Chapter 97: Promotion and Benefits

Crisis Management Bureau, Human Resources Department.

The lobby of the Crisis Management Bureau was spacious and bright, with massive screens embedded in the walls displaying various appointment details.

Li Nanke followed the information to enter an office.

Behind the desk, a female staff member smiled warmly and said, “Congratulations, Mr. Li. Due to your outstanding recent work performance, after joint deliberation by the Research and Management Departments, we have decided to promote you.”

“Your position will be elevated from ‘Intern’ in the Research Department to ‘Assistant Researcher,’ with your rank rising from F+ to E+. Your salary will increase by 50% to 300,000 credits per month, and your annual paid leave will be extended from 24 to 36 days.”

“Your free medical coverage will be upgraded from 2 million to 5 million credits, medical expenses beyond that will enjoy a discount increase from 30% to 50%, and you have also gained the right to choose your own housing…”

“There are many other benefits including vehicle purchase discounts, real estate transaction privileges, opportunities for advanced study—all of which have been sent to your personal terminal…”

“Your two merit bonuses—one rated C-level, the other D+ level—amounting to 750,000 and 500,000 credits respectively, totaling 1.25 million, have already been transferred to your payroll account. Please check accordingly.”

“Now, I will process your promotion. Mr. Li, please submit your old identification.”

The communicator vibrated with a transfer notification; Li Nanke’s payroll account received 1.25 million credits.

Having been at the Bureau for only half a month and not yet receiving his salary, he was already awarded such a hefty bonus. If it weren’t for his low ‘Intern’ rank, the bonus might have been several times larger.

As he took out his old ID, he thought silently: What kind of divine organization is this? No wonder all the extraordinary individuals in the community vie fiercely to join the Crisis Management Bureau.

Yet those who succeed in joining are all elite talents.

Had Li Nanke possessed only low-level physical-type powers, he would likely be relegated to a lifetime-supervised civilian extraordinary.

The staff invalidated his old ID and handed him a new badge inscribed with ‘Assistant Researcher’ along with his new identification.

They then activated a holo-computer, projecting a 3D hologram showing various residential areas in the high-precision district of Redemption City.

There were serene, private lakeside communities with picturesque scenery, as well as skyscrapers situated in the city center.

“Mr. Li, since you have earned the right to choose your housing, you may select any residence from the options below.”

The housing right meant the Bureau would cover the rent. Of course, all these properties belonged to ‘Eden Biotech,’ so he was granted residency rights, not ownership.

The holographic projection allowed viewing not only the surroundings but also the interior design, as well as nearby amenities such as plazas, parks, hospitals, and transportation.

Li Nanke examined several properties, each with its own charm, suitable whether one was single or had a family.

However, none matched his preference.

He asked, “Are there any houses in the Chinatown district?”

The Chinatown district of Redemption City resembled a traditional ethnic enclave. Li Nanke had visited only a few times but had already fallen in love with this familiar yet foreign place.

Its architecture, cultural atmosphere, and cuisine evoked a strong sense of home.

“There are, Mr. Li. However, housing in Chinatown is a benefit reserved for personnel ranked D and above. If you wish to reside there, you will need to pay an additional 100,000 credits monthly.”

The staff then brought up residences in Chinatown.

There was a standalone villa with white walls and black tiles, complete with a private garden featuring rugged rockeries, gentle flowing streams, and a small pond adorned with blooming lotuses—an elegant and tranquil environment.

The villa came equipped with service robots acting as butler, gardener, and chef—ready for immediate move-in.

Initially, the extra 100,000 monthly fee seemed steep to Li Nanke. But upon seeing this Su-style garden villa, he immediately made up his mind.

“I’ll take this one.”

Choosing to live in Chinatown was not only for its familiar feeling but also because it offered him an anchor, a comforting sense of belonging.

“No problem, Mr. Li.”

“Mr. Li, would you also like to purchase a private vehicle? As an E+ rank officer, you enjoy a 30% discount on all types of vehicles.”

Living in the staff dormitory area came with scheduled shuttles to and from work, but moving to an independent residence required separate transportation.

Li Nanke looked over the list the staff displayed. Some of the luxury hovercars had interiors so lavish they resembled small private jets.

