Who left their last words here?

Chapter 26 is all about "eating people"!
Early the next morning.

There is still one day and one night until the Blood Worship Cult's invasion and Han's "second deal".

Bai Zhou sat in the cafeteria, eating fried dough sticks and drinking spicy soup.

Eating only fried dough sticks was a bit too greasy, and the pickled vegetables were sold out.

So Bai Zhou also had half a steamed bun.

But today is different from usual.

The introverted Bai Zhou took the initiative to find a seat close to his colleagues.

He casually struck up a conversation, inquiring about the organization and Lieutenant Han.

"People have to look forward, so don't be too sad."

"At the Special Administration, you really have to get used to the sacrifices your colleagues make."

"Moreover, those in higher positions are often the most likely to be sacrificed."

The colleague sitting across from me was a burly young man who looked to be close to thirty.

He was one of the few people in the cafeteria who wasn't wearing a suit, perhaps because he didn't have a work shift this morning.

Floral shirts and slippers exude a carefree and unrestrained style, something few people at the Special Administrative Region dare to wear.

Even the cleaning staff who sweep the floor are more presentable than him.

But he was a veteran of the maintenance department and one of the witnesses to the last "medical room incident".

Upon hearing what the other person said, Bai Zhou suddenly blinked.

Are those in high positions more likely to be sacrificed?

He wanted to know why Lieutenant Han would go to such lengths to target his trusted lieutenant rather than ordinary lower-ranking officers…

"I don't understand." Bai Zhou seemed to be humbly seeking guidance.

"The major said, with great power comes great responsibility!"

The burly young man slurped down a mouthful of soy milk, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Actually, it wasn't like this before."

"Back then, our base, like other official organizations, liked to recruit death row inmates to serve as 'expendable personnel' at the bottom."

“Nominally, they are called P0.5 level employees.”

P... Level 0.5?
"Simply put, they are consumables used to deal with some tricky dangers or to record experimental data... Anyway, they are all death row inmates."

"This tradition has always been controversial within the organization, but at least at our base, it was abolished after the major arrived."

"The major respects...human rights?" Bai Zhou thought for a long time before he could remember how to say that.

Not entirely.

The burly young man waved his hand.

He opened his mouth wide and bit a conspicuous semi-circular tooth mark into the fried dough ring in front of him, making a crisp crunch.

"The adults simply adhere to an elitist system, believing that these death row inmates will corrupt the overall atmosphere, making other commissioners afraid to venture into danger and complacent."

"Therefore, he carried out sweeping reforms at the base, raising the entry threshold and selecting talents without being bound by convention."

"If you have talent, you can gain the favor of a major, but you will also bear more responsibility as a result."

"If something happens within the jurisdiction and is discovered by the major, your cowardice as the leader will be punished with execution!"

"That explains it." Bai Zhou said knowingly.

"So, according to this, our Minister of Maintenance, that Deputy Commander Han..."

"Do you usually lead from the front?"

He discreetly inquired about information regarding Deputy Commander Han.

That effeminate man who always liked to hug dolls was quite mysterious; he was never seen at the base.

To find out any clues about him, you really have to start with the veterans in the maintenance department.

"No!"

However, the other party answered without hesitation.

He let out a loud burp.

"Adjutant Han only concurrently serves as the acting head of the maintenance department; his main job is to assist the major in handling affairs."

"After all, the major is too busy and often travels on business. Usually, it is his adjutant Han who represents him."

As he spoke, he subconsciously lowered his voice.

"Everyone's saying he and the major... well, they've got that kind of relationship."

"But actually he's a really nice person, and we've all received a lot of help from him."

He's... kind of nice?
Bai Zhou squinted.

"Speaking of the major, it seems like everyone admires him... There must be a reason for that, right?"

He suddenly realized that he needed to find out about the major.

Because he is the leader here, the most intimidating man in this base.

If what Lieutenant Han did came from his own will—

The obstacles and dangers that Bai Zhou will face will be ten times greater than he imagined!
Strength...

"Isn't that right?"

Upon hearing the name of the major, the burly young man immediately and spontaneously gave a thumbs-up, his face beaming with pride.

"Because the major is truly exceptional. He's loyal, generous, and has a great reputation. Even the most valiant heroes would call him 'Big Brother'."

"—Because calling someone 'Big Brother' will get you money!"

As he spoke, he winked at Bai Zhou.

