The voices and footsteps outside the window gradually faded away, and He Gu finally let out a sigh of relief.

He took out his phone and glanced at the time; it was already 3:34 AM.

In just over half an hour, it would be time for the manager’s next inspection round!

Moreover, He Gu had triggered an alarm in the security department, and now the whole factory area might be patrolled by security guards.

He needed to get back to his office first!

With that thought, He Gu immediately stood up, found the ceiling tile where he had hidden things last time, skillfully moved it aside, and stashed the purple work clothes, white hazmat suit, bell, the piece of paper with the sigil, and the vial of crow’s blood, syringe, tetrahedral key, and other items inside.

After finishing, He Gu quietly opened the window to check that no one was outside before climbing out.

He then cautiously made his way back to the inner warehouse area, keeping an eye out for patrolling security guards.

Once back in his office, He Gu checked his phone again: 3:57 AM.

He sat down in his office, and it wasn’t long before he heard the sound of crows flapping their wings outside the window.

The manager’s inspection time had arrived, and this would be the last round for the night.

Soon, the manager’s figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

However, this time the manager didn’t just go through the motions as usual; he lingered in each office for a while, seemingly giving instructions.

After waiting for a moment, the manager finally arrived at He Gu’s office.

As soon as he entered, the manager frowned and sniffed, then suddenly asked in a cold voice, “Have you left tonight?”

He Gu’s heart skipped a beat, but he firmly shook his head and replied, “No? I don’t think going to inspect the warehouse counts as leaving, right?”

The manager glanced at him and said indifferently, “I hope you haven’t.”

With that, the manager announced in a grave tone, “There’s been an issue with the security department tonight, and the security level has been temporarily raised.”

“Effective immediately, no one is allowed to leave work early, and no one is permitted to linger in the work area after hours.”

“Also, if you encounter security personnel questioning or inspecting within the factory area, you must cooperate fully.”

“Remember to pass these instructions on to your subordinates.”

After a pause, the manager added, “Oh, right, due to the heightened security level, all personnel transfers are temporarily frozen.”

“You were supposed to get a new person assigned to you tomorrow, but that’s now postponed until further notice when the personnel freeze is lifted.”

After hearing the manager’s words, He Gu’s mind raced, and he tentatively asked, “So for the time being, I only have one person under me?”

The manager was noncommittal, “Is there a problem?”

For He Gu, this was certainly good news; he would rather not have any subordinates at all, so he wouldn’t have to worry about them turning on him.

But the problem was that with 452 stationed at Warehouse 44 and the new rule against leaving work early or lingering in the work area, He Gu had no chance to use the delivery tunnel!

With this in mind, He Gu tentatively asked, “Manager, I have two warehouses under me but only one person. It’s not right to keep Warehouse 45 locked all the time.”

“Maybe tomorrow I can have 452 take a shift at Warehouse 45 and give Warehouse 44 a break?”

The manager glanced at He Gu and said expressionlessly, “That’s a decision you, as a supervisor, are entitled to make on your own. You don’t need my permission.”

Hearing this, He Gu felt a slight surge of relief and nodded without showing any emotion, “Understood.”

The manager still didn’t look pleased with He Gu, gave him a glance, and then turned to leave.

At the doorway, the manager suddenly stopped, turned his head, and said coolly, “You don’t smell too good. You should take a shower when you get back.”

With that, the manager walked into the neighboring office without looking back, continuing to convey the message about the security level increase.

He Gu, somewhat puzzled, watched the manager through the glass wall and subconsciously sniffed his own sleeve and armpit.

Did he smell?

He hadn’t noticed until he sniffed, and then He Gu suddenly detected a faint, rank odor.

The smell was very light, undetectable unless he brought the fabric close to his nose.

Startled, He Gu quickly searched his clothes for the source of the smell.

Soon, he found a brown, paste-like substance the size of a fingernail on his cuff.

He Gu recognized it at once; it was the “mixture of four types of blood” from locker 315.

Had he accidentally brushed against it while retrieving the package?

Most importantly… the manager had just mentioned He Gu’s odor… could he have smelled it?

At this thought, He Gu felt a chill down his spine.

If the manager had detected the scent… did it mean that He Gu was not safe?

But if the manager had noticed something amiss, why would he remind He Gu?

Could it be that he didn’t dislike He Gu as much as he seemed?

Thinking positively, regardless of whether the manager had discovered anything or why he had warned He Gu, at least he didn’t seem to have any intention of dealing with He Gu right now.

In the current situation, if the manager wanted to take action against He Gu, there wasn’t much He Gu could do.

With this in mind, He Gu felt somewhat reassured.

Given the circumstances, the best course of action was to find a way to clear the level and leave as soon as possible!

With this thought, He Gu immediately stood up and made another trip to Warehouse 44.

452 was dozing off on the table and was startled awake by He Gu’s footsteps.

He Gu stood at the entrance of the warehouse and repeated the manager’s words, “Starting now, the security level in the factory has been raised, no leaving work early, and no lingering in the work area after hours.”

“Also, if you encounter security personnel questioning or inspecting within the factory area, you must cooperate fully.”

452, still wearing a trace of stiffness on his face, nodded dumbly, “Understood, supervisor.”

He Gu nodded slightly, thinking that if 452 could remain this unresponsive, it would save him a lot of trouble.

In fact, this was the best option for 452 as well, since He Gu had no intention of using him as a “pawn.”

After delivering the message, He Gu discreetly glanced at the dark delivery tunnel deep inside Warehouse 44.

Now that the “mixture of four types of blood” was gone, He Gu needed to figure out which four types of blood they were and collect them again.

But at least now, He Gu had the purple work clothes, crow’s blood, and crow feathers all ready.

Even if he couldn’t clear the level for the time being, perhaps it was time to explore the tunnel and scout the area, preparing for the next move…