Tower of Overturn

If Russell could only discern two clear photo frames in that illusion at the time because his current level of Spiritual Energy, also known as redshift value, was two.

Would filling the second frame unlock the third one?

Indeed, it felt quite ceremonial and fulfilling, as if accomplishing a "mission."

After all, he saw them clearly. Besides those two, there was a row of frames surrounding them.

But they remained hidden in the darkness, akin to the "not yet unlocked" reputation items in a video game.

This convinced Russell even more that the "photos" in these frames weren't chosen at random.

Before he first absorbed his mother's Chip, he felt a profound thirst, like someone who hasn't had water for a very long time, gazing at clear water... He absorbed the Chip into his body without even touching it.

After that, Russell had come into contact with the Chips of the mercenaries he had killed, but he never felt that kind of thirst. He couldn't absorb them into his body.

Being "absorbed" by the "frame," and then acquiring the ability to transform and replicate the target's Spiritual Energy must follow some rules. Russell just didn't know the specific rules before the Shift Surge happened.

However...

Russell paused, then realized something.

Was it an illusion?

The Inferior's attitude toward him suddenly became inexplicably better?

That cold and distant demeanor suddenly became... at least not so cold?

"Let me introduce you," his uncle said, no longer looking puzzled but smiling as he introduced Russell, "This is the Inferior, your colleague.

"He is also a member of the Special Execution Department, the highest level execution officer in terms of Spiritual Energy. The current Deputy Director of the Execution Department, whom you can completely trust.

"You guys go meet Cui Que first. Then take Russell to register, please."

The latter part of Uncle Orange Cat's sentence was naturally directed at the Inferior, who silently nodded in agreement.

Completely trustworthy—

Russell looked at the Inferior with some surprise.

Although they hadn't spent much time together, Russell could tell that his uncle, who seemed like a good-natured person, was certainly not foolish but rather shrewd. And his saying this in front of Russell and the Inferior meant something.

Did his uncle rate the Inferior so highly?

"I guess you wanted to ask, so I'll just say it ahead."

Walking along, the Inferior slightly turned his head and softly said to Russell, "When my Spiritual Energy Awakened, it was level four redshift and level six blue shift... and now I have completed the Shift Surge."

...A level six Spiritual Energy User.

Russell nodded.

But he still didn't understand what this concept meant.

However, having level four strength right at the awakening of Spiritual Energy—and having enough rationality to contain it without instantly losing control and becoming a Demon—was indeed impressive.

Russell actually didn't know what his desires were, but he knew his rationality. If his rationality had to fully exert itself to control Spiritual Energy that was level four in intensity... then the Inferior was indeed much more excellent than him.

Not to mention being able to hold the position of Deputy Director of the Violent Execution Department at the headquarters of Tianen Group, one of the Seven Giants, around the age of thirty. He was also approved by the Director Uncle.

The strength of the Inferior was unquestionable.

So his initial dislike of him seemed reasonable now.

After all, the Inferior had risen through real capability. So his annoyance at Russell, who became a "Hero" through public opinion and was quickly reaching a higher position through the back door, was entirely justified.

Russell felt he could completely understand and strongly agreed!

In reality, his own use of the back door was cautious and trembling.

It was like in his past life when he cheated on a test for the first time... His fingers trembled violently, like he had Parkinson's disease. He could hear his own heartbeat clearly, his neck was completely stiff, and his breathing was halted.

The ugly and awkward acting, the exam proctor probably saw through it long ago.

Moreover, the proctor was his class teacher whom he most respected.

But then, the teacher just sighed after looking at him, without exposing him.

At that moment, Russell felt as if the whole world was drifting away from him, experiencing a strong, overwhelming sense of guilt and self-loathing.

Since then, Russell had never copied an assignment again nor cheated.

In this life, he worked diligently and earned a double master's degree from Chongguang University through his efforts.

He admitted to himself that his brain was not that sharp. His roommate from his past life, who was also the senior he trusted most, was much smarter than Russell. His only merit was that he didn't like to deceive himself or others, gaining everything through solid, hard work.

Coming here to use his mother's dying wish as a backdoor, Russell also felt very insecure inside. He was very afraid someone would step forward and shout, "You're nothing but backdoor trash," or that his colleagues might outwardly respect him, but actually distance themselves and mock him...

Now that using the backdoor had failed due to his Spiritual Energy Awakening, Russell actually felt relieved.

—Thank goodness.

Working at the Special Execution Department and risking his head didn't bother him, as he was prepared to face dangers directly. Even facing a shotgun from a criminal on an airship again was preferable to facing those insincere respectful smiles — at least this way, the respect he gained would be earned through work and real efforts.

It was much better than the incident on Bad Day that pushed him into the position of a hero!

Bad Day, it was really awful!

Russell sighed, his emotions complicated.

On one hand, he wanted to complain about Bad Day, which gave him these unstable feelings, but on the other, he was not ungrateful.

Objectively speaking, the title of "Hero" was indeed a good thing. Bad Day gave him this chance to become famous, which was a real favor, and he had indeed benefited from it.

If Russell didn't properly thank them, turning around to blame and complain, that would be really inhumane.

But as for Mr. Inferior — if he had been in that situation, he certainly could have done better than Russell himself.

It wasn't that he lacked the ability to be a hero; he just lacked that critical opportunity.

But at this moment, another question surged in Russell's mind.

Then why... such an excellent Inferior, why did he choose the code name "Inferior" for himself?

Soon, they arrived at the room.

They didn't even need to take the stairs... just walked from the right side of the building's main staircase to the left and knocked on the door of room B-002, the "Special Execution Department."

"Director."

Mr. Inferior's stern voice rang out: "I've brought a newcomer to report."

A sigh from a young girl came from inside.

"Come in..."

The door, which was originally locked, suddenly opened on its own.

There was only one person in the room.

It was a young girl lying back in a chair with her hands placed in front of her belly, almost in a "serene" posture.

She had pure white long hair, soft canine ears similar to a fox, and wore a uniform similar to that of Mr. Inferior, complete with a blue cape.

But her uniform was obviously custom-tailored, much less fabric than normal.

At this moment, she was slouched back in her office chair, squinting her light blue eyes. Her soft, pure white hair was a bit disheveled from fatigue, to the point it might make one wonder if she had fallen asleep.

She was almost the exact opposite of the always upright, stern, and indifferent Mr. Inferior.

She chuckled softly, gathering her somewhat messy hair.

Rising from the chair.

At that moment, her aura changed — from a lazy demeanor to one that was inclusive and calm.

Although she was about the same height as Russell and her face was even younger, she gave Russell a mature feeling like that of a mother, teacher, or senior sister.

"Hello, Russell. I've heard your name."

The fox-eared girl looked at Russell with a gentle and steady voice: "Please make yourself comfortable and sit anywhere; you don't need to stand like Mr. Inferior. Also, let me introduce myself, my code name is Cui Que... I'm twenty-two years old, the Director of the Execution Department. Just call me Cui Que, and don't follow his lead on that."

"Ah, by the way, Cui Que is not a type of bird, but a type of flower."

Her statement seemed meaningless.

Because her light blue pupils had indeed made Russell think of Cui Que flowers at first glance.

Russell could only nod slightly.

Cui Que walked over and extended her hand generously to Russell.

This young girl, four years younger than Russell yet already the Director of the Execution Department, emitted a soft yet inexplicably comforting voice:

"Finally... welcome to the Special Execution Department, little cat."