Chapter 15: Phaga’s Refusal

The three followed Seth out of the vehicle and into New Eridu Public Security.

Before long, Seth led them into a private room.

“Sit wherever you like. Treat this place like home.”

Seth gestured to several chairs, then walked to the water dispenser. He filled three cups and personally handed one to each of them.

The water was warm. Phaga gently blew across the surface to clear the thin mist of steam before taking a small sip.

As they drank, the door opened. A green-haired girl with twin ponytails entered, dressed in a police uniform and carrying a notebook under her arm.

Despite her uniform, she was petite—barely one and a half meters tall at most.

“Seth, back already?”

“Yeah. But I’ll have to head back out. See you tonight for overtime.”

“See you then.”

After greeting him, the girl paid Seth no further mind. She nodded at Phaga and the others, set down the notebook she had been carrying, and moved behind the desk.

Glancing around, she seemed to be searching for something, muttering under her breath, “The rookies at New Eridu Public Security are getting sloppier by the day. I’m sure there was a pen here.”

While the officer was distracted, Ruby—still clutching Ellen’s tail—peeked over Ellen’s shoulder and whispered, “Why’s that little kid wearing grown-up clothes?”

“She’s not human.”

Phaga gave a faint shake of his head. As a vampire, he couldn’t sense the slightest trace of blood energy from this green-haired, twin-ponytailed officer.

That could only mean one thing—she wasn’t human.

Ellen propped her chin on her hand, looking bored. She cast a sideways glance at Ruby, who was still holding on to her tail, only for Ruby to grin sheepishly back at her.

Ellen sighed. “She’s a robot. I even saw the seam on her thigh.”

“Ah, found it. It slipped into the gap.”

The officer finally retrieved her pen, calmly flipping open the notebook. The pen twirled easily between her fingers before her brow arched slightly.

An invisible pressure filled the room, and all three instantly fell silent.

Ellen and Phaga stayed composed.

Ruby, however, was drenched in sweat, sitting stiffly. At some point, Ellen’s tail had slipped free from her arms without her even noticing.

So this was the pressure police put on the illegals?

“All things strange have their logic. The fact you didn’t realize I was a robot right away, little sister, just means you’ve still got room to grow.”

The officer’s voice was soft and lazy, yet carried a subtle maturity that clashed with her youthful appearance.

Phaga immediately understood—this robot had likely simulated centuries of accumulated experience, which explained her effortless composure.

The officer stopped spinning her pen, pressing the nib against the notebook.

“Hello, my name is Qingyi. I’ll be taking your statements.”

Her eyes fell on Ruby. “We’ll start with you, young Proxy.”

Ruby shot upright, blurting out, “Present!”

“...Heh, no need to be nervous. Have a sip of water first.”

Qingyi’s pen paused as she offered a moment of reassurance, then began:

“Ruby. Species: human. Gender: female. Occupation: student.

To date, no record of misconduct. On the 2nd of this month, she first revealed her identity as an apprentice Proxy and led classmates out of danger during a Hollow incident.

Though her status is unauthorized, her record is impressive. A promising junior. When you leave New Eridu Public Security, be sure to pick up an [Investigator] qualification application form. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“Yes...”

Ruby felt like crying. Her future looked bright, yet somehow she wasn’t happy at all.

“Good. The New Eridu Public Security welcomes talented youth. Consider this place your home.”

Satisfied with her answer, Qingyi nodded and wrote in her notebook: 【Ruby voluntarily participates in assessment】.

Her gaze then shifted to Ellen.

“Ellen Joe. Species: Shark-Thiren. Gender: female. Occupation: student, part-time member of Victoria Housekeeping.

Hmm, not a name I’ve heard before. To be sure—Victoria Housekeeping is a legitimate housekeeping company, correct?”

Her expression darkened slightly, her tone carrying suspicion. Clearly, she doubted the idea of someone with Ellen’s combat ability belonging to an ordinary housekeeping company.

What kind of housekeeping company could fight like that?

Ellen stayed calm, but Ruby’s eyes widened. She pouted, “Ellen, you actually have a job? Why didn’t I know?”

“It’s part-time! I’m still in school.”

Ellen patted Ruby’s head, then turned to Qingyi. “Yes, Victoria Housekeeping primarily serves high-net-worth clients. We don’t rely on wide public recognition, which is why our name isn’t well known.

But please rest assured, Officer Qingyi—Victoria Housekeeping is a first-rate company. We provide attentive service to every client. Should New Eridu Public Security ever need support in daily matters, we would be glad to help.”

Phaga blinked in surprise.

Unfazed under an officer’s pressure... Victoria Housekeeping really did train their people well.

Then he suddenly remembered—wait, didn’t Ellen mention offering me a job back in the ambulance?

Qingyi tapped her pen lightly against the notebook, then withdrew her gaze. While jotting down notes, she spoke casually:

“I see. But spare us the offers—New Eridu Public Security doesn’t have the budget to spend on emotional value.

That said, Shark-Thirens are naturally gifted with combat prowess, though it comes with high energy consumption. If we look at it that way, Ellen’s combat strength isn’t unreasonable.”

Her tone carried no suspicion, yet she circled 【Victoria Housekeeping】 several times before pressing the pen firmly against the page.

Thud!

Finally, Qingyi’s eyes turned to Phaga.

This was the real main course of the day.

She studied him for a long moment, her internal program pulling up his file. Then she recited:

“Phaga Kunmutu. Species: vampire. Gender: male. Occupation: student, currently seeking part-time work.

Formerly a resident of an orphanage on Eleventh Street. On a night of heavy snow, he was discovered and taken in.

At the time of discovery, he had only swaddling clothes and a parasol engraved with the characters 【Kunmutu】. The orphanage director adopted 【Kunmutu】 as his surname and named him 【Phaga】.

Phaga grew up in the orphanage, but his vampire nature made him an outsider among the other children, leaving him isolated.

Still, with a vampire’s overwhelming combat strength, it’s hard to say who was really isolating whom.

At age eleven, a Hollow descended upon Eleventh Street, swallowing the orphanage. The director, transformed into an Ethereal, slaughtered every child. Only you survived—by killing the director yourself before escaping and being rescued.

As the orphanage’s sole survivor, you should have been transferred elsewhere, but you refused.

Considering humanitarian and practical reasons, the court granted your request. Ten percent of the orphanage’s estate was transferred to you, distributed in monthly payments until you turn twenty.

Logically, you shouldn’t be short on money. No reason to be looking for part-time work.”

Qingyi paused, noticing Phaga’s expression harden, before quickly changing course:

“However, New Eridu Public Security can offer you stable employment. We’re in great need of strong combatants. Would you be interested in joining?”

Ellen and Ruby froze, whipping their heads toward Phaga.

Phaga... was being offered a job?

Qingyi’s gaze was steady. Ellen hesitated. Ruby beamed.

Under their stares, Phaga remained silent for a long moment before finally rising to his feet.

“Thank you for the offer... but I must decline.”