Chapter 15: The Familiar Cave

Iris slowly shook her head, her deep eyes like a tranquil pool. Countless words flowed quietly within, like a gentle stream, yet in the end, they converged into a complex, indistinct emotion that vanished softly like smoke in the depths of her gaze.

In an almost whispered, tender tone, she began to speak, her voice wrapped in an indescribable gentleness, yet infused with an unwavering resolve:

“Su Hao, your understanding of this matter is somewhat mistaken. The Cosmic Environmental Protection Agency is no ordinary organization. It is like a vast entity spanning the immense galaxy, its reach extending to every corner of the universe—an invisible yet radiant beacon within this boundless cosmos, continuously guiding countless beings toward balance and order.”

Iris paused briefly, her eyes full of sincerity, then continued:

“As for me, I am but an insignificant speck of dust in this vast expanse, merely striving to contribute my humble efforts to this magnificent mission. Look at these funds—they will never become a breeding ground for my personal desires; instead, they will serve as nourishing dew for the Agency’s research and operations, helping it to grow stronger.”

She seemed lost in memory, her gaze becoming distant, then added:

“Reflecting on the past years, I have silently guarded you by your side, witnessing you grow from a naive boy into the strong and outstanding contract holder you are today. The Agency has invested countless resources and unwavering dedication in this journey. Now, you repay the organization with your healthy state and sponsorship, and the Agency will surely reward you with compensation far exceeding the value of those four hundred pounds of gold.”

“This reward is not merely material but also a spiritual enrichment, elevating your soul.”

At this point, Iris paused slightly. Her eyes, as if transcending the barriers of time and space, gazed deeply and tenderly at Su Hao, each look carrying countless untold stories silently pouring out to him.

After a moment’s pause, she spoke again with a calm but ever firmer tone:

“I understand that this world still holds many unknowns and mysteries in your eyes. But you must believe that, wherever you are, there are nameless heroes—like the brightest stars in the night sky—silently protecting the peace and beauty of this world. And I am but one of those ordinary yet steadfast stars.”

Su Hao listened quietly to every word Iris spoke. Her words were like warm currents gently brushing his heart, stirring ripples deep within, leaving his soul restless and moved.

He lifted his eyes to meet hers, seeing the resolute light of faith shining in them—a light like a blazing sunbeam piercing through the dust of years, illuminating every corner of his heart, revealing what was once obscure.

In that moment, Su Hao felt as if enlightened, suddenly understanding the essence of life:

In this complex world, there are always those who seek no reward, keep no tally of gain or loss, but simply because they harbor an unwavering devotion to justice and an infinite longing for the world’s beauty, are willing to quietly dedicate themselves and protect all things around them.

He lowered his head, lost in deep thought. Time seemed to freeze; everything around him faded in importance, leaving only the swirling thoughts in his mind.

After a brief pause, Su Hao abruptly raised his head, his eyes blazing with determination. He stared firmly at Iris and spoke with unprecedented seriousness and resolve:

“Teacher, I believe you. Every word you say, I trust without doubt. I swear here and now that I will become someone like you—devoting all my strength to protect this world, to protect those who need our guardianship.”

Upon hearing this, a gentle and gratified smile blossomed on Iris’s face, like a flower blooming brilliantly in spring—radiant and warm, as if possessing a magical power to dispel all gloom and fill the surrounding atmosphere with a tender warmth.

For a moment, an invisible bond seemed to tie their souls together, jointly safeguarding their yearning and relentless pursuit of a beautiful world, all understood without words.

Yet just as a complex and fervent emotion surged within Su Hao’s heart, a cold and mechanical voice suddenly echoed abruptly in his mind, like a biting winter wind:

“Candidate Cleaner, attention: you have thirty minutes remaining before returning to the Cosmic Environmental Protection Agency. Ensure your departure is unnoticed by anyone in the real world. Countdown to departure begins now—thirty minutes.”

Su Hao’s heart tightened sharply; panic briefly seized him, leaving him somewhat at a loss. Instinctively, he looked to his teacher Iris, his eyes filled with helplessness and anxiety.

Iris, fully aware that the Agency’s transmission was about to commence, winked at Su Hao, silently reassuring him not to worry and to leave everything to her.