Bai Zhou asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Look at this, and then look at this."

The young man pointed to the fermented mung bean juice and fried dough rings in front of him, then pointed to the spicy soup in front of Bai Zhou.

"The canteens at other bases aren't free; they're expensive and the food is terrible, but take it or leave it."

"--Our base canteen is completely free, and the major personally reimbursed us for it!"

"Paying out of your own pocket?"

Such a large cafeteria, serving thousands of people... how could one person possibly pay for it all?
You might not believe it.

"Aside from the necessary funding and subsidies, all the bases are actually dirt poor."

The young man nodded, drank the bowl of soy milk in one gulp, and wiped his mouth with satisfaction.

"—Living frugally and being able to endure hardship were our slogans back then."

A frugal life?

You do have a life, but it's not very frugal.

Bai Zhou shook his head.

When they went out and caused a ruckus, the eyes of passersby almost popped out of their sockets.

Seeing Bai Zhou's confusion, the young man chuckled.
"The major is a well-known financial tycoon in Tinghai City, a proper nobleman from a prestigious family."

"He's not short of money."

"It's all because adults are willing to spend money that we have the wonderful life we ​​have today!"

"This is all thanks to the major! How can we ever repay him!"

Free cafeterias, luxurious and extravagant outings... Bai Zhou has experienced all of these.

But he never expected that these were not standard equipment provided by the organization, but rather brought by the major.

No wonder, not only Section Chief Liu back then, but almost all the commissioners spoke of the major with great admiration.

If someone takes food and drinks from you, it's hard not to show respect!
But... why?
Bai Zhou never believed in free lunches.

I never believed it before.

Now, he tends to directly suspect that there's a cherry-shaped bomb hidden inside the pie.

"In essence, people who are not stingy with money must have higher aspirations, and the major is no exception!"

The burly young man, having eaten and drunk his fill, sat sprawled out on a bench in the cafeteria, shaking his head and swaying.
"He felt that the Special Administrative Region was rigid, and even the entire government was inefficient."

"This way of fighting the mystical won't work. We haven't been able to deal with the Blood Worship Cult for so long."

"So, the adults have their ideal blueprint; they want the entire Special Administration to operate in the model we are in now."

"—He wants to make the government great again!"

After a brief pause, he continued...

"To achieve this, he needs to be number one in performance among the 36 branches of the Special Administrative Region in order to be promoted to a higher position."

"—He can provide us with all the support outside of work, but in return, we must work hard to make contributions and help him get promoted."

"It's mutually beneficial."

He winked at Bai Zhou:
"The major isn't my idol, but I think that makes perfect sense."

"Letting him go is better than letting anyone else go."

"—Besides, who told him to give the most?"

"That's true." Bai Zhou was filled with respect and had no choice but to agree.

It would be excessive to accept someone's food and then not do anything in return.

Besides, they're just asking you to do your job well.

—That sounds perfectly fine. Absolutely no problem.

—How could someone as incorruptible as this have an adjutant like Han?

Bai Zhou didn't think so.

The major was a good imposter; he fooled everyone...

He was a rich young master from a wealthy family, ambitious but incompetent, and unknowingly he was manipulated and deceived by Deputy Han.
After all, isn't the major usually very busy and often managed by his adjutant Han?
Shirashu hopes it's the latter, but the former is not out of the question.

Let's observe further...

At the same time, he was also quietly observing the man in front of him.

This talkative man who loves drinking douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) and eating jiaoquan (deep-fried dough rings)

This likely represents the views and attitudes of a considerable number of ordinary staff members.

There is a high probability that they actually have a very strong sense of belonging to the organization and genuinely believe that the Special Administration is secretly fighting against a mysterious organization for the benefit of federal citizens.

This perhaps at least demonstrates that the vast majority of commissioners were unrelated to the matter of Deputy Han…

This relieved Bai Zhou.

Fortunately.

Not everyone is ruined...

Distinguishing between enemies and allies is crucial for Bai Zhou right now.

—We can't really go against the world, can we?

"Crash..."

The large trolley creaked and groaned as it slid along the ground, as if it were carrying a heavy load and could no longer bear the weight.

What followed was a series of crisp, orderly footsteps.

Suddenly, the cafeteria erupted in a commotion and became lively.

"Lieutenant Han is here!"

The sound, coming from an unknown place, made Bai Zhou's muscles tense up as if his hair had been standing on end.

