Die, Replay, Repeat

A calm voice interrupted the Director mid-sentence.

Everyone froze, thrown completely off-guard. 'Who would have the audacity to oppose the Director, especially at a moment like this?'

But when they looked in the direction of the voice, their shock only deepened—it was Fang Xiu himself.

Ambitious fourth-tier psychics in the crowd perked up, feeling a surge of hope. They figured Fang Xiu must’ve decided he didn’t have the confidence to command, and that he was turning down the Captain position. Maybe they had a chance after all.

The Director’s expression initially darkened when he heard the objection. But as he recognized the source, his face softened, even breaking into a warm, approving smile. “Fang Xiu, why do you object?”

Fang Xiu’s voice remained steady as he replied, “With my achievements, I can't accept the position of Captain of headquarters.”

A hush fell over the crowd, and Fang Xiu’s reputation only grew in their minds.

'He’s the real deal,' they thought. 'Not driven by titles or power.'

Here was the hero who’d saved headquarters, standing before an offer of rank and respect, and choosing to turn it down. Few people would refuse such an honor with so much support behind them.

The Director’s gaze grew even more approving, his resolve strengthening to make Fang Xiu a Captain.

“Fang Xiu, don’t be so humble. I know you may feel that, as a third-tier psychic, the position of Captain isn’t fitting. But we’ve all seen what you’re capable of. Without you, headquarters might not even be standing. This position is yours by right, and no one else—”

“I think you misunderstand,” Fang Xiu interrupted, his tone unchanging.

“What I mean is, with my achievements, I deserve more than that. I should be… the Chief Commander.”

CLINK!

The Director’s pen slipped from his fingers, clattering against the table and echoing throughout the room.

The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a stunned silence.

Everyone else was equally floored, staring at Fang Xiu as if he’d just claimed to rule the world. They even began to wonder if they’d heard him correctly.

'Did he actually just say… Chief Commander?'

"Is he serious? A third-tier psychic, pushing straight for the highest command?"

“Fa… Fang Xiu, I’m not sure I heard you correctly. Could you repeat that?” the Director stammered, trying to wrap his mind around Fang Xiu’s words.

Fang Xiu’s expression didn’t waver. “I said, with my achievements, I should be the Chief Commander.”

The room dropped into dead silence. Shock ran through everyone like a chill, shattering the modest image they’d held of him.

It turned out, he hadn’t rejected the Captain position out of modesty—he simply didn’t want it. He was after the very top.

Fang Xiu was, in fact, an entirely confident, even audacious figure, ready to stake his claim on what he felt he’d earned.

“Um… Fang Xiu,” the Director finally said, forcing a polite, strained smile, “you’re still young, and this is your first time at headquarters. You’re not fully acquainted with all of our operations…”

Fang Xiu’s calm reply sliced through the Director’s hesitation. “Didn’t you just say that without me, headquarters wouldn’t be standing right now? So if I saved headquarters, isn’t it only fair for me to take the role of Chief Commander?”

The Director was momentarily stunned, left with no immediate response.

Inside, he was cursing himself. 'Why did I say all that? I practically handed him the perfect argument!'

"That's true, I can’t deny your achievements," the Director replied, doing his best to sound both encouraging and reasonable. "With merits like yours, becoming Chief Commander isn’t impossible. But it’s too early for that. Start as a Captain, gain experience, and when the time’s right, we can revisit the discussion about you taking on Chief Commander.”

The Director’s words were sincere; he wasn’t trying to hold the role back for someone else. In his eyes, Fang Xiu, while incredibly skilled, was just too new. This was Fang Xiu’s first time even setting foot in headquarters—he hadn’t led even a single division of the city Investigation Bureaus, much less held a leadership role here, let alone the mantle of Chief Commander.

After all, Chief Commander wasn’t just a title; it was a position that demanded exceptional judgment and strategic vision.

The Chief Commander was the mastermind behind the Investigation Bureau, guiding it on a national level, making high-stakes decisions in the heat of critical situations. 

Without years of experience, even someone as powerful as Fang Xiu would struggle.

The Director had, in fact, considered that Fang Xiu might someday grow into the role. With his future-sight ability, he had the potential to become an unmatched leader—but not yet. He needed time.

But seeing the Director’s hesitation, Fang Xiu decided it was time to raise the stakes.

“Do you think I’m incapable of being Chief Commander?” Fang Xiu asked, his tone firm.

The Director looked slightly uncomfortable, choosing his words carefully. He didn’t want to risk offending the hero of headquarters. “It’s not a matter of capability,” he replied diplomatically. “I just believe you need more experience, more familiarity with headquarters…”

“No need to go on,” Fang Xiu interrupted, his voice calm yet brimming with confidence. “I’ve already seen the future.”

Silence fell over the hall, tension thickening in the air.

“In the future, only if I am Chief Commander can headquarters defeat the Specters and bring peace back to the world.”

Everyone in the room stared, stunned by his bold words. For the first time, they felt the true weight of his phrase, 'I’ve already seen the future.'

'Wait, future-sight can be used like this?' the crowd wondered, exchanging tense glances. No one knew if Fang Xiu was bluffing.

If he was lying, it was a brilliant move—a calculated way to leverage his foresight for power. But if he was telling the truth… 

The Director, caught in a difficult position, remained silent, weighing his options. Even with his years of wisdom, he couldn’t tell if Fang Xiu’s vision was genuine or a clever way to claim the top spot.

After a long, loaded pause, he spoke at last, his tone serious. “Fang Xiu, are you saying that you’ve seen a future where only you as Chief Commander can lead headquarters to defeat the Specters?”

Fang Xiu’s expression didn’t flinch. He scanned the faces of everyone in the room, his calm gaze unwavering. And with every eye locked on him, he replied in a steady, resolute voice:

“My foresight has never been wrong. I… am the future.”

Translator's note: And how convenient is that!