abnormal mutation

Chapter 120 Dual-wielding style

Compared to the three departments mentioned above, the Intelligence and Countermeasures Department is in a somewhat awkward position. It was established the shortest time ago and has the worst results, relying heavily on intelligence sharing from the headquarters' intelligence department.

Besides being neglected, the main reasons were insufficient funding and a lack of professional talent. With only two hundred or so official intelligence officers, plus five or six hundred informants and spies, scattered across the vast Hitt Empire, the coverage was simply not enough.

Everyone knows the importance of intelligence work, but there is still a headquarters supporting them, and everyone has become dependent on it. No one has thought about setting up another intelligence system, and they have always focused on collecting commercial intelligence.

"Summarize the intelligence on the Relic Light Society, the Seventh Authority, and the Thistle Merchant Guild and show it to me. Focus our future investigations on these three organizations. Don't worry about funding; I'll apply for it," Roland said thoughtfully.

The intelligence department's structure is already in place, and its operations are meticulous; it's not a makeshift operation, which provides a foundation for expansion. As long as valuable intelligence can be continuously acquired, there will be no shortage of funds.

“Yes.” Isolde smiled happily. Otto’s decisiveness and strong willingness to support him were exactly the scene he had been looking forward to.

After getting to know each other, the atmosphere of the conversation immediately became much more relaxed.

The group unknowingly drifted into conversation about the serious incident that had occurred a couple of days prior. Wald Gas Company had been forcibly dissolved, a large number of its employees had been detained, and its factories and facilities had been taken over by a new chamber of commerce.

The Northern Union Merchants Association had a better reputation, but did not receive any substantial benefits; the Imperial government was determined to maintain a system of checks and balances.

Roland felt conflicted. The Northern Chamber of Commerce's strategy for maintaining local stability aligned perfectly with the judicial system, and in theory, it should have received greater support. However, the reality was quite the opposite; the government system disregarded both approaches and was constantly engaging in multi-party competition, making things increasingly chaotic.

No one in their right mind would believe there's no shady dealings between the two systems.

He sighed softly and didn't continue the topic: "Tell me about the black market."

Isolde was taken aback, and after a moment of contemplation, she said, "The origin of the black market is now hard to say. It probably formed spontaneously at first, but the authorities cracked down on it several times without success, which instead caused a lot of chaos."

Gradually, it was tacitly accepted. There were a few upheavals along the way, but under the tacit control of all parties, things have stabilized...

The forces controlling the black market are not static. Among them are the Northern Merchant Guild and representatives of Extraordinary Individuals who are close to the government, as well as at least 1-3 other entities. The condition for entry is being a mid-tier Extraordinary Individual.

Currently, there are four major players. Apart from a neutral extraordinary individual who grew up locally, the biggest variable is the Thistle Flower Merchant Guild, which has only recently arrived. The Upside-Down House has appeared in almost every black market.

"Another instance of official tacit approval?"

"Correct."

Roland was speechless for a moment; the Northern Merchant Guild was being too soft.

This is due to historical reasons. From its inception, the Hid Empire was wary of the north, severely suppressed the Northern Merchants' Guild, and divided the north into three counties. The proportion of Solonian officials decreased year by year.

The seven major lineages of the Solon people have declined one after another, become severely fragmented, and their relationships are much weaker than before.

There's a reason why the Seventh Authority came to the North to cause trouble; the strength of the law enforcement spiritual domain in the North has never been as strong as in the South.

He stroked his chin, pondering whether he should charge some interest.

The Upside-Down House has quite a few good things; he even sensed several unusual spiritual fluctuations that day. The Thistle Flower Merchant Guild frequently targets him; they lack martial ethics, so he has no reason to follow the rules.

Real business battles are nothing more than the simple clash of dump trucks!
“From now on, give me a copy of any important intelligence, and have Marta sort it out and give it to me.” Roland turned to look at the silver-haired youth.

Marta is a professional intelligence officer, so he's definitely more professional in this area than Leongard.

"Yes, Director." Marta finally smiled, secretly relieved that he hadn't been replaced.

"What do you use to transmit intelligence?" Roland asked.

“Silverwing Owls, or mail, and occasionally telegrams,” Isolde replied immediately.

"Telegraph?" Roland looked puzzled. There was electricity now, but why didn't he see any electric lights or anything like that?

“Electricity is not lightning, it is…” Isolde frowned, pondering hard, but didn’t know how to explain it, “It is created based on the rules of reality, it can hurt people, and it can also be used as energy.”

However, electrodes are easily contaminated or interfered with. Spirituality and extraordinary properties can be attracted to the electric current, not only distorting or disrupting the transmission, but also eroding the soul and mind of the person who comes into contact with them.

Therefore, telegrams and telephones were very inaccurate; one could often hear the murmurs of evil gods or hear incomprehensible printed text. Users went mad, and everyone avoided them, generally not using them. Roland was startled; this was indeed the first time he had heard such a statement, and he was somewhat surprised.

Electricity is essentially electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces. Given this situation, electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic force have undergone unknown changes, posing terrifying risks, and the possibility of them continuing to develop is extremely slim.

The path of technological development here is destined to be different from that of the previous life.

He increasingly felt that the Paradox Worms were extremely useful; the worms were messengers, and their sheer number would form an intelligence network. Once he was stronger, he could develop the chessboard into a secret meeting place for sharing intelligence—those infected with abnormal mutations would be ready-made informants.

“A council member?” Isolde reminded him.

"That's settled then." Roland stood up, preparing to leave. "You're the professional; I won't get involved in the specifics for now. If you need anything, you can contact me through them."

"Thank you for your trust, board members."

…………

What's it like to have two professional assistants?
Roland felt that things were easy and worry-free. Tasks like canceling train tickets, purchasing supplies, and teaching Evan and the others didn't require his attention at all. The combination of an extraordinary individual and a detective could handle most situations.

The key point is that they don't have to pay their own salaries!

He focused on his own things, practicing the Lightless Arrow and learning extraordinary knowledge. With Julia's books and the Eye of Pro as his top advisor, he was very efficient.

Fugen Tavern.

Roland looked at the newly emerging abnormal mutation with a puzzled expression.

[Abnormal Mutation: Dual-Blade Style]

Feature: Function. Gain 2 completed items that match the hero's role.

There is only one, and this kind of abnormal mutation is so obvious that there is no possibility of it shifting.

What's most unique is that it doesn't increase the number of abnormal mutations, nor does it affect Roland's attributes in the slightest. It can be understood as an equipment forging tool, so calling it an abnormal mutation is not accurate.

What is my role?

Even Roland himself was somewhat puzzled. Bloodborne sorcerers sounded like spellcasters, but their attributes were more versatile, and their health was ridiculously high.

'Why don't you try and see?'

Sensing his intention, the Seed of Runes suddenly leaped out of his body, hovering and spinning endlessly in front of him, pulsating like breathing and overflowing with dazzling light.

About half an hour later, it suddenly grew larger, spat out two blue magic orbs, and then shrank back into the depths of its soul.

Roland let out a soft breath to calm his agitated mood and then touched the two magic orbs in turn.

[Last Whisper]: +20% Attack Speed, +15% Attack Damage, +20% Weakness Tracking Correction.

Unique Ability: Armor Penetration. The specific effect depends on the enemy's defensive capabilities.

Negative effect (cannot be exempted): Bloodshot arrows consume one point of health with each hit.

【Sunfire Cape】: +20 Armor, +250 Health.

Mysterious abilities: Sunfire, Sacrifice.

The cloak can continuously absorb intense sunlight, generating scorching sunfire that can be unleashed against enemies at once or used as a sacrifice to continuously burn surrounding enemies.

Negative effects (waived): The sun's heat consumes everything, including the wearer's sanity. The wearer becomes irritable, prone to violence, and suffers from impaired thinking abilities.

(End of this chapter)