He slowly rose together with the burly young man before him, and calmly looked up—

"Here we are, everyone."

His effeminate voice is quite distinctive, like that of a man without an Adam's apple.

Han, the adjutant, who was accompanied by several burly men in suits and was still hugging the Black Cat Detective doll, nodded after looking around the cafeteria.

"Let's start with you guys; everyone needs to participate."

As he spoke, the burly man in the suit behind him began to move the boxes from the huge cart onto the ground.
"Major knows you've all been working hard lately."

"First, I was caught up in Section Chief Liu's funeral, which was a heavy mood. Then I had to face the invasion of the Blood Worship Cult, which kept me on edge."

"To reward everyone, and to encourage each of you to be like Section Chief Liu, putting your own lives aside and fighting for the Federation..."

Lieutenant Han blinked.

"As usual, I'll give everyone a little something."

The words fell,

One by one, the boxes were opened.

Golden light blooms.

A box was neatly stacked with gleaming gold bars.

A box filled with stacks of large-denomination shopping cards.

There was also a box filled with expensive watches and car keys.

Stacks of bright red property ownership certificates were neatly arranged on the ground.

Such things, all sorts of miscellaneous.

There is nothing that does not exist, only things that cannot be imagined.

The most primal desires stimulated the nerves of every staff member in the canteen.

Heavy breathing gradually rose and fell in the cafeteria.

"The base will definitely be under martial law for the next few days."

"But once martial law is lifted, everyone will have two days off, and you can go out and have fun however you like!"

With a light chuckle, Lieutenant Han waved his hand.
"Come on, take it!"

"Take whatever you like, there's plenty!"

With a "whoosh"—

The crowd went wild.

"Long live the Major!"

"Long live Lieutenant Han!"

"..."

People shouted, their faces red and necks bulging.

So that's why Lieutenant Han is so popular.

Who doesn't like the God of Wealth?

"Ai~"

But their shouts were promptly corrected by Lieutenant Han with a smile.

"It's not 'Long live Lieutenant Han'."

He gently raised the new "Black Cat Detective" doll in his hand to mid-air, his expression reverent, and said thus.

"It's for the major."

"—For the Federation!"

The words fell like a boulder dropped into the heart of a river.

The waves surged, inspiring people.

Everyone cheered and repeated it.

The chants of "For the Major!" and "For the Federation!" were heard constantly.

The burly young man in front of Bai Zhou was also cheering.

He disappeared in the blink of an eye, squeezing into the crowd in front of Lieutenant Han, afraid that he would miss out on the food if he arrived late.

"..."

Only Bai Zhou remained frozen in place, his face pale.

He originally intended to disguise himself as everyone else and go to get the spoils as well.

But he spotted it immediately... several huge, open suitcases on the cart.

Everyone is dividing up the contents of the suitcase.

They divided it up frantically and grabbed it like crazy.

Everyone seemed to have completely forgotten that they had just attended a tragic funeral the day before, and their emotions were unusually high.

They strung together watches, snatched gold bars, and carried away cash.

A wild and unrestrained celebration.

Judging from their practiced and unhurried manner in handling the items, it was clear that this wasn't their first time participating in such an event.

No wonder everyone likes the major and everyone praises Lieutenant Han.

—They will remember whoever is so kind to them.

Of course, the temptation was indeed great, and their appearance was undeniably appealing.

...But Bai Zhou recognized those suitcases.

At the mausoleum, the adjutant Han used so-called "talented individuals" and "Liu Zhen" as bargaining chips...

—Aren't these just suitcases?
Bai Zhou was startled and looked down at the "free" breakfast on the table, when suddenly his stomach churned.

At this moment, everything in front of me seems unfamiliar.

Even the half-eaten steamed bun in his hand...

It also seemed to be stained with human blood.

A chilling, yin energy rushed straight up to my head.

The scene, resembling a chaotic dance of demons, made Bai Zhou dizzy.

Previously, Bai Zhou had spent half a day scrutinizing and probing...

The purpose was to find out who were Han's accomplices and which commissioners were innocent.

But he only now vaguely realized it.

This base...

Perhaps there are no truly innocent people anymore.

everyone...

Everyone——

They're all "eating people"!
　This is the second update. I accidentally wrote too much; this chapter is close to 4 words.

　　Today's update is 7k words, which is a small bonus update, so please give me your monthly votes and encouragement next time!
　　Goodnight, everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)