Chapter 44: Initiation and Assignment

“Buddy, when did you figure out you had abilities?”

In another office, Lu Xin and Gecko were alone. A cup of coffee and a dish of candies sat before each of them, though neither seemed inclined to touch the coffee. Gecko appeared nonchalant, constantly fiddling with the firearms and knives laid out before him. Lu Xin, on the other hand, didn’t want coffee so late at night, worried it might keep him awake.

Lu Xin wasn’t shy about the candies though. He wondered if Chen Jing had intentionally arranged this; there were even more candies than last time at the Security Hall, and a wider variety too. Perhaps she remembered his sister loved candy after the last mission?

His sister had just reached for a candy, but Lu Xin stopped her.

He’d explain later that kids shouldn’t eat too much candy because it’s bad for their teeth.

In reality, though, Lu Xin wanted to save them as rewards, making it easier to soothe her tantrums later…

“Figured out I had abilities?”

Hearing Gecko’s question, Lu Xin instinctively glanced at him, slightly confused.

“Yeah!”

Gecko answered with a grin, disassembling the Beretta 92F handgun in his hands. He meticulously cleaned each part before reassembling it. On a black silk cloth before him lay another identical handgun and three black daggers, each about eighteen centimeters long. Scrawled names covered the grips and gun bodies, and he repeatedly wiped them down.

As he deftly cleaned and assembled, he continued, “The first time is always unforgettable, right…”

Lu Xin mulled over his words, silently trying to recall.

How long after leaving the orphanage did he see his family?

And when did he first realize he could borrow his family’s abilities?

That period always felt hazy, almost unreal.

Gecko didn’t wait for his answer, his mouth running like a leaky faucet. “Heh, discovering my ability? Man, that left an impression. I remember it clear as day. It was winter, snow falling like crazy. I’m a soft-hearted guy, right? Even though I had less than fifty bucks in my pocket, I saw this young lady working the night shift on the street corner, braving the cold wind…”

“My heart went out to her, so I decided to give her some business.”

“She was really touched, and very professional. But just then, bam! The sound of the Security Hall pounding on the door outside.”

“I was so scared, man. Whoosh! I dove into a nearby cabinet. It wasn’t until they hauled that cabinet to the Security Hall, with thirty, fifty guys pointing guns at me while I was just in my underwear, that I realized the cabinet…”

He racked the slide, squinting as he aimed. “Turned out to be a shoe rack only thirty centimeters tall!”

“Uh…”

Lu Xin was somewhat stunned, looking at the utterly unfazed Gecko and thinking, “Is it really okay to tell stories like that?”

“You’ve joined our department now, you’re one of us. You’ll hear all my embarrassing stories sooner or later!”

Gecko seemed to read his mind, laughing. “Me telling you myself versus someone else telling you, it’s different, isn’t it?”

Lu Xin inexplicably felt he had a point.

“Besides, I’m not the only one with rumors floating around!”

Gecko put down the gun and started wiping a dagger. “Let me tell you, there aren’t many normal people in our department. Drunkard gets wasted every day and claims he can see flying dragons, even says he can tell if they’re male or female. And Doll… such a shame. So gorgeous, that face, that figure, unbelievably perfect, enough to drive every man in the world crazy. But she’s just… simple-minded…”

He lowered his voice, whispering conspiratorially to Lu Xin, “And then there’s our Colonel Chen…”

“…Do you know what color underwear she wears?”

“Ahem…”

Lu Xin, who had been sipping water, nearly choked, giving Gecko a strange look. Was it really okay to talk about their superior like this?

“Pink…”

His sister climbed in through the open window, stating flatly.

She was still a bit moody about not getting any candy earlier.

“Pink?”

Lu Xin blurted out, surprised.

“Holy crap, you actually know?”

Gecko jumped, startled. “What style?” he asked urgently.

Just as Lu Xin was looking reproachfully at his sister, the office door swung open. Chen Jing appeared in the doorway, holding a file.

Both Gecko and Lu Xin instinctively sat up straight.

His sister glanced resentfully at Chen Jing’s chest, then swung back and forth outside the window, clinging to a wire in the wind.

“What were you two talking about?”

Chen Jing walked in smiling and set down the file.

Hearing her question, neither Lu Xin nor Gecko dared to answer.

“Your assessment is complete!”

Chen Jing didn’t seem overly concerned with their previous conversation. She opened the file, looked seriously at Lu Xin, and switched into work mode. “The detailed report will take a few more days, but we have a general understanding of the situation, which makes planning the next steps easier. Your guidance plan should be implemented soon. What’s needed now is familiarization with your own abilities before the guidance begins!”

She looked at Gecko as she spoke. “Gecko will help you with this part. His abilities are similar to yours, and he’s an experienced ability user. Initially, we’ll have him take you on a few cleanup operations so you can understand yourself better!”

“Oh.”

Lu Xin glanced at Gecko. “Okay!”

Gecko just gave a lazy salute, as if he’d already guessed why he was summoned.

“There’s a cleanup mission tonight!”

Chen Jing immediately divided a file into two stacks, pushing one each to Gecko and Lu Xin. “This is a special pollution incident just confirmed by the Special Investigation Team. Threat level: C-level. Headquarters has just approved the cleanup decision.”

“Gecko will lead the mission. Lu Xin, you will follow as support. Your main task is to familiarize yourself with the procedure!”

“…

Lu Xin and Gecko both agreed seriously.

It was clear that even Gecko didn’t take cleanup missions lightly.

“Also, this is your provisional designation!”

Chen Jing handed Lu Xin a piece of paper with freshly printed text.

Special Action Team – External Personnel

Name: Lu Xin

Age: 13

Ability Assessment: C+ (Provisional)

Mental Alteration Type: Spider-type

Codename: Mr. Lone Soldier

Patrol Area: Qinggang Satellite City No. 2

Secrecy Level: Low

…

…

Lu Xin read it over but didn’t see much difference from before, so he just nodded.

He was just a bit curious. “Why is my codename Mr. Lone Soldier?”

“Alright, you can depart anytime!”

Chen Jing didn’t seem inclined to explain further. She gathered her files and stood up briskly.

Lu Xin and Gecko prepared to stand as well.

But suddenly, as if remembering something, Chen Jing walked back smiling. She gently pulled her sunglasses down her nose, looked at Gecko, and lowered her voice, “If you don’t want to strip naked and dance on the busiest street until your feet break off, then you’d best not gossip about me behind my back anymore. And definitely don’t drag the newcomer into it…”

“Especially not with that lecherous expression, understand?”

“…

Gecko stared into her eyes, his body instantly tensing. He nodded stiffly.

“Very good!”

Chen Jing patted Gecko’s head and turned to leave.

At the door, however, she suddenly turned back again, looking at Lu Xin. “Also, I’m wearing black today!”

Lu Xin didn’t even dare to nod, just sat there rigidly.

He’d wanted to ask about becoming a full member, but now he definitely didn’t dare bring it up.

From behind him came his sister’s ghostly voice: “She’s lying…”