John followed Professor Ada through the sprawling BMI campus, their pace leisurely yet purposeful. The myriad of interconnected buildings loomed around them, each serving a specialized function within the organization's operations. It was a long walk, but John didn’t mind; the fresh air was invigorating after his time in recovery.
As they passed the Fighting Department, John’s attention was drawn to the constant hum of activity. Cars and tactical vehicles were drafted in and out, ferrying agents either heading to missions or returning from one. The sharp sound of orders being barked echoed faintly from the building’s open garage.
A nearby outdoor training ground caught his eye. Groups of agents rehabilitating from severe injuries moved through carefully monitored drills. Their faces were etched with determination, each movement deliberate despite the visible strain.
The sight stirred something in John. Their relentless efforts were contagious, making his blood simmer with renewed resolve.
“They’re pretty intense,” John remarked, his gaze sweeping the field. He found himself hoping to spot someone practicing martial arts techniques but was left disappointed.
“Everyone’s had a hard time,” Professor Ada explained, her tone matter-of-fact. “They know what’s at stake. No one wants to slack off.”
John nodded thoughtfully, understanding the weight of her words. He experienced it himself; you wouldn’t slack off if your life was at stake.
Soon, they passed the edge of the Fighting Department and approached the sleek, modern structure of the Investigation Department. Its façade was composed of polished steel and tinted glass, exuding a sense of authority.
Ada gestured toward the entrance. “Here we are. Welcome to your new workplace. If you are not occupied with a field mission, you will spend your time here. There are training grounds here too, so you don’t need to go all the way to the main building every time you want to train.”
John nodded as they stepped inside. A spacious reception area greeted them, filled with comfy couches and vending machines on the far side of it. After passing a door, John saw rows of workstations stretched across an open space, each equipped with multiple screens displaying streams of data. Agents moved briskly between rooms on either side, their expressions focused.
Professor Ada led John through a corridor flanked by glass-walled offices until they stopped at one with the name Commander Elias etched into the door.
“Professor Ada, you honor me with your visit,” said a slim agent with sharp eyes, rising from his desk with a polite smile.
“Commander Elias, this is John,” Ada introduced. “He’ll be under your supervision.”
Elias extended a hand toward John. “Welcome to the Investigation Department.” His grip was firm as he continued. “John, good to see you in person. I just received your file; pretty impressive, I might say, for a newbie to go through all of that just after his training. I have great expectations for you.”
“I will be under your care.” John replied, meeting his gaze evenly. He didn’t bother to address the ‘expectation’ thing. That’s what every boss says before throwing you under the bus.
Ada inclined her head. “I’ll leave you in Commander Elias’ capable hands.” With that, she turned and strode away, her presence fading into the hum of the department.
They navigated through the bustling workspace, where agents glanced up from their screens. A faint murmur reached John ears as he walked behind Elias.
“Is this a newbie? I wonder what his talent is.”
“I hope he doesn’t bother me with questions though.”
“Shoo! Shut up. Commander Elias is coming.”
Elias stopped near a cluster of desks. “This is your station,” Elias said, pointing to a sleek workspace outfitted with multiple monitors and a holographic interface. “You won’t be getting any field missions until you are fully healed. While you’re recovering, your job is to assist with an ongoing investigation of any anomalies around the country.”
John nodded. Two agents approached, their expressions puzzled as Elias gestured for them to come. “This is Agent Harper,” Elias introduced, gesturing to a woman with brown hair in a ponytail. “And Agent Felix,” he added, indicating a lanky man with a cigarette smell assaulted John's nostrils as he got closer.
“Welcome to the investigation department.” Harper said, “Hope we get along with each other.”
“If you wouldn't mind my presence, I'm happy to get along with everyone.” John replied with a smile.
Felix gave a curt nod. “Welcome. “
“This is John, a new agent with talents suitable for both investigation and fighting.” After introducing John, Elias patted his shoulder. “Take today to get familiar with the place and help Felix and Harper in their mission while you are it.” Elias said before going back to his office.
After he left, Felix and Harper exchanged glances before going back to their respective desks, leaving John at loss.
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“Well, whatever.” He muttered as he stared walking around looking at rooms tag in their section. “Data registry, archives, simulation room, training ground, data analysis, Library, The Observatory, meeting room, relaxing lounge, and tactical operations hub." John muttered as his gaze lingered on the names etched onto the room tags, curiosity tugging at him with each step.
The sheer variety of facilities hinted at the depth and complexity of the Investigation Department’s work. What exactly goes on in the Observatory? he wondered, making a mental note to find out later. Returning to the main workstation cluster, he saw Felix and Harper engrossed in their respective tasks, data streams flickering across their screens.
John decided to dive in immediately. He approached Felix first, who sighed audibly before swiveling his chair around to face him. “Need something, newbie?” Felix asked, the impatience clear in his tone.
“I want to know what exactly we're working on,” John said, ignoring the condescending undertone. “And what are these devices?” He gestured at the sleek panels and intricate instruments surrounding the workstation.
