Chapter 33: Encrypted‑text Talent
"What the hell is this?"
Everyone looked on, exchanging bewildered glances—especially those who, unlike Han Su, had clearly applied to join this department. Their expressions showed genuine shock.
"Is this some kind of code of conduct?"
Two of the first three rules talk about clearing and killing—this really feels like a legitimate guide to killing people.
In the silence, many had questions brewing.
The instructor above seemed to read their thoughts. His gaze swept the group below, and then he said:"Just remember it well. Don’t ask unnecessary questions."
"In this line of work, we don’t welcome overly curious people."
"Besides, you won’t have much time to memorize this manual, because this afternoon we begin other training. The next few days are also fully scheduled. So you only have now and any free time."
"This will be your final evaluation, but you’ll soon see it might be the fairest one. If you want to be assigned to group D1 or D2, at least three As are needed."
"It will be the only evaluation you can actually reach by effort."
"…"
Down below, everyone froze.
Whether they had questions or were simply affronted by the instructor’s cold arrogance, they all snapped to. Immediately, the sound of pages flipping burst forth.
These elites from all walks of society began to show their characteristics.
Some started speed‑reading, eyes darting across lines, quietly mouthing the words.
Some flipped a page and rolled their eyes at the ceiling to aid memory.
Some read word by word, tilting their heads and straining.
Han Su, however, took his time, slowly paging through the rules.
Each rule was laid out in meticulous detail, many terms they seldom encountered in real life.
He first turned over everything at a leisurely pace, searching carefully for anything related to the monsters from the dark bunker.
But unfortunately, there was none.
Indeed, it was just an action code of conduct—simple statements, few examples, and no explanations.
One rule after another, often completely unrelated.
Having gone through it all, he immediately concluded it was impossible to memorize everything in just a few days.
So the first morning passed.
In the entire training facility, you could hardly hear conversation—only the hum of recitation.
The one exception was a man wearing gold‑rimmed glasses.
Han Su noticed him.
The man had barely flipped through the manual once, then simply sat there dazed. After a while he went to the restroom, then to the water cooler, then did eye exercises.
Han Su grew annoyed and said:"Could you please settle down? You’re distracting me!"
The gold‑rimmed man paused, then said awkwardly:"Sorry. I’ll step out."
He left with a paper cup—forgetting the manual, which lay abandoned on the table.
The others stared in disbelief:
What’s this guy doing, completely giving up?
Soon it was time for lunch.
All students ate while memorizing the manual. But once lunch ended, the instructor ordered them to put it down and brace themselves for the second training session.
The second session took them to the room where Han Su had just heard that mysterious voice when he first arrived.
Recognizing the room, Han Su was startled: he had earlier been forcibly taken away because of that voice—was this going to happen again?
"The manual was to improve your survival rate on missions. Now this evaluation is to test your potential."
The instructor’s gaze swept the trainees."Among the other evaluations, you need to earn as many A‑grades as possible to secure placement in the higher groups."
"But if you perform excellently in this evaluation, you can jump straight into group D1."
"…"
After a day tortured by the manual’s contents, the shaken trainees suddenly energized.
Some thought, Why wasn’t this evaluation put first—this is much better?
'Going back once every half month had me tense. Now, after only two days, I have to go back again—this is anxiety‑inducing…'
'It’s not like going home. Why fuss over it?'
'…'
Beside him, Han Su, who was also watching the room with the speaker setup with an uneasy heart, suddenly heard a sound from the instructor’s earpiece.
The instructor’s expression showed a bit of surprise, then he nodded and said to Han Su and the girl wearing a black hood:
“You two don’t need to go, stay behind!"
“Stay behind?"
Just as Han Su was contemplating what to do if the flickering happened again, he suddenly lifted his head.
Not only him, but even the trainees around them wore confused expressions, unable to understand why these two were being treated differently.
The instructor gave Han Su a glance and said,"Because you just listened to the Whisper of the Ruins three days ago. We don’t recommend trainees confront this kind of pressure twice within a week. So, your performance back then will count as your result."
Then, turning to the girl in the black hood, he said,"She doesn’t need to."
Han Su froze for a moment:"？"
“Then what evaluation do we get?"
