My setting is above yours!

Chapter 45 Digesting the Gravekeeper, the Attack of the "Grave Robbers" (5k5)

"Gravekeeper?"

Xia Zhi on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback. "We're disciplinary inspectors, we're supposed to be out on fieldwork. The inspection bureau doesn't have any cemeteries for you to play this kind of role-playing game..."

Ron, unconvinced, pressed on, asking again:

"Actually, a mortician can also do that... Doesn't the forensic department have morticians?"

"...What do you take the patrol bureau for?"

Summer Solstice was somewhat speechless:

"While there may be some... I didn't call you to the patrol station to stitch up corpses..."

I didn't want to stitch up the corpse, but what can I do when only the role-playing method can digest the potion?

Ron was also helpless, and said seriously, "Sister Xia Zhi, this task is very useful to me, can you help me out?"

Quite useful? What use could that be?

Xia Zhi was very curious, but this was, after all, Ron's privacy, and it might just be some personal hobby, so she decided not to ask.

"Even if I wanted to help you, you're just a high school graduate..."

She was clearly hesitant, but considering Ron's serious attitude, she finally sighed.
"The forensic department is indeed short-staffed... Never mind, come to the patrol bureau first, and we'll talk when we meet."

Is the forensic department short-staffed?

That means there's hope!

Upon hearing this, Ron immediately smiled:
"almost there!"

After he finished speaking, he hung up the phone and hurriedly went downstairs. In order to get to the patrol bureau as quickly as possible, he even paid extra to call a hovercar.

After leaving a certain high school last time, Ron did not return to District B or the high-class apartment arranged for him by [Sky Listening Video] because he wanted to go to the "Potion Era" as soon as possible. Instead, he decided to stay in his dilapidated apartment in District D for one night.

Looking back, this choice was actually the right one... otherwise, we would have to ride in a hovercar for seven or eight hours to get back to Zone D.

Traffic was congested in Zone D, but perhaps because Ron had given him extra money, the driver gripped the steering wheel with incredible intensity.

He started talking about mortgages and car loans, then floored the gas pedal, as if he wanted to make 300 deliveries a day to pay off his loans, and sped the hovercar to the threshold of the D District General Inspection Bureau.

...It must never become like this again.

Thinking of the student loans he had finally managed to pay off, and the hundreds of thousands of credit points he still had, Ron once again strengthened his resolve.

Although he currently appears to be a top-tier superhuman, a customized investment by Tianting Media, and a promising candidate for future competition for the Prometheus authority, with Tianting Media spending tens of millions on him, Ron knows that this is only a temporary glory.

If he ultimately loses the competition for the rights, Ron doesn't think he'll be any better than this driver...

He got out of the car and stood at the entrance of the General Inspection Bureau of District D of Ideal City, a place he hadn't visited in a long time.

Compared to the deserted state of the patrol station when I came late at night last time, it was much busier early in the morning. There were clearly scattered people coming and going, obviously having something to do at the patrol station.

A familiar figure in a black, furry leather suit stood at the entrance, greeting and seeing off customers like a top performer soliciting business at a shopping mall entrance.

Ron witnessed several smartly dressed high school girls who were just passing by, but because "Officer Barking" ran up to them and took a lot of photos of them, they were taken by the group.

After they finished taking photos, "Officer Barking" pulled a fluffy doll out of the mascot's belt as if by magic and rattled off a sales pitch.

These girls actually took the bait, readily scanning the QR code to pay, and then, all smiles, they either bumped, hugged, or grabbed the plush toys as they left...

Is this still a law enforcement agency?

It looks like some kind of toy merchandise store...

Ron was somewhat bewildered when he heard a sigh:
"How about it? I told you before that 'Officer Barking' was very popular, didn't I?"

Before he knew it, Xia Zhi, who looked visibly tired, had walked up to him.

"This has had a landmark effect on improving the image of our D District General Inspection Bureau..."

While the image improvement wasn't immediately apparent, it certainly had a milestone effect in terms of revenue generation.

Ron nodded in agreement and walked into the patrol bureau with Xia Zhi.

Stepping into the elevator, familiar advertisements lit up the elevator car, but Ron skillfully ignored them and looked at Xia Zhi:

"Sister Xia Zhi, is there any chance for the mortuary work?"

