Karina ecialized alchemical cyb, with her brain modified to fun as a "database." She had excellent memory capabilities and wouldn't easily fet what she learned.

  This made her and her peers ideal for roles like a fidential secretary.

  Because they were exposed to so much cssified information, an alchemical probe embedded deep in their brains was equipped with a "loyalty valve" to prevent them from being exploited.

  When someone who wasn't a "loyalty subject" asked them sensitive questions, the "loyalty valve" would remind them not to answer.

  The "loyalty valve" also had the capability to destroy their brain.

  Lucas was relieved he hadn't said anything inappropriate earlier, which would have seriously undermined his authority as an ior.

  "o apologize. It's your duty... I don't think you hose gsses. You're very attractive and charming. All you ck is fidence.

  To survive in this world, many people are forced to ge their bodies. You have no reason to feel inferior because of it. Fet the past and embrace who you are now for a new beginning."

  About to put her gsses ba, Karina looked up at Lucas, surprised, and asked, "Ior, do you know about my past?"

  Lucas smiled slightly. "I know some, but not much. Seeing modified people as inferior is a distorted mentality of certain so-called high society people. I sympathize with what happeo your family. A noblewoman having to endure such a fall...

  Since you've chosen this path, you o set aside those upper-otions. Your new life is just beginning."

  Karina looked at her gsses, hesitated, and then threw them into the trash bin.

  She let her hair down, using it to cover her right ear.

  "Thank you, Ior. I'll try to ge. Now that you have my loyalty, I brief you on the security system here."

  In case of an atta the Secret Intelligence Bureau, the ior's dormitory would automatically lock down, with barriers sealing the doors and windows.

  If intruders broke in, two offensive alchemical automatons would deploy from the living room ceiling.

  The bedroom had a hidden passageway to allow the ior to escape.

  "Ior, I've recorded your voiceprint in the security system. You ow issue ands to activate aivate all security funs."

  Lucas asked, " I try it now?"

  "Yes."

  "Open the hidden passage."

  With a sound of s beh the floor, a se of the bedroom floor desded in yers, f a staircase leading downward.

  At the other end of the staircase, a dim light illuminated a narrow passage.

  Lucas asked Karina, "Where does this passage lead?"

  "Sorry, Ior, I don't know. This passage is for the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau ior only. I know of its existe ot open or use it."

  "I uand." Lucas ordered the passage to close, then asked Karina, "Is there anything else I o know?"

  "Not for now, Ior. Your dinner is oable in the living room. Good night."

  "Good night."

  Kari, and the room fell silent ohe door closed.

  Lucas was very satisfied with this dormitory; it was much better than Shelley's house. Moreover, outside were the diligent Imperial Secret Agents on duty, and ihere was a seemingly very effective security system.

  Especially the hidden passage, allowing him to leave unnoticed if necessary.

  Lucas g his phone charging in his mind.

  Battery level: 92%

  Awo hours and it would be fully charged.

  First, dinner.

  Lucas opehe meal box, revealing a pte of stewed potatoes with beef, three pieces of grilled fish fillet, a rge loaf of bread, two sausages, and a bowl of vegetable sad.

  There was also a military water bottle filled with rum.

  Not bad, quite a feast.

  …

  Lighthouse Street, the Assassin's Tavern hidden in the shadows.

  The small window iightly shut door en, and a rge yellow eye peered out at the deserted street.

  The usually bustling Lighthouse Street was y.

  All the nightclubs, gambling dens, and brothels were closed. The sea breeze blew debris dowreet, adding to the temosphere.

  When a familiar figure jumped down in front of the Assassin's Tavern, the door immediately opened.

  Tess raised one of her tentacles to greet the approag elf.

  "Good evening, powerful and generous Miss E. You are our first, and possibly our only, er tonight."

  Lucas, in the role of E, stopped as he ehe tavern.

  "Is business really that bad tonight?"

  "All because you killed Jumu. The weakened Mad Axe Gang has attracted many to vie for their doterests. I don't know how many will die tonight.

  5000 gold o seize the Mad Axe Gang's docks turned out to be a very successful iment for the task's issuer."

  Lucas haess a silver note.

  "I don't care about the docks. I just want to know if my money is ready."

  Tess eagerly accepted the silver h her tentacle. "Thank you for yenerosity, Miss E. Your bounty is ready inside, and our boss is here as well.

  He wants to discuss deepening our cooperation. A powerful assassin like you is a partner we urgently need."

  The boss of the Assassin's Tavern is here!

  Lucas said, "I don't want to meet him right now."

  "That is your choice. If you don't want to talk to our boss, you take your money from Billy and leave. Our boss is very kind and won't trouble you."

  "Yes, your boss is a very kind person."

  Lucas walked further ihe tavern was indeed very empty.

  Tonight and the following nights would be rare spectacles in the Seawall District. Assassins would seize the opportunity to take as many tracts as possible, making a lot of money.

  Naturally, they had no time to sit around drinking.

  In the dimly lit tavern, only one man, dressed in an old-fashioned fit, sat drinking alone in a er. His fiery red hair was tied into a small braid, a style typical of old nobles.

  Fallen ill ging to traditioio be abandoned by the times.

  Lucas g him briefly and then walked to the bar and sat down.

  The lizardman Billy poured Lucas a drink.

  "This is from my boss. He..."

  Lucas interrupted, "Thank your boss for me, but I'm not a professional assassin, and I don't know if I'll ever e here to drink again.

  I'm here to collect my bounty."

  The lizardman Billy g his boss, therieved a heavy bag from uhe bar.

  "Miss E, this is your reward for assassinating the bullhorn demon Jumu. A total of 5000 gold notes, some of which I exged into silver notes and imperial marks as per your instrus.

  All the money is very , and you deposit it in aable bank."

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