63: Chapter 63 This third-class medal must be given to him!

Qinglan City, Rift Investigation Department Branch.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline was bright and sunny, with vibrant sunlight and weaving traffic.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan sat behind his desk, his back to the sun.

He had just finished an internal summary and reporting meeting, his face showing clear signs of exhaustion, his eyes bloodshot with fine red veins.

"Whew..."

He let out a long breath, leaning back slightly and staring blankly at the bright sunlight outside the window.

"Finally, it's temporarily over."

After working at high intensity for over thirty-six consecutive hours, even Senior Agent Zeng Chuan felt physically and mentally exhausted.

After a brief moment of rest, Senior Agent Zeng Chuan sat up straight again, put on his glasses, and opened a newly finalized official report.

The cover of the report followed the standard format of the Special Defense Bureau, with a clear and heavy title:

[Preliminary Investigation Report and Handling Results Regarding the '8·3' D-Class Abyss Fissure Outbreak at the Southern Foot of the Duanshan Mountains in Qinglan City]

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's eyes quickly scanned the main text of the report:

I. Event Overview:

1. Nature of the Event: After on-site inspection and energy source analysis by the expert team of the Rift Investigation Department, it is confirmed that this event was a standard D-Class Abyss Fissure outbreak. The center of the outbreak was located at...

2. Scope of Influence...

3. Casualties: The event caused varying degrees of injury to 24 people, and 7 people unfortunately lost their lives...

4. Property Damage...

II. Response and Disposal:

1. Initial Response: The border patrol and the Beast Management Bureau responded quickly after receiving the alarm...

2. Professional Intervention: After being notified, our Rift Investigation Department immediately activated the Level 3 emergency response plan, deploying rapid response forces and purification teams to the scene.

3. Suppression and Purification: With the cooperation of local units, our forces quickly controlled and cleared the peripheral Dark Species.

Subsequently, the rapid response forces and purification teams delved into the core area of the fissure outbreak. After twelve hours of suppression and purification, the D-Class Abyss Fissure was successfully sealed temporarily. Negative emotions in the core area are undergoing phased purification, and are expected to drop below the safety threshold within 72 hours.

4. Follow-up Work...

III. Preliminary Conclusions and Recommendations:

(Omitted)...

The latter half of the report consisted of detailed data appendices, energy waveform diagrams, sample analysis summaries, as well as a list of participants and resource consumption statistics.

"A D-Class Abyss Fissure..."

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan repeated in a low voice, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the smooth tabletop, his brow furrowing slightly. "The frequency of these things is increasing."

"Sigh, I hope headquarters can come up with more effective purification measures soon."

He shook his head, pushing down these long-term concerns for the moment.

There was more specific work to be done right now.

He closed the official summary report and opened another internal document titled "Assessment of Contact and Performance of Non-Staff Personnel in the 8.3 Duanshan Mountains Incident."

This document detailed basic information, brief encounter descriptions, and a key assessment item—contact/kills of Dark Species—for all local security personnel, civilian Beast Tamers, and ordinary citizens involved in the incident.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan dragged the page down, his gaze quickly skimming through rows of names and data.

Most local security personnel relied on teamwork and geographical advantages, with kill counts between 1 and 3.

Some stronger Beast Tamers had records of multiple kills, while civilian personnel generally had fewer, many even zero.

Suddenly, his gaze stopped.

On the screen, a name followed by a number stood out exceptionally.

Lin Chen (Qingyang Town Enforcement Station, D-Class Assistant, Apprentice Beastmaster) — Kill Count: 11 (Tier 1: 5, Tier 2: 6)

"Eleven?"

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan instinctively adjusted his glasses and leaned forward to confirm he hadn't misread it.

This number ranked third among all non-Special Defense Bureau personnel, second only to two Advanced Beast Tamers.

The moment he saw the name, Lin Chen's image immediately surfaced in his mind.

If he remembered correctly, when he saw Lin Chen last night, the boy was standing among a pile of Dark Species corpses with a heavy expression.

At the time, he thought the Dark Species had left a psychological shadow on him, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

"It's him again..."

A flash of surprise crossed Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's eyes, which then turned into intense interest.

He faced them calmly in his first encounter with Dark Species, and in the second, under a large-scale assault, he not only kept himself safe but also achieved such an illustrious kill record.

Moreover, the records showed he was only an Apprentice Beastmaster.

An Apprentice Beastmaster killing eleven Dark Species.

This record was brilliant; after all, for other Apprentice Beastmasters, not having their legs turn to jelly from fear of the Dark Species would already be considered a success.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan moved his mouse and clicked the detailed link after Lin Chen's name to pull up his file.

ID number, home address, educational background, awakening time, contracted pet records, temporary work evaluations at the Beast Control Bureau... the information scrolled quickly.

When he saw the family members section, Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's gaze suddenly paused.

Sister: Lin Yue

Current Status: Intern Member of the Rift Investigation Department (Currently on internship assignment at the Frost Crystal Beast Realm)

"An intern member?" Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's eyes flickered.

As a senior operative, he knew the department had been recruiting aggressively since the start of the year, with many talented young people becoming intern members through brutal competition.

If he remembered correctly, several Abyss Fissure outbreaks had also occurred in the Frost Crystal Beast Realm, leading the department to travel thousands of miles for an in-depth investigation.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan leaned back in his chair, fingers lightly tapping the armrest, falling into brief contemplation.

"A pair of siblings—one is already an intern member, and the other shows unusual adaptability when facing Dark Species..."

He nodded thoughtfully: "It seems he can be added to the observation list."

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan made his decision.

He moved the mouse, selected the 'Key Observation (Potential)' tag next to Lin Chen's name, and quickly typed a line of text:

"Shows special adaptability and high kill efficiency against Dark Species. His sister is an intern in our department. Recommend continued monitoring of his growth trajectory. If he can stably promote to Intermediate Beastmaster within a year and pass the character assessment, consider early contact to invite him to our department's reserve talent selection."

After finishing the note, he thought for a moment, performed a few more operations, and synchronized Lin Chen's kill record to the corresponding contact terminal of the Qinglan City Management Bureau.

After all, Lin Chen was still a temporary assistant at the Beast Control Bureau; this merit needed to be recorded locally, and he should receive corresponding commendations or rewards.

That afternoon, at the Qinglan City Management Bureau headquarters building.

Inside the conference room.

Several bureau leaders sat around a long conference table.

Bureau Chief Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping sat at the head of the table, his expression calm yet naturally authoritative.

Spread out before him was a list—the preliminary list of proposed commendations based on feedback from various parties.

The list was divided into several levels:

- Individual Second-Class Medal: 1 person.

A captain from a suburban branch who was seriously injured while resisting Dark Species during the evacuation of villagers. His merit was indisputable.

- Individual Third-Class Medal: 6 people.

All were frontline backbones who had undertaken key rescue missions, demonstrated effective command, or personally killed multiple dangerous creatures to protect important personnel or property.

- Commendations: Several. Given to personnel who were diligent and performed outstandingly as an encouragement.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's gaze slowly swept across the list.

On the list, Lin Chen's name and age were particularly striking:

Lin Chen (Qingyang Town Enforcement Station, D-Class Assistant), 18 years old.

"Regarding this Lin Chen..."

A deputy chief sitting next to Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping had long noticed this name. He took a sip of tea and spoke after some deliberation:

"Old Zhou, should we reconsider? This is a Third-Class Medal; it carries significant weight."

"This kid is only eighteen and hasn't been with the unit for long. Furthermore, he only has a temporary status. Our bureau has no such precedent."

He observed Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's expression and continued: "His performance this time was good, but he's too young after all. Should we just give him a commendation instead?"

His words represented the opinion of some of the more conservative leaders.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping put down the list, his gaze scanning everyone present, his voice steady: "I don't think that's necessary."

"What is a genius? A genius is someone who cannot be judged by common logic. Rules are dead, but people are alive."

"When we commend those who have merit, we judge based on their achievements, their performance, and their contributions at critical moments—not on seniority, and certainly not on age or status!"

The conference room fell silent.

The deputy chief opened his mouth to say something, but seeing Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's firm gaze, he swallowed his words.

"This Third-Class Medal must be given to him."

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping looked around the room and said decisively: "Not only must we give it, but we must do so loudly and in a way that leaves everyone convinced!"

He looked at another leader responsible for publicity and commendations, speaking after a moment of thought: "Make the arrangements. In a week, I will personally deliver this medal to his door!"

Everyone looked up, faces filled with surprise.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's expression remained unchanged as he sighed: "You should know very well that genius Beast Tamers don't even consider our Beast Management Bureau when looking for employment."

"They have too many choices; they might not even return to this small city."

"For a genius who hasn't fully grown yet, we must find every possible way to recruit them."