Su Hao’s parents, watching their peculiar expressions, were utterly baffled, their faces full of confusion yet uncertain what to ask.

At that moment, Iris’s gentle, firm voice rang out appropriately as she turned to Su Hao’s parents and spoke politely and sincerely:

“Mr. and Mrs. Su, I plan to take Su Hao to enroll in a special residential training program. We should return in a few days.”

Upon hearing this, Su Ming’s face immediately showed puzzlement, clearly baffled by this sudden decision. His brows knitted slightly, his eyes filled with doubt.

Surprisingly, Wang Fang responded with a notably straightforward attitude:

“Go ahead. Be safe out there, and take good care of yourself.”

Seeing this, Iris quickly led Su Hao toward her car and then drove swiftly toward her residence.

Along the way, Su Hao’s mood remained unsettled, his mind swirling with countless thoughts. He knew well that this upcoming separation would undoubtedly be a new and challenging test for him.

As he stepped into Iris’s home, barely having time to absorb the familiar, warm atmosphere, the cold voice thundered again in his mind:

“Candidate Cleaner, returning to the Cosmic Environmental Protection Agency. Transmission commencing.”

Suddenly, Su Hao’s vision darkened, and he felt himself drawn by an invisible, powerful force into a vast vortex. In an instant, his body vanished without a trace from Iris’s room, as if he had never been there at all.

After a wave of intense nausea, Su Hao slowly regained consciousness, realizing he was now in a private chamber meticulously prepared for him by the Cosmic Environmental Protection Agency.

Looking around, he saw nothing but cold metal walls. The air carried a faint technological aura, clearly signaling the presence of advanced modern science.

The cold voice sounded once more, emotionlessly commanding:

“Candidate Cleaner, your new mission has been issued. The second test will officially begin in twenty minutes. Prepare accordingly.”

Su Hao couldn’t help but inwardly complain at the tight schedule—this was truly pushing him to his limits. Yet he understood there was no turning back now. Gritting his teeth, he swiftly began to arm himself, racing against time to prepare for the impending challenge.

While busily making preparations, Su Hao suddenly recalled something important—the unlocking of treasure chests.

His luck score had now reached nine points, which by regulation allowed him to open the treasure chests stored in his inventory.

Hurriedly, he carefully took out four chests—each hard-earned during his previous missions.

He had purposely delayed opening them until after upgrading his attributes and improving his luck value, waiting for the right moment.

Now, that moment seemed to have arrived.

He first picked up the Chthys Treasure Chest, the very first chest he obtained after defeating Trump Chthys.

The chest’s surface was covered with mysterious, intricate patterns, as if holding endless secrets that beckoned exploration.

A prompt sounded clearly in Su Hao’s mind:

“Open Chthys Treasure Chest (White)?”

“Open,” Su Hao answered decisively without hesitation.

As his words fell, the chest’s lid slowly lifted. Instantly, a dense green light burst forth, illuminating the dim room.

Su Hao fixed his gaze, seeing a short sword of deep jade green resting quietly inside. Bathed in the green glow, it appeared all the more enigmatic and exquisite.

Then, the Agency’s prompt sounded again:

“You have obtained ten Cosmic Particle Fragments and one Bloodblade Dagger, quality: Green.”

Upon hearing this, Su Hao quickly gathered the Cosmic Particle Fragments, then eagerly took up the Bloodblade Dagger to examine it closely.

The blade shimmered with a cold, eerie light, silently proclaiming its sharpness—seeming capable of effortlessly slicing through any obstacle before him.

[Item Name]: Bloodblade
[Quality]: Green
[Type]: Melee Weapon, Dagger/Short Sword
[Durability]: 60/100 (Please maintain and repair)
[Sharpness]: 120–150 points (sufficient to cut most ordinary materials)
[Value]: 500 Cosmic Credits (tradable)
[Status]: Unbound (can be sold, gifted, or used)
[Description]: One of the essential weapons for novice assassins. The previous owner neglected maintenance, resulting in significant durability loss.
[Suggestion]: Seek professional repair and upkeep promptly, or it will soon become a useless short saw.