Chapter Twenty-Four: An Offer to Join? N....

Fang Senyan paused for a moment of contemplation: "Is her first demand regarding the coordinates of the Gate of Hell? And is her second demand that we lead a team to investigate the wreckage of the RD aircraft that fled and was subsequently shot down?" Reef hesitated for a beat: "Yes, she's asking for thirty thousand Universal Points for the Gate of Hell coordinates, but if we agree to lead the exploration of that downed aircraft, it will be free." Fang Senyan dismissed it without hesitation: "Reject both.

If the Gate of Hell has many missions, then she needs us more—given the current strained manpower of the Illuminati, having an additional ME plus my strong support role would significantly boost their efficiency." "As for leading the investigation into the aircraft wreckage... that's a dead-end task!

With such an obvious lead, every Contractor's eyes are likely fixed on it. Even if there's a reward, we might end up offending everyone else.

From Zi's perspective as a team leader, she's responsible for the interests of at least dozens of people, while we are only three! Even if it blows up and we all suffer mutual damage, we stand to gain more!" Reef sighed; he realized more clearly then that he was indeed unsuited to be a team leader: "......

I refused, and the situation reached a stalemate." Fang Senyan continued: "Then let's draw lots to decide the shifts for guarding the ship's core engine... Have you heard the saying, 'Seek common ground while reserving differences'?

Since we've reached a deadlock on many points, let's proceed with the things we've already agreed upon; this can ease the awkward atmosphere. And by the way, Zi's weakness seems to be an unwillingness to lose.

When I finalized the three-day non-aggression pact for the temporary team, I got twenty thousand Universal Points from her; this woman just wants to win back thirty thousand points." "After I suggested drawing lots, the tension eased. We got the watch shift from 22:00 to 01:00 tonight...

What should we be doing now?" asked Reef. Fang Senyan pondered for a moment: "Our current strength is somewhat thin.

The Contractors who have survived this far must have quite high quality. We can try recruiting some temporary members.

Also, I believe this Valkyrie must have maps of the currently explored areas of humanity. While those maps have likely fallen into the hands of the Illuminati, there's also a chance others obtained them.

If you find any leads, please notify me immediately." After this battle, of the approximately four hundred Contractors who had entered the space battlefield, only about seventy remained. Of course, among the more than three hundred casualties, about one hundred had been killed in action; the rest were likely forcibly teleported out.

The Illuminati, in total, had about twenty-five members remaining; they were the group with the largest remaining contingent. Given this dominance, at least five or six of the remaining Contractors would likely be pulled into other alliances.

If we factor in recruitment by other teams, the potential candidates Fang Senyan's group could persuade were fewer than ten. However, for Fang Senyan, if the plan proceeded smoothly, he wouldn't temporarily lack manpower within this specific world.

But since the team was established, prudent planning was necessary. If any promising new blood worth cultivating or recruiting appeared, they could consider bringing these potential assets in early.

At this point, the Contractors, having basically confirmed the beast tide had retreated, began gathering in small groups to discuss their next moves. In reality, Fang Senyan wasn't the only one possessing shrewd judgment and strong luck.

For instance, several Contractors now possessed brand-new ME Exoskeleton systems, swaggering around the ship with their massive weapons—clearly, these individuals were bound to become core members later. Moreover, intelligence from Mogansa indicated that even the resurrection devices had been purchased a total of four times!

Soon, at least one team, totaling thirty people, set out. Members of the Illuminati constituted half of this reconnaissance party, their destination being the crash site of the RD members about five or six kilometers away.

The significance of this expedition was immense for the Illuminati. First, they needed to scavenge any great wealth that might remain at the crash site.

Second, if any RD members had survived, they absolutely had to be... silenced!

Otherwise, if the survivors reported what happened here to their superiors, the Gate of Hell coordinates held by the Illuminati would instantly devalue from priceless to utterly worthless! Just then, Fang Senyan's gaze suddenly shifted to the right, where two people were approaching together.

Fang Senyan recognized one of them—the Contractor with exceptionally strong detection abilities: Yu Ze, accompanied by Riel, the agile specialist dual-dagger user. After they reached Fang Senyan, Yu Ze spoke with a slight smile: "Sailor, hello.

