower all night, stood up in the sunlight, stretched his stiff body, and said with a smile:

"My evil soul was eradicated in the Realm of the Dead and has returned to the world’s origin. Now, my soul, rebuilt with the remaining good soul, barely makes me half a good person. Nothing unusual happens, it’s hard for malice to arise in me."

Indeed...

Watching the Aquarius Director bathed in the dawn light, his aura less ominous and severe, now radiant and kind, the female reporter nodded in relaxation, took the Dream Wandering Lantern, and entered the Dream Realm.

After she completely left, standing by the clock tower and overlooking the capital, the Aquarius Director smiled, then took out a somewhat worn-out wooden box.

"Thud, thud, thud"

Politely knocking three times on the lid of the small wooden box, and watching as a blue little figure pushed the lid open to stand up, the Aquarius Director smiled and said:

"Do me a favor! Please find the Elite Nightmare controlled by the Scarlet Hair Lady, and inform her of Nicole’s destination and objective, thank you!"