Felix raised an eyebrow. “You want a crash course? Fine. This one tracks spatial distortions; if any are found, it means its dungeon above level 1. Report to commander Elise immediately. He pointed at a cylindrical device emitting faint pulses of light. “This one monitors energy fluctuations, and that one detects reading anomalies."
John looked at all the data and graphs in continued motions that left him dizzy. “How do you differentiate between a harmless fluctuation and a potential threat?”
Harper, who had been listening with bemused expression, finally spoke up. “It’s mostly about experience. Patterns, deviations—if you stare at the data long enough, you start to notice what doesn't fit.”
John nodded thoughtfully. “So there's no straightforward manual?”
Felix smirked. “If only it were that simple.”
John’s questions didn’t stop there. “How do you normally handle investigation field missions?"
Harper leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Normal investigators go in teams of three to five, relying on tech, gadgets, and their talents to gather intel and fend off threats."
"How often does a dungeon outbreak happen?"
"Rarely, but when it happens, no one wants to be there. better send a high realm agent to clear it."
John frowned as he asked, "Well, yes, no one wants to be there, but it is not like we could say no."
Felix clicked his tongue."Tch! That idiot Henry sent 12 agents to their deaths in the last outbreak. Our department director refused to..."
Harper punched him in the shoulder. "Shut up! This is not something you could say casually."
"What happened?" John's eyes darkened as he continued to inquire.
Harper’s expression stiffened. “Nothing. If you don't have any questions about work, then you can go back to your work desk."
Seeing them not willing to continue the topic, John took a deep breath and calmed down before asking all kinds of questions about the work, the different rooms, and the machines themselves.
Felix muttered under his breath, “You sure like asking questions.”
“I prefer understanding what I’m working with,” John replied calmly.
Harper's lips curled into a faint smile. “You’re going to annoy the hell out of a lot of people here, you know that?”
“Good,” John said with a grin. “Keeps things interesting.”
Elias’s voice cut through the ambient hum. “All agents report to the Observatory. There’s something I want you all to discuss.”
Felix groaned as he stood up. Harper stretched and gestured for John to follow. As they entered the observatory, he was greeted with a sight of a hologram, or the country in the center, and different points of light in different colors spreading across it.
After all the agents entered, Elias started talking. “The number of dungeons are the same across the country, but we can’t send a foundation realm to help when there were many dungeons at the beginning stage that couldn’t be handled in time due to a shortage of people. Director Noah as issued a new order: “
He paused for a second, eyes scanning the agents before him. “The investigation department will also start clearing the dungeon on their own, not just investigate the dungeon location and secure the surrounding area.”
A clamor echoed in the observatory room as the agents began to discuss in loud voices. “How can that be? We already have our hands full with our tasks.”
“Yes, also not all of us are equipped to fight like the fighting department. It's hard already dealing with mutants.”
“Silence!” Elias’s voice echoed in the room, quieting the racket. "There is no use in talking about it. Our director, Arthur, already agreed after discussion with the other directors. Now we will do in a way that suits us. Any one with a fighting talent and with attributes above 14 would need to clear normal dungeons solo, like what the fighting department does. Those with no fighting talents would go in groups of three. Uncommon dungeons would be people with attributes 16 or above who will be in a mix group of people with fighting talents and others. And Elite dungeons would need to be discussed before selecting agents suitable for it.”
Elias waved his hands as he dismissed the agents. “Felix, Harper, and John stay. The rest dismissed.” Elias folded his arms as the remaining agents settled near the holographic display. The map flickered, zooming in on a region riddled with red and yellow markers indicating dungeon activity.
“We’ve categorized this month’s dungeon events into three major concerns,” Elias began. “First, reports indicate several low-level dungeons have released mutant creatures into nearby human territories. They need tracking and containment.” He gestured to a cluster of yellow points on the map.
“Second, anomaly readings were detected near Blackcrest—yes, that Blackcrest. Some fallout from the recent dungeon outbreak hasn’t been fully resolved.” John tensed visibly at the mention of Blackcrest.
“Lastly,” Elias continued, “we need a full summary of this month’s dungeon discoveries. Patterns, notable mutations, escape incidents, and strategic recommendations for containment or mitigation.”
He fixed his gaze on Felix and Harper. “You’ll handle tracking and containment reports. Coordinate with the tactical team to cross-reference sighting data and containment efforts.”
Felix sighed. “Got it.”
“Harper, focus on any strategic insights you can derive from the reports."
“Will do,” she said confidently.
Elias turned to John. “Since you’re still on recovery duty, I want you to compile the full summary of dungeon activities this month. Include everything: the types of mutants that escaped, their behaviors, and any anomalies we haven’t accounted for. It’s grunt work, but it’ll help you understand what we’re dealing with.”
John nodded. “Got it.”
“Good.” Elias glanced around the room. “Any questions?”
Felix muttered under his breath but said nothing aloud. Harper just gave a sharp nod.
“Then get to work,” Elias ordered, his tone firm but calm.
As Felix and Harper headed back to their desks, John lingered for a moment near the holographic map. The sheer scale of the dungeon incidents surprised him. He traced his gaze over the various colored points, his mind already churning with questions.