……
……
At the same time, in the base’s office, Zhang Zhiguo sat before the monitor, with other researchers standing beside him.
Holding a thick file in his hand, which contained information the trainees had registered before the assessment, he asked casually,"Are the protective preparations ready?"
“Have the emergency measures been prepared?"
Faced with Zhang Zhiguo’s seemingly relaxed questioning, the staff all nodded:"No problem, Director Zhang. We’re all experienced with this. Security, protection, stretchers, body bags — all fully prepared in advance."
“That’s good."
Zhang Zhiguo took the list and casually pointed at Han Su’s name:"This trainee is the one I brought back a few days ago. I was worried he had been tainted by a grotesque influence, so he was tested early. There’s no need for him to listen again, right?"
The researcher quickly responded,"Of course, of course, that’s clearly stated in our regulations."
“That girl who just returned from the wilderness doesn’t need to take the assessment. In fact, she can be directly assigned to Group D1. And as for this one who came into contact with an absorbed individual, we can assess based on his previous performance."
Zhang Zhiguo nodded slightly and asked,"Then, what evaluation do you plan to give him?"
The researchers looked at each other. One bald researcher hesitated and said,"Giving him a C-level evaluation seems appropriate?"
“From the report, his performance was average. He actually fell asleep. How low must his Spiritual Sensitivity be for that to happen?"
“Well, we just don’t have the habit of giving D-level directly……"
“……"
After hearing that, many staff members nodded along.
Zhang Zhiguo said nothing, only lowered his head to review the file.
The top page was Han Su’s, recording various background details and experiences.
Compared to others, it looked exceedingly ordinary.
He seemed like a natural workhorse, premium cannon fodder — dreaming of getting into D1 or D2 was nothing short of delusional.
If he received another low evaluation here, that would really be……
He gave no opinion, simply refrained from the discussion.
Gradually, the surrounding atmosphere grew heavy.
The bald researcher and others clearly looked confused, as if something wasn’t right.
At that moment, Cui Qiao, the slim secretary in a black suit beside Zhang Zhiguo, suddenly spoke up:"How exactly is your work being done? Are you sure the evaluation considered all aspects? Are you certain that personnel selected this way are truly up to the tasks they’ll face?"
The bald researcher froze:"Huh?"
Cui Qiao frowned at their reactions and added,"This student from Qinggang University displayed remarkable composure when confronted with the Ghost Freight Truck."
“He wasn’t run over in the sports car, dodged several times, and even saved someone — that demonstrates clear-headedness in the face of grotesquery and a strong, stable mental state."
“……"
“So what?"
The bald researcher dumbly said,"But he fell asleep, you know, during the Whisper of the Ruins, he fell asleep……"
Cui Qiao calmly replied,"Don’t you think that his extraordinary numbness in the face of divine murmurs is extremely advantageous in resisting contamination from the unknown and grotesque? He’s a great candidate for disruption work."
“Of course, I know that Spiritual Sensitivity is helpful for future training in mysterious powers. But choosing suitable personnel is our main task when recruiting newcomers. One-track thinking and procedural operations — that’s not the Disaster Management Bureau’s way!"
“……"
This time, the bald researcher was completely dazed and muttered,"But it’s always been like this……"
Then, a staff member nearby suddenly spoke:"Giving only a C for this trainee’s performance is not acceptable. I think a B-level evaluation……"
With a quick glance at Zhang Zhiguo, he firmly said:"That’s not acceptable either!"
“The fact that he could fall asleep during the Encrypted Text chant shows dullness… and that he has firm personal will and a pure mind. Only such traits can prevent easy contamination when facing grotesquery."
“Plus, he came out of the encounter with the Ghost Freight Truck unscathed, and even brought someone with him……"
“……What a talent!"
The more he spoke, the more impressed he became.
Looking at the bald researcher, he said:"Professor, S-level might be a bit much, but I think an A-level evaluation is quite fitting."
The bald researcher froze for a full three seconds before finally reacting. He glanced at the silent Zhang Zhiguo and hesitantly asked:
“R-Right?"
“……"
Only then did Zhang Zhiguo slowly nod and say,"I think what you said makes sense. Once the report is written, submit it to me for signature."