And Zhao Zhenhuai was rather unscrupulous this time. He heard that the research institute was going to be upgraded to a research academy! As the Deputy Director, could I also make a move and become the Deputy Dean? Having arrived on Capital Star for just a month, I've stumbled upon such a great opportunity; no wonder those people love being Capital drifters!

The messages he initially sent were indirect, simply showing that he, as the Deputy Director, was very competent and did a good job, effectively managing his assigned responsibilities.

The subsequent messages began to showcase his tactical talent, highlighting which key parts of the institute's recent research breakthroughs had benefited from his sudden inspirations.

With this combination of moves, Zhao Zhenhuai thought that at the very least, the Director would praise him with a "Well done, keep up the good work," right?

Or, if the Director was still displeased with his previous lack of cooperation, he might criticize him with a "Comrade, you need to step up your game."

But there was nothing, no response at all.

Zhao Zhenhuai initially guessed that the cunning old man had seen through his intentions, so he was playing hard to get.

He held his ground! This is also a battle of tactics, to see who will give in first!

Of course, without any surprise, he was the first to falter. He tormented himself waiting for news on Capital Star, and the days dragged on endlessly. Meanwhile, Chen Gu was fighting for his life in Yingudusi Devil's Pit. How should one put it... indeed, there's no rest for the weary in the adult world.

While Chen Gu lay on the operating table, Zhao Zhenhuai finally buried his pride and sent a message of loyalty to the "Idol Actor."

The intention was obvious: If you're getting promoted, bring me with you.

Zhao Zhenhuai had no choice. On Capital Star, a Deputy Director was nothing, but if he could get a promotion to Deputy Dean, he could then bring over his wife and children.

However, his message again went unanswered.

After waffling for another two days, Zhao Zhenhuai thought maybe his phrasing was too obscure, and the "Idol Actor" might not have understood it.

He sent another more straightforward message... and then feeling it still wasn't direct enough, he sent yet another one that was even more forthright...

As a result, by the time Chen Gu entered the game, what he saw was a string of messages akin to a loyal dog's confession.

Chen Gu was surprised: What's going on? I haven't even started pressuring you, yet you've already knelt down? Weren't you supposed to resist strongly, vow to not comply, then gradually give in, retreating your bottom line a little each time before finally submitting completely?

Boring. He glanced through the recent research results and, taking into account the issues raised by "Preparing for Battle Before a Mirror," provided a complete set of solutions.

Having sent these messages to both individuals, he logged off.

Bai Xianya received the reply, but before she could even read the content, she hurriedly added, "Don't go..."

Upon another look, there was no response. The "Idol Actor" had gone offline. Bai Xianya felt exhausted. We're the Central Operations Room, the Confederation's highest advisory body; don't we deserve a moment of your time?

What scenery are you so eager to see that you're in such a rush?!

This time she really had something important to discuss. After thinking it over, she edited a message and sent it to the "Idol Actor," to wait for him to go online and see it.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhenhuai finally received a reply, but that only left him more perplexed. With the Director's all-business demeanor, what is he trying to convey?

At forty, Zhao Zhenhuai felt like a clueless young boy who had just confessed his feelings to a girl for the first time. He had encountered a heartbreaker who wouldn't accept but also wouldn't reject, leaving him without a clear answer. Hence, he was sleepless that night.

「...」

Chen Gu's mood had been down for a while. Since coming back from the hospital, he had been distracting himself with other matters.

Having dealt with all the matters at hand, he sat at the table, the room lit by a single desk lamp. The light streamed from the left, casting his long shadow onto the floor.

The sound of holographic advertisements from distant buildings wafted through the window, ethereal and distant, giving an impression of unreality.

His recent severe injury, especially the extraction of the super-life remnants from his body, had caused immense damage, of which he was acutely aware.

The medical experts' examinations had only confirmed that his physical functions had returned to normal, but as a Professional, I have no idea how much of my strength remains!

He sat in silence for a while before slowly standing up and gently stretching out his arms, attempting to muster his abilities.

Abilities, when focused but not unleashed, would not harm the surroundings, but would allow Chen Gu to gauge his current strength.

The power of a Professional surged within him, but activated much slower than before.

Chen Gu continued to push, and the Professional's power grew stronger. Towards the end, he could even feel that his current power might have improved compared to before the injury.

However, the entire activation process was at least three times slower!

The power of a Professional lay deep within the body, akin to muscle strength, ready to be wielded at will. This assured the combat capability of a Professional.

If one's ability took too long to activate, by the time it was ready, the enemy might have already been striking relentlessly. If that big move isn't executed in time, what purpose does it serve?

Chen Gu was now facing just such a predicament.

He didn't know if he could ever recover through training, but he was determined to keep exercising. He didn't fear hard work or sweat; what he feared more was obscurity.

Chen Gu then opened "The Past of Four Hundred" in his mind and chose to attach Milna Katerina's memory to himself.

This time, he found his power to be as fluid as ever, able to be activated at will.

PHEW— Chen Gu let out a silent sigh of relief. There is, at least, a remedy.

But when he thought about Milna Katerina's "quirks," a throbbing headache ensued. Couldn't she be a little less vain?

His situation prompted Chen Gu to ponder anew.

He had only attached the memory of Nuclear Explosion Nun. It seemed that the power was still channeled through his body. But now, with his body impaired, the abilities of Nuclear Explosion Nun remained unaffected.

This meant his previous assumption was wrong. When attaching memories, the Professional's powers from "The Past of Four Hundred" weren't wielded directly through his own body.

Through what, then?

Chen Gu couldn't arrive at a precise answer and could only guess tentatively, Could it be that the abilities are executed directly through 'The Past of Four Hundred'?

He shook his head lightly, setting aside the question for the moment. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Atomic Holy Church to redeem the task reward.

The first Energy Level of Nuclear Combat Technique required 1,000 merits. To meet the third requirement of the Atomic Holy Church's task, which was to roughly sketch out Dilina's movements in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, he could earn a reward of 1,500 plus the previously combined 500, totaling 2,000 merits.

The reward for the Atomic Holy Church's task could accumulate.

Chen Gu estimated that he and Qing Ruyan had found seven or eight traces left by Dilina, which was barely enough to piece together a trajectory, though it might not be comprehensive.

Therefore, the final merit score would depend on the Holy Church's judgment.

He then rummaged through his backpack, which contained personal items he had brought back from the hospital.