Although he wasn't an official sheriff and didn't fall under the jurisdiction of the Security Bureau, an honorary sheriff was still a sheriff. At the very least, it brought the Janus District Branch and Sam Li closer together, pulling him into the Security Bureau's sphere of influence.
After a moment of thought, the chief decided to go with Qingyi's suggestion. "Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, I'm leaving this to the two of you."
Qingyi set down her teacup and smiled. "Leave it to me."
Zhu Yuan, as serious as always, said, "I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Seth stood quietly, lost in thought.
He wondered if the chief and Qingyi weren't overreacting a bit.
Sure, Sam Li was strong—but strong enough to shake the massive Security Bureau? Was it really necessary to go to such lengths to win over a civilian powerhouse?
Off to the side, Jane remained silent.
After hearing the Bureau's decision, she found herself even more intrigued by Sam Li.
Soon after, the impromptu meeting came to an end.
Zhu Yuan exited the conference room.
After a brief hesitation, she pulled out her phone, found Hoshimi Miyabi's contact, and gave her a call.
Miyabi's voice came through the line. "Hello, this is Hoshimi Miyabi, head of Hollow Special Operations Unit 6."
Zhu Yuan spoke firmly. "Miyabi, I have something important to tell you."
Miyabi's voice came back, puzzled. "What is it?"
Zhu Yuan continued seriously. "You asked me to help find a new attribute—Geo. I've found someone who possesses that power…"
...
As Zhu Yuan informed Hoshimi Miyabi about the Geo attribute and Sam Li, it was already deep into the night.
Outside a well-known New Eridu chain restaurant in Lumina Square, Nicole led Sam Li, Anby, Billy, and Nekomata out of the restaurant. Everyone but Nicole was smiling.
Billy waved a fresh Starlight Knight poster with excitement. "Can't believe we got something this great just from grabbing a bite—free Starlight Knight posters! Nicole, boss, we've gotta come back here next time."
Nicole shook her head. "Food's no good. We'll try another place next time."
Way too expensive.
Just that one meal had cost her seventy to eighty thousand Dennies—painful just thinking about it.
Nekomata was carrying grilled bluefish skewers in both hands, belly stuffed and still munching as he walked.
"This place has the most authentic bluefish. Next time I've gotta ask how they make it."
He knew Nicole wouldn't bring them to a place like this often. But if he could learn the recipe, he could cook it himself once the bluefish he was raising at home grew up.
Even Anby, the biggest eater in Hare's House, let out a satisfied burp.
Energy fully replenished.
Nekomata grinned. "We really owe Sam Li this time. Next time there's an easy job like this, just leave it to me."
Nicole smiled. "Bring on more of these commissions. I'll take 'em all!"
Anby said seriously, "I just saw a report on the forum. The Mountain Lion Gang was completely taken down in the Hollows at the old construction site... and according to the report, Sam Li was involved."
At that, Nicole, Billy, and Nekomata all turned to Sam Li.
"Don't tell me you helped the Security Bureau take down the whole gang?"
Sam Li nodded slowly. "Just happened to run into them and gave a hand."
Nicole took a deep breath. "I see… so this commission wasn't as simple as it looked. Since we've got time, why don't you tell us what happened?"
Nekomata immediately raised both hands. "I wanna hear it! I wanna hear it!"
With nothing better to do, Sam Li started recounting the day's events as they walked toward Hare's House.
After hearing everything, Billy burst into laughter.
"Those Mountain Lion guys are so dumb. Of all the people they could've kidnapped, they picked the one person they absolutely shouldn't have. And that Dog King guy—he actually thought he could crush you with one hand? Bet he wants to crawl into a hole now."
Then Billy seemed to remember something and turned to Sam Li. "Wait, that was your first run-in with the Mountain Lion Gang, right? Why'd the Dog King want revenge? Did you have history?"
Sam Li nodded. "You could say that."
He went on to explain the incident from a few days ago—riding Piper's truck out to the outer ring and getting ambushed by bandits.
When he finished, Billy froze. "Piper? Hold on, you're not talking about that little girl from the Sons of Calydon, are you?"
Sam Li nodded. "That's the one."
Nekomata looked at Billy, puzzled. "Sons of Calydon? Piper? You know them?"
Billy quickly shook his head, pretending not to hear. "Huh? What?"
Nekomata pressed, "Do you know the Piper Sam Li was talking about?"
Billy shook his head again. "Of course not! I don't know any Piper—and I wouldn't dare ride in her truck, either!"
It was obvious to everyone that Billy was lying.
But Nicole, Anby, Nekomata, and Sam Li didn't call him out. They just watched him play it out.
Once Billy had dug himself deep enough, Nicole finally spoke up.
"The gangs in the outer ring… I think I get it. Didn't Perlman run off to the outer ring? If we can get that girl from the Sons of Calydon to help us, maybe we really can bring him back. Billy, I'm putting you in charge of contacting her."
Billy shook his head in a panic. "Nicole, boss, I don't know them! Listen to me—Nicole!"
But Nicole was already yawning. "Quit stalling. I'm dead tired. Let's go home and sleep—got stuff to do tomorrow."
...
The night passed quietly.
The next day arrived in a blink.
Early morning.
As usual, Sam Li left home with his birdcage, had breakfast at Lumina Square, and then strolled down to Sixth Street while letting his bird fly freely.
Same routine as always.
He settled down in front of Master Tingman's coffee shop.
Ordered a New Eridu special.
Sipped his coffee while listening to the café's radio broadcast.
"Alert! Alert! A secondary Hollow disaster has occurred near the Federer district. Response units have been dispatched. All nearby residents are advised to evacuate immediately!"
"Repeat, a secondary Hollow disaster has occurred near the Federer district. Residents in the vicinity, please evacuate immediately."
Another Hollow had erupted—this time right in the New Eridu metro area.
The last Hollow disaster in the city had been two months ago—when Sam Li first arrived in this world.
The broadcast had barely started when Sam Li heard sirens wailing in the distance. A dozen Security Bureau patrol cars sped down Sixth Street.