South China Base, H District Adventurer's Camp.
"Who are you? Just because you say you're an investigator doesn't mean you are!"
The adventurer, suddenly stopped, immediately looked displeased, staring at the several people dressed in uniform black trench coats before him, saying defiantly.
At this moment, the man leading them slowly stepped forward. He wore a black trench coat, had a resolute face with some stubble on his chin, and a broken eyebrow that added a touch of fierceness to his mature aura. His first impression was one of maturity, steadiness, and a man of few words but fierce action.
As soon as he appeared, the surrounding adventurers couldn't help but take a step back in fear.
Then, he merely raised his hand slightly, revealing a complete set of equipment beneath his trench coat, and a golden nameplate hanging on his chest.
Upon seeing the nameplate, everyone was momentarily stunned, instantly changed their expressions, and quickly dispersed.
"It's a C-rank adventurer, can't mess with him, can't mess with him."
"That set of equipment is at least C-rank, what kind of family fortune is that?"
...
After driving away the irrelevant people, these individuals stepped forward and spoke to Cheng Xing and his group.
"Gentlemen, let's talk elsewhere."
Cheng Xing glanced at Su Yanran, and only after she nodded did he follow them into a room in a corner of the camp.
The moment the door closed, the leading man's face instantly crumpled.
"Ancestors! My little ancestor, I'll call you ancestor, alright?!"
"I just asked you to investigate the reason for the increased death rate of new adventurers in L Town Disaster Area, what kind of trouble did you stir up for me?"
"Now, 40% of the base's military is deployed, and even the God of War is on first-level combat readiness!"
The man's wails echoed throughout the room. He had originally arranged to go drinking with a few young women, but was called in by his superior to handle matters midway, only to find out that South China Base had been alarmed by a report from Su Yanran.
"Cheng Xing, let me introduce you, this is Su Haoran, the leader of our Awakener Management Bureau's Reconnaissance Team One—he's also my brother. His talent is A-rank Sword Soul, he's 24 years old, unmarried, and likes powerful thunder... Mmph mmph..."
Su Yanran seemed oblivious to Su Haoran's breakdown, introducing him to Cheng Xing on her own.
However, her initial introduction was normal, but then the style suddenly changed, so Su Haoran quickly stepped forward to cover her mouth.
He was afraid she would reveal all his information.
"This is 24 years old?"
Cheng Xing looked at Su Haoran, who appeared like a mature man full of masculine hormones, with a shocked expression.
However, after Su Yanran's introduction, there indeed seemed to be some resemblance between their eyebrows, especially the contrast between their appearances and personalities, which made them seem like a family.
"Hello, I'm Gao Chen, the deputy leader of Team One."
For the daily bickering between the Su Family siblings, the members of Team One seemed to have grown accustomed to it.
One of them, a man with captivating peach blossom eyes and an extraordinarily handsome face, stepped forward to introduce himself.
Gao Chen didn't know what was special about the man named Cheng Xing, but since Su Yanran introduced their leader so casually in front of him, it meant their relationship was certainly not simple.
"I'm Shen Ya, a reconnaissance agent for Team One."
Next, a woman with neat short hair, radiating heroism, whose proud figure couldn't be completely concealed by her trench coat, walked over and said calmly.
"Me, me, me, and me, I'm Li Manman, also a reconnaissance agent for Team One."
Finally, a small loli waving her hands, standing on tiptoes, with two bun hairstyles, squeezed herself in front of the two, afraid of not being seen.
"Hello everyone, I'm Cheng Xing."
Cheng Xing smiled, raised his hand, and shook hands with Gao Chen, speaking politely.
With their self-introductions complete, the Su Family siblings' playful squabble also neared its end.
"Why didn't you report the situation to me, but directly to Dad?"
"Don't you know that reporting across ranks is a violation?"
Su Haoran gave Su Yanran a sharp flick on her forehead.
"The situation was urgent, and your rank isn't high enough. By the time you reported it, who knows what accidents might have occurred."
Su Yanran retorted indignantly.
"What exactly happened?"
"It's like this..."
After the farce ended, Su Yanran then fully explained the entire sequence of events.
When everyone heard that Cheng Xing had an S-rank talent for increased drop rate, all of them widened their eyes, because the highest drop rate talent known until now was only D-rank.
Especially when they learned that the large and small bags on the Hackclaw Squad were all Cheng Xing's spoils of war, Su Haoran looked at Cheng Xing as if he was looking at some peerless powerful thunder beauty.
However, when they heard about the Blood Mantis siege, the Fallen, and finally the calamity seed.
Their expressions immediately became solemn.
"For something like this, the leader's rank is indeed not enough."
"That's right, not enough."
"Not enough."
Gao Chen and the other two nodded one after another after listening.
"You guys are going too far, no matter what, I'm still your leader."
Su Haoran, repeatedly disheartened, looked heartbroken, but Gao Chen acted as if he didn't see it, and continued to speak.
"Xiao Ran, you did well this time."
"As for you, because our Awakener Management Bureau is a confidential organization, and the existence of the Fallen also needs to be kept secret, you need to sign a confidentiality agreement before you can leave."
Then, Gao Chen looked at Cheng Xing and the Hackclaw Squad, and continued to speak.
The Hackclaw Squad agreed without even thinking, nodding in unison.
"No problem."
Cheng Xing naturally wouldn't refuse, and nodded in agreement.
After they agreed, the little loli Li Manman quickly took out the confidentiality agreement and had them sign it one by one.
After signing the agreement, Cheng Xing took out 10% of his gains from this upgrade and gave it to the Hackclaw Squad.
Afterward, the Hackclaw Squad left first.
As Cheng Xing packed his things and was about to leave, he was stopped by Gao Chen.
"Cheng Xing, please wait a moment."
"Is there anything else?"
Cheng Xing looked at Gao Chen, who was walking over, with a puzzled expression.
"It's like this, we'd like to ask if you have any intention of joining our Team One?"
This time, Cheng Xing did not refuse immediately, but fell into thought.
This trip to L Town had brought him considerable gains, but at the same time, he also realized a problem.
Too many things
Seeing Cheng Xing hesitate, Su Yanran's eyes on the side lit up—this meant there was a chance!
Gao Chen also looked nervous, instantly brainstorming several questions Cheng Xing might ask, such as whether a full set of equipment would be provided, or if a partner would be assigned, and so on.
If Cheng Xing wanted power, they could even consider replacing the team leader.
"What are your salary and benefits like?"
Cheng Xing thought for a moment and still asked the question he cared about most.
"Huh?"
However, Cheng Xing's question was beyond their expectations.
Gao Chen glanced at the backpack at Cheng Xing's feet, then looked at Cheng Xing, his expression as if to say, 'Brother, do you want to reconsider what you're asking?'
"No choice, I'm an orphan, I've been poor since childhood."
Cheng Xing said righteously.
"A million annual salary, top-tier five insurances and one housing fund, bonuses and subsidies for business trips."
"Deal!"
Gao Chen was so thrown off by Cheng Xing that he became a bit unconfident. After hearing about the Awakener Management Bureau's benefits, Cheng Xing agreed without a second thought.
"He agreed just like that? How about you ask to be a team leader? Otherwise, our conscience won't be clear."
"Hey, you scoundrel!"
"But for a confidential organization like yours, shouldn't there be approvals and assessments? Can I just join like that?"
"In principle, yes, but our team leader's father is the City Lord."
...