Like a seasoned farmer noticing cabbages in the field about to be trampled, Anzu casually asked, "Who came to see our section chief this time?"
The duty officer glanced cautiously at Fubuki, who waited for a reply. "It's... a very beautiful young lady."
Sure enough, another vixen!
"Our section chief isn't here!"
"Huh?" Jordan Evans, who'd just entered the office, paused. "Anzu, someone's looking for me? What do you mean I'm not here?"
"Hmph. Just a nuisance call."
Seeing his deputy section chief's sour face, Jordan Evans shrugged. "Oh, okay."
The call ended abruptly, leaving the duty officer somewhat bewildered. "Um..."
"I heard that," Fubuki said, twirling her hair with interest. "Really avoiding me? Heroes always have their own personalities."
She settled into a chair. "It's fine. I'll just wait here for him to get off work."
The dazed duty officer felt something shatter in his heart.
Special Affairs Section.
"Section Chief, your official appointment letter's been faxed over."
"Really? Headquarters works fast."
Jordan Evans took the stamped official document from Anzu and scanned it top to bottom.
After careful consideration, the following decision has been made:
Z-City Patrolman Jordan Evans (Officer No. PCZ-9527) has been promoted to Assistant Inspector and appointed Chief of the Z-City Special Affairs Section, with a one-year probationary period.
Term of office begins immediately.
— Metropolitan Police Department, A-City
Jordan Evans set down the appointment document, handing it to Anzu for filing. "Alright, now it's your turn."
Anzu took it with a sour expression. "Not all of us jump three ranks at once! Ugh..."
Jordan stood, pressing his finger against the policewoman's forehead and pushing her back. "This is nothing. Don't make such a fuss."
Back at the training camp, the brass had been willing to promote him to top management within a year. He'd refused. That kind of promotion speed was meteoric rise.
After finishing the backlog of work, Anzu briefly went to the restroom. Jordan Evans seized the opportunity to slip away.
When there's work, the deputy does it. When there's no work, the deputy still does it...
To prevent his subordinate from rebelling, Jordan didn't use the main entrance. Instead, he used telekinesis to launch himself into the air from the corridor, getting off work at lightning speed.
Fubuki sat in the lobby reception room, idly flipping through a police magazine.
End of work hours had already passed. Apart from those working overtime, on duty, or still finishing cases, most officers had left by evening.
Fubuki's lower abdomen let out a small protest. Her eyebrows twitched slightly. A faint vein bulged on her forehead.
So hungry while waiting.
That despicable man! Still avoiding me even after work hours! Outrageous!
"Miss Fubuki, I ordered the Dragon and Phoenix Noodle Set. Would you like some?"
The duty officer, who'd volunteered for overtime and incidentally chased away his replacement, came over carrying a steaming bowl of soup noodles. The aroma wafted into her nostrils. Fubuki felt dizzy, even hungrier.
"No need. Just ask again for me. Where is Officer Jordan Evans? Hasn't he left work yet?"
"Ah, you're still waiting for him?" The duty officer smiled darkly to himself. "I just ran into a colleague from Special Affairs. Heard Officer Jordan Evans went off duty at noon."
A terrifying aura erupted. The duty officer who'd just finished reporting Jordan's misdeeds shivered. The takeout he was holding suddenly began floating uncontrollably. His police hat, the papers and pens in the reception room, the tables and chairs—all enveloped in soft blue light, floating upward.
Finally, even the duty officer felt force binding his limbs and neck, causing him to defy gravity and float into the air.
"Fubuki... Miss Fubuki! Stop... I can't breathe!"
Fubuki regained her senses after her rampage. She exhaled frustration. Green light in her eyes faded. The floating objects in the reception room lost their psychic support, crashing to the ground with a clatter.
"I'm sorry, officer, for causing trouble." Fubuki turned and walked out. "Now I need to settle accounts with a certain irresponsible man."
"W-what... irresponsible?"
Started something and abandoned it?!
The duty officer had an overturned Dragon and Phoenix noodle bowl on his head. His vision went black. He completely passed out.
While dealing with a Soap Monster attack on the women's bathhouse, Jordan Evans suddenly sneezed with his eyes closed.
The monster, whose body had been partially severed but remained lively, suddenly brightened. It shouted, "Perfect opportunity! Take this! Bubble Beam!"
Two streams of soap bubbles burst from the mysterious being's hands, shooting forward.
Jordan Evans took out a tissue and wiped his nose. With a snap of his fingers, a rusty road roller appeared out of thin air, slamming down on the grotesque grinning monster with immense force.
Arrogant laughter stopped abruptly. A loud BANG followed. The ground cracked under the road roller's weight, splattering clumps of liquid soap everywhere.
"Shut up! Bubble Beam? You think you're a Water-type Pokémon?! What kind of Pokémon is this perverted and useless?!"
Jordan blew his nose, throwing the tissue into the trash with a grumble.
Before he could recall the road roller, which had finally made its appearance, back into card form, he was greeted by a group of enthusiastic female fans wrapped in bathrobes and towels.
"Mr. Super Cop, thank you for saving us!"
"Jordan, this freak was terrifying! Thank goodness you're here! Hey, you witch, get out of his arms!"
"Why? I was here first!"
"Super Cop, I love you!"
"Please don't push, everyone! We can get autographs one at a time..."
"Miss, could you please put your clothes on first?"
"Auntie... I mean, sister, please restrain yourself."
The scene devolved into chaos.
It wasn't until reporters arrived that Jordan managed to shake off the frenzied fans during an interview.
"Phew. I feel like that was harder than dealing with a Demon-level monster."
A white monster card appeared in Jordan's hand: Wolf-level mysterious being "Perverted Soap," whose ability made surrounding environments slippery.
Just how weak is this level of freak?
If those female fans had maintained their idol worship enthusiasm and swarmed it, they probably could've torn it to pieces.
No matter how much it mutated, it was still just a bar of soap.
He casually dismantled this useless card as enhancement material. Then his Stand sent him a message.
[Monster's base stats are too poor. Enhancement attempt has FAILED.]
Watching his deck shrink by one card, Jordan had the strange feeling he'd been robbed for free.
He didn't need this tiny boost anymore. Even though it was unpaid work, it at least increased his exposure as a hero. Plus the eye-catching treatment from enthusiastic female fans...
Too hot. Way too hot!
Thinking about it that way, his mood immediately improved.