Cthulhu Panel: One organ mutates every day

"Team positioning? I do have a feel for the information positioning, but what about the other positions?" Wayne asked.

Matthew, holding his drink, explained slowly and deliberately:

"In our Special Bureau, investigators in the investigation team have specific individual roles. A complete investigation team is usually divided into combat roles, support roles, survival roles, and information roles."

As the name suggests, combat positions are responsible for engaging in combat, whether it's offense, defense, or even drawing enemy fire. Lillian belongs to the offensive combat position.

The support role is responsible for assisting teammates, including providing buffs, cleanses, and healing. As you saw during the day, I am the support role in our team responsible for providing buffs.

These two positions have more detailed functional divisions and more specific development directions, but there's no need to go into detail for now.

The latter two positions are both positioned with comprehensive functions.

One is the information point, which requires a special sensitivity and observation of mysterious anomalies, and sometimes even the ability to actively trigger certain contamination characteristics to provide more direction and information for the investigation.

The role of information providers in a team is irreplaceable, and there are no particularly detailed functions; you've probably already experienced this firsthand.

The other is the survival position, which is the most special position in the investigation team.

The first three positions—combat, support, and information—are all about the team, while the survival position is about the individual.

Survival positions are highly capable, with a high overall level of skill and no particular weaknesses. They are often able to conduct observations independently and are competent in solo combat.

In certain special circumstances, such as when the investigation area is too large, the team may even split into two groups, with the survivor assigned to one group to carry out the mission alone.

"I see, there's such a professional process involved." Wayne kept eating and asked, "Then how do I know what position I'm good at?"

Matthew paused for a moment and then replied:

"The Special Bureau has a professional comprehensive scoring system with six dimensions: strength, agility, observation, knowledge, willpower, and traits. Each dimension has a maximum score of 10 points, for a total of 60 points. Hmm... you'll have more contact with them once you become a formal investigator."

Matthew paused for a moment in reminiscence:

"Last night, I used that copper coin to test your observation skills. I predicted that you would score at least 4 points, or even 5 points, in this dimension. Since you are also a messenger, I chose to recruit you as an information position. It just so happens that there is a vacancy for an information position in the team."

"Does my chances of becoming a formal investigator also depend on this rating system?" Wayne asked.

Ethan added:

"Generally speaking, yes. To become a full investigator, your total score needs to be 20 points. However, the department's review process for the investigation section isn't that strict. Plus, you're a messenger, so there's no need to worry."

"So, the personnel hierarchy in the Investigation Department, or rather the entire Special Affairs Bureau, will be clearly defined from now on?" Wayne asked.

Ethan slurped up a mouthful of oyster:

"There aren't many higher levels. There are senior investigators with a total score of 30 points and legendary investigators with a total score of 40 points. As for the god-slaying investigators with a total score of 50 points or more, just listen to them for fun."

"That's pretty standard." Wayne silently processed this information. These evaluation dimensions were quite similar to his own panel, either overlapping or related.

Matthew sipped his creamy lobster bisque:

"Don't feel pressured. Even if you leave the Special Affairs Bureau in the future, as long as you remain in this field, this Special Affairs Bureau rating system will be the most standard, clearest, and most practical way to measure human strength. Of course, within the Bureau, your future personal development and resource allocation will still be related to your role."

"Does the equipment feature I mentioned earlier, which achieves a symbiotic balance with pollution, also count as this?" Wayne asked.

"Yes, once you become a formal investigator, based on your overall score, you will have one opportunity to take on a corresponding trait. The degree of reality deviation caused by the contamination carried by the trait will be included in the score for that trait dimension. Different roles naturally require different traits in order to better fulfill the role of their respective positions," Matthew explained.

"I see. It seems I'll have to become a full-fledged investigator before I can truly see the scoring criteria," Wayne thought to himself.

He then continued to bury his head in showing off the food in front of him.

……

The team building activities of the second investigation team were proceeding smoothly.

During the time the waiters went back and forth to refill his drinks, Ethan would always strike up a conversation, immediately launching into topics about the female singers' music and outfits, various gossip, who a certain singer was dating, and which female star a certain real estate tycoon was keeping...

Matthew remained expressionless, simply savoring the food and enjoying the atmosphere of the karaoke bar. For someone who was usually serious and tense, this was a good time to relax.

Lillian remained gentle, her face beaming with joy as she curiously surveyed everything around her, and she treated the waiters' service with utmost courtesy.

As for Wayne, he was completely absorbed in his frenzied eating.

……

Whiskey is smooth and sweet on the palate, while champagne is refreshing and sweet.

[Feeding Lv.1 - Digestion] Progress: 11.1%

"I used to think I couldn't stand Western food, but this time the experience was pretty good. Maybe it's because my body has changed, and my tastes have changed too." Wayne leaned back in his leather seat after eating and drinking his fill.

At this rate, [Eating] is the most likely attribute to reach "Lv.2" first.

Let me see what Lv.2 is first...

With a thought, Wei En saw the twisted threads before him converge, and gently touched the [Feeding] button with his consciousness.

[Feeding Lv.2 - Rotten Saliva]

[Corrosive Saliva: Independent poison glands grow under the tongue, and the inner wall of the oral cavity undergoes abnormal changes, which can secrete thick, corrosive saliva with extremely strong corrosive power, capable of decomposing and dissolving all foreign objects]

"No way, will I still be able to taste the food in the future?" Wayne wondered.

Regardless of anything else, cherish the present moment.

He then ate a couple more bites of the remaining food on the table.

The progress of [eating] is slow.

"It seems that only by eating different kinds of food can we increase our progress. If we just eat the same food repeatedly, the effect will be minimal." Wayne clarified his future direction in his mind.

I'll need to keep an eye out for restaurants in Michigan from now on.

At this moment, Ethan watched the female singer perform on stage, his interest growing even stronger.

Lillian continued sipping her wine and observing her surroundings. Her face was already flushed, and her crimson eyes sparkled. She always held patience and curiosity for everything around her, appearing as if she were still innocent and naive.

Matthew, having finished his meal, leaned back quietly in his seat, pulled out a small round watch from his pocket. Inside the watch was a black and white family photo. His gaze was melancholic as he listened to the jazz music playing in the karaoke bar.

With his enhanced vision, Wei En was able to make out the people in the photograph.

The images are of a young Matthew, a well-dressed and innocent-looking woman, and a three- or four-year-old girl standing in the middle.

All three smiled and looked at the camera, creating a harmonious and joyful family atmosphere.

In Matthew's gaze as he looked at the photos, there was a deep sense of loneliness and longing for the past.

Their eyes were full of emotion, and upon closer observation, it was hard not to be moved.

"The current team leader, Matthew, seems to be a workaholic and doesn't have a family. Could it be..." A bad feeling welled up in Wayne's mind.

Ethan glanced at the group photo Matthew had pulled out, his gaze lingering for a moment before stiffly turning away, his interest completely gone, as if he were lost in some equally sad memories.

Wayne saw all of this and thought to himself:

"Ethan, Matthew, and Lillian—all three have extraordinary pasts, far richer than my own experiences as a rich young master, if you don't count the time travel..."

[Perception Lv.1 - Observation of the Microscopic] Progress 17.3%

Inside the karaoke bar, the melodious jazz music played, songs that were very popular in the Federation a few years ago:

Old letters from Michigan.

"Lake mist drifts past the windows facing the street."

"The tenderness of the past cannot be grasped even for a trace."

"The lively singing and dancing are all just scenery for onlookers."

My heart will forever remain in the past.

……

"Sigh, we were having a great time, why did the atmosphere suddenly turn so sad?"

Wayne looked around.

He noticed that the female singer on stage with short, wavy hair was young, beautiful, had a rich voice, and a melodious singing style.

But there was a hint of sadness and loneliness in her eyes.

In a place like this, with a female singer like this, there must be many stories behind her. What kind of family does she come from? What kind of personality does she have? What kind of life does she lead?

[Perception Lv.1 - Observation of the Microscopic] Progress 17.5%

Ethan also realized that the atmosphere was a bit dull, so he pulled his thoughts away from his past memories.

He glanced at Wayne and noticed that Wayne seemed interested in the female singer.

After thinking for a moment, I had a good idea.

He waved to the waiter, quietly handed him a stack of brand-new Federal Credits, and whispered:

"Go and get the most expensive satin silk flowers from your shop window, and hand them to the female singer on stage. Tell her they're from Mr. Webber, yes, the guy sitting across from me. Oh, and throw in a glass of sweet wine too. The rest of the money is your tip. Go."

The waiter pressed down on the stack of federal currency, nodding excitedly, before retreating to do as Ethan instructed.

Ethan glanced at Wayne with a smile, took a sip of his drink, and acted as if nothing had happened.