Mythology Returns! Starting with Folklore and Strange Tales

"Haha, we have to keep up with the times too! Zhang Wei, right? Can you come with us? Don't worry, you'll be fine, it's just a routine inquiry!"

Looking at the people in dark uniforms outside the door, their faces bearing friendly smiles, and then at the shoes already blocking the doorway, Zhang Wei nodded helplessly and opened the door: "Wait for me to get my things..."

......

There were no unexpected conflicts, nor any melodramatic twists.

Although there's no shortage of complainers online and in real life, Zhang Wei himself is quite grateful. At least, during the year or so that Lao Zhang was ill, each hospitalization was covered by his medical insurance for serious illnesses, and the nearly 80% reimbursement was undoubtedly a lifeline for his ordinary family.

Before Lao Zhang passed away, the applications and reports he submitted to the village had yielded results, and he received approximately 20,000 yuan.

Although it's a drop in the ocean compared to the total expenses, it's better to have something than nothing.

While it cannot be ruled out that there are bad people, as someone who enjoys the benefits, he cannot simply label these people as adversaries without any basis.

So, after a moment's thought, he opened the door, slung his backpack over his shoulder, grabbed the plastic bag he had packed earlier, and walked out of the guesthouse.

It might really just be a simple inquiry.

So there was no special treatment before or after getting on the bus. In fact, the other party even handed him the takeout he had just ordered so that Zhang Wei could eat something on the way.

About two hours later, several vehicles drove directly into the meteorological bureau.

Wait, weather?

In a room that resembled an interrogation room, but whose sign outside read "reception room," Zhang Wei sat opposite two specialists.

"Let me briefly introduce ourselves. We are inspectors from the Taihang Meteorological Bureau. My name is Jian Hongyu, and this is Liu Tie. We've found you today because several new meteorological phenomena have occurred in the secular world, and two of them happen to be within the Taihang area. After instrument detection and using Sky Eye to pinpoint their location, we've confirmed that you are one of the returning meteorologists. So, we'd like to talk to you about something."

Seeing Zhang Wei's unremarkable performance, and even his seemingly unsurprised demeanor, the two raised their eyebrows.

It's not surprising, although Zhang Wei's file only showed him as an ordinary, even somewhat unlucky, company intern... well, he's resigned now. But to break through in the town-level "silhouette," even if it meant hiding like a cockroach, that time is enough for a person to undergo a transformation.

Moreover, according to information from the secular world, this person in the silhouette of Chizhen was not acting suspiciously like a dog; on the contrary, he was quite a handful!

To some extent, Zhang Wei, who was just one step away from single-handedly turning the entire silhouette of Chizhen into a different place, and the high school student next door who was just brought back and questioned about using the human radar method to flatten the entire Thousand Snake Cave, are among the very few outstanding talents they have encountered in the Taihang region in recent years.

Talented people naturally deserve the treatment they receive.

Skipping over those tedious steps, let's get straight to the point: "Normally, we have two options for new travelers who have returned alive from the silhouettes."

"First, before you pass through the five silhouettes, you can still live in the real world and retain your ordinary person status. You will receive a nominal salary of 5,000 per month in your account, along with a shopping card of 800. Of course, once you receive this salary, you cannot display your extraordinary powers in front of ordinary people, nor can you act recklessly! Moreover, you must report to them every two months!"

"Second, join the Meteorological Bureau, get a permanent position, and start as an intern. Although this will accelerate your entry into the shadows, and at times you will be almost entirely in the shadows and in the mundane world, our benefits are quite good."

Interns will receive a base salary of 30,000 RMB per month, plus six types of insurance and two types of housing funds. Additional pay will be given for completing tasks related to silhouette missions and handling demonic incidents. Interns will have 20 days of unrestricted leave per month, but must complete at least one silhouette mission or one task per month (difficulty not limited). After completing three silhouette missions or seven demonic incidents, you will be promoted to a full-time employee, with your base salary increasing fivefold, plus seven types of insurance and six types of housing funds.

"In addition, whether it's an internship or a full-time position, there are corresponding cultivation materials, cultivation techniques, personal guidance, and various other benefits. However, apart from the benefits, you have to complete tasks to earn quotas for everything else."

Oh, by the way, if you choose this option, you'll have one protected position and one working position during your internship. After you become a full-time employee, these two positions will increase based on your needs...

"Excuse me, what exactly is this mortal world?"

"The mundane world, huh?"

"This story begins at the end of the last century, when the Three Realms appeared. I can't go into details now, but the archives have complete records. If you become one of us, you can look them up. Anyway, the mortal world appeared at the beginning of the new century. Many parties worked together to separate those fallen, dangerous silhouettes from the current world and create a second world! But in the past twenty years, the return of mythology has accelerated, and the changes there are happening at an unprecedented pace. Now, the only ones who truly control the narrative are us, the Lighthouse, the Polar Bear, and Europe."

"The basic function of the secular world is to act as an intermediary, absorbing those silhouettes that have been breached or have fallen out of control into the present world by the travelers. It reduces the impact of mythology on people in the present world, while separating demons and monsters from the ancients who came with them, and even the travelers, thus preventing ordinary people from being treated as fish to be slaughtered or used as waste!"

"We still have ways to guard against things in the secular world, but those are also secrets."

"How's your decision? Generally speaking, those who prefer stability and don't have any violent tendencies will choose the second option. Anyway, the rules of the Three Realms are there. Once you become a traveler, whether you come or not, you have to enter the silhouette at least once every month and a half. It's dangerous, and there's nothing extra..."

"I choose the second one!" Zhang Wei made up his mind almost without waiting for the other party to persuade him further.

Although he already has a patriarch and a master, each time he takes a silhouette, he is destined to gain much more than a normal practitioner.

But as the other person said, once you become a traveler, you'll eventually be part of the silhouette; whether it's sooner or later doesn't really matter.

Having a stable job provides a salary, benefits, and a way to accelerate one's spiritual development.

Anyone with a brain knows which of these two options to choose.

when!

I absolutely have to be one!

His starting move was already smooth enough, and now it will only be even smoother.

Holding the silhouette reward, grasping the ancestral master's blessing, and with additional benefits upon return—what kind of windfall is this?! Do one thing, get three rewards!

Upon hearing Zhang Wei's answer, Jian Hongyu, sitting opposite him, could no longer suppress his smile.

The bureau's rules state that there are rewards for welcoming new employees. Depending on the talent and ability of the new colleagues, they will not only receive a reward, but they will also receive certain incentives if the new employee demonstrates exceptional performance during their six-month internship.