My Job Is Quite Unique Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Preparations for Patrol – Undercurrents Surging

Tiered weapons were extremely rare; Su Chen had never even seen one in the academy, let alone a Tier 2 item.

The blue iron chain coiled around him, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, allowing for greater speed and flexibility compared to a Ropemaster.

But [Mysterious Tool Master] was not just that. Su Chen stretched out his arm, and the blue iron chain suddenly burst apart, transforming into more slender metal wires that wrapped around his arm, gradually forming a blue-gold “vambrace” that covered his forearm to his hand.

The toughness of a Tier 2 item already far surpassed ordinary steel. Though it looked unassuming, its defensive power was definitely not to be underestimated.

After playing with it for a while, Su Chen found that he could split the chain into about ten wires, but it was difficult to coordinate them all at once. In combat, he could at most control one or two.

“If stretched taut, combined with my own speed, the lethality would probably be considerable…” Many application methods came to his mind, but such detailed utilization consumed mental energy quickly.

As for [Mental Stab], without a target, it was difficult to test its specific effect.

Having successfully become a Mysterious Tool Master, with two top-tier professions, his strength increased and his methods broadened, Su Chen felt much more at ease.

Qi Chuan and Jiang He still felt like thorns in his side. These two had been quietly absent recently, but he didn’t believe the matter was over.

“Let’s rest first…” Su Chen rubbed his brows. Tomorrow he was to join the patrol, and after just experiencing the Whispering Trial and various other attempts, he was quite fatigued.

………

“Idiot, how can I have a son like you, voluntarily joining the patrol?”

Bang!

Zhou Xian slammed his hand on the table in a fit of rage. His stern face looked even more ferocious; he wished he could stuff this stupid boy back inside.

Zhou Zong’s expression was very displeased. He whispered, “Voluntarily joining the patrol is encouraged by the city lord…”

“Don’t try to fool me with that!” Zhou Xian exploded, staring angrily. “I told you to find a way to pursue Bai Fengxi, not use schemes and tricks! Competing for a woman with a vagrant, is that glorious? It only proves your incompetence!”

Zhou Zong’s face shifted, and he muttered, “I didn’t think you cared about your son’s life anymore. I thought you only had the city lord’s position in your eyes.”

“Zhang Hengyu knocked me out twice and robbed my belongings, and you didn’t care. Is it because his father is the city lord?”

“I told you, it wasn’t Zhang Hengyu.” Zhou Xian suppressed his anger.

“If not him, who else has this ability, this audacity?” Zhou Zong also had complaints. “Could it be that thief? Instead of trying to escape, he stole potions from me?”

“Enough!” Zhou Xian’s face twitched. He suddenly walked over, and Zhou Zong’s heart skipped a beat, making him step back.

Zhou Xian’s voice softened a little, and he said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow, I will see you off. I’ll have Hu Xiang look after you. You be careful too.”

“It’s not my first patrol.” Zhou Zong said indifferently, “Besides, a powerful professional passed through a few days ago. What danger could be nearby?”

“Powerful professionals will deter cunning individuals…” Zhou Xian said coldly, “But the less intelligent mutated creatures nearby will only become more agitated and dangerous!”

Zhou Zong was stunned, apparently not having considered this.

“Also, once you’re out of the city, behave yourself and don’t stare at that vagrant.” Zhou Xian stared at his stupid son.

“Why?” Zhou Zong didn’t understand.

“Don’t ask why!” Zhou Xian snapped impatiently, “Just listen!”

Zhou Zong left unwillingly. Zhou Xian’s expression was uncertain. “Should I put it on him? It’s indeed a good opportunity, but…”

………

Early that morning, the plaza at the entrance of Southwind Academy was already crowded with people, their discussions incessant.

Su Chen, fearing some mishap, arrived early and observed the patrol team in front of him.

Their armor was far more extensive than that of the supervisory guards, dark and cold, and the weapons slung at their sides were also more refined.

There were only fifty to sixty people by rough estimate, but the chilling aura they exuded was oppressive.

The Supervision Department, the Patrol Department, and the Exploration Department were the three major enforcement agencies of Southwind City.

The Supervision Department was responsible for within the city, the Patrol Department for daily security.

The Exploration Department was the most mysterious, responsible for exploring the most dangerous areas outside the city, as well as ruins.

They reported directly to the City Lord, and it was said that every member was an elite professional, with many being Tier 2, and even Tier 3 professionals.

“It’s time for the patrol again… Tsk tsk, the patrol guards’ equipment has been updated again, hasn’t it?”

“This time, our luck is good. A powerful professional just passed by.” Many expressed envy.

“It’s not that simple…” An older student shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Casualties during patrols were rare because various requirements would be reduced. Regular patrols required staying at least 5-10 kilometers outside the city, while students only needed to be around 3 kilometers, making the danger inherently low.

But sometimes, accidents were unavoidable.

The leader of the patrol team had a grim face, standing motionless like a statue.

Before long, a path opened in the crowd, revealing a familiar face.

“Old Bai?” Su Chen, in the crowd, was slightly surprised. The person who arrived was indeed Bai Fengxi, with an indifferent expression and a cold, aloof demeanor.

“She’s going outside the city too?” Su Chen hadn’t expected it, and mumbled, “She’s older than me.”

Patrols were conducted in batches every three months. He was supposed to be in the next batch, but he had been moved up to this one.

People arrived one after another, both male and female. Su Chen didn’t recognize most of them, and many had looks of apprehension and unease on their faces. Soon, they began to chat with people they knew, instinctively forming small groups. Some tentatively tried to talk to Bai Fengxi, but received no response.

“Su Chen?” Bai Fengxi spotted Su Chen subtly slipping in, equally surprised.

Seeing Bai Fengxi, the cold young woman, initiate a conversation with someone, many people turned their gaze to Su Chen.

Although quite handsome, he wasn’t one of the prominent figures in the school.

“Him? Isn’t that Teacher Jiang He’s pampered student?”

“He looks even more handsome in person than in the pictures…”

Someone recognized him and whispered in discussion.

Su Chen was speechless. He wondered if it was his imagination, but the leader of the patrol seemed to have glanced at him too.

Was Jiang He’s influence that great?

“Excuse me…” another person came in, instantly attracting more attention.

Although the weather wasn’t hot, the girl was dressed quite revealingly. Her specially tailored clothes accentuated her graceful curves, and everyone’s gaze followed her movements, rising and falling.

Su Chen himself glanced twice, marveling at her natural talent.

“Ah, Big Sister Bai…” she exclaimed with delight, hurrying towards Bai Fengxi.

Su Chen clearly saw that the girl’s eyes swept over him without any intention of greetings, and she then focused on Bai Fengxi.

“Tsk…” Su Chen stepped back a bit, moving slightly away from the two.

“Ah, Big Brother Zhou…” the talented girl called out again, waving her hand.

“This guy, he’s here too?” Su Chen saw Zhou Zong walking out of the crowd, even more surprised.

“Zhou Zong? Why is he here too? I remember he went out once a year ago, in the same batch as me.” People in the crowd discussed, and Su Chen’s eyes flickered.

Zhou Zong hesitated in his steps but still walked towards Bai Fengxi. The “get lost” from last time still gave him nightmares.

“Time’s up, roll call!”

Suddenly, the patrol leader shouted, his gaze sharp, silencing everyone. He took out the list and quickly finished the roll call. No one dared to ignore it; everyone was present, and their total number was roughly the same as the patrol team.

Everyone had a bag, carrying tents, food, and such.

“Depart.” He spoke concisely, arraying them. The patrol guards took the front and rear, sandwiching them in the middle.

“Wait…”

However, before they could even leave the city, they were stopped by the supervisory guards at the gate for “routine inspection.”

Hu Xiang stared at the man in front of him, his brows tightly furrowed. “Inspect what?”

“No comment,” the man replied expressionlessly.

“We are ordered to patrol outside the city.”

“We are ordered to inspect everyone leaving the academy.”

“Crippled Ding, we just came in and have been in the plaza right under your nose. Do you still need to check? Do you mean you’re blind? Or are you targeting me!?” Hu Xiang knew the other party, and his tone was hostile.

The patrol guards behind him all stepped forward.

Crippled Ding nodded seriously, “We need to check.”

For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. Some students, eager for a show, gathered closer.

Where there are people, there are rivalries. The three violent agencies also had a pecking order, with the Supervision Department, responsible for security within the city, undoubtedly at the bottom.

“Captain Ding!”

A deep voice came from behind. An middle-aged man had appeared at some point.

“Vice Principal Zhou?” Crippled Ding looked at the newcomer.

“The patrol is routine business, don’t delay it,” Zhou Xian said in a low voice.

“But, Minister Yuan said…” Crippled Ding hesitated.

“Traces have been found over there, and Minister Yuan is investigating. He can’t make it. I came to prevent any friction between you…” Zhou Xian pondered, “How about this, don’t check the patrol guards. In broad daylight, with many eyes watching, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Check those students, but don’t delay too long. Just make sure they aren’t disguised.”

Crippled Ding’s face shifted, then he reluctantly nodded, looking at the grim-faced Hu Xiang.

This time, Hu Xiang didn’t stop them. The supervisory guards came up and checked everyone one by one, then opened the transparent shield that temporarily covered the entire academy, allowing them to leave.

“Captain Hu, I’ll leave it to you this time.” Outside the academy, Zhou Xian and Hu Xiang conversed intimately.

Among the students, many glances frequently swept over Zhou Zong.

Zhou Zong reveled in the envy, jealousy, and hatred in those eyes, then glanced at Su Chen, who was silently observing, and couldn’t help but sneer.

(End of this chapter)