Xia Zhi asked with a hint of helplessness, "You really want to deal with corpses that much?"

“Of course!” Ron answered without hesitation. “I’ll do anything if you want me to be a gravedigger or a mortician!”

Xia Zhi was quite frustrated. Ron was a genius, and his abilities were strong enough, but why did he have to want to go to the forensic department...?

Even a fool could tell that this would definitely affect his normal work performance!
Looking at Ron's serious expression, she couldn't help but sigh and said:
"It's not that I'll ask you to do anything... it's just that these jobs involving corpses aren't without their challenges. Although the forensic department is indeed short-staffed right now, you haven't taken the certification exam."

It really is.

Ron then noticed this blind spot.

Although jobs like gravediggers certainly don't have many requirements and can be done by ordinary people most of the time, no one would refuse a superpowered person like him.

But the mortician is different...

This kind of industry that requires the collection of corpses must have a professional license. Within the inspection bureau, he might also need to do case investigation. A high school student who just finished the college entrance examination definitely cannot obtain this job through the formal procedures.

Ron, skeptical, said:
"Part-time? The kind that doesn't pay... Is that not allowed either?"

"You can't ask me that..."

As Xia Zhi spoke, the elevator doors opened, and she stepped out with Ron:

"I can take you to the forensic department later. You can talk to the department head, Dr. Lin, about what you want to do. Right now, your most important task is to come with me to see the director."

"No matter how many part-time jobs you want, you have to join our C-112 squad first..."

Indeed, no matter how much you want to work in the forensic department, you have to go through the onboarding process first.

Ron silently followed Xia Zhi to the door of the director's office.

"Dong dong dong."

Xia Zhi gently knocked on the door, and soon a weak male voice came from inside:

"Enter……"

They pushed open the door, and the director's office was familiarly simple. A young man with gray hair sat at his desk, his dark circles under his eyes were very obvious, and he kept yawning.

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, he stretched and stood up.
"This is the new operator you're preparing to invite using your captain privileges? If I'm not mistaken, this should be your last chance to apply..."

As the young bureau chief spoke, his gaze shifted to Ron, then suddenly froze, clearly taken aback.

After a moment, he said in astonishment:

"...This year's top scorer in the college entrance examination? Xia Zhi, you actually have connections like that?"

"If I weren't the top scorer, I wouldn't have been willing to use my captain's privileges one last time..."

Xia Zhi's lips curled up noticeably; it seemed that having Ron intimidate the bureau chief was something that secretly pleased her.
"So, Chief, what do you think of this guy? He seems quite qualified to be a member of our D District General Inspection Bureau, right?"

"It's more than just being highly qualified..."

The young bureau chief rubbed his brow, shifting his gaze to Ron, his tone somewhat weary:
Will Tianting Media agree?

It's one thing for this person to know I was the top scorer in the college entrance examination, but they even know about the investment that Tianting Media made in me?

Ron was somewhat surprised, but quickly came to terms with it.

Well, after all, he's the director of the D District General Inspection Bureau. Even in a slum like D District, that's a pretty high rank...

For such important figures, it's not difficult to learn about the recent investment plans of giant corporations—after all, Tianting Media hasn't hidden its investment in Ron.

Furthermore, considering that Ron might have the opportunity to seize control of [Prometheus] in the future, they even planned to create momentum after Ron was confirmed to be a Level 5, binding him to the [Tian Ting Media] chariot in terms of public opinion.

Ron nodded and said seriously:
"The contract between Tianting Media and me contains almost no restrictions on my personal freedom. They don't mind me participating in any work... even positions in other giant companies."

"The work of the inspection bureau is naturally not covered by the contract prohibition regulations."

What else is there to say?
No contractual obligations, no restrictions, a top-tier superhuman destined to become a Level 4, or even potentially a Level 5, in the future…

Only a fool would refuse a new operator like this!
The young bureau chief's previously hesitant expression vanished instantly, replaced by a hearty smile:

"Then welcome to the D District Chief Inspectorate... Artemis!"

A light screen popped up in front of the director, and Ron was slightly taken aback, but immediately realized what it was.

Artemis...One of the twelve sectors of the Ideal City's Central Brain?