However, hovercars were far more expensive than four-wheeled sedans. Even with discounts, the cheapest hovercar cost at least three to four million credits.

Considering his current financial state and modest discount level, he decided to pick a simple mode of transport for now.

His gaze turned to the more affordable sedans, and after browsing he discovered motorcycles as well.

These cars and motorcycles were all electric-powered—as civilian machinery had largely transitioned to electric except for military uses.

“This one then.”

Li Nanke selected a heavy motorcycle named “Hell’s Requiem,” strikingly stylish and futuristic with a sleek black body. It came with features like autopilot, automatic summon, and self-parking, boasting a 1,550 km range and a top speed of 385 km/h.

Most importantly, it was both attractive and affordable—only 150,000 credits after discount.

“Very well, Mr. Li. The vehicle key has been sent to your personal terminal. Your bike will be delivered to the Bureau’s parking lot within half an hour.”

After completing his promotion procedures, Li Nanke returned to the HR lobby. Just as he was about to head to the parking lot to check out his new ride, he ran into an old acquaintance—Bastian.

Bastian, Squad Leader of the Containment Unit in Special Operations Group B.

Dressed in a sharp black uniform trimmed with silver, bearing a sword insignia on his epaulets, Bastian seemed to be settling some business in the HR department as well.

“Leader.”

Bastian smiled upon seeing Li Nanke’s new badge and paused for a moment.

“You’ve only been here a few days, and already you’ve been promoted!”

He scrutinized Li Nanke, eyes filled with a mix of surprise and suspicion, then suddenly extended his hand.

Li Nanke smiled faintly and shook it. Upon contact, he sensed Bastian’s palm exerting slight pressure, as if testing.

“You got promoted?”

The last time Bastian saw Li Nanke, he was only a first-tier extraordinary. Judging by the strength in his physique now, he probably had touched the second tier.

“Thanks to your recommendation, Director Frank really is a good leader.”

Hearing this, Bastian knew Frank must have rewarded him with plenty of pheromones.

However, forbidden pheromones mainly served as an auxiliary method for promotion. Their direct efficacy in enhancing extraordinary powers was limited, and no one was so extravagant as to rely solely on pheromones to strengthen their abilities.

Official supernaturals typically applied to the Bureau for pheromones only when stuck at a bottleneck unable to advance.

Li Nanke’s rapid rise suggested that even with Frank’s pheromones, it was insufficient on its own.

This meant Li Nanke had not slackened in his cultivation but had been diligently improving his extraordinary powers, showing remarkable talent.

Bastian thought to himself: what a pity. With such talent, but limited to the All-Phenomena type, no matter how hard he worked in one area, he could never become a top-tier extraordinary.

Yet on second thought, the All-Phenomena type at least ensured steady achievements in the future. Even if not reaching the pinnacle, he could become a prominent figure.

Suddenly inspired, Li Nanke asked, “Leader, I heard that our Special Operations Group has some additional combat training programs.”

Bastian stroked his stubbled chin and replied, “Why? Interested in sparring? Or do you find the researcher’s life too dull?”

Li Nanke actually enjoyed the quiet life of a researcher—it allowed him to relax thoroughly after each Forbidden Dream.

But the sudden appearance of the ‘Trade’ option in the Great Beyond made him realize the many nightmares might intersect with him somehow.

Moreover, advancing extraordinary powers too quickly had downsides—it could impair fine control, preventing full utilization of his current strength.

The Research Department couldn’t help him with power control issues, but the Special Operations Group offered highly professional training programs.

Seeing Li Nanke nod, Bastian hesitated: “When I was your age, I was the same. I know you get restless when idle. But you’re Director Frank’s key protégé. Joining us for combat training might seem like neglecting your duties.”

“Besides, our Special Operations Group B is on leave these days…”

Then he thought a moment longer and continued, “How about this: I’ll send you a public dream data disk in a few days. If you’re itching, you can jump in and spar with other Containment members.”

“As for the extra combat training, if you can convince Director Frank to let you participate during your spare time, you’re always welcome.”

Li Nanke smiled upon hearing this. “Thank you very much, Leader.”

(End of chapter)