I've come to discuss a few things with you." Fang Senyan nodded: "Go on." Yu Ze looked directly into Fang Senyan's eyes with sincerity: "After fighting side-by-side these past few days, Riel and I both feel you are a very formidable individual, and Reef, even more so, is a rare ME. Therefore, Riel and I are willing to..." Riel, perhaps due to his more impatient nature, interjected: "Riel and I are willing to be your sponsors to join our Banks Gang!" Hearing this back-and-forth performance from the two, Fang Senyan admitted he initially felt a surge of expectation, somewhat akin to the aura of supreme authority attracting heroes from all directions.

But upon hearing Riel's superior tone in the latter half, he nearly spat blood. Fortunately, he was already accustomed to masking his internal reactions, so he deliberately gasped sharply: "The Banks Gang?

Then you guys..." Yu Ze smiled with self-satisfaction: "That's right. Riel and I are both Reserve Colonizers!

Naturally, we have the qualification to recommend you into our powerful team!" Fang Senyan glanced at them, neither subservient nor overbearing: "While the Banks Gang is strong, no matter how powerful a team, its reserve members are always in a position of exploitation! As the saying goes, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

It might not be better than Reef and me forming our own team and developing slowly." Riel urged anxiously: "With our recommendation, your probationary period will only last one world, after which you can enjoy the benefits of a full member. Isn't that good?" Fang Senyan smiled and shook his head: "For ordinary Contractors, it’s very good!

But for my Reef, it’s not enough. You two should just state your business directly." Yu Ze's expression flickered slightly.

Fang Senyan was a rare Support-class Contractor, and Reef was an even rarer ME; both were precious talents in the space. Although the Sailor didn't have high offensive power, his strategic vision was sharp, and he was clearly a character who wouldn't act without incentive.

It was estimated that using such vague reasons to persuade him would be impossible. He became serious: "Since you are direct, Sailor, I will be straightforward too.

We currently need help securing three Milestones in this world: 'Marauder,' 'Penetrator,' and 'Headhunter.' We need your assistance." Fang Senyan frowned in confusion: "'Headhunter'? What is that?" Riel explained: "Obtaining five Na'vi personal longbows—under normal circumstances, you can understand this as having a chance to loot a longbow when you kill them." Fang Senyan considered for a moment: "Why do you need so many titles?" Yu Ze smiled: "We've all fought and nearly died together; I won't hide anything.

The titles derived from these three Milestones aren't top-tier, but they are highly useful for title synthesis." A fierce glint flashed in Riel's eyes, his face turning grim: "Since you're unwilling to join our Banks Gang, we can also hire the two of you. The compensation is five thousand Universal Points." Hearing the 'high price' of five thousand Universal Points, Fang Senyan's left eyebrow twitched like a sharp blade, but his face remained impassive as he quickly pulled up the relevant data to check: The requirement for 'Marauder' was collecting 1000 units of Pandora Superconducting Ore Crystal (the purity rating must not be lower than 16.8%).

The requirement for 'Penetrator' was acquiring the long horns of 10 Heavy Armored Horses. Even including the 'Headhunter,' the requirements for these tasks weren't overly difficult.

However, this suggested that Riel and Yu Ze were planning to achieve this without resorting to their full Colonizer strength, given they only had four opportunities to use that power. And the offer Yu Ze put forward clearly intended to take advantage of Fang Senyan and Reef!

Fang Senyan pondered for a moment: "To complete these Milestones, we need very detailed information. For instance, where can we find the Pandora Superconducting Ore Crystal, and since Heavy Armored Horses are mounts for the Na'vi, they must have specific habits." Riel stated flatly: "We have almost gathered all that data." Fang Senyan smiled: "If that's the case, then let's talk.

My terms are simple: twenty thousand Universal Points, five Potential Points, plus you must hand over all the relevant information you've collected. Furthermore, all spoils of war during the process of obtaining these titles must belong to us; otherwise, don't bother discussing it." The fierce light flashed in Riel's eyes again, his voice chilling: "You're asking for the lion's share; aren't you afraid you'll choke?" Fang Senyan's lips curved slightly upwards.

He stood up, dusted off his backside, and said: "Farewell. Or, I can offer you a free suggestion: go look for Akafeel of the Illuminati, or perhaps the ME of another team, and see if they are willing to help you." Today was really frustrating; the RD document was corrupted...

Damn it, that was my manuscript! It wouldn't open for the life of me; I finally had to download something else to fix it, which is why the update is late.

RO