F-class thief? Sorry, I can steal anything.

Chen Yifan's smile vanished as he looked at the text message.

Registration?

The job change was completed in less than half an hour!

So, here comes the official "thoughtful greeting"?

This efficiency and targeting are simply too strong.

Chen Yifan pursed his lips into a straight line, instinctively feeling a sense of resistance.

But just a second later, he dismissed the idea.

A "thief" who actively cooperated, had a good attitude, and whose official data only showed two Fs.

Its threat level will be systematically reduced to a minimum.

Conversely, if he doesn't go, he will immediately become a "potential risk factor" worthy of attention.

He checked the time and found it was still early.

Since the other party has extended a sincere invitation, he will mercifully go and accept it.

Prepare early for an early release.

Incidentally, he also wanted to see for himself.

What exactly are the official violent institutions in this world like?

……

The Jiangcheng Extraordinary Affairs Management Center is located in an unremarkable gray building.

The moment Chen Yifan stepped through the door.

A stench of sweat, tobacco tar, and cheap perfume hit him, making his throat tighten.

This place was completely different from the bright, clean, and orderly official institutions he had imagined.

The place was bustling with noise, creating a tense and anxious atmosphere.

The long queue stretched from several windows all the way to the door.

It includes people from all walks of life, from the three religions to the nine schools of thought.

A burly man with a scorpion tattoo on his arm.

A man with shifty eyes, as thin as a bamboo pole.

A woman dressed provocatively, heavily made up, who occasionally winks at passing men.

Chen Yifan's gaze swept over them subtly.

Since we're already here, we can't leave empty-handed.

"Secret surveillance."

The innate skill is activated silently.

[Target: Zhang Long, Occupation: E-rank thug, Spirit: 33, Stealable Items: Skill - Intimidation (F-rank), Small amount of psionic particles.]

[Target: Zhao Houzi, Occupation: E-rank Pickpocket, Spirit: 20, Stealable Items: Skill: Master Thief (Beginner), 27 Dragon Kingdom Coins.]

[Target: Wang Cuihua, Occupation: E-rank Street Performer (Seduction Techniques), Spirit: 30, Stealable Items: Skill: Flying Kiss (No Rank), Used Lipstick, Used Stockings, Lace from Pocket...]

Good guy.

Chen Yifan let out a gasp of surprise.

This is practically an offline team-building activity center for "gray-area professionals" in Jiangcheng City.

He was a thief, yet he blended in seamlessly among them.

In fact, because of her strikingly beautiful face, she seemed somewhat out of place.

He found a relatively short spot at the back of the line and stood quietly.

His gaze swept over one target after another.

The results of the investigations were almost identical: mostly mediocre skills and a few dollars' worth of change.

His [Steal Everything] has a 24-hour cooldown.

The first time, it must be used on the blade.

the day after tomorrow.

That is, Monday.

This was the final mobilization meeting for the college entrance examination.

After that, it's time for the first practical lesson in your new job—the beginner dungeon.

He needs to advance to level 5 to retain his qualification to remain in the professional class.

His confidence stemmed from his ability to investigate and steal.

"Young man, are you new here?"

Suddenly, a gentle voice rang out beside him, startling him and interrupting his next action.

Chen Yifan turned his head and saw an old policeman wearing a police uniform, but with a very low rank.

He was in his fifties, and his hair was somewhat gray.

He wore a professional smile, but his eyes betrayed a lingering weariness.

"Um."

Chen Yifan nodded very politely.

"You don't look very old, are you new to this job?"

The veteran police officer skillfully directed the flow of people while casually striking up a conversation:

"What's your profession?"

"Thief."

Chen Yifan answered calmly, as if he were talking about a perfectly normal profession.

When the veteran police officer heard this profession, his smile visibly froze for a moment.

His slightly cloudy eyes refocused, and he carefully examined the boy in front of him.

She is clean-cut and has a calm demeanor, with a maturity beyond her years.

It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the word "thief" at all.

but.

As a veteran police officer, what kind of people haven't I seen?

He quickly recovered and walked to Chen Yifan's side.

That large, calloused hand gently patted his shoulder.

"Young man, don't feel pressured."

His voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange, comforting power.

"A profession is like a knife; some use it to cut vegetables, while others use it to chop people. You choose your own path, understand?"

"From now on, abide by the law."

"Our center offers free career guidance classes; feel free to come and attend when you have time."

"With your job, if you use your wits, you could become a security consultant for a security company, or a locksmith for precision instruments; both offer good income."

Chen Yifan looked at him, a slight stirring in his heart.

Anti-theft consultant?

Locksmith?

That sounds like a good solution.

but……

This is already a different timeline without [Stealing Everything].

