The intrigue and fierce competition in this part of the story could have easily padded the Book of Fate with another two hundred thousand words. After hearing this, Huai Shi felt a profound sense of regret. Why had it been erased and omitted?

He always felt that something was not right.

When he subconsciously glanced at KP, KP just smiled mysteriously and didn't speak. Instead, while no one else was looking, he took the opportunity to wink stealthily at Huai Shi.

After explaining everything to Huai Shi, the old Inspector adopted a serious expression and said solemnly, "Miss Ai, during your evaluation, you displayed the excellent qualities of an Inspector: keen thinking and instinct, profound trust in your colleagues, and composure and decisiveness in adversity.

The Jurisdiction Bureau highly appreciates your performance. We approve your promotion application and invite you once again to join the Central Decision-making Meeting Room..."

"I've said it before: I refuse!"

Ai Qing interrupted him curtly, "You can save the pointless talk. I hope we meet again at the internal inquiry."

"Very well. I hope you'll be lenient then."

The old Inspector gave a helpless laugh, then looked at Huai Shi with a serious expression. "As for you, Mr. Huai, you successfully completed a task I thought impossible. You possess a sense of integrity rare in this era, as well as exceptional skills.

Ah, though your thinking is sometimes simplistic and you exhibit somewhat excessive violent tendencies, this cannot obscure your outstanding talent. The Astronomical Society is proud to have an Action Officer like you. Here is your official identification. We will complete the registration later. You can come by Jinling in the next few months to register," he said.

"TCH..." From the corner, Yin Yan scoffed disdainfully. Sensing Huai Shi's gaze, he unhappily averted his eyes and shrank back.

"Mr. Yin Yan, due to your actions endangering your colleagues during the mission, your qualification as a Reviewer is temporarily revoked. Your inquiry will be held in Jinling soon. Please check your notifications."

The old Inspector shook his head sympathetically, finished filling out the form, and handed Huai Shi a new ID.

"With that, my task is complete."

The old Inspector smiled cheerily, packed his belongings, and bade farewell to the others before leaving. Soon, only Huai Shi and Ai Qing remained in the room.

"I've been thoroughly played."

Ai Qing sighed in frustration, her expression dark as she tapped the armrest and closed her eyes.

In the silence, Huai Shi coughed awkwardly. "Um... Ai Qing..."

"Hmm?" Ai Qing lifted her eyes to look at him, her annoyance still visible.

"Ah, thank you... I mean... even though I don't know exactly what you went through, I'm truly thankful for what you did in the end." Huai Shi nodded his gratitude earnestly.

"Entrusting actions to subordinates and taking responsibility for the consequences—isn't that an Inspector's duty?" Ai Qing glanced at him, then looked away, her interest clearly gone. "I'm going out for some fresh air. You should rest. A boat will be here to pick us up soon."

"Okay."

Just before leaving, Ai Qing's wheelchair paused. She was silent for a long moment, then sighed in resignation and looked back. "You did well," she said. "I mean, at the end."

"Hmm?"

Without further explanation, Ai Qing wheeled herself out the door, leaving him alone in the room.

In the quiet, Huai Shi turned and saw KP, who had somehow reappeared behind the desk.

"She's leaving just like that?"

KP raised an eyebrow and shook his head with a sigh. "Not very forthright, is she? Having a boss like that must be tough, huh?"

"...Actually, it's not so bad."

Huai Shi scratched his head, looking at KP somewhat awkwardly. After a moment, he couldn't help asking, "That... was it really... just a test?"

"Part of it was, yes. At least, that's what they believe," KP shrugged. "Don't worry. I just let them tag along for the ride. I've kept the crucial parts secret for you."

"Ah, thanks."

Huai Shi nodded and looked at the desk in front of KP. On it was a small, transparent box containing a shattered crystal ball, its delicate carvings resembling an eye.

That was a fragment of the Philosopher's Stone. Unfortunately, more than half of its miraculous power had already dissipated, rendering it of little use.

"Don't worry about that. It was mostly depleted maintaining that module anyway. What we've lost pales in comparison to what we've gained," KP consoled him. Then, his eyebrows lifted, and he clapped his hands enthusiastically. "Now then! As your Investigator's best friend, it's time we moved on to the post-scenario wrap-up and growth phase!

Although you didn't clear the module, you achieved an unexpectedly unique ending. As the master of this game, I must present you with a reward."

"There's a reward?" Huai Shi was taken aback.

"Of course."

KP stated, as if it were obvious, "The original reward for clearing the module was this Character Card. With enough Source Substance, it would have allowed you to temporarily transform back into Van Essen. But frankly, I feel such a meager reward is insufficient to acknowledge everything you've accomplished."

Saying so, he unhesitatingly tore Van Essen's Character Card to shreds.

What? Wait a minute!

Huai Shi stared, dumbfounded. He'd been about to say he didn't mind, that KP should just give it to him quickly... but KP had acted too fast.

That was a Border Relic that, with enough Source Substance, could instantly turn someone into a Third Stage Top Sublimator!

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