Since Artemis is under the control of the Patrol Bureau, doesn't that mean that one of the eleven Lv.5s is already within the Patrol Bureau system...? Will I have a chance to meet this person in the future?

Ron seemed to be deep in thought, while the young director opened the patrol bureau's AI system, called for Artemis's permission support, and immediately added Ron to the patrol bureau's roster of agents.

"Alright, the access information has been entered, and I've been added to Squad C-112. We just need to wait for the logistics department to prepare the necessary documents and send them over..."

As he spoke, while waiting for his documents, he praised Ron again:

"When I gave you the Good Citizen Medal before, I thought you were a genius. I never expected that you would rise to prominence so quickly and easily take first place in the college entrance examination..."

Ron responded instinctively:

"What good luck! You've become the director of the D District General Inspection Bureau at such a young age. That's truly an exceptional person..."

The two began exchanging compliments, and a short while later, a logistics officer came up and brought Ron his work ID.

Ron took the identification; the work ID was a name tag with Ron's ID photo and name on it, and it felt heavy in his hand.

"Here, don't forget to wear it around your neck when you go on missions... From now on, you'll be a discipline inspector with law enforcement authority in District D."

The young bureau chief said, pointing to Xia Zhi standing to the side:

"Captain Xia Zhi will show you around and explain the work of our patrol bureau in a bit..."

As he spoke, he turned to Xia Zhi and said, "Don't forget to take him to get the equipment—apply directly with his work ID, and the logistics department will deliver it to you."

"I won't forget... I'm leaving!"

Xia Zhi waved and left in a flurry with Ron.

Soon, Xia Zhi took him to the logistics department and gave him two sets of all-black work clothes and a law enforcement recorder.

The uniforms of the patrol bureau are quite good... The fabric is smooth and breathable, and also quite tough, providing obvious protective effects.

Ron had never seen a uniform like this before. Even back in Block B, when Kevin bought him a whole store of clothes, Ron couldn't recall any garment that was so thin yet so durable...

Perhaps it's a special technology unique to the Inspection Bureau?

Military-grade equipment is indeed far superior to civilian-grade equipment...

Ron was somewhat moved, and then followed Xia Zhi on a tour of the entire D District General Inspection Bureau, gaining a basic understanding of the scope of work of each department.

After explaining everything, she led Ron to the forensic department, sighing helplessly as she said:

“Right now, I should be taking you to meet your seniors—the other members of C-112 team—but they’ve all taken leave and gone home…”

Xia Zhi shrugged as she spoke: "I was busy with that case all night yesterday. When the director announced the disbandment this morning, everyone went straight home to sleep. I was the only one who stayed awake because of you."

"Fortunately, because of yesterday's case, the entire C-112 team is on leave for the next two days. The higher-ups won't be assigning us any missions. We can talk to you about missions, points, and team matters later."

As she spoke, she yawned: "Now, I'll take you to the forensic department to meet Dr. Lin, and then we'll go back to sleep—"

Whether you can convince her to actually become a gravedigger or a mortician is up to you.

Although Ron, like Xia Zhi, hadn't slept all night, he wasn't sleepy at all.

With his level of loss of control, how can he still sleep?
To digest the potion, Ron wished he could stay awake for even a second, simultaneously doing the work of both the gravedigger and the mortician, and speeding up the potion's digestion...

But reality is clearly not that simple.

"Corpse handling? No, no, no, how could such a job be left to a child who has never been trained?"

Looking somewhat tired, with wrinkles around his eyes, Dr. Lin, probably in his forties, righteously and firmly refused Ron's plea:

"While the forensic department is indeed short-staffed, it's far from the point where we need someone like you, a high school student who hasn't studied anything, to be our assistant..."

"Is it really completely impossible?" Ron was still unconvinced. "Even just letting me observe for a bit, learning temporarily, or doing this job briefly would be fine!"

Looking at Ron's extremely sincere eyes, Dr. Lin finally sighed helplessly.

"No... I cannot allow someone like you, who has no professional license, to enter the autopsy room, nor can I allow you to do any mortuary work before you obtain your license."

“However,” she said, then changed the subject, “if you just want to be a ‘gravekeeper’… I have no objection.”

"Below is the morgue where bodies are stored. All bodies related to recent cases have been properly stored there."

"The old gatekeeper suddenly quit today, and I was supposed to cover his shift, but after working all night, my superiors gave me two days off, so I have no reason not to rest..."

As she spoke, she took out a key and handed it to Ron:
"Can you cover our shift and guard the underground morgue for us?"

That's definitely no problem.

Even though he didn't get to play the role of the "corpse keeper" and went straight to digesting the Sequence 8 potion, Ron was still quite satisfied with playing the role of the "gravekeeper".

One must eat one bite at a time, digesting the "Gravekeeper's" potion first, which also aligns with the gradual advancement philosophy of the "Potion Sequence"...

Although Ron was only working part-time as a doorman at the underground morgue and wasn't a true "gravekeeper," it was still, to some extent, a role he played in the guise of a "gravekeeper."

After all, the manual's explanation of the "role-playing method" states that you must play the role, understand it, and then become it...

Who can say that if you don't look convincing, it's not acting?
He took the keys from Dr. Lin, who and Xia Zhi were clearly exhausted from yesterday's case. They said a quick goodbye and left in a hurry.

Ron was happy to have some free time. He took a short stroll around the patrol bureau, had a quick meal, and then went down to the basement.

The underground of the patrol station was very deserted. Perhaps because of the underground morgue, Ron even felt a strange chill down there.

He opened the guardhouse of the underground morgue. The previous guard, an old man, had quit without even cleaning up properly. His glass thermos was still on the table. He wondered what had made him so anxious.

Ron tidied up the guardhouse briefly, and as soon as he sat down and began his duties as a guard at the underground morgue, he heard a crisp notification sound:
[The "Setting: Role-Playing Method" is dispelling the magical contamination present in the "Profession: Gravekeeper".]

[The "Setting: Extraordinary Out of Control" reduces the degree of out-of-control situation as a result.]

[Out of Control Level -0.01%]

Really useful!

Ron looked at the manual with some excitement, but the reduction in the degree of loss of control would only occur once every ten minutes, and it was just a slow, gradual reduction, so there was no way to wait for it to completely return to zero.

If that's the case, I'll be doing this part-time job as a morgue security guard for ages...

Was my performance not quite right?

Could it be that we need to do something even more "gravekeeper-like" to speed up the digestion of the potion?

Ron seemed lost in thought, but a wave of drowsiness washed over him, making him yawn.

After not having rested for so long, people inevitably feel tired when they fall into such a comfortable situation.

Unable to figure out exactly how to properly play the role of "gravekeeper," perhaps it's better to take a nap and rest...

Maybe I'll figure out the answer after I wake up?

With that thought in mind, Ron slumped onto the table in the guardhouse and fell into a deep sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, hurried footsteps suddenly came, startling Ron awake.

He glanced at his phone subconsciously and realized that he had slept for a long time, and it was already past nine o'clock in the night...

What's going on? Who would come to the underground morgue at this time?

Ron cautiously hid behind the door, leaving only one eye out to look at the direction from which the footsteps were coming.

He heard a somewhat timid voice coming from not far away:

"Boss... this is the patrol bureau. Is it really okay to steal a corpse from the patrol bureau?"

"What's the problem! The higher-ups have already found a way to send away all the patrol officers who can patrol here, there's no danger at all..."

Another impatient voice rang out: "If you're scared, then get lost. I'm short one more person to split the money with..."

Upon hearing this conversation, Ron immediately perked up.

Stealing a corpse? Splitting the money?

What kind of "tomb raider" is this...?

Ron couldn't help but ponder when he thought about their profession.

The so-called role-playing method is the act of portraying and understanding the symbolism of the potion, with the goal of truly approaching and becoming that concept.

So, if he stops these two "tomb raiders," wouldn't he become more like a real "tomb keeper" and further fulfill his role as a tomb keeper?
At least in this moment, by stopping the "tomb raiders," he was fulfilling the duty of a "tomb keeper"...

This is no different from temporarily becoming a real gravedigger!

Thinking of this, his eyes suddenly sharpened as he looked at the two figures, one fat and one thin, approaching.

It's like finding a needle in a haystack, only to have it come to you effortlessly...

The chance to digest the [Gravekeeper] potion is right here!
(End of this chapter)