Chen Yifan remained calm and composed, then his mind stirred once more.

Secret investigation.

[Target: Wang Jianguo, Occupation: D-rank Thermologist, Spirit: ???, Stealable Items: Skill: Hand of Constant Temperature (D-rank), a cup of freshly brewed Malva nut.]

Thermologist?

This profession is even more abstract than my own "thief".

D-tier talent, Hand of Constant Temperature...

Cooling in summer and heating in winter, it's the ultimate tool for slacking off, ensuring the perfect drinking temperature for brewing tea.

What truly made Chen Yifan's pupils contract were those three glaring question marks.

It cannot be detected by spiritual power!

This shows that the seemingly exhausted old policeman in front of us has a mental strength far exceeding 200 points.

He is a master who keeps his skills hidden.

Chen Yifan looked up and met the other person's smiling eyes. He quickly composed himself and politely replied:

"Understood, thank you, Officer Wang."

"Hey, how did you know my surname is Wang?"

Wang Jianguo was stunned for a moment, certain that he had not introduced himself.

"It says on your name tag."

Chen Yifan pointed to his chest.

"Oh, right, right, as people get older, their brains don't work as well anymore."

Wang Jianguo patted his head and laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Alright, you can wait in line now, I'm going to get busy."

After saying that, he turned around.

"Next up, Chen Yifan."

Not long after, a cold call to arms rang out.

Chen Yifan walked to the counter and just took out his ID.

At this very moment—

"Buzz—!!!!"

A piercing alarm suddenly went off without warning.

It not only runs through the entire building, but also through the streets outside, and through every corner of the city.

"Level One Alert! Level One Alert!"

The voice on the radio was filled with terror and urgency, distorted by excessive excitement:

"S-class wanted criminal [Shadow Demon] has broken through the third security zone of Black Prison and is fleeing towards the city center!"

"Repeating! S-class wanted criminal [Shadow Demon] has broken through the third security zone of Black Prison and is fleeing towards the city center!"

"All citizens, immediately take cover! This is not a drill!"

This is……

Citywide announcement!

S-level wanted criminal!

Shadow Fiend?

After a second of deathly silence, the entire hall exploded!

"What? Shadow Fiend? That king of assassins who can traverse space?"

"Wasn't he locked up in a black jail? How did he escape!"

"Run! Run! I don't want to die here!"

"Don't push me! Fuck!"

……

The crowd was gripped by panic.

They pushed aside the people around them like madmen, scrambling to squeeze out.

The scene not only spiraled out of control instantly, but a stampede was on the verge of breaking out.

"Don't move! Everyone lie down and find cover."

Several police officers drew their psionic pistols.

They screamed desperately to maintain order, but their voices were as insignificant as ants in the wave of panic.

Chen Yifan was jostled about by the chaotic crowd, his brows furrowed tightly.

He had heard of Shadow Fiend.

A level 68 S-class spatial assassin who has committed numerous bloody crimes.

He is a terrifying figure on Jiangcheng's most wanted list.

The reward alone is 100 million.

Someone of that caliber could be crushed a thousand times over with a mere breath, even if they were just passing by.

However, this is the security bureau.

Even if Shadow Fiend is stupid, he wouldn't come here.

Chen Yifan pretended to move in a panic, but took advantage of the crowd to slip away and hide behind a thick load-bearing column.

He planned to leave when the exit wasn't too crowded.

But just then...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Without warning, the rows of light tubes above the hall suddenly exploded one after another!

Countless shards of glass flew down accompanied by sparks from electricity.

The entire hall was instantly plunged into complete darkness.

Everyone was startled by this sudden turn of events.

The entire space fell into a deathly silence.

A few seconds later, the emergency lights came on.

Screams, cries, and crashes rose again, composing an apocalyptic symphony.

Chen Yifan's muscles tensed instantly.

An indescribable, heavy pressure appeared out of nowhere in every corner of the hall.

The air became thick, and breathing became difficult.

Wang Jianguo, a veteran police officer, is evacuating the crowd.

A terrifying glint suddenly flashed in the depths of his previously cloudy eyes!

His gaze instantly locked onto the area where Chen Yifan was hiding!

next second.

A ripple, like water, suddenly appeared in the air not far from the load-bearing column.

The surrounding pressure suddenly increased dramatically.

Followed by.

A figure appeared out of nowhere without warning.

The other person looked extremely disheveled.

Skull mask.

A head of flashy, bright green hair.

And those iconic leggings, those loafers...

When Chen Yifan, who was hiding in the shadow of the load-bearing pillar, saw this scene, his pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints.

Damn it!

That's that Shadow Fiend!!!