Tang Xunan, a true veteran with 82 years of continuous work experience, effortlessly typed away on his keyboard, churning out thousands of words for his action report without much thought.
Lu Yan didn't care much for sunlight, so he kept the curtains drawn even during the day.
The light from the computer screen cast an attractive shadow on Tang Xunan's face, thanks to its angular glow.
Most of the time, Tang Xunan remained silent, like an industrious work dog. Occasionally, he'd raise his head and ask, "Should Talent 14 be included?"
Lu Yan pondered for a moment before replying, "Yes, include it."
"And how should we explain the mental attacks from the Harbingers?"
Most of the reports provided by Ning Huai were from his perspective. As for how Lu Yan dealt with the Harbingers, it was not within the scope of this report. However, the template provided by the forum clearly stated that task performers should detail how they dealt with the Harbingers.
"Perhaps it's because of a previous attack at the airport, but the mental attacks from the Harbingers don't affect me," Lu Yan replied.
Tang Xunan narrowed his eyes slightly. "You can't say that. During the first Divine Realm operation, everyone was tested, and exposure to the Harbingers' mental attacks didn't increase resistance; it actually made them more susceptible to mental contamination."
"Then just make something up," Lu Yan said.
At 11 am, Tang Xunan finished his task report. It was three thousand three hundred words long, comprehensive yet succinct, with ample evidence.
The system sighed in satisfaction: "[Tool Dragon], it's so handy. I've approved this marriage."
Lu Yan logged into his forum account and hesitated for a moment. "Wouldn't headquarters have someone with Talent 'True Knowledge'? What if they can see through it?"
Tang Xunan reassured him, "They won't. As long as the overall direction is correct, minor errors are allowed."
With reassurance, Lu Yan confidently hit submit.
The next moment, Tang Xunan's internal account received an audit notification.
Yes, just like submitting a paper.
This task report would also be reviewed by professionals, typically 3 to 10 reviewers chosen randomly by the system. For reports that were difficult to judge, a special seminar would be held.
At headquarters, Director Hu, due to his advanced age, had graciously stepped down, and Ji Wen was promoted to director in front of everyone.
As Ji Wen received the symbolic keys of knowledge and authority from the former director, his phone rang.
Checking his phone, Ji Wen saw it was a request for him to conduct a task audit.
As a Priest with Talent 198, True Knowledge, Ji Wen was well-suited for auditing high-difficulty tasks to prevent people from fabricating stories for contribution points.
Curious bystanders asked, "Director, what task is it for auditing?"
Ji Wen pocketed his phone, picked up his water glass, and casually replied, "It's a Level Two Anonymous task. What's all the fuss about?"
Back in his office, Ji Wen logged into the backend system and saw the task report, causing him to drop his water glass onto the keyboard.
[S-level task - Divine Realm Operation]
Main Executors: Diteng, Alpha, Menghu, Bailang (deceased)
Task Report: [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2]
Although headquarters had speculated on the sudden decrease in pollution levels above Changjia, Ji Wen couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine as he read the task report.
This was the Divine Realm Operation that had been ongoing for 45 years. Initially, due to circumstances, headquarters had no choice but to abandon Changjia, resulting in the loss of millions of lives on the island. Ji Wen had voted in favor of this decision during the meeting.
It was a cruel and desperate decision. So much so that even in his dreams, Ji Wen could still see himself on a deserted island, surrounded by countless bodies floating in the sea amid endless sea fog.
To verify the authenticity of this task report was quite simple.
Ji Wen wrote a line on the paper: "Is the Harbinger dead?"
Then, he forced himself into a dream.
Due to the existence of the True Knowledge talent, he suffered from somnambulism. In this state, Ji Wen had no memory and was difficult to awaken, possibly remaining asleep forever due to excessive use of his talent.
To prevent himself from becoming a pollutant in his dreams, Ji Wen would lock himself in the ironclad room of the institute every time he used his talent.
He slept for four hours this time. When he woke up, there was an additional line of crooked writing on the paper.
["Dead."]
Ji Wen felt his temples damp with sweat and touched them, finding his hand covered in blood. Yet, as he looked at the bloodstain, he couldn't help but laugh.
It's perfect. It's true.
...
Even though he had submitted the task report, Lu Yan didn't immediately return to K City.
This base had shallow waters with coral reefs, boasting pristine water quality, perfect for a vacation. It would be a shame not to take a dip in the sea.
"The pollution wasn't severe here before; it used to be a popular honeymoon destination. With no visitors for decades, the water quality has improved even more."
The system wasn't lying; Lu Yan saw plenty of turtle eggs on the beach.
What was once a bustling beach was now deserted, with only him left.
Lu Yan changed into his swimming trunks and dove into the water. The water pressure in the shallow sea didn't bother him at all, to the extent that he didn't even bother with a wetsuit.
The seabed felt like another world altogether.
Clownfish darted among the coral reefs, while unfamiliar fish shimmered in the distance, swimming in schools.
As Lu Yan watched a small octopus glide past him, he suddenly asked, "Why did Shen Qingyang ask me to go to Laiye?"
The system replied, "[He saw something through precognition and understood the choices fate had imposed on him.]"
"Even without him, you would have eventually returned," it added.
Lu Yan rarely dreamed throughout his life, but whenever he did, they were always nightmares. Most of the time, he couldn't remember what happened in his dreams, likely a self-preservation mechanism of the human body.
Hence, Lu Yan always remembered the content vividly upon waking: in his last nightmare, he was deep underwater, hearing countless voices calling him home.
"I actually don't really want to go," Lu Yan muttered.
The system reassured him, "[Don't avoid it; that's not like you. I understand your fear, but don't worry, I'm here. I'll be with you all the way.]"
Water trickled into his gills from the side of his ear, forming tiny bubbles. Underwater, Lu Yan never used his nasal passages to breathe.
Feeling comfortable in the water, he drifted off to sleep.
This time, Lu Yan